My Good Self has been to Nepal on two occasions. It is not a rich country. However it is one of the most beautiful and its people seem to possess an inner happiness and spirituality that is not always apparent in the western world.

My debut visit, several seasons back, was with The Dutchman and The Mango Juice Kid. We arrived in Kathmandu, as is the norm for visitors to Nepal, and spent a few days in that hectic city before moving on to quieter pastures. We made our way to a village in the mountains by the name of Bandipur.

There were no motorised vehicles in Bandipur and very little, if any, electricity and good water. It was a special place, where local children would just sit down beside you and smile. A charming simplicity that has vanished from this part of the world, if it ever existed here.

From there we moved on to Pokhara. Built with a lake at its heart, Pokhara is a scenic town. Tourism is it what it survives on. Trekking and a variety of outdoor activities are on offer there. The Dutchman wanted to try paragliding. I opted to join him.

It was a wise move on the part of My Good Self..

We made our way to a place called Mount Sarangoth. It seems it is a favoured spot for paragliders from around the globe due to the thermals in the air in this area. We flew in tandem with local experts. It was a beautiful and memorable experience.

Flying like a bird.

My second visit to Nepal came last year. It was ten days of demanding trekking from Pokhara to Annapurna Base Camp. Known as ABC, Annapurna Base Camp is situated at an altitude of 4,130 metres. Not quite as simple as ABC to get there.

Food and washing facilities were basic on the way there. My Good Self decided to forego the joys of a cold shower. The route was mostly one of steps, up and down, up and down.

On finally reaching Annapurna Base Camp I had a drop or two of the local life enhancing liquid to celebrate. And lo and behold who should sit down beside me only my good friend The Dalai Lama. We chatted for a while. He was in great form, although My Good Self detected an understandable hint of sadness in his voice when talking of his Tibetan homeland.

With a view to cheering him up I invited him to The Fabulous Fair City (Dublin). He accepted my invitation.

Very soon he will be joining My Good Self in The Great Institution of Chatham Street for a pint or two of the black stuff.

He will be most welcome.