Further east towads Roing
Post for 18112021. Could not post as the network was berserk. And, the evening went away with itself.
Departure Tinsukia at 0830. Post breakfast. After we refused to partake in the standard buffet and asked for specially made egg and toast.
The roads were crowded by the time we started out of town. And, continued to be so for a while, out of Tinsukia. We were driving on a single lane not so great road against inbound traffic which was made up of school kids on cycles, youngsters on bikes, maniacs in cars and idiots in lorries.
The last time I had done this run had been at the back seat of a bouncing Gypsy. We had gone to Nagaland where Divya and Varun had some initial surveys to do. This time I got to see some of the road, instead of the back of two heads and a dirty canvas sheet.
Then we came up to and went over the Bhupen Hazarika Setu. The last time we had come this way in 2015, we had cross the Brahmaputra using two separate ferry rides. It took us hours, the wait time included. It was fun all right, as we had never taken our vehicle across on a ferry powered by pole power. This time, we were on the other side before we knew it. 9.15 kilometers of a wonderful road.
The police at the Arunachal border half heartedly asked us purpose. Told him we were headed into Roing. He lifted the barricade he had been dithering about. The drive in to the small town was as we remembered. Nothing much to talk about. Structured much like any other small town. The outskirts had the vehicle mechanics, then the eateries, then the shops. We stopped at the shops as we needed to stock up on water. Saw a booze shop and remembered our needs for the next week. Did what was necessary.
Got to the resort without much of an issue. We sat around till the owner, came by.
We had booked two rooms. The previous evening Gibi had called Varun and told him that some group had got stuck, and we therefore had only one room available. Given that Varun was not with us, this was okay.
Had an early lunch and went down to the river. The walk down is interesting in itself. Take a wrong step and you can go down faster than you want.
The trip down is worth the effort.
Got back to the room as the sun was setting.
Had a quick wash, as a bath would be the wrong word. The geyser gave us just a third of a small bucket of hot water.
As I stepped out, Gibi came by and asked us if we would like a drive up the road towards Anini. We went along. There was another wildlife connected guy who also came along. As we started of, Gibi told us that we should take a can of beer for each. He wanted to have something called Godfather. Put my foot down. Ultimately got Budweisers.
Went up to the house his parents had lived in. By the time we reached it was dark. At 1630 hours. Went into the house, sat around the fire place that adorns all these houses.
As the beer went down, it got obvious that Gibi wanted to talk about himself. He gave us his history, including a story of a stolen family elephant. He tracked it to Namdaphah and got it back. He told of the Shamman culture they have, which is dying. Left there at 1730, headed back to the resort.
Man joined us again when we were at our evening ritual. But, made sure he did not get a chance to talk history with us. Fortunately, his daughter, all of 13 wanted him home for dinner. Gave him some sound advice on the need for the father to be there for the daughter. Dinner was excellent.
Think we stay there more for the food and the river than the accommodation.
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