Dear Sheila and Bob,We hope this e-mail finds you well and that you have had a great summer. For us, the seasonal break has just flown by and it is almost time to get back to work. We wanted to give you a quick update on what we have been up to.
Paul & Ratna
We are spending most of the summer in Asia, as we usually do. Our base is in Ipoh, Malaysia, Ratna's family home. There we enjoy great food, beautiful weather and being with family and friends, not to mention the numerous house pets. For the more active part of our break, and since we both like trekking, we decided to spend some time in Nepal, which is about a 5-hour flight from Malaysia.
Flying into Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, it is immediately striking how the very rapid uncontrolled urbanisation has taken its toll on the city. The roads are in a very bad state of repair, and are jammed with traffic at any time of the day. The atmosphere is furry enough to stroke and there is dust everywhere. Having recently lost its Royal family in tragic circumstances, the country is now without a constitution and therefore difficult to govern. Let’s hope these matters are sorted out in the near future and that some effort will be made to clean up the city.
Despite all of this, there are still some stunningly beautiful sites in the old quarters. We spent a day touring the city, and first visited Budhanikantha where the Boudenata stupa rises in stepped terraces to a giant white-washed hemisphere, topped with the “all seeing eyes of Buddha”. Next we went to Pashupatinath, a religious site where open air cremations take place by the river. Then we walked around the old quarters of Bhaktapur, Patan (also called the city of Lalitpur “The Beautiful City” dating back to 3rd century BC), and Boudhanath, where there are many examples of traditional Nepalese architecture, some looking like they were going to crumble at any time. We were lucky to visit an extraordinary ensemble of magnificent temples and fabulous architecture. We hope these world heritage sites will continue to benefit from a comprehensive and sensitive restoration.
Kathmandu however was not what we had come to Nepal for, and early next morning, we started on a trek from the outskirts of Kathmandu to the small village of Nagarkot, which took about 5 hours through the mostly gentle hills of the valley of Kathmandu. Within just 30 minutes of walking outside, the city and the contrast could not be greater. Here, there has been little change to rural life, and families were busy planting, harvesting, and tending to their animals. The air is clean and the atmosphere serene. It was so nice to be away from all the noise and chaos of the city. We based ourselves at the Nagarkot Farmhouse just outside Nagarkot, a small organic farm offering simple but comfortable accommodation. From here, we went on numerous walks to other small villages in the area. We could never get tired of such beautiful scenery, almost as picture postcard perfect as the BVI!
Back in Malaysia, Ratna has been working on new recipes. Please find one of her new creations attached (tasting trio of noodle wrapped tiger prawn with chili lime sauce, spiced chicken in crisp grana cup, mango gazpacho with mushroom crostini), we hope you enjoy. [You can find this recipe in the post below]
Sayang is undergoing the usual out of water work in the Nanny Cay boatyard and will have new bottom paint applied. We are pleased to report we passed our out of water survey with flying colours and are rated as fully MCA compliant by the BVI shipping registry.
We look forward to seeing you all and to working with you through the new season. Thank you for your continued support, we appreciate it very much.Sound like an interesting couple? The crew is a big part of the charter experience. The phrase "Come as guests, leave as friends" is so true in the yacht charter industry.
Kind regards,
Paul and Ratna
S/V Sayang
Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book SAYANG
View Sayangs's online brochure #1 and online brochure #2
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com
View Sayangs's online brochure #1 and online brochure #2
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com
