Travel and Tourism (Discovering West Nepal)

Ways with words

Find the words from the text which mean the following.

became fuller and softer by shaking → fluffed
sound mental health → sanity
consisting of or easily breaking into small pieces → crumbly
neither very hot nor very cold → temperate
land that does not have enough water to support the growth of plants → arid region
only slightly warm → lukewarm

Find the meanings of the following words in an English dictionary, write their word classes and use them in your own sentences.

Hazy - Adjective. Meaning: not clear or distinct; cloudy or foggy.
Example sentence: The sky was hazy, making it difficult to see the sun.
Frontier - Noun. Meaning: the furthest limit of settled or developed land in a particular direction.
Example sentence: The Western United States was once considered a frontier, as it was largely unexplored and unsettled.
Lush - Adjective. Meaning: having an abundance of growing plants; rich and fertile.
Example sentence: The jungle was lush and green, with a variety of trees and flowers.
Flip-flops - Noun. Meaning: a type of sandal that is held onto the foot by a Y-shaped strap, with a flat sole made of rubber or plastic.
Example sentence: I wore my flip-flops to the beach because they are easy to slip on and off.
Altitude - Noun. Meaning: the height of an object or place above sea level.
Example sentence: The mountain's altitude was over 10,000 feet, making it a challenging climb for even experienced hikers.
Fatal - Adjective. Meaning: causing death; deadly.
Example sentence: The car crash was fatal, and both drivers were killed on impact.
Magnificent - Adjective. Meaning: impressive and grand in appearance or size.
Example sentence: The palace was magnificent, with ornate decorations and intricate details.

Make a list of the Nepali words used in the text and write their English equivalents. For example: didi (Nepali) – elder sister (English).

bideshi (Nepali) – foreigner (English)
tatopani (Nepali) – hot water (English)
raksi (Nepali) – liquor (English)
bahini (Nepali) – younger sister (English)
mathi (Nepali) – up (English)
tala (Nepali) – down (English)
sutne (Nepali) – sleep (English)
panipuri (Nepali) – water balls (English)
pani (Nepali) – water (English)

Comprehension

Answer these questions.

a. How did the author feel when she saw a colourful rooster in the western Himalayas?

The author felt surprised and struck by the colorful rooster in the western Himalayas.

b. How does she describe the houses on the trails of western Nepal?

The author describes the houses on the trails of western Nepal as stone houses that are held together under a rock, above a river, and look crumbly but people still lived in them.

c. What does she mean when she says "I walked towards a village 15 kilometres further as the crow flies?"

When the author says "I walked towards a village 15 kilometres further as the crow flies," she means that the distance between the two places was 15 kilometers in a straight line, but due to the terrain, the actual distance was longer.

d. Describe the village Thankur in brief.

The village Thankur is described as a small, scenic village where the author was welcomed by a young couple and stayed the night.

e. What happened when she reached Jumla and how was she relieved?

When the author reached Jumla, she was relieved to find that she could finally get a bus to Rara Lake.

f. How does the author describe the bucket water in Khali Lagna?

The author describes the bucket water in Khali Lagna as cold, clear, and refreshing.

g. How was Rara Lake on the day she reached there?

Rara Lake was described as being surrounded by beautiful green hills and having crystal clear water.

Critical thinking

It is said that traveling a place equals to reading three books. Do you agree? Why?

I do agree with the statement that traveling to a place is equivalent to reading three books. When you travel, you have the opportunity to experience and learn about new cultures, people, and sights firsthand. This can broaden your understanding and knowledge of the world in a way that is similar to reading a book.

For example, when you visit a new place, you may learn about the history, customs, and way of life of the people who live there. You may also learn about the natural environment and geography of the place. All of these experiences can provide you with new knowledge and insights that are similar to what you would gain from reading a book.

In addition, traveling allows you to have firsthand experiences and make your own observations, which can deepen your understanding of a place and its culture. This can be similar to the way that reading a book allows you to gain a deeper understanding of a subject through analysis and critical thinking.

Overall, I believe that traveling to a new place can provide a wealth of knowledge and understanding that is similar to reading three books. It is a unique and immersive way to learn about the world and broaden your horizons.

The author spent five-week long walk along the western Himalayas. Do you think it was adventurous? Why?

It seems likely that the author's five-week long walk along the western Himalayas was an adventurous experience. Walking for five weeks through the Himalayas would likely involve traversing challenging terrain, facing unpredictable weather, and potentially encountering unexpected obstacles or hazards.

Additionally, the fact that the author decided to undertake this walk in an area where few tourists go suggests that they were seeking out a more challenging and adventurous experience. The mention of walking through warm temperate forests, over rapids, and beside glassy waterholes also adds to the sense of adventure.

Overall, it seems likely that the author's five-week long walk along the western Himalayas was an adventurous experience due to the challenging and unpredictable nature of the journey.

Writing

Write a travelogue of your recent visit to a natural/religious place in about 300 words. Use the following clues.

