Lukla to Kathmandu

Thursday, 16th March 2012

As we extricated ourselves from our sleeping bags we were pleased to find that the weather looked promising. Hearing the sound of aeroplanes, some of the group quickly made their way outside to watch the first plane of the day land - at 6.45am. This was quickly followed by more planes and we had to be dragged back inside before the breakfast got cold. We were eager to head down to the check-in area and didn't have long to wait - a scant rummage in backpacks and a few questions - then we were in the 'airport lounge' (a bare room with a couple of seats). After about an hour of watching planes land, unload, load up and take off again in the space of about 10 minutes, we were on our way. The views over the Himalayan range was magnificent but, unfortunately, I was on the wrong side of the plane to be able to take any photos. Thirty-five minutes later we were landing in Kathmandu and on our way to the Shangri-La Hotel. We quickly disappeared into our rooms and luxuriated in the warmth and comfort of a hot bath and shower. This was followed by a very enjoyable lunch on the terrace.

After lunch I joined Al, Jane and Rose to travel to a shopping area of Kathmandu. Whilst we had previously driven along the hectic pot-holed streets it was quite a different experience to walk along them, especially when it came to finding a gap in the traffic to get to the other side of the road. Returning to the hotel in a very small Suzuki, Sylvia joined us in the 'Sundowner Lounge' (a seating area at the end of the corridor) for drinks and reminiscences.