BO-PAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!
The last couple of days I spent in Nepal have probably been the highlight of this little side trip. As you know, I have a penchant for water activities, and so I signed up for a 2 day white water extravagansa on Nepal's longest and steepest river - the Bhote Khosi.
At the crack of dawn I was piled into a rickety Nepali bus with three westerners, 30 Nepali's, 3 rafts, 4 kayaks and tons of sundry paddles and equipment and we merrily made our way Noth of Kathmandu. The drive was as "hard core" as the white water, although it was spectacular. We wound our way through terraced farming fields and high mountain passes while our Nepali friends (a group from a university who were all learning Spanish) screetched at the top of thier voices all the popular Nepali hits, and even some Bon Jovi, accompanied by a guitar that had appeared amongst the piles of stuff. Our final destination, a very peaceful riverside tented camp, was transformed into a nightclub as soon as the Nepali's arrived. They had brought a generator and also a sound system! These guys knew how to make a portable party! After lunch and much hilarity and dancing, we all changed into our swimwear and hopped back into the bus to drive to our "drop-in" point. The mood was jubilant all the way - and even till we were all in the rafts on the river (much dunking and splashing with paddles) when a calm descended. The safety kayakers went first down the river, and we were then briefed and shown how to deal with each watery hazard. I knew what to expect, but many of the Nepalis (mostly the "squeaky girls" as we called them) had sobered up and looked a bit scared. The bit of the river we were about to do was a grade 3/4 (the maximum is 6 which is unraftable) , so not that difficult really.
We headed off down the river, our raft first, then followed by the two larger rafts which contained the Nepali group. Our team seemed to take most things in its stride - we had a small maneauverable raft which was nice, also we had all rafted before, so we spent much of the time waiting for the others. It was very nice to have a break though, as the surroundings were absolutely gob smacking. True rural Nepal - little villages, small farms and huge snow capped mountains - beautiful.
The rest of the river was a great combination of nice bumpy white water, and flat bits to contemplate on. We soon learned a new word in Nepali - which was frequently shouted by the "Squeaky girls" BO-PPAAAALLLLLLLL!!!! which means EXTREEEEEEEEEMMMEEE!!!!! Very Funny indeed!
Anyway, the Squeaky's boat overturned once and they all got a good dunking! haha!
We rafted back to the lodge, and the party continued until it was time for the Nepali's to go back to Kathmandu (they couldnt stay overnight "becuase there are girls in the group"??!!) and we were left in relative peace for the rest of the evening - just me and the three western boys (well men) and the rafting guys. The camp was really beautiful, and they made a fire and we had beers under the sweeping starlight. magic! I was lulled to sleep by the sounds of the river.
Next day we got up early and headed out to do "the big one" the most technical and steep part of the river - more "up" than the stretch we did the previous day. Driving to the "put-in" in the bus was exciting - the road was a mere ledge over the gorge we were to raft..also, we could see almost constant white water the whole way! YAY!
The trip down the river was excellent - probably the best white water I have ever done - we "dipped" the boys twice, and the raft completely flipped once - meaning I did end up taking a swim in the glacial waters! wouldnt have been a trip without it I suppose! It was BOPAL all the way MAN! Exhilirating and really beautiful all at the same time.
Got back to kathmandu with some aches and pains, some new friends and some awesome memories of gushing water!
Yesterday was spent mostly queueing....In Kathmandu airport, and then in Delhi airport. I must say though, its GOOD to be back in India - for the heat if nothing more! its sweltering! Heading South again tonight on the train to Bangalore to meet up with Nela again. We are going to BOIL!
At the crack of dawn I was piled into a rickety Nepali bus with three westerners, 30 Nepali's, 3 rafts, 4 kayaks and tons of sundry paddles and equipment and we merrily made our way Noth of Kathmandu. The drive was as "hard core" as the white water, although it was spectacular. We wound our way through terraced farming fields and high mountain passes while our Nepali friends (a group from a university who were all learning Spanish) screetched at the top of thier voices all the popular Nepali hits, and even some Bon Jovi, accompanied by a guitar that had appeared amongst the piles of stuff. Our final destination, a very peaceful riverside tented camp, was transformed into a nightclub as soon as the Nepali's arrived. They had brought a generator and also a sound system! These guys knew how to make a portable party! After lunch and much hilarity and dancing, we all changed into our swimwear and hopped back into the bus to drive to our "drop-in" point. The mood was jubilant all the way - and even till we were all in the rafts on the river (much dunking and splashing with paddles) when a calm descended. The safety kayakers went first down the river, and we were then briefed and shown how to deal with each watery hazard. I knew what to expect, but many of the Nepalis (mostly the "squeaky girls" as we called them) had sobered up and looked a bit scared. The bit of the river we were about to do was a grade 3/4 (the maximum is 6 which is unraftable) , so not that difficult really.
We headed off down the river, our raft first, then followed by the two larger rafts which contained the Nepali group. Our team seemed to take most things in its stride - we had a small maneauverable raft which was nice, also we had all rafted before, so we spent much of the time waiting for the others. It was very nice to have a break though, as the surroundings were absolutely gob smacking. True rural Nepal - little villages, small farms and huge snow capped mountains - beautiful.
The rest of the river was a great combination of nice bumpy white water, and flat bits to contemplate on. We soon learned a new word in Nepali - which was frequently shouted by the "Squeaky girls" BO-PPAAAALLLLLLLL!!!! which means EXTREEEEEEEEEMMMEEE!!!!! Very Funny indeed!
Anyway, the Squeaky's boat overturned once and they all got a good dunking! haha!
We rafted back to the lodge, and the party continued until it was time for the Nepali's to go back to Kathmandu (they couldnt stay overnight "becuase there are girls in the group"??!!) and we were left in relative peace for the rest of the evening - just me and the three western boys (well men) and the rafting guys. The camp was really beautiful, and they made a fire and we had beers under the sweeping starlight. magic! I was lulled to sleep by the sounds of the river.
Next day we got up early and headed out to do "the big one" the most technical and steep part of the river - more "up" than the stretch we did the previous day. Driving to the "put-in" in the bus was exciting - the road was a mere ledge over the gorge we were to raft..also, we could see almost constant white water the whole way! YAY!
The trip down the river was excellent - probably the best white water I have ever done - we "dipped" the boys twice, and the raft completely flipped once - meaning I did end up taking a swim in the glacial waters! wouldnt have been a trip without it I suppose! It was BOPAL all the way MAN! Exhilirating and really beautiful all at the same time.
Got back to kathmandu with some aches and pains, some new friends and some awesome memories of gushing water!
Yesterday was spent mostly queueing....In Kathmandu airport, and then in Delhi airport. I must say though, its GOOD to be back in India - for the heat if nothing more! its sweltering! Heading South again tonight on the train to Bangalore to meet up with Nela again. We are going to BOIL!
posted by Abster at 5:46 am
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