19/06/22 - ABC Trek: Day 2 (Ghandruk to Chhomrong)

18/06/22 - Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Day 1 (Nayapul to Ghandruk)

17/06/22 - Pokhara

16/06/22 - False Dawns

15/06/22 - Arrival in Kathmandu

14/06/22 - Quitting work and hitting the airport

Today was a good day. The last day of working at my job, I quit the office at 11am and gleefully headed to Gatwick to catch my flight to Kathmandu.

But today's flight wasn't like previous flights, today we flew business class. You know the flight is going to be good when you turn up to check in and you have your own walled-off, carpeted check in queue.

The luxury did not end there. After news headlines of mass overcrowding and delays and UK airport, I next traversed to the private security lane before swiftly heading to the business lounge, and this was where my glutinous 12 hours began.

First I started with a champagne, washed down with a pie & mash, caramel shortbread and another champagne. Not wanting to under do it, I ordered the 'afternoon tea' of coronation chicken sandwich and crisps.

A quick stroll took me to the gate where I mistakenly joined the peasant queue, whilst my fellow business class passengers skipped the entire queue and walked straight to the front - rookie business class move by me.

As I entered the sparsely populated plane, I was shown my cabin for the journey complete with flat bed and privacy screen. The privacy screen that I couldn't figure out how to work until embarrassingly a stewardess stopped to show me. I received my wash bag for the flight and was asked which cocktail I would like after take off, all the while sipping another glass of champagne.

The food was delightful, a roast dinner at cruising altitude with a cheesecake and cheeseboard for dessert. And a charcuterie board for starter.

Flying in business was an eye opener - I felt at home, I felt this is how I should fly every time. I made a note to get back on the points hype and ensure I had the necessary airmiles for my next trip. 

After an extremely comfortable flight, we landed in Doha and I yet again descended on the free food and drink - this time to the extremely large lounge in the airport.

I started with a steak from the a la carte and followed this up with a biryani and some middle eastern snacks from the buffer. All of course washed down with more champagne.

After gorgin myself silly, I uncomfortable relaxed until my next flight to Kathmandu. Having reached the gate I was told to wait until everyone else had boarded and then was taken to the business class bus transfer to the plane - excessive considering only four people were in business class. Yet, I did not complain. When on board, I felt slightly duped. There was no individual cabins this time, only large business class seats that did not recline.

At this point I was knackered, but remained awake for the sea food based menu on board.

As I dosed off, the night time view was on fire with the sunset glow. As i awoke this changed to the daylight Nepalese scenery with 8,000m mountains poking above the skyline. The fact that the plane was almost eye level to the peaks of these mountains left me in awe of their stature. Eventually Kathmandu came into view and we made our descent into the busy city. 

Egypt: Flying Home (24 December 2020)

 The final morning in Egypt. I was up early to have a final breakfast, with the memories of Mohamed Ahmed's foul and falafel fresh in my mind, I head to Oldish to hopefully repeat the experience.

I take the 10 minute walk, dodging traffic and death at every junction. Oldish was open, one of the few Cairo breakfast places open before 9am. I order the Oldish Breakfast with omelette, foul, falafel, orange juice, bread, salad and a soft cheese concoction.

The service was the most Egyptian in my short time here, and typically the one time I had to be in a rush in order to catch my plane. After 40 minutes my omelette appeared - a world record for the cooking of an omelette surely. The breakfast was sustenance, over the flavour of Mohamed Ahmed's foul and falafel. 

After a quick scurry back to the hotel, and the 47th body scan and search in the 24 last 24 hours. I quickly pack and order an Uber for a bargain price of 130 EGP (£6.50) - unfortunately I had to forgo Hamdy's offer of 150EGP, even though it was probably the best taxi offer I would find.

My Uber driver extoled the virtues of Dahab and Sharm during the 30 minutes journey. Driving no handed and excitedly flicking through videos of his recent visits. I had to endure 3/4 minutes videos of my man dancing on the Sharm beaches whilst dodging Cairo motorway traffic. Sharm did look fun to be fair to him.

My driver dropped me at terminal 2, I walked in and immediately had a sinking feeling when the London flight was not shown on the departure boards. Had it been cancelled? Had the borders with the UK closed? I should probably have checked before leaving the hotel, but alas, it was just a case of being dropped at the wrong terminal. A five minute walk later and I was at terminal 3, going through the copious security and eventually dropping my bag via an erroneous journey through domestic travel security.

A handful of people were waiting for the London flight, the cleaners and airport staff easily outnumbering the outbound passengers. The same seven Christmas songs were on repeat adding to the dystopian charm of the empty airport.

I boarded the almost empty plane and set off back to the UK, not knowing what would greet me. Everyone I spoke to in the last few days commented about the reported Covid issues in the UK - back to the eye of the storm. Until next time.