Nepal - Phase IV - Seti River Camp

(Picture credit: Randy Blough)
It has been over two months since my return from the Nepal adventure.  The fourth phase of our trip involved river rafting on the Seti River for a half day, camping over two nights with treks each day to neighboring villages, and then a final morning of rafting before boarding a bus for the Chitwan Forest.  The Seti river runs from the Himalayan Mountain Range with a crystal blue, meandering footprint.  Our first day on the river was actually just a half day but beautiful and fairly easy to navigate.  Photo credit Randy Blough
The EM had the luxury of a trip to Vietnam in the 60's courtesy of the U. S. Government and he said that the gorges and vegetation along the river were reminiscent of the Central Highlands of Vietnam.  I think he enjoyed this trip a bit more than his government sponsored sojourn.  We had a wonderful river navigator, Hurdi, who had a ready smile and interesting stories.  

Photo credit: Randy Blough
  There were only a few rough rapids at this time of year and little to fear from them.  Our crew Photo credit: Randy Blough
actually knew how to paddle and we were allowed to help with the steerage on occasion when Hurdi needed a bit more help.  The helmets make all of us look like Mensa members but they were a necessity.  My camera was actually put into the waterproof bag for the water portion of the trip so Randy helped me out with these pictures.  We traveled down the river for  a bit more than half a day before stopping at the Seti River Camp
which was very well appointed with permanent tents, a kitchen,dining hall, and the outdoor fire pit for campfire sessions.  We settled into our tent
and after a bit of relaxation went down to the fire pit where all gathered for discussions
and recaps of the day. 
The second day of our river adventure started with breakfast and then a hike to a local village.  The hiking trail  was situated on the upper banks overlooking the Seti River. 
  We visited the local sawmill where two men were sawing this beam into planks.  As you can see, they were working quite hard. It is interesting to be taken back in time to a place where hand tools are the major means of construction. 
Work kept on as we all stopped to watch and learn. 
This suspension bridge is necessary for the local people to get from one side of the river to another. Most of us enjoyed walking to the center for a long view down the river and the requisite photo op.
  All along the river there were houses scattered here and there and in each field there was a high platform which allowed the farmers to sound the alarm if and when the monkeys arrive as they can decimate a crop in a very short amount of time.  
We were greeted at the village by the children.  Some of us came with pencils for their schoolwork and our guide passed them out to the kids as they scampered along beside us.  They seemed a serious group with shy smiles.
They had this handmade barrow of a sort and they took turns riding down the hill on the fork at the two front wheels which had a total diameter of four inches at the most.  They were carved from wood.  They really picked up some speed on this little contraption.  

It is a colorful village and we were  there on the weekend so school was out and some of the villagers were busy digging new latrines while others were making the local beverage in this pot on the fire.
  The kids followed us around and sat for photos.
I love the expression on this little girl's face as she seems to be saying 'Yes, that's my brother'.  They have learned to ask to see the picture on the back of the digital camera. 
This baby sat placidly unaffected by our presence. 
We did have a bit of excitement back at the river camp.  While we were sitting by the fire pit the honeybees returned to their nest after several months of absence.  They swarmed in and then settled on this log they call home within just a half hour or so.
There were plenty of flowers here for them to visit and the amount of butterflies
at the river camp was extraordinary.  Our third morning was our last and we set out
once again for a leisurely ride down the river to our bus which took us to the Chitwan National Forest.  The last portion of our adventure.