Chitwan National Park

We've just arrived back in Kathmandu (Sun 2 Oct) after 3 days on a jungle island in the Chitwan National Park here in Nepal.
The accom was rustic at best but being on an island you didn't have to put up with hoards of tourists. We went on 3 elephant safaris into the heart of the jungle and a lot of the time you weren't on trails but actually cutting through the  undergrowth. We also went on a jungle walk, bird watching (we bailed out of that one) and helped wash the elephants which was a hoot (see pics).
Animals in the park include sloth bears, rhinos, tigers, leopards (both rare) alligators, crocs, deer etc. We managed to see deer, mongoose, an alligator but none of the so called big 3 - tiger, leopard or rhino until the last day.  We headed off on the back of an elephant and crossed 2 rivers and finally found a rhino which we tracked for over 1/2 hour. It was thrilling to say the least to see these huge armour plated beasts in their element. You can't get too close but Carolyn managed to shoot off a good front-on photo. We then crossed the 2 rivers on the way back to camp in the near dark. Being on the back of an elephant is an experience in itself especially crossing fast flowing rivers in the dusk or when they break into a trot!
You get to the island by way of dug-out canoe which is a bit unnerving given how quick the river is flowing post monsoon season.
The journey from Chitwan was pretty average - local bus with no A/C and when we arrived at the change over spot we clubbed in with a German and 2 Nicaraguians (?) and hired a van as the bus was 'chockers'. I shaved 3 hours off the 7 hour trip which is only a distance of 150 kms on some of the worst roads you'll ever see. It's festival time in Nepal - Dasain is a time when people return to their native villages so the roads are all clogged with traffic.
Today we went of to the Bouda Tibetan stupa here in Kathmandu. It's the biggest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and is pilgrimage site for many Nepali's and Tibetans. Tomorrow we are off to India and hope to be in Udapuir by late afternoon if our flights are on time!
Sorry no foto's as I'm having trouble uploading them. When I can get a relaiable connection I'll edit the post.