This pickup truck is a beast on open roads but would it be as reassuring as my Mahindra Bolero 4WD on tiny broken roads?
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A decade. Thatâs how much time has passed since I last visited Anini. Back then I was a carefree bachelor and riding around everywhere on my Royal Enfield. Things have changed in the last 10 years. Now I am a carefree (read as careful) married guy with two healthy kids. So, when a long weekend came up in March, I asked my owner (wife) if we should go for an adventurous trip to Anini and she said no way she was taking a 7-month old on such a trip. I could take the 7-year-old Nibir if I wanted. In fact, she insisted that I take him along. Sharing responsibility and all that- one kid each.
So, we were just two men and our newly acquired 2017 Isuzu Vcross for the journey. I asked my colleague Joibumsang (Joi in short) to join me as Nibir loves him and more importantly listens to him on dietary matters. People who have fussy eaters as kids will relate to me. Also, he is great fun.
A decade ago we rode across these river beds. No bridges then.
This was the maiden trip for the Isuzu and I wondered how it would fare on narrow mountain tracks. I have had it for 2 months and it is a beast on open roads but would it be as reassuring as my Bolero 4wd on tiny broken roads? Well, there was just one way to find out and accordingly, the three of us packed ourselves in the Vcross and headed towards the land of the Idu Mishimis on a grey March morning.
Vcross. A worthy companion of my Bolero 4wd?
We made good progress from Pasighat to Roing where we met the first checkpost set up for the oncoming elections. They saw a sleeping kid on the 2nd row and waved us off. Benefits of having a kid. We would meet many such checkposts on our way to Anini and the Vcross got a lot of compliments from the officers on duty. âKya Mazaa Gari Heâ one particularly beautiful lady police officer quipped to her mates. Translation: âWhat a fine car and what a fine driver!â. That bit about the driver is made up for those who donât know Hindi. Joi advised Nibir not to go Papa Papa when we were in conversation with beautiful police officers. Life lessons the kid is learning.
Near Mayudia. People come to see snow here.
The road itself is not very challenging. Any car can do this route. There are some small diversions off the highway due to landslides which need some careful maneuvering. We reached Anini in around 10 hours from Pasighat. We did take a lot of breaks. Food options are aplenty on this route. We had some good food some 100 kms before Anini. Try to tank up your car at Roing as the next bunk is at Anini only- some 250 odd kms.
Nibir being cheeky
We gave a lift to an elderly woman working in her fields. A sweet person who forgot to take back her dao (knife) when she got off at Anini. We left the dao at the guest house and hope she gets it back.
Some good roads. Mostly isolated. Blessed to stay near such places.
At Anini, while I was looking for directions a local guy in his car shouted from behind: âJoldi ja K***â- âMove it! *&$@. It is an Assamese (my native) slang and I felt at home hearing it. So kind of him.
We stayed at a small lodge/ homestay named Kazi Homestay. It doesnât look like much but I recommend it to everyone. Very good and caring hosts and tasty, fresh food.
They served us local chicken for dinner. The owner gave a huge liver piece to Nibir as kids generally like it. The kid made a face and gave the whole thing to Joi. Meanwhile, the owner strolled back in and Joi got nervous and gave half of the liver back to Nibir and he in turn gave it to me. So, the chicken liver meant for the kid ended up on the plates of the two grown men. I wonder how many men are falsely accused of stealing candy from kids.
At night we realised we did not have toothpaste. Joi got some charcoal from a fire. It was quite good and the teeth felt fresh. We did not get any Colgate later on as well. Charcoal all the way.
So we were in Anini and we had the full day to ourselves. We decided to head towards Dambuene/ Acheso as the views are great there. It is a beautiful drive of around 60 kms and one can drive upto the border outpost at Bruni.
Anini Outskirts
What is more important? Journey. Destination or the Company
We finally reached the famous Chigu Resort. A lot of influencers make reels here with the cameraman filming from behind. Joi wanted a similar reel and he walked on wooden planks as I followed his rear with my camera. It might have looked awkward I believe.
Love how handsome the Isuzu is. The scenery is nice too
A farm hut. I would like to stay here
There are lots of places where one can get close to the beautiful Dri River. The kid pointed out one such route and we just went wow. The three of us enjoyed playing in the sand and throwing rocks at the water. With a kid for company, we also get to be kids again.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Throw some rocks will you
We trekked to a nearby waterfall called Mawu Aando falls. The forest was so beautiful with moss and lichen-covered trees. I was very happy to see Nibir enjoying his day out in the wild. Nature has a way of cooling tempered nerves if one is willing. We just sat on the wooden platform near the falls and wished we could be here forever. Of course, we got hungry later and headed to Chigu Resort for some good food.
A kid in the jungle
A pathway to another world
The falls finally
The road here is so beautiful and I wished I could just keep going. It runs through the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary with pine trees on both sides of the road.
Road to Bruni
We reached another big waterfall near the border post at Bruni. It took tackling some streams and thorny bushes to reach but with two enthusiastic people-Joi and Nibir, I had to go along. As they neared the falls they both rushed in to take a dip/ swim. I laughed as they both scurried away from the ice-cold water. I mean there was snow at the top so the water had to be cold.
Braving the thorns onward me march
Beautiful red flowers. Rhododendrons?
It was nearing dusk when we decided to head back to our lodge in Anini. Nibir was fast asleep in the backseat with a day full of adventure outdoors. He loves being outdoors and ditches the screen every single time. We took a moment to see the beautiful landscape with the setting sun illuminating it. It was surreal.
The evening and the Isuzu. I am in love.
Plum blossoms
We reached our stay after dark. Dinner was once again chicken. No more liver pieces this time.
The next day we made it back to Pasighat going through the same police checkposts as we had done in our onward journey with the same comments about how big and beautiful the Isuzu is. The Vcross did admirably well on the mountain roads and kept us comfortable throughout.
The three travelers. Nibir is the kid.
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