Caught a taxi to the bus station and then it was a long bus ride of 7-8 hours. Even at first we were happier to find this bus of Holidays was newer that the one we came with, but this time the driver was crazier. Except two stops for breakfast and lunch, he kept running at a full speed and overpassing others. Surprisingly, or not so surprisingly, we met some new friends who we had met during the trekking, the Dutch couple, and the German couple who trekked with their dog, appearing on the bus too.
It was highway but bumpy still. Despite of it, we all fell asleep after four days' hard trekking. And I heard big bangs behind, which turned out to be Y. head banging on the bus window. Later she recalled 'there were three times like that'.
Around 2 pm the bus ride had completed its most picturesque ride, with gorges, running creeks, green mountains finally behind us. And in front of us, the hazy or dusty city of Kathmandu was closer. Noticed that there were schools and parade grounds where kids (dressed up) and adults (not dressed up at all) amassed to attend possible celebration of this New Year.
When the conductor announced 'last stop', we hesitantly got off only to find this station totally different from the palace station when we embarked for the going ride. Anyway, we found a taxi and had him transport us to the Air China office, at North Gate of Royal Palace. ( with no street and number!) The driver understood little English, and after consulting another taxi driver, and later calling directly to the airliner office, he succeeded finding it and emptied us with our bags.
This was an important place, where I was to make choices between my plan A and B, but of course it was to based on their choice first. Besides my plan, my friends had their tickets reconfirmed. So they were definitely flying back home to China on Jan 3rd. And for my case, in the beginning, after knowing that my ticket was from my membership milage, the staff decided to change the date for me. My original was Jan 17. However, after some consulting, they agreed to do that for me. But it seemed that Jan 3 was a full flight and Jan 6, the next one was only possible date. Pleased, I accepted that and paid 30 dollars as penalty ( cheaper that at home where 300 yuan ( more than 45 dollars) would be charged.)
So I really had to forget my plan B to India. So let me make it next time, sometime in this damn new year. Hope so.
Caught another taxi back to Thamel and walked back to International. After check-in, a pleasant hot water shower, relaxed now but too excited, I couldn't nap at all, and girls even. They were beginning to pack. They just couldn't wait to go home.
Luckily the power was on that moment of day at International guest house. With their public internet, I succeeded to book through the English version of Ctrip.com a ticket back from Chengdu to Hangzhou. ( 19:25 take-off, Jan 6.) Luckily, thanks to the cut of oil price, the discount ticket price was lower by 110 yuan to 550.When we met at the restaurant, we found we're together with two girls from Hong Kong, who did Jomsom trek within 11 days. Swearing such treks never suitable for 'older' us more, we had some pleasant talk, during our desperate waiting of longer than one hour for our food.
In the night, I dreamed a lot of the snow mountains;Too impressed?!
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