“Best things happen when you least expect.”

 

It all started with a phonecall from my maternal uncle from Kolkata whose 70^th Birthday was due in a week’s time . I had made arrangements for my mother to attend the occasion , but I did not have any plans to join due to work. However with much coaxing from my uncle I  wrapped up my work and joined him one day before his 70^th Birthday . I not only ended up attending his 70^th Birthday Party , but also joined them on their trip to Arunachal Pradesh.

Now from where did this Arunachal trip crop up . Yes my uncle and aunty in Kolkata are avid travellers.  And since I was already in Kolkata with my mother it made sense to join them .  So a sudden family vacation - Courtesy my uncle.

Well the process to book hotels through apps is rather a task and unreliable.  As most hotels in Arunachal do not have a good equation with online booking apps. So after booking through the apps , I had to cancel and rebook directly with the hotels. Managed to get all the stay sorted before we could land there.

On 5^th Nov  2019 we landed in Guwahati and rested for that day . Next day morning we left for Arunachal  Pradesh . We reached our first stop – A beautiful place called Dirang .  I was very impressed with the clean roads. The view up the winding roads was a visual treat .  From beautiful monasteries  , to resorts , to locals , to kids playing in the open and the infinite mountains staring at you .

We stayed at a resort called Awoo in Dirang.  Apart from the hospitable staff , the heater in the room was a savior . 

Next day we left for another town called Tawang. I came across one of the best Monasteries. I was delighted to step inside and sit for the prayers .  I would say , this experience was one of the highlights of my trip .  The other one being , playing housie with the family while sipping some local wine .

 

Our next  destination was Bumla pass and like many touristy people we too were excited to see the Indo – China border . The icing was the beautiful lakes we came across on our way to the Bumla pass . 

Finally we reached the top which was approx. 15,000 feet high . All the tourists assembled in a holding area where tea and biscuits were served . Then in groups we walked to the point where we supposedly could see the Indo – China border . China toh door door tak nahi dikha but instead got a brief history on Indo China war .

 

After an hour or two and all the photo session , we began our descent to Tawang , we reached our guesthouse – Ugyenling. We rested and next day morning we were on our way to Bomdila , where we halted for one night at a guesthouse called Highlanders . What amazed me that the guesthouse was run only by woman , Right from the porter to housekeeping to cooks – All women .

Finally we reach Guwahato airport and back to Kolkata . For a few days my mind was still in the mountains . It will only be fair to say “Best things happen when you least expect.”