18th: Well, we're back in Kathmandu after an exciting flight in a six-seater plane from Lukla. I crashed out for most of the day with the hotel room tv on. Now I know almost everything about the history of Ajax and Johan Cruyff.

19th: We're already seeing that spending all our remaining time in Kathmandu will be dull and dangerous for our health! So today we shopped around for a tour to Chitwan national
park and got a price of 80USD for 3 days and 2 nights with a company called Shin Haru.

Sonam picked us up that evening and took us to Babu's house for celebratory dal baht for the festival Dasain. I was honoured that he'd invite us and we were fed so much food and beer! It was a really special occasion and we got to meet Sonam's family and also Babu's. His house is brilliant. I can't thank him enough for such a memorable experience.

20th: Sonam took us on a day's sightseeing through the city - free of charge! What a man.

The monkey temple is worth a visit and the monkeys are everywhere. Great views of the city and there was one very aroused monkey who was hard (no pun intended) to ignore when climbing the many steps to the temple.

Next up was an interesting local bus ride for only 30 rupees to the Boudanath stupa, the largest in Kathmandu. A spot of lunch next to a lovely Italian girl's flat, then a torrential downpour, during which time I thought it'd be best to walk around the stupa, and we were done.

Lastly, the Hindu temple, where all the funerals and cremations took place. Also where daylight robbery took place with an unofficial "guide" who collared us and took us around at a fairly extortionate price. It was still an amazing place to behold - an uncomfortable mix of death and tourism. We even saw a newly dead (covered) body being carried out for cremation. Disturbing. It'll be nice to get out of the city tomorrow when we head to Chitwan.

I've cleverly bought some half price bakery goods for the bus journey. Always thinking!