Nepal – On the way to London Oman Air Flight 338 and Flight 101

Kathmandu and Muscat Oman, June 2016. About 3 1/2 hours to Muscat, Oman on a Boeing 737 packed full of migrant workers heading for their Middle-Eastern contracts. Some obviously flying for the first time as their anxieties are evident. A relatively short flight at night and with the entertainment system in good working order (its not always) its soon all over as the Muscat city lights illuminate the horizon. With the next flight to London 14 hours away the good folks of Oman Air have booked me a first class hotel with a free transit visa and of course a limousine bus transfer!

Time for a Cost-a-lot coffee and some plane watching before boarding the flight home – flight 101 to London. Just over 7 hours with the flight routing across Iran, Turkey and the Balkans before crossing central Europe and on into London’s Heathrow Airport.

Here’s some of the views over Iran from 36,000 feet. An awesome view overflying millions of years of history.

And a few more views of this Jurassic landscape.

Soon we’r over London. As usual obscured by clouds but a few gaps enable some quick snaps as the plane turns over the East end before following the river Thames into Heathrow.

And finally, after leaving in January – Welcome back to London!

 

 

 

Nepal – Going Home, Kathmandu Stopover

Kathmandu, Nepal, June 2016.

Durbar Square and the surrounds. Last time here was just after the Earthquake when the place was in ruins. Today, the rubble and wood has been cleared but repairs look to be a very long way off. Here’s a selection of photos from a wander round whilst waiting to go to the airport later in the day. The officials in the pay booths are not enforcing the steep prices for a look at whats left of the place and in any case the through way to the left remains free for all from where one can see pretty much everything anyway. As you can see, life continues often with a smile!

here’s posts from last years visit:

Durbar Square Devastation

Donating to the School

 

 

Nepal – Time to go home, England

Pokhara, Nepal, June 2016. Yes, its time to pack up and go home. Time to say good bye to Nepal and its an emotional goodbye to the people of Pokhara, the one place in the world where it has been possible for me, a Western traveler, to become deeply entrenched within Nepal society and culture. And I don’t mean turning up and prancing around in those big baggy pants, no I mean being part of modern Nepali family society – sharing food, hardships and emotions.Its fair to say this is the hardest goodbye I’ve ever had to make – for the fourth time!

The long trip home to England starts with a 6 hour bus ride to Kathmandu. 30 hours in Kathmandu before the plane ride to  Oman. A night stop in Oman before the 2 PM flight to London.

And so with the last few goodbyes in the bag its off to the bus park and that long bumpy bus ride along the Prithivi Highway. So, just sit back and enjoy the dramatic scenery and a glimpse of rural life that is Nepal. $7 for the 6 hour ride on Line-up travels, and its a brand new bus with Wifi!

Photos from the bus.