Another early breakfast and then we were picked up by taxi and taken to the tourist bus station in Pokhara to catch a bus to Damauli where we would pick up the raft. We thought that Rich and Ruth might be on the same bus but we watched them get onto another one at the bus station.
We were greeted by our raft guide Asso at the Damauli bridge when we got off the bus. We had to empty our bags and cram everything inside waterproof bags – there were 7 of us altogether on the raft; the three of us, a Dutch couple and two guides plus all our gear. It was starting to rain as the raft was packed up and sure enough, not long after we arrived Rich and Ruth appeared coming down the path from the bridge to pick up their raft.
So we set off in miserable weather but it wasn’t too long before the sun came out and it became a beautifully sunny day. The water was a bit tame but it was a very relaxing ride as we glided down the river. We stopped for lunch and the two guides produced some great food for us to eat. We set off again and encountered a little bit of white water from time to time but it was more about enjoying the surroundings and sunshine than experiencing some ferocious water.
It wasn’t too long before we stopped again and set up camp for the night. We were welcomed by a very excited puppy who seemed to know that a big, blue inflatable boat brings in new friends to play with. We helped pitch three tents and a toilet tent and then Asso and his friend went to work once more. After a quick swim we were presented with a makeshift table, tea, coffee and a huge bowl of popcorn. A fire was lit and as we lost the last light of the day we were treated to a feast of chips, rice, noodles, lentils and veg curry – quality food cooked over open fires which put some of the other food we had to shame.
As it was a dry night we decided to sleep outside on the beach rather than in the tents.
