[Ride_4_Fortune]

Hi San Phrangmung,

I have been following your posts and travelogues for sometime now and found it very interesting. Good to see that you are travelling to places which I always wanted to do. I have a question to you and other T-BHPians who have toured North East. Could you guys tell me how safe are the areas in North-East for touring particularly on motorcyle. It would be helpful if you can list areas which should be avoided and also places which are safe for touring alone.

[sumitkalindi]

Seems that this road will loose its character after the road widening work it complete. I did loved the old world charm of the old road.

[San Phrangmung]

Originally Posted by rahul4640

Dear San,
Just last summer I had the opportunity to visit the Coal India HQ in eastern Assam, in a tiny town named Margherita. I remember that from Dibrugarh to Tinsukia the rail lines move by the side of the road and there were a few potholes on the road up to Tinsukia. But the stretch from there to Margherita, via Digboy was really nice. Although it was a two lane road, the road was very smooth with not much traffic.
Regards,
Rahul Biswas
Calcutta

Yes Rahul the road beyond Dibrugarh does not have much traffic as its dead end within a few KM's. Vajpayees grand road package did not include anyplace beyond Nagaon next to Guwahati. But if all goes well Tinsukia is going to have a bye-pass in two years or so atleast.

Lucky to have visited Margherita coal township, did you see Lord Curzon's bunglow there? If you happen to visit that region again, do go further towards Ledo and Burma border town of Pangsaung near Nampong.

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Road widening seems to be happening everywhere, sad to see the green cover taking the beating:(

Lohith, the greenery would be back in a few years, this road needed to be widened preety bad given uncountable numbers of dangerous curves and high volume of traffic to five states.

Originally Posted by Ride_4_Fortune

Hi San Phrangmung,

I have been following your posts and travelogues for sometime now and found it very interesting. Good to see that you are travelling to places which I always wanted to do. I have a question to you and other T-BHPians who have toured North East. Could you guys tell me how safe are the areas in North-East for touring particularly on motorcyle. It would be helpful if you can list areas which should be avoided and also places which are safe for touring alone.

Fortune rider don't worry the region is no worse than any other part of the country. You can visit all areas other than those restricted by security forces. Just make sure to stay off the road when someone calls for bandh. Search "Roadinc" he's on a bike trip in Arunachal right now.

Come over, you will enjoy each moment.

Originally Posted by sumitkalindi

Seems that this road will loose its character after the road widening work it complete. I did loved the old world charm of the old road.

Sumit the widening may take away the old world charm, but would save many lives and cut down the journey time substancially. Both are a welcome change.

[San Phrangmung]

Once you reach Nongpoh, this is the first restaurent that you would see to the right, just beside the Meghalaya state transport stand. Now they have added a tourist information counter here as well.

This place is clean and never crowded with sumo/share cab passengers. Just remember that they only serve Chinese dishes. Its my personal favourite so may give it a try.























Unfortunately i did not shoot pictures of their food till now, so some other time.

[San Phrangmung]

Nongpoh is the district headquarter of Ri Bhoi, Meghalaya, so the DC, SP offices are here.

Apart from a few simple private places, ther's a Circuit House with AC rooms for spending the night.

Ther's a government hospital as well for any health emergency and a Maruti service station for your vehicle.

[San Phrangmung]

As a few Bhpians have mentioned, one would miss the greenery on NH 40 for some time to come. This is how green it used to be.

[rahul4640]

Originally Posted by San Phrangmung

Yes Rahul the road beyond Dibrugarh does not have much traffic as its dead end within a few KM's. Lucky to have visited Margherita coal township, did you see Lord Curzon's bunglow there? If you happen to visit that region again, do go further towards Ledo and Burma border town of Pangsaung near Nampong.

Dear San,
I am sorry sorry I did not have the opportunity to visit Lord Curzon's bunglow. By the way, is that the historic Stilwell Road that are you talking about? I guess that it is the road leading to Burma from Ledo! Or am I wrong?
Regards,
Rahul Biswas
Calcutta

[San Phrangmung]

Originally Posted by rahul4640

Dear San,
I am sorry I did not have the opportunity to visit Lord Curzon's bunglow. By the way, is that the historic Stilwell Road that are you talking about? I guess that it is the road leading to Burma from Ledo! Or am I wrong?
Regards,
Rahul Biswas
Calcutta

Yes Mr Biswas its the Stilwell Road with the recently discovered and renovated WW II soldiers resting place cum memorial. Search Pangsau Pass and you shall see the link to related thread.

I have to visit the place again, this time with my own car and down to the famed Lake of No Return.

PS. Being with the Railways, i am sure that you have travelled across the sub continent and have a lot to share. Looking forward to read about your travel experiences as well.

Thanks.

[San Phrangmung]

Photographs from the drive to Kyrdemkulai - Sumer road.

This batch of pictures are from Nongpoh to Umsning point.

Once you reach Umsning, turn right near the BDO office. From there its a straight road till you reach the Kyrdemkulai zero point.

From this point you either turn left and go to Sumer or straight to dam and lake (Which i am yet to visit).
Road is preety good other than the occasional potholes.

Drive slow and use the horn a lot as narrow and curvy roads make it impossible to see oncoming traffic. On this road you will find mostly small cars and jeep & auto taxis. Those huge highway trucks also make there occasional apperances.

[akaushik]

what a wonderful trip!!! I had been there in December 09 and it was one of the most memorable trip because of weather conditions there...keep them coming , I need more cherapunji ;-) to fulfill my thirst..

[San Phrangmung]

Originally Posted by akaushik

what a wonderful trip!!! I had been there in December 09 and it was one of the most memorable trip because of weather conditions there...keep them coming , I need more cherapunji ;-) to fulfill my thirst..

Cherra trip was a long time back, i need a fresh one too Kaushik.

Here are some Shillong and Cherra snaps for bringing back those sweet memories.

And, must admit that crossing the cave was quiet a challenge for me. Not going down there again, only open outdoors this time.

[addyhemmige]

Lovely set of pictures San. I have always dreamt of visiting the North-East, but have not been able to do so. I hope I will do it in the near future. Thanks a ton for posting these pictures.

[San Phrangmung]

Thanks Addy, North East is a huge huge area to explore with varied cultures. Do visit it some day, you will love it.

Few more on road pictures between Nongpoh and Umsning

[thedreamcatcher]

It is good to see pics of this sector again. I had done this trip a couple of years back. Guwahati to Shillong to Cherapunji and back. It was one of the trips that I enjoyed and loved the drive and the places. And on another occasion, we had done Guwahati, Kaziranga, Nameri, Bhalukpong and Arunachal.

Bhalukpong is one place that I will always remember for its scenery

But, your Wagon is the most unique I have seen till date. Did you paint it your self

[Dry Ice]

San, more than the journey pics, I am enjoying the pics of your car. Truly 'unique' paintjob.

You have painted almost half the rear-glass, upfront, about 3/4 of the windscreen seems to be covered by sunfilm. Doesn't all this hamper visibility?