Assam
Delhi traffic was something to be experienced and the type of riding was
the same when we arrived in Guwahati. Guwahati is the capital of Assam it used
to be Shillong until the British moved out. Assam is the tea growing area of
India. It has the right climate to grow the best tea in the world. It is black
and strong and better than any of the stuff you will get in the UK unless it is
genuine Assam tea. My wife comes from Assam and we are there for a family visit
so we had to meet everyone in Guwahati and anyone else in travelling distance
requiring a visit to a tea plantation just a few kilometres from the Bhutan
border. I had never known how tea was
produced. I just thought you picked some old leaves and dried them or could
smoke them. This could not be further from the truth as here is a strictly
controlled process of drying and preparation that attains the quality of tea
that we have today. This tea plantations carries on the traditions that were in
place when the British were managing them and that includes the “Club”. The
hospitality from the family and everyone was amazing and we are invited to go
back. It is a place to have quiet sanctuary and “dance with the elephants” as
they go by the tea gardens or sometimes through them when they migrate.
Back in
Guwahati more family visits and a chance to talk with Pritam about how good
Enfields are and what I ride and what the museum is like. We have a good bikers
chat while the rest of the family talk about me! The next day we fly off to
Dibrugarh in the heart of Assam. More family to see and I get to have a ride
around on a Honda CBR , In India it is only 125cc.
I have a chance to ride
around the block with my cousin Rischi on the back directing me. I use the horn
in the best Indian traditions and making the most of my advanced riding skills.
I now felt I could handle some Indian city traffