Royal Chitwan National Park

  So our ordeal with the Indian visa application wasn't over, as we found out on a Friday when we went to the embassy to complete the second part of the process. When we were trekking, they changed their procedure and visas were now issued on the following day. Since that was Monday for us, we had an unplanned weekend in Kathmandu. We took the time to simply sleep our butts off. On Monday, with huge relief, we picked up our passports, with the correct visa information.

  Tired of the hustle in Kathmandu, we took off for Suaraha, a village literally across the street from the Royal Chitwan National Park. A jungle. We found a simple room but with an ideal veranda. Most importantly, it was finally warm and quiet. With some trepidation, we took a wobbly canoe down the Rapt River, and then a guided walk through the jungle back, in search of some animals. And man, did it pay off. The first time we saw a rhino, I was ready to run. Known for their irritability, they were some of the more dangerous animals in the jungle. Imagine a huge car coming at you at 40 mph. What are your first instincts? But we stayed, and the experience was great. Something out of Jurassic Park. We also saw some crocodiles, monkeys, all types of birds and deer, even a tiger paw print.

Doesn't look real, does it?

Public transportation #2

Some R&R

Our hotel

Canoe ride

  The next day, we went on an elephant safari. Four to an elephant, we teamed up with some Germans and set off. The great thing was that since we were on top of the elephants, other animals were not afraid and allowed us to come up pretty close for some amazing views.

Gentle giants? Not always

That's what he gets for bothering an elephant

  After 3 days in Suaraha, we left on the 30^th for India, since our Nepali visas were expiring. But that is a story in itself.

Looong day.  Waiting for our first Indian rail experience.