Becky's Travel Blog: Rafting: the aftermath and MSCC

Came back to KTM on Sunday afternoon, booked in to my guesthouse, then went to hire a sleep mat which I later found out I didn't need so I went back and asked if I could return it and have the hire price off a Sigg water Bottle, which the very nice gentleman said I could! Unfortuately, that was about the only shop that was open as it was an important weekend in the Dasin festival. Eventually found an internet cafe, put couldn't get my photos to upload which was annoying, but have managed here, so this is going to be a photo-packed blog!

After some internetting and replying to birthday messages (thank you to all who sent them!), went to find somewhere to eat.

Shortly after sitting down 3 people came in and there were no more empty tables, so they joined me! Had that well known Nepali dish, Buffalo Lasagne which was very nice after three weeks of daal bhat! After food they took me to a very nice bar in Thamel which had a live band, who were very good. From left to right is Rose (Dutch), Michael (Israli), me (obviously) and Philip (Slovakian).

Left fairly early as I had a very early start the next day. After a hot shower and wonderful nights sleep, dragged myself out of bed at 5:30, packed and went to the Borderlands office to meet my group at 6:30. Due to nepali time we didn't leave for nearly an hour, followed by trips around the city to get a bus pass. Then had a rather nerve-wreking trip through the moutains, along roads that were barely wide enough for one bus, let alone for over-taking and passing, which happened lots! had some nice views over the misty valley though. At about 12 we arrived at our put in point, where we had lunch (Pasta, salad and peanutbutter sarnies!), a safety talk, a lesson in rafting., and met our guides and safety kayakers (the lovely people who get to save us if/when we fall out).

After that we got changed and kitted up, then got in to teams (I was with four Americans and two Irish girls) and then on to the water! Started off fairly gently- practiced the various commands on some flat water, then moved on to the rapids, which were amazing! Did a few which were all going very well, we had a great team and a great guide who was taking us to the best partsd of the rapids and making sure we took them well. Then we came to a wider part of the river where we were instructed to keep to the right of the river and try to avoid the central rapids. However, we got caught up in a current which took us right to the middle and got us stuck on a large rock.

The rest is a bit blurry, but I've been told that the force of the water bent the raft in half (we were told later that the raft wasd an older one and not very good!), and because of the angle me and the two guys at the front (I was in the second row) got thrown out! What I do remember is being stuck under the raft, and because of my life jacket and the force of the water, not being able to move out! Eventually got out and then got pushed under again, then picked up by one of our amazing kayakers who took me close enough to the bank for me to swim to the edge, where i was picked up by another raft who took me to back to mine. A slightly scary experience, but totally fun as well!

The rest of the ride was less eventful, but so much fun. Got to jump out and do some white water swimming towards the end which was also great. After all that excitement we went on to the Borderlands Resort where we were staying for the night. Aftr settling in to our tents, which were right next to the river, and have hot showers, we had a lovely dinner (with un-curried veggies, and mashed tatties!), then spent the evening drinking beer and being entertained with various tricks from one of the guides. Went to bed about 10 as we were all knackered, and I had the best nights sleep I've had in weeks! It was so nice going to sleep with the sound of the river.

ARGH! i'VE JUST RE-WRITTEN MOST OF WHAT I WROTE YESTERDAY AND ITS DELEATED IT! I HATE COMPUTERS!

I give up for now- you can have a photos of my lovely team instead!

Team X: Jenny, Beth, Clenia, Me, Esure (guide), Rhaj, Daya (mad guide), Ajar, and Sam behind

And now its deleated my other photos- ARGHHHHH!