Breakdown tour, river crossing, storm
17/04/2012 23:45
Content:
- Breakdown
- River crossing
- Fire for sale on eBay
- Thunder-Storm
- Strike = Driving ban
Breakdown
With Mark, I'm on my way from Pokhara to Bardia National Park in the western Terrai of Nepal. After just eight kilometers I lose sight of Mark's IVECO. I go back and there he is ... Cooling water problems. He has crafted something with hoses and valves and the engine overheat now! We bleed the system and the journey continues ...
But only good 500 meters later I notice a loud whistles coming from Fridolin's tyre. So, more precisely, from one of dozens of holes in the tyre. The tires which I have been repairing already three times is now flat as a flounder.
Later in our sleeping place, we take the tire off the rim and my suspicion is confirmed. Also with this tire, the steel carcass is broken and dozens of steel strands burrow through the tire. Adieu dear tires ... you are doomed to death.
River crossing
We learn from our mistakes? Yeah, once again I stand in front of a river, but this time I am willing to cross it first by foot. :) Mark and I run with pulled up pants through the river and discuss the best route, highlight large hidden rocks and will be reviewed with suspicion by the locals. They may think, "What are those two idiots doing, this river is not a problem to cross!!"
Well ... Better safe than like in Mongolia?!! We then roll without problems to the other side of the river and pitch our camp on a quiet spot on the river. A wonderful night!
Fire for sale on eBay
The two boy scouts have collected a huge pile of wood. The fire is lit expertly and the tea is ready. But what now? The small dry branches burn like tinder, but the larger branches are too moist and steam only to themselves! Ei Ei ... Our fire is devoted to destruction.
In the morning, fishermen notice sincerely "Mmm, gained a lot of firewood ... but no fire!"! "Thank you boys for the remark" *GRJKHFDTFITZEVD* :o)
We are now trying to sell our half burned fire on eBay. Anyone who wants can bid on: "For Sale: Real Nepalese fire for advertising windows"
Thunder-storm
The second night on the way to the National Park we stay in a meadow just off the highway. Not five minutes pass and we are surrounded by children. Together we play Speedmington and football. Occasionally Papa Bear attacks the horde children, but mostly stumbles over roots because I can not wear my glasses underneath the bear head. :o)
Suddenly, then every kid's disappears and we now know why. A violent thunderstorm races up and almost blew my tent from the roof. With ropes we tie it to the bumper. Wet, we sat in Mark's Iveco, cook instant noodles and wait with a Hollywood movie to the end of the storm.
Strike = driving ban
Everything stands still in Nepal's lowlands. A strike paralyzes all means of transport. The roads are blocked with trees, rocks, or bicycles, and it cost me all my diplomatic skills to negotiate us through the blockades.
A perfect day of riding ... because of free roads without any traffic? :)