My Big Escapade - Destination Unknown...: Day 46 - April 23

April23 at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging

Up and ready by 6 am. Have the morning tea with Major Chaco. He says its ok to take pitures and i was at it. Just then a platoon arrived and we had a group. Bid farewell with thanks and i get moving. Quite tough life these soldiers have in these hills. But every one seem pretty motivated in the service. Got ready for another grueling sessions. But the roads were lot bettor this side. Of course had to ride through thunder storm if not a shower at the room. Then one it was a beautiful ride. Stopping at will to take pix. Pity that hardly any people come to experience the beauty of manipur. The road was pretty busy with troop movements though. Take around four hours to cover 100 kms this time only delayed by fotosessions. Thought of continuing till Kohima. But then i here the sounds from the front wheel. Yes the disk pad has worn out. Its bee 8k kms and time to change.

Manipur has a pleatow in the middle and this is where Imphal is situated and unlike what i expected its a city on flat ground. I descend tot he planes and as i approach the the city felt it very crowded and dusty. Was pretty hungry and din know where to look for a restaurant in that chos. So asked around for the Hotel Nirmala which i heard is good and safe and found it after some time. It had a regular restaurant and Alu parathas after a quite a few days. Suffered with food in the last week and so had tummy full and then went to the HeroHonda service center. Yes there is one here. Get the pads changed, bike washed, oil change and some minor things. By now i was becoming a celebrity. Bike was attended to earnestly and the cost of engine oil was taken. Mr Roshan, Area manager from Hero honda was pretty impressed with the travel and advised me to ask directions only from the army people around and not locals. It was 1 pm when i was free. Kohima was like 140 kms and i was not sure of the road conditions and how much time it would take. Din wanna get to Kohima post 5pm. So decided to stay in Imphal for the day. Luckily found room at hotel Nirmala itself and after dumping things, went to check out the Loktak lake.

Catch the NH 150 ride with a good pace in the flats and was shocked to see the board saying Tipaimukh village 305 kms. So Imphal to Aizwal is like 475 kms in this route! This is definitely not shorter then the 440 kms route via shilchar. Ride some 30 kms and see the Loktak project board to the right and was told the way tot he lake was the left and as i went in it was a narrow road and trees on either side and pretty isolated. Did not know if it was ok to come here alone as recently some encounters of UGs were made near the loktak lake. So turned back and went further south towards Moiran where i heard there is a army stationed and is near the lake as well. Pass through the crowded villages and got of the highway into the Moirang town. It was like chaos in there. Quite a few fully kitted soldiers walking around. Find my way to the Netaji Subhas Chandra bose statue and that was the base of the soldiers. On inquiring was told i have to go further and the lake is not so scenic and the area is pretty sensitive. One of the soldier was from karnataka and wondered why would people come to tour in such disturbed area. was also told that can get to the lake where i tried first as army is stationed inside.

It was already 3.30 and is was like 50 kms away. So was time to head back. Again went into the detour towards the lake and at the end i saw mud track goin in with a sign board saying prohibited area. Well i dont was any more slush fight so took pix os what lil water i could see and headed back to the hotel. The city was not really inviting for an evening walk and i settled for TV and lappy for the day.

The storm clouds approaching from over the mountains...