| By Theresa Ragan | July 31, 2009 |
After an 18 hour plane ride from Los Angeles to Bangkok, we flew another three hours to Kathmandu where we stayed for three nights at the Kantipur Temple House, walking distance to the Durbar Square next to the old royal palace. We took a smaller flight around the Himalayas and took a day trip to Bhaktipur where we visited the monkey temple. We saw the tallest Buddhist temple in Nepal, watched a dance performance where local schools were competing, visited the Bodnath stupa and ran around the prayer wheels. We drove to Bandipur, a medieval city nestled in the beautiful countryside where I leaned against an old fence for a photo op and ended up toppling off a small cliff head first after the fence broke! I landed in muddy hills covered in nettles (like getting a thousand bee stings) but I didn’t have time to whine since we were off to the Fish Tail Lodge in beautiful Pokhara. We then continued on to Tansen where we played Frisbee with the local kids and ate dinner in their quaint Newari village. After little sleep we were off to Lumbini where we sat under the Bodhi tree where Buddha was born.
Despite being monsoon season in Nepal the heat was nearly unbearable.
Our next stop was the Royal Chitwan National Park where we were chased through the jungle by a mean-spirited wild elephant that had only three weeks ago killed two locals. I’ve never been so scared in my life!
Every night while we were in Nepal the lights would go out and we would have to find our way back through strange towns in the dark while thunder boomed and lightning lit up the sky in the distance. The day after we were chased through the jungle, we rode friendlier elephants in the river and played in the water while they sprayed us and rolled over, tossing us off their backs. I think that’s where I might have picked up a few parasites. We visited twin elephants at a breeding area. The babies drank from our water bottles and were so cute and loving.
We saw a one-horned rhino and crocodiles. Despite Nepal’s poverty, it’s impossible not to see the beauty wherever you go. The smells and sounds are many and always changing. The Nepali people are warm, friendly, and resilient. Despite a few mishaps, I would go back do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Okay, so here’s my question for the day. Being in Nepal made me ponder questions about settings used in the books we love to read. Do you ever look for a particular setting before you buy a book? For instance, do you gravitate toward stories that take place in a tropical paradise or in exotic locations?
And one more question, what magical or special place have you visited in your lifetime?
July 31st, 2009 at 7:26 am
Wow, Theresa, what an amazing trip! I’m intrigued by the adventurousness of your journey — it must’ve been fascinating!
As for settings I look for to read, I’m pretty open. I like both exotic locations and very local ones. I choose stories based mostly on the combo of character and premise, and I’m happy to read about them anywhere
.
One of the most magical places I ever visited was the island of Capri, just off the western Italian coastline…
July 31st, 2009 at 9:01 am
Hi Marilyn! Oooh, the island of Capri. That sounds amazing. I really want to go to Italy. When were you there and are you dying to go back?
I agree about the characters and premise being more important when choosing a book. I don’t think i’ve ever picked up a book based on setting, but when the setting is chosen well, it sure does make the read even better!
Thanks for stopping by.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:03 am
Good morning, Theresa.
I’m so glad you are home and finally recovered. That bug hit you hard. On the other hand your trip sounds amazing!!! I don’t think I would have ridden the elephants in the river! That sounds really scary. I’d fall off and into the jaws of a crock I’m sure. And being chased—whew! But, you thrive on all that….you do!
One of my most favorite trips was when I was first married my husband and I took a trip with my two sisters and their husbands to Barbados. It was before it was as touristy as the other Islands and it was beautiful. Thing was, since my sister Mary is a flight attendant we went on passes. It was the end of the crop over season when we went to leave and all the flights were full. We were stranded for like three or four, can’t exactly remember I’ve been married so long, days!! That wasn’t quite so fun because we had gone over our allotted vacations budget and we had no idea how long we would be staying. But, looking back now, it was a great adventure. I can still remember the crabs that would come ashore in the evening…and the sound of the really loud crickets and steel drums. It was all enchanting…..
I don’t really look for any certain settings for my books. I go more by the author, back blurbs or word of mouth.
{{{Super welcome home hugs}}}
~C
July 31st, 2009 at 10:19 am
Hi Caroline! Good morning to you too! I wonder how many books you sold yesterday?!
How exciting!! You must be on top of the world.
I love family trips with sisters and husbands. All four of my sisters and their husbands and my mom took a caribbean cruise years ago back when I could stay up until 2 a.m. with no problem. Remember those days? Ha!
Great description of your trip, Caroline, with the steel drums and crickets and crabs on the shore at night. Wonderful! Thanks for sharing and thanks for the kind words regarding my recovery.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:56 am
Marilyn and Theresa–!! I went to Capri in 2005!! Loved it. We celebrated my son, Adam’s sixteenth birthday there! (yeah, poor kid-right?) HA! It was such a cool restaurant I could just kick myself for not bringing home some matches so I could remember the name and Google it! Stupid!!
I did buy a beautiful inlaid music box that plays, Somewhere My Love–Laura’s Theme. It’s one of my favorites. I try to buy one on every trip I take….
Wasn’t the boat ride out there great? Some of the best sightseeing ever. Where did you go from there, Marilyn? We went to the Amalfi Coast and Ravello!!
July 31st, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Theresa, I’m so glad you posted these pics and talked about your trip! It sounds absolutely amazing. (And I’m so glad you’re feeling better now!)
To answer your question, yes, I do love exotic locations in books and definitely consider the setting before I purchase something to read. It’s not the only thing that matters, of course, but I love to visit new places!
July 31st, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Wow, that sounds like an amazing trip, Theresa– definitely the trip of a lifetime! (Even with the yucky bacteria– hope you’re all better now!)
I think the most magical place I’ve ever been was scuba diving off St. Lucia. After growing up with summers spent on beaches in Jersey and Maryland, I just couldn’t believe how bright and vibrant all the colors were!
July 31st, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Caroline, I didn’t know you went there so recently! Sounds like we all need to take a trip to Capri. Wouldn’t that be fun. All this talk of exotic fun places makes me want to pack my bags and run off again.
Hi Cate! Good to see you! I feel like i haven’t seen you in ages. I hope you’re all settled in your home…and your kitties too.
Laura, I love scuba diving. I’ve always wanted to see the big turtles. Did you see any of those? My husband is from Jersey and spent his summers on the shore too!
July 31st, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Theresa, we missed you like crazy at National this year–but you were having a great time on the other side of the world, so GO YOU.
We’re all settling in, thank you–though I’m not going to pretend we’re box-free just yet, LOL.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:02 pm
awwww, Cate, that’s awful nice of you to say because it’s really hard to miss nationals, isn’t it? sometimes you feel like there’s no reason to bother and yet it’s tough not seeing everyone and catching up. So, thanks for saying you missed me!
I missed sharing a room with you guys! Good luck with those boxes!
July 31st, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Now that you mention it, I think my trip was actually 2004. The brain is going you know….
July 31st, 2009 at 1:37 pm
What an amazing adventure, Theresa! And how wonderful to experience it with a sister. As for magical places, we’ve had a few recent trips to the Sea of Cortez, so it’s on my mind. Talk about an exquisite contrast between the dry, rocky landscape and the lush, life-filled sea. Underwater we discovered so many brilliant colors and textures and fascinating creatures. Very magical, indeed.
And welcome back!
July 31st, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Hi Shelley! I had to look up the Sea of Cortez to see where it was located. Not too far from me! You\’re right, it\’s magical looking. Lots of whales and sea turtles. Did you do any deep sea diving? That would be adventurous!
July 31st, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Theresa,
I’m going to try this again. My first post was lost in the ether.
Your trip to Nepal sounds fabulous, and I’m glad whatever bug you contracted didn’t hang around too long.
As to locales for books, any place works as long as the story grabs me. That said, I love an author who can bring that exotic setting home to me and really make me feel like I’ve learned something about the place.
My favorite trip was to Paris with my husband just before he quit his airline job and we had to give up our free seats. We never once met up with those legendary rude Frenchmen. Everyone was friendly and helpful to two people who could do nothing but point and nod and maybe a “oui” now and then.
July 31st, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Okay, let’s see if my comment goes through this time.
Theresa, I loved your post. And I’m officially jealous. I love to travel. Unfortunately, I don’t travel that much. When I made the decision to become a SAHM, that impacted finances of course. Plus, I was always too nervous about leaving my youngest, who has asthma, with a caregiver for 2 or 3 weeks. Both sets of grandparents live out of town half the year, and the aunt situation is such that both households contained allergens that wouldn’t have been healthy for him.
But now he’s all growed up! Next year my dh and I are (barring disaster) going to Peru to celebrate our milestone birthdays (his this year and mine next year) plus our 25th anniversary, which occurs next summer. I can’t wait. I’m so excited researching the trip. We backpacked through Europe when we were university students, and I loved it.
As for settings in romance novels, for me it’s more about the story than the setting, although I admit a fondness for Canadian settings because they’re more rare and I am a Canuck after all.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Cindy, I’ve had the good fortune to meet you in person, and I’m sorry, but that math does NOT compute, no way no how.
But Happy (way early) 25th Anniversary! (I still can’t believe that number…)
July 31st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Alix, you made it! Thanks for not giving up. A trip to Paris with the love of your life sounds romantic. I’ve never been. I hear the Eiffel Tower is amazing when it’s all lit up at night. I agree with you about loving when a book brings a setting to life.
