ASSAM TRAVEL

I was woken by the first rays of light and the sound of cuckoos. While Irene slept, I went for a morning walk on the banks of the Red River. At a distance, I could see the sleepy Sun rising out of the Blue hills. Fisherman folks were getting ready for the day's job. They were hospitable enough and offered me a ride. I wish I had joined them but for Irene. When I came back, she was back full of joy from her morning exploring of a local family's garden where she could find a number of rare Orchids and other colourful native flowers.

Our day started with a boat ride to the famed Peacock Island. The smallest inhabited island in the world and one of the three islands, off the Guwahati Shore. There, we visited the Umananda Temple of Lord Shiva.

From peacock Island, we went on to the other bank of Brahmaputra to the North Guwahati side. The white sand beaches were alluring for sun bath but we resisted our temptation and instead visited a local Vaishnavite Satra 'Dol Govinda' where people celebrate birth of Lord Krishna with great fanfare.

Instead of taking the ferry, we chose a longer way to drive back to the city through the picturesque foothills, tea garden and paddy greens, driving enroute the Indian Institute of Technology, a premiere institute of the country. Through the Saraighat Bridge across Brahmaputra. This majestic double storeyed bridge in steel was the only link connecting the two banks of mighty Brahmaputra for a long time. In the evening, we took a river cruise on a floating restaurant. The ambience was befitting the mood as the live bands played some folk numbers as we saw the sun go down the river. One could make out why the river is also called 'Luit' ..Colour of Blood as we ferried back to shore of the Red River.