Blogs from Chitwan, Nepal, Asia - page 3

Day 39 - Tharu village community, Safari I thought I might not to sleep well last night, due to not having air con, but I did better than expected! I woke a couple of times, but soon went back over. I got up at 7am, showered and sorted for breakfast at 8. I'm the only one taking breakfast. Strange. I enjoy, no, need my breakfast more than any other meal! I'm looking forward to it, muesli, fresh mixed fruit, yoghurt and honey. Yes, good choice, really enjoyed my breakfast, sat chatting to the local guide, just taking it easy. Happy days! We are meeting Anu and the guide at 9am for a village tour. We sort of did it last night on bikes, but with no information, as last nights bike ride was, 'fly by' fun. ... read more

Hi Readers, Before I get to Chitwan I must explain some Nepalese driving etiquette!! The horn on any vehicle ( car,motorcycle,rickshaw and anything else on wheels) must be used at all times, especially to let you know they are behind you, at the side of you or in front of you. So up nice and early to catch bus to Chitwan, was supposed to have a pick up but that didn't happen, turns out he came the day before. Bus is all loaded and we're off on a 6 hour trip. Most of the way the horn did the talking, slow vehicle in front, honk honk I'm behind you, honk honk I'm beside you, honk honk (from the other vehicle) you're in front of me, honk honk (from the vehicle coming towards you) better get over ... read more

"Zigzag rennen en een boom inklimmen als een neushoorn achter je aankomt, maar bij een beer juist niet die boom in, een beer kan ook klimmen, dus dan gaan we dicht bij elkaar staan en heel veel geluid maken. Bij een olifant ren je de tegengestelde richting op, begrepen?" - "Yes sir!"- "En bij een tijger, stilstaan en hem altijd in de ogen kijken, blijf kijken, zelfs niet knipperen, begrepen?" - "Yes sir!"- Zo luidde de instructies toen we uit onze waggele canoë stapte die ons langs vele vogels en levensgrote krokodillen leidde. Safari, uren lang in het groene turen in de hoop een bewegende vlek te zien om in één seconde al die verveelde uren weer vergeten. Vervolgens een foto produceren waarbij niets te zien is van al die spanning, nee dacht ik, die foto's ... read more

Chitwan! 6 - So I board to Chitwan express, a bus apparently famed for it's AC, only to fine out the "AC" is a fan. Never mind, not too bad. The journey to Chitwan was fantastic, amazing views, and death defying road. Literally overtaking buses and having about an inch of road before falling to certain death into the fucking river a couple of hundred feet below! I don't know why everyone makes such a big deal about it though, it wasn't scary, maybe people are just pussy's or over exaggerate... To be fair, there was a lorry on it's side, but at ground level. So I arrive in Chitwan and I don't really know what to expect, or what I was expecting! But basically, this wasn't it, and it was fucking shite. Quiet little town ... read more

After 8 hours on a bumpy hot bus I arrived in Sauraha, an entry point to the jungle of Chitwan National Park in the lowlands of Nepal, to be greeted by a welcoming committee of 20 odd hotel touts all shouting and jostling in a bid to convince me to go to 'their' hotel. It was a sweltering 36 degrees which perhaps didn't help my decision making process but I was tired from the journey and couldn't face the walk from the bus station, which as ever was out of town, with my rucksack in the heat. So a deep breath and I headed straight for the mayhem. One guy who seemed quite genuine pointed out that there were no taxis which as I hadn't booked anywhere and didn't fancy the walk left me in a ... read more