Week 16 (Nepal and India)

10/5

Rose at 7, breakfast and at 8 we were on the road again. Long, long drive, lunch in an small Nepalese town (friendly people as ever), flat tire at 5 PM, 6 PM bush camped (since a long time) in a very moist grasland. No mozzies though. Played some guitar after diner, went to bed at 9 to see a star trek episode. Despite all the heat and moisture inside the tent , i slept well.


10/6

Rose at 5.40, Cereals and coffee, toilet thingy, 6.45 on the road to the border with India. Hopefully see u there.

Crossing the border was a piece of cake. Warm here though. Went to hotel in Siliguri, 3 hours drive in jeeps from Darjeeling (the truck can't get there). Going tomorrow.

Nepal, summarized, is a great country. People are friendly though a bit naive, it feels safe, it's cheap (except for beer) and the Nepalese woman are stunningly beautiful. Had a great time and hope to be back here for a 3rd time one day.


10/7

Rose at 7.30 or so. Waited for 45 minutes for my breaskfast. Then... they ran out of toast and eggs, so.. no breakfast.
The 14 of us (Tim, Ozzie Alli and Greg are already in Darjeeling) went to Darjeeling by jeep. 3,5 hours drive. Great scenery again. Along the highest railway in... the world (?), a high one anyway.
It seemed that the hotel only had rooms with double beds, but in the end, there suddenly were rooms with 2 double beds, so no prob. Unpacked, updated blog and now.. food! And coffee.

Started with an hour nap. Then a long stroll to the bazaar (100's of clothes, herbs and foodshops). Ate some Samimo (? never can remeber that foods name) 's, tried to exchange my last NR (Nepalese rupies) inro Indian rupies, but exchange rate was too bad.

Went back to the hotel (it's a crappy hotel btw, smelly, sticky, well we're not on a luxury tour are we?).

Another long stroll in the opposite direction. To the central square, where a big holiday is being celebrated, ate a little there, drank a kingfisher (local brew) beer, had a great coffee (expensive, but worth it).

Went to bed early, but listened to music untill late.


10/8

Woke up late (almost 9), updated blog. Now, search for a bank to try to exchange my Nepalese money again.

Changed my money at a decent exchange rate, coffee, found wifi breakfastplace, waiting for a table there now.
Takes like forever and conecting to the internet seems impossible. Im out of here.

Well, i did manage to get a internetcafe PC, so did all my stuff there and had a very british breakfast (eggs, bacon and sausages) afterwards. Long strolls through the city, attended the holiday activities (local dances and music), had a great meal, listened to music and finalize the day with Dennis at Joe's Pub over a Kingfisher beer.
A double episode of star trek made the day complete. Slept well untill 7.30.


10/9

Rose at 7.30, breakfast in the hotel, BBC world news, and at 9 in 2 jeeps back to Siligury... we thought. A terrible accident had happened that same morning. A 14 yo schoolkid died in a car accident on the road where we had to go on. The driver fled away, afraid for his life. So, the school protested (for a good reason obviously) and blocked the road. The waiting lasted untill 16.00h and at 17.30 we finally arrived in the same hotel again) in Siligury. Jill was there already.
Drying tent, little laundry, shower and now... food! Laterz.

Food was very nice, Shaz's company too. Got my self a beer next door, talked with Jean on the 2nd floor, star trek, good sleep.


10/10

Rose at 6.30, waiting for breakfast now. Don't know where we will go now... Laterz.

Long, long truck drive to Manas national park. Found a good, but warm hotel, after dark (sunset = 5.45 though). Just took a shower. Waiting for diner to be served between 8.30 and 9 PM. Ahem.

Evening was great: almost all of us in the lobby of this old colonial hotel in the "jungle", sipping beers, having good conversations, lots of laughter, nice diner, and another beer. Star trek and sleep now. Laterz...


10/11

Did not manage to finsh star trek episode. Fell asleep and woke up at 7.30 or so. Breakfast and now a free morning, coz the jeep safari only starts at 14.00 h. So, ... laterz...

Did a Sudoku, played guitar, made some pictures, read a book, to go short: a lovely relaxing morning.

Jeep safari started at 14.30 or so. Nice ride, but a bit disappointing when it comes to seeing animals. I had hoped for a tiger, but that was too much. After all there are only 22 left in this National Park. Did see some buffalo's and elephants thow. One with young, that seemed quit agressive (making noises that is). Back at 6.15

Saw a centipeed (miljoenpoot?) at the doorstep of the hotel. Showered, updated blog, killed some huge bugs. Waiting diner now. Shall i get myself a beer? I think... Yes! Laterz...
Evening wasd good again. Allison told me the story about her son, who passed away, due to a huge tumor. Showed pictures. It really got to me and i couldn't withhold a little tear. Poor guy, poor Alli, and what a fight they had. And how brave they were.

Two strong Kingfishers made me sleep really well.