OH, Cindy, I’m excited for you! Half the fun of going away is in the research and the planning! And now that your kids are older you get to travel again! Yay! Sounds like you and your husband have lots to celebrate next year! I hope you have an amazing adventure. I’m sure you will. I’ve never been to Canada either. That would be fun. In fact, I didn’t ever think I wanted to travel until my sister took me to China a few years ago. It’s addictive!
And Cindy, I agree with Cate. 25 years doesn’t compute. And grown kids? Good for you!
July 31st, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Theresa! Wonderful post! In addition to a bacteria I think you’ve picked up the heart of an adventuress. As I read of your exploits, I could see Indiana Jones posing for that photo op, the fence collapsing under his weight and then he falling face first into his next adventure… Insert Theresa…. Then to be chased by a Killer Elephant…. So what does she do? In the next day she rides one and then allows baby elephants to drink from her water bottle. Yes, I’m definitely onto something. You would make a great character for your book! Thanks for sharing!
July 31st, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Hi Donnell! LOL! I was thinking I was in a movie when I was running through the jungle through thick brush and thorns and I still have the pin pricks from the stinging nettle.
thanks for coming by and making me laugh.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:49 pm
You’re a brave soul, Theresa.
I was much more of an adventuress in my younger days but these days my idea of a perfect vacation is a beach chair, a stack of books, and the leisure to enjoy them uninterrupted. Hasn’t happened yet though.
So, is there a book (or five) inspired by your adventures? You’ve sure got a flair for making the adventure exciting,
July 31st, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Hi Mary! Yeah, a beach chair sounds pretty good about now.
And yes, I think my trip to Nepal has definitely got the juices flowing for a new book. 
July 31st, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Theresa,
I have no exotic locations to add, and I must admit location has no bearing on whether or not I buy a book. For me, it’s the character dynamics. I will say, however, that I love the mountains. Standing atop one watching the sun set always gives me a very satisfying “Ahhh” moment.
July 31st, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Nepal sounds wonderful Theresa! Even the being chased by elephants part. The parasites, not so fun, but that’s the price you sometimes pay for exotic travels. Glad you got over it fairly quickly. I was attacked by a monkey once in Thailand–not a mean monkey just a playful one–and was sure I was gonna come home with some rare monkey disease. But didn’t.
I’ve been lucky to travel alot for my job and pleasure. I agree with Marilyn and Caroline, Capri is wonderful! Although I love the Amalfi Coast and Portifino also. As much as I love Euopre–Paris is my fav city in the world–I think one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited was Morocco, Marrakesh in particular.
Marrakesh isn’t real westernized–unlike Casablanca–and has a very exotic feel without being scary–like afraid to go out in the city scary. You see alot of traditional dress, like kaftan (robes) for women and their bodies are done in henna tattoos. There was another small walled town, might have been Fez, where it’s like stepping back in time hudnreds of years. The artisans still do everything by hand. It was truly an amazing trip.
As far as books, if one is set in France I snatch it right up. I prefer to read books set in foreign locales than the U.S.
You have me itching to take a trip Theresa! When my hubby comes home tonight maybe I’ll remind him we didn’t go anywhere for out 10th anniversary last year like we were supposed to and our 11th is in August…
Beth
July 31st, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Oooh, Beth, it sounds like it’s definitely time for another trip for you! Happy Early 11th Anniversary! Marrakesh sounds wonderful. You’re so lucky that you’ve been to so many places! All this talk has me itching to get on a plane to Paris and then Capri.
Gwynlyn, thanks for stopping by. Nothing better than a beautiful sunset, especially from atop a mountain. A lot of beautiful sites to see close to home, too.
August 1st, 2009 at 1:50 am
Theresa~
I just got back from a family trip through Pennsylvania, Western New York and Toronto. I’m jealous of your travels but not about getting chased by a wild elephant, falling in nettles or the whole parasite thing.
So glad you’re feeling better!
August 1st, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Welcome home, Robin! How was your trip? I hope you had a wonderful time filled with your own adventures.
I want to thank you all for stopping by and sharing your adventures with me. I had fun!
August 1st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Right after graduation, my daughter did a humantarian outreach in Nepal through YWAM (Youth with a Mission) or as we fondly refer to them as Youth Without Any Money. It was a great experience for her, but she hated the food and climbed so many mountains, she came home twenty pounds lighter. Oh, and she had a real problem with the bathroom facilities available. The trip made her realize how many creature comforts she enjoys in the US.
I usually don’t prefer stories with exotic locations. I find a lot of authors include too much description for my taste. I enjoy a book that’s more character focused rather than setting focused.