Nepal trekkers nightmare
So "it's an Adventure, not a holiday" right?
I love the Everest Base Camp trek, but boy...that Lukla continues to stress me.
We awoke this morning at 4am to a beautiful calm and cloudless Kathmandu morning sky. Our hopes were up as all 9 of us bundled into 3 taxis for our trip to the airport for our "scheduled" 6.15am flight. By 7am, the sun was up and burning off the little bit of haze around Kathmandu that had prevented our departure. We were happy to await the announcement of our boarding.
Regretfully we were still awaiting this announcement at 11.50am...!! We then got the announcement that all trekkers fear, "All flights to Lukla cancelled due weather". Team not happy. Long faces. Asking me if I have any influential contacts...! My answer of "no" is barely accepted. So a long and frustrating morning by all, and Kathmandu domestic airport lacks ...........well..........just about everything...! While Kathmandu was blazed in Sunshine, Lukla was unfortunately hidden in cloud/fog.
Into the taxis and back into Thamel, re-check in to the Kathmandu Guest House and try to keep the spirits and confidence of the team high for our next opportunity tomorrow morning. We still have time up our sleeve so one or two (possibly even three) cancellations won't impact us. I've ran a few alternative treks by the team just in case we fail to get out, but they are insistent on Everest Base Camp. The Vic team have accepted that these things happen, and the QLDrs have experienced these frustrations many times throughout their travels.
The 4 QLDrs have opted to stay in a nearby lodge to save some money for the remainder of their ongoing travels throughout Asia (KGH is not the cheapest in the area). We will be catching up with them for dinner tonight. The 9 of us are getting along very well.
We have all taken a liking to Pumpernickel Bakery which is just 30mtrs from the Guest House. In fact, I fear some of that pre-departure training may just be starting to come apart..! We need to start the trek...!!!
As with last year, there are moments of gut splitting laughter within the team. Sue and Greg being the instigators. (What is the common link with this year and last year...?). Ok, time to leave this internet cafe and hunt them down to see what mischief they are up to. Wish us luck for our 2nd attempt tomorrow.
I love the Everest Base Camp trek, but boy...that Lukla continues to stress me.
We awoke this morning at 4am to a beautiful calm and cloudless Kathmandu morning sky. Our hopes were up as all 9 of us bundled into 3 taxis for our trip to the airport for our "scheduled" 6.15am flight. By 7am, the sun was up and burning off the little bit of haze around Kathmandu that had prevented our departure. We were happy to await the announcement of our boarding.
Regretfully we were still awaiting this announcement at 11.50am...!! We then got the announcement that all trekkers fear, "All flights to Lukla cancelled due weather". Team not happy. Long faces. Asking me if I have any influential contacts...! My answer of "no" is barely accepted. So a long and frustrating morning by all, and Kathmandu domestic airport lacks ...........well..........just about everything...! While Kathmandu was blazed in Sunshine, Lukla was unfortunately hidden in cloud/fog.
Into the taxis and back into Thamel, re-check in to the Kathmandu Guest House and try to keep the spirits and confidence of the team high for our next opportunity tomorrow morning. We still have time up our sleeve so one or two (possibly even three) cancellations won't impact us. I've ran a few alternative treks by the team just in case we fail to get out, but they are insistent on Everest Base Camp. The Vic team have accepted that these things happen, and the QLDrs have experienced these frustrations many times throughout their travels.
The 4 QLDrs have opted to stay in a nearby lodge to save some money for the remainder of their ongoing travels throughout Asia (KGH is not the cheapest in the area). We will be catching up with them for dinner tonight. The 9 of us are getting along very well.
We have all taken a liking to Pumpernickel Bakery which is just 30mtrs from the Guest House. In fact, I fear some of that pre-departure training may just be starting to come apart..! We need to start the trek...!!!
As with last year, there are moments of gut splitting laughter within the team. Sue and Greg being the instigators. (What is the common link with this year and last year...?). Ok, time to leave this internet cafe and hunt them down to see what mischief they are up to. Wish us luck for our 2nd attempt tomorrow.
