Yesterday, Karl, the other instructor who has been here for @ 14 months and is preparing to leave shortly, offered to give me the jungle tour. Little did I suspect. On motorcycles, this venture takes on a whole new meaning.
The wildlife count included elephants, camels, water buffalo, cows, sheep (LAMBS), goats, horses, kingfishers and (3) RHINOS! One river crossing was absent the bridge that was there 3 months ago so we pushed the bikes across, while Karl assured me that the resident crocs stayed upstream of our location. OK... This bothered not a bit the kids using this as the local swimming hole. I recall news reports of people going missing (usually old folks or young folks) and remnants being found in the woods some time later. Ah, it is the way.
The paths were rough at times. OTW, mostly dusty dirt roads. On our way out, at a small cluster of mud huts that serves as a village, a Bandha had been declared and the road effectively blocked with trucks. Hmmm, what to do? It would be dark soon and the only alternative was back whence we came which would mean night driving in the jungle, water crossings included. The Bandha leaders told us that they had no beef with us tourists but would lift no finger to help us. There was a small open thatched building with some rudimentary tables and chairs nearby, aka the local restaurant. We know an opportunity when we see it, so we pushed our bikes through the restaurant, asking several "patrons" if they could please move aside for a moment. This action allowed the Bandha guys to not lose face and we were underway. Quite a day!!
I cannot describe the heat and humidity, so I won't try.
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