4 Day Kayaking Course Over, back to Kathmandu

(on our way to the river, we rode inside the bus)

RM, LS, and I returned to Kathmandu today after our 4 day kayaking course near the Tibet-Nepal border. We learned to Eskimo roll, T-rescue, and why not to swallow two much Nepalese river water. For $150 USD including transport, room, food, equipment, and one-on-one instruction, the trip was an incredible value and a great experience.

(RM, Raju, Sam, me, and LS)

Our guides/teachers were all Nepalese and each an incredible kayaker. Although LS and I wound up with wicked stomach flues, probably from the gallons of muddy river water we inhaled practicing our rolls, we still got in 3 solid days of instruction. The river work was a blast; however, the most memorable part of the journey was by far the bus ride to and from Kathmandu.

(Kathmandu Valley from the bus on the way back)

Surprisingly well kept, the rural roads in Nepal are full of unaccompanied cows, goats, and buffaloes, as well people bathing, sleeping, and playing. There is also the occasional motorcycle, bus, or hitchhiking kayaker. There's no shortage of tight turns or sheer drops on these roads, which at home would send even the mildest acrophobe shrieking for US highway department largess. Fortunately, we were either too tired or too sick during the trip to think about the inconsistent, widely-spaced 1 ft concrete posts that stood between us and thousands of feet of Nepalese free-fall.

The most popular place to ride on the bus in Nepal is the top (see photo above). This is due either to the heat (inside is like a rattling tin oven) or RM's theory that it provides an easier escape when your bus rolls of the cliff. We chose to ride inside the bus during both trips; however, we did get to ride on top with our kayaks during the frequent shuttles back up the river.

Our plan for tomorrow was canyoning; however since I'm sick and Lauren is even more sick, I don't think its going to happen. Depending on how much food I can stomach (today it was a Sprite, two Cipros, and a mini Mounds bar) RM and I may go mountain biking the day after tomorrow or I may make a pilgrimage to the World Heritage Site recognized Monkey Temple.

Make sure to check out my flickr gallery for more photos of kayaking and views from the bus.

(shrine to wet kayaking gear)