Early start to get to the airport, an interesting experience - security check to get into the airport itself, then check in took 30 mins and 2 people (I was at the front of the queue) then through immigration, security check again and then at 10am - when the plane should be taking off, we were called to board. Queued to get on a bus that no word of a lie, drive us 10 meters to the plane!! Further security check (most thorough yet) at the bottom of the plane steps...

Last breakfast, Jo and I got up to say goodbye to everyone. It was like Christmas, as everyone generously donated well needed supplies to me! I am now well stocked up on (to name a few bits) toiletries (batiste, I am in heaven!!), drugs (thanks Trudi!!) emergency rations of cuppa soup and peanuts, mozzy spray, moisturiser and Sues juggling balls that I am looking forward to donating, probably in Africa. All this plus some extra rupees :) So that's the trip, Jo a...

Our last full day together :( started the day birdspotting, saw some great birds, more elephants (including a couple of mad male elephants who apparently for up to two months a year get hormonal and are uncontrollable, see, boys do get PMT!) Also saw a cotton bug, which looks like something from Hellboy. Quick bus ride to Bharatpur airport with an interesting security policy which involves you opening the top of your bag and then being given a security checked ...

Great nights sleep then up early for our elephant ride, great experience, (although my water bottle splitting and leaking 750ml of water over me, looked like I'd peed myself!) Very difficult to take pics from atop a moving elephant I found, however, thanks to an abundance of Chinese tourists, all wearing neon clothing and talking/shouting very loudly (and one smoking on an elephant??!!) the only thing we saw was deer. Now I love deer as much as the next person (i...

After rafting, drove to the Terai region and Chitwan national park. Very different to the mountains we had been used to, lots of fields and stupidly humid (we were recommended to drink 4 litres of water a day). On arriving we had another well needed shower (washing whilst rafting was a dip in the river en route and baby wipes) and unpacked for 2 whole days in the same place!!! We were introduced to our guide who I am convinced looked like a Nepalese version of Mi...