One of the wonders of modern science and technology is to make what was once the province of magic just everyday reality (and with increasing speed.) Even when the Harry Potter books were first being written, not so very long ago, the idea of the Marauders map, which could follow you around, was fantasy. Now it proved invaluable (in its Google maps form) to let us know when we had to get off the bus. There was a small crowd of touts and tuk tuk drivers gathered at the door to “welcome” us; fortunately, there was also Kris, the driver from the Jungle Safari Lodge, our hotel in Chitwan, to bundle them aside, to take our bags, and to escort us to the minibus ready to take us to Chitwan.
Forty-five minutes later, we were there enjoying breakfast – a little basic, it’s true, but quite adequate, and to be shown our room, all very nice, very comfortable, and with, most importantly, good air-con and wifi.
The day was passed comfortably enough: some working, with both Val and I trying to catch up on the time spent out of contact; lunch; a swim in the small and not very deep pool (“No diving!”); some sleeping.
Dinner was very tasty, very international, but still rather odd, as we were the only people in the dining-room. The hotel is at least one of the best in Chitwan (and there are hundreds) but does not really function as international standard, as it gets some of the details just a bit wrong. But actually, it suits us very well; just because we can afford to stay pretty much where we like, that does not mean we are looking for the bland and soulless comfort of a Holiday Inn.
