March 13

We awoke at 530 and readied. 0605 We went out and met our Safari driver!! His name is Mamalaeeq (sp?). On the way, to enter the park we saw Sambar Deer, and Spotted Deer. Of course, we saw and heard monkeys. (I have decided to call our tiger, Hobbes, until we actually see one.)  We arrived at the Jim Corbett National Park, Amdanda Gate. As we were waiting for the paperwork to be done for entry, a man was selling souvenirs – Jeff bought me a hat! I know we don't buy 'souvenirs', but I  am in need of a new hat. The guy had a proper hat, with a side benefit of a tiger on it! We finally got in and picked up a guide, Nirmal.

Right off we saw quite a bit. But here's a list of most we saw this first safari: Golden Jackals; many birds: Pea fowl, Bee Eaters, a Scarlet Minivet (brilliant colored bird), a Red-wattled Lapwing, two different kinds of eagles (Fish Eagle, or Sea Eagle – similar to our Bald Eagle – and a Hawk Eagle). We did a rest area/bathroom break around 0730. Back at it, we were driving and our guide saw tiger tracks!! Nirmal said they were not fresh, from last night though. So no, Hobbes tiger! But we did see more stuff: Kingfishers, Wild boar with more spotted deer.

0915 we finished our safari and Nirmal left us as we exited the park. Mamalaeeq took us back to our hotel (arrived at 10), telling us to get checked out, eat breakfast, and be ready by 11. We quickly ate, having bread omelets, potato-stuffed parathas, papaya and curd with tea and coffee. I was hungry!  (I had taken a Zofran at 07.) Breakfast finished, we rushed back to room; a did a quick rinse; packed; and checked-out to move on by 1055!  At 1118, in Ramnagar, we are changing drivers? Really!? Questions??? But we kind of ok with the change due to Mamalaeeq (falling asleep??) and almost hitting another jeep!😲

Our new Driver is Mehsud (sp?), whom we met and moved into his jeep on the side of the road. Mehsud took us to a different entrance, re-entering the park, at the Dhangarhi Gate, where we picked up new guide, Taron (sp?), at 12. But we are only going to our place – arriving at 1245, Gairal FRH, built in 1903. (The park did not become a National Park until 1936!) So this “resort” was built 33 years prior. (We only really saw monkeys and termite mounds along the way.) We got checked in and had about one hour to unload and relax. Jeff got us a water, a small Coke, and a small Limca. Our resort is an electric fence enclosure with staff housing, tourists accommodations, and the “canteen.” The Ramganga River runs right by our place, close enough to hear it, but you can not go down to it!

At 1400 we went back out – Safari #2. Taron did not join us?? (Don't know why. Questions??) Anyway, we saw a bigger Kingfisher, an Indian Eagle-Owl, and a Sambar Deer. We were driven the loop to the other end, Dhikala Zone. At Dhikala is another resort (we could not pick our resort it was chosen for us. This one was nicer, of course.) From here we saw an elephant herd from a distance in the river when we arrived. Moving on, at 1730, we stopped at a view spot for a tiger sighting (with many other jeeps), but just missed our Hobbes by 5 min! So still waiting for the imaginary/elusive Hobbes Tiger. At 1800, we arrived back at our place. We have hot water, so we showered. This is a solar powered resort, so hot water in the afternoon and electricity is after 1730.

Now backtracking a bit, Jeff got sick on our safari outing, and after he showered – he started shivering. So probably a fever 🤒?. He laid down for an hour or so. When he awoke, had a second episode of… well, he seems to have Delhi belly now. He went to bed, not eating supper. I went to dinner – having a potato, cauliflower, tomato curry; plain rice; x3 small roti; and “sweetener,” as the guy who brought it to me, put it (It was dessert – a sweet-like condensed milk with the “ricearoni” noodles). The veg curry was quite zingy -some of why I had x3 roti! A man came as I almost done and asked, “Only single?” I explained my husband upset stomach through miming. He nodded understanding. Finished, I went to pay, was told, “at the end” (of the stay). I then got another bottled water and a small Limca for Jeff.

Going back to our room the stars were out some, but a lot of clouds. I can't wait to see them tomorrow (I did see Orion just before supper). Bed by 2130. Hopefully, Jeff will be done.

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