what to do - Kathmandu

We all made it here now.
The group of five got into Kathmandu on Thursday at around 2:30pm and our fearless tourguide Jude was there! She actually was there 4 or 5 times before and had to leave again without us. We met Karma, our guide, and some others and hopped on a very cool bus - chartered for our group for the pick-up. We got taken through crazy traffic, lots of honking, motorbikes everywhere, monkeys here and there... to this lovely little hotel called Padma Hotel, located in the Boudhnath Stupa circle. We freshened up a bit and Jude and I went back to the airport to pick up the others who were coming in from Bahrein after all.
Turns out they had to go back to Bahrein from Doha in Kathar to catch a plane to Kathmandu. They had to buy new tickets and in order to do that they had to trust some stranger who took their passports and their money to leave the airport to buy tickets. The guy came back with valid tickets and they went on their way. The problem in Doha was that evrybody got grounded, no one could leave the country, no one could leave the airport.
What a reunion it was when we got our fab four back! They were in one piece, a little tired and without luggage, but they were here.
Back to the hotel we freshened up and then went for a lovely meal and had a beer - also lovely. Tshering (the race director), Karma (our guide) and Nima (his wife) and their sweet little girl Yanjum joined us.
We had an early night and a good sleep on very comfy beds.

Today, Friday, we went for a bit of sightseeing. First we went around the Stupa (a few times), did some shopping (just a wee bit). Then had lunch in this little cafe next door (where they have wireless internet so we can blog from the BlackBerry) and then went to visit a Hindu Temple. Actually it was a huge area with lots of temples in it, it seemed. We got to watch a burial and visited an old folks home. We again lost parts of the group and got reunited again.
Done with the temples, we split again - this time on purpose - and the fab four went to the airport to pick up their packs (the second time today btw) and the group of five went back to the hotel and for another round around the Stupa.
The bags are here now, just one is missing and will arrive tomorrow. Thankfully it's one with race prizes so everybody could change into clean clothes.

Btw the weather here is lovely, just a few drops of rain. We see lots of colours and smell lots of different smells - not all of them are good. We are a very happy bunch and are off to dinner now. Check back for more news and some pictures tomorrow. We have one more day in Kathmandu and then we go on the trek. The power in Kathmandu is limited, only on for a few hours a day. We need to use a computer to upload pictures. I have not been able how to post pictures from my BlackBerry.

Bheri Betaionla!

Mads