After a close inspection by all the 4 drivers, we decided to move on with one broken shocker. It was 11:30am when we started again. However, we had to rearrange the passenger distribution so that the poor Qualis does not have to suffer more. We were however at the risk of damaging the other vehicles.
The road conditions did not improve and at places, it worsened. Our fully loaded vehicles had to negotiate the ditches with extreme caution to avoid further damages. We finally reached Lataguri at 1:30pm and checked into the 2 resorts, Panchvati and Silver Ridge. The resort co-ordinators swung into action and rooms were allocated within 5mins. These 2 resorts are interconnected and food was arranged at Panchvati, to minimize the hassle.
As the plan stood, we would take an evening safari to the Gorumara NP and then spend the rest of the evening lazing around the resort, which was quite well laid out. The kids specially needed some rest after spending the last night in train and then the road ordeal.
The message to the group was to get fresh and have lunch and be ready for the evening safari by 3:00pm. All times were decided with a 30min buffer keeping the large group in mind.
The group assembled around 3pm. I was 100% certain that we would not be able to see any wildlife in the forest due to the convoy of 4 diesel engines and the clatter associated with it, both from the engines and from the passengers. However, the team was very excited as most of them were going to enter a forest for the first time. Being the leader of the pack, I took some undue advantage here by conveniently placing myself on the front seat of the first vehicle to enter the forest, thereby trying to maximizing my sighting chances.
At the gates of Gorumara NP
Soon we started and were at the gates of the forest by 3:45pm. After showing our permits, etc, off we were into the forest. Those who have been to Gorumara before would know that there are 2 viewpoints in the forest, overlooking 2 saltpits, where animals can be sighted. The one that comes first, is just beside the Forest Bungalow and from my previous experiences, I have seen that sighting chances are minimal here, except for a couple of rhinos at a very long distance away.
At this point, let me inform you that this particular forest bungalow was the set for the film Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, by Aparna Sen. There was considerable controversy during the filming as the director decided to paint the bungalow in a way that it looks dilapitaded, as depicted in the film. The bunhalow was however repainted back to its former glory, after the shooting was over.
A lone stork
Coming back to the point, I decided to give this particular viewpoint a pass and go deeper into the forest to the next one. This is the farthest that a visitor is allowed to go into Gorumara. This viewpoint is also very well located overlooking a bend in the Murti river and it also has a saltpit. When we arrived, there were already a few tourists around. As we settled on the watchtower, I setup my camera on the tripod and started patiently waiting for any wildlife to appear. Being a winter evening, light was diminishing fast and we were watching the sun set against the foggy hills in the distance.
To help us kill some time, out came a peacock from the bushes along the river and went ahead to drink some water from the trickling Murti river below. It was around 4:30pm and our hopes of catching a glimpse of any wildlife was diminishing fast. The light conditions were becoming poor and even if something comes out, it would be very difficult for me to photograph the same. Just as these thoughts were coming to my mind, I saw something move at the right most corner of the area we were watching. From the shrubs below, out came a Sambhar.
The Sambhar crossing the river
It stood still on the banks of the river against the trees, for some time, watched very carefully and gradually started crossing the river.
On the other side
I took a few shots of the Sambhar as it walked across the river and came up on the other side. It was almost 5pm now and the forest guides were not willing to stay back. The stipulated time to reach the forest gates was 5:30pm and no visitors were allowed to stay back beyond that.
It was late. We started our journey back. Keeping the large crowd in mind, I was lucky to have seen the Sambhar, as I had expected nothing. On our way back, we stopped at the other watchtower and there was nothing to be seen. Nothing dramatic happened either on our way through the forest till the gate and soon we were back at the resort.
We had planned the next day to travel to Jhalong and Bindu (the last Indian village bordering Bhutan and also has a Hydel Power project over the Bindu river) and visit the Chapramari Forest Reserve on our way back. At Bindu, you can actually walk across the Hydel project and walk into Bhutan. Anyway, as we reached the resort, the resort manager came running with the second dampener of the trip. A fight has broken out between rival parties on the way to Jhalong and a strike has been called on the following day, along that route. So, it was time to make alternate plans. Traveling to Samsing and Suntalekhola was an option, but from my previous experiences, the road is pretty bad and there is not much to see around.
So, it was decided that we will do an early morning safari to Khunia Forest Reserve and then spend rest of the day around Murti. In the evening, we will take a safari to Chapramari forest and then have a campfire back at the resort. The changed plan was conveyed to all.
Sunset at Gorumara with the full moon rising
We had dinner at 10:30pm and after another round of chatting, it was time to retire to the cottages. It was full moon outside and the entire highway in front of the resort and the adjoining forest awashed in silver.