hulbari or "flower garden" in Nepali is situated
on the highest point at almost 1800 metres in the district of Kavre, south-east
out of the Kathmandu Valley. Our hilltop farmhouse lies at the end of
a ridge bordering a forest reserve and offers sweeping views of valleys
and wave upon wave of terraces and hillocks.
Himalayan Peaks
The magic of Phulbari is its view of the Himalayan peaks, at times peeking
shyly from the clouds, or glowing in the early morning rays. The truly
blessed may be bestowed the overpowering sight of its entire range covered
in fresh snow on a clear day.
Organic farm
Touching ground, the Phulbari farm lies on 10 acres of organically prepared
land strewn with marigolds, dahlias, rhododendrons and wild weeds and
orchids. In and around the hill are fruit trees and plots that yield a
mixed variety of radish, pumpkin, carrot, leeks, bok choy, eggplant, and
more. All for our picking and prepared by our trained Nepali cook into
the most simple and satisfying meals.
Country charm
Not only does one taste the harvest of the farm, but partaking it is another
captivating feature of Phulbari. Breakfast is a feast for the eye at the
Balinese-style pavilion on the highest terrace with the pond and shrine.
Whether the range is close-up to the flowering shrubs or zoomed across
to neighbouring hill Namo Buddha, there is no other appealing way to start
the day.
Treks, holy sites, village life
From here, you plan your day's easy trek - to Namo Buddha, a holy site
for hundreds of years. This is a legendary stupa where a prince (the Buddha
in a past life) came upon a starving mother tigress about to devour a
boy. Out of compassion, the prince offered his own flesh to save the boy.
The remains of the body is said to be enshrined in the main stupa decorated
with prayer flags. Above the site is a Tibetan-Buddhist monastery.
Another morning, you might set your sites on Dapcha, a charming medieval village with stacked wooden houses.
There is always a settlement to walk through or the hospitable village school to distract you. Tired out, take the public bus for few rupees anywhere along the main dirt road to the junction of Phulbari ridge. This is the way to rural Nepal.
Reading or contemplating
Back on the farm, the outdoor garden features - bougainvilla arbour on
the east side, the smaller shaded pavilion on the north face, the courtyard
of the farmhouse - are places to read or contemplate the fascinating work
of man and nature. Whatever the season, it is an ever-changing wash of
brown earth and lush green. Mists roll by and clouds gather thickly like
a lake of cotton wool.
Our farm sits at the end of a long ridge
Two ways to approach the farm a bumpy
4-wheel drive on dirt road or a pleasant 2-hour walk through paths and
villages
A major highway under construction offers
quicker delivery soon
Our team of villagers looks after the farm
and also the needs of our guests
How's this for a top of
the Himalayan feeling?