Well, I left you in departures at Delhi where I stayed for five hours. I characteristically for me I walked straight to my gate, found a seat and tried to get some shut eye it being early morning in Delhi and Kathmandu. Not hugely successful with bright lighting, loud Indian Airport Radio and single seating with arms but I managed a gentle doze. Woke up after the Doha flight and its noisy and VERY late travellers had left and checked the board only to find they'd changed my departure gate to the opposite end of the terminal building. A ten minute walk later and I found yet another uncomfortable seat - the floor sadly did not look appetising as a sleeping space.
Airport chairs I've noticed are a bit like spaces on the beach, you slap your towel down in a human free area of the beach and within in a matter of minutes like a magnet bodies flock to sit there, seemingly scared of all the empty space still left. Needless to say not an awful amount of winks were taken, certainly nowhere near the requisite forty at any rate!
After six staff talked loudly and made themselves look busy for half an hour we finally got a call to board the plane as the gate was due to close. I found my seat, stowed my backpack and caught some z's. The flight was only about 90 minutes, including a breakfast, although we then circled around for twenty minutes due to the "weather" I can only assume the Captain meant Smog. After filling out my customs form and doing the visa application on the machines - I now have five passport photos that I don't need as the machine takes a rather nifty little picture - you can only imagine just how glorious I was looking first thing this morning! - I grabbed my bag and emerged from the airport (think Exeter and you'd be about right for size) to be greeted by two lovely chaps and a greeting board with my name on it. Now call me shallow but I've always wanted to be greeted by a chauffeur in full uniform with a greeting board with my name on it and this was pretty close. In the dream version the chauffeur looks a bit more like Jamie Dornan but none the less after a twenty four hour travel spectacular it was a welcome sight!
A short trip through the bustling streets of Kathmandu and straight to the hotel. The trip as all travel abroad, was exciting, there seem to be know rules at all for right of way and it felt like utter chaos snaking between cars with motorbikes suddenly veering out of side streets diagonally across the road in front of you. I checked in early (by several hours!) but the hotel staff kindly greeted me with a warm towel and a fresh wild berry juice - the bliss continues.
After an hour of messing about with the internet sending messages back to loved ones I jumped in the shower and put on some fresh kit. It was tempting however to jump in the sunken bath for a good scrub but as the weather has brighten up and the hotel courtyard was calling a shower will have to do for now.
After a quick tour of the shops looking at to die for cashmere pashminas that would eat up half the trips spending money, I've plonked myself down near the pool I a dappled bit of shade with a glass of diet "I'm loving it". I've skipped lunch as the maid bought biscuits and fruit to the room (a bowl half full of bananas - oh what deep joy - they may need to move into the other room tonight) and when my room mate arrives, I may partake a little and then wait until dinner. It's pleasantly warm, the sun is shining somewhere behind the remaining Smog and the water fountains splashing into the pool is soothing and calming. If only everyday were like this! I ought to think about a swim but that thought of wet kit in my kit bag so early I the trip is a bummer.
So here I sit and contemplate in the sunshine whilst waiting for the three musketeers to arrive to their waiting Dartagnan.
Well, I had a little snooze in the sun and read my kindle and then at 3:30pm thought I ought to come and sit in reception and what for my partners in crime, so I sat and waited and read my kindle til it ran out of battery. Then I tied my bad and read the terms and conditions of my parking T Heathrow. Then I plugged my ears into the iPod and listened to some music. After an hour or so I thought maybe I should go charge the iPad and make sure the room is tidy. Room and baggage sorted and have come back down to reception with my phone so I can get back to the Kindle. At 5:30pm I thought maybe I should check the flight status on t'internet and low and behold their flight was delayed by nearly three hours and should be landing about 6pm. Am now regretting the old skip lunch and don't eat all the biscuits decision of earlier!! Also I'm having to politely fend off advances from the staff enticing me to have a drink!
Now do I sit and wait or do I book a table for dinner for us all or what? Too many decisions but the air is cooling, the birds are going mental in the trees and it's time for the bitey creatures to start coming out!!
Finally the poor Musqueteers have arrived looking worn out. We have our trek and our rafting briefings and are off for dinner after a quick wash and brush up!! Staying in house as everyone too tired to venture out tonight. Another early morning flight tomorrow!!
No comments:
Post a Comment