The walk from our hotel was rather special. It didn't take long but we watched little children whom I thought were about three (probably just small for their age) begin the climb up the hill to the primary school. A bit further along girls from the local secondary school walked with us. Emerging from little homes shared with many others they were kitted out in white blouses and dark blue trou that looked so pristine it would have put many office workers to shame. On their backs were bags with Mickey Mouse and they chatted happily in English. On the swing bridge we let three people passcarrying heavy slabs of concrete on their back held by a strap around their forehead. Its humbling to think that this brick was going to the court yard by our hotel swimming pool. Labour comes easy in this part of the world and I felt humbled to think that I had enjoyed an evening in a place built with such effort. On the bus once again.
It took till 2 o'clock with only one toilet stop to travel 72 kilometers. A good part of the road is being widened to two lanes. No quake damage just improvements. Yeah right! I imagined the Nepalese locals saying. Dust galore. I can see why when we later walked alongside the river the sand is finer than chalk dust. Most of the trip reminded me of travelling the Manawatu Gorge, it was a long way down and nothing to stop us going over. One lane turned into three with oncoming traffic and motor bikes and the occasional car trying to pass as well. No wonder a truck flew over the side last night with the driver still not found. Anyway enough of that as we have to return the same way in two days time and we will be on the river side!!
As we approached the valley the scenery changed. Fields of bright yellow mustard and pink flowering buck wheat intermingled with haystacks and brightly painted villages. Three road closures didn't seem to phase our driver. On seeing the tree trunk laid carefully across the road he stuck his head out the window and asked a local for directions. Thankfully it seemed the roads followed a grid pattern but some of the roads could have been mistaken for a four wheel drive track.
On finding the Bawahi jungle lodge I was transported back in time and would not have been surprised to see Fred and Wilma Flintstone greet us at the door. We are staying in little bures similar from the outside to those in a Pacific island resort but inside is something very unique and hard to describe. Stone flooring, heavy wooden furniture, pottery rhinos, birds and turtles. A lovely peaceful deck overlooking the river (apparently with resident crocodiles). After getting over our WOW bedroom we sat down to an amazing meal which included green papaya salad, vege kebabs and coconut cake.
Short break and off to a little walk around a village. Thatched roofs topped walls made from elephant grass (looks like thin bamboo), cow dung and clay. The village came out to meet us and loved having their photos taken. Goats, chickens and water buffalo mingled around the outskirts. Washing hung on the thatch to dry, spices were being mixed and babies hugged. A short distance away we stopped by the river for the sunset. An amazing day finished off by a great vegetarian meal. Tomorrow is a boat ride to see crocs and bird life and after lunch we are going on safari. Off to bed.
It took till 2 o'clock with only one toilet stop to travel 72 kilometers. A good part of the road is being widened to two lanes. No quake damage just improvements. Yeah right! I imagined the Nepalese locals saying. Dust galore. I can see why when we later walked alongside the river the sand is finer than chalk dust. Most of the trip reminded me of travelling the Manawatu Gorge, it was a long way down and nothing to stop us going over. One lane turned into three with oncoming traffic and motor bikes and the occasional car trying to pass as well. No wonder a truck flew over the side last night with the driver still not found. Anyway enough of that as we have to return the same way in two days time and we will be on the river side!!
As we approached the valley the scenery changed. Fields of bright yellow mustard and pink flowering buck wheat intermingled with haystacks and brightly painted villages. Three road closures didn't seem to phase our driver. On seeing the tree trunk laid carefully across the road he stuck his head out the window and asked a local for directions. Thankfully it seemed the roads followed a grid pattern but some of the roads could have been mistaken for a four wheel drive track.
On finding the Bawahi jungle lodge I was transported back in time and would not have been surprised to see Fred and Wilma Flintstone greet us at the door. We are staying in little bures similar from the outside to those in a Pacific island resort but inside is something very unique and hard to describe. Stone flooring, heavy wooden furniture, pottery rhinos, birds and turtles. A lovely peaceful deck overlooking the river (apparently with resident crocodiles). After getting over our WOW bedroom we sat down to an amazing meal which included green papaya salad, vege kebabs and coconut cake.
Short break and off to a little walk around a village. Thatched roofs topped walls made from elephant grass (looks like thin bamboo), cow dung and clay. The village came out to meet us and loved having their photos taken. Goats, chickens and water buffalo mingled around the outskirts. Washing hung on the thatch to dry, spices were being mixed and babies hugged. A short distance away we stopped by the river for the sunset. An amazing day finished off by a great vegetarian meal. Tomorrow is a boat ride to see crocs and bird life and after lunch we are going on safari. Off to bed.
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