17 June - Nepal - Chitwan National Park Today dawned monsoon wet!!!! Our itinerary had stated public transport ( read local public bus for 8 hrs) to the accommodation in the park but our leader offered us the option of a van for an extra US$4 each. Fortunately no one wanted to be that 'Intrepid ' & take the local bus so we left around 9.15. It took a good 2 hours to clear the outskirts of Kathmandu. The rain is turning the roads into rivers of rubbish mix...

16 June - Nepal - Kathmandu It poured with rain last night & we were awakened at 6.30am with the loudest clap of thunder I have heard in a while. The rain stopped & we were informed that tourist buses were allowed to travel in spite of the strike so we set off on schedule to see the biggest Buddha stupa in Nepal, and then on to the monkey temple. The strike is by the Communist party who intimidate the population to stay away. The benefit to us was tha...

15 June - Nepal - Kathmandu Our final day at the Royal Penguin hotel ...... We caught a taxi to the Kathmandu Gardens Hotel which is rather colonial looking in a faded grand way. We are meeting our fellow Intrepid travellers here at 6pm tonight. To while away the afternoon, we strolled to the Garden of Dreams. An absolute oasis amidst the hurly burly of the streets. After a coffee & cake and a read of the papers we strolled back to our hotel. There are 11...

Royal Penguin Boutique hotel - Kathmandu - Nepal I just have to say a few words about this hotel. R found it on line, it looked quirky & has lived up to its photos. You would have already seen the tiger on the bed ...... Well, all the lighting is LED & over the top bling. The staff are delightful, very eager to help & practise their already good English. To assist with how much interaction one wants there is a innovative system in place. See photos...

13 June - Nepal - Kathmandu Ventured into the streets today ... There are no pavements which makes life interesting. You end up sharing the roads with scooters, motorbikes, people, rickshaws & tiny little cars that are held together with tape etc. which are taxis ..... An essential item here is a good strong hooter/bell. The tourist area around our hotel is full of shops selling pashminas, bags, trinkets from Tibet & Nepal etc. then as you go further a...