Thursday in Kathmandu

This is the last day that the whole team are together. It's a rest day, with all free time. Film maker Costa Botes and family went out exploring on a one day guided tour. Mike, Warren and Dave had a lazy day, starting with breakfast in a cafe we had found that did have an espresso machine - and Illy coffee. We had our final meeting with Samik, festival organiser in the hotel garden bar, around 5pm when there was one of the city's regular power outages - but candle light and black tea made it a very Nepal occasion.

In the evening we went out to the Music Room, a new, funky bar, not far from here, carrying guitars through Thamel's narrow, crowded streets. We were guests of Nitesh, who met us at our first gig. He lived in Auckland for 6 years and has only been back in Nepal for a few months. With 3 other business partners, they have opened a specialist music bar in Thamel.

on stage in The Music Room

 Dave, Mike, Nitesh and Warren

It was a happening place, with a lot of jamming going on, mostly in a jazz/funk/bluesy style. The musicianship was excellent, both from the one or two ex-pats there but also the Nepali musos. We played half a dozen songs and were then treated to dinner by our hosts. Afterwards we took in some more of the music and then grabbed a cab home.


It was a great way to end the tour. Some went home to pack for checkout and their return flight the next day. Dave and Mike booked an early wake up call for their flightseeing trip to Everest the next morning.