ddavid 149 Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Before kicking off on this ATWC III Leg to Mandalay, I'd just like to thank those stalwart Hangarians who made it possible for me to be a free man, once again: Kieran - hope your bruises aren't so blue now, after bailing out at Yongphulla! Brian - love the banner - indeed, I was innocent! Richard - mmmmm, the hum of those 2 Merlins - nice! Remington - please say Vielen Dank to Frau Merkel! Joe - spectacular landing there, mate - glad you made it! Great team work, as always, from the Hangar. Anyway, the friendly Nepalese finally let me go after insisting I take tea with them for a final time - Will I ever get the taste of Yak's milk out of my taste buds? - before driving me down the valley from their strong-hold and leaving me at the nearest bus-stop. That's when the real fun started - but more of that later...... Finally made it to Lukla in time to see Joe arrive, pass me the Baton, and nip into the bar to enjoy a beer before he had to buzz off back to Kathmandu to catch his connection back to EGHI. And, no, I couldn't borrow his 'wheels' as he had it on 24 hour hire and had to have it back by morning. Soooo - here I am, still hanging around the ramp, when this rather familiar Caravan comes bursting up the tarmac and lurches to a halt in front of me: Last time I saw this 208, it was hauling sheep out of Aspen, not a very profitable business, but plenty of fertilizer for the veg garden. As I watched, the pilot bounded out of the plane, engine still running, and ran across to me.... Sahib Dai! I am so glad you are still here - I have come to rescue you.... I explained that the nice Nepalese had let me go, now that the Mini Challenge had been completed, and that I was hoping to get to Mandalay with the Baton. But let me assist you, Sahib Dai - I can take you to my base in no time and you can certainly get a connection from there! And where was this base? He answered Bagdoghra, of course! Can you not tell from the beautiful emblem on my Caravan? I guess he meant the Mutley de-cal on the engine housing, but what that had to do with Bagdoghra I wasn't sure, unless..... We must hurry, Sahib, the sun will be setting and the monsoon clouds are already gathering - Come! Let me carry your luggage - Oh, Yes! - and not to forget the Baton! He was obviously a regular at Lukla because he simply waved at the controller's office window, pointed at me and shouted out Bagdoghra! before climbing into his seat. I put my baggage behind the co-pilot's seat and no sooner than I'd made myself comfortable, we were rolling: Gupta, for that's what he called himself, was right - the clouds were building, In fact, you couldn't see very far down the valley as it was filling with dense mist: But, with no hesitation, he opened the throttle, made a slight adjustment to the mixture, and we were off. Full marks for confidence, but none for subtlety: After I retrieved my stomach from the floor - and, luckily, no contents - we were turning south down the valley. I'd not really studied this in detail. on the way in a couple of weeks ago now, as I was rather busy with the prospect of landing on the highest, shortest and most dangerous strip in the world. Looking down, I was amazed to see so many houses, each with its own set of terraced fields. A tenacious lot, these Nepalese, I thought.... Soon, Lukla was lost in the mist behind us, as the Caravan floated down the valley, southwards: We just make it ahead of the monsoon, Sahib! Please to relax and enjoy the flight - if you look to the left, you might just see Chumulunga! Unfortunately, we weren't high enough to see Everest over the foot-hills, nevertheless, the view was impressive. I told Gupta about my stay in the hills, care of the Nepalese, and of their demands that we carry out the Mini Challenge. I, too, have friends that are living in the mountains - they see things very much like old photographs, Sahib - all white and black! This seemed to me to be a reasonably accurate summary of my captors' mentality - a simplistic but consistent view of the outside world. And, of course, they had been true to their word.... With the sun stting behind us, we continued our flight over more gently rounded hills: Gupta turned on the Caravan's lights - it was getting quite dark now. Less than 20 minutes to Bagdoghra, now, Sahib. Will you honour my family and eat with us, tonight? I could hardly refuse his hospitality after his mercy dash to pick me up. And, anyway, it'd be good to renew my acquantance with real food, again - I'd given up counting the variations on serving up Yak's milk...... Up ahead, the approach lights for our destination were sparkling in the twilight. Gupta announced his arrival to the controller, who instructed us to join the left hand circuit prior to landing. As we started the base turn, Gupta pointed ahead to a ridge of hills. They build your airport there, Sahib! Uncertain of his meaning, I asked Gupta to explain. The D.A.I. code is already announced - it is the new Darjeeling International Airport, Sahib. Only a helicopter pad for the time being, of course, but soon we will be building terminals and tower. I will be opening a new base for my company there - much business to be made in tea, Sahib! Was he taking the proverbial, I wondered? I'd have to check this out.... Gupta was obviously thinking about this future expansion as he was quiet during final approach: A minute or so later, and we were on the tarmac: Once we are at the hangar, I will take you to my house. My wife is preparing a special meal for you - I hope to make you feel quite at home. And I will telephone my brother for your travel to Mandalay. He is big cog in the wheels at Air India - you will soon be on your way. As I sat back in Gupta's Tata, I counted my blessings. The previous week's confinement seemed an age away and the prospect of a decent home cooked meal dispelled my memories of Yak's milk. And tomorrow, hopefully, I would be back on the road, as it were. Well, the Road to Mandalay, anyway! Cheers - Dai. Link to post Share on other sites
needles 1,013 Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Excellent Dai', can't wait for your next leg. Did Mrs Gupta serve you up any Yaks milk?? I was laughing to myself wondering that would have been funny let's face it. Perhaps even funny enough for a Monty Python sketch methinks. Whisky is a very good antiseptic mouthwash.....a good single Malt should get rid of any remnants of Yaks milk from your taste buds. Take care buddy. Regards Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Nice one Dai! My bruises have healed - can fly Harriers again! Link to post Share on other sites
rob16584 42 Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Nice first installment Dai. Enjoy the meal, I have a feeling the next leg might be eventful! Link to post Share on other sites
SEATAC 400 Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Very interesting flight. Looking forward to the next leg. As far as the Yak's milk is concerned, while I was relaxing in Machuka I discovered a very good use it. I used it in Capucino. You could hardly even tell it was from a Yak. Link to post Share on other sites
remingtonbox 18 Posted June 17, 2010 Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 I agree with SEATAC about the yaks milk... that makes it edible. the Chancellor says hello and she is glad she could help get the baton moving along again. I cannot wait until part 2 Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted June 17, 2010 Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 A very entertaining first leg Dai. Ah great to see the 208 MutEx again, I keep forgetting our empire is so huge, I hope Gupta paid the going rate for it :biggrin: Looking at the route you must have taken the same way out that I took inbound, a very well flown leg. Your new setup gives stunning results Dai, really top-notch screen shots, everyone of them. I knew there was a good reason to rescue you other than the Mars bar you owe me!!! Looking forward to part deux /Mut Link to post Share on other sites
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