"3 Banjaare" on astonishing expedition into Seven Sisters's Land from Bangalore - 16

Day 19

Mrs. Tarzan got up at shrieking alarm’s first call and did not put it on snooze, she was probably dreaming of splashing in the crystal clear water of Dawki river. Yes, it was her star attraction of that day’s adventure ever since she saw picture of boat hanging through thin air above the pebbled bed which actually was the river with so clear water. Another interesting fact about the river is that it is a border to Bangladesh.

She had planned the day to start with little trekking and end with the visit to river. So, she had to get up in time and tackle the first task of the day, to wake Mr. Tarzan up, in which she was successful in quite a couple of retries.

They had to start pretty early towards Laitlum canyon which was approximately 30 km from their stay but Mrs. Tarzan was a bit skeptical about its exact location and was relying more on local directions. Ever since Mr. Tarzan visited Gandikota, he started adoring the canyons and longed to see more, so she had included this canyon in itinerary while she was reading about it.

By the time they started the day, it was already 9.30 and the weather was warmer comparatively. Refreshed and energized after breakfast, they headed off towards the canyon en-routing Smit valley which is not much inhabited but offers a picturesque view to the thirsty eyes. All in all an off-route drive to quench their thirst.

There is a highest point in Shillong about which Mrs. Tarzan had been reading, so she was trying to follow the map and local directions to locate it. Mr. Tarzan was steering wherever the directions prompted to however it landed them in front of a huge gated facility looking at which Mr. Tarzan was not pleased in his exploration and decided to drop this idea. It is not off-beat place to visit, this made Mrs. Tarzan bit doubtful of the day since the first destination of her plan was untraceable. Yet, the next second she chuckled, “Whatever we saw today, no one had ever seen ! ”

To this Mr. Tarzan smiled and replied, “So, whats next in your itinerary, hopefully it should be traceable”.

So, an about turn and then straight to the diversion where they took this route, the green trees on the way filtered out all their disappointment.

As they were moving ahead, civilization was becoming sparse and replaced by tall bright green trees and blooming meadows. The road was old but fairly smooth with occasional bumps, coiling amid smaller hills overlooking the valley. As the greenery kept on increasing the valley was becoming more vibrant with pleasant weather under which were blooming lovely flowers.

Such was the beauty of Smit valley.

After a drive of an hour they were on a pebbled/stoned road passing through the mid of a vast plateau near the canyon which was achievable  due to labeling at some places that they did not have much struggle to locate it. In some time they reached near a small check-post and hut like shop. On inquiring they were informed to be on right track. It was around 11 in the morning but there was no means of telling the time if one is just lost in the weather's charm.

They were riding across the plateau on stoned road with haphazardly scattered tiny grass under the thin veils of mist which reminded Mrs. Tarzan of their last day’s adventure in the cloud-land. To their left and right were the meadows with sparse and small grass completely engulfed in the mist, beyond which they could not identify the edges as if they were tiny beings inside the thick grey capsule. Very excited they were to actually see something like this in their life, they got down and parked Chheetah near a hut or whatever it was.

Getting out, Mrs. Tarzan ran towards her left without waiting for Mr. Tarzan who was worrying for her not to fall as she crowns to be clumsy princess. The place was fascinating as they strolled further left in the mist, yet the grey capsule did not seem to be thinning however near they approached towards the edge. Though it only vent out some space for the rocky edges to stun them with their presence, beyond which they could not even guess the depth or even the end of the rocks or the other side of the canyon. Amused, but a bit disappointed of not being able to see anything below them, they waited for sometime and later walked towards the front side wondering if the mist is allowing them to the mysterious sight which they could only imagine.

From the front edge, through the veils of mist, the view was enchanting as Mrs. Tarzan approached one rocky cliff which she wanted to climb down further but did not since she was scared of heights. It seemed from the cliff as if there was a secret doorway to some never-land through the layers of clouds and you just have to take a leap.

Awed by the breathtaking experience Mr. and Mrs. Tarzan strolled towards the right end and performed inspection on that side of the canyon where again they couldn’t see anything at all. Yet they had an amazing unique experience at a place which is called a canyon though they did not see one !

