A long drive today, yes even for me as a passenge, being rocked back and forth for 5 hours from 7:30 along the 168 km road back to Kathmandu. The hills got steeper the closer we got to Kathmandu. I have had enough traffic fumes to last me to the end of the year. Loads of broken down trucks along the road, one with brake failure that had just rolled back into the ditch and was half blocking the road. One lorry on its side having left the road but not quite making it into the river. The site of two recent land slips, fortunately on the off side away from the river, so they would have blocked the road in recent days. Into the hotel room by about 1 pm. Started to sort out all the junk and reduce the hold luggage to below 20 kg.
Off on another tour with a new guide Kacer to Bhatapur. What a remarkable place it is. It reminds me of a land Venice. So much history that I did not give it 1% justice in the 90 minutes I was there. Not helped by stair rodding rain, and where had I left my water proof jacket, yes at the hotel. Even the guide had to buy an umbrella. All the locals say this is most unseasonal weather, but they would say that wouldn't they. I would think the centre of Bhatapur is the most densely populated place for antiquities of anywhere I have been. What's more, even though the 21st century amenities are there, the place still looks medieval . Which it is. I'll get the facts wrong if & try & repeat the information the guide gave me. If you do go there just do more reading up than I did.
Said good bye to my driver Sonam, who has been my guide through the amazing Nepalese countryside. Most people live in villages rather than towns, but they all seem to have pre-paid mobile phones. The late rain will play havoc with the rice crops which were drying in the fields.
Jumped into a hot bath of green water to remove the chill of being soaked to the skin.
Buffet tea in the restaurant, good value until the 25% taxes are added on.
Set up the taxi collection from Delhi airport with Deshbir so I can meet Nina Kochhar at the Delhi Gymkhana Club (Safdarjang Road, near Teen Murti House), where we will have dinner before going to her B & B. Vid and Kapil may join us also.
Now to sort out the junk in my room and pack. I gave Sonam a load of stuff including the mosquito net. This should allow me to be close to the 20 kg baggage limit.
Goodnight.
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