We drove 10 hours from Kathmandu to Phaplu in jeep with 9 people packed like sardines (it was’n too bad). Started the day at 4:30 picked-up by the driver near our apartment, left Chabahil Chowk around 5:30 AM and arrived in Phaplu around 3:30 PM.  Part of the road is quite scenic, along a river and then up out of the valley traversing steep slopes. No time to stop for pictures, only a short break for lunch at road-side restaurant. We parked for the night at a small hotel across the street from Phaplu airport (not good for the price, toilet outside). The following day we started walking towards higher ground – day one of trekking.
