Page 50 - SAM CLUB DAY 2016 all pages.cdr

SAM CLUB DAY ‘16

The roads leading up to Tawang are maintained by the BRO (Border Roads Organisa on), with a series of
Army establishments falling along the way. And though there is nothing much one can do when seated
shoulder-to-shoulder, while the quadruped prances up and down like a wooden horse on a spring, soaking
in the view outside of vast meadows and dense pine and fern laden hillocks that line up frequently against
the moderately vegetated landscapes is a good (and possibly, the only) distrac on.

'Country roads, take me home'

‘To the place I belong.'

The only way one can reach Tawang is through the Sela pass, which is the only high-al tude pass in the
world that is motorable. Sela, with its snow-capped peaks and wide, open habitats is famous for the
exhilara ng views it offers. The valley also a racts sport enthusiasts as it turns into a skiing des na on
during winters. 'Lumta', which are arrays of small coloured flags that are strung up in between tree
branches and are said to bring good fortune, can be seen sca ered all over the scenery along the way and
add some colour to an otherwise brown, ash-coloured background. There are a few rugged patches and
trucks (from nearby Army bases), cascaded in forma on, give a few problems occasionally. It is smooth
running up to that point. The condi on deteriorates once the Sela valley ends. But on the upside, the view
outside becomes increasingly breathtaking by the metre. To a point where s ll-water lakes, reflec ng the
clear skies above and the pine-covered hillocks around, become commonplace!

The pit stops all along the way offer a variety of fruits and foods. Kiwis are a par cular favourite with
tourists, and they are sold at unbelievable prices. (And one cannot tell by looking, but they are almost
never sold ripe: as we learnt a er tearing a packet apart.) We arrived in Tawang in the evening.

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