Our flight out of Kathmandu was scheduled for December 22. We spent our last 2 days in Kathmandu - shopping and eating. Even though we were limited on space, and we just started the trip, I really wanted a singing bowl from Nepal. After shopping around and trying many of them out - which involves rubbing a wooden mallet around the rim of the bowl which is made of brass until it starts humming - we chose a hand made bowl that had just the right pitch to its sound. We also picked up some prayer flags for our yard, a thanka painting, and a small pashmina scarf. Then we gave our warm gloves to the trekking company so other guests, or the guides or porters can use them and off to the airport we go.
But, not so fast. The Bangkok airport seizure had been over for more then two weeks but somehow we were still being affected by it. We got to the airport three hours early, only to find out our Thai Air flight from Kathmandu to Bangkok had been cancelled as a result of Thai having to cutback on the number of flights from all airports. Thai Air is based in Bangkok - I can’t imagine how much money they lost due to the airport closure for over 10 days. One more night in Kathmandu, Thai Air put us up in a nice hotel and gave us a voucher for food and transport. The next morning, back to the airport, then on to Bangkok. Vote for best airline still goes to Thai Air - free in flight meals (and tasty), free movies, legroom for a normal person, and service … yes, service.
