Kathmandu and trekking in Nepal via Etihad First Class
Nov 5, 2014, 6:19 am
#48
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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I had opted for Nepal's visa on arrival program instead of sending my passport to the Nepalese Embassy. Turned out to be the right call as we registered online at home (new service) and were out of airport in less than 10 minutes. If more flights had landed when we did, it might have been a different story. Our local tour company manager Deepak met us inside customs and helped direct us to the fastest counter.
Once outside, feels and smells like India. Deepak handed us off to our guide Mahesh and driver Anik for some late PM sightseeing.
And the sights and sounds of Kathmandu. Slow rush hour traffic thru congested streets with some of the worst pollution I've seen and smelled in long time. Felt like I smoked a pack of cigarettes last night. Wow.
With an electrical grid hookup system just like Delhi. LOL.
Our first stop was a small lane...
... which led to the impressive Boudha Stupa. Dating from the 15th century, the stupa is one of the largest and most significant Buddhist monuments in the world.
The stupa is surrounded by shops and buildings that almost makes you think that you're somewhere in Europe.
Before we drove to the hotel, we stopped for a beer at a rooftop restaurant.
And back to find our car and driver, and enjoy the "fresh" Kathmandu evening air, which tonight seemed what I might envision the air would be sitting in a running car in a closed garage. Wow.
Twenty minutes later we arrived at The Shangri-La Kathmandu. Dated but comfortable hotel with a lovely inner courtyard that is a wonderful oasis from the noise and bustle of Kathmandu. The view from our room.
For more pics and an HD version on my report, please visit SFO777.com.
Once outside, feels and smells like India. Deepak handed us off to our guide Mahesh and driver Anik for some late PM sightseeing.
And the sights and sounds of Kathmandu. Slow rush hour traffic thru congested streets with some of the worst pollution I've seen and smelled in long time. Felt like I smoked a pack of cigarettes last night. Wow.
With an electrical grid hookup system just like Delhi. LOL.
Our first stop was a small lane...
... which led to the impressive Boudha Stupa. Dating from the 15th century, the stupa is one of the largest and most significant Buddhist monuments in the world.
The stupa is surrounded by shops and buildings that almost makes you think that you're somewhere in Europe.
Before we drove to the hotel, we stopped for a beer at a rooftop restaurant.
And back to find our car and driver, and enjoy the "fresh" Kathmandu evening air, which tonight seemed what I might envision the air would be sitting in a running car in a closed garage. Wow.
Twenty minutes later we arrived at The Shangri-La Kathmandu. Dated but comfortable hotel with a lovely inner courtyard that is a wonderful oasis from the noise and bustle of Kathmandu. The view from our room.
For more pics and an HD version on my report, please visit SFO777.com.
Last edited by SFO777; Nov 5, 2014 at 7:51 am
Nov 5, 2014, 6:38 am
#49
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Join Date: Nov 2007
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Thank you pointspinnacle.
Thanks cmd320. Totally agree on the pathetic service standards at NA airlines. As good as EY long and short haul is, I would rate them #3 in the Gulf behind QR and EK.
Thanks for the info Kagehitokiri. Hopefully EY leaps ahead of QR and EK with a complimentary limo to plane side service for F pax.
Thank you Thunderroad and for all of comments. As I noted above, I would actually rate EY behind EK and QR. QR's wine list is arguably the best in the world. Their F is better than EY and their J is better than both EK and EY. And the DOH Business Class lounge is one of the most astonishing lounges one will ever see... with Krug the well champagne.
Yeah, I'm pretty down on AA these days. I don't see the point in being loyal and spending more time by connecting when AA catering is on a par with prison or hospital food. I've decided not to even try to re-qualify for EXP next year and plan on flying the airline that offers the best combination of convenience and price for domestic travel.
Thank you offerendum. Agree on the Sad comment. But what can I do?
Thanks very much SYDSiderFlyer.
Fantastic report and I look forward to reading the rest of it. I haven't actually tried EY before but it looks like an all around good experience and appears to be about on par with what I've seen on QR, perhaps even a little better maybe. I certainly agree that it appears the EY short-mid haul product would destroy any US or even any North American airline. Shame that the standards for comparable US domestic flights are so low.
Thanks for the info Kagehitokiri. Hopefully EY leaps ahead of QR and EK with a complimentary limo to plane side service for F pax.
Yet another useful TR, TR Master! Good to yet again read about EY F, as it's definitely on my radar screen. But even more useful to get a sense of the regional J product, which I've seen less reporting on. (My sole experience on EY, in J 1-2-1 long-haul Jakarta-DOH earlierthis year, was great in terms of both hard and soft products.) If that's the "worst" EY does for such flights, it's doing pretty well.
LOL indeed! Based on my limited comparative J experience and what I'm reading about F on the two airlines, it seems that EY has leap-frogged EK in its premium cabins. Better J on some flights, roomier F suites land better food, though service seem to remain at least somewhat inconsistent on both.
On other fronts...
