Half Way!

Namaste Everyone!
Well, I am now half way through my trip! The trek was, well, huge! We were walking for 7 days up massive hills, thousands and thousands of stairs! I saw some amazing things. Entire villages all made by hand (there are no roads for machinery to get into these places, it is all carried in and built by very dedicated people!). I suffered a bit of a cold for most of the trek which was a bit of a downer. I also had some trouble with my foot, a bit of swelling and a fair bit of pain, but the main thing is that I made it and I have lots of memories and photographs to share!
Our crew was fantastic! Every afternoon we would arrive at the campsite, all our tents set up in a neat little row, tea and bikkies served at 4 after having a bowl of warm water delivered to our tent for "washie-washie". In the mornings, we were woken at 6 by cheerful voices saying "Good morning! Teeeeaaa!" We'd poke our heads out of the tent and there would be 2 smiling faces, one holding the cups, one holding the teapot! "With sooga? One or two?" That was followed a little while later with the clang of the metal bowls and the cry of "washie-washie!" I must confess, I was a little over washing in a bowl of water by the end of 7 days! Coming back to the hotel for a full shower, with shampoo, conditioner, soap and unlimited water was fantastic!!!
After the trek, we went to Chitwan National Park where I got to ride an elephant, twice!!! Riding elephants is great! It is a little bumpy, but beautifully silent, with only the occasional elephant fart sound emanating from the rear of the vehicle! We also went on a canoe ride, which was fantastic. We didn't get to see all that much wildlife in the park, but I got a great photo of a fresh tiger paw print and we saw some monkeys and a few interesting birds.
I am in Kathmandu at the moment, but later today, I fly to Delhi for a night, then we catch the early train to Jaipur in the morning. From there I start the cycling leg of the tour, on Tuesday.
Exploring Kathmandu has been fun. It is a very colourful city with lots to see and do. Everyone wants to sell you something which can be a bit much at times, but I have certainly weakened on more than one occasion and have bought a lot of stuff!!! The pollution is a bit much though, however, it makes for beautiful sunrises!
Well, I must be off now to finish packing up all my goods and chattels before heading to my next destination! Thanks for all the comments on the last posting! Not sure when I will be able to post again as we are moving about a fair bit over the next couple of weeks, but I'll do my best!
Annie