h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This email came from my parents today:-



Just a short note to say that we have arrived safely - all flights were uneventful, though I ate too much food for comfort - and are settling in to the Durbar Hotel. This has not been without its trials, but I hope they are getting sorted out. [] set up an Internet account yesterday but it took until after lunch today (Thursday) to actually establish a connection. We think the problem has been with the hotel phoneline, but if these messages get sent out later today, then we will know that has been fixed.

I have been for quite a long walk, have managed a couple of minor purchases without problems, and crossed several roads successfully. It may even be possible to establish a membership at a pool for me. The weather could be a bit of a problem - the third lot of rain so far today has just begun, but the falls don't seem to have lasted too long - though we both have umbrellas, and I brought my old and dirty sneakers for walking in puddles.

I will write in more detail very soon, but it seems we are back in touch with you and that is good for me to know. Cheers -



Ten points if you can work out which city they're writing from!

Well, I'm torn.

I'd like to say with complete certainty that they are in Kathmandu - in which case they're staying in this lovely place:[Broken link removed by Moderator] "located in the area of Durbar Marg just next to the Royal Palace. Only 15 minutes from Tribhuvan International Airport of Kathmandu, but still situated in a peaceful area with easy access to Kathmandu business district, famous sight and heritage of the valley".

It seems the Durbah Hotel in Kaduna, Nigeria was destroyed in a bomb blast in 1996 - but perhaps it has been rebuilt. On the other hand, I'm not sure that Kaduna is renowned for its shopping...

Well done, bubster, you are truly a nethound of prodigious significance! The first one was the correct one: they are indeed in Kathmandu. How did you find them?

10 points:

Lucky guess...