Given that we really save a lot by posing as locals, we were instructed to introduce ourselves as students from Manipur...and I gave the game away twice (though nothing much happened).
Had to wake at 430am in order to visit the nature wildlife reserve. Set off without breakfast and reach there before 7, where we were informed that only 40 jeeps are allowed into the sanctuary. Due to the drizzle, we really couldn't see much...just 2 tuskers, a peacock and a couple of deers and boars...nothing v spectacular. That was the first time where I gave the game away, when the ranger with us asked me where I was from and I replied "Singapore" casually...which resulted in killer stares from group.
Went for breakfast next and then towards some cave. The journey to the cave seems eerily familiar to the journey the day before to Chembera peak (finally knew how to spell it). The easy start, the downpour, the slippery rocks (but then again, every trek starts this way). Nothing eventful happened on the trek to the cave...even the cave itself was unspectacular, but then again, it has always been abt the journey instead of the destination.
Proceeded on to some lake/hot spring/cold spring (I still have no clue what it is till now). Had to access the lake via a river, where everyone got on and the "captain" steered the boat manually using a rope tied across the river and manual labour. I gave the game away here again when asked where i was from, which my group make sure i will not forget it again; Reached the lake, which in essence felt more like an outdoor swimming pool with the Indians taking a dip. As curious as I am, I was the only one who tried to enter the "hot spring" and got a little wet while attempting to get on top a rock). Got as twice as i left the lake...this time, I was sure I was from Manipur
Lunch was at some random hotel in the street, where we had chicken fried rice and the bill went up to slightly over $6 per person, the second most expensive meal we had after that crazily exorbitant dinner at Hard Rock Cafe on our third night...totally wasn't worth it. Next up, we went to Echo Resort. Echo was supposedly the organization that sponsored our vehicle, and the resort is an revenue generating arm of Echo. Stop for a pretty lengthy break, while I sip on some tea and cookie before moving on to our next destination.
Next up was shopping for ethnic clothing. We parked at the hostel and took a walk to sindur...which was much further than it looks. When we got there, it seems like everything was closed, but then they opened up for us to shop (now we are obligated to buy something). Went through tons of stuff, swapping sizes and colors. I finally settled for a red Indian shirt (guess I could wear it to surprise my friends back in Singapore). Murphy's law always strike. It had to rain once we got out of Sindur...so we braved the rain to get to Cinnamon for dinner. Gorge myself to death with 6 slices of pizza. Thank God for Chandru, who went back to fetch the van and spare us the agony of walking back.
Final destination in India is Otty! Heard there's a fair bit of trekking tmr as well
Mark!
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