4th September 2007 - Cloud in the Hills

So today we rose at 0415 and spent another 7 hours at Kathmandu Airport departures hall. Sadly the weather system in the mountains has not shifted and no aircraft can get in or out. Whilst it is frustrating for us, you have to spare a thought for those trapped at Lukla needing to get out for health or family reasons.

The monsoon has passed, so this warm cloud and rain has caught the whole region unexpectedly, causing widespread disruption and flooding to some low-lying areas. Combined with a (peaceful) Maoist uprising in the cities this week, a general strike and national fuel shortage, the last couple of days has been a logistical challenge for the team. Despite this, we've maintained our position at the top of the list and experienced no disruption other than the weather!

We have made the most of the afternoon and sought out some culture at the world heritage site of Bouddhanath Stupa (temple). It is an oasis of calm in the city, awash with colours, smells and constant mantra of the thousands of Buddhist pilgrims. The roofs are beddecked with prayer flags and the whole area encircled with prayer wheels which people turn clockwise as they walk around the stupa in a clockwise direction.

Tomorrow, we head off early to the airport again, hopeful of a flight into the mountains and the start of a long fast trek ahead.