Happy Nepali New Year 2082! The morning of Nepali New Year 2082 started with a view of green hills and the Himalayas behind. My WhatsApp was flooded with wishes, many sent right at midnight. I read them in the morning, along with a walk in the green garden and steps at Haibung, Sindhupalchowk. This year, we decided to welcome the New Year differently—out of the city, up in the hills, with office colleagues and their families. Our destination was Prakriti Resort, nestled beside the Dhaap Dam. Getting there, though, was no easy. The road was narrow, steep, and never-ending. At times, our bus was accelerating way up to a sharp, sharp-bending dirt road full of craters. But the three-hour grind was worth every bump. We escaped Kathmandu's chaos—the dust and noise traded in for fresh mountain air and, well, the joyful chatter of my daughter and her friends. The rough road has its perks, it keeps the serenity intact. Not many Kathmandu folks are willing to scale a tough drive. The resort ...
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