We both grew up in Thakurdwara although our families are originally from the mountains, and have lived here all our lives. We have 3 children who are in their teens.
We have been running a camp/hotel in Bardia for the last 10 years and used to have a beautiful, simple little place called 'Nature's Way', nearer the river than our present site. It had 3 traditional Tharu huts but the land was rented and during the conflict it was impossible to keep paying, so we had to leave it to fall down. Once the peace deal was signed another local man went to the government and registered 'Nature's Way', so we lost our name as well as our camp!!
During the war we had a few tourists staying in our family home, which is a few minutes walk away, but apart from a small job for the National Park checking on how the animals were affected by the fighting, our only source of income was from taking people trekking in the Dolpo, Khaptad, Humla and Rara lake areas of Western Nepal.
Despite all the terrible times for our community and the death of Kali's brother in the war, we managed to save a little money and eventually early in 2008 we bought a small piece of land near the park entrance with plans to build a new camp.
For the first time ever we borrowed some money from the bank and in July 2008, we built the bridge over the river to our new piece of land, fenced the boundaries and began laying foundations. Things are going well and the place is looking more beautiful all the time.
If you do come to our camp we hope that you have a relaxing but interesting time, a memorable experience and that you will come again and encourage others to do the same. This is how our business has always been.
Mr B & Kali
