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Published: March 24th 2018
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Well after many weeks of training, a few injury issues (including Dave’s knees which meant he unfortunately could not join us ) and with due trepidation we’re finally on our way.
Left Hamilton at 5.00am intending to beat the Auckland traffic but no such luck. In what may prove to be an omen for the trip took the first “shortcut” with Graeme/Arch changing into the inside lane which was moving faster only for it to promptly slow down and all the cars originally behind us go past. Those who followed the blog from the last Nepal adventure will recall our endless quest for shortcuts, some of which delivered and others that were more aptly called “long-cuts”!
Despite the slow traffic were amongst the first to the check in. No problems here until the last bag (Gordon’s) which was 1kg overweight, so a repackaging and distribution and off we go.
I should introduce all of us on this trip. There’s Chris McCaughan (aka McVet) who was on the last trip to Nepal. Graeme Bunker aka Archie (all those under 30’s ask your parents if the provenance of this nick name eludes you). Lastly but no means least is our
equivalent of the “12th man” Gordon Gower aka Gordy who, when Dave was unable to come, swiftly stepped into the void and with only a few weeks notice managed to rearrange his life and join us.
Breakfast in the departure hall and we board plane.
Really noting special about this, another plane, small seats and 11 glorious hours of binge watching Netflix! Interesting experience ordering drinks on the plane, no Coke Zero, no diet drinks of any type and coffee is premade white and, based on McVets experience, only available with copious quantities of sugar. Just when it looked like 12hrs of water they managed to rustle up a black coffee albeit tepid.
Not wanting to grumble but clearly China Southern use the same people to make their seats as the Nepalese use for beds. McVet wondering aloud why he didn’t pack his blow up mattress in his carry on.
Arrive in Guangzhou and have a short layover that becomes a longer one with the plane delayed a bit over an hour. Then off on the final leg to Kathmandu. All pretty worn out by his stage having been up for nearly 24hours so sleep a
bit on the flight. We were lucky that sat at the back of the plane and a lot of empty seats here so could spread out and lie down.
Once in Kathmandu the immigration procedures (or perhaps shambles) took us another 45minutes to gain entry to Nepal. It was with real joy we reunited with our bags and headed out to meet the driver sent by the hotel.
Now knowing what vehicles are like here I’d emailed the hotel explains we were 4 “big” guys with heaps of luggage so a big vehicle was needed. Unfortunately lost in translation so a small vanette and both the driver and a guy from the hotel. So four across the back seat which was intimate to say the least.
Arrived at hotel finally at about 12.30am buggered but happy to be here!
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Shirley
non-member comment
Glad you’ve arrived safely!
Looking forward to following your travels.