So round 2: We try for another shot at the Himalayan sightseeing tour. This time we are given an even earlier wake-up call since we were late yesterday. When we get to the airport, they won't let our travel agent in and he has Dave's ticket so after much shouting by our travel agent and us, we are finally handed the ticket. But then there is lots of confusion on the fact that Dave has to pay the airport tax but the Yeti Air guy doesn't explain this right to me and as I head to the counter to pay the tax, he and I get into it as i try to explain I need to pay one more and he keeps insisting that he can't refund me for yesterday's fees. After talking in circles and not getting anywhere, I send Dave back over to the counter to pay his tax and after a slight delay, the guy finally takes his money.
Poor Dave -- we had already gone through their 'security' system yesterday so all of us girls knew how to pretty much walk through all their checkpoints and blow off the people. Dave was stopped and thoroughly searched by every one at all the 'men's' checkpoints, as they searched every pocket of himself and his bag.
And wouldn't you know it... the flight did not leave on time. We sat around as they called all these other flights, starting to worry that maybe we would not get to do the trip. But they finally called us -- and I recognized half the passengers as people who had been on our canceled flight the day before.
Well we take off and yes... the skies were clear! Talk about this amazing awestruck flight -- we kept playing musical chairs as the views changed from each person's seat. The young attendant would point out the different ranges and what we were seeing and the pilots (the lead pilot was a woman!) called each of us up to point out Everest as we came up on it. Everest was cool -- don;t get me wrong - - but there were some other impressive and distinctive looking ranges (whose names escape me now) that made it pretty amazing to be flying so close to.
We ended up chatting with two of our flightmates -- who were both English and a riot! Both guys were in their early 20s and volunteering for the last few weeks, teaching English to some Nepali monks and working at a day care taking care of Nepali children. They both had been disappointed as we were when the flight was canceled yesterday -- and one only had his second shot today since he was leaving to go back home to Suffolk. And he told us that he had been standing out in his boxers in the yard that day, waiting to see if the weather would be just right for the trip. They were completely British cheeky -- but made the rest of the flight home pass quickly as we traded trip stories.
So back to the hotel, to grab a quick bite to eat and finish packing as we had to be back to that same domestic airport in less than two hours! To bad we had to rush too -- since the breakfast at the Hyatt was amazing and we ended up having our same little chip-toothed server who was really a doll at coming around with the coffee and milk tea. Speaking of the milk tea -- talk about amazing! Sweet and spicy but just enough black tea jolt to wake you up -- I think I drank 20 cups over the last two days.
Packed and off to the airport again, we get there and find out that we are overweight -- surprise, surprise! and Yeti Air wants their money. These in-country planes are just slightly bigger than puddle jumpers -- and every plane I have been on for the last few weeks requires that you board from the runway (which makes me think that if you have any type of physical impairment that these kinds of road trips would truly be hard.) So large luggage is checked and we all have carry-ons (Cait has two large ones) and I have what is deemed in the U.S. as an acceptable size but since I am last to board they insist on checking it -- which pisses me off a little as I watch others who have the same size bags go by -- and my computer is in that bag (Would you trust a company named after a mythical creature to handle a $1700 piece of equipment? I think not!) . But I hand it over and pray for the best.
Pokhara is our next stop on the Nepal tour. It is a lake town that is known for its trekker trips and relaxing in a peaceful setting away from all of the chaos of Kathmandu. The resort we are staying at -- Fishtail Lodge -- is very rustic and quaint -- a total departure from the Hyatt. But we most are looking to relax and their pool is just what we need. The sun is HOT and frankly, I think all we are thinking is a good swim and a relax day in the shade, napping and reading. And that's what we do -- as well as keep applying the sunscreen as I am getting a little toasty.
The tour guide had set up sightseeing -- which we decide to blow off in favor of relaxing -- and we opt for lunch at the hotel. Ahhhh.... service in Nepal: I have found that it would be better if I would take my own order, get my own drink, make my own food and my companions' food, serve it and I would still come out four times faster than when we could even get our drinks. We make the mistake of not ordering our food with our drinks and we also opt for western-style fare so after starting out with some other tables in the dining room with us -- we end up being the last ones by more than 45 minutes. Maybe we would have been better off ordering the Nepali food......
Later, instead of the hotel dining hall, we opt to go into town on the recommendation of our host, Kiran. He has previously told us that there are several restaurants on the lakefront and all we have to do is walk about 10-15 minutes. Another Nepali lesson: Time estimates and distance are waaaayyyy off. We have to cross the river on the hotel's person-powered raft, walk down the road to the main road and then start walking into town, Along the way, we stop and window shop -- picking up some purchases along the way. The town is dead and about a quarter of the shops are firmly closed up. But we ask around for this restaurant -- Boomerangs -- that was recommended to us and we find it an half-hour later. And wouldn'tcha know it.... it is dead. No one is in there... and after some debate and growling stomachs, we decide to head back across the street to a restaurant that looks like it is busy (or busy compared to other dead restaurants). But we are misled as the large crowd we see is more of a group having cocktails and the restaurant inside is deader than a doornail.
Dave and I take a chance and order more 'American' cocktails and they are probably some of the worst I have ever had -- I should know by now to just stick with the Nepali beer -- as my drink is completely inedible. Try all booze -- it was supposed to be a 'blended' daiquiri and I am not one for stiff drinks of really bad liquor.
But the meal proves to be somewhat better -- but it was probably one of the lesser quality ones we had in all of our travels. And the bonus is getting dessert across the street at this gelato stand that proves to be worth it. There is some confusion when it comes time to pay as I still have not mastered the money and which bill is which -- so when I hand the money to the clerk I think he owes me more money back and is trying to cheat me. But he goes over what I gave him and returns some change -- even though I still think he has stiffed me. The gelato is good and the owner makes up for the confusion by helping us get a taxi.
The taxi looks like a beat-up rabbit -- and we all pile in with Dave up front. Driving at night in Nepal is even more harrowing then daytime because headlights on are OPTIONAL! So that car coming, or people on the road, or that bicyclist in your path -- you may not see him until the last minute. It is almost better not to watch the road and close your eyes. We make it back to the lodge dock in one piece but find out that the hand ferry is done for the night. Our ride back to the hotel is by canoe across the lake -- which makes me glad that I only had one glass of beer at the restaurant and nothing more. The guy piloting the canoe is quick and adept but all I can think of my companions is please don't tip over the canoe. And the four of us plus driver seems to bring us close to max weight. We make it over to the lodge -- all still dry.
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