Exploring The Unexplored With Unknown To Known.

I actually don’t know how to begin. A problem I face when I begin to write a post about any trip. Words keep popping up but I don’t know where exactly to fit them. The places itself have been so visually fulfilling that I don’t know if my descriptive words will do justice.

While everyone emphasises on exploring places, it is the unexplored which poses a healthy challenge of admiring it. North East India has been a neglected part for so long but on second thoughts I kind of felt happy about that. Because everyone has seen the Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh, snowfall in Manali or the tea-gardens of Munnar, but now I had a story, rather an experience to cherish about walking the Living Root Bridges, dipping in the naturally formed hidden swimming pools, jumping in a waterfall that emits more than 3 rainbows at a time, struggling on narrow bridges of  rusted rods with flowing crystal clear water below. Ah I could go on and on… And what would happen when you have people from such varied fields coming together? Fun is too small a word.

So here was a traveller, a fashion stylist, few engineers, some clueless about what they were doing in life, some wedding photographers, a journalist, few from marketing, a businessman, a IT student, IT professionals, a professor and many others who had just embarked on a journey to explore the unexplored. It was an amalgamation of 50 different minds with a like-minded idea of making the most of this trip. Organised by the Photographers of India in association with Chalo Hoppo, North East India was more than an experience, lived and treasured.

We had no formal interactions to begin with, but soon became friends in no time. There’s something about traveling with unknown people, you are not just exploring the new place but along the way having conversations in a way explore the other person. I had gone with my 2 other friends, but we had made it a point not to cling with each other throughout. Each of us found certain people to hang out throughout the day and in the night we chilled together. Most of us were in the same age group which made it easier to bond.

It was a hectic, tiring journey but totally worth it, when there’s a treasure displayed in front of you. After every trek, the final destination was revitalizing the energy lost! So it did not matter if you walked down 3500 steps, climbed some again to reach a place that you’d only seen in the google images! The Living Root Bridges (single and double decker) are nature’s bounty. We sweat all through the 3-4 hour long walk down, but when you splash just a fistful of cold water on your face, you don’t care about the trickling sweat.  The single living root bridge is a glimpse of what awaits you when you further trek down a little more. While the single bridge appeals your mind, the sight of double decker root bridge with a milky flowing waterfall in front of it, fills your soul. Throw your bag packs down and just get into the waterfall, the heavy flowing water massaging your shoulders, forgetting all the turmoil you felt while you reached.

Courtesy: Adrit Sanyal

Carrying ourselves all drenched in the chilly water, we headed to the most beautiful campsite. Right in middle of a forest, lay an open space which had our tents pitched. Behind were the tall trees, in front of you were bushes some more. A walk ahead led into a cemetery! Ah and above a sky full of stars. Could it get any more poetic?

Courtesy: Abhishek Bhalotia

Nights began here at 7 pm and there was a slow dip in the temperatures. But with that, was the rise of the enthusiastic campfire! As the sparks flew when the wood burnt, friendships were building. Giggles filled the silent air and music upped the sombre mood. The sepia tone of the evening and silhouettes of these 52 travellers was a sight to behold, which may not have been literally captured but still paints the picture. It was also the time to eat some maggi and enjoy the charm of the beautiful stay. The organisers were now participants and we all had so much to share. From travel stories to drunk tales, we had our explorations going without even realising it.

This trip was no less than a personal pursuit. It was breaking down of uncertainties with what you’d initially begun. You didn’t know the kind of people you’d meet, the kind of choice they’d have, their reception of your kind, but towards the end I got back with some of the best from each parts of the country! I can heartily say that I know one friend from a different state now.

I don’t think my words can ever do enough justice to the beauty of this place, so I leave it to the pictures. The place becomes your muse, you need no person. There is still so much to say, but this shall too be a series now. 

On an ending note,

Very rare is a sight, that presents you the irony,

When a photographer doesn’t click a scenery,

Retains the beauty through the eyes,

Going through North East, a hidden gem,

On the way becoming us from them!