The monkey stole our channa and other animal adventures

Kara and I did not trek the Anapurna Circuit or climb to Everest Base Camp but we did still manage to do some of the adventure tourism Nepal is known for. In Pokhara there are several para gliding companies that advertise their services around town. I began asking around about prices, which initially concerned Kara, but after being convinced by multiple people that it was safe and we would not die she agreed to sign up with me. It was a tandem flight from one of the lookout points above the Phewa Tal Lake. The paragliders can be seen from Pokhara as they circle above the lake and we were able to watch them that morning as we had breakfast before our scheduled time (and after our yoga class of course!). We were driven up in a jeep with some of the pilots who would be taking our group. The pilots were exactly what you would expect of paragliders. They were all chugging energy drinks and hanging off the back of the jeep as we drove up. It was honestly like being sandwiched in that vehicle with overgrown ADHD children. I wasn't sure how I felt about them jumping of a steep hill with only a chute to save us.
Once we got to the top I was assigned my pilot, quickly strapped in, and told by him not to worry he would explain everything as we went along. All I had to do was run toward the edge of the hill toward the lake that lay just a couple hundred meters down! This did not comfort me. But I followed the instructions , chute inflated, and we were immediately whisked up into the air. The paraglider circled on thermals higher and higher above the lake. The day was incredibly clear and I could see the Himalayan range in the distance. It was absolutely beautiful, and although flying generally scares me to death this was incredibly relaxing. At the end we even attempted to do some stunts, spiraling down in what made me feel like I was on a roller coaster. Unfortunately we couldn't do much because I am not heavy enough. My pilot told me I should eat more pies.
A day later we hopped a bus to Chitwan National Park in the Terrai Plain. Unlike the cool comfortable weather in Kathmandu and Pokhara, this southern agriculture center of Nepal is hot as can be during October. Although uncomfortable it has created some amazing jungles that is perfect for watching wildlife. We booked a jungle safari on back of an elephant through a very environmentally conscious tour guide who went on for quite some time about the problems facing Nepal's environment. Quite informative.
Our trip atop the elephants allowed us to see alot of animals that would not be visible above the high grass. The elephants are also not considered a threat and we were able to get quite clost to several rhinos! It was amazing. They came thundering out of the jungle into the clearing we were in. It sounded like gunshots as branches cracked underfoot and then they burst out into the clearing and ran past our small herd. Later we also got right up beside one cooling itself off in a pool of water. We were also able to see crocodiles, birds, and deer. Earlier during the day we had been able to sit atop elephants also as they were washed in the river near the park entrance. The handlers let tourists climb on top as the elephants are lead into the water. We were soaked as the elephant we were on began filling it's trunk and shooting water onto it's back. Then it rolled over into the water and knocked us off. Quickly ending our ride.
After this quick tour we headed back to Kathamndu for a few more days of poking around the Kathmandu valley. We visited Swamambunath one afternoon, a temple that is perched above the valley on a nearby mountain top. As we were climbing the many stairs to the top of the buddhist temple, Kara's bag or popcorn and channa was grabbed from her hand suddenly. In front of us a large monkey jumped a few feet from us and sat down to greedily munch on our snacks. I was pretty annoyed, having spent the whole trip to the temple on the lookout for channa and other roasted crunchy snacks. I did not want to share with this monkey. I threw about half of my water at it before it gave up and made off with a smaller bag of our channa. I ran and grabbed the bag before another monkey could take it, but sadly the animal had slobbered all over our snacks and ripped open all the bags so none of it was any good. So sad. There were no other negative encounters with the other monkeys that swarm the temple steps. But I still can't forgive that monkey for taking all my delicious channa.
We flew out of Kathmandu and headed to Bangkok. On the flight We were able to see the entire Himalayan Mountain range. It was beautiful from that height. The snow capped mountains blended perfectly into the line of clouds in front of them. Absolutely incredible.