Kathmandu, Nepal, 8th January 2014

Kathmandu, the first steps...

Immigration is a lengthy process. I get the distinct feeling things are done old school style so it's no surprise and thankfully I'm not in any hurry. Tourists Visa on arrival is 40 US$ for 30 days and after filling out the necessary forms its off join the queue of knackered intercontinental passengers which by now is stretching almost back to the planes! Oh, and better have a passport photo handy otherwise it's another queue to get that!

From plane to street is about 1 1/2 hours, mainly because our arrival coincided with others. Stepping out into Kathmandu and confronted with hundreds of people and that continuous honking of horns - yep, I can already feel the vibe.

It doesn't take long, just a few seconds actually before I'm picked out by some taxi drivers privileged enough to be allowed into the arrivals area. Walking away and the deals get better by the step. So, it's a 4$ ride downtown to a guesthouse with a 10$ room, let's see what happens! But before all that I need an ATM. It's not looking good as the first attempt failed, second attempt at getting cash has also failed. Another ATM just this way points the the helpful taxi driver, that fails too, oh dear! No problem, ATM downtown, this driver seems pretty eager to keep me on, despite this minor setback.

It's fair to this place is a little rough, but for anyone who's been to Mumbai, well, it's not that bad. The road is rough, dusty and full of traffic and garbage control could be better. But despite that, the adventurous spirit remains - the vibrancy, the colours and of course the food is all here, welcome to Kathmandu.

Istanbul to Kathmandu, Nepal, 8th January 2014

Bad news at Istanbul Airport...

The flight to Kathmandu is delayed with a departure now at 1.30am. It's dark outside so nothing to see across the airport. Thousands of people milling about and it's hot! Oh, and a coffe at Cafe Nero is ￡2.50 in a paper cup just a bit bigger than the size of a thimble - reminds me of Vietnam! Well, I'm off to badger the staff for a food voucher.

No free Wifi at this airport, well, not unless you have a Turkish phone number but at least the seats are padded - so it's time for a nap, better set the alarm, just in case!

Finally airborne at 01.30 as I settle into seat 36A on this Turkish Airlines Airbus 330 for the next 6 hours. A seat carefully selected being behind the wing and on the left side window - should get a glimpse of the Himalayas later. A very tasty breakfast of lightly herbed scrambled egg, tomato, flakey cheese pastry and yogurt muesli. Oh, I forgot to mention the cheese and olives.

There they are - a majestic sight as the snow capped Himalayas can be seen against a bright blue sky, what a captivating sight as the camera works overtime! The plane is descending into Kathmandu and yet more camera work as the flight passes over mountain villages and hilltop communities - this is easily the most memorable of my long haul flights to date!

Album - Leaving on a Jet Plane, Nepal, 2014

A left turn towards Dover then onwards to Istanbul with a flight time of 3 hours 15 minutes. Kathmandu, here I come.

Setting course, next stop Istanbul

Passing London Gatwick Airport

Plenty of leg room on this flight

Turkish Delight, yes please

What shall it be?

Lets go to Kathmandu, Nepal, 7th January 2014

Bumpy take-off and a Turkish Lunch over the Alpes, the journey to Kathmandu begins...

Wendover, Marylebone, Paddington, Hammersmith then Heathrow for my Turkish Airlines flight to Kathmandu via Istanbul today - ￡22 for the 90 minute journey.

No passport control as such but a collection of border agency bods hovering, attempting to spot those passengers up to no good. Yep, I'm pulled over and interrogated, trying to explain why I'm leaving the country for six months with only $500 cash. As far as I can tell they believe the story and so let me continue onwards - yes sir, I really want to leave the country!

killing some time at Heathrow airport, wandering around for what seems like several miles through through a succession of corridors just to find a spot where I can see a few planes! A window by gate 44 looks across the airfield to terminal 5, not the best of views and further obscured by rain lashing at the glass - oh we'll, I'll plonk down here anyway, don't have the energy to take another mile long hike just yet!

Another flight with three seats all my own as the doors slam shut - 30 minutes late! No matter, plenty of transfer time at Istanbul as the Boeing 777 aircraft  taxis to runway 27R, passing an old Concorde on the way, looking rather subdued but nice to see all the same. A bumpy departure as a strong wind buffets the aircraft, but at least the rain clouds have disappeared. A wide left turn towards Dover gives those of us on the right a good view of Gatwick Airport and hopefully a glimpse of the Alps  later. For now though, sitting back with the Ipod and waiting for lunch.

A distinctly Mediterranean flavour to lunch - Eggplant with soft cheese, lightly spiced chicken fillet, a beef patty with rice and vegetables - the best airline lunch since 2011, not at all bad for cattle class. Time for some camera action as the snow capped Austrian Alps pass below. Unfortunately the planes vapour trail make snapping a good photo rather tricky.

I thought Dubai was a big airport, but Istanbul's Ataturk seems twice the size. More leg work, a major effort to find the next gate and further scrutiny of ones belongings.

Test Video - Train up Penang Hill

Another attempt with videos on the blog. Previous uploads have been plagued with issues, but finally Blogspot seems to have resolved most of them - by using Youtube servers.

Here is a short clip taken from the train upto the summit of Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia. Its not quality since the video was shot from my smart phone. Double click on the centre panel to make the picture larger.