Route Map

Sunday 5 September 2010

Kathmandhu



Well boys and girls what a strange 72 hours its been already, apologies for any spelling errors, the keyboard i am using is in Nepalese.

Our journey to Kathmandu, although knackering, was relatively painless, even you may have managed cattle class Catherine. Kathmandu is a strange place, the centre, Thamel is incredibly crowded, everyone is always trying to sell you something, it is dirty and smelly and impossible to navigate as there are no roadsigns and when you ask for directions you invariably end up at the shop of who ever you asked's friend. The driving is bordering on suicidal and appears to be based on the following principles:
1) Don't stop (ever)
2) Always sound your horn
3) Never, under any circumstances, indicate.

However, all this aside and even with the burning sensation that develops in your throat through breathing it all in, Kathmandu is thoroughly charming.

We are staying in a hostel that depicts what we expected a hostel to be, no bathroom light, hence the pic in which Alex had to use her head torch to shave her legs and the necessary use of our sleeping bag liners (Mo-mos) to prevent the insects. We knew it was a hole when we switched on the T/V, only to see highlights of QPR v Derby.

So far we have done the sight seeing thing, been whitewater rafting and drunk a warm millet based beer called gunka that although it looked great ( we didn't have a camera then) tasted like 'if McDonalds made drip trays.' We are going on a 7 hour coach trip to a little village called Suraha to stay with a tribe and take part in their way of life, i'd imagine Alex will learn to weave, cook and clean clothes in a river with the women whilst i have a beer and watch sky-sports with the men.

From there we have arranged to go trekking in the Himalayas for 14 days which sounds amazing.

Sorry to hear people have had problems signing up but you can still leave messages even if you haven't.

Anyway, hope to be in touch soon, Lots of love, Andy and Alex

1 comment:

  1. Ian couldn't get the need for Alex to shave her legs - but then he's a man so what do you expect ! I couldn't work out why she couldn't just wait until daylight ...!

    Who won the QPR v Derby match?? - I really am (honestly) interested to know ..

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