2.6 Balipara - A Haven in a Tea Estate

7/3/24 Thursday

The clock strikes 8:30 am and we bid adieu to the crisp chill of Ziro to drive to Balipara in Assam. The chilly weather at 11° sets the tone for our adventure. Descending through winding curves, nature plays its whimsical hand, and within thirty minutes, the mercury races to 22°. From the brisk cold morning to the warmth of a sudden temperature surge, Assam's landscape unveils the diverse climates on our journey.

Amidst our convoy of mighty SUVs, the road becomes a lively spectacle as pint-sized champions like Hyundai Eons, Maruti 800s, and the delightful "Alto ranis" playfully zip past us. It's quite a comical scene, akin to watching nimble baby goats gleefully dance around towering elephants. These small wonders inject an unexpected dose of charm into the journey, transforming the highway where David-sized cars fearlessly challenge the Goliaths of the road.

After breezing through the plains post-Itanagar, the drive turns picturesque as the roads sprawl out into a smooth, flat landscape. As we approach the verdant tea haven of Balipara, a detour tempts us into a tea estate. Amidst the waves of tea bushes, we seize the moment for a photo op—a snapshot in time where the vibrant hues of nature and the spirit of our adventure converge.

                                     

Nestled within a tea plantation, Hotel Wild Mahseer unfolds like a storybook English manor, with its scattered barns and bungalows artfully transformed into enchanting hotel rooms. Our retreat in "Ambrosia" felt like stepping into a chapter of elegance, boasting not only spacious accommodations but also two grand common areas that welcomed shared moments. The verandah wrapped around the quarters, inviting us to savor the tranquil beauty of the surroundings. It was a rendezvous with history and nature, where the whispers of tea leaves and the charm of colonial architecture blended seamlessly.

The figures:
8.30 am Hotel Ziro View
10.00 am Tea break Potin - 45 kms
12.45 pm Entered Assam - 78 kms
1.15 pm Lunch break - 21 kms
3.30 pm Break in McLeod Russel tea estate - 57 kms
5.00 pm Hotel Wild Mahseer, Balipara - 36 kms

Tolls paid today : Rs. 0
Total Tolls paid : Rs. 3675

Traveled today : 237 kms
Total distance covered : 3618 kms