Day Two - Continued
So, Suntalekhola came to a naught and we descended downhill towards Rocky Island. Spent some time at the bridge instead of going down to the river bed, took some photos and we resumed the return journey.
It was almost 6.30 in the evening when we reached our rooms. After refreshing up, we thought about what to have for snacks (Being Bengali, food is always high in the list of priorities for us!).
And ordered for Cheese Toasts and Tea.
While driving towards Chalsa from Gajoldoba. NH 31 from Chalsa to Chapramari.
Sometime later the rains started, and it poured heavily. We opened the curtains and saw the rain, feeling secure in the confines of the cottage, yet enjoying its feeble hammering sound. After a while, there was a door knock and when we opened the door, a smiling waiter arrived.
I have always felt the food at Sinclairs to be very tasty and rightly priced. And the cheese toasts and tea that arrived in the rains justified it again. We all gorged into the toasts with the tea.
Houses of Bhutan, on the other side.
The rains stopped, may be, a couple of hours later. After which we headed for dinner and had Rice, Dal, Bengali Style Chicken Curry and Salad - well-cooked home comforts!
Hilly stream. Hydel Power station at Bindu. Driving through Chapramari forests. Day Three: Jhalong, Bindu, Paren, Murti & Gorumara
The next day we woke up late and had breakfast after which we headed towards Jhalong.
As I have said before, the resort is located on a small hill, so we got down and took the left turn and were on towards NH-31. The NH-31 is a two lane highway in these parts right till Barobisha and passes through several forests – out of which the Chapramari forest (a forest adjacent to Gorumara national park) is one of them.
A broken bridge along the Diana river (not sure) Lunch at Sinclairs - Fried Rice and Chilli Chicken
We took a left from the highway and were driving deeper when a couple of local fellows waved their hand. One of them were asking for a ‘lift’ if we were doing towards Jhalong. We said yes and asked them to get into our car. The forest got deeper and deeper, and after a railway level crossing the cloudy skies gave way to the rain and the cicadas and birds were screaming through the forest. The drive was
surreal.
Tea plantation.
A few miles later we came across rubber plantations and then the road winded up a hill which was a mostly a drive in third gear.
One of the locals suddenly popped up a question, “Sir, do you want to go towards Bindu?” to which we said “Yes”.
So he said, “I can guide you on that road and if my relative is there at the hydel power station then I will be able to take you to the insides of the dam too”.
Found these similar to 'kash' near Bindu Approaching Suntalekhola
We were happy about it. And then at Jhalong one of them got down and we saw the Jaldhaka river bed from far above. After which we passed through a 12 km journey through narrow, forested and a potholed road towards Bindu. Presently, with overcast skies, the river thundering below and vacant village ‘haat’ it made us feel unique.
Approaching Suntalekhola
The local, then walked towards the Hydel Power Station gate and asked then security if he could bring us along to which the security guard nodded. So, we went inside the dam – nothing fancy though. But what was interesting was – we walked over to the other side of the dam and there was a Bhutan Police picket post – so, we were standing in Bhutan!
Rocky Island Tea Gardens and far beyond are hills of Bhutan.