Nepal 1998

Journal Entry - November 6, 1998 - Lukla to Katmandu

We got our flight to Katmandu. It was under a weird scenario. We ended up buying tickets from a guide who got them from a couple of trekkers who had been evacuated. Our guide, the cook, and Karma hung around the airport until our flight took off. I gave Karma my green campmore shirt, my campmore cup and some snickers to lighten my load and make room for more gifts to purchase in Katmandu.

One interesting thing happened at the airport. I had been sitting on the bench by my pack for about 1½ hours when Karma pointed at my pack. It had the biggest grosest loogie I have ever seen hanging from the shoulder strap. I laughed, acked, and wiped it off with some tissue. Argh. I should be used to it by now. People are always spitting and launching snot rockets.

The flight was turbulent and close to the mountains. I am not ashamed to say that these flights in third world countries make me nervous. We landed in Katmandu about 25 minutes later. Quickly fetched our checked luggage and got a taxi for 200 rupees to the Dynasty Hotel. The hotel was booked so they got us a room at the Fuji next door. Not as nice but we will come back to the Dynasty after our Chitwan trip.

Email - November 6, 1998 - Katmandu

I am back to Katmandu and happy to be here. We were not able to get a room in the Hotel Dynasty because they were full. We booked a trip to the Chitwan National Park starting on the 8 and returning to Katmandu on the 11th of November.

I can't tell you how disappointed I was to be too sick to do the peak. I really miss you and I will probably talk to you soon on the telephone.

Journal Entry - November 7, 1998 - Katmandu

Today was a laid back day. Gary slept very late and I went to breakfast while he slept. We finished our arrangements for the Chitwan trip.

We ran into the Japanese guy that we had seen in the Kumba region. He was the Zen Trekker with the black sock/shoes. It is cool how you can run into people over and over again.

We packed for Chitwan and had dinner at Yin Yangs, the Thai Restaurant.

Journal Entry - November 8, 1998 - Katmandu to Chitwan National Park

We took the bus to the Chitwan National Park. The ride was interesting but long. We left Katmandu about 7:40 and arrived in Bacletupur about 12:15 - then we had to wait before the driver out to the park and the boat ride across the river. We went on a Jungle walk but didn't see any animals. There was a strange dance thing before dinner. WE had del bhot, curried chicken, potatoes, and veggies for dinner. It was good. Time for bed. We have an elephant ride tomorrow.

Journal Entry - November 9, 1998 - Chitwan National Park

We had an elephant ride this morning. It was pretty cool but we saw no wildlife. It seemed like a obligatory ride. The driver made no effort to find anything. We then had a nature walk/bird watching where we saw a few birds. We saw a green crowned woodpecker, a blue kingfisher, an egret, and a lot of leaches. Gary got a leach stuck to his arm later when we went for a boat ride. We saw a big crocodile in the distance and several kingfishers. We had a slideshow before dinner and had a decent dinner.

Journal Entry - November 10, 1998 - Chitwan National Park

We were awakened again at 5:10. We had coffee and went out for our nature walk. The guide said we would follow the elephants and they would help us find the rhinos. We started following the elephants and the trails and eventually started following them through the Jungle. We finally found a Rhino. We were all sorted scared when the guide told us to get back then. We thought he was just putting on a show. Eventually we did see a Rhino and it was only 10 meters away. We followed it for some time. Staying close to the elephants so it would not charge. It was awesome. I took several pictures but it was very dark so them not turn out.

In a little while we will head out on the elephants to cut grass for them to eat. It lasts several hours.

The ride out for the grass cutting took over 1 hour. By the time we got there, my butt cheeks were hamburger. The outer skin was numb and where not numb was hurting like hell. We swore we would not ride back that way. It was like riding on a 2x4. The workers cut grass and limbs to take back for the other elephants. We went for a walk to kill time while the two elephants we were on ate. When we returned from the walk we ate lunch.

Then the elephant handlers started loading the grass on the elephants and the branches as well. It was cool to see the elephants eat the bark from the branches. They just bite it off and pulled out the wood leaving the bark in their mouths. The workers then secured the load and had us get on. We mounted the elephants by holding their ears and the elephant gave us a truck up. Awesome!!

The ride back was precarious at first , even with Gary and I sitting side by side. Then I moved onto the elephants neck and held on to the wood behind me. The ride back was much shorter than the ride out. I don't know why.

We came back and had some lunch, a nap, and I finished reading Jail Bird. I then got up and … who knows by now.