My buddy and I came to Nepal a week ago for a very unexpected vacation. We didn't have any itinerary. We were like fools at the airport having no plans where to go from there. We were like "Now what?" So as cautious human beings, we tried our best not to be preyed upon by those people standing by the airport gates offering you things like taxi service, tour guiding services, hotel accommodations and a lot more. But we ended up dealing with one because we have no other choice. So the guide brought us to this hotel apartment, he initially have told us that it is for 12.00$ per night only but it turned out to be 15.00$ instead. But it was okay, we had internet connection and our own bathroom and double bed for me and my friend. We also have room service if we wanted to. At the airport though, we had the chance to change our US dollars into the local currency, the rate was at 8.25 Nepal Rupees to 1 US Dollars. Only to find out that outside we can actually change our money to up to 99.00 Rupees per 1 US Dollars. Oh I just hate that!
So on our first day in Nepal, we went out of our hotel and walked with our backpacks on. We went to a lot of places.. took a lot of pictures.. We particularly liked the Monkey Temple. It was located somewhere in Kathmandu Valley. I've seen some actual Monks and monkeys are just everywhere. There were eagles nesting on the trees as well. So amazing. At the entrance though, we were welcomed by this old man, trying to reach out for our foreheads. He put some red colored thing on our foreheads, and we thought it was some sort of religious welcome.. until he uttered, "500 Rupees please." and we were like "Say what?" We were in disbelief. But since his an old man, we gave him what he wanted anyways.
That night, when we went back to our hotel room, we've seen that there was actually a Spa service room downstairs. So we thought we'd inquire how much is a massage because we were really tired carrying our backpacks and walking all day. On the spa menu.. they offer the usuals, foot massage, thai massage and the likes... the most expensive service however is the "relaxing massage" But I really am not going for that. I totally wanted some thai massage. But the massage lady urged me to take the relaxing massage instead because she said it is very good for me. As naive as I can be, I believed her. And my friend wanted the same service as well. So we made an advance payment of 1000 Rupees each and they began to massage us. Because I was so tired, I didn't really cared much if she was a very unskillful massage therapist. Believe me, my therapist in Thailand can take me to places unimaginable once she touches my body with her hands... but this one? Crap. I fell asleep. I woke up when she asked me to turn around and she began to massage me on my front down to my private parts and she immediately asked me if I wanted her to give me a "B" I was like "Wtf?" I just smiled at her and refused. My friend was also offered the same thing. We totally felt we've been rift off. These people have no shame. We live in the hotel upstairs and everyday we will see their faces and remember what they did to us inside their massage parlor. We felt violated. Crappy service + inappropriate acts. Totally an experience for me and my friend.
Also, a tip for travelers. This applies to wherever you may go. Don't deal or be careful when dealing to people offering help on the streets. They will help you to whatever you may need. That is their livelihood. They will take you to places where they have connections with so whatever business you will take on, they will get a commission. We experience once in Nepal, the guy also asked us to give him 500 Rupees for helping us finding our hotel. I said no to him. I told him that he should actually give us a percentage of his commission from the hotel. Because if he had just let us walk beforehand, we would have found the hotel ourselves and have gotten a better rate minus his commission. Then off he go.
So yeah... just remember to be cautious. Beware of scams. Make sure the service you are getting is the real deal. So here is the view at night from the terrace of our first hotel accommodation in Nepal. We were at the center of the city. Next blog will be our travels at the provinces.
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