Interesting to see how down on AA you've become, especially in comparison with UA. I know you had that less-than-satisfactory international AA F trip. And I agree that it's going downhill under the new leadership (though so far not as far as UA has in terms of its IT systems and FF program). But at least for my somewhat different purposes - mainly business travel in domestic F and the quite good 1-2-1 international J on its 777Ws, bagging upgrades for both, phone service and other treatment as an AA EXP versus a UA 1K, and cashing in points for CX F (and I hope EY F) - I'm still pretty happy with it.
And...
Having first traveled to Nepal with a backpack in 1980 (!) to trek Annapurna and having been back several times in more recent years for work, I'm quite interested in your impressions of the Shangri La, KTM and your hiking. Have a great rest of the trip!
LOL indeed! Based on my limited comparative J experience and what I'm reading about F on the two airlines, it seems that EY has leap-frogged EK in its premium cabins. Better J on some flights, roomier F suites land better food, though service seem to remain at least somewhat inconsistent on both.
On other fronts...
Interesting to see how down on AA you've become, especially in comparison with UA. I know you had that less-than-satisfactory international AA F trip. And I agree that it's going downhill under the new leadership (though so far not as far as UA has in terms of its IT systems and FF program). But at least for my somewhat different purposes - mainly business travel in domestic F and the quite good 1-2-1 international J on its 777Ws, bagging upgrades for both, phone service and other treatment as an AA EXP versus a UA 1K, and cashing in points for CX F (and I hope EY F) - I'm still pretty happy with it.
And...
Having first traveled to Nepal with a backpack in 1980 (!) to trek Annapurna and having been back several times in more recent years for work, I'm quite interested in your impressions of the Shangri La, KTM and your hiking. Have a great rest of the trip!
Yeah, I'm pretty down on AA these days. I don't see the point in being loyal and spending more time by connecting when AA catering is on a par with prison or hospital food. I've decided not to even try to re-qualify for EXP next year and plan on flying the airline that offers the best combination of convenience and price for domestic travel.
Thank you offerendum. Agree on the Sad comment. But what can I do?
Thanks very much SYDSiderFlyer.
Nov 5, 2014, 9:33 am
#50
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,151
Excellent report so far, as always! Etihad looks great; I haven't had great luck with F availability for dates I've wanted out of IAD, though I'll keep trying.
How far out did you book those?
Looking forward to the trekking pics! Thanks for sharing.
How far out did you book those?
Looking forward to the trekking pics! Thanks for sharing.
Nov 5, 2014, 10:01 am
#51
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
always amazing photos in these kinds of trip reports 
^
i might pay for this as economy passenger. im surprised there is not more discussion on flyertalk from those who pay for (expensive longhaul) F tickets, when F/J sometimes does not even include fast track let alone additional services which can mean a lot of saved time.
hmm, wonder how AUH VIP terminal works in conjunction with preclearance.
^hmm, wonder how AUH VIP terminal works in conjunction with preclearance.
Nov 5, 2014, 2:03 pm
#53
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: HKG/YVR/NYC
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The Current EY lounge picking look very meh, especially if placed against DXB and DOH.
You don't miss the "Never book me in this crap again" LOL
544, Woah! Oil Lord's Ransom! 
Thunderroad, beware of the FF program, I don't think they are done with the tweaking by any means.
IT system, please lord don't give us another HP/US system crash
Is AA still better than UA, without consideration to routing and convenience factor.
I believe so, but not for our DEN based SFO777 it wouldn't
You got that right about the DOH J lounge, that place made any lounge look 3rd world.
Pure case of running out of ideas on how to burn money.
Same, down on AA as well, but my pickings are slimer than yours.
I'll wait until at least Apr to discount AA completely, since you can requal with your patterns by that point even.
SFO777, you've really lucked out on PEK pollution back in Sep.
It's not even comparable vs. these KTM pics.
That said, when have you "Felt like I smoked a pack of cigarettes last night"
College Days
Still Nepal, looks close to Bolivia and Paraguay level of wealth to me
Which reminds me, I've got writing to do @:-)
You don't miss the "Never book me in this crap again" LOL
available for fee at AUH (and many other airports) >
$544 - VVIP, tarmac sedan transfer, private terminal, private room
http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/englis...-terminal.aspx
http://www.vipterminalabudhabi.com/index.html
this seems like a bad sign re EY providing anything >
http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/E...t-service.aspx
http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/englis...-services.aspx
$54 - fast track
$136 > $177 - VIP, lounge
http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/englis...ar-lounge.aspx
$408 - VIP, private room
(prices are for ~2 pax)
$544 - VVIP, tarmac sedan transfer, private terminal, private room
http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/englis...-terminal.aspx
http://www.vipterminalabudhabi.com/index.html
this seems like a bad sign re EY providing anything >
http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/E...t-service.aspx
http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/englis...-services.aspx
$54 - fast track
$136 > $177 - VIP, lounge
http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/englis...ar-lounge.aspx
$408 - VIP, private room
(prices are for ~2 pax)
On other fronts...
