As we are approaching to the end of 2018, I must say that it was a wonderful year in terms of adventures and travels. I enjoyed every bit of it and created many beautiful memories. After looking at the list of year-long travel, I must say that continuous travel to the dream destinations is possible even if you stuck in a responsible full time job. There is no need to quit your job to live your passion. Here is a snapshot of my travels in 2018:
January: The first trip of the new year. I took my brand new Baleno (3 months old) on a road trip across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The fun part was that I was a novice driver who learnt driving on his own car two months back. Anyhow, the trip started with my wife and daughter and we drived all across Assam from Guwahati to the India-Myanmar Border near Nampong Village in Arunachal Pradesh. We drove through Kaziranga National Park, Jorhat, Sibsagar, Digboi, Ledo, Jagun and many more places on the legendary Stilwell Road. From there, we passed through the tea gardens in Doomdooma, Dhola-Sadiya Bridge and reached to the beautiful Roing town.
From Roing, the ultimate adventure started when we raided the roaring rivers in Arunachal Pradesh while driving on the vast river beds between Roing and Passighat . The road was just a hell at many places and it was really a daring adventure. We had to cross the rivers with the boats and it was an actual test to control the nerves while accelerating the car to the boat-deck. The journey continued to the river island of Majuli via Dhemaji before coming back to Guwahati after an ultimate road trip.
March: A half month long trip to the exotic islands in Southern Thailand including Koh Tao, Koh Pha Ngan, Phi Phi, Krabi etc and back to back Scuba Diving sessions in Koh Tao. Koh Tao was as usual greeted us it’s immense beauty underwater. Riding a scooty on the roads of Koh Pha Ngan was actually a roller-coaster ride, but it was an amazing beach hopping experience. Krabi surprised us with its peaceful environment. Phi Phi and Phuket provided us the usual touristy experiences. Last five days was a nightmare, when daughter felt sick seriously, but things were sorted out on the tiny island of Phi Phi and then Phuket and we came back with happy memories.
May: A road trip to the beautiful village of Mawphulnur in Meghalaya. First when I heard about this village, it was so difficult to pronounce its name that we gave up and said our colleague that please spell out the name, so that we could find it on the Google Map. It is a beautiful village, surrounded by rolling hills, green forests and serene ponds. A nice weekend gateway from Guwahati or Shillong with very few visitors.
June: Motorcycle ride to Barapani, Smit Village and Laitlum Canyons in Meghalaya with the friends. Night stay at Barapani and then took a road less travelled from Barapani to Shillong. The landscape along that road is just mind-blowing. During the rain, it looks more beautiful. Further went to Smit Village and it completely mesmerized us with its green cover and gorgeous landscape. Latilum Canyons was completely covered under the clouds and we couldn’t see anything. However, I made another trip in December to enjoy its beauty.
July: Motorcycle ride to Bhalukpong, Bomdila and Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh when the roads are at its worst. The road was full of slush and water, and skidding was very common, although the trip completed without any issue. One of the crazy ride that I will never forget.
August: Another road trip in Buddhist Circuit of Bihar to Patna, Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda. It was an attempt to know some well known destinations from the Buddhist Circuit in Bihar. The trip also included some insight on the history of Shraddh in Gaya and a side visit to the Jain temples in Pavapuri.
September: Solo Trek to the beautiful Dzokou Valley in Nagaland. I was hesitant to go to Dzokou Valley initially. My plan was for Mokokchung and Mon in Nagaland. But, at the last moment, I thought to go for this trek. And I am glad that I did it. One of the most beautiful one day trek in India.
October: Another road trip to Mawkyrwat in Meghalaya. A narrow escape from the major accident when I slept momentarily while driving on the hill road. Our car got damaged, but we all were unhurt.
November: Paragliding in Pelling, Another dream trek to Goecha La West Sikkim.
I left three days early to report at Yuksom, the base camp of Goecha La Trek. Before reaching there , I visited Pelling town in West Sikkim. I was walking on the roads in this beautiful town, when I saw a paragliding team doing some practice sessions. I curiously asked if the paragliding facility is open for the visitors and then I had my first paragliding experience there in Pelling.
Later, I went for the twin pass trek and successfully completed Dzongri La and Goecha La trek. The trek was organized by my office. The views of mighty Himalayan Peaks was simply adorable. The trek was once in a lifetime experience.
One more time in Arunachal Pradesh at Basar Festival. 10 days, after returning from the Goecha La Trek, I was again in Arunachal Pradesh to enjoy the third edition of Basar Confluence, a cultural tourism festival at Basar in Arunachal Pradesh. It was a beautiful trip to learn about the tradition and culture of Galo tribes in Arunachal Pradesh.
December: Another road trip in Meghalaya visiting Shillong, Laitlum Canyons, Mawphlang Sacred Forest and nearby destinations. This time , I was able to see Laitlum Canyons in clear weather. The landscape was again very beautiful, but from the first visit during the rain to the second visit during the winter , it slowly turned from green to yellow. But, the winter sun is so much fun.
Apart of these, there were numerous small trips to the destinations like Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Tapoban, Mayong, Bogamati, Ukiam, Samdrup Jongkhar in Bhutan, Malang Waterfall, Chandubi Lake, Sualkuchi Villlage, Hajo etc. It is an advantage to stay in Guwahati.
As 2019 is knocking at the door, I already have many plans in my mind, but most of them are concentrated around the lesser known paradises in North East India, in Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh , Mizoram , Manipur , Nagaland and Meghalaya..in seven sisters basically.
Hope you will continue to enjoy my travels from the India’s North East, that has many misconceptions, myths and perceptions in general public of India. Wish you all a very happy, prosperous and adventure-filled 2019. May you travel more and more in 2019.
At last, it is your love and support that matters most. I hope to enjoy my journeys more in 2019 with your continued love. Happy New Year Folks 🙏.
