Safari Breakfast and Leeches

An early start today but no complaints since it means Breakfast in the Jungle via the Safari ride in Chitwan National Park.

 

Chitwan National Park is a rich natural area in the Terai, the subtropical southern part of Nepal. A total of 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. 

The park is especially renowned for its protection of 

One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile.

 

We have already seen Rhino (though will be happy to see more) but I know everyone is crossing fingers to spot the elusive Bengal Tiger.  

Spoiler Alert: We don’t BUT we do see its rather fresh paw prints.

 

 

We load into a couple of boats and make the short, but crocodile-filled trek across the Rapti River to the edge of Chitwan National Park.

 

Then we pile into two separate open jeeps.  The adventure begins. We are now in the park.

 

Morning mist adds the perfect effect to start us.

 

Early on we spot birds as we traverse the grasslands and 

head into the forested section.

 

It doesn’t take long for the naturalist to point out Spotted Deer in the woods.

 

 

We also see monkeys but once again they are too far to get a decent shot. (I think they are Macaques.)

We continue to ride with all eyes peeled for any signs of wilfdlife.

 

Not too much later we happen on a rhino and her baby (calf).  So cool!  We never get a really clear view but it’s good enough.  We sit and watch for quite some time.  

 

Mama on left and calf on right.

See the crow???

We get a kick out of watching the crow perch on the back of the rhino.  The Naturalist tells us they have a symbiotic relationship.  The crow prances around happily.  Clearly, it feels at home.

 

Back out to the grasslands and we see  a herd of Spotted Deer.

Along the way the morning dew makes for fun viewing of spider webs - lace-adorned grasses.

Pretty flowers, trees and grasses, and all kinds of greenery.

 

The dew looks so pretty here.

 

It’s time for breakfast.

 

 

I wasn’t expecting a French press. Were you???

The guides promptly pop out of the jeeps and prepare an amazing breakfast spread. (Too bad I just can’t eat in the morning.  I have missed out on some nice breakfasts but everyone else sure enjoys!)

 

Vicky and I are just chatting about how once again we did not expect this elegant of a breakfast and all of a sudden she says calmly, "Don’t move.  I want to get this off of you."

Vicky, thank you for rescuing me from the bloodsucker!

I could tell whatever “it” was, was not pleasant but her demeanor helped me remain calm. It was something she could not just flick off and it took her a moment to free it from my fleece.

 

That’s because it was a leech.  Ack!

 

(Later on in the day several of our group discovered leeches on themselves, and  later the lodge gave them a certificate for donating blood.  LOL. Ok maybe not funny at the time but still cute.)

 

A pleasant ride back to the lodge and we spotted some really cool bird nests along the way.

The rest of the day was rather lazy, and oh so pleasant.  I spent the rest of the morning working on my blog, and then after another delicious lunch I head back to my lodge for a nap.

Most members of the group enjoyed either an afternoon Jungle Walk or a Walk into the Village.  I passed on both and just kept on relaxing ... 

Tomorrow is the final day of the group tour - How in the world has the time passed so quickly???