We had an early start to go down to the river to where we saw the crocodile yesterday and board a canoe.
I felt very vulnerable as we climbed in and were almost level with the water. It didn't help that Anu had just been telling us of how his guide friend had had his canoe attacked by a crocodile 'one month before' after it had accidentally collided with it. All passengers survived but I still wasn't exactly confident.
Being on the water in the morning light was absolutely stunning. There were so many birds and we spent an hour floating along, enjoying the view and taking lots of pictures.
We came across a few more crocs too. They rowed us closer than I was comfortable with and would probably have taken us closer if not for the mute (and very slow) head shaking and warning eyes I was directing at Anu. It was all I could do not to squeak.
When we arrived at the starto of our jungle walk, we were given very serious instructions for what to do if we came face to face with any of the deadly animals in the park. Rhinos have bad eye-sight so you're just meant to chuck something to draw it's attention elsewhere, and find a tree to climb. With a bear you should stand close together, wave your arms and make lots of noise. Anu suggested singing. He also reminded us not to try and climb a tree. With a tiger you can do little more than just stare at it. How reassuring. After a quick hat-slinging practise and the transfer of all my valuables to Matt in case I needed to ditch my red bag during a speedy retreat, we were on our way.
It was a nerve-shredding hour but other than tiger tracks, all we saw were deer and a few more crocs. I'd still like to see a rhino but maybe from a safer distance!
Our walk led us to the 'Elephant breeding centre' where we saw some very cute babies. They were so young they were still suckling and we stood for ages just watchin them play in between stopping for milk. We also saw some baby twins who were a little older. They were only 2nd pair of twins recorded (worldwide I think) and the first recorded in Nepal.
After dragging myself away, Anu surprised us by taking us to watch the elephants bathing in the river. I got to have a go at sitting on one and it was fantastic to sit astride its bare back and be lifted into the air. The trainer kept pulling on its ear and shouting instructions to make it squirt me with water so I got drenched. The same pleading look I'd practiced near the crocodiles earlier was used to persuade him not to make it roll over and chuck me in the river.
After a quick shower and another odd lunch, we were taken along with a Russian couple to go on the 'elephant safari'. This time we were all sat in a large crate-like contruction with a bamboo stick between our thighs and our legs dangling on the outside. It was less than comfortable whenever the elephants went downhill and through rivers but it was great to trample through the jungle trees.
Some of the elephant leaders nearby started making calls and I thought they were just trying to work out one anothers location, but pretty soon we were all gathered together around a rhino and its baby. It was absolutely amazing to see them so close but didn't look real. The elephants did not disturb them at all so we sent a while watching them graze and taking lots of pictures.
On the way back we saw some rather rude, lady elephant trunk to male elephant undercarriage action. We also saw quite a few deer and monkeys, also with very cute babies. (Note to Zeena: I am not getting broody, there actually were just lots of babies!)
After a fun, elephant-filled day, we had a free evening to spend how we wanted. Unfortunately, we mostly spent it unsuccessfully trying to find a cash machine that didn't charge more than the price of a room for the night.
We took a walk down to the river just after sunset and saw a massive rhino, which was even closer than the crocodile we had seen there yesterday. It's so strange to see such wild animals just meters away from a built-up touristy area.
No comments:
Post a Comment