All foreign nationals except citizens of India need visas. Single entry visas are issued for up to 30 days. However, they can be extended for up to 3 months. Trekking permits on the other hand are needed if you plan on hiking in the Himalayas. These permits can be obtained from immigration offices in Katmandu. The time zone is GMT/UTC plus five hours and 45 minutes. Electricity is 220 volts. Weights and measures are in the metric system. The … [Read more...]
Nepal – What to Bring
Besides the medication and medical kit there is quite a bit that the trekker can bring. If you are going to hire a porter, put what you can into your bag and worry less about the weight. If you are going to carry your own pack you must prioritize what is really important to you on backpacking trips, and consider weight as a factor. If you are not planning on backpacking this list will still help you in your packing. Some of these items may be … [Read more...]
Nepal – Katmandu
Katmandu, for all its poverty and dilapidated buildings, is a relatively safe city. In all my walks and travels through the neighborhoods I never once felt unsafe. In comparison, many times I felt unsafe walking through Bangkok, Thailand or even cities in California. The people in Katmandu were very friendly and easy going. This was the first city that I have ever seen that appeared to be crumbling to the ground. There were few paved streets, … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Shopping
There are quite a few excellent shopping center in the Lake Tahoe area. Some of them are listed below, some with descriptions. A good listing of malls in the Reno area is: www.newtoreno.com/malls.htm Tahoe City Boatworks Shopping Mall is one of my favorite places to hang out in Tahoe City. They are located at North Lake Blvd, and Highway 28. This Mall is located right next to The Lake and the Boatworks Marina. Often times after shopping I … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Hiking, Biking
The following are hiking or biking trails we have explored in the Tahoe Area. As time permits, we will visit additional local trails and provide more information here. Angora Lakes These set of two lakes are located about 10 miles from Emerald Bay. You can either take a car or bike here. Take the Fallen Leaf Road off of Highway 89 on the south side of the road. This is a narrow paved road that skirts Fallen Leaf Lake (about 1/2 mile in … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Gambling
We always enjoy going to South Lake Tahoe for some late night gambling. We have had good luck playing the slots at Planet Hollywood. The restaurant there tends to be quite crowded but once you are seated you are surrounded by movie memorabilia. Check out Cindy Crawford's high school yearbook photo. Whenever we are in Tahoe we always frequent Harrah's Hotel and Casino but Montbleu, nearby, is of similar caliber. We have a soft spot for Harrah's as … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Ski Resorts
Alpine Meadows is located on the North Shore, on Alpine Meadows Road just off of Highway 89. This is one of the top 6 ski resorts in the Tahoe area. This resort is located 6 miles northwest of Tahoe City. Alpine Meadows is known for its long season and its diverse terrain. They have over 100 runs and 12 lifts. Their summit elevation is 8,637 feet with a vertical drop of 1,800 feet. Up until recently they had banned snow boarding but now snow … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Tahoe Cedars Lodge
OLD! Historical Memento Photos of Tahoe Cedars (23 photos) Tahoe Cedars was for sale in 2009 for a cool 15 million: www.cblaketahoe.com/realestate/listing/2900249 Tahoe Cedars Property Owners' Association: www.tcpoa.org Update August 2019 - after all the cabins were destroyed, a modern home was constructed on the lower reaches of the property - possibly still under construction. A few old stone buildings (the boat houses) … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara is like a bright tapestry, woven from time, and enriched with the colors of history and culture. Some cities grow old and then slowly die. Santa Barbara never grows old, just more elegant and appreciative of its past. Words cannot begin to describe the intimacy and sophisticated flavor of this city, only experience and a stay here, can do that. In 1925 a devastating earthquake left the downtown in ruins. Santa Barbara … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Mission Santa Barbara
Mission Santa Barbara called the "Queen of the Missions" was founded on Dec 4, 1786, on the Feast of St. Barbara. This mission is the tenth of the California missions and is the only one with two bell towers. It's construction was completed in 1820, and today is still one of the best preserved missions. However, between the founding of the mission and today it has been severely damaged by several earthquakes, one in 1812 and one in 1925. Both … [Read more...]