Thursday, 30th August 2012. Fifth Day of the Third Leg of Our Trip - Chitwan Gardens
We had arrangement to go for an Elephant Safari. Our lodge was very close to the booking center. After breakfast we walked down to the center. Elephant safari is also a memorable event. Four of us were on one elephant. As soon as we entered into the jungle we had the luck to see a few rhinos in a pond or pool of water. They were not even ten feet away from us. We were confident that they are not going to charge on us as we were on top of the elephant. I never even imagined I can ever in my life be so close to wild animals in open jungle with no covers or shields. Chitwan is popular for Bengal Tigers. Bengal Tigers are now considered as an endangered species. We did not have the chance to see any Bengal Tigers during our trip. And Chitwan is the only place you can see Bengal Tigers. It seems they must be further inside the forest. We had the luck to see some very long tailed monkeys, leopards, bison or wild buffaloes, etc. It was definitely a fun filled two hours safari. If you get a chance do not miss it.
After the safari we came back to our lodge for lunch. This was the birthday of Badri. There was a surprise party with a cake cutting for him. Thanks to the restaurant for making all the arrangements and keeping it as a surprise. It was definitely fabulous to have such a party in the valleys of Himalaya.
After lunch we visited the Elephant Breeding Center in Chitwan National Park. From our lodge it was a good walk of over half an hour and then to have canoe ride in Chitwan Lake. This canoe ride was like a water safari. We had seen many water snakes and crocodiles. We were told that crocodiles used to steal sheep and claves from the neighborhood and also could be dangerous to the riders.
After the ride with a brief walk of about fifteen minutes or so we were at Elephant Breeding Center in Chitwan National Park. This is one of the only two Elephant breeding centers in the world. We were lucky to see twin calves. The center is very informative, educational and extremely interesting. We also visited quite a few elephant sheds. So many elephants in one place as a family with calves that too including a twin was definitely a varied experience. Though there were many visitors you may never feel crowded due to the vastness of the area.
We also had scheduled for a visit to the local village at Chitwan. I personally had a very nostalgic feeling about the area. While I was through the ridges of the paddy field to a small local temple in the middle of the field I was really taken back to late 1950’s as if I was going to Khandakharnan Kavu in my place in Kerala. The paddy fields, the coconut trees, mango trees, tamarind trees, etc. all looked exactly like those of my own village about fifty or sixty year ago. I felt it would definitely have been a terrible loss had I not visited this village. Visiting local village was also in our tour package.
We had arrangement to go for an Elephant Safari. Our lodge was very close to the booking center. After breakfast we walked down to the center. Elephant safari is also a memorable event. Four of us were on one elephant. As soon as we entered into the jungle we had the luck to see a few rhinos in a pond or pool of water. They were not even ten feet away from us. We were confident that they are not going to charge on us as we were on top of the elephant. I never even imagined I can ever in my life be so close to wild animals in open jungle with no covers or shields. Chitwan is popular for Bengal Tigers. Bengal Tigers are now considered as an endangered species. We did not have the chance to see any Bengal Tigers during our trip. And Chitwan is the only place you can see Bengal Tigers. It seems they must be further inside the forest. We had the luck to see some very long tailed monkeys, leopards, bison or wild buffaloes, etc. It was definitely a fun filled two hours safari. If you get a chance do not miss it.
After the safari we came back to our lodge for lunch. This was the birthday of Badri. There was a surprise party with a cake cutting for him. Thanks to the restaurant for making all the arrangements and keeping it as a surprise. It was definitely fabulous to have such a party in the valleys of Himalaya.
After lunch we visited the Elephant Breeding Center in Chitwan National Park. From our lodge it was a good walk of over half an hour and then to have canoe ride in Chitwan Lake. This canoe ride was like a water safari. We had seen many water snakes and crocodiles. We were told that crocodiles used to steal sheep and claves from the neighborhood and also could be dangerous to the riders.
After the ride with a brief walk of about fifteen minutes or so we were at Elephant Breeding Center in Chitwan National Park. This is one of the only two Elephant breeding centers in the world. We were lucky to see twin calves. The center is very informative, educational and extremely interesting. We also visited quite a few elephant sheds. So many elephants in one place as a family with calves that too including a twin was definitely a varied experience. Though there were many visitors you may never feel crowded due to the vastness of the area.
We also had scheduled for a visit to the local village at Chitwan. I personally had a very nostalgic feeling about the area. While I was through the ridges of the paddy field to a small local temple in the middle of the field I was really taken back to late 1950’s as if I was going to Khandakharnan Kavu in my place in Kerala. The paddy fields, the coconut trees, mango trees, tamarind trees, etc. all looked exactly like those of my own village about fifty or sixty year ago. I felt it would definitely have been a terrible loss had I not visited this village. Visiting local village was also in our tour package.
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| We are at Chitwan National Park |
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| A Folk Dance/Drama We Attended on August 29th Night (1) |
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| A Folk Dance/Drama We Attended on August 29th Night (2) |
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| Local Drama/Dance Troupe in action -This is not just an entertainment attraction for the tourists but also an acceptable way to maintain the customs and traditions as most in action are youngsters - Concluding Episode - see audience participation - at Chitwan |
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| We are getting ready for an Elephant Safari in Chitwan Forest (1) |
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| We are on elephant safari - These Rhinos are not even ten feet away from us - at Chitwan National Park (1) |
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| We are on elephant safari - These Rhinos are not even ten feet away from us - at Chitwan National Park (2) |
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| We are on elephant safari - four of us on one elephant - at Chitwan National Park |
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| We are on elephant safari - have look at elephant track - at Chitwan National Park |
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| We are on elephant safari - We completed our safari - at Chitwan National Park |
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| Tourist information center at Chitwan |
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| A decent restaurant in Chitwan |
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| We did not miss to celebrate the birthday of Badri |
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| We even cut a cake to celebrate Badri's Birthday |
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| We are now on a Boat Safari in Chitwan Lake (1) |
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| We are now on a Boat Safari in Chitwan Lake (2) |
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| Paxa posing for a picture |
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| Kamini and Dhani |
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| See the twin baby elephants (twins) - at Chitwan (1) |
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| See the twin baby elephants (twins) - We were lucky to see two twin pairs at Chitwan |
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| Our group is waiting for the boat after our visit to Elephant Mating Center at Chitwan |
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| A local village temple in the middle of paddy fields in Chitwan |
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| A nightly view of Chitwan |
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| See the Full Moon |
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