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:
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.
I guess I couldn't recommend Outfitter Nepal anymore, especially for EBC. Travel Agents such as Odeo Service or Mountain Guy seems to be better organized, and cost marginally cheaper.
Of course, nothing is certain in Nepal. Even the best planned trips would go top-down.
I still had a full day in Kathmandu before catching my 9.25pm Malindo flight back to Kuala Lumpur. I went out with Dave, the only member left in my team in town. Disaster struck for Dave, as he discovered his iPhone (cracked screen) locked after multiple password tries. He didn't backup his data on iCloud. He thinks that it's due to the cracked screen keying-in touches by itself while he was hiking, We went to 2 Apple centers in downtown Kathmandu, but all required him to reformat the phone, which means he'll lose all the photos of his trips. Thankfully, the few of us took photos of each other, and we would later share with each other.
My flight back to KL was smooth, and I took the Yo-yo bus back to Tun Aminah.
The adventure to EBC is something money couldn't buy. I am still amazed on how I complete the whole adventure with only 2 weeks of training. I guess keeping myself fit by having regular exercise helped. I was also extremely fortunate to have met my teammates, and shared 2 exciting and challenging weeks together. We are still keeping in touch.
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:
- 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.
- Potters ditched our bags on the last day (not being happy with the amount of tips).
- 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).
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.
I guess I couldn't recommend Outfitter Nepal anymore, especially for EBC. Travel Agents such as Odeo Service or Mountain Guy seems to be better organized, and cost marginally cheaper.
Of course, nothing is certain in Nepal. Even the best planned trips would go top-down.
 |
| A souvenir, and a reminder |
I still had a full day in Kathmandu before catching my 9.25pm Malindo flight back to Kuala Lumpur. I went out with Dave, the only member left in my team in town. Disaster struck for Dave, as he discovered his iPhone (cracked screen) locked after multiple password tries. He didn't backup his data on iCloud. He thinks that it's due to the cracked screen keying-in touches by itself while he was hiking, We went to 2 Apple centers in downtown Kathmandu, but all required him to reformat the phone, which means he'll lose all the photos of his trips. Thankfully, the few of us took photos of each other, and we would later share with each other.
A timely reminder to always back-up our files when there's an opportunity. Google Drive, Dropbox are all fantastic platform.
I went back to Outfitter Nepal's office to get my letters of travel delay for Day 1 and Day 12. Supporting documents are vital for travel insurance claim. I would later claim another RM 2200 from my travel insurance (AXA-Affin) for the travel delay on Day 1 and Day 12 - RM 1100 each.
My flight back to KL was smooth, and I took the Yo-yo bus back to Tun Aminah.
The adventure to EBC is something money couldn't buy. I am still amazed on how I complete the whole adventure with only 2 weeks of training. I guess keeping myself fit by having regular exercise helped. I was also extremely fortunate to have met my teammates, and shared 2 exciting and challenging weeks together. We are still keeping in touch.
 |
| Itching for the next adventure |
PS: Returned to my routine of jogging and work-out in NTU, twice a week.
Looking for Kathmandu Lukla Helicopter Charter Flight pickup drop booking service or on sharing basis every day.
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