Returning to Kathmandu

On Wednesday morning we all had an early start for the return trip to Kathmandu. We rose at dawn to try and get a glimpse of the Mountains that we had missed the night before and we weren't disappointed. As the sun rose between 6.00 and 7.30, the view was magnificent. This one is called "Fishtail", in English:

Mike had caught a cold a couple of days before, and made worse by the altitude, he was quite out of breath. The rest of the party caught the return bus at 7am and began their 8 hour journey to Kathmandu, only some 200 or so kilometers distant. But this meant an ascent of the Himalayan foothills again, and an even slower climb up steep inclines. Nepalis drive on the left in theory) and this meant that the returning bus climbed the steep roads on the outside lane, with its offside wheels always close to many a sheer precipice, 1500 feet to the valley floor below. Often the huge trucks pass on blind corners, within centimeters of each other - you can't put your arms out of the windows!

Mike flew back to Kathmandu, with a flight time no different to the Rotorua to Auckland flight he is used to. Once the cabin was pressurised he felt a lot better - and the spectacular aerial views of the Himalayas helped, too! On returning to Kathmandu, Mike collected all the luggage and music gear and checked into the new hotel - the exotically named "Nirvana Gardens"

 

When the main party got back everyone was exhausted. In the evening we explored the vibrant streets of Thamel, the main tourist part of Kathmandu. After so many meals of dhal bhaat, Mike, Dave and Warren dined in a Pizzeria. The pizzas weren't bad and the Everest beer helped round off a long and busy day.