Gokarna Forest Golf Resort Nepal, by David Kidd

The Golf course was designed by David Kidd of Gleneagles Golf Developments who as a real designer won Golf digests Designer of the year in 1999.

I have never read such poetic description of a golf course before so I am cutting and pasting a section;
Gokarna Golf Course
"The myth, magic and mystery of the once Forbidden Valley
inspired the creation of a masterful challenge within this sanctuary.
The par 72 course meanders for 6,715 yards through most 500 acres
of untouched forest. Eighteen holes of sheer perfection"
"Undulating Bent Grass Greens built to USPGA specifications. Soft cushions of local Bermuda fairways. Lush unyielding forests-hundreds of years old. Winding streams. Wandering hills and valleys opening to a holy river's plain. Cynical monkey's watching your progress. Shy spotted deer peering from the trees. The lofty Himalayas keeping score. Truly enchanting."

If you look at the photo album its not far off, though its difficult to prove the lofty Himalayas are keeping score, and if the monkeys are cynical they have every reason to be with a golf course being plonked right in the middle of their 100's year old forest. It looks very much like the Scottish Highlands which is sort of what Nepal is like, but on a bigger scale, with Everest, its own royal family and palaces but no tartan.

Katmandhu is close by and has always been a fantastic holiday destination. The legacy of the hippy trail and continuing overland trips ending in Nepals capital mean that some part of the city has turned all European- you can get bacon and egg and theres even a pub with bar towels and beer mats. But dont forget the main Durbar Square with the Royal Palaces.Rent a motor bike (or just get a taxi)to Nargakot where you can get the best views of Everest without a sherper and an oxygen mask- then straight back to the golf resort for the full Spa treatment and some Jazz? I can not believe we have missed the JAZZMANDHU festival at the Gokarna Forest Golf Resort in Nepal! How could we? Its only the biggest Jazz Party in the Himalayas.