THE HIMALAYAN GOLF COURSE

A simple question for the golf freaks around the world: Is there something cooler then a golf course right on the Himalayas? Here it goes…

The Himalayan Golf Course has been nominated “one of the 10 most unique golf course in the world” and its location spotted on the so-called roof of the world, makes it incomparable. Situated in Pokhara-Nepal, the HGC was designed and constructed by the Ex British Army commissioned officer Major Ram Gurung and for the past 12 year it has been hosting The Nepal Surya Western (professional) Open.

The HCG is located mostly inside a white water river canyon, where it meets the waterfall and it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range. Since it has been developed preserving the natural environment and respecting the wildlife, during the game it is not unusual to meet foxes, monkeys, hawks and eagles. In the Himalayas everything is about the glory of nature!

Lets have some technical information: the HGC is a twice played 9 hole course, 6,900 yards from the championship tees with a par of 73. It has 11 greens and different tee positions including the first natural river island hole in the world. It seems that “Watching the pros victoriously blasting their second shot to the par five, 7th green in the middle of Bijayapur River, leaves one in fascinated awe”.

 Here some eloquent comments from the Club House’s visitors book:

"The most beautiful and dramatic golf course in the world"

"If God had to choose a golf course to play: This would be it"

"Fantastic. What an experience"

"Absolutely unforgettable"

“Without a doubt, Asia's most amazing golf course”

Go and have a look for detailed information: The Himalayan Golf Course

Photo: The Himalayan Golf Course

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GUZAARISH - WHEN A BOLLYWOOD MOVIE TOUCHES YOU

In India, we are continuously bombarded with cheap, boring and meaning less Bollywood movies. It is true. There is one good movie a year, two must be an exception. It seems that tireless directors work 24x7 to bring on the screen pitiful script and dubious talented actors. Ingredients are always the same: masala, famous movie stars and unwanted dialogues. The target of spectators is considered brainless or incapable to reach a certain level of sophisticated reasoning and brave enough to not leave the cinema hall or burn it!

But once in a year, great directors like Anurag Kashyap, Mani Ratnam, Ashutosh Gowarikar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, remind me that Indian Cinema is far beyond what we usually get from the western word. Great movies always have a brilliant lighting and dynamic camera, powerful dialogues, spectacular background score and excellent editing. If the story disappoint you, at least one of those components make the movie unique in is genre. Those directors rarely disappoint a sensible public. 

Guzaarish is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who choose one of the best and hottest duet in Bollywood: Aishwaria Rai-Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan. 
The story is set in Goa, mostly in a splendid Portuguese style's mansion where Ethan Mascarenhas (Hrithik Roshan), a former magician who is paralyzed from neck down, live under the care of Sofia D'Souza (Aishwarya Rai), his nurse for the past twelve years. 

On the fourteenth anniversary of his accident, he decide to file an appeal to the court for euthanasia and thanks of his hobby as a Radio Jockey he starts to speak openly and look for support in the country. Both stubborn and strong characters, in the beginning they fight each other because of the drastic decision made by Ethan but at the end true love brings them together as invincible warriors.   

The film is so well made that it is impossible not to be touched by the love and the drama in it. It is a cry for help, for comprehension and for a dignitose death. 
It is unquestionably contemporary.
Lets watch it!

  

Images: Bollysite

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INTERVIEW AT THE CASTLE RESORT IN POKHARA-NEPAL

The Castle Resort is one of the best choices between Hotels that the Lakeside - Pokhara offers. Situated on top of a hill, it gives you the best view, peace and serenity impossible to find anywhere else. 

The architecture of The Castle Resort appears exactly like a castle on top of a hill and a gentle European couple - Joe and Sofia - who brought a pinch of Ireland and Portugal in Nepal, owns it.

The heated swimming pool, the Ping-Pong table, the dartboard, the badminton court and the huge trampoline are great time pass for kids and even for grown ups.

Besides the outstanding hospitality, the excellent staff and the attention for particulars, what really makes the difference here at The Castel Resort is the kitchen: the assorted menu offers continental and Nepalese food and the dish are cooked by the hands of enviable experience…indeed the most exigent mouth will be satisfied!

Here is how Joe presents The Castle Resort through a short interview:

How did you and Sofia choose Pokhara and decided to build The Castle Resort?

After traveling extensively through Asia, we kept returning to Nepal and especially back to Pokhara. One day we walked up this small hill and sat on the scrubby grass admiring the view and thought we could do something here!

For how many years have you been running The Castle Resort?
Once we had formed a limited company in Kathmandu with the object of running a tourist resort whereby, we could own 100% of the Company’s shares. We spent some years levelling the rice terraces and building The Castle. We opened ten years ago.

          
What kind of atmosphere we can find at The Castle Resort?

A convivial friendly relaxing atmosphere where you can lay on your hammock in your private garden or by the pool and in the evening come to Branigan’s Irish Pub to discuss your projects and find out from others guest where they had been and what different areas on Nepal and India are like and share their experiences.

What is the difference about The Castle Resort in comparison to the other thousand Hotels in Pokhara?

Most Hotels are one building with corridors to the rooms. The Castle Resort in comprised of different rooms and lodges separated from each other by gardens and walk ways. We also grow our own vegetables using natural fertilizer; we use local material such as bamboo, straw and stone. The Castle Resort is an Eco-Resort.

What would you choose between a kitchen which serves delicious food and a pub filled with the best liquors?

My wife would definitely choose the kitchen with delicious food. I would choose a pub filled with the best liquors. However we do not have to choose as we have both here at The Castle Resort.

Since you know Pokhara very well, what would you suggest to not miss in the valley?

Different people have different tastes, some likes temple and stupas. There are some great examples in Pokhara. Others, day walks, boating, lively bars in the evenings. Then there is always kayaking, rafting and paragliding for the adventure seekers. My wife loves to play golf and here in Pokhara we have one of the most unique golf course in the world, The Himalayan Golf Course. We organize all these activities for our guest including day trips, picnics and trekking anywhere in the Himalayas.

Website: www.pokharacastle.com
E-mail: pokharacastle@yahoo.co.uk
Phone: +977-061-461926, +977-9856020784, +977-9851077780
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCastleResortPokhara

Photo: The Castle Resort

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