April 19 - Kathmandu

Arriving in Kathmandu is always exciting - because it's the beginning of a new adventure.  After filling out the paperwork for my Visa I line up to pay the $100 fee and receive the stamp in my passport.  I'm always amazed to see this happening.  All foreigners go through this process, and it continues to be done manually.  There doesn't seem to be any accounting or recording of how much money is collected, and all the money is stuffed into a drawer without any lock on it. 

I'm picked up from the airport and delivered to my hotel but my bike didn't make it.  It will be arriving in the flight tonight.  It's dark outside - there aren't any street lights, and through the open window there is the smell of burning garbage.  It's still warm outside - 25C and despite the long flight and lack of sleep - there's time for a cool beer before sleep.

The hotel where I'm staying is new and beautiful, much nicer than I'm used to.  Wifi has also improved greatly since he last time I was here.