Day 12

Day 12 – Helen and Nichole

It was barely day at 5am and Mr. Boyce's echoing voice and harsh
knocks woke us. We didn't want to face the last day here in Nepal,
but we knew we couldn't miss the much anticipated flight from Lukla
back to Kathmandu, where the idea of a shower after seven days of
deprivation, glowed. After a warm hearty breakfast the Sherpas woke
up even earlier to prepare just for us (how can we ever thank them
enough), we dragged ourselves to the airport, still in a sleepy
trance.

Aboard the planes, we snapped our last few photos of the beautiful
ice-capped Himalayan mountains and suddenly realised that we really
missed the trekking, despite the stress our bodies have endured.

Anyway, unfortunately, our much-needed showers back at the Shangri-La
Hotel in Kathmandu were delayed. After three long hours of loitering
around the grounds feeling dirty and restless, we were finally granted
the keys to our rooms and 2 well-deserved hours to freshen up and
revitalise!

Most of us opted to join in on a shopping expedition around Thamel as
our beloved Mr. Ensor and Mr. Boyce sipped coffee at a nearby café.
Notes and notes of rupees were shelled out quickly in exchange for a
colourful compendium of turquoise encrusted boxes, paisley scarves,
Everest postcards, delicate bangles, wooden flutes, embroidered bags,
and even handsomely carved pipes.

Later on, we were led along a softly candle-lit stone path to the back
of the Shangri-la garden where a magnificent Spring Blossom dinner
buffet feast was prepared. It was a beautiful night, perfect for the
finale; the rich Nepalese sky was shimmering and swirling with colour
from Diwali festivities. Faces aglow, we sat back around the table,
the gentle evening breeze tugging at our worn-out SB sweatshirts. We
were smiling, from a sense of accomplishment, but only slightly… as we
knew what was inevitably coming our way. Was this dream really about
to end?

Some stood up for the thank you's. Some sat back down, eyes
glistening. Pretty musical pieces filled the bittersweet night air as
we expressed, heart-to-heart, how much we really appreciated each
other, how much we've bonded as a team. And of course, the Spring
Blossom song was sung as arms linked together each unique member of
the group who helped make this whole adventure happen. Going around
the table, our half-melted candles flickering, each of us summarized
our experience of the trip, and around again we went, flames gently
blown out. We embraced one another, again and again and again, in
denial. But soon, the stars became the only source of light and we
finally retired to our rooms, knowing that it would be the last night
of this amazing SB'08 trip – ever.