Our bus journey wasn't a long one. We stopped for an early lunch on our way at a 'highway' restaurant. Back on the bus we stopped one hour or so into the journey where we then had to proceed over the Trusili river, i.e. rafting. There were only a couple of houses on the river's side of the road. We changed into something lighter and 'waterproof' i.e. thongs and rolled up trousers, grabbed an oar each, wore a hard-plastic helmet and a life-jacket. With our dinghy and all we crossed some fields to get to the riverside.
We stuffed our stuff and cameras into a plastic clamp-tied keg and we were off. The river was quite calm initially, during which time our raft-leader explained the oaring instructions and commands. His assistant was a young lad, half the size of the oar in length and width!
Then we met the rapids, one was called 'surprise' the other 'electricity' etc etc They were great but not that drastic to catapult us into the air, bar Ben, poor guy! With 5 men on board and us 2 girls we coped pretty well. It was good fun. The rapids were a tad scary. Us girls shrieked and yelled at every rise and fall as we tried to obey our leader's rowing orders 'faster!' 'faster!'.
In between the rapids, the water turned so still that it allowed us to absorb the peaceful views of the valley. It was lovely looking at Nepal from the river, it gave it a different perspective from looking at it from top of the hills; untouched grey sand lay at each side of the river, the spray rising from the water was visible in the bright sunshine which reached us through lush green trees. A suspended bridge came into view and a few local lads waved at us. Cute little houses, like proper mountain chalet's decorated the sides of the valley.
After about 2hours of rafting we anchored in a little bay. The crew laid out a lovely picnic as we sprawled over the boulders to dry ourselves. We wolved the freshly prepared salad, sandwiches and fruit. After lunch Sharon and I decided to take the lead and took the front positions of the dinghy. And that was even more fun.
We met some calm waters again and the guide suggested a swim. Mmmm, quite tempting. Sharon and I looked at each other as if in agreement and before we knew it we were thrown over by the guide and his tiny assistant. OMG! the water was so cold, but I got used to it and strolled for a while. Sharon just loved it and let herself flow by the gentle current. Back on board though she wanted to see the guide in the water. After a good hassle and tug she finally managed to hurl him and herself into the water. It was a good laugh.
The last 3 consecutive rapids brought us to our destination. Dripping wet as we were we walked up to the a house at the side of the main road again. We changed into something dry on the roof of this house! There was nowhere else more discreet! Back downstairs, we chatted with a Dutch guy over over hot cup of tea, waiting for the next bus to take us to Chitwan.
The interior of the bus was draped in carpet material with huge speakers above our heads playing rave music. It took two and half hours to get to our destination and by that time it was dark. As the bus drove through towns, villages and roads we had no idea of anywhere nor where we had to get off or whether someone would pick us up. Sharon dozed off as I kept ears and eyes on the alert. Then finally, the bus came to a halt and everyone got off, so I assumed we were there. Infact, two men with 4-WDs were waiting for us and who had been waiting for hours as we happened to be very late. Despite our lack of punctuality, The Maruri Sanctuary Lodge manager, a handsome Burmese guy, greeted us with a huge smile which shone through his eyes. We drove through a tiny hut village, which took me back to Africa. The bumpy road led us to the Sanctuary Lodge; a wide cultivated open space made up of lovely individual bungalows. He welcomed us in the reception room or rather glasshouse where he briefed us about the Sanctuary itself and our agenda for the next 2 days. He then asked us whether we could have dinner in 10minutes so we could make it to the Stick Dance show in the village. Sharon and I dumped our stuff and wet clothes in our separate bungalows and sat down for dinner in the bare empty restaurant adjacent to the reception area. Our cook and waiter was a lovely and very caring Indian guy who prepared a three course meal for us, lovely, only we had to gulp it down as our driver was waiting for us.
The Stick Dance show was intriguing. I was amazed and the young boys' dexterity in beating their sticks to fast-paced rhythms. By the end of the show, I was up on stage hopping up and down to tribal beats. Awesome!!! :)
Although tired, Sharon and I chatted till late; we were energised with the day's activity and the rest had only to be discovered.
Next morning a knock at 6.30am woke us up for an early breakfast. We were then driven to the crocodile river where we got a long flat canoe which daintily glided over the water; cutting through the ripples and mist. It was a calm awakening to a wonderful day. We managed to spot a lousy long-spouted croc sunbathing at the side of the river.
Our canoe took us to one of the jungle-looking islands where we were greeted by two park rangers who led us on a walking safari. We walked for an hour or so but only managed to come across a wild boar. I wasn't sure what we could have come across anyways, I didn't dare ask! We perched ourselves from the balcony of one of the long-stilted wooden tourist lodges in the middle of the jungle. The view was gorgeous. Next we visited the elephant breeding centre, which well, looked like an elephant zoo. The elder ones were chained to wooden poles for display, poor things. Luckily, the young ones were left to roam freely about.
One of them greeting us at the ticket office. Although still a baby it was quite huge and it was the first time I had actually touched one. Visitors were busy taking photos and feeding him cookies when suddenly the master came our yelling at the elephant like dad to a naughty son. Apparently, the young elephant was a known mischievous one which climbed over the a broken part of the fence to be fed cookies by visitors. Our rangers then took us for a surprise; bathing with the elephants!
The tiny beach was crowded with tourists watching elephants being bathed by their masters. Then there were those who dared jumped in for a trunk shower and hump-back plunge. Sharon and I were tempted. We stripped to what we could not having our swimsuits on and cautiously threaded the warm water (luckily elephants' poo was going downstream with the current!!!) The master hurled us up on the back on their elephant. Never have I had thought about the skin of an elephant till that day. It was thick, course, hairy and gosh, it smelt strongly (....mmm can't really think like what?!?) It was a joy-ride! the minute we managed to climb the hump, the master would yell out something and the elephant would simply turn on its side and duck into the water with its passengers and all. Up again and down again. Shear fun. But nothing bet the reverse-trunk shower while standing on the back of the elephant, oh yes!!! :) 
Wet, stinking but smiling we took off for a good shower only to see sunset from the back of an elephant as we rode one across the small jungle, meeting a pair of rhinos on the way. We slowly made our way swaying from one side to the other. Our seats overlooked the rear side of the 'vehicle', so we could observe swishing tail accompanying the pedantic rhythm. It was definitely a different point of view especially when your vision is suddenly blinded by a branch of leaves! Towards the end of the ride, our master let us take the lead for a while. It was the best buttocks massage ever !!!
Next day was a very early morning start as we were woken up before break of dawn and sent out for early bird watching. But we only managed to come across and hear a few birds making us feel jealous of our beds. Until, a huge deer almost the size of a horse, made us jump. All I saw was a dark figure against the faint rays of the sun streaming through the trees. It was a majestic vision. On our way back we walked through the hut village. Picturesque in every sense; colourful hand-printed walls, old water pumps, open-air baby cradles, red chilli chopping on the doorstep and I was back in Africa! Our lovely and caring Indian cook could not have us leave on empty stomachs so we hugely breakfasted and set off again on another long bus journey, cut short barely outside Chitwan due to a mechanical fault.
Next....Himalayas ...here I come again!
ta
Nicky
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