Day 43 - Final goodbyes, hello solo at Shankar Palace

---

Aaaaa Day 43 - Final goodbyes, hello solo at Shankar Palace

We all got up to see our first group member leave this morning at 7.30.

It's goodbye to Bernie from Germany. The taxi arrived on time, it was hugs from everyone, then she was gone!

Bernie had been a good companion throughout the tour. She had a very even balanced personality. She loved her food, and her drink too! Bernie was always ready and eager to join in with every activity that came her way. She was quiet and unassuming, always showing positive participation with all of the group members. The thing I enjoyed the most with Bernie, was sitting back and watching her come to life, when meeting new people, she positively, visually flourished at those times. Thank you Bernie. I enjoyed sharing my time with you. X


Any takes us to a breakfast place that he recommends, Gaia. He got particularly excited about the hash browns! I'm so happy to hear that. I would enjoy a decent hash brown.... So much. Here's hoping!

Hmmmm.... Anu, as of today, you are sacked! Those were fried potatoes. My stomach is happy, but my brain disapproves!

My bag is packed, and put into reception for safe keeping for the day. Anna joins me outside after she had placed her bag there too. We are now waiting for Lisa to bring her bag down; then we can sign out of the hotel before going out for the day.

Anu will be the next to leave. He leaves at 11.30. He is flying back to Delhi to do a, 'back to back' trip. Today he starts his Delhi to Goa trip with a new group. It will be out with the old, in with the new!

I think Anna will take this parting quite hard, her and Anu have become particularly close this tour.

Well, the departing time came! Anu is nearly ready to leave. We say our final farewells to him. Hugs for everyone! Anna seems ok, she has her brave face on! Lisa and I offer to go for coffee, just to give Anna and Anu a little extra time to say goodbye to each other in private, but Anna declines. We all walk forwards, not looking back.

I have enjoyed my time with Anu. He has been a good CEO for our group. He has offered us some strong historical information on the sightseeing, well organised plans for movement from town to town, lots of personality in free time. He's given us all confidence to enjoy the unknown, support when we needed it, and his passion and heart.... By choice, all of the time. Thank you Anu, you did do an excellent job for all of us x

You were sacked this morning Anu, but I would re employ you if I needed to! Although ..... You are still not Ankur! Lol

Anna, Lisa and I are going for a short walk to see Narayanhiti Palace Museum. We pass the office for Laundering Money Investigation, which has made me giggle each time I pass it!

The Palace Museum is full of chintzy meeting rooms and faded 1970s glamour, with a bit of Art Decor thrown in! The palace interior is more gaudy than opulent. The highlights are the impressive though, with the huge, oversized throne and the big banquet halls. There is a stuffed bear, leopard, tigers and rhino heads lining the halls, and countless stuffed elephants feet! Hmmmm!

We leave there to go for a relax in the Garden of Dreams. It is such a beautiful setting, such peace and tranquility, if you can block out the noise of the outside traffic! The first stop is for a cold coffee.

We continue into the gardens, which are just beautiful. We enjoy the rest and relaxation for the next hour, or so. It's a shame that the earthquake did some damage here. There are quite a few areas that are undergoing restorative renovation work. I was really looking forward to an ice cream here, but sadly, that part is closed due to the damage! Gutted!

We walk back towards the hotel, ensuring to squeeze in every last shopping opportunity! All three of us have backpacks that are about to burst, yet Anna and I still manage to make a couple more, much needed purchases! Unbelievable! .. Lol

We are still a bit early for Anna and Lisa's flight times. So we return to Gaia restaurant where we had the dodgy hash browns this morning with Anu. The hash browns were wrong, but the coffee was outstanding!

At this point I am able to satisfy my craving for ice cream, after being very disappointed at the Dream Garden, but it's just not enough for me! I go for the double chocolate and vanilla scoop, with an accompanying chocolate brownie.... And a cold coffee, also with ice cream. No wonder is Western girls are fatter than the Asian girls... Lol

Originally, I thought I had ordered too much, but to be honest, it went down a treat! Loved it!

We returned to our, now booked out, hotel to pass away the last bit of time before leaving. The first job was to fit the extra new shopping into our backpacks. OMG, the size and weight of my bag is crazy, especially considering that Helen took all my Vietnam and Cambodia shopping, and all excess packing home for me, in order to make my bag lighter for me to be able to carry due to injuries! I should say that I'm embarrassed by it, but I do am not! I am very happy with all the stuff I have bought... Ha ha! I have no shame!

The taxi arrived to pick us up. I am being dropped off at my new hotel, Lisa and Anna are going to the airport. Another two are ready to leave. My new hotel is only about 8 minutes away, so it didn't take long to get here. OMG.... as we go down the drive, the building gets nearer, it's awesome! Anna and Lisa get out of the taxi, it's hugs for everyone again. The group has now completely disbanded. I am now on my own, but what a great place to be on my own in!

Lisa has been a good travel companion. She has been flexible, and very easy to talk to, and fun to be with. She always gave 100% to all of the activities, conversations, and of course, the social nights! ... Even though you found my over emotional side funny when we were at the cinema, to be honest, you weren't the only one! Lol I was sorry that you were not well on the evening of the very wet cycle ride, as I know you would have loved it! Thank you Lisa, I enjoyed sharing my time with you. X

Anna, I think Anu was right to put us together. You were a great room mate, although a bit untidy at times, burn I didn't mind that, as I enjoyed sharing my space with you. We complimented each other in lots of ways, regardless of the age gap. We moved around each other seamlessly, you needing extra time, me being quick, and done! My tour was better, because I shared it with you. You will regularly be in my thoughts. Thank you Cinderella, I'm pleased you didn't loose your glass slipper on the way home!.... Lol thank you Anna, I loved sharing my time with you xx

So now here I am, on my own in Katmandu for my last three days. I have allowed myself a little bit of luxury, and I'm so glad I did. This hotel, this room is lovely! After checking in, I get taken to my room. I'm very happy with this choice. Anu, you can now have your job back, maybe I was a bit hasty, publicly sacking you over the hash browns this morning... Lol, as the complimentary chocolates are delivered to my room..... All is forgiven xxxx

There isn't much more to add to today's blog, even though it is early, as I'm going to have a bath, make a cup of lemon tea...... And just relax for the rest of the evening!

---

Comments

[Helen]

Hi
Hi Nepal looks beautiful. Enjoy your "you" time. Glad you stayed consistent with your shopping! Ha x