After a 2 days travel through Doha, I am now in Kathmandu. And this has been a trip filled with great moments already.
This was my first time in Doha and I went out on a city tour that blew my mind. I only had a 3 hours private tour of the city, but was able to cover the old city, the Souk, the business district, the new city with its Place Vendome and Venice Neighborhood. I can't wait to come back and spend a full 3 day including a desert safari. There is so much to see in this city that all feel very new and modern in the middle of the desert. I really enjoyed it.
Both flights were super smooth and easy. And that means, I got to Kathmandu pretty well rested already which is great.
Just had time to drop off my bags in the hotel room and I joined my friend Valerie who was going to a party at the Hard Rock Cafe across the street to celebrate Nima Rinji Sherpa on his successful completion of all 14 eight thousand meter peaks in a year at the age of 18 only. This guy is a beast and he has a tiny body, but mighty strong mentally and physically.
Then we grabbed a french crepe in Kathmandu, But of course. I love the Thamel neighborhood atmosphere. Last time I was here was 5 years ago and the streets look a lot cleaner and easier to navigate with less traffic now that most streets are one way and there is regulation about speed and using the horn. But the smell, the noises, the activity is still the same. I love it.
This morning I met with the guide for the usual gear check which is a part I love and is essential to guarantee a successful expedition.
Rest.of the day was going to be chill but it turned eventful. I went to Thamel around 10AM and got a text from Valerie that they are still waiting on their chopper to fly to Lukhla. SO I went to meet them and surprise they were chatting with no other than the now famous Alasdair Mckenzie whois a young 20 year old french climber who nonchalantly but humbly just finished climbing all 14 eight thousanders. He has climbed all 14 highest peak on the planet in a little less than 2 years and is a super nice guy. He is so strong yet so humble and super relax guy. SO we chatted until it was time for lunch. So we went to get a fantastic Borek at the Meraki turkish restaurant.
At 3PM I went to meet the rest of the team for a breifing on the next few days. I'll describe more on the next blog post.
We will have a group diner with the team this evening.
Tomorrow we are going to tour some of the major sites in Kathmandu including the Boudhanath (one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu also known asLittle Tibet), the Pashupatinath, and the Swayambhunath (also known as the Monkey Temple).
Then Tuesday morning, weather and airport backlog jam permitting, we fly by chopper to Luklha...
Fingers crossed we will be on the mountain Tuesday...
Thierry
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