Chitwan National Park

26th April

A 5.00 am start today with a walk downside to the taxi drivers home. We headed by taxi to the Pokhara Transit Bus Terminal, where we were also meeting Nicole. After some confusion over tickets we were on our way. Ahead of us a hot five hour journey. The only event noteworthy along the way was the presence in one town of riot police and rocks thrown all over the road. There was a demonstration of some sort. We think that with the supply of petrol here at a premium some locals were protesting as it was directly outside a petrol station. 

The situation from what I can make out is that Nepal owes India billions in unpaid bills for petrol and India has said no payment, no petrol. Therefore it can be a wait of up to two days to secure 10 litres of fuel in some cases. Our taxi driver only managed to get petrol the other day as we were tourists hiring him apparently. Diesel is easily obtained, though most locals don't have and can't afford diesel vehicles. There is government elections here soon and the Nepalese are seeing this as a good thing and seem confident of change and change for the better, according to the taxi driver and the principal of the school.

Chitwan National Park

On arrival we were met by jeep to be taken to the Eden Jungle Resort. Rather nice, hot showers and the foods not to bad, plenty of veges which we have been craving. We spent the afternoon looking at Tharu Village and some elephants. We can hear them trumpeting from our room as well as the lovely jungle sounds, very relaxing. 

27th April

Another early start down to the river for canoeing in a traditional wood boat, these take up to three months to build from one large tree trunk. We meandered along in the canoe for quite a distance with our guide pointing out all the bird life. We saw one crocodile, who was resting in the water near the bank. Different to the ones Heather and I saw in Darwin. These crocs have a long thin jaw with two wee raised bits on the end, still a bit intimidating though. 

After disembarking we went in search of a rhino, and possibly a tiger if you were really lucky, or not.  Funnily our health and safety briefing was run very fast and climb a tree if they decide to attack, bloody brilliant! The guide was caring a rather sturdy stick which was reassuring. Anyway after a long hot walk examining poop and tracks we finally spotted one, too the guides relief, the rhino was close enough  for a decent photo and far enough away for us not to have to worry about having a climbable tree close by!

We continued along the track to an elephant breeding centre and saw a few cuties, and other elephants of various sizes. Bree unexpectedly got a lovely slobbery elephant kiss, very funny. Feeding time was over and the elephants with their handlers were heading to the river for a wash and swim, which we viewed after crossing back over the river on a rickety bamboo bridge to view bath time. You could see they were loving it with them all rolling around and spraying themselves. The handlers were also scrubbing them down.

We went on a two hour elephant safari through the jungle, we spotted a herd of small deer, a wild pig, monkeys and various bird life. We hoped to see another rhino but they appear to be quite elusive, I think we have been lucky to sight the one. The elephant trek was as expected; a very jerky ride and it was extremely hot, but we enjoyed the experience, perhaps a oncer.

In the evening we attended a cultural show.

28th April

After bird watching at 6.30 am we head back to Pokhara on the bus. 

Hopefully to power on for a while.

Sorry still no photos, however we have thoroughly enjoyed the national park and a change of scene.