After spending total of an hour, they left the place heading to their next stop Mawlynnong which is also known as the cleanest village of Asia. The village has been in news with its lucrative pictures in several posts over travelogues and remained attraction for the world, hence was included in Mrs. Tarzan's list too. The village was around 65 km from here and seemed to be a smooth ride since it was a world attraction which makes more sense for it to be well connected.

Chitchatting and enjoying the scenic beauty of Meghalaya they did not realize when an hour and half passed. Well directed, it guided them perfectly to the diversion on right leading to cleanest village of Asia.

After this turn they entered into majestic land of lush green plantations among the woods intercepted by narrow dark road with frequent twists. This portion of the journey was similar to their off beat route from Ziro and interestingly they were accompanied by several tourists visiting the village.

In a few minutes they noticed signs of civilization when it was already 2, then few watch tower like structures behind each other. Going further, there were flocks of wandering souls of various nations. The village, though small, is indeed very much organised and planned from drains to bamboo dustbins. At regular intervals, there were several tree houses and small houses which claimed to offer best view of sunset over Dawki river as home-stays. This road goes round about and leads to a wider parking area where several buses and cars were parked.

People were roaming around, some elderly ones just resting under trees, some enthusiasts flocking the eateries, few kids were running and shopaholics were busy at the local stalls.

The village was much more commercialized for Mrs. Tarzan to imagine. Every household was

promoting tourism and offered home stays with food and merchandise and also toilet !

Mr. and Mrs. Tarzan wandered to the surrounding forest and returned as it was getting bit hot in the sunshine.

After capturing some pics they headed off to the living root bridge located in this village. There is a well directed path leading down towards the river on a concreted pathway and staircases crowded with stalls and eateries which slowly vanishes at some distance, and then it was muddy stoned steps guarded by bamboos or boulders at edges and occasionally with fragile rope railing on outer side.

Not much difficult trek unless it is skiddy due to rains, also, their enthusiasm was high on hearing the roar of the river.

After few minutes they got glimpse of the bridge and silver ripples of  river at some distance. After descending further they were standing in front of the majestic living root bridge.

The bridge takes you to the opposite bank of the river which is covered with lots of trees and you can also climb up beyond the other side and explore the mother nature.

The river stream emerging amid dark bunch of trees on the right was thinner and quiet smoothly pouncing on rocks on its way, gradually widening with turbulence as moving to left. The rocks by its banks were occupied by few folks on further left. There were also some human species quietly sitting at an elevation on the other side and watching the river in solitude.

The bridge made of living roots of tree (hence the name) was so huge to imagine of being alive. Several branches of root were entangled marking the sides of the bridge which was basically a huge log, resembling more like living root swing wide enough for 2 people to cross at a time.

Mr and Mrs Tarzan crossed the bridge and reached out to the farthest rock in the river beyond which it descends down. It was so serene, surrounded by tall green trees with the bridge at their back while they sat on the rock watching the river roaring while descending further over the rocks.

They spent few minutes in admiration when Mr. Tarzan suddenly noticed that the sunshine had almost gone. Mrs. Tarzan quickly got up to get going to her prime destination of the day and was panting and climbing up hurriedly, crossed the bridge and again panting while ascending at the other side till the parking area where she took breath when finally seated and Mr. Tarzan turned the engine on while it was already 3.40.

But, the next minute she made him stop as she wanted to capture a weird structure resembling something like a tree house.

Off to Dawki, Mr. Tarzan was driving smooth till the diversion on main road. From here Dawki should be reachable in 45 min if the road would not have very rough. But since the river is at Bangladesh border they dreaded road ahead to be in poor shape.

