West and South to Ziro

Departure at 0500.

The hotel guard had to open the door. And then the gate to the parking area which was on the opposite side of the hotel.  Needed some delicate reversing to get the Thar out as the parking area was full.

Fueled up as we left Daporoji, as there had been nothing on the way in.

The run today averaged a little better than yesterday. Covered the 168 kilometers in less than 8 hours. It was a dusty run, for sure. But, a scenic route every bit of the way. Once the road which is being developed is done, the drive will be just fantastic.

 

Got stuck at road development a few times, but not for too long. They cleared the road quite efficiently to allow vehicles to drive thru road building stretches.

Just after this hold up, all the vehicles ahead of us in the convoy, seven of them,  stopped at an eatery. We too did, hoping that we would get something different from the local standard diet. But, no such luck. The only other option was boiled eggs, and that would take time. So, drove on. And, understood over the next couple of hours why all vehicles crowded one place. There was no other.

The road under build, wide and flat. But, currently without a topping. This was in stretches.

Found a place around 1000, which offered omelettes and maggi. Stopped and ate. Refused to try out the chapattis which were on offer.

Started climbing when we were closing in on Ziro. First views of the Ziro valley.

Checked into Hotel Zimin Ziro.

After a good vegetarian lunch of Rice Dal Sabji, decided to head out for a quick tourist view of the natural Kardo Shivaling. On the way stopped at a car wash to get some dust dirt of the car. Started talking to a local Apatani guy, who lived nearby. Got invited to his house for some red tea with pepper as we waited for the car wash to get done. Then headed back to our original destination.