Interesting to see how down on AA you've become, especially in comparison with UA. I know you had that less-than-satisfactory international AA F trip. And I agree that it's going downhill under the new leadership (though so far not as far as UA has in terms of its IT systems and FF program). But at least for my somewhat different purposes - mainly business travel in domestic F and the quite good 1-2-1 international J on its 777Ws, bagging upgrades for both, phone service and other treatment as an AA EXP versus a UA 1K, and cashing in points for CX F (and I hope EY F) - I'm still pretty happy with it.
Interesting to see how down on AA you've become, especially in comparison with UA. I know you had that less-than-satisfactory international AA F trip. And I agree that it's going downhill under the new leadership (though so far not as far as UA has in terms of its IT systems and FF program). But at least for my somewhat different purposes - mainly business travel in domestic F and the quite good 1-2-1 international J on its 777Ws, bagging upgrades for both, phone service and other treatment as an AA EXP versus a UA 1K, and cashing in points for CX F (and I hope EY F) - I'm still pretty happy with it.
IT system, please lord don't give us another HP/US system crash
Is AA still better than UA, without consideration to routing and convenience factor.
I believe so, but not for our DEN based SFO777 it wouldn't
Thank you pointspinnacle.
And the DOH Business Class lounge is one of the most astonishing lounges one will ever see... with Krug the well champagne.
Yeah, I'm pretty down on AA these days. I don't see the point in being loyal and spending more time by connecting when AA catering is on a par with prison or hospital food. I've decided not to even try to re-qualify for EXP next year and plan on flying the airline that offers the best combination of convenience and price for domestic travel.
And the DOH Business Class lounge is one of the most astonishing lounges one will ever see... with Krug the well champagne.
Yeah, I'm pretty down on AA these days. I don't see the point in being loyal and spending more time by connecting when AA catering is on a par with prison or hospital food. I've decided not to even try to re-qualify for EXP next year and plan on flying the airline that offers the best combination of convenience and price for domestic travel.
Pure case of running out of ideas on how to burn money.
Same, down on AA as well, but my pickings are slimer than yours.
I'll wait until at least Apr to discount AA completely, since you can requal with your patterns by that point even.
It's not even comparable vs. these KTM pics.
That said, when have you "Felt like I smoked a pack of cigarettes last night"
College Days
Still Nepal, looks close to Bolivia and Paraguay level of wealth to me
Which reminds me, I've got writing to do @:-)
Nov 5, 2014, 6:10 pm
#54
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Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,602
After a delicious breakfast, we met out guide Mahesh and driver Anik for a full day of touring in and around Kathmandu.
Uh huh.
Our first stop is the Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square and Basantapur Durbar built in the late 1700's.
Amazing single file queue for left turns.
On our way to the burbs.
To the ancient village of Bungamati, dating back to the 8th century. Here life goes on as is has for centuries.
Yuk.
And back on the road into Kathmandu. I'm guessing no emissions controls here. Yikes.
To the Patan Museum area.
But first some lunch at the museum café.
The museum is well worth a visit. It was restored with the help of the Austrian government.
Pics from around the area.
And finally time to head back to the hotel.
And my favorite sign of the trip.
Please visit SFO777.com for many more pics of our day in Kathmandu and my HD trip report.
Uh huh.
Our first stop is the Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square and Basantapur Durbar built in the late 1700's.
Amazing single file queue for left turns.
On our way to the burbs.
To the ancient village of Bungamati, dating back to the 8th century. Here life goes on as is has for centuries.
Yuk.
And back on the road into Kathmandu. I'm guessing no emissions controls here. Yikes.
To the Patan Museum area.
But first some lunch at the museum café.
The museum is well worth a visit. It was restored with the help of the Austrian government.
Pics from around the area.
And finally time to head back to the hotel.
And my favorite sign of the trip.
Please visit SFO777.com for many more pics of our day in Kathmandu and my HD trip report.
Nov 5, 2014, 10:17 pm
#55
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
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Posts: 4,609
The lounge offering at AUH now appears vastly better than the old split operation between First and Business Class - although I agree, it's no where near what you experienced in Doha with Qatar. The photos make it that evident.
The Etihad short haul product in their A320's puts North American carriers to absolute shame. Proper catering, fabulous comfortable Recaro seats and a limo transfer!! I couldn't really ask for much more on a short - medium haul flight. ^
The Etihad short haul product in their A320's puts North American carriers to absolute shame. Proper catering, fabulous comfortable Recaro seats and a limo transfer!! I couldn't really ask for much more on a short - medium haul flight. ^
Nov 8, 2014, 5:01 pm
#59
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
I don't think roughing it is quite his style.
Along with a team of sherpas I expect SFO777 will have a butler and personal chef to provide him with his usual comforts while ambling along the trail.
Interesting report so far. ^
Along with a team of sherpas I expect SFO777 will have a butler and personal chef to provide him with his usual comforts while ambling along the trail.
Interesting report so far. ^
Nov 8, 2014, 5:55 pm
#60
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 217