I arrived very late last night in Kathmandu. My contact Rup was there to meet me and we travelled through dark deserted streets of old Kathmandu to my hotel. It was down a dark potholed street in the Thamel area and was all shuttered up! After bashing at the door, finally a sleepy member of staff appeared and I was ushered up to my bedroom where I was asleep as soon as my head the pillow. This morning it's raining heavily with big thunderstorms and lightning - al...

Just time this morning for a quick walk around the neighbourhood and to look at Portuguese architecture in the adjoining streets. Some buildings are being done up and freshly painted, whilst others definitely look that they are well past their best. The shops still retain many Portuguese names such as Fernandes and Menezes and nameplates adorn the walls of private houses. Late morning, it's off to the airport for the first of three flights today with stopovers in...