The next day, after Simi finally got a taste of Sunita’s amazing dahl bhat, which she compared to her own mothers cooking (big compliment for Sunita!), we walked over to Baber Mahal which is a smart shopping and restaurant complex. We decided against eating there and plumped for a South Indian place listed in the guide book. We took a micro which Simi thought was hilarious – I think the novelty has worn off on me! After lunch we took a wander around the back streets of the old town. Walking down New Road I spotted a sign for Kathmandu’s revolving restaurant. I couldn’t walk by without a quick look and am so glad I did. It was located at the top of a slightly worse for wear shopping complex. No lift, so we walked up the 4 or 5 floors to the roof-top. Inside the circular room there was one table of guests eating lunch but no revolving to speak of. After a quick chat to a waiter it turns out that it does revolve – we just happened to pop in during a power cut. We were told to return after load shedding! During this meander I also got my first taste of the festival of Holi. It sounds innocent enough according to this quote “This day, playful people especially the young ones wander through the streets in groups on foot or vehicles with various colors smeared all over them and the people in houses make merry throwing colors and water balloons at each other and also to these people on the streets”. It is not like this. Malevolent adolescents stand on upper storey balconies to bombard passers by with water balloons. I am now wary of all youths and dislike walking around outside school hours. So far I feel I have been lucky: the water bombs have only made it to my feet and I have not suffered with coloured dyes yet but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. Holi itself is actually celebrated on Sunday but the kids start early and we’ve been warned not to walk around the centre of town on the day. Really not liking this celebration. In the evening we went to Lobsters for a drink at the bar – apparently the only place in Nepal where you can buy lobster which is not something I have been missing but good to know should I ever the need. We followed this with lunch at a pizza place despite an initial search for a good dahl bhat for Simi’s final night. The evening ended with our knowledge of alcohol being tested and rewarded (with more alcohol) by the food and drink consultant in charge of Moods – a bizarre Egyptian themed bar. Although I did need the decor explained to me as it was not immediately apparent (the photo above is us in Moods, see, not obvious).

Gutted that Simi had to leave me bereft. I was sorely tempted to get on the plane with her. Thanks for coming out - I had the best time and won't forget our trip, especially stretch-gate, Poon Hill-gate and Twix-gate xxx