On the morning boat ride, we once again saw plenty of birds, including kingfishers and peacocks, deer, and crocodiles, but we were hoping for better luck with the more elusive animals like the tigers, rhinos, and sloth bears as we set out on foot. Our guides were taking us to a specific area in hopes of finding rhinos... |
Our itinerary for the day is just as it was back in December, but this time around is different in two ways. We're feeling better so Lisa will be involved, and the grasses have dried and been burned so there is a far greater chance of seeing the more exciting big game draws of the park. Please view the above four photos from left to right as a video reel or comic strip. Also note that we had been warned not to wear any bright colours such as red, yellow, or orange. When we found the rhino, he was fast asleep (photo #1). Our guides assessed the situation and originally allowed us to approach individually to a certain point. Of course people didn't wait their turns and approached as a group. This woke the rhino, but didn't seem to disturb him (photo #2). Then other groups of tourists began to arrive, following their own guides from different angles. This apparently made the rhino feel that he was being surrounded or cornered (photo #3). Finally, ignoring the imploring guide, someone with hair dyed bright red went closer still. That was the final straw - please note the turned head and right eye facing us with the attuned ears (photo #4). It was at this moment that the guides all yelled, "RUN!" and sprinted off. We had hoped to see more exciting animals this time at Chitwan; we got more excitement than we bargained for as the rhino flat out charged us! We later learned that two local women (who were illegally chopping firewood in the park) had been charged and gored earlier in the month, with one of them being killed. The rhino ended up splitting our group in two. Lisa hadn't been beside me because I'd approached to take photos, so we ended up running in opposite directions. Once the danger seemed to have passed and the group reconvened, I became alarmed that Lisa wasn't accounted for. That was the only moment when I was truly scared. It turned out that Lisa and one other girl had run the furthest and fastest and were at no risk. It all makes for a good story now... We traveled to Lake 20000 by jeep and saw three more rhinos, but this time we were in a vehicle and we kept our distance. Just like life, this itinerary was more enjoyable, more exciting, more successful, and more rewarding with Lisa than without her.
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