Back From Nepal

[Sjakihata]

Namaste guys!

I am back from Nepal - and what a trip!

For 2 weeks I walked in the Himalayas, Annapurna mountain range. Then to Pokhara to rest, then to Tatopani - hot springs.
Then back to Pokhara - where I was when the Royal Coup happened.

After that I split up with Callum and went to the Jungle with some other people I met. There was beautiful in Chitwan national park - rhinos and crocodiles were everywhere.

I am so glad I did the trip and I will be back - for shure.

[zelda12]

Sounds Magnificent, I envy you. Can't wait for my gap year.

[Big_John]

got any pics to post? did you try the yak-butter tea?

[Beirut]

Did you get to smoke any of that famous Nepalese hash? :smoking:

[Sjakihata]

I might get some pics later, but my camera is analog - not digital

same-time-post : added

yea, I smoled some charas which was the best quality by far. All black and mellow like clay and the smoke was almost blueish

my head went :dizzy2:

[Somebody Else]

Nice to have you back.

[Ser Clegane]

Welcome back, Sjakihata!

I am sure you had a great time you will never forget.

Make sure you cna some pics and post them here - I am also curious to hear about some stories - how were the people there? Did you get to know some locals?

A colleague of mine is thinking about a trip to Nepal - any dos and don't dos you would recommend?

[Devastatin Dave]

Incredible!!! Please... Stories and Pics!!! Stories and pics!!! :bow:

[BDC]

Wasn't there a royal coup or something there recently?

[Papewaio]

^
Then back to Pokhara - where I was when the Royal Coup happened

And he was there at the time.

My Sjakihata-san :bow: you have had quite an adventure!

I would definitly like to hear more of what you have done... scan the pics, make a diary... whatever! It sounds very cool!

[Sjakihata]

Yeah, there was a royal coup indeed.

As it is right now, and probably the next three years, I would not recommend anyone to go there (this is on the record) as I could almost every night hear bombs go off and the occasional machine gun fire. I could not live with the fact that I recommended the place and a tourist died there.

Let me put it this way, actually. Nepal the country - mountains, rivers, jungle and animals are the same and true - however, the people are changing. But if your friend/collegue can take care of himself, it is not as dangerous as it sounds in the media. Especially south nepal and chitwan national park is a good place.


One day we went 'elephant trekking' means that you wander around in the jungle (chitwan national park) on the top of an elephant. There were several reasons why I liked that idea.

1. to be safe from the rhinoes, crocodiles (muggermash & cordial), sloth bears and bebegal tigers and a various snakes (cobras, king cobras and pythons being the most dangerous of them) - all these creatures are living in chitwan. This huge park has no fence and tigers ocasionally go to a village and take peasant for breaky.

2. I thought it would help me understand RTW better. Of course, it is fearsome when the elephants charge my army, but I was never really afraid. After actually riding one, and these are indian elephants smaller than african, now I get REALLY scared when an armoured one come toward my army.


Anyway, on the trek with the elephant we saw all the animals there, except tigers and bears. And did I mention how many different kinds of birds were there, king fishers were almost common and eagles were like pidgeons.

We came wandering on the elie, and we saw a lush place with a little creek. We decided to try to head there, and after we passed a couple of bushes, we see this rhino mother and her baby taking sun near the cree. We came within 5 meters on the elephant before the mother bothered to get up.

After the trek we went elephant bathing, which was very fun. To swim in a river with an elephant is amazing. I was on top of it at some point, and in the river it decided to stand up (I was standing on the back of it as well) I managed not to fall - and all of a sudden this huge creature fills its trompet and sprays me and itself full of water. Then I decided to clean my self and jumped into the water. Also it is safe, cos no croc would come near. And there were crocs in that river - because 3 days later we were swimming in the river again and just 15m away on the other bank we spotted a croc... only 6 feet, so it wouldnt attack, but what else was down there, only shiva knows.


I got to know quite a few locals, since instead of visiting every place for only 2-3 days, I decided to select a few places only and stay at least for 10 days every place and more as well.

Actually, this elephant driver and I were on a quite similar level - and the same night he invited us home for dinner (this happened occasionally when they find out you are not the normal tourist staying for only 2-3 days, and for hindus it is an honour to invite you home to dine).

We ate Dal Bhat. Dal means lentil soup and bhat means rice... It is served as a set with veg curry, chapati, papadam, curd, pickle and meat of you want (chicken, buff or yak). It is actually the same as indian thali.


Also we watched a football match an indian team vs a nepalese one, Nepal won ~D

Clegane, talk to your collegue and get some questions I'd happily answer them or give him my mail. Anyway, be sure to tell him that if he goes he should when buying things A L W A Y S bargain and barter untill half the price is reached. Not that the full price is expensive, but to barter with them is quite fun - some times a deal can go on for days ~;)

[Sjakihata]

^

And he was there at the time.

My Sjakihata-san :bow: you have had quite an adventure!

I would definitly like to hear more of what you have done... scan the pics, make a diary... whatever! It sounds very cool!

I havent seen my pics yet, since I landed in denmark friday and now weekend so the photoshop is closed, but tomorrow, tomorrow I shall see. I think it is possibly to get them on a cd, which is way easier for me - since I dont have a scanner. And I did sort wrote a journal I can try to scan it if you want me to - but I guess you'd have to take danish lessons. Actually - if I get the time soon (which I probably do) I can write a quick summary of it in english - which gives you a chance to hear of nepal from the perspective of an org'er.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Great reading, thanks for posting this. :bow:

[Hosakawa Tito]

Let one of the Tavern Mods know so we can stickie your pics & journal about your adventure.

[JAG]

Welcome back and it sounds like you really did have an adventure.

[Mouzafphaerre]

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Welcome back! http://www.thelib.com/gallery/albums/userpics/ave1.png
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[Ser Clegane]

Thanks a lot for the detailed response, Sjakihata - I will pass the information on to my colleague :bow:

I might indeed follow up with some additional questions ~:)

[Shahed]

Welcome Back !!!

[Orda Khan]

Yes indeed, Welcome back Sjakihata, you lucky, lucky person and I second all the other guys. More stories and pics please, it sounds fascinating

.....Orda

[Sjakihata]

ok, good news. Pictures are coming tomorrow, stand by ~:cheers: