13th Jan 2012: Quick update from Nepal

As Kathmandu's 11 hours a day of power outages continue good internet access becomes a bit tricky so in lieu of a big 'end of 2011' post, just a quick update following a few days of frantic scrubbling, power washing and measuring to get my bike squeaky clean. New Zealand has a neurotic approach to imports and the slightest bit of dirt will have my bike quarantined and in trouble, so a thorough 4 hour washing session later, it was in the airport cargo area for more scrubbing and packing. Inbetween the work five other bikers arrived in Kathmandu on their way to various points filling nights in with food and drink despite January being a dead month for tourists being in Nepal because of the freezing cold night temperatures!

It's now behind the mesh screens in thepictures below in the international 'customs bonded' zone waiting for a Thai Cargo flight to Auckland, where my next update will come from!

Just rode into customs and onto the base of my crate

Another f650gs waiting to go

Front wheel off and strapped to the base

My bike taking longer than the other two because it
has to be spotlessly clean for entry to NZ.

Panniers tied up

Knocking the crate together

Finshed - photo with Damon and Paul

Manhandling the crate onto scales before it goes into
the bonded area and out of my hands until Auckland