Travels in Nepal #3 Flight to Lukla
Lukla Airport, Nepal
Anticipation
The anticipation of the trek beforeme hit me hard when we had a trekking group meeting in the gardens of the hotel. Suddenly I was torn between the excitement of seeing the mountains I had dreamed of for several decades and the feeling of “What have I let myself in for?”
My little moment of terror must have shown in my eyes. My daughter said it was quite easy to see that I was way out of my comfort zone. It was her idea that we go on this trek. She was on her way home to Australia after a teaching exchange in England for all of 2005. It had take me but a few seconds to agree to join her. Then it had taken me 18 months of hard training to be ready.
In the early 1980s I had a deep desire to go trekking the Himalayas. I read every books I could get my hands on, but then the conservative, steady, sensible me took over. Too hard, too complicated (with a young family) and too expensive. I shelved – no buried – my dreams. Now it was about to be realised. The anticipation was almost overwhelming.
The flight to Lukla
I had been warned by my travel agent that the flight to Lukla was spectacular but inclined to be a bit rough. All part of the excitement, all part of the adventure. Others on the trek seemed a little overwhelmed by the experience but I found it exhilarating. And the view when one alights at Lukla airport is simply stunning. Nothing had prepared me for the absolute grandeur of the scenery.
To read more about Lukla airport and the landing click here.
I have to admit that leaving Lukla was the most terrifying experience of my life – notwithstanding the cute Nepalese hostess, I had my breakfast all over again and that few terrifying moments careering down the runway and off into oblivion was nothing short of sensational. I was tempted to kiss the tarmac on arrival at Tribhuvan but decided not to in case someone mistakenly thought I was trying to be funny. Regardless, I’m now planning my next one and I’m prepared to put myself in the lap of the gods en route to Lukla. Cheers.
Thanks for visiting my blog Marn. The flight into and out of Lukla was certainly one of the highlights of my visit to Nepal. I have entertained many friends and family members with my account of the landing and takeoff. Sensational is one word – I’d prefer to say exhilarating.
In another post on this topic I used the word commitment. I learned a lot about the true meaning of that word during my time in Nepal. In that little sardine tin – sorry – plane one learns about commitment. Nothing one can do can alter the fact that one is totally committed to the plane, the skill of the pilots and the vagaries of the mountain weather. I also learned a lot about the value of prayer!!!!
And I’d love to do it all again!
I must be crazy.