I just made my fourth trip down to Chitwan for a few days, staying at our favourite spot, Sapana Village Lodge. There’s lots of things I like about Sapana, but one of its greatest attractions is how it makes me comfortable with hot water showers, comfy chairs and places to relax, but doesn’t cut me off from local life. From a comfortable reading spot, I can watch everyday life going past me on the river. Locals are washing clothes, fishing, or just using the river to get around. Abundant bird life hovers overhead. Majestic cranes, ibis, storks, hornbills, sunbirds, night jars, and the beautiful asian paradise flycatcher are all here, swooping down to the water to drink. (We come to Chitwan to see the amazing elephants and rhinos, but for sheer variety and volume, you really can’t beat the birds.) I find it so relaxing. I love the wild life and the river. They keep me coming back for more.
This was our first visit during the rainy season, and the river was very swollen. Recent flooding had washed away the small bamboo bridge that was here before.
The swollen water raced by. It wasn’t very deep, but it was fast, rushing reeds and branches away in its current.
One of many white ibises that stopped by for a visit.
He caught something. I didn’t see what it was.
Back from his early morning chore of collecting feed for the other elephants. What tusks!
Mom and baby are still fine since our last visit and still loving their daily baths!
Wright Outta Nowhere 
I would give my left nut to have that experience.
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Wait til you see the baby rhino pictures tomorrow!
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The baby has grown! Wish I could have been with you 🙂
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We missed you! There were some things that had changed. The elephant stable now has an electric fence so they don’t need to chain the elephants at night. After a particularly bad storm, the river flood and washed away that rickety bamboo bridge. They’re going to rebuild but after the rain season ends. Going to try and go back down in February for one last time.
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I love your writing stylle and photos! It is real pleasure!
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Thank you ;o)
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Fab post – every time you write about Chitwan I get a pang to go!
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Well if you every decide to come, let me know. Happy to fill you in. However, Borneo and Malaysia have so much to offer that will probably keep you busy for a while ;o)
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Yes, there’s plenty to see here for the moment, but I’ll definitely drop you a line if I do make it to Nepal – thank you! :o)
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looks fabulous Caroline!
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