Local costumes and traditions... Cuisine... Depiction of places of interest, local history and culture... Your adventures... Prices and transportation... Entertainment ...

My Adventures in Ghalegaun: A Travelogue

I recently had the opportunity to visit Ghalegaun, a small village in Lamjung district of Nepal known for its natural beauty and traditional culture. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the local costumes and traditions. The people of Ghalegaun wore traditional clothing that was handmade and colorful, and the women wore intricate jewelry made from local materials. The village was also home to many temples and shrines, and I was fascinated by the local rituals and ceremonies that I witnessed.

One of the highlights of my visit was the cuisine. The food in Ghalegaun was a delicious blend of local and international flavors, and I enjoyed trying a variety of dishes made with locally grown ingredients. The local farmers and producers were also very proud of their products, and I learned a lot about the traditional methods of farming and cooking in the area.

There were many places of interest to visit in Ghalegaun, including the local market, where I was able to purchase handmade crafts and souvenirs. I also visited a local temple that was surrounded by beautiful gardens and waterfalls, and I learned about the rich cultural and religious history of the area.

During my stay in Ghalegaun, I also had the opportunity to go on some adventures, such as hiking through the mountains and visiting nearby villages. These activities allowed me to see some beautiful scenery and learn more about the local culture.

The prices and transportation in Ghalegaun were very reasonable, and there was plenty of entertainment to be found, such as cultural festivals and traditional music and dance performances. Overall, my visit to Ghalegaun was a wonderful and enriching experience, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Write an essay in about 500 words on 'Importance of Tourism in Nepal'.

Importance of Tourism in Nepal

Tourism is an important industry in Nepal, contributing significantly to the country's economy and providing employment opportunities for many people. Nepal is a small, landlocked country located in South Asia, and it is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural and religious history, and friendly people. The country is home to eight of the world's ten highest mountain peaks, including Mount Everest, and it has a diverse range of landscapes, including high mountains, green forests, and fertile plains.

One of the main reasons for the importance of tourism in Nepal is that it is a major source of income for the country. Tourism is the second largest contributor to Nepal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) after agriculture, and it is estimated that the industry accounts for around 10% of the country's total employment. Many people in Nepal depend on tourism for their livelihood, and the industry is vital for supporting the local economy and providing employment opportunities.

Tourism in Nepal is also important because it helps to preserve the country's natural and cultural heritage. Nepal is home to many protected areas and national parks, which are important for the conservation of the country's biodiversity. The tourism industry helps to support these protected areas and contribute to their management and conservation. In addition, Nepal has a rich cultural heritage, with many temples, shrines, and cultural sites that are important to the country's history and identity. Tourism helps to support the maintenance and preservation of these sites and allows people to learn about and appreciate the country's cultural heritage.

Another benefit of tourism in Nepal is that it helps to improve infrastructure and development in the country. The tourism industry requires a range of services and infrastructure, such as hotels, restaurants, transportation, and communication systems, which can help to stimulate development and improve the quality of life for local people. In addition, the tourism industry can also help to support the development of small businesses and local communities, which can contribute to the overall economic growth of the country.

In conclusion, tourism is an important industry in Nepal, contributing significantly to the country's economy and providing employment opportunities for many people. It also helps to preserve the country's natural and cultural heritage and support the development of infrastructure and small businesses. In order to maximize the benefits of tourism, it is important for the country to manage and sustainably develop the industry, ensuring that it is inclusive and benefits all stakeholders, including local communities and the environment.

Complete these sentences using the verbs given in the brackets.

Letters are delivered by the postman every day. (deliver)
This bag was found in the bus yesterday. (find)
The gate is locked at 7:00 pm every evening. (lock)
I was invited to the party last week. (invite)
The telephone was invented by Graham Bell. (invent)
Muna Madan was written by Devkota. (write)
How much money was stolen in the robbery? (steal)
Do you know cheese is made from milk? (make)
I was born in Kathmandu, but was grown in Dhangadhi. (grow)

Change the following sentences into passive.

I didn’t fix the problem. → The problem wasn’t fixed.
Police protect the town. → The town is protected by the police.
John’s mother raised him in a small town. → John was raised in a small town by his mother.
Someone painted the building last year. → The building was painted last year by someone.
Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. → Penicillin was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming.
Some students study grammar on the Internet. → Grammar is studied on the Internet by some students.
Someone had broken the window by 3:00 p.m. → The window was broken by someone by 3:00 p.m.
A strange man was watching us. → We were watched by a strange man.
Tokyo will hold the Olympics in 2020. → The Olympics will be held in Tokyo in 2020.
We are working on the report right now. → The report is being worked on right now.
My manager has told him to arrive earlier. → He has been told to arrive earlier by my manager.
They could not have made the mistake. → The mistake could not have been made.
I hope they are going to hire me soon. → I hope I am going to be hired soon.
I don't like people staring at me. → I don't like being stared at.
She likes people waving at her. → She likes being waved at.
Who told you the story? → By whom was the story told to you?
Is he repairing the bicycle? → Is the bicycle being repaired by him?