Chitwan National Park - Southern NEPAL

From the town of Pokhara it was a 7 hour bus ride to the Chitwan National Park. I'm here to see the Indian Rhinos, Bengal Tigers, and the Sloth Bear -- the latter is a lot more bear than sloth and can be quite dangerous. In fact, all three beasts I came to see can be deadly in the wild.

Armed with a long stick, my small-built Nepali guide walked a few steps ahead of me as we found our way through the thick and very high, appropriately named, Elephant Grass. I was armed with my two cameras, of which one sports a long and heavy tele-lens which I trust could provide the necessary protection against any attack from any beast, well, maybe not the rhino. We saw several fairly fresh bear and tiger tracks in the sand, but the real thing evaded us. I often had the feeling that we're being watched by them!

Towards late afternoon (about an hour before sunset) I saw a huge male rhino crossing the path about 300 meters in front of us. We rushed to the area where the rhino went into the tall grasses and I carefully moved away from the path and into the grasses. My guide, not surprisingly, strongly advised me not to follow the rhino and he stayed at a safe distance behind me. I was determined to get close to the beast! I didn't even make it more than two meters into the tall grass when a sudden rumble in the grass made it obvious that the rhino was charging at me and made the most amazing noise I have ever heard. I was back in the path in a flash stepping back slowly waiting for the rhino to enter the path so I can take close-up photos. By this time my guide was already safely in the nearest tree! Well, to my disappointment the rhino crossed the path about ten meters from me, and to my further disappointment - he was chasing a female and not me! So, my story ended with "....I guess the rhino never even noticed me" and I only got one out-of-focus picture of him!

Anyhow, at the Chitwan I saw many birds, crocs, many different types of deer, a few rhinos, and several domesticated elephants - including a 3-day old 95kg baby!

Pokhara, Western NEPAL

I just finished a 5-day hike in the Annapurna area of the western Himalayas. Was great, to say the least. Majestic high snow-capped mountains, remote villages and thick jungle at the bottom end.

Did paragliding yesterday with the Himalayas as the backdrop....awesome!! Soared with the eagles and managed some acrobatic maneuvers!

Sure....I love Nepal! Another week to go which includes the Chitiwan National Park....I'll be chasing the Bengal Tigers!

Everest Base Camp -- Eastern NEPAL

I was told the trek to Everest Base Camp, via Gokyo (and Gokyo Ri at 5,340 m) and the dreaded Chula Pass (at 4,900 m), would take me 18 days. I planned on 16 days...and end up completing the trip in only 14 days. This was probably the toughest 14 days of my life! My guide and I walked roughly 4 to 7 hours per day, which sure is not a lot. But, at times it was at a crawling pace to climb up snow covered passes, over large rocks, over glaciers, walking in snow storms, and the gasping for oxygen above 5,000 m -- all very challenging. The higest we hiked was 5,550 m (Kalar Patar near Everest Base Camp). While several people around us got sick (AMS--Altitude Sickness) and some had to be rescued by helicopter, I didn't get affected by the high altitude. I didn't sleep much above 4,000 m due to the thin air, but otherwise felt healthy all the way. Other than a Yak who chased me, I had a very successful and unforgettable trip.

When I have more time I'll give a daily account of the trip. Tomorrow (Nov 19th) I am flying to Pokhara in the west of Nepal to start another hiking trip in the Annapurna area of the Himalayas.


Below the yak near Everest Base Camp who stormed at me when I tried to take close-up pictures.