Our journey to Arunachal was the most difficult to handle. We had no help there in terms of accommodation and as expected, it is the one costliest tourist circuits. Our journey was along the Balukpong – Bomdila – Tawang circuit. As known, all the domestic tourists have to take an Inner Line Permit – ILP – to enter the state of Arunachal Pradesh. There are five government approved tourist circuits and one can get a permit for one circuit in a single permit....
Our stay in Mizoram had been amazing thanks to the ever hospitable Mizos. Alas, all good things must come to an end and we travelers had to move on to our next destination. After getting rejuvenated in Mizoram, we thought we should go to Arunachal – the most touristy of the north-eastern states. We were ready for the arduous journey ahead – nearly 800km – going down from the hills (Mizoram) to the plains (Guwahati) and climbing up treacherous roads in the hills (to Bomdila and Tawang) again....
The stunning Night view of the Aizawl city The serene Tamdil Lake The Jaw dropping view of Aizawl city The omnipresent hills
It was back to school for us hitchhikers literally. We were invited to interact with the students of Govt. Higher Secondary School – the largest school of Mizoram. When we were produced with this opportunity, we grabbed with both hands as this would gives a great chance to learn what the next generation Mizos aspire to be in their life. Considering our background of quitting our jobs and being jobless, we were apprehensive initially as we could be the worst examples the kids can have....
In Aizawl, we were hosted by YMA – Young Mizo Association – an NGO. To say that we were just hosted would not be sufficient – we got tons of advice, help and support from them. Because of the YMA, we made good friends in Aizawl too. YMA is an organized way for every Mizo to participate in a simple act – looking out for each other. They even have a term to describe this – “tlawmngaihna” – and every Mizo person is proud to abide by it....
Can you help but feeling that you are in paradise when you have views such as this one, every morning you wake up? Aizawl, a place usually not on our radar (unlike some other areas in the North East, Mizoram and Aizawl are very peaceful and so stay out of news) is tucked away in the remote south of the North East of India. Mizoram is not frequented by outsiders much – partly because of the above reason and also maybe because it is a little hard to get here....
BRO (Border Roads Organization) builds roads in some of the harshest conditions (the deserts of Rajasthan, marshes of West Bengal, icy hills of Ladakh and so on) in India - they have built many of the difficult, winding roads in the North Eastern states too. Without the few arterial roads, these states would be cut off from the rest of the country. Traveling on these roads is an experience in itself....
Asking for Water and given Condoms at a Shop - It happens only in Mizoram
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Last night on our way back home Today evening on our way back home again :) Did we make you jealous yet?