Rough and surrounded by dense forests, the drive was still enjoyable. The road wore deserted look for almost half an hour and Mrs. Tarzan started wondering if their destination and the route was correct. By then she caught glimpse of the river on right, so they would eventually meet it at some point she assumed. As they proceeded they could notice movement of the armed forces since it was international border. The mountain on their left became more rocky and less green. Further moving ahead they could see the river clearly and also boats lined up while few were sailing far. Now, they encountered vehicles parked at regular intervals on the road and small stalls calling out people. They were stopped by couple of guys who were requesting for boating apparently behind a broken railing and crooked stairs leading down. Mr. Tarzan didn’t like the idea and Mrs. Tarzan also showed him that as per map there is a boating point ahead. Also, the road was occupied by several vehicles parked haphazardly making the movement tough, so to park there was risky.

They decided to move ahead though those guys said that they wont get parking and there is no boating ahead. That was so unprofessional !

Crossing the jam, after few minutes they stood near a tall long bridge, deep below which the river was shining crimson as it was already sunset.

The bridge looked very old and could only allow passage of vehicles till certain limit, was under the vigils of our forces guarding and keeping an eye over the border to bangladesh. As they were moving over bridge the spectacular view of the river deep down invaded by tiny boats was giving them goosebumps. Soon after crossing the bridge was the official boating point and they got a nice spacious parking spot near the stairs leading down to the river.

Elated Mrs Tarzan fulfilling her dream was climbing down looking at crimson water till a distant piece of land beyond the boats at the bank and in the water while sun was already settling down at 4.45 in the evening. They took one boat for ride and got settled in. The boatman told them that the water ahead is actually Bangladesh, astonished Mr. and Mrs. Tarzan could not make out where is the border. Then he added that they sometimes roam around in Bangladesh, play on that distant piece of land and come back boating. It looked so peaceful there to believe for being an international border.

Anyways, the ride started towards the opposite side which falls in India as they were not supposed to cross border. As they sailed more and more the crimson water became reflective of the surroundings.

Moving below the bridge it became so narrow sandwiched between the tall walls of hills, close enough that their reflections were almost touching them. The reflections were so clear that one can not make out on looking upside down had there been no ripples in the water. It seemed like the tall dark walls with green decorations were standing at their sides emerging from some infinite depth with the trees grown upside down !!

The river was full of fishes which they can see swimming below them and river bed was covered with weeds occasionally, but the clear depth of the river could not be estimated since sun was behind those walls. Had it been the broad daylight when sun would be shining over your head the river shines in all its glory with crystal clear water that you can see the riverbed as if there is no water beneath and you are hanging in the air. “Alright, next time”, thought Mrs. Tarzan, “every place offers unique presentation at various time and climate”.

The locals were merrily singing and chatting on the rocks by the banks. Some were fisherman and fishing with their hands. Couple of fisherman passed by on their boats fishing on large scale.

They did not know how much time passed until they reached a small island in the river which was of course temporary, formed due to recession of water. It had white grey and pale gravels in abundance, difficult to distinguish from the ones under the water and make out where is brim as the water was so clear. The three of them halted at that island parking their boat.

An elated Mrs. Tarzan jumped into the water at once with Mr. Tarzan running behind her. The water was cold and calm at this point and the fishes were kissing their feet. She splashed water over Mr. Tarzan and waited for him shouting but he returned smile with a splash to her surprise.

The boatman went upstream and drank water from the river while having remote conversation with his friend at the rock near the other side of bank, their voices echoing along with the chirping of birds returning to their nest since it was getting dark.

Mr. and Mrs. Tarzan spent few more minutes there jumping from one rock to other or quietly watching the serenity of the gravels so clearly visible under the sparkling water till their buddy sat next to them meaning to leave since the sky was turning violet and water appeared little opaque. They were the only beings left in the river.

The three of them then sailed away through the tall mountains which appeared much more darker to be recognized. When they stepped out of boat the group of boatman greeted each other, one guy merrily singing and his voice echoing adding beauty to the landscape which actually was getting dark faster.

By the time they climbed up the stairs and got seated in the car it was officially dark being 6.10 pm . The return journey was quieter since they both were still submerged in the river feeling the purity of water admiring its crystal clear splashes while listening the songs of movie Taal.

Reached hotel at least not very late i.e., 8.50 pm and hence could have something to eat. Their host had ordered some food for them and finally they had proper meals in last 3 days.

Part 15                                                                                                                                            Part 17