Chitwan National Park and Janakpur.

We head out of KTM just after new year having not been able to get to Bhaktapur for new year. So 9 hours on a tourist bus wasnt too shabby. but it was hot! And Ed got groped by a Nepali woman feigning sleep. But we got down to chitwan and were immediately set upon by touts and guides for the local hotels. We hopped in a jeep and went to chilax house, pretty basic, 250 a night. cheap as chips.
on the second day we got up and were taken to the ground where we were to get on the elephants. I was bubbling with excitement. even more so when i saw the huge creatures sidling up to the huge mounting block, which consisted of a stair case and a platform, as you can see! I have to say its not the most comfortable ride but it is awesome none the less! Our sightings for the day bought us Peacock, monkeys. deer, warthog AND RHINO! It was amazing. And because we where on an elephant we got right up close! Here are the wildlife photos! Got to love the long lens! best money i ever spent!
In the afternoon we went out on a jungle walk which was not so fruit full it has to be said. we were also a little bit worried because of the prewarning about attacks from animals, it involved a lot of climbing trees which i'm not very good at! Our guide did look like Morgan Freeman though.
Hot night and then round 2, BABY ELEPHANTS! we walked most of the way then hitched a lift off a passing jeep. The elephant breeding centre is home to mummys and babys, and the cutest were the twins who had just come back from gathering food with their mum. This picture reminds me of fluff doing her baby dragon impression.They were seriously squidgy as fluff might say. However they were very mischievous. At around 9 we went and had our breakfast right next to the river. What happened in the nest 3 hours was one of the best experiences in my life. Elephant bathtime. Nothing quite like sitting in the baking sun and then hoping on board an elephant and getting soaked. Our guy (who reminded us of rafiki) has it right "Good shower!". We then spent a lovely afternoon swimming in the river, which was pretty nice actually!
Janakpur wasn't so great. It was very strange and more like India than Nepal, they didnt even speak nepali down there which made life interesting. AND THE FAT MONKEY WAS DEAD. i will explain this when i get home. it made me sad. But the Janakpur womens development centre was really good, and we saw the women there making the mithila paintings. however overall i don't think it was worth the 12 hour bus journey back! HOWEVER, I LOVE ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!! i bought myself a wooden one.