Day 14 - Lukla to Kathmandu
Relocate to the airport with the sound of incoming planes.
Success. Someone is manning the checkin counter. In fact there are staff wandering the airport, definitely a good sign. Airport communication is a little lite on at the airport. If you want to know whether planes are flying just check whether the confectionary bench is open in the lobby, if not then don't bother going looking for the airport staff as they definitely won't be around.
Watch the first phase leave and then the Sita second phase at about 9.30am starting to wonder whether we will get out today or not. Just then see two Tara flights rollup the landing strip and turn into the loading bays. Climb into a Dornier 228 for the return flight, smaller plane but a little more comforting. No stuffing around once everyone is inboard the door is shut by the hostess and the plane starts taxi-ing for the strip.
Flying out appears much simpler then coming in, pilots gun the engines and then start the downhill run. Three quarters of the way down the plane lifts off and we fly straight out of the valley. Turbulence is not very noticeable and it is a clear flight. Touch down at Kathmandu smoothly rolling around past the domestic terminal.
Jump on the Tarmac bus that drives us out to an open air bag recovery area near the taxi stand. For one second undpcertain whether we were just being escorted out of the airport. Share a taxi back to Thammel 500 rup. Feels like home walking across to Paknajol Rd. The side street where the hotel is located has purple tika marks all over the tar. Obviously the scene of some serious action on Saturday.
Dinner at K-Too of steaks and hamburger. Pilsenser also a winner, best of all Apple fried momos. Mudcake not that great however. Restaurant run by same guys as Kilroys. Settle into the Yellow House post some serious laundry duty.
Relocate to the airport with the sound of incoming planes.
Success. Someone is manning the checkin counter. In fact there are staff wandering the airport, definitely a good sign. Airport communication is a little lite on at the airport. If you want to know whether planes are flying just check whether the confectionary bench is open in the lobby, if not then don't bother going looking for the airport staff as they definitely won't be around.
Watch the first phase leave and then the Sita second phase at about 9.30am starting to wonder whether we will get out today or not. Just then see two Tara flights rollup the landing strip and turn into the loading bays. Climb into a Dornier 228 for the return flight, smaller plane but a little more comforting. No stuffing around once everyone is inboard the door is shut by the hostess and the plane starts taxi-ing for the strip.
Flying out appears much simpler then coming in, pilots gun the engines and then start the downhill run. Three quarters of the way down the plane lifts off and we fly straight out of the valley. Turbulence is not very noticeable and it is a clear flight. Touch down at Kathmandu smoothly rolling around past the domestic terminal.
Jump on the Tarmac bus that drives us out to an open air bag recovery area near the taxi stand. For one second undpcertain whether we were just being escorted out of the airport. Share a taxi back to Thammel 500 rup. Feels like home walking across to Paknajol Rd. The side street where the hotel is located has purple tika marks all over the tar. Obviously the scene of some serious action on Saturday.
Dinner at K-Too of steaks and hamburger. Pilsenser also a winner, best of all Apple fried momos. Mudcake not that great however. Restaurant run by same guys as Kilroys. Settle into the Yellow House post some serious laundry duty.
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