[PointZero]

Day 8 (9th October 2015) Tawang -> Urgelling -> Sela Pass -> Dirang

This was the phase of the returning day and take a U loop to home. It was kind of a recap of the tour from Tawang back towards Sela Pass via Jaswantgarh. However, before that, we visited Urgelling, the birth place of the 6th Dalai Lama, a small monastery next to Tawang.











While approaching Sela Pass we were daunted with thick black clouds. We moved along with it as a captivated enemy is escorted by soldiers. The brightness of the lakes was dimmed in the presence of the black clouds. Within the dark clouds the trail of trees on the top of the mountain was looking like a batch of Pike men is protecting the beauty of nature.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y64j...QhhdBm&index=9

To be continued...

[PointZero]

Day 8 continued ...




Leaving Sela Pass





By afternoon, we entered the valley of Dirang. At the outskirts of the city, the green lustrous Kiwifruit orchards dominated the large part of landscape. The wide Dirang River seemed to accompany us guiding our way. We checked in to a hotel which was at a good height to give the complete view of the valley. The evening was spent driving along the river to the Shanti valley, which is known to be one of the best places to get the real culture of Arunachal. However, it was late enough so we returned from half way.










Dirang Valley





While returning, we remembered about new Dirang Monastery and headed towards it. We consulted the local people for the direction, and at last we were delighted at the look of the monastery. It was a huge monastery under construction with carving on the walls painted in golden paints. The painting gave it a royal look with circular stairs leading to the main entrance of the monastery. It was evening prayer time, and the Lama was keen in teaching the offering songs to the local ladies. The ladies giggled at their mistakes, and the same was with the lama. They also thought that we can learn the songs better so they gave us the prayer book. We tried but could not sing in the tone of the master. His voice was as heavy as his built but was soothing to the ears. At last we gave up, and sat quietly to hear him singing and feel the rhythm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu7u...hhdBm&index=13

This was the last day in Arunachal, and we all were in a mood to relax and spend leisure time. We returned to the hotel and made ourselves comfortable on the terrace. We kept on staring at the stars in the clear sky imagining different formation of stars, and feeling the gusty wind rubbing against the skin. It made a perfect night for us after a whole day journey.

Hotel: Awoo Resort - Dirang, http://www.awooresort.com/contact.php. got a good discount - 1050/- for double bed. very good view and very good service.

To be continued ...

[PointZero]

Day 9 (10th Oct 2015) Dirang -> Bomdila -> Bhalukpong -> Guwahati










Some Picture taken inside hotel.











Somewhere while having our breakfast.


Again there was a long day journey to Guwahati. The target was just a night stay in Guwahati. So, we took enough time to travel from Dirang. On the way, there was nothing interesting to see but the storm between Bhalukpong and Guwahati had astonished us as the rocking trees threatened us of natural calamity. On the way we stopped for a while as the bamboo trees fell on the road hindering the passage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHPK...QhhdBm&index=5

It lasted for almost an hour, and our average speed was constrained because of it. It was late night when we reached Guwahati, and the most difficult part was to search for a hotel with proper parking place. We wandered here and there looking at hoardings to find a suitable hotel. At last the owner of a restaurant came to our aid and suggested a hotel to put up at. The stay lasted only for the night, and with morning light we started for the next day again.

Day 10 and Day 11 (11-12th Oct 2015) Guwahati -> Siliguri -> Kolkata

While traveling towards Siliguri from Guwahati, we searched for all the possibilities to spend the day in a tea estate. However, the availability of rooms and the cost did not prove it to be a feasible plan to make a single night stay there. In spite of that, a much awaited dinner at Khana-Khajana (Siliguri) influenced us to spend the night in Siliguri.



The next day was a tough journey for us, as well as my car, to cross the huge traffic and the ditches without harming the vehicle. The ride started smoothly as there was less traffic. Our heats were filled with joy, thinking we would reach our home earlier than anticipated. Near the entrance of Bhagalpur, a CRPF group made us halt for regular check. We thought to be a regular enquiry and checking as a WB registered vehicle was entering Bihar. However, the update was about something new, there was an election going on and every vehicle was being scrutinized vigorously. Pondering over the matter we moved ahead, but the worst thing happened when we had to travel around a few KM inside Bhagalpur. The Bihar police were not allowing any vehicle to pass from either side in the state highway. Also, the update was that that the nakabandi would be lasting till 5:00 PM at the border of Bihar and Jharkhand. The next thought to our mind was how we would cross the forest area between Dumka and Suri starting at 5:00 PM from Bhagalpur. No request worked. To our dismay, the police did not pay any heed to the fact that there were two ladies inside the car. After making continuous requests for almost an hour, and rigorous scrutiny of our vehicle and luggage, we were allowed to leave. We left the place and sped away perchance they change their mind and stop us at the next check post. Near Dumka, as usual the ditches were of the depth of small ponds and it didn’t seem that there existed any road. For once, we stopped only for lunch at Dumka after which we sped again in the hot and dry weather. The weather made us feel lethargic and thirsty. Near Massanjore it was hard for me to continue as we had started at 3:00 AM in the morning. I parked the car at road side and had a power nap of about 15 minutes. My friend woke me up with a cup of refreshing tea, and it was then that I felt rejuvenated. Meanwhile, while traveling we kept on thinking and discussing of the horrible situation encountered at Bhagalpur. Finally, we reached home safely at 10:00 PM.





