Conceived by the owner Hans Hoefer to follow the traditional spirit of Nepali country life where the outdoor is the actual "living room" and the house is the cave for the privacy of storing, eating and sleeping.

Accordingly, the garden represents the home without a roof. Some of our design features: Bougainvillea arbour on the east side for tea or light meals, the smaller shaded pavilion on the north face reached from a winding Philosophers Path, the courtyards facing each house, the twin pavilions by the big pond. And a circular open fireplace to linger beyond sunset. Each spot a niche to relax, play or read or contemplate the fascinating work of man and nature. Whatever the season, it is an ever-changing wash of brown earth and lush green. Mist rolls by and clouds gather thickly like a lake of cotton wool.

Time for the pashmina scalf.