Day 1: Kathmandu

After a long 12 hour sleep I finally

Mustered the energy to get up and go find coffee this morning. My original plan was to go see the sights but I settled for coffee x3 and toast and a wander round the local area of Thamel. 

It's pretty geared up for Trekkers with tons of shops selling down jackets and hiking boots a lot cheaper than back home! There's also a ton of book shops selling maps and books about Everest which are sold out on Amazon. I also stumbled across some amazing cashmere shops. May be visiting those when I get back to Kathmandu. 

There's lots of buildings still in disrepair from the earthquake last year. Indeed part of our hotel is still being rebuilt as well as multiple shops and the famous Durbar Square. 

At 2 pm we had our intrepid briefing where I met my group of 'trekkers'. 2 other girls and 3 guys. 3 Aussies, a Canadian and 2 Brits. Our guide is a Sherpa name bokja, who quietly let sliphed  summitted Everest. So we should be in good hands. After a recap of the itinerary and some safety advice, we headed out to do some last minute shopping in the local trekking shops. Some of the group hired sleeping bags and down jackets for £1-2 per day. 

My biggest concern was getting cash out. We need enough to get us through the whole trip as there are no atms in the Himalayas. But luckerly I found a good place and was very thankful it didn't swallow my card. 

After stocking up on Mars bars we headed for supper at the roadhouse cafe, seems we weren't the only ones who read their lonely planets, it was teaming with westerners all sporting there newly purchased down jackets ( and to think 2 months ago I didn't know what a down jacket was!) 

The pizza was amazing, washed down with a local gurka beer. 

For now it's repacking my bag time to ensure its less than 10 kg. a last hot shower before baby wipes become the only method of cleaning and try to get a good nights sleep before the real adventure begins tomorrow. With a 5 am meet time. Here goes!