Day 4: Nagarkot to Pokhara (via Kathmandu)

The journey was a bone-rattling repeat of yesterday’s ‘free-massage’ trip but we made pretty good time and got to the airport early for our flight to Pokhara.

Only to discover that our flight was delayed. Kishor managed to get us on an earlier flight – but that was also delayed. The departure lounge was packed so we just had to find a seat wherever we could while we waited and waited (I caught up with writing my journal).

Eventually our flight was called and we piled into the bus to take us to our plane. And then we sat in the bus for 10 minutes, and then another 10 minutes (there was at least a cool breeze). We all got onto our little plane and most of our group were right down the back. And we sat and sat getting hotter and hotter. The stewardess gave us sweets and a glass of water, and then got her bag and left. Another stewardess came on and gave us sweets and a glass of water. Then they told us we could go and stand outside or sit in the bus if we wanted – it was cooler.

Eventually we had to rush back onto the plane because we had got our place from air traffic control. But then we had to sit in the long queue of other planes that had also got their call, and wait for other planes to land. But at least they had the aircon going by then. Finally we took off for our 25min flight to Pokhara. Even with all the delays it was still quicker and infinitely more comfortable than driving for 6-8 hours over very rough roads.

Our schedule for the day is now completely out of kilter so we check in to the hotel and have lunch and get settled. Our only activity is to go to the International Mountain Museum. The museum is in a spectacular building and has amazing displays of the mountains themselves and the geology of the area; displays of old climbing gear (and the climbers who used them); info and pictures of all the different Nepali peoples (there are a lot) and their different costumes; there was a disappointing section on flora and fauna as well.

My back has been been playing up since our 2 bone-rattling journeys, so I booked for a massage at the hotel (not as relaxing as I’d hoped). Then I joined Andrew and Doreen for dinner in the hotel restaurant – I had Kung Pao Chicken.

We are beginning to feel like we are participating in a murder mystery (we have sickness rather than murder) but each morning we have less people. We had 2 drop out before the tour started; 2 days in Geoff had to be taken to hospital and then he and Barb pulled out all together; Jenny has been very sick with flu and Dennis hasn’t been well either.

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For this and other similar tours see:

Explore Asia with Intrepid Travel (a range of different travel styles – see my post on travel styles)

Peregrine Adventures (Comfort tours)

Geckos Adventures (for 18 to 30s)

Note: After people telling me they had booked an Intrepid Tour on my recommendation, I now have affiliate links with the Intrepid Travel group of companies and may receive a commission if you book a tour online within a couple of months after clicking through to these sites.  So if you are enjoying my tips and stories and finding them useful in choosing your own travel, please click on these links and help me to bring you more .

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