TAG 16: Abandoned Plans

July 15, 2016

Today officially marks our last day in Nepal. Therefore, even before starting our trek, we decided to spend it exposing ourselves to the countless vendors. Secretly, I have been dreading this day since the beginning of the trip, as I know from past experience that shopping with two female companions can be a bit exhausting. However, it doesn't necessarily turn out that way. Actually, we spend a very relaxing morning with espresso and banana pancakes. After a brief disagreement – surprisingly the first noteworthy one of this trip, and I don't want to dwell on it[1] - we embark on the shopping marathon.

Since Hetti will be leaving us tomorrow and unintentionally revealed her maximum flight baggage weight – 30kg! - we shop like crazy. I manage to spend approximately 100€ on this day, which is comparable to 1000€ - shopping in Vienna. And that's despite the relentless bargaining. Of course, we buy souvenirs for everyone, I wouldn't buy something for myself here as I have a very strict travel budget. Well, to be honest, I buy myself a wonderful gong in a wooden frame – I think every household should have a gong to announce important daily activities (eating, cuddling, cleaning...).

So, shopping turns out to be not so exhausting after all, as we mainly stroll around in our Gretzl (local area) and therefore constantly take breaks and unload our bags. This way, I also avoid being called the Paris Hilton of Kathmandu, although I'm not dragging a tiny dog around with me – but a monkey could certainly be found.

During one of these stops, we even have electricity in our room. Let me explain: Nepal has a huge power supply problem. I suspect that there are even fixed times when there is electricity (mostly at night) and even then, the power constantly goes out. So, the chance to charge batteries is rather slim. Slightly better establishments almost all have a backup generator. Besides the unpleasant aspects of this power problem, it's easy to figure out which shops are the really cheap ones – namely those that remain dark during one of the power shortages. This realization has already saved us some rupees – and spared us from using extra toilets.

But what I actually wanted to say: there is electricity. So, I charge my laptop and we want to check in online for our planned flight tomorrow at 15:15. This works wonderfully, only now the ticket shows 21:00 on the next day. This poses a pretty big problem, as we not only need to go to Kuala Lumpur, but also plan to continue with the night bus to Kota Bharu. There, we plan to take a speedboat to the Perhentian Island Resort, where Gudi has already reserved three nights for us – my birthday present. Therefore, it's understandable that she is horrified, as this place is more expensive than anything else on this trip and has already been paid for. Missing one night there and instead waiting in a filthy airport corner is not what we had in mind after the sacrifices of the past weeks.

The booking company lastminute.com is no help at all, just like the airline AirAsia. Thanks for that – maybe I'll write an online review about this bunch of monkeys – well, actually I am doing that right now. I never received an email informing us about the rescheduling, by the way.[2] It's still annoying. Luckily, there are flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu for only 22€ per person, almost every hour. We quickly book such a flight and suddenly we're back on schedule. And many many rupees lighter. Only downside – Gudi won't be able to visit her Malaysian friend from Wales – poor Gudi. But she still has me.[3]

In the evening, we have recovered from our shock and discover a super cheap restaurant. We celebrate Hetti's last night – although it's assumed that I'm really celebrating it. Let me say this: Hetti could be a worse travel partner. Of course, when you spend 3 weeks together, you start to notice certain things about the other person that you don't necessarily like. Nevertheless, I really wouldn't want to miss her on this trip and I'm still happy that she joined us.

In the room, we hunt down (mosquitoes) – a practice that comes easy to us after certain jungle experiences. Gudi gets very sentimental this evening and insists on reading a bedtime story. I'm not really interested and dedicate myself to my sweet dreams – and the ladies in them.[4]

[1] In case you're interested: I am of course right!

[2] However, self-critically, I should maybe check my spam emails before deleting them.

[3] When I read these lines to her, she starts crying – I assume they are tears of joy – what else!

[4] Gudi: "Such nonsense – if you're going to write something like that, stick to the truth!" – well, alright: it was a really nice bedtime story and afterwards I sleep like a newborn baby.