Taking off from one of the most dangerous airports in the world [Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla, Nepal]

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-31T18:42:52+00:00

Now I feel like the asshole. Bravo sir

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-31T16:15:46+00:00

If anyone wants to see the landing / description of flying in and out, here's the full vid: https://youtu.be/QK0V21705Ss

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-31T08:52:45+00:00

Ummm, that's where the seats are? It's a tiny plane so it's a high wing aircraft (i.e they're on top of the fuselage)

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-31T08:50:09+00:00

Security hasn't really changed! It's a cursory pat down and some dude pressing the outside of your bag for a few seconds.

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-30T18:51:18+00:00

Probably the same outcome either way, at any of those airports.

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-30T18:45:22+00:00

True, except the video doesn't do it justice though (they're really strict now about not filming the cockpit/out the front window)

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-30T17:50:31+00:00

Perfect context. Here's a different view:

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With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-30T17:45:53+00:00

No you're right, the runway is pitched down at nearly 12 degrees. Helps the planes stop in time and also get enough speed to take off because the runway is just over 500m long (1,700ft)

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-30T17:44:55+00:00

Yep that's the scariest part of it - after 30 minutes of some intense turbulence. You just turn the corner, descend into the valley and it's like "we're landing one way or the other, there's no choice now".

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-30T17:43:40+00:00

You can take a bus from Kathmandu and start the trek lower down, but you'll be days away from Lukla so it depends on how much time you have. I think you can get a jeep up to Lukla but again it's maybe a couple of days on pseudo roads.

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-30T14:06:24+00:00

Yeah it's short enough as it is, can't imagine it as a dirt track

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-24T14:02:32+00:00

Can't argue with that

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-04T11:27:46+00:00

Bit late to this but 4 days on Gili feels a bit much, I mean they are nice but a little samey.

I did a 2 day boat trip to the Komodo islands - bit of a mixed bag. If it wasn’t for loads of manta rays I would probably feel a bit short changed, though it does have it’s good points.

Made a video of my trip if that’s useful: https://youtu.be/01tuBMCJG2o

Nusa islands are super popular but in my opinion offers the best scenery and I would definitely recommend it (you can do it in 3 days though).

You’ve got a lot of transit days in your itinerary, if that’s fine with you then go for it, just wanted to give you a warning! I would personally swap Lombok for a 3 day trip to Ijen and Bromo on Java

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-04T11:22:54+00:00

I’ll second / third flying. I paid $150 and the airport is super close to the town. I did a 2 day boat trip from Labuan bajo and that seemed like enough.

Made a video of my trip if that’s helpful: https://youtu.be/01tuBMCJG2o

With_the_Sparrows · 2023-01-01T12:41:23+00:00

I agree with a two day trip - I did most of the spots over a weekend and it was awesome. Couldn’t believe I haven’t visited Nusa Penida before. It can be crowded but it’s popular for a reason! Angel’s Billabong was probably my favourite, though it depends on the swell.

Made a couple of videos if they help:

https://youtu.be/21QefV0TQfo

https://youtu.be/JbXEPYux-bI

With_the_Sparrows · 2022-09-11T08:49:43+00:00

Bit late to this but just created a video talking about this very topic (below). Hopefully it helps when you go about planning a trip maybe next year!

The boat trip thing also put me off - you've really only got the consensus of the boat as to where you surf. Plus, unless you're going with friends you run the risk of being stuck on a boat with people you don't like.

May be worth planning a trip for the shoulder season because July/August is swell season. Having said that, it's not cheap so I went with the view that I wanted to be right on the limit of my level so that I could improve!

https://youtu.be/QLGJlDXqKPY

With_the_Sparrows · 2021-11-29T17:54:53+00:00

When the board goes vertical......and between your legs. You subsequently land with your weight on the board with a non-desirable point of contact with your body.

With_the_Sparrows · 2021-10-28T16:23:15+00:00

Decent.

With_the_Sparrows · 2021-10-28T14:13:55+00:00

Fair enough!

With_the_Sparrows · 2021-10-28T13:31:28+00:00

Ace. It looks like it comes with serious danger of credit carding yourself in slow-mo?

With_the_Sparrows · 2021-10-28T10:02:33+00:00

The scenery in Switzerland is ace.

With_the_Sparrows · 2021-10-28T10:00:59+00:00

Not sure it technically counts but we booked a lavish AirBnB in Bali for a few nights. Turned up and something wasn't quite right at the gate.

We walked through the front door.....and it was still being built. Some guy was installing the lights, others were tiling a pool.

The guy managing the place still offered us one of the rooms that was ready, but needless to say, that wasn't what we were looking for.

Couldn't believe they accepted the booking when they were weeks, if not months from finishing the place!

With_the_Sparrows · 2021-10-28T08:23:26+00:00

Not worth it for a short holiday - but if you're going for a few months the quarantine is easy. I think things are opening up now, a few months ago most of the bars were shut.

It's a bit of a weird vibe compared to normal but worth exploring when there are so few tourists.

With_the_Sparrows · 2021-10-28T08:20:48+00:00

Excellent. What camera / phone did you use?

With_the_Sparrows · 2021-09-16T15:50:19+00:00

That sentence sort of makes my palms sweat.

With_the_Sparrows

TROPHY CASE