Nepal Day 11

This morning we awoke to thick mist and a heavy dew, but this soon cleared as the sun roseand burnt off the moisture. We headed by jeep and small truck out to the river some 10 minutes away. Upon arrival we waited for a short time for the canoes. These were local hollowed out tree trunks and were flat bottomed, so not that stable. Each canoe took 8, plus a guide and then we were off floating with the current down stream.

The bird life was prolific. There were dozens of Martins, which were burrowing in the soft river banks and several kingfishers, (Common, Stork -Billed, White Throated) Black Hooded Oriole, Indian Pond Heron and loads of Wagtails. We also saw several crocodiles and small monkeys.

All too soon the trip was over and we got off to have a short walk to the elephant breeding centre. We got there just in time to see the elephants making their way out into the jungle for the day, including twin calves - a rare event in elephant terms.

From there we had to cross back over the river by another canoe to pick up the transport back to the lodge for lunch. When we got back we were lucky to see four Oriental Pied Hornbills feeding on the fruiting trees in the garden.

After lunch we had a stroll into the local village to do some more shopping! We had a lovely encounter with a local shop owning family. A mother and very young child were sitting outside their shop. The child, aged around 1year, was sitting in the middle of the table and waving and smiling at us. I took a few pictures and then offered to pring one out for the mother to keep. I did this with a mini printer and one minute later the mother had her picture and was clearlt thrilled. As I packed up, the old lady of the house came out and asked for her picture to be done. She smoothed back her hair and posed regally and then after the picture was produced examined it with great interest, giving me the thumbs up sign!

Our afternoon period was taken up with an elephant ride into the forest. Riding elephants must be the most uncomfortable means of transport - after camels - known to man. With four passengers each we headed off.

We were lucky that in a short time we found a mother and calf One Horned Indian Rhino, feeding. We stayed a short time and then headed off again, swaying and lurching as we went. We saw a few deer, Barking and Spotted, and a few more birds, before returning to the loading platform for the unceromonious off-loading!

Following a late coffee we enjoyed a slide show given by Fule, on the local forna. It was nearing the end of this, that I discovered I had collected a leech on my travels which was making a bloody mess of my ankle, sock and boot! A quick removal and dispatching and then it was time for dinner!!!

Tomorrow we have a little time for an early morning bird watching, prior to returning to Kathmandu.