Rollin’ on the River


Our adventure started even before we reached the Seti River. A truck straddled the road, blocking traffic on both sides. What to do? Well, every bus, car, truck and motorcycle raced to claim any available open spot on the road, along the road, in the private property beside the road, creating gridlock that easily rivaled New York City at Christmas time.

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Binoy, our amazing guide jumped out of our van, using his considerable powers of persuasion to clear a path. He was like Moses, parting the Red Sea, okay–on a somewhat smaller scale, but it was still miraculous. It took a very skilled driver to squeeze through the opening, and ours was up to the challenge.
Did I mention how grateful I am to be on an organized tour?

The Seti River is low this time of year. Bimal, our River guide, told us that after the monsoons it is a much faster, and more exciting ride. Still, he managed to hit every single rapid, manouvering our raft to give us the maximum dousing, which was greatly appreciated on a hot day.

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Anyone that knows me knows that camping is not high on my list of fun things to do. In fact it would not even make it to my top 10,000 Things To Do Before I Die. I require a bed, a toilet with a seat, easy access to running water and protection from bugs. Luckily, the Seti River Camp provided all that, plus slightly cool beer. We even had a fan in our tents which was good because it is hot, hot, HOT in Nepal in May.

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You have to leave the tent to go to the bathroom across the opening.  Good news!  The toilet has a seat, and the bathroom has a shower.

Here are some of the sights from our morning hike.

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Can you spot the woman working in the field?
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Hari, demonstrating the special properties of the bubble plant.
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Bimal getting a “hard apple” from the tree.  All of the women were saying, “That’s okay, you don’t have to climb up there”
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These kids walk miles everyday to get to school.
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Binoy, our guide, asked if we wanted to take a turn guiding the oxen around the field.  We declined.
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What do you want to bet Jim had a vehicle like that in his past?
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This village had a still for making millet wine.

Our last stop in Nepal will be at Chitwan National Forest.  We are moving much faster than my blog, but that is usually the case.

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Shelley

I am intensely curious, with a spirit of adventure that is tempered by my very strong aversion to anything with potential to cause pain. I love travel, photography, reading, gardening, yoga, music and propelling myself through space (biking, dancing, walking, dancing while walking). I've never considered a lack of proficiency in any of the previous activities to be a hindrance, counting on abundant enthusiasm to make up for my shortcomings.

10 thoughts on “Rollin’ on the River”

  2. Of all the interesting details offered by your words and photographs, this was my favorite: “Anyone that knows me knows that camping is not high on my list of fun things to do. In fact it would not even make it to my top 10,000 Things To Do Before I Die,” because I absolutely, totally agree with you. That said, I don’t think I would have minded a night or two in your Seti River Camp.

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  5. Really great photos. It sounds like an incredible adventure, but definitely one to do on a guided tour. I share your perspective on camping, but your accommodations actually looked really nice!

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