Great fun all round. A small wiry character, skin of crinkled leather, wrapped in worn khaki greatcoat and colorful scarf, snapped a military salute. Everyone assumed he was a Gurkha. He may or may not have been the doorman. Colorful creepers cover the frontage, pigeons coo on window ledges, and the room where Queen Aishwarya entered the world is now the One Eyed Bar, overlooking lawns where, come afternoon, guests seek relief from Third World streets, market bargaining and temple hopping.
Service is leisurely.
Star Lager and hamburgers, club sandwiches and tea. Read guidebooks, write up diaries, share a yarn, while Himalayan crows drink milk from unattended jugs. Evenings are spent in the Kunti Bar, replica of a traditional Nepalese courtyard, with handmade bricks and elaborate, intricate carved wooden balconies and windows. More Star Lager and hand-made potato crisps. And, always, more yarning.