Hotel at the End of the Universe
The large sign on the side of the road brought a smile on my face and I was immediately intrigued. With a name like that, you can’t really go wrong. It’s a long, steep walk up a lush green mountain with charming little cottages and wooden huts along the way, all with their own little private gardens, till you reach the restaurant at the top. As I walked into the cosy, wooden structure with comfy cushions and tables decorated with traditional, colourful Tibetan cloth – I knew this place was not the kind of place that would have a ‘reception’.
And I was right. Way back in the 60’s when few Nepalis had heard of ‘ecology’ or the ‘environment’ – Oasis Bhaju’s dad was welcoming hippies and all their ecological awareness into his little piece of paradise. Like most places they flock to, the hippies have left their mark. Rooms E and F are also called ‘Ganesh Cottage’, the food is international and excellent and the place, well, it just has a special kind of energy to it. Though that might have more to do with the Mahankal Temple at the top of the hotel than with them!
This is the perfect place to relax after a long trek through the Himalayas or just anything that was long and taxing. The vibe is very relaxed, everyone seems to become friends with everyone else and there are very few rules. The rooms are cosy and comfy and most can accommodate large groups – perfect for groups going on treks together or backpackers who want to stay cheap. But if the love of your life is down to Earth and has simple tastes, you can have a wonderfully romantic weekend here indulging in the more subtle luxuries of life – silence, nature, good food and excellent views.
|