Flying to India is always an adventure, it’s a seemingly endless trip, the stops are strange,and one is sure to have conversations with Indians returning home or visiting family. On the longest leg, LAX to Doha, I sat with a young couple and their 5 month old. The mom was convinced she was facing a month of in-laws telling her how to raise her son. She was most likely right… The next flight, Doha to Nagpur was blessedly shorter. The man next to me was on his way home and sure there were better places in the world to travel than India, more specifically, Nagpur. Still he was impressed we (my friend Marilyn and I) were on our way to a Tiger Reserve in Pench. He was relieved I had a travel companion, (though I’m perfectly content to travel solo). I was relieved to get out of Nagpur. My first whiff of India was one of burning whatever they burn here – which is pretty much everything. It’s a familiar smell, but we just left the fires in LA and happy to drive a few hours to Pench which is higher and cleaner.
A note on our short layover in Doha – gorgeous airport with a beautiful and delicious chocolate shop. About the only reason to go to Quatar, which I learned is pronounced ka ta.
We arrived at Pench Jungle Camp before dawn. Our rooms are quiet and spacious and so far the only problem seems to be the lock on Marilyn’s door. We had an early breakfast and as the only guests in the dining room, they brought out everything the kitchen had to offer. Needing a walk, I found the swimming pool already in use. Meet the Common Langur, regarded by Hindus as the monkey god, Hanuman. They are protected, huge, and everywhere!
On my way back to the room, these lovely women arrived to work.
My friend Marilyn and I have been staying at the Pench Jungle Camp since we arrived in India. Every day takes us on Safari, nature walks, or a stroll to the nearby village.
The rooms are spacious and clean, and the food is wonderful, but it is the staff that has made our experience. We were assigned a most experienced guide for the five days of our stay. One of the 5 camp managers, his knowledge of plants, animals, birds, and and general habitat has kept us busy asking questions and then trying to remember anything! I keep thinking that I am capable of retaining at least three facts during any given experience. I hope it’s working! He also has the same camera I have, so we have been sharing pics and videos. Yesterday, he took stills while I took a video of two young male tigers, as they walked past us.
We’ve met guests from other parts of India. They are young, adventurous and I’m hoping they will show up in Los Angeles as our guests one of these days.
There are groups from the UK traveling to three tiger reserves, spending a few days in each camp. We’ve heard Hebrew and Scottish accents, but so far, no one from the states!
I’m missing the connecting cord to download pics from my camera so more coming soon. Here are a few:
