Friday, 14 November 2014

Best hotel manager in Kathmandu

Manager Ram is an excellent chap.

Looking about in Thammel

Duncan inflated one of the 20 football's we had brought with us and gave it away quite quickly when we meet the child in the street.
After a visit to currency exchange we went for lunch at Rocks Lane Restaurant. Sky our new friend made us most welcome.

What time is it, Duncan

Duncan was awake a 6am and finally woke me by clanking about at 7.30!

Major Lil  and principal Krishna a arrived at 8.15 local time and joined us for breakfast. Narayan joined us later.

We were briefed on the itinerary  like a military planning event by lil but thankfully today is for looking about and rest if possible. The view from our room is not spectacular!

Nightcap

We found the roof garden and overlooking the sprawl of Kathmandu enjoyed a whisky before bed.

At last we had made it back to Kathmandu.

final leg to Kathmandu

After a long stopover in Delhi airport of five hours we set off for Kathmandu. Another Boeing 737 journey but thankfully short.

No sooner had we taken off feed watered and brief sleep and we were landing at Tribhuvan airport.

It wasn't long before dragged ourselves through bureaucracy of the airport and in pitch darkness were feared by the unmistakable shoot of our tourguide and fellow rotarian Narayan.

A short drive delivered us to the Eco hotel in the Thammel district of Kathmandu.  It is impossible to describe this area !


Abu Dhabi to Delhi

We set off from theAbu Dhabi about four hours  our next leg wool take us to New Delhi.
We travel to the plane by bus and on route I laughed out loud when I saw luggage fall from a tractor and trailer. My giggles subsided when Duncan informed me it was his case.

Moving from a Boeing 777 to an old 737 was a bit of a shock but Etihad don't cut corners and the flight was good.  Duncan failed in his quest to get a Lactose free meal but this is not unusual!
We got some sleep on the way thankfully.
Next stop New Delhi.....

Thursday, 13 November 2014

Drinks for tired travellers

Feeling very tired we decided that coffee could help! Nearest coffee shop McDonalds!  It's a small world but I wouldn't like to undercoat it
Oh, did I mention we had chips as well?
Jp

Abu Dhabi safe and tired

Arrived into Abu Dhabi just as the dawn broke.

Flying over Baghdad

:// oads of room on this Boeing 777 flight but little sleep.
As you can see from the attached image we are just close to Baghdad. Thank goodness we are at 37000 feet and going at 574 mph. (Kelvin, eat your heart out you old speed demon!!!)
now is 1:21am uk 5:20am in Abu Dhabi.
Jp

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

Boarded and takeoff

Boarded on time and took our seats for the first leg of our tour. Manchester to Abu Dhabi should take around six hours. We bade farewell to our new friend who we me t in the Etihad lounge. She was flying first class to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi. Goodness knows what she will get for £1900 in first class!!!!!!!

No-one at the check in desk! Wow.....into the lounge....

Quickly through check-in and no problem with baggage weight or contents.  over one hundred spare seats on the flight.  A deal at the  Etihad lounge was a no brainer! All drinks, a non poisonous meal for Duncan, free Wi-Fi.  Chatted to a lady from Bangkok who was very interesting and interested in or plans in Nepal. Amazing how conversations begin?  She couldn't aces the Wi-Fi. Soon sorted! Another friend added. And Duncan didn't have to show her his "rainfall figures since 1963".

Take the train

Arrived at Manchester airport. What an easy journey? The most stress free airport travel ever. We spoke to a group of young men who were returning to Ireland. Very good company, especially the comments by one of them who had decided to try a tin of Pimms. This was quickly followed by a can of Stella to take the taste away.

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

almost ready

We fly on Wednesday from Manchester to Kathmandu via Abu Dhabi and Delhi.
Going by train from Northallerton to Manchester airport which is a first for me? JP