TravelStories Episode 67: Off the Rails in Nepal

Episode 67: Show Notes

When longtime traveler Michael Rubiano arrived in Kathmandu, he expected another bucket-list trip built on miles, status perks, and curiosity. Instead, he found himself trapped in a city on fire. In this unforgettable Travel Stories episode, Michael retraces how a points-fueled getaway turned into a life-threatening crisis as political protests erupted across Nepal. He shares the eerie calm before the chaos, the moment hotel staff fled the kitchen, and the tension of watching fires burn from his 14th-floor room. Michael also reflects on the experiences that shaped his calm under pressure, what it was like being in a hotel under lockdown, his harrowing trip to the airport, and how he navigated the escalating danger. From the professionalism of Hyatt staff who sheltered guests, to the quiet fear of watching smoke rise from his window, his story reveals how trust, adaptability, and human kindness can carry us through the unexpected. Tune in to hear about Michael’s unbelievable experience and a powerful reminder of how fragile and profound travel can be.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [00:42] Introducing Michael Rubiano, the concept of a MegaDo (an in-person gathering of travel aficionados), and the type of trips they do together.
• [04:13] An overview of Flyertalk, its history, and how it was created for flyer communities.
• [08:01] Reaching lifetime elite status, Michael’s first experiences of MegaDos, the most valuable loyalty programs, and how being on the West Coast influences his travel choices.
• [15:52] What drove Michael's decision to travel to Nepal, including Hyatt loyalty incentives and his four travel principles.
• [20:14] He explains his route via Cathay Pacific and how Nepal fit all his travel criteria.
• [24:29] Arriving in Kathmandu and reflections on privilege and safety abroad.
• [29:56] Michael’s experience exploring Kathmandu, getting a feel of the city, and taking a flight over the Himalayas, before the crisis.
• [36:23] A timeline of the protests in Nepal: Michael recounts the start of the unrest, how the protests quickly escalated, fires erupted, and curfews began.
• [45:59] Michael’s hotel lockdown experience, the escalating crisis, and his mindset throughout.
• [51:53] Preparations to evacuate and his detailed planning of what to carry and what to leave.
• [58:29] Rebooking his flight, his failed attempts to leave, and his tense journey to the airport.
• [01:10:50] The exceptional support shown by the Hyatt staff during the crisis, the relief Michael felt when he was in the air, and his surreal experience in Bangkok.
• [01:13:16] Reflections on the human side of travel and how crises like these reshape your perspective.
• [01:19:34] Learn about Michael’s work as a luxury travel advisor and how to get in touch.

Quotes:

“[A MegaDo] is a gathering of frequent flyer aficionados talking about miles points and going behind the scenes in places that you don't normally get to see in an airplane, in an airport, in a hotel.” — Michael Rubiano [03:51]

“I've been lots of places, not everywhere, but lots of places, and I'm always seeking the new and the novel.” — Michael Rubiano [18:03]

“I get an email from the STEP program, saying, ‘Beware that there are protests in the southern part of the city, near Parliament, and you might want to avoid the area.’ Okay, I wasn't anywhere near there. I was in the southwest part of the city. I wasn't getting involved in any protests.” — Michael Rubiano [40:58]

“In the protests that were taking place on that Monday, — 19 people were killed, which set everything ablaze.” — Michael Rubiano [42:30]

“A mob mentality takes on a life of its own. What started out as protests about corruption and nepotism and lack of job opportunities, lack of economic opportunity blew up, and all of a sudden you don't know which end is up.” — Michael Rubiano [48:53]

“In my mind, if hotel staff are bolting out of the kitchen, I'd better get up back to my 14th-floor room. That is the first time that I said, ‘Okay, the danger is getting close to home.’” — Michael Rubiano [49:59]

“When I went down to breakfast the next day at the hotel, I made sure to take my backpack, because what happens if something happens and I can't get back up to the 14th floor? So that backpack went with me everywhere.” — Michael Rubiano [58:14]

“The hotel staff of the Hyatt Centric [were still] taking care of us when they had their own families and other worries to be concerned with. They were always making sure that we had food. They were stil