We all made it to Chitwan in one piece on a non-eventful bus ride
while still going over the mechanics of 90 degree kayak rolls in our
heads. Chitwan is real deal jungle... hot and humid with plenty of
mosquitoes to go around. After finding a place to stay, it dawned on us
that it was Thanksgiving and that required some form of celebration.
As we walked to our dinner destination, we spied a rhino and stopped
on the street to watch a convoy of elephants and their trainer go by.
We clanked long island iced teas and ate Indian food while watching
the sun go down over the river and Chitwan National park. Slightly
unconventional thanksgiving but so it goes.
The next day was packed with shamelessly touristy activities for all.
We started the day with a canoe ride down the river that divides the
park from the town. From the dugout canoe we saw a multitude of birds
including egrets and stunning kingfishers... as well as a few
crocodiles. Following our paddle, we stepped into the jungle with our
guide, who chose this moment to inform us about the high mortality
rate of wild elephant encounters, sloth bears that go for the face or
genitals and charging rhinos. We followed him on a 2 hour tramp
through the greenery and saw nothing but red cotton bugs and bear
poop. Not gonna lie, after his introductory speech, we were slightly
relived.
Next we waded into that same river we had spotted crocodiles in to
clamber aboard a submerged elephant. The pachyderm proceeded to rise and
shower us with its trunk whilst we squealed in delight. Of all the
whimsical activities one can conjure up, this must take the cake. It
was particularly amazing the observe the relationship between the
trainer and this huge creature; elephants and their trainers remain
partners for the whole of the elephant's life.
We barely had time for lunch before our next elephant encounter: a
jungle safari from the back of a giant. Its surprisingly peaceful and
quite to cruise through the jungle on the back of such a massive
animal. This time, we saw some huge spotted dear, a few monkeys and
some peacocks.
That evening as we went to dinner on our last sweaty night in Chitwan,
we were enthralled with another glimpse of the same rhino as the first
night, hanging out near the park boundary. A local informed us that he
is old and as a solitary creature, will no longer venture deep into
the 932 square km park. We bade farewell to hot and sticky Chitwan and
hopped on the bus for Kathmandu to spend our last few days together
before we head our separate ways: Nouri and Christina destined for the
mountains of Darjeeling while Vanessa will remain in Nepal for a
volunteering stint with a physiotherapist. And what better way to say
good bye for now than with Gorkha and Nepali cover bands playing Guns
and Roses?
while still going over the mechanics of 90 degree kayak rolls in our
heads. Chitwan is real deal jungle... hot and humid with plenty of
mosquitoes to go around. After finding a place to stay, it dawned on us
that it was Thanksgiving and that required some form of celebration.
As we walked to our dinner destination, we spied a rhino and stopped
on the street to watch a convoy of elephants and their trainer go by.
We clanked long island iced teas and ate Indian food while watching
the sun go down over the river and Chitwan National park. Slightly
unconventional thanksgiving but so it goes.
The next day was packed with shamelessly touristy activities for all.
We started the day with a canoe ride down the river that divides the
park from the town. From the dugout canoe we saw a multitude of birds
including egrets and stunning kingfishers... as well as a few
crocodiles. Following our paddle, we stepped into the jungle with our
guide, who chose this moment to inform us about the high mortality
rate of wild elephant encounters, sloth bears that go for the face or
genitals and charging rhinos. We followed him on a 2 hour tramp
through the greenery and saw nothing but red cotton bugs and bear
poop. Not gonna lie, after his introductory speech, we were slightly
relived.
Next we waded into that same river we had spotted crocodiles in to
clamber aboard a submerged elephant. The pachyderm proceeded to rise and
shower us with its trunk whilst we squealed in delight. Of all the
whimsical activities one can conjure up, this must take the cake. It
was particularly amazing the observe the relationship between the
trainer and this huge creature; elephants and their trainers remain
partners for the whole of the elephant's life.
We barely had time for lunch before our next elephant encounter: a
jungle safari from the back of a giant. Its surprisingly peaceful and
quite to cruise through the jungle on the back of such a massive
animal. This time, we saw some huge spotted dear, a few monkeys and
some peacocks.
That evening as we went to dinner on our last sweaty night in Chitwan,
we were enthralled with another glimpse of the same rhino as the first
night, hanging out near the park boundary. A local informed us that he
is old and as a solitary creature, will no longer venture deep into
the 932 square km park. We bade farewell to hot and sticky Chitwan and
hopped on the bus for Kathmandu to spend our last few days together
before we head our separate ways: Nouri and Christina destined for the
mountains of Darjeeling while Vanessa will remain in Nepal for a
volunteering stint with a physiotherapist. And what better way to say
good bye for now than with Gorkha and Nepali cover bands playing Guns
and Roses?
Nouri, Christina and Vanessa, I am living vicariously through your blogs....they are great! Love Mom, ask Lori
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