It couldn't have been more peaceful by the poolside of the Hyatt Regency in Kathmandu yesterday. It was so quiet that it was hard to believe the city is a tinderbox.
'Too quiet,' reflected general manager Martin van Kan.
The hotel is nearly empty, but at least he was pleased his staff had been able to take more guests to the airport, which is within sight of the hotel, before the curfew was imposed at midday.
The curfew meant tourists would be stuck for another day at their hotels. 'This has certainly put Nepal on the world map,' mused Mr van Kan. But he knows that may well persuade tourists to head to other destinations. Tourism in the remote kingdom faces total collapse.
If there's one small crumb of comfort to come out of the assassinations and the violent aftermath which have rocked this nation, it is that the shootings took place in the low season.
Nepal now has only a few weeks to find a solution to its political turmoil, and convince the world that it is safe to walk Kathmandu's narrow streets again and trek its majestic mountains. The trekking season begins at the end of August, after the monsoon. This is when hundreds of thousands of tourists usually flock to Kathmandu. But the prospects look grim.
Nepalis are not happy with the way the country is being governed. They had hoped that the late King Birendra would bring political harmony. But now they are worried at the intentions of his brother, the newly crowned King Gyanendra, who is known to oppose the present system of government. And they are angry that his son, Paras - who has a reputation for being a playboy - is the new crown prince.