We had another early start this morning leaving the hotel at 6:0 p.m. 5:00 a.m. comes so quickly, but somehow its not an effort to be up and ready for these early starts. We had a long way to go today about 12 hrs driving. The day was hot again - about 46/48C. We generally drove about 2 hrs and then had a break. In Delhi we had 7 new people join us ages 23 to 35, Eugene,Dave,Derek, Phil, Claire, Emily and Jess. Today was Dave's 35th birthday so we sang "happy birthday"a few times and ate real cream cake provided by our Dragoman contact along with packed boxes for breakfast. We stopped on a country road to eat and couldn't get out of the Truck becauseof the crowd. Our driver Dan had to tell themto "f-off" as we were going to the toilet. Next we stopped for lunch near a place called Datia and were able to see the Nrsing Dev Palace. It looked magnificent from the distance and according to Rough Guide is one of the finest Rajput buildings inIndia being built by Bir Singh Deo in the height of Bundila's Golden Age. It is supposed tobe magnificent inside, but alas, we didn't stop to see it.
We had a later stop in the pm for cold water. For some reason, which we haven't discovered, the towns were deserted and there was nothing on the road - no lorries, carts, rickshaws, motor scooters. We stopped in one town where there seemed to be a vendor selling cold drinks. We were mobbed!! I am not sure how many young men ended up surrounding us but of course the interest was the young girls in the group. Claire, a cop from Kent, ended up signing one guy's shirt and Jess from London signed another guy's money! The number of people around us became quite alarming but once we all made it safely to the Truck Dan took off very promptly!
The countryside today was not really pretty, very flat, farmers' fields, and very dry. We did cross some huge rivers which is new as up to this time they have been dry. We arrived at our destination around 5:30.We are staying in Panna National Park at a lodge called Ken River Lodge. When you mention National Park to aCanadian or American, you conjure up pictures of beautiful mountains, running streams and lush lowlands. This National Park is nothing like that. There are no mountains, little lushness and only a few stunted trees. The Lodge is on the banks of a river and the view is quite stunning overlooking the water. We can swim in the river, but not to go too far from shore because of the crocodiles. I think I'll give it a miss, ....some brave people did swim....and survive!
Our cabins are fantastic; a front courtyard, a huge bedroom with 2 double beds joined together, a dressing room, a bathroom, and access to the roof. They are made out of concrete and plastered and painted.
After a beer, a shower and some relax time, we had dinner. After dinner, Frank arranged a game of trivia then bed.
We had a later stop in the pm for cold water. For some reason, which we haven't discovered, the towns were deserted and there was nothing on the road - no lorries, carts, rickshaws, motor scooters. We stopped in one town where there seemed to be a vendor selling cold drinks. We were mobbed!! I am not sure how many young men ended up surrounding us but of course the interest was the young girls in the group. Claire, a cop from Kent, ended up signing one guy's shirt and Jess from London signed another guy's money! The number of people around us became quite alarming but once we all made it safely to the Truck Dan took off very promptly!
The countryside today was not really pretty, very flat, farmers' fields, and very dry. We did cross some huge rivers which is new as up to this time they have been dry. We arrived at our destination around 5:30.We are staying in Panna National Park at a lodge called Ken River Lodge. When you mention National Park to aCanadian or American, you conjure up pictures of beautiful mountains, running streams and lush lowlands. This National Park is nothing like that. There are no mountains, little lushness and only a few stunted trees. The Lodge is on the banks of a river and the view is quite stunning overlooking the water. We can swim in the river, but not to go too far from shore because of the crocodiles. I think I'll give it a miss, ....some brave people did swim....and survive!
Our cabins are fantastic; a front courtyard, a huge bedroom with 2 double beds joined together, a dressing room, a bathroom, and access to the roof. They are made out of concrete and plastered and painted.
After a beer, a shower and some relax time, we had dinner. After dinner, Frank arranged a game of trivia then bed.
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