Today Claire and I were setting off for Chitwan. Chitwan is located in the south of Nepal and epitomises the diverse nature of the country; almost sea level in the southern jungle region moving northwards the terrain rises ending up at the highest mountain in the world on the tibetian border.
We had a lazy start as we weren't due to set off to the airport until 11:00 for our 12:30 flight. We had to pack carefully as we wouldn't be back in Kathmandu for 12 days and needed to take everything for our venture into the jungle and for the trek to Annapurna Base Camp. This was quite a contrast in clothing, going from the warmer south to the cooler mountains which reach sub-zero temperatures overnight.
Our journey to the airport happened without hitch. I was certainly noticing a change in driving styles since my last visit, but the Nepalese still drive as though they are 3 years old and on their first tricycle racing towards the head of the morning break milk queue....complete with horn. We were dropped off at the VIP lounge whilst the assistants did their usual fantastic job of making the transition through the airport invisible to us It was not long till we magically appeared on the correct bus heading towards our twin otter aircraft.
The weather was good which made the flight nice and smooth. I always find the customs here somewhat humerous; soon after being seated, the stewardess offers passengers a toffee flavoured sweet and you have the option of helping yourself to some cotton wool from a ball on the same tray. It is of course a well known fact that the noise reducing properties of cotton wool rival all synthetic substitues. I took some and felt safer all the same. The landing in Bharatpur was good for Nepal; a little bit of GCSE level physics on the fundamentals of gravity, however, wouldn't go astray.
We were due to be met by a driver from our hotel who would ferry us the 40 minute drive from the airport into Sauraha. After some waiting around an airport official came to say that the hotel had called and asked him to organise a taxi, we waited another 20 minutes or so whilst the staff tried to flag one down.
For the first time in many years , both Claire and I travelled with no food or water, well, it was only a short trip, what could go wrong? We'd both neglected to assume that the hotel would mess up and send the taxi of doom to collect us. About 15 minutes into our trip to the hotel, nicely away from civilisation, the car starts to slow down, and then stops. We hear an "uhh ohh" from our not-so-good-at-english driver. After many telephone calls he says we have to wait an hour for the repair man. He almost burst into tears when we suggested we'd find another taxi (out here, that was not that likely). However, in less than an hour a chap had arrived on a motor bike, changed the timing belt and we were back on the road. It amazes me that back in the UK the same job would have required a car to go into a garage for a day, and require specialist equipment so they could perform the 4-hour job. Out here, it took less than an hour and cost about £8. The guys out here may still be developing, but man, they woop our arses when it comes to being resourceful.
We finally arrive at the hotel somewhat exhausted and ready for a refreshing drink. It is not long till we are sitting by a nearby river eating popcorn and drinking beer. We watch as the sun sets before heading back into town ready for a slap up meal at the best restaurant in town. (there are only two restaurants 'safe' for westerners and we'd planned to go to the other one tomorrow).
I had what was referred to as a 'steak' on the menu and Claire had what was a very nice curry. My 'steak' was an interesting combination of a beef burger with the consistency of steak nicely masked by a peppercorn source enjoyed in subdued lighting. All the same, a very tasty meal, whatever it was. After a few beers, we finally headed for bed ready for our day of adventure tomorrow.......
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