Getting to Nepal

Monday 6^th April 2015

There’s something about having to wake up ridiculously early that just stops me sleeping. I went to bed last night and knew I only had four hours until I needed to get up but I just couldn’t switch off. That and I was being assaulted by mosquitos. When finally my alarm went off at 1.45am I rolled out of bed and dragged my stuff out of the room. (Since I was in a hostel I figured it was the less intrusive way of getting up in the middle of the night)

It wasn’t long before I was ready to go and waiting for my taxi, and waiting, and waiting when it was 15minutes late I decided to wake up the girl who runs the guesthouse. She tried calling the company but with no success. In the end I had to flag down a rickshaw on the street. I asked him how long it would take to get to the airport and he said 90mins which wouldn’t really leave me enough time to check in. I told him to drive as fast as he could.

He obviously enjoyed the challenge and drove like a man possessed we made it to the airport in less than an hour (and that was including getting stuck at a million red lights, being pulled over by the cops and stopping for petrol along the way.)

I went in and cruised straight up to the desk to check in and actually ended up with time to kill so despite it being 4am I had a huge vegetarian breakfast and read my book in an airport café.

By the time I was finished and had sauntered along to my gate I practically walked straight onto the plane. There was a big tour group who had no manners and just pushed and shoved their way through several of them refusing to put their handbags on the scanner I just stood back and watched amused. The greatest entertainment though was the girl who effused to take off her shoes insisting that if she had to then she should be given slippers (to walk the two steps through the beepy machine) when eventually it was made very clear she either came through with no shoes or left she tip toed her way through practically in tears (personally I would rather walk on the floor than wear someone else’s minging slippers!)

I got onto the plane being pushed from all angles as it appeared the large tour group had no concept of personal space and a deeply ingrained fear that unless they got to their seats as fast as they could the plane might actually take off while they were still standing.

I got to my seat which was occupied by one of the said tour group her seat was the window which I happily took instead. I was happily settling in when a fat man sat next to me. I don’t mean to sound mean but this guy probably should have had two seats he spent the entire flight spilling over into my seat and his arm on the arm rest sat right across my tits each time I asked him to move it he would squeeze his arms in but inevitably it would slide back there so I sat sideways with my back against the window (I don’t even think he was trying to cope a feel I think he was just so fat that’s where his arms were) he also sat with his legs ridiculously wide encroaching my space there as well (come on fat man we all know your junk aint that big there’s no need to sit like that) he also sleep burped the entire flight and at points I thought there might be follow through.

Despite the uncomfortable situation I managed to sleep for most of the flight waking up properly only to eat. Before I knew it we had touched down in Mumbai. The plane hadn’t even come to a stop when the previously mentioned ill-mannered tour group started scrambling for their bags ignoring the commands of the cabin crew over the PA to sit down. I waited until they (and the fat man) had dispersed before disembarking.

Once off the plane I had to go to the international transfer’s desk where I was given my boarding gate and I proceeded through security and upstairs to the gates. I had a wander around but most of the shops were designer and that shit doesn’t float my boat so I found a comfy bench and chilled out. Annoyingly the flight from Colombo to Mumbai was 30 minutes early and the flight from Mumbai to Kathmandu was delayed 15 minutes giving me even more time to kill.

Eventually I boarded the plane I had waited for most people to get on before me as it seemed that no one understood when they announced certain rows to come forward and everyone just pushed in a mad rush I sat back preferring to read my book an get aboard once the crush was done.

I found my seat next to the emergency exit as such I had to put my bag in the overhead locker which for reasons unknown I loathe doing. As I’m short the advantage of the extra leg room was wasted on me. (perhaps long hall it might be nice) before take-off I had a lesson in how to open the emergency door and spent the entire flight looking away from it and fighting the urge to pull it open (I have a thing about buttons and handles)

The flight was only a few hours so I watched a movie ate and chilled out and before I knew it was touching down in Kathmandu. The airport was rustic and I immediately felt at home in the shabby terminal. In the arrivals hall all the foreigners were standing around looking lost as there was no clear signage about where to go for visas I on the other hand had read a sign as I breezed in talking about completing VOA on computers so I walked straight up scanned my passport and followed the prompts in a matter of minutes the machine had spat out a receipt I took that to the counter paid and then took the receipt to another counter where another dude stuck my visa into my passport and welcomed me to Nepal.

I went downstairs to the baggage claim where three flights were all waiting for luggage on the same belt (despite the fact that there were three belts) annoyingly I was one of the first people at the belt but my bag was one of the last.

I went through customs without a pause as I had nothing to declare and got straight in a prepaid taxi. I didn’t have any Nepal rupees but the dude let me pay in Indian rupees although I’m sure I got ripped off since I had no idea what the exchange rate was.

