All flights delayed due to weather

APRIL FOOLS! We left our hotel at 5:30 this morning, checked in at the domestic terminal, and was on the plane at 6:30. The flight in to Lukla went great and we are ready to hit the trail toward Everest Basecamp. We will lodge this evening in Phakding at our Sirdar's guestlodge. Tomorrow we will head to Namche Bazaar and I hope to be able to attach photos there. The computer I am on is not working properly. C'est la vie. Oh boy! Oh boy! It's really happening.

And the rains came tumbling down

The Kathmandu Valley has been crucially dry for some time. Very little, if any, rain has fallen for a long time. I am told that a sprinkle here or there has happened but nothing steady, until last night. We received a huge downpour and a big lightning show. This was totally in our favor as it cut down the dust and pollution in the city. This little event has allowed for some beautiful views further in to the Kathmandu Valley. Some that I have never witnessed in my previous visits. I went back to one of the highest points in town for a little visit and just enjoyed my final day in Kathmandu, I hope.

The tiny town of Lukla can have very fickle weather. Clouds often obscure all views of the Lukla airstrip. Since this airstrip has a mountain at one end, a cliff at the other, and is pitched steeply uphill I don't mind one bit if the pilot waits for the views to be perfect. Just Google the airstrip and you will see exactly what I mean. Currently, it is another deluge outside so we are all hoping that the weather clears for the morning. I am optimistic that it will. I hope the next update will be from the Khumbu Valley of the high Himalaya. Cheers.