We are putting the lists of what we certainly need and shouldn't forget.Each day an item seems to be added. I wish to travel light and hope that my bag will not be stuffed too much
Attached is the trip profile and some pictures of the hotels where we will be staying.
Today we had a restday as far as biking was concerned, but we had a very busy agenda. In the morning we set out for a canoe trip to see if we could see the crocodiles. Our boat was a bit delayed and whilst waiting we were having the company of a busload of Nepalese teenagers. No need to say that they were very noisy and busy with all kinds of devises starting with an I , there were using their iphone, ipads, ipods etc.... not only to take pictures but to play music as loud as possible as well. The canoe was carved in 1 piece our of a trunc and we had to go in one by one and take a chair, sit down and then the next person could come in and have a seat. We started on the river and not long after we saw the first crocodile sunning on the river bank. We saw quite a few of these animals as well as a beautiful stork and several peacocks and enjoyed the trip thanks to our very able "skipper" and the guide who pointed out the different birds and other animals. After the canoe trip we continued our journey on foot walking through the jungle, hoping to see some rhino. And we were very lucky to see one of these imoressive animals. It was eating grass on the opposite riverbank of where we were looking and it took a bath as well. It was great fun to look at. Then a bunch of noisy singing youngsters arrived, but then our guide told them to be quiet so that the rhino wouldn't flee. We all took loads of pictures except for Lizy who was really pissed as her battery ran out. After lunch some if us decided to have a bike to the village to the shops. Martin wanted to go to the barber, Lizy needed shower cream and MC needed to buy some cigarettes for Danielle. Ana and Kahro came along as well. We purchased all what we needed at the local shops and took some pictures of Martin as they started to trim his beard at the local barber shop.
The on the afternoon agenda there was an elephant ride programmed. We had to sit with 4 people on the back of the elephant in a kind of basket which made it very snug. MC got in first, then myself, then Lizy and Danielle had to squeeze herself in as last. We took off and the ride took us for 1h30 trough the woods and forestland. We saw loads of deer and peacocks and the other elephants carrying tourists, but no rhinos nor any tigers. We were shown their footprints by our elephant driver but we had no encounters. At one time Lizy dropped her sunglasses and the ekephant that was following us with Veerle, Dominic, Anna and Kahro, picked it up and gave it to his driver and Lizy got it back in one piece. It was quite and experience and we bought bananas fir the elephants. The ate them without peeling and it was also quite funny to watch how the tip that we gave fir tbe driver, was taken by the elephant in its trump and then given to its driver.
We all enjoyed our day of rest at the Green Mansions lodge.
