Nepal 10, Dad’s Last Day

We returned to Kathmandu to have a final day birdwatching on Phulchowki Hill, just outside the city which happens to be twice the height of Ben Nevis! However because its latitude is somwhat further south the tree line is much much higher. It was cold in the shade but warm in the sun. The views were spectacular.

The drive up was scary even in the Jeeps. There was landslide damage in various attempts at widening or stabilising the track it all made it an uncomfortable drive. We stopped a few times to watch birds and occasionally an animal like the orange bellied squirrel that darted accross the road. When we made it to the top there was an army outpost and a temple with all the prayer flags flying.

A group of pilgrims were visiting and they started chatting in a mix of Nepali and English. They asked how old my Father is and then my age, the next thing I knew they were crowding around having their photographs taken with me. Graeme one of the birders was also scooped into the flurry of pictures. It was like being film stars! They also wanted to borrow my binoculars to look at the mountains, so I let them and this caused various sounds of awe as they looked at the veiw. That was the most surreal experience.
After this we began to walk down the hill (which is taller than our mountains) bird waching as we went.
Then at some point dad tripped and fell over, I must say it was relatively graceful, his knees bent and he sort of crumpled. Anyway he was not hurt but, l after that he had me and Charlotte (another birdwatching buddy) on either arm. Dont get used to it Dad!

Slowly we made our way down about a third of the way before the jeeps took us the remainder of the way and back to our hotel.
It was time to say goodbye to my Dad as he was heading home that night.
Ive enjoyed my birdwatching trip, I can’t remember many of the bird names but my favourite was probably the Crested Serpent Eagle, I have no idea why because there are so many beautiful and colourful birds here but, there it is.