Adventure into the wilderness....well....

 I decided to hit up Chitwan National Park - otherwise known as 'Jungle Safari!!!!' I boarded the bus with much excitement. Day One the plan changed as soon as we got there (unsurprising) and we went for a jeep safari through the jungle. We saw more army men than animals...however, we did see some stunning Kingfisher birds (bright blue) and the guides were really excited about pointing out deer. I couldn't bear to tell them I wasn't really impressed by seeing deer so just acted amazed....

We stopped at a village in the jungle that was an Indian Hindu village - apparently they didn't like living in a place where other religions were practicing so they moved to the jungle. Every monsoon they have to build new clay houses and they just hang out all day doing village stuff. I checked out the local pub (above) and tried some wine that supposedly stops you getting Malaria (????)!

 The redeeming feature of the Jeep Safari was seeing a Rhino! Yay. Was quite excited by that took lots of pics.The next morning we hit up the river for a crocodile canoe ride - certainly saw some crocs, although they are about as interesting to look at as Tuatara so it was a little anti-climactic...

 Kingfisher and Croc.

 Oh, and Horton! Went to an Elephant breeding centre - saw a week old elephant, they were all quite well trained - stand up, sit down etc etc. Everyone did the mandatory elephant ride which was exciting for the first 5 mins and then a bit uncomfortable for the next 85mins! But i did share the saddle with 3 Nepali med students who were studying in Bangladesh on a govt scholarship so that was interesting and they were very friendly! I tested my Nepali on them and they understood it all.

 Sunrise this morning on a bird watching tour - again, not many birds but a nice way to start the day! During this walk I asked the guide about how the park has changed in the last 20 years. Apparently there used to be heaps of rhino all around, more tigers and many more birds, however the animals keep moving away because of the crowds. Sounded like a typical poblem for lots of wildlife places around the world. The park was initially protected after Independence once they realised the British had been game hunting the animals for fun and there were rapidly losing numbers. It was a very interesting place, despite the kind of forced tourist feel.

Good way to spend a few days - was stoked to see the big animals and to spend some time on the bus. I love Nepali bus rides - I just zone out and watch life go by - men making bricks, people washing under wells on the side of the road, tractors towing trailors, bikes with 2 back wheels carrying things, bikes with two front wheels carrying things, rickshaws, tuktuks, kids, buses, trucks, women ploughing the rice fields and replanting, etc etc - there is so much to see when you spend 5 hours driving across the country! Am now back in Pokhara for a few days before returning to Kathmandu and meeting up with the teaching team I will spend the next month with.