After the drive from Likabali to Aalong, I wasn’t sure what to expect on the drive from Aalong to Menchuka today. As it turns out, this drive wasn’t as bad but it was still quite bouncy.
We started from Aalong at 0815, stopped at Kylin for a spot of snacking and tea, stopped at Tato for lunch and then stopped at Pene for another spot of tea and snacking. There was also a waterfall that was recommended and since it was on the road, we stopped for a couple of selfies. It’s called the Siko-Dido Waterfall and while it isn’t the largest or most beautiful one I’ve seen in person, it was lovely and definitely the first I’ve seen in person in Arunachal Pradesh!
We reached Menchuka at 1730. Most of the drive we were accompanied by rain and fog and grey skies. But the moment we got out of the vehicle in Menchuka, the clouds parted and we were bathed in a warm golden glow for a couple of minutes. A few slivers of blue sky amidst the clouds. It was all too quick for me to be able to sling out my DSLR but I had the phone in my hands and basically, YAY!
Menchuka is the coldest so far but since we’ve been acclimatizing last four days from Dibrugarh to Menchuka, the cold didn’t quite hit me here. For safe measure, I quickly popped open my suitcase and wore my thermal inner wear.
The clouds and grey skies quickly took over and the night air got colder and the sunlight behind the clouds disappeared pretty quick. Haven’t been able to see what the town looks like but it feels quite large and flat and open. It’s a small valley surrounded by snow-covered peaks.
Maybe there will be a spot of Sun tomorrow? I’m here for about a week, I’m hoping at least ONE day will bring sunlight and take away the fog and rain.
On our drive here, we spotted lots of the local bovine breed known as “Mithun”. They’re docile-looking cow-like animals, generally smaller than cows we see in the plains in North India. Strong-looking horns, kind eyes and generally great coat of hair. ( Basically, I like them and I don’t have a photo. ) These animals are revered by the locals and the animals roam around unchecked. They are not branded. On special occassions, they are exchanged as dowry and even slaughtered and eaten – but only VERY special occassions.
But seriously, the break in the clouds and the golden glow was quite something. Worth the shit drive.
There is no mobile connectivity here so I will be publishing this once I’m back in Delhi. Will back date or mention date at the outset. Can’t think of anything else. I recall Dad used to always tell the kids in the family to write an “essay” whenever we were traveling. Most of us girls carried our diaries with us. If we had somehow managed to forget to carry the diary, we could always get sheets of paper from the reams we could find in either of our Dad’s office stationery.
Now, while I am not carrying a physical diary or my laptop, I am carrying the Lenovo Yoga Pro 3. I decided to carry this along mainly because I wanted to be able to transfer images from my DSLR to my HDD and I don’t have a transfer device to do so directly. Then I also imagined I might want to make “Dear Diary” entries to post to the blob to document this trip – basically for my reference. I am a bit sick of the commercialization of blogging and the cookie-cutter enquiries. I used to love blogging for myself. I don’t mind doing this for brands too but it needs to be an experience I covet and would love to collect and come back and see myself after years. Something that inspires nostalgia.
I am also trying to switch back to being a photographer primarily. I enjoy photography and have been focusing on making pictures consciouly instead of shuttering away at the drop of a hat. If I don’t like what I see in the preview window, I delete it immediately. I like what I have produced so far. Good trip already yo!
