Jaldapara Part-2
We have now reached to a watch tower.
There are some other tourists also on the watch tower. We have got down
from the car and stretching our bodies. We have become frozen by the
journey. The sun is up and we are trying get the warmth from the
sunlight.
We are now on the watch tower. We are watching carefully all around as far as we can see. We are expecting for a sighting of a rhino. A vast area of long grass land is in front of us. This kind of grass land is favorable to rhinos. So we are focusing on there.
We
have come down from the watch tower now. We could not see any rhino or
any other animal from the watch tower. Now its time to go back. We are
boarding the gypsy again. Our return journey of the safari starts.
I am the first one to board on the gypsy for our return journey
We are now taking tea at the lodge where we are staying at Madarihat. We have returned after doing a jungle safari inside Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. It was a safari on Maruti gypsy. We could not book the famous elephant ride as it was full booked already.
After finishing tea we were heading towards our room when the lodge manager informed us about an opportunity for an elephant ride. A tourist group has not arrived or canceled their booking. So we got a chance for the elephant ride. So we have agreed for the elephant ride and the lodge manager has done the arrangement.
We are now going again on the Maruti gypsy. The car is running fast through the earthy road inside the sanctuary. This time we are not feeling that much cold that we felt in the wee hours.
We have now reached at the point from where the elephant ride starts. All the elephants are engaged now with other tourist groups. We have to wait till they come back. We probably have to wait for half-an-hour before our turn comes.
There is a forest bungalow at this place. It is known as Holong Forest Bungalow. This is the best place to stay inside the jungle. There is an open ground in front of the bungalow. There are some sitting arrangements present on the open ground. Next to it there is a salt pit. A parikha ( protective trench filled with water ) is separating the salt pit and the bungalow ground area.
We are waiting for the elephant ride near the Holong bungalow
After waiting for some time, our turn has come to ride an elephant. On the back of the elephant a sitting arrangement is present. It can accommodate four people excluding the mahaut ( a person who rides and controls an elephant ). A raised concrete platform is present to board on the elephants. We are going up on the platform using the concrete staircase attached to it. The elephant is waiting beside the platform for the on-boarding of its passengers.
I am the first passenger on-boarded. I have occupied the front left seat. All the passengers are on-boarded now. And the elephant started walking. I am feeling like I am swinging. It is the first elephant ride in my life. Probably it is the first elephant ride to all of my pals accompanying me.
I am now adjusted to the oscillation. The elephant is walking into a stream. The water is clean and transparent. I can see many small fishes are playing inside the water. A nice sound is forming by the footsteps of the elephant in the water. I am feeling great. What an amazing moment in my life!
Our elephant is moving along being inside the stream. We can see another elephant with a tourist group crossing the stream. Our elephant is also taking the same route of that elephant.
The elephant with the other tourist group
Next part: Jaldapara Part-3
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