On the way to Lukla

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Good news - the skies are clear today - it rained all last night so the clouds have lifted and the planes are flying 😊

Typing on a wee laptop in a wee alcove (aka "the cyber cafe") in the departure area at the mayhem of the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport.

Within the next hour, I'll be on a flight to the Himalaya. Just typing that made my skin tingle.

Land in Lukla and hit the trail straight away, hoping to avoid the queues. Having said that, the chances of that are small as there is a back-log of trekkers from yesterday and the planes have been flying solidly since 6am delivering people to the hills. I can see why Hillary feels bad about having created Lukla airport and it now being used to let everyone and anyone in. Sorry Hillary - that includes me today.

Walk 3 hours or so along the gorge to Phakding and overnight there in a wee mountain lodge, then on to Namche the next day and then the true wilderness begins.

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