Airport Review

Airports are a defining feature of any country or city, and the New Delhi’s Airport in India certainly embodies the recent economic progress of India. I recently flew from Kathmandu to Delhi on Kingfisher Airlines, my first flight into Delhi’s newly renovated airport, and I was taken aback by the difference in what it is and what it used to be.
The centerpiece of this infrastructure is the new Terminal 3 (T3), from where most international flights operate. When I arrived at T3, I was thinking to myself that by looking at the airport I could have been in any world city and in any world class airport.

Obviously a little chaos still exists once you get outside the airport, but it is only a fraction of what it used to be. With flights coming in from all over the world,

including direct flight from major cities in North America, the Delhi airport has truly become an international hub for travelers.

Travel Story

Shopping in Kathmandu- A Westerner's Perspective

In my 15 years of marriage to a NRN (non-resident Nepali), I've made at least 4 trips of over a month each to Nepal, spending most of my time in the capital city of Kathmandu (KTM). For those of you who are considering a trek or tour in Nepal, you will start and finish your trip in KTM. This provides ample opportunity for a rich cultural, dining and shopping experience. I'm going to focus here on the particular shopping opportunities in/around the KTM valley.

Nepal has many unique arts and handicrafts that make excellent presents (in fact, for the last few years, I have almost exclusively given Nepali-made gifts for birthdays and Christmas – gaining rave reviews of my American family and friends.)

Please note that your travel agent and tour guide will provide recommendations, which will benefit both the traveler, the retailer and the travel agency and save you from over paying .

Where the tourists shop:

Note that unless noted "fixed price", bargaining "haggling" on price is expected, and YOU SHOULD NOT PAY FULL-PRICE! Ask for at least 1/2 off and be willing to walk away if you don't get it. Unless you are truly pressed for time, have tons of money, or find something truly unique (based on local knowledge), you will typically find the same thing for less outside these "tourist traps".

Travel Tips

Book Early and Save!

Here we go again with the same advice to book early and save! But this one is a little bit different, as it is not about summer travels. It is a reminder to save on Dashain & Tihar airfares, by booking early.

Why you should book early?

Reason # 1:
The number one reason always remains the same—people who book early get the cheapest fares offered by the airlines. You can get your ticket for cheaper by booking early or pay higher fares by booking

late on the same flight. The choice is yours!

Reason # 2:
Lower priced fares are expected to sell out quicker this September/October/November as it falls in the highest tourist season of Nepal. This is especially true this year as Nepal is celebrating Nepal Tourism Year 2011, and is targeting a record 700,000 arrivals by air. Last year Nepal received approximately 500,000 visitors by air. Do the math and you will be compelled to book early and save.