Chitwan(Sauraha) Diaries
5 October, 2014
Dashain was around the corner. Me and dolls planned for a short vacation to Sauraha post dashain tika. We finished all the tika in all relatives place in two days and finally two days after dashain tika it was possible. We Woke up at 6 and went to Jamal where we had our bus reservation to Sauraha. We had opted for a holiday package that arranged everything. The bus left at 7 am. We reached at around 2 pm in Baghmara Wildlife Resort. My stomach was growling of hunger. We took a cottage room right next to the swimming pool. We freshened up and ate quickly and rested for a while. The hotel staff came to tell us to be ready by 5 to go for a tour around tharu village. There was a group of 4 guys who shared the same package like us. They were studying fine arts and had interest in photography, sculpturing, paintings etc. hence, we had a good company. We went around tharu village. It was nothing much to see for people like us grown up in developing countries.
After tharu village we walked up till our hotel and went to the swimming pool. It was hot hence the pool was a boon. The hotel staff again asked us to get ready for tharu cultural dance. So we got ready and left in the lodge van. We reached the tharu cultural dance auditorium filled with swarming people. Tharu dance was nice but it was overcrowded. I came out and roamed around the market. It was an exciting place and fully resembled the pokhara lakeside with similar souvenir shops and articles for tourists. I bought two tees one for me and dolls displaying the spirit of the place and two hats to save our skin for the next day. We came back to our hotel had buffet dinner which was nice indeed with many choices. We then again went to the pool and was quite fun.
6 October, 2014
Woke up early at 5 as i couldn't sleep with excitement, the place was indeed beautiful. Clicked some pictures.
After a hearty breakfast, we headed for elephant ride in the resort's bus (there were indian guests today who filled the bus). We opted for the roof as we thought it exciting to go for some craziness. It was a bumpy ride for the next 20 minutes and it was quite fun.
We reached the elephant riding spot. I was a bit taken back after seeing the long lines pf people waiting for their turn to get on the elephant. We had to wait for almost half an hour when we clicked some pictures and the guys started playing football.
Finally our turn came and our guide booked two elephants for us. we were 6 and we sat 3 in each (usually an elephant carries 4 people and a rider). The ride started, we shouted and were amused. We crossed the river and reached entered the jungle. It was dense indeed but no luck for seeing any rhinos leave alone tigers. I guess most of the wild animals flocked away due to the many elephant rides in the jungle. Luckily we managed to see some deer, wild hogs, wild hen...lol! I felt pity for the elephant as it was beaten time and again by the rider for taming. The rider talked all the way starting from how the elephants are imported from india and each cost around 50 lakhs to how some elephants are drugged to keep them under control. The ride was for around half an hour and later i remembered that i wanted an elephant bath and that i missed it. after the ride we had to wait for another 30 minutes for the bus as it had gone to pick some guests. We brought a small mini hookah from a vendor who sold souvenir items like wooden and marble elephants and rhinos.
After reaching the hotel we had lunch and rested for some time. At around 2 pm the guide came to call us for the canoe ride. The canoe ride was the most thrilling experience of all. It was a long elongated boat that accomodated 10-12 people in small wooden seats. I was excited to see alligators and crocs freely floating in the river. After 30 minutes of ride we dropped on the other side from where our jungle walk started. I was wearing a pink tee which i brought the other day from the sauraha market. The guide warned me for my colored clothes that may attract animals. This freaked me out and i was scared throughout the walk. We walked along the dense jungle and scared away a group of deer. We saw wild pigs, a peacock and footprints of many wild animals. After around 1 hour walk in the jungle we came out and walked up to the elephant breeding centre. I loved that place and i could sit there for whole day looking after the cute baby elephants whose size was that of a 12 year old human being.
We reached our resort tired from the funfilled day. yet the day wasnt over. the guys arranged another round to the market in the resort's van in the evening. We went to an art gallery with beautiful paintings. the guys had a thing for paintings whereas i and dolls had no idea whats the value and what kind of work is that. After making some rounds, ur guide took us to a secluded area in the end of the market on the top of the river bank. It was a magical spot indeed with view of people partying and lights on one side and the huge vast dark silent forest next to the river on the other side. The view was incredible from the height, that kind of partitioned the jungle. we sat there for some time seizing the moment. The idea that there may be alligators and crocs below the point where we were seated on the river banks actually freaked me out. We then went back to the hotel and again hit the swimming pool as it was hot.
7 october, 2014
We woke up late as it was the final day of our package. We slowly marched to the restaurant of the resort for some tea and breakfast. We had to leave at around 10. We spend the time clicking pictures and saving good memories around the place.
We had planned to visit our relatives place in chitwan and that we will return kathmandu the next day. So at first we went to his relatives place (doll's grandmom's sister's house) where we had lunch then to gaindakot (my mom's big sister's place) via uncle's bike which was around 40 minutes ride from sauraha. I was immediately in love with the place. My mom's sister and her husband lived alone in a small house that resembled a farm house with a buffalo, some pigs, hens, ducks and a dog. The garden had almost all kind of trees and veggies. It was indeed lovely.
8 October, 2014
We woke up early as we had planned to go narayani river which was around 1 km walk from the house. It was a beautiful morning where we walked amidst the green fields and a small village. Thulobuwa brought two bicycles one for him and on for us. We cycled the way but i felt like walking after some time. The river was majestic and big. Dolls started throwing stones in the river. I felt fresh like never before. I can feel the air, the water flowing, the beauty of the surrounding. It was heaven for sure.