01/12/205 – The Long and Winding (and Rocky and Dusty and Bumpy) Road
We were able to eat breakfast at the hotel before our driver came and picked us up for the 5 hour drive to Chitwan National Park. He knew a shortcut, he said. Up and over a mountain whose road had been washed away with the last monsoon. Okay, we thought, it might be worth the bumping and jostling of using this shortcut without asphalt if it gets us to Chitwan earlier. After an hour of the shortcut, we made it back to the “highway”. Dave is pretty sure that there is not a one mile stretch of the entire trip that was not under construction. To show you how bumpy the road was, Kathy got 5000 steps and 20 “heart points” on her phone – and she was seated the entire way!
We made it almost all the way to the Lodge where we will be spending the next two nights, when the driver pulled over. Something was wrong with the car. I guess 5 sraight hours of speed bumps can do that to an automobile! Fortunately, we think we heard that it was the belt for the AC compressor. The driver said he would get it fixed after he dropped us off. We had the rest of the day “at leisure” on our schedule, so that worked for us. We were looking forward to some leisure after several early mornings and the blender of a ride this morning. We made it to the resort in time for lunch. But then there was a scheduled walk with the lodge guide, then there was a scheduled trip into town to watch a local show featuring indigenous dancing, then it was dinner in the “Dinning Room” at the lodge at 8 pm. So much for “leisure.” At least Dave made a friend at the local show. He had a toddler who was seated in front of him in stitches for most of the show. The little Nepali boy would offer Dave a piece of his candy, and then yank it away when Dave reached out for it. They sure do teach them young in Nepal!
We are finally full from our dinner and in our room. We will soon be serenaded by Mr. Sandman, although Dave may occasionally check his phone for the score of the Bills playoff game, which starts at 11:45 pm local time.😟 Tomorrow we will be hiking and canoeing to look for big game here in Chitwan.