High-end Tourism

Trip Start Oct 27, 2009
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Trip End Dec 17, 2009


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Flag of Nepal  ,
Thursday, November 5, 2009

Fly into Kathmandu with some really nice views (Himalayas on left side) to be met by Gurkha reps & whisked through from airside & to the beautiful restored heritage Dwarikas' Hotel. Luckily we are on army rates & I always feel less comformatble in these places - why is there western musac? Everyone else lapses into the luxury. This hotel is right on the outskirts & we have a tortuous taxi ride into Thamel. After India this is quite smart - pavements & beat up little suzuki taxis rather than tuk tuks & here the buildings are of bricks & wood. Mixed experience at a nice restaurant as it takes for ever but is good when it comes. Liz gives up & goes back (she is a little under the weather) - courtesy of a police swoop on taxis she gets a bicycle rickshaw a long way uphill back & nearlly kills the local lad pedalling.
Partake of the OTT buffett breakfast to a hammond organ western musak tape & the resilient 3 (Tommy Jacqueline & I) make Durbar Square & all the old buildings of Central Kathmandu. The others lap up the hotel luxury. The Durbar Square area is fascinating.
Time for our Gurkha transfer to the airport & the VIP army lounge - Joanna Lumley was here - & the short flight to Pokhara.
More great views & propeller planes are quite safe I'm told. Meet up with Alex & Andy on way to wedding & the camp commander.
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