Misty again in Pokhara. Even a couple from Kathmandu I met last night were convinced that it would be fine this morning. An Ozzie I met later in the day who had been in Pokhara two days before me said the mountains were crystal clear,
Left in heavy rain for the 150 km drive to Chitwan national park. The driver Sonam knew a route to miss part of the first 5 km of busy road. Retraced the road back to Kathmandu then turned south. Very bumpy roads in places. One accident black spot we passed was where a government minister had been killed when his car went off the road into the river, the driver survived but was jailed for 4 years, released, then murdered by the Maoists. Loads of other spots have had fatal accidents. The latest only last week when two young guys on a motor bike were killed.
The last 20 km or so was along wide rock roads. The four wheel drive Ford "Everest" car copes very well. We stopped a few times for me to take some pictures. There are just too many sights to record in film. A group of 30 or so women were cutting the rice down in a field at the side of the road. The thing I shall always remember is the sound of the scythes slicking through the rice stems, then we stopped to see a trio of guys beating the corn stems by hand on to a wooden table. They were ankle deep in corn surrounded by a waist high stack of hay.
Arrived at the Machan Lodge about 12:45. A brief but efficent description of events, all directed from a large chalk board outside the refectory . They have me listed as Mr Richard (please note).
The weather here is warm to hot and dry. Loads of insects about the place so I sprayed up. Not for the first time I think. The staff are most attentive almost hovering to see if you want more food or another drink.
A group of 6 of us left at 14:30 for Land Rover Safari and river trip. Neither of them for the faint hearted. I never knew how very good Land Rovers are over rough ground. You can keep 20 mph up unless it is very rocky. The 6 of us found the most comfortable way to travel is standing up holding on to the transverse bar where the canvas behind the cab would normally be.
Our guide is very keen for me to get good photos and gives me loads of tips. He also allows us to photograph alligators through an open door to get a better shot of the metre long reptiles.. (there was a barrier a waist height).
And so to the river canoe trip. A slowish flowing river with the occasional rapid. We started just below where we had seen a crocodile 2 hours before. Eight of us in the "canoe" made from planks of wood nailed/stapled together. Water lapping 4 or 5 inches below the gunwale. At least the nails holding the seat backs up looked new. As dusk was creeping in the photos of the birds we saw were very poor. The guide advised me to change the white balance on my camera. Never done that before. We all made it back to shore just with wet shoes from the leaking boat. Back to the lodge then met at 6:45 for a demonstration of Napalese dancing. This is very similar to the English Morris dancing but much more musical with drum and rattles. We all had a go with them as an encore.
The accommodation is basic but clean. The staff say there are no mozzies, however I have put my net up, just to say I have used it. It is due to go down to 14 degrees C tonight so no AC thank goodness. The wi-fi is free here and works well with Skype on my iphone. Due to be woken at 6 am for the elephant safari. I must remember to tuck my long trousers into my socks to save the leeches crawling up my leg as happened to one lady this morning.
And so to bed.
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