I’m in Nepal!!! The cheapest way to get to India was to fly from Xi’an to South Korea, and then from South Korea to Nepal. I love airlines, how do they come up with this stuff??
Spent the night lying on a really comfortable couch in the Seoul Airport – rated number 2 airport in the whole world, and I can see why. That place is incredible!! It has a museum of Korean History, a technology centre to showcase all the fancy up-and-coming Korean technology, a transit lounge with amazing eating/sleeping areas, it has it all.
Oh yeah, and breakdancing:
I could have stayed in that airport for another couple of days easily. But I must make it to India, so onwards and upwards. The flight into Nepal was really cool – the city is made up of multistory buildings, but not like a city block, more like a residential neighbourhood. So each building isn’t connected to its neighbours, they’re all separate and it gives a really unique and different feel to it.
I had more fun at this border. More situations of my own making really…. 😛 I didn’t manage to get any cash out at Seoul because I couldn’t find any ATMs inside the check-in area. I asked a staff member, but I think that must be wrong because it’s one of the best airports in the world and that seems quite unlikely. The money changers couldn’t help me with my card either. So I though, no problem, I’m sure I can get my Nepal visa with Visa.
I get to the customs area, and go to the ATM, and it’s out of order. The guy working at the desk next to it says “No problem, just go outside and use the one outside the airport.” This is before I have my visa. Or my bag, or anything. I walk up to the customs desk, hand them my passport, tell them my problem, and they say “No problem, just use the one outside.” Ok then…. I wander past all the queues, wander through baggage screening, leave the airport entirely, and look for the ATM. I find it and my card doesn’t work. I go back inside, wait for my backpack, grab my other cards from inside, and try those too. No go. Hmmmm…. I find the guy who’s meant to be picking me up and ask him if there’s another ATM around or anything. He says it’s not a problem, and spots me the money. Nice! I now retrace all my steps back through all the “security” areas, and join the end of the queue for customs. The visa is no problem, and we stop at an ATM on the way to the hotel and I pay the guy back. Problem solved. 🙂
I really have to remember to keep some cash on me at all times…..
The room I’m staying in is great and totally reminds me of home. Mold on the walls, damp carpet when it rains, ahhh it’s just like where I was flatting.
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| No, not a Nepali prison cell. This is my room. |
Gotta pack my bag now, then be up at 6am tomorrow for trekking. I met another backpacker who’s going on a trek tomorrow and she invited me to join. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s that letting other people do the planning of your trip for you is the best way to travel. Sounds like a great trek, plenty of good photos I think. Can’t wait 🙂