The traffic driving in was quite hectic and I was reminded of Indian roads quite different from Sri Lanka where although they speed constantly at least they understand and follow most other traffic rules (including how lanes work a concept yet to catch on in India and also here apparently)

It didn’t take long to get to Durbar square which is where the guesthouse I was meeting Mark was in I arrived and sat down feeling pretty exhausted for all of 10 minutes before we headed out on a mission to find me a jacket and a helmet. The shopping was a success after getting some cash out we walked to Thamel and checked out a few outdoor shops I settled on a plain black jacket (all the better to see me on the bike!) and then went to a few bike shops where I got a dark grey helmet with a number eight on the side so my head resembles and magic eight ball when I wear it.

Shopping down we treated ourselves to a mango shisha and chilled in the bar until a band started their sound check and killed all possibility of conversation. Back at the guest house I had a hot shower and we headed to a local Indian restaurant for a cheap dinner. By this stage I was falling asleep in my curry and we headed back so I could crash.

Delhi

Monday 2^nd March 2015

I woke up earlyish this morning and thought I’d get a wee workout in my plan was to do a little 5x20 circuit of squats, press ups, lunges and tricep dips but after two sets I was on struggle street and only did three. After that I did a bit of yoga and was exhausted.

I managed to make it to the kitchen where I ate breakfast standing up at the counter because walking to find a chair was too hard. But after I refuelled I was grand.

After getting myself ready for the day (of doing nothing since it was horrible and rainy and the park across the road was flooded) I sorted out my laundry and then sat on my arse.

It was a very lazy day spent reading and researching Sri Lanka. By the time the afternoon rolled around I was already aching like nobodies business (lesson learnt NEVER STOP EXERCISING AGAIN) in the evening we had a feast of Indian food and watched a movie.

Tuesday 3^rd March 2015

I woke up feeling like id been hit by a truck (seriously body how you can be this unfit???) but dragged myself out of bed and onto my mat I managed to get in a quick circuit and a pretty good yoga session before I decided food was needed.

Once I was fed, showered, dressed and make-uped we headed to the shops to get some groceries it’s about a 15min walk to the supermarket and we wondered about marvelling at all the things on offer (um did someone say Whittaker’s chocolate and an entire shelf full of griffins biscuits!)

Loaded up with stocks we headed back to the flat in time for a late lunch. There was sunlight streaming in through the big lounge windows so I lay on the floor and dozed and read. When it was time to get up I was so stiff I could barely move!

In the evening we cooked a hodge podge meal of vegetarian burritos in the microwave as the flat is yet to get a gas bottle (it’s a long process that requires permits and what not in true Indian bureaucratic style) it was surprisingly good and there were plenty of treats for dessert.

Wednesday 4^th March 2015

Today was a day spent indulging ourselves! After a morning of yoga we headed to Vasant Kunj to the huge mall complex where we spent a ridiculous amount of time shopping in two of the three malls. I desperately needed a new bra after pulling the underwire out of my favourite one when it was digging into me I gave it to Zach way back when we were still Rickshaw Running and it spent the remainder of its days occupying some space on the back seat. I also got myself a t-shirt with slightly longer sleeves to cover up my tattoo for Sri Lanka as I’ve been told repeatedly to be careful with ‘religious’ tattoos there.

Midway through our shop fest we stopped and had an amazing mouth-watering six course lunch, which understandably took several hours lounging in comfy chairs while dish after dish appeared in front of us.

By the time we actually got back to the flat it was after 7pm and we were still so stuffed from lunch that dinner was a slice of banana bread and a cup of green tea in front of a movie.

Thursday 5^th March 2015

My yoga mat was calling to me early today so I pulled myself out of bed and spent about an hour there after a few months of barely any practice my body has been rebelling against any inverted postures but today standing on my head felt like the most natural thing in the world and I almost nailed a scorpion pose (but celebrated to soon and fell down)

I spent the morning nibbling away on several breakfasts, reading and organising all my flight and visa documents for Sri Lanka.

In the afternoon we headed to the bakery for some afternoon tea of Whoopee pies and green tea before getting a taxi to the Qutab Minar Complex.

We got tickets and audio guides (we were pretty much the only people with audio guides but they were great and only 100 rupees) we wondered about listening to the commentary on the various areas of the complex and taking millions of photos (including some with Indian tourists and some of Indian tourists in hilarious Bollywood poses)

The highlight of the complex is the Minar itself which is 73m high comprised of four stories, and is built of sandstone and marble. Construction started in the 11^th century and was completed by several generations. Inside is a spiral staircase leading to the top for reportedly fantastic views but I wouldn’t know as the staircase is closed off to the public and has been for several decades (according to one website it’s because people kept committing suicide by hurling themselves off the top)

By the time we had wondered about the whole place (and I had spent an age playing with a tiny puppy dog) it was early evening and we were starving. We got a rickshaw back to Vasant Vihar and popped into the local store to stock up on fruit an veg and bread for the long weekend as its Holi tomorrow (the rickshaw driver gave me a rose and the fruit man gave me two oranges to celebrate) we then got some dinner and chilled out for the evening.

