We hit Nepal nearly 3 weeks ago and words cannot describe how beautiful it is. The scenery is amazing, big lush green paddy fields, big green hills with massive snow capped mountains in the background that look surprisingly near. I really like the Nepalese people too. It is definitely my most favourite place so far….
Our first stop was in a village just outside Chitwan National Park. Chitwan is in the Terair region of Nepal. It’s sub-tropical forest with rice paddies and numerous rivers. Scattered around are mud huts and bright coloured sari’s. So green and sparsely populated. After India it is just what we needed.
While here we did the customary elephant safari to see the rhino’s. Was a bit disappointed not to have seen the tigers and freshwater dolphins – other residents of the park. I also went down the river in a canoe in search of crocodiles, stopping off at an elephant breeding center to play with the cute baby elephant.
From Chitwan we headed to Pokara where we stayed by a massive lake. Pokara was great and very hard to leave. Well apart from the rain. When I say rain I am not talking of your average occasional shower as experienced in the UK. This is full blown monsoon rain – once it starts it doesn’t stop. The skies open with a vengeance and after 20 mins the road transforms into a river complete with rapids! Quite amusing at first but can become a bit tedious. However, the monsoon season is coming to an end so there has been less rain everyday.
While in Pokara I went on a 4 day white water rafting expedition down the Kali Gandaki River (4hrs west of Pokara) and had the most fantastic time. Far superior to any white knuckle ride I’ve ever been on and I can’t wait to come back one day and do a longer trip.
After a days rafting we’d set up camp on a beach and consume lots of rum punch. The others on the trip were a good laugh as well as the Nepalese guides.
I am now in Kathmandu after quite a long bus journey and have just been round Dunbar Square. Not long left now in Nepal before we leave for Bangkok tomorrow.
I’m falling asleep at the keyboard so guess it’s time to finish and go and take a nap – such a hard life!