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BHPian aviator1101 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
"If you want to achieve something with utmost sincerity, then the entire universe conspires in making it happen for you."
A loose translation of a dialogue from a Hindi movie. Exactly fits the way my Mechuka trip materialized.
One night just before hitting bed, received a call from my boss that next morning I have to leave for Mechuka for some official work. Immediately an item from the bucket list seemed to pop up in front of my eyes.
Set to pack with unprecedented eagerness which surprised even my wife who's been putting up with my rider's cravings since marriage.
The rough itinerary was as under :
Started early morning at 6 am.
Took the North bank route, ie Tezpur - Bishwanath Chariali - Gohpur - Dhemaji - Silapathar - Likabali - Basar - Bam - Aalo.
Road from Tezpur to Gohpur is four lane highway. Thereafter it's double lane till Likabali. The hill section starts from Likabali which is the Assam - Arunachal Pradesh border. The stretch from Likabali to Aalo is a mix of twisties, potholes and stretches of broken roads with single lane diversions at places. Reached Aalo by around 3:30 pm.
The day's route was Aalo - Kaying - Thumbin - Tato - Mechuka.
Woke up to find an overcast sky and dense fog cover. However, weather started clearing up around 15-20 kms out of Aalo. Sun also started peeking at us intermittently. The stretch from Aalo to Thumbin is smooth double lane, and thereafter till Kaying is good barring the stretches where road widening is on. From Kaying, the road becomes single lane with patches of broken roads, slush and steep inclines. Interestingly, I came across at least 7-8 fresh landslide zones. Upto 30 kms short of Mechuka, road closure timings are enforced due to rock face cutting and road widening work in progress. Out of the 180 odd kms, 150 I would rate as adventurous.
The weather at Mechuka is governed by a strange phenomenon. Mornings are extremely foggy, clouds fill the valley floor while the skies wear a mystic blue shade. By 9-10 am, the weather clears up revealing the scenic beauty of the valleys. By 3 pm, clouds cover most part of the sky and by 4:30 pm it's almost dark.
Local sightseeing at Mechuka included the Hanging Bridge and the Samten Yongcha Monastery also known as Old Gompa.
A local friend Mr Pasang also hosted us to a semi-local cuisine dinner at the newest restaurant, The Norsang Kitchen which is co-located with the new Gompa.
Day 4 and Day 5 were my return journey via Likabali to Tezpur.
1200 odd kms and five days later, another destination ot North East ticked.
Posting some photographs from the trip:
The bifurcation ahead of Gohpur. One has to take left from here for North Lakhimpur
Entering Basar. Such gates are common at almost every town/village in this part of Arunachal Pradesh
Somewhere ahead of Aalo : the meandering Siyom river
The Kaying cafe - run by the Indian Army
Posing with Bagheera at the Siko Dido waterfalls. Falling from a height of approximately 200 feet, the falls has a plunge pool at its base
Such springs are a common sight in the stretch between Tato and Mechuka
This colourful gate welcomes you to Mechuka
Bagheera parked outside Buddha Kitchen. Notice the Menchuka Airport in the background
Enjoying the local Chicken Thali on arrival
Bagheera parked atop a hillock : Mechuka town in the background
The hanging wooden bridge on the Yargapchu river which divides the town of Mechuka into two parts
Gateway to Samten Yongcha Monastery, also known as Old Gompa
Colourful buildings inside the Old Gompa Complex. The influence of Tibetan architecture is quite evident
Sitting in the Monastery courtyard, soaking the warmth of the morning sun and enjoying a "Heavenly View"
Early morning fog in the valley floor and clear blue skies : common phenomenon in this region
At the exit of the Old Gompa : what lies hidden beneath the fog is Mechuka
Same location at noon: notice the town of Mechuka with the Yargapchu river meandering through it
The Old Gompa houses a sort of library : a huge collection of ancient Buddhist scriptures
Idols inside the Samten Yongcha Monastery
A closer look at the idol of Guru Padmasambhava, known as the founder of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism
Someone has rightly named Mechuka as India's Shangri-la
The lavish spread : hosted by a local friend Mr Pasang at Norsang Kitchen
After two days in the lap of nature : bidding adieu to Mechuka
Crossing a freshly cleared landslide patch
Bagheera posing with some picturesque rock face in the background
On the way back : at Tato (notice the elevation)
At a traditional Galo Hut near Bame
Back to the land of Tea Gardens
Bagheera crosses another milestone : 15000 kms on the odo
Have shared an ownership review with details of our 11 month old journey here.
The odometer reading at the end of the 5 day trip
Happy Miles and Memories
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