Batblog T minus 2 days (OMGOMG)

Email final notes to the group:
Eek nearly time. I'm excited and terrified, a wierd feeling...

Before you go, a few notes. Please read them all, however waffly it may get. It's quite important stuff.

Money

Dollars are the best currency to travel with. You get a better rate in KTM in the money exchanges so travel with dollars and buy rupees on arrival. ATMs and money exchanges are available in KTM and Lhasa. And banks and internet cafes.

Payment for kit etc.

Payment for kit, the extra bits and food in lodges (apart from breakfast) will be required in rupees or yuan, depending on which side of the border we are. Not sure what currency bike payment is - Siling will tell us.

Daily allowance

Daily allowance for food: TRT notes say allow about £10 (Dhs.60) per day. We are fed during the camping days but it's bed and breakfast only on the teahouse/hotel/lodge days. See my previous email with notes for extras. The tip on the last day is discretionary but shared out equally amongst all staff. I'm going to tip $100 (not that much for 3 weeks looking after), but the amount is up to you. They will prefer rupees but as it's the end of the trip, if you've only got dollars left that will do. We can discuss amounts etc. on the way.

Visa on arrival

Put in your wallet US$45 and 2 passport photos. This makes the issue of your visa much quicker. There's a photo booth and a bank at the airport but you will have to join the scrum for both which may take a while.

Slight itinerary change

Due to the vagaries and angst of the Chinese, the visa office is now expected by everyone to open on 28th July. This is cutting it very fine, but Tina, Siling and I are very optimistic things will be OK. However, Air China have been wildly over-booking while the office is closed and Siling advised me that it would be better to have an extra day in-hand at the beginning of our trip instead of on our return. Air China flights are now confirmed for 1st August. So the plan is that we have a day at the beginning of the trip to visit the site, hopefully with our bicycles, so we can enjoy the rather lovely countryside and get used to our bikes.

Itinerary now is:

29th arrival lunchtime, sleep, mooch, relax, 7.30 dinner at Kilroys (10 mins. walk) with Bibhu and Jai from Mission Himalaya (we have to walk past a few trekking shops on the way to Kilroys if anyone needs to buy something they're missing)

30th briefing, kit sorting and checking, get bicycles and try them out 

31st site visit and bicycle ride, picnic. Advise moderate intake of alcohol this evening due to high flying the next day

1st early start, fly to Lhasa, road transport up to the town. Expect to feel the effects of the big jump in altitude, up to 3650m from 1300m. You may well feel nauseous and headachy, especially the first day. I am ordering a large quantity of diamox from TRT and I will discuss the plan to ease the altitude effects when we're altogether in KTM. Some may prefer a heavier dose and some less or none. We can also try it out on 30th to check for an allergies.

18/19th August we may miss out Dulikel and come straight back to KTM, flight out evening. I've left the logistics to Tina and Siling.

There are no extra charges for these changes. Hotel B&B applies as previous.

Terminal 2

Everyone whose ticket is paid for with my credit card, I think needs to check in with me, as card holder. Alas no online check-in (this is Dubai!!! I demand online check-in). I will plan to be at TERMINAL 2 for 5.30 am. Dante - let's discuss bike packing and meet at Adventure HQ in Times Square on Thursday evening. They confirmed they'll do it, no problem.

Weight allowance and Day pack

I know I've mentioned it before. 30kg weight allowance including bikes an'all applies not only to both flights but also the ride itself. Discuss with TRT if you have extra weight requirements, I'm not sure what their charges are. While we're cycling, carry everything you need by way of camera, small money, sunblok, snacks, meds and waterproof in your day pack. We will have members of the team cycling with us at all times, but your kit in the van may not be immediately to hand, especially if they've nipped off to set up camp somewhere, etc.

Do Pack...

Hand sanitiser. Have some in your pocket, day pack, ruck sack. Take several. Have it constantly to hand and use it before you eat or drink, after you shop, etc. When you see the state of the Nepali currency, you'll definitely want to have it to hand!

Don't Pack...

Salami or cheese. You won't be allowed into Tibet with it. Don't ask me...

Mita and the Podcast

Sounds like a punk band. Mita has sorted out equipment and means to send sound and picture clips to our website www.trekkingfornepal.com and our Facebook page www.facebook.com/TrekkingforNepal

Send both these links to family and friends. If they join our FB group they will get an automatic update when a new pod is cast (is that the correct English?? You know what I mean...

The Responsible Travellers

are excellent at their job. We're in very good hands and we will be well looked after from touch-down to take-off. Any niggles/ worries/queries, just ask them, it's their job. Anything you need to know now, email:info@theresponsibletravellers.com and remember to allow for on-off power cuts that might delay their reply a bit. 

Think that's all. My Mum has just emailed me to say: "don't forget your passport and your money. And have you got enough socks? And don't forget to wrap up warm, especially at night." Thanks Mum.

Shall we meet for a drink on Thursday night? Jane, Adrian and I are staying at a hotel somewhere in Deira. Anyone up for a bevvy somewhere?

If not, see you at Terminal 2!

-CAROL

+971 50 559 7359