The total trip was 3989 KM.

[mobike008]

Excellent Travelogue Pointzero. You have captured the place really well and it looks really mesmerizing

Arunachal Pradesh and Eastern India is on top of my next must visit bucket list

Rated 5*

[roy_libran]

Excellent Travelogue! Thanks for giving us a Detailed View of Arunachal Pradesh. I hope this thread will now, guide many others like me, to plan an itinerary for this Paradise on Earth.

[Samba]

This is one hell of a travelogue! Loads of lovely pictures and superb attention to details! Honestly speaking am commenting before i have finished reading the whole travelogue! Though i will finish reading it soon! I have just gone through 50% of it and am really amazed. Rated a well deserved 5*.

[BlackPearl]

First of all welcome to team bhp and congratulations on your first travelogue. It is an excellent travelogue and the pictures are awesome, rated 5 stars. The weather that you guys got is completely different from what we got. We must visit Arunachal during this time of the year as well. It is nostalgic to see the same places that we have been and gives a feeling of deja vu.
Woodland restaurant is the best restaurant in Tawang and its owner Dechen Hrider is a good friend of mine.
Now that you have written the Arunachal travelogue, it is time for us to wait for the Bhutan and Zuluk travelogues :-D

[arjab]

Wonderful travelogue and equally beautiful photographs!
You have successfully initiated the "yet - another - road - trip" itch within me

One query: Was your Bolero a four wheel drive? In other words, do you feel 4x4 is required to traverse these terrains ? (With ref to some of your pics on way to Bumla et al)

[earthian]

Excellent narration and pictures. My resolve to do the NE just firmed up. One request: Could you upload a google map showing your route and destinations? It would help people like me understand it better. Thanks.

[SouraC]

Welcome to Team BHP PointZero and What a Travelogue to start with.

It’s a common saying that "A picture is worth a thousand words" and I hope that anyone going through your Travelogue will agree to that. Wow what Pictures you have taken and it seems like a story in itself.

As we came to know you in the winter meet and also know that there are more TLs coming our way, we can only sit back and relax while waiting for them.

Now After going through the 4th elaborate Travelogue on northeast I am feeling the urge to complete mine in the near future.

And of course rated 5*

[Red Panda]

Hi PointZero, excellent travelogue and wonderful photographs. I must say you have covered pretty long distance in this trip.

Btw, did you attend the Gadiara winter meet? I think I saw you there. Correct me if I am wrong. And apologies for not introducing myself.

Regards,
Avishek.

[mi2n]

Now, where's that "Rate 10*" button? Exemplary travelogue! Each of your pictures do speak the proverbial thousand words. I'm overwhelmed really. NH-34 might have it's gremlins, but the destinations it leads to compensates for all the troubles and then some more.

I definitely need to learn the art of traveling from the likes of you. Reading the travelogues here, I wonder how come Bhpians manage to take so many photos and log such details while driving! A few hours into the drive and I often start getting too conscious of reaching the destination failing to truly live the journey.

Congratulations and thank you for sharing your experience in such a befitting manner.

[Roadilicious]

That is simply splendid. Pictures say a lot, don't they.
Every state in India has tremendous tourism potential and thanks our people that we are unable to explore it. Well that is a different discussion.

Loved your vehicle and your snapshots.
Keep Roaming!

[wanderernomad]

Excellent travellogue and pictures. You want to come back and experience it in again in winters, eh? If you will allow me I shall hunt out the winter snow pictures of all the places from my own trip and post a few of them here. Some of the pictures are exactly the same as yours but completely white.

[delix]

What a travelogue! One of the very few detailed and well written travelogues , I have come across in recent years. The photographs are great as well. Bolero is a very sorted out vehicle and is built to reign over terrains like these. Your travelogue is a guide for budding travellers/explorers like us who dream to conquer similar terrains some day in their life. A double thumbs up for the machine. Look forward to your other travelogues which I am sure are around the corner.