The concept of permaculture has been today’s issue. Combining permaculture with tourism was a great concept that stroke Mr. Hidai Hiroshi in the late 90′s that led to the establishment of “HANANOIE”. It all started in 1998 when he visited the home of Himalayas “Nepal” with that concept. The massive use of pesticides, insecticides, various plant hormones to increase the yield of the plants was the major things that were concerning him. He was with a motive to take a step to make change. The developed countries which were producing the chemicals were using developing countries like Nepal as their trail places. So, to discourage the use of chemicals, to increase yield of the product (which have long term effect on humans), he thought of setting an example by establishing an agro-resort in a village of Nepal. Since then the resort has been growing its own fruits and vegetables without use of any chemicals and serving people with authentic Japanese, continental and Nepali cuisines. We have our own farm land where we grow plants and raise buffalos and goats for milk and their dungs (used as natural fertilizers in the farm), and chicken for meat and its all organics.

Despite the civil war in Nepal, the project that started in 1998 was quickly completed in two years. During these two years 5 cottages were made for the guests containing 10 rooms with attached bathrooms. Preserving the nature is another main concern of the resort and we believe in green energy so we use photocells to produce electricity required for the resort and use solar power as water heating system. Moreover, we have biogas plants for the fuel in the kitchens. Even the cottages, the staff’s house, the lobby, the public bath house are made by using only naturally available materials like slate for roofs, mud, stones, timbers, ceramics, straw, hay, woods etc.

Hanano-ie always serves you with four delightful seasons, summer, autumn, winter and spring. The summer in Hanano-ie is hot and wet. Since the houses are made of mud and stones they will keep you cool in the hot summer days and usually hot summer days are followed by rain (the monsoon). Standing in the lap of Annapurna Himalayan ranges and Machhapuchhre you will be able to have wonderful view of them either early in the morning or in the late evening during summer. As, the rain stops in summer and the clouds move away you will have the wonderful view of the valleys and the green mountains. Summer is also very busy season people are busy planting paddy and we can involve in planting paddy with the local people in and around the village. The temperature goes up to 32-33 degree centigrade during extreme summer.

Autumn always serves with the beautiful scenic view of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre Himalayan ranges, the fields turn yellow and people start harvesting paddy almost in the end of the season. It also rains, following the cool breeze that hits our face from the Himalayas. A lot of flowers bloom this season and Nepal observes two of its major festivals. Hananoie will make you feel festive and they will teach you the cultural and traditional aspects of Nepalese festivals.

Then comes winter, with the temp ranging from 7- 25 degree centigrade. Though its winter the Himalayas will always be there to welcome you. The sky stays clear and the silver linings on the north are decorated by the clear blue sky. The winters are always cold and dry.

Spring, the king of the season makes you feel like you are living in a piece of heaven. The greenery of the valleys and the awesome view of the northern silver linings (Himalayas) and the breathtaking view of birds flying around makes you forget all your sorrows and brings you to eternal peace. You can enjoy doing yoga and meditation feeling the cool breeze from the Himalayas and facing them.

Bird watching is one of the task you can do in Hanano-ie. Egyptian vulture, Black kite, Doves, Whistling Thrush, Sparrows, Golden beaked Eagle, etc. are the major birds you can see in all four seasons.

Verditer Flycatcher

Nepal is renowned for its high diversity of bird species,spectacular mountains and rich culture. Here you can enjoy bird watching in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Nepals bird habitats can be roughly divided into forest, scrub, alpine habitats, wetlands, grasslands, agricultural land and around human habitation. Many Himalayan residents are altitudinal migrants. The level to which they descend in winter frequently depending on weather condition. Nepal many bird watching areas such as Royal Chitwan National Park, Phulchowki Mountain, in Annapurna conservation area. In Nepal 861 species of birds has been recorded, including about 600 that probably breed or have bred.

Black-Lored Tit

Hananoie and around we can see around 80 spices of birds such as black-lored tit, black bulbul, blue whistling thrush, great barbet, grey-headed woodpecker, grey treepie, long tailed minivet, rescued spotted dove. In Hananoie and around we can see birds nesting from April till June. A bird called “common hoopee” appear in Hananoie in August, September (in nepali month of Bhadra) so we call, Bhadaure chara. After September this bird disappears from here.

Blue Whistling Thrush

Great Barbet

Grey – headed Woodpecker

Grey Treepie

Long – tailed Minivet

Long-tailed Shrike and Mt Hiunchuli

Common Hoopoe

There is a special bird that can be seen in August called Common Hoopoe. I found it at the entrance of Hananoie on my arrival as if it had welcomed us. The 30-cm length bird has orange-brown body with black and white stripes on its wings and tail. It head features a long, black-spotted crest. It was very impressive when it broadened its crest.

Common Hoopoe

I also found many birds that I had never seen. While I was writing the diary at the terrace, a couple of swifts flew speedily passing me. I saw several flocks of birds flew down to the field to find their foods. When I looked at the tree near by my room, I found a couple of vivid yellow birds. I wished I had a more zoomable lens. I took a photo of the beautiful birds and show to Mr. Ramesh, a hananoie staff who knew many birds. After looking up in the bird guides, we found that they were “Scarlet Minivet”. The yellow ones I found were females, while the males were red.

Scarlet Minivet (female)

It was very fun and excited to look up for the bird I had seen. I bought a bird watching guidebook as my memorial of my visit to Nepal.

(This is the last article from Lilit, a staff, visiting Hananoie during 4 – 6 August 2013.)