Have arrived in Chitwan, Nepal

It’s so peaceful and the views are stunning!! Just sitting on a restaurant terrace, overlooking the National Park... elephant watching while waiting for the sunset. I love my life!

This is where i'm staying for less than £3 a night! http://www.chitwanjunglelodge.com/about.php

Got laptop back :o)....how lucky am i!

I've got my laptop back. I was certain it was the guy sitting next to me on the bus, there were passport size pictures of him just where my bag was, they must of fallen out of his bag as he was switching my laptop from my bag to his...better than leaving finger prints...lol! The bus company contacted him and he returned the laptop...apparently it was a mistake!! Tip for Paris the theft...don't leave your photo at the scene of the crime...tip for me...don’t leave my bag out of my sight for a second!
Luckily i had arranged to meet a guy called Raj from the volunteer agency, he and his friend help me report this to the police. There have been political strikes the last couple of days. Here is a picture of us in a rickshaw on our way back from the Police station making the most of the lack of traffic. Seemed really strange, there being loads of riot police everywhere and us three on a lonely rickshaw on the main drag. No need to worry mum, Raj and his mate are looking after me. Taking me for lunch and out sightseeing, i'm feeling very safe.

A very happy me after i got my laptop back.

Kathmaudu!

I arrived in Kathmandu at 7am this morning after leaving Sikkim at 5.30am yesterday...this involved 4 1/2 jeep, 2 hours local bus and 12 hours overnight bus. Arrived tired and fedup as some wan*er (sorry mum) stole my laptop, it had all my photos, films and notes on it :o(

Anyway...i shall move on from that and will not let it affect my time in Kathmandu. Off sight seeing tomorrow, then might head down to Chitwan on Sunday or Monday.

In Namchi, Sikkim, India

And yet another holiday Monday, its a wonder how the kids learn anything with all this time off! I'm in a place called Namchi, there is a religions festival going on. I shall take some photos and upload when i can.

I've not had internet all week at the school. Nice to get back in communication!

On Tuesday, Bhaichumg (one of the regular jeeps drivers) invited us for dinner with his wife and 5 year old daughter, we had a lovely time. He supplied amazing food, beer and great conversation. Was interesting swapping culture stories. (photo to follow).

I head off to Nepal on Thursday morning, might be staying there for a couple of months or so. I'm not looking forward to the journey, 3/4 hours in a jeep, then 16/17 hours on a bus!! It’s all part of the adventure i suppose. I plan to stay a week in Kathmandu, then head down to Chitwan where i help with opening a preschool for local underprivileged kids.

Party time!

My guesthouse has invited their guests to a party. So im off to party! See you soon.

Back in Gangtok

Sikkim has yet another long weekend, so i back in Gangtok. I love it here. I met two American girls, when they realized i was on my own they not only invited me to dinner but also insisted on paying for me…how kind of them. They are doing missionary work here, Megan has been in India for 2 years and Kaitlyn 6 months.

Wedding

We were lucky enough to be invited to a local wedding. There was lots of dancing, drinking and delightful food. Kathya and I had received more attention than the bride and groom, …was a bit uncomfortable, but hey!!

Having a beer in our local bar

a scary looking me after my makeover! lol

Local Tumba beer

Us enjoying some locally brewed millet beer, served in bamboo glass with a wooden straw.

More school stuff

Waiting for school to start.

My lovely Class One

and the lovely Upper Kinder Garden

Pelling – a relaxing chilled out place

popped in to a local bar for a chilled beer

people are very happy to have chat

The gorgeous Indian family who were celebrating a 15^th wedding aniversity The conversation got onto food, they offered me some local homemade delicacies..they were so tasty.

Beautiful views of Khangchendzonga from my guest house

 

Khecheopalri Sacred Lake - a lonely place

Khecheopalri Lake

Last Saturday I went to Khecheopalri Lake, I waited 2 hours for a jeep, I eventually arrived at the lake about 4.15pm, it had been raining all day so I was a bit worried about leeches. I took a quick walk to the lake. It was a lonely experience as there was no one else around. I booked into the worst guest house I’ve ever been in, he asked me if I wanted to book dinner…errr…I don’t think so mate! I went looking for a bar, I asked the only person I saw if there was any chance of getting a beer, he opened up an old wooden hut, served me a beer and then went. Was strange sitting there on my own in a lonely shack? I was just about to go and in walked in a lovely American couple. So I stayed for a while chatting to them. Woke up in the morning covered in fee bites and headed back to Pelling (1 ½ hours away). I waited all day for a jeep back to the school, which didn’t turn up! So I had an extra night in Pelling.

I met a lovely young lady on the jeep journey back to the school. She insisted on giving me a chocolate bar and also paid for my jeep ride. I had a chat with the jeep driver after she got off, he delivered some items to a shop on route and also bought me some sweets. People are so kind, maybe i look too thin!

Arrived back to the school on Monday. The weather is getting worse so two hours of power is a bonus.

Catherine (English volunteer) and I went into Soreng for a drink Wednesday afternoon as she left for Nepal on Thursday. We had such a laugh, we started off at O’Neil’s and then went to Yates…(they weren’t really called that) more like shack one and shack two. It was a great experience. Cathy is great fun and we plan to meet up again in Nepal. The lovely Indian couple also left on Thursday. Pictures to follow.

Pelling and Lake

I visited Pelling this weekend to renew my Sikkim permit. A much more relaxed weekend compared to last! I went exploring local sights. I noticed a sign for an amazing hotel resort next to a monastery…so I by passed the monastery and went for a beer at the resort. Just as I walked in thought oops this could be expensive.. It was only £1.30 for a beer ..result!. I had a great chat with the manger (originally from the Isle of White) who came to Sikkim for a holiday 5 ½ years ago and stayed since. I then got chatting to a lovely Indian family, they were celebrating a 15^th wedding anniversary. There must have been about 20 of them, it really made me miss my wonderful family back home. The conversation got onto food, they offered me some local homemade delicacies that they brought from home, they were really tasty. They invited me to stay and play cards with them…but I had more exploring to do!!

Photos to follow.

I’ve lost my phone, i must have left it in one of the jeeps :o(