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Published: January 14th 2009
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SEPT. 23, 2008 The differences between mountain life and valley life are striking. Spending the morning at the Lukla Airport all bundled up with hats, mitts and jackets then arriving in Kathmandu to the start of a 30+ degree day. The race for the showers was intense after 15 days gone without. We also had to sort all our laundry to be put in for washing and what we would take with us to Chitwan National Park and Pokhara.
A mini bus picked us up at another hotel to take us to the Park, where my friend Alex has been teaching for three months. It was a beautiful drive- without A/C, and quite dangerous but beautiful none the less. Buses go off these roads on a daily basis due to rock slides, land slides, poor roads, inexperienced drivers... the list goes on! We thankfully arrived safely and ready for a delicious dinner at the Parkside Hotel in Chitwan.
Had the best Dal Bhat meal in Nepal, traditional Nepalese food that is a staple in their diet. There were 10 of us that went in on a three day deal, including a tour of the park and its
activities, food and accommodation. The first night we got sent to a cultural show at the town's theatre. Driven in an old Russian Jeep, that needed a push start, we were all jammed in the back with a few standing on the bumper. I think we would all agree that the jeep ride was more fun than the cultural show! At the show there was tonnes of stick tapping in circles, Steph fell asleep and the emcee said that Malaria had been eradicated naturally, thanks to their diet of spicy food and wine consumption. HA, i don't think so!
SEPT. 24, 2008 Ate an early breakfast and were off on our day filled with elephants! First we had a canoe ride, the eight of us, plus our guide and the boatman all fit into the canoe that was carved out of one tree trunk. Amazing. We saw many birds including Kingfishers and Water Buffalo. There were many people along the sides of the river collecting grass for the elephants. Perhaps the most exciting thing I saw were crocodiles in the river with us. Our guide said he hasn't lost a tourist to them yet!
Next stop was
the Elephant Breeding Centre, something very important to the Nepalese people. Elephants were going extinct in Nepal, so the government intervened and created this centre so the Elephants of Nepal will not be lost forever. Since it takes 22-24 months for gestation, the elephant population is a slow growing one.
We saw lots of Moms and babies at the Centre, very cute. From there we walked through the river, right next to the water buffalo, to get to our Jeep. I think the Elephant Bath was the best part of the Chitwan experience! We arrive to another part of the river, and there are 3 or 4 elephants in the water, our guide tells us to get in! I started out as the photographer, but then got in myself! We'd get on the back of the elephant and he'd tip us over into the water, or spray us with the water from his nose! Then we got to wash them, with rocks of course! Just had to pick up a rock from the bottom of the river and rub it all over the elephant!
When we returned to the hotel, we learned that Alex's student had been electrocuted
in his mud hut, and was taken to hospital. We learned later in the day that he had passed away, only 10 years old.
After an afternoon nap, we went out for an Elephant Safari. Four people per elephant plus a driver. We came within a couple meters of Rhinos and a baby Rhino. It was a couple hours long, through the jungle. Of course we were hoping to see a Tiger... no luck there! Then through the town on elephant back, waving at the children playing outside their mud huts. Had a lovely dinner back at the hotel.
SEPT. 25, 2008 Up REALLY early for birdwatching... boring! I gave it as good a shot as I could at 6am. It started out pretty interesting, but it quickly became difficult to spot the birds out guide was pointing out!
The best part of the birdwatching was when we saw the male elephants walking in the misty morning, with their owner and grass for the day. Their tusks are so huge.
Our short visit to Chitwan was over. Dale, Elron, Steph and I took a decent chicken bus to Pokhara. ( A chicken bus is the
nickname for tourist/public transportation, they are supposed to be only for tourists but somehow people toting chickens about get on the bus). 6 hours later we arrived in Pokhara and saw another completely different area of Nepal.
Pokhara is situated lakeside surrounded by the Annapurna Range. It is a beautiful town, and like you would expect, every shop is selling mountain gear, mountain paintings or photos. We enjoyed a couple drinks down by the lake, dinner at a great restaurant and a little internet to cap off the night.
SEPT. 26, 2008 The day of the leech attack! The four of us got up at 5:30am to hike up to the Peace Pagoda that looks out over the town of Pokhara. We followed the path up most of the way, until we lost the trail... and began weed whacking and trying to get the leeches off our sneakers before they got to suck our blood!
Elron was wearing sandals because he thought this was going to be a leisurely day hike, the rest of us in sneakers because our trekking boots were in Kathmandu! We followed some wires on the ground and re-found the path!
Stopped to check our feet. We all got bitten, one got my ankle through my sock. So I asked Elron to burn it with his cigarette, but it was still stuck in my sock! He had to get out his pliers and pull the leech out of my sock! It was so disgusting, Dale had blood all over his ankles and Elron too.
Finally made it to the top for a breathtaking view of Macchupuchre peak and the rest of the Annapurnas. There was the Peace Pagoda all in white, with gold statues. Definitely worth the drama to make it to the top.
Went back down a different route that took us to the lake, got in a canoe and were chauffeured back to the town for breakfast. We just took it easy for the rest of the day
SEPT. 27, 2008 Took the best bus of Nepal back to Kathmandu, two seats to myself and two toilet stops... luxurious.
We all hit up an Israeli Restaurant, OR2K once in the city. Enjoyed lots of hummus and pita, Elron wasn't feeling well and once he returned to Canada he came down with Malaria! So maybe that
was why.
There was a huge street party put on by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, but was shut down by 10pm. Kathmandu has strict curfews sometimes and when we returned to our hotel the gate was across and we were locked out! All was saved when we made lots of noise and the guy came to let us in!
SEPT. 28, 2008 Sleeping in until 9am is a huge deal for us right now! We packed up a box each and went down to some post dealers. It was sketchy and I'm still kicking myself for it, because I sent my box via boat and land through to India and then around the world. Pretty sure I'm never going to see that box ever again.
We found the Swedish Meatball, Christofer, and went to Syambhunath Stupa about a 15 minute drive outside of downtown Thamel. The temple is also known as the Monkey Temple because of the over abundance of monkeys that live there.
It was a bit rainy, but still great views of the city once you climb up a million stairs. Poor Dale, I thought he was going to break
his neck with his slippy sandals on the wet stairs!
Had the last Nepalese dinner at the Shisha Restaurant and then packed up for our flight to Thailand!!!
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