Friday, March 11, 2011

Jeep Safari, Nepal

Jeep Safari

Nepal Adventure in Royal Chitwan National Park,  it is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the major tourist attractions in Nepal.

After lunch and the sun was up, one o'clock pick-up time for jeep safari. We were advised to wear neutral colored clothing so not to annoy animals and  not to attract unfriendly ones. 
Here single horned rhino seen while waiting for the canoe that will take us to the oppoiste side of the river for jeep safari. 



Facing the river

Sitting by the river enjoying the scenery, some are waiting for the canoe that will transport them to the other side of the river for Jeep Safari.

Canoes

People were drop off by the river bank after the safari

This canoe will take people back to Sauhara river bank after safari



Tall grasses at the entry to the jungle.  Below was the grass area has just been burnt.  The burning kills the unwanted grass which outgrows the food-grass for the animals' habitat. 

The government then open the area for villagers to collect sticks for building and repairing their houses. See Tharu houses.



Sal Tree Forest Area
Sal Tree in Chitwan is a valued hardwood, which is used for building and woodcarving. It is known for its strength and durability.



Strangled tree

This was the only kind of tree that bears fruit I have seen as we get into the jungle.  Fruits were like guava and unripe greenish tomato.  It has been said that this can cure diarrhea. 


Practice sensitivity of eyesight and hearing here.  Someone has to have a good vision to spot animals in the forest.
Birds and Nest


Sitting pretty fella


Darter Bird


Wild ducks


What is this?


King Fisher


Sloth bear


Marsh Mugger Crocodile


Dancing (male) Peacock
Plumage beautifully spread and he is turning around slowly.  Amazing!
I was not able to capture photos of the other seen animals as they run fast and hid into the bushes.

In Chitwan, there are two species of crocodiles the Marsh mugger and Gharial crocodiles.
The Crocodile Breeding Centre in the forest conserving the gharial crocodiles. An entry of Rs100.

Wild Marsh Mugger

The breeding of the Gharial Crocodiles - have long and slender snouts.





Took us around 5 hours exploring the jungle.


Tuesday, March 08, 2011

International Mountain Museum, Nepal



International Mountain Museum
It is located in Pokhara, Nepal. This exhibit culture, the mountain, and the Mountaineers.
There's an admission fee of Rs300.


An aircraft just took off from Pokhara Airport near International Mountain Museum


Wall Climbing

Dedicated to Mountaineers who lost their lives















Paragliding In Pokhara, Nepal

Paragliding
Nepal Adventure

Sarangkot, Pokhara

I'm flying!  I'm flying!
Paragliding - first ever in my life!
It is sickening fun!


It's a tandem flight with the professional pilots from Blue Sky Paragliding office located at Khahare -6, Lakeside, Pokhara.
About 25mins drive to Sarangkot, then few walk up to the hill.

Hiking Sarangkot Hill




Preparations
 



We had three rejected take-off because of the wind and each tries my chest was beating dub-dub-dub, the hillside is just a step away (dub-dub-dub).

Once my feet lifted from the ground, up and away the drumbeating from my chest just vanished  I am flying!!! I am flying!!! Overlooking the icy mountain range, the Fewa Lake, roofs, the greenery, feels cloud 9.

Flying at 1800 altitude.

I now understood the feeling of hyperventilated sickness. I felt a sudden headache, stomach pain, weakness, hands, and feet coldness and tingling, though it's cold I feel sweating from my forehead, barfing felt like more air in my stomach.  Felt like a melting candle.

I requested the pilot to get lower a bit, I was feeling like a battery losing its energy.  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.   

I felt better and played again with the wind as we get lowered. 








Fewa Lake
                              



Overlooking Himalayas

 




The Landing


The Ground
It took some time to recover from the air sickness.  Just surrendered our back to stable and flat land.
Certainly,  will definitely do it again!!!