From Johor to Everest Base Camp: Day 13: Showdown with Travel Agent

Previously:
https://weesertan.blogspot.com/2019/02/from-johor-to-everest-base-camp-day-12.html


27 May 2018, Sunday, Kathmandu

Arriving at 4.15am, after a gruesome 13 hour jeep ride, I was glad to see the hotel. The first thing everyone needed was a shower! The hot shower was really good.

In additional, it took me 20 minutes to get my face (2 weeks of beard) cleaned and shaved...

When I got down to the lobby at 5.30am, I saw our Travel Agent Mr. Jar. along with a few of my teammates, in some serious discussion. The mood wasn't wonderful. Ryan, Pat, Neil and Praks were genuine speakers, and it wasn't without validity. Jar was actually at the hotel to collect USD200 for the helicopter ride for Day 1 (Kathmandu to Lukla). They quickly shot him down and listed down our displeasure for the entire trip:

1. Dave and Weeser were left to hike Kala Patthar alone without any guides (Henry and Din). Even it's at 4am, there were no reasons for Henry/Din to not show up. Dave and Weeser tagged along other teams/guides. Coming to think of it, it was quite risky and dangerous.  
2. Potters ditched our bags on the last day (not being happy with the amount of tips).
3. The team was stranded in Phaplu despite being promised a flight from Phaplu to Kathmandu. The team had to source our own jeep back to the capital (for 13 hours). 

All the above were valid arguments, and Ryan pushed for compensation - USD 300 reimbursement or Full refund (That was negotiation skills!). Reviews will be posted online for the awful services. Jar was speechless. Our points were valid.

Having traveled with his company for Annapurna Base Canp hike 5 years ago, and being the only one in the group who had approach the company directly, Jar looked to me for support. I couldn't, as I was quite disappointed with the services this time round. All along till the end of the trip, I had always tried to be as neutral and supportive of the company/guides as possible. I gave my views, and a fair account of everything. The company simply did not deliver.

Feeling the wind, Jar turned the table, offering to wave USD200 for the helicopter on Day 1, and compensation of USD150 cash. I guess everyone wanted to come to an agreement and move on. We accepted the offer.

From Johor to Everest Base Camp: Day 12: Lukla - Phaplo - Kathmandu (A 20 Hour Journey)

Previously:
https://weesertan.blogspot.com/2018/11/from-johor-to-everest-base-camp-day-11.html

26 May 2018, Saturday, Lukla - Phaplu - Kathmandu

We all learned about a place call mysterious place known as "Pablo" yesterday, being an alternative of flying from Lukla - Kathmandu. "Pablo", or rather Phaplu is located 15 minutes helicopter ride away from Lukla. It is located at an elevation of 7918 ft (2413m) above sea level.

It turned out to be the only option we had.

A 'documentary' describing the situation at Lukla

After anxiously waiting the whole morning, we were glad to leave Lukla at 11.45am, after paying USD200/pax at the helipad, which acts as a top-up for our canceled flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. We bid farewell to our guides Henry and Din. I passed them dollars, so did the a few of my teammates, and wished them well.

Glad but a bit sad to leave

When you spend almost 2 weeks with a group of people in a harsh environment, you more or less become friends. Rumors said that Phaplu Airport has better weather / visibility, and that a Tara Air flight would then take us from Phaplu to Kathmandu. IF there are no flights from Phaplu to Kathmandu, a jeep could take us to Kathmandu in 9 hours. Simple enough solution isn't it?

See you again Lukla - You've been the best adventure in my life

After a scenic 15 minute chopper ride, we landed in Phaplu Airport, except that it's not really an airport. It was a 100m air strip.

The chopper ride was smooth, and the pilot gave us a perfect landing