 Squirrel that was kicking about

 Taxi to Qutab Minar. I LOVE Ambassadors 


Inside the taxi

Haze and I and the Qutab Minar 

 Haze and I and the Hindu pillars in the Mosque at the Qutab Minar

 The Qutab Minar itself

 Bollywood poser

 Hindu Temple pillars that were Incorporated into the mosque

 Haze learning about the Minar

 My new best friend! 

 A different view

 The sun going down through one of the old gateways

 The back of the mosque complex

The never completed ruins of what would have been a super tower!

The Rose the rickshaw driver gave me for Holi

Friday 6^th March 2015

HAPPY HOLI!!!

Before my eyes were even open this morning I was thinking about standing on my head on so that’s what I got out of bed and did. I did about 45mins of yoga before I got fed up with my body being fa too inflexible to do what I want it too.

After sitting around a bit having breakfast and seemingly endless cups of tea I headed out to find some colour. Being in a residential area and that all the shops were closed and that India was playing West Indies in the cricket the normally bustling streets were empty. I took a wonder about and stumbled across a couple of guys clearly ready to spend the day taking on whoever crossed their path they had two massive trays with piles of coloured powder and a huge bucket full of water balloons and water pistols.

As I approached they both grabbed water bombs and I sent them my biggest fuck off vibes and told them not to dare they then grabbed handfuls of colour and stared at me with questioning faces I laughed and told them it was ok and they covered me in colour and wished me a Happy Holi. The same thing happened a few doors down.

What I found weird was the lack of woman and children on the street there were plenty of blokes about but all the woman seemed to be holding back from the fun up on the balconies while there wasn’t a child in sight!

Everyone I passed wished me a “Happy Holi “the spirt on the street seemed very festive but when I got water bombed form a car I decided it was time to beat a retreat!

Back in the flat I changed out of my colourful clothes and attempted to wash my face and hands which remained slightly stained my ears were full of powder and I had to take out all my earrings to try and get the colour off.

All that excitement had left me hungry so I made some lunch and then sat in the sunshine for the afternoon enjoying the laziness of a holiday and avoiding the water bombers!

Sometime in the afternoon a circuit blew leaving half of the house without electricity but in no particular logical sense as in each room some of the lights and power points worked but not all luckily the fridge and the Wi-Fi didn’t have a breakdown.

In the evening we got a taxi to Hauz Khas village which is an area with a bunch of bars and restaurants we wondered through the streets looking for somewhere to eat and settled on somewhere (I didn’t take not of the name) and had massive burgers and extremely alcoholic cocktails.

About half way through the meal the DJ turned the volume up ridiculously high on the extremely crap tunes he was playing (did someone say Macarena and Gasalina???) and the place filled with some ridiculous tourists who loved it and went nuts dancing as though they had stuck their fingers in plug sockets and downing bottled water like it was nobody’s business.

After eating we had a walk around to see if there was any live music but it all seemed to be karaoke and so we found a rickshaw and headed home.

Holi pics!

Saturday 7^th March 2015

We played shopper and tourist today. We started off at Dilli Haat which is a market (we had to pay 20 rupees to get in which was weird but it had everything you could ever want)

We spent the morning walking around shopping (Haze got me a beautiful Kurta) and stopped for samosas for lunch before heading into old Delhi.

We went to the Red Fort and got audio guides so that we could learn all the history of the place. It isn’t very well maintained and map is hard to follow but the audio guide is full of great information.

As we came to the end of the walk around the grounds thunder began to rumble and as we started the long walk back to the car it began to rain cats and dogs, before we were even halfway there we were soaked through so we sacked off the rest of the day’s activities and headed home for hot showers and dry clothes.

It was late afternoon anyway so we didn’t miss out on much, so once dry we parked ourselves in front of several movies and ate the night away.

The Red Fort

Sunday 8^th March 2015

Today was a great day. I got up did some yoga chatted to mum on skype for a while and the electrician came and fixed the shorted circuit.

Around midday we left for lunch that ended up lasting most of the day we went to the Lodi Gardens restaurant for Sunday brunch with a couple that live in Delhi and that have mutual friends with Haze and John. It was an unlimited buffet with more food than was imaginable all set in a beautiful garden courtyard which was perfect as the sun was out.

We ate and ate from about 1pm until after 4pm when we had to leave as they were shutting down the place and the food was all gone! (I was pretty gutted that I left it a bit late for the dessert table as a lot of the good stuff was gone)

When we finally dragged ourselves away it was still pretty nice so we went for a wonder around Lodi Gardens taking pictures of the tombs, the parrots and the beautiful scenery (we also saw a man casually masturbating in the middle of the path which wasn’t so great)

On the way out we played on the fitness equipment for a while but there was thunder rumbling and we thought it best to avoid the same situation as yesterday and get to the car before the heavens opened up.

We drove home and promptly slipped into food comas on the sofa for several hours before having cake for tea (yip that’s right we clearly hadn’t had enough food and stopped at the bakery on the way home for cake) and not leaving the sofa for the rest of the evening.

 g

Lodi Gardens fun!