We were up early after a reasonable night's sleep - once we were all packed up, we got a taxi - we had a mission to get hold of a cable to connect the ipod to the stereo - otherwise we would have to speak to each other the entire way to Pondicherry! I had the name of a shop to try, when I got there there were already three other Rickshawers waiting, all with the same purpose. So when the shopkeeper appeared to open up, we all pounced on him - but he didn't have what we needed so we all set off to find other stores. Our taxi driver adopted us and took us to several possibilities, none of which was successful. We were on the verge of giving up when I went to one final store, where the guy had exactly what I needed. And he didn't even charge me for it!! We mentioned to the taxi driver that perhaps we might also need some petrol - something of a tall order, what with the fuel strikes... However, he obviously sensed the opportunity to make a little money for himself, so was soon on the phone to a friend, and it wasn't long before we were driving through the backstreets of Kathmandu to procure some black market [ petrol - which we bought at more than UK price!!! I later found out that the petrol shortage is the result of one or two companies who are responsible for importing the petrol, not paying bills - so the supplies have been cut off completely. Hopefully the situation will soon be resolved. The taxi driver dropped us off in Durbar Square, which was absolutely buzzing. All the rickshaws were lined up and were obviously causing some excitement, as they are banned in Nepal. Everyone was nervous, and chatting excitedly. We arrived probably about 20 minutes before the grand off, which was great as we got a feel of the buzz, but it wasn't too long just hanging around. And so, shortly after 12pm, with me at the 'wheel', we drove out of Durbar Square, not, as we suspected, bound straight for the main highway, but in fact with all the rickshaws in convoy, on a tour round the city before we hit the open road. And, beyond all expectation, I actually managed not too badly. Yes, of course I stalled her a few times - I doubt there was a single person who didn't - but I wasn't fazed by the speed, I managed to click up through the gears, somehow I found some confidence, and I was soon beeping my horn with the rest of the traffic. And once we were out of the city, I was driving with a HUGE smile on my face, shouting Namaste and waving at all the people that we passed - it was such an amazing high!! We overtook loads of other teams on the mountain roads out of the city and through the Kathmandu Valley. The scenery was great, we drove alongside a river for a while, saw people rafting (though, of course, my eyes were on the road....) It was an absolutely amazing start to the adventure - so pleased I managed to get to grips with the driving, and the traffic - I genuinely had visions of the whole thing going a bit pear shaped, had I experienced it all from the back seat of the rickshaw. 150 km down, only another 3,250 km or so to go.....