Getting to Nepal

April 3rd. 2015: Getting to Nepal

First task is to sort out all the gear I need for the trip, then chuck half it back into the press. While the weight allowance on the international flights is about 30kgs there are limits on (a) the internal flights from Kathmandu to Lukla and the return trip. I also have to consider the sherpas as they will have to carry most of the weight while I carry everything I need for each day. This vary depending on weather, distance etc.

I took over a spare room at home to start sorting all my gear for the trip. 

I went into town yesterday (April 2nd. ) to purchase a device to facilitate carrying my camera on my chest while minimising the weight on my shoulders. I could not find anything that suited me or that would coexist with my backpack. So, back home I went to try a devise something. I created a gadget that attaches to the straps of my backpack thus removing the necessity to have it around my neck. With a few hours to spare before departing I brought the straps to a boot maker and outlined where I needed him to stitch it up. He didn't even charge me. Came home and attached it to the backpack. It has quick release clips to allow me take shots with ease while one side is still secured to my pack.

Gear sorted by 3:30am. My gear bag weights 17.5 kgs and my backpack for the flight is 5Kgs. Off to bed now to try and get a few hours sleep ZZZZZZzzzzzzz......

Brenda called me from San Francisco at 7am. While I was delighted to hear from her I would have liked another hour or two in my leaba (bed).

John decides to capture a couple of photos as I prepare to leave the house

Not posed, I promise. John snapped this photo as I was leaving the house. Why was he not taking some of the baggage?

Off to the Airport, checked in Gear Bag, went through security and into the lounge in Terminal 2. I met Ian there with Ronan, Viktor, Paul and John. We were then joined by Lisa, Catriona and finally Aileen.

L to R, Ian, Ronan, Caitriona, Lisa and Aileen 

Leaving the green fields of Ireland behind 

The flight from Dublin to Abu Dhabi was half empty so many people moved to the empty spaces once the plane had levelled off. They lay across the four middle seats and slept most of the way. I had a window seat and a spare space beside me. Still I did not sleep, no surprise there. Aileen and I had an eight hour stopover in Abu Dhabi before our flight to Kathmandu.

Coming in to land at Abu Dhabi Airport

We arrived at our hotel in Kathmandu just as the rest of the team we coming back from dinner. So, Aileen, John and myself took a short stroll down the narrow street and located a small restaurant where we enjoyed omelet and chips. Conscious that we had a early start the next morning we went straight back to the hotel to grab a few hours sleep.

The International Guest House is just one minute from the busy Thamel district of Kathmandu. Her you will find busy narrow street with restaurants, bars, shops etc. I will cover Kathmandu later in this blog.