We made it the through the grueling 7-day trek, the peaceful jungle safari at a rustic loge in the Chitwan National Park and are now back to bumper-to-bumper traffic and hot showers in Kathmandu.
The trek itself kicked. my ass. Literally. I fell three times the first real day, picking my way down ultra-slippering slate "steps" in virtually vertical descents. I have a gigantic butterfly-shaped bruise on my backside and still can barely sit down. That made the subsequent virtually vertical AScents very pleasant, as you can imagine. It was all worth it, though. The views of the mountains were absolutely SPECTACULAR. Hard to imagine more than one, maybe two things that could make looking out your tent at the sunrise over snowcapped peaks and lush green valleys any better than they were. Scenery has to be seen to be believed. The more remote villages were the best. Spent last night trekking playing cricket against the Nepali crew, then dancing/singing with the locals under the stars. AWESOME.
Chitwan Jungle Lodge was like a little Eden afterwards. Rode elephants into jungle at sunrise/sunset to hunt game. Didn't see (but heard and saw prints) of tigers, bummer. Did see the rhinos, sloth bear, wild boar, crocs and lots of birds. We were deep in jungle, no electricity, just kerosene lamps. Pitch black at night and all you could hear were jungle sounds - elephants trumpeting, cats snarling, wow.
More later, have to go and give a speech.
It sounds like heaven!! Can you post pictures yet?
ReplyDeletePatricia
You have turned into a goddess yourself! Kudo's to you girlfriend for making that awesome treck sans voice and with a big butterfly on your tush! The whole experience sounds like nirvana! All is well in rainy and cold NYC, miss you much. Katharyn
ReplyDelete