We take a Royal Nepal Airlines flight into the Khumbu region, landing at Lukla, site of the most precarious airstrip Chris and I have ever seen. The airstrip is sloped at a very steep angle. This slope helps incoming planes slow down so they don't they smash into the cliff at the top of the airstrip, and helps departing planes reach takeoff velocity before they plunge over the cliff at the bottom of the airstrip. (The photo above was taken at the top of the airstrip.) To add excitement, dogs, livestock, and trekkers occasionally stroll onto the airstrip; a designated airport guard has to shoo everyone and everything off the strip before a plane or helicopter can land.

We have never been so relieved to get off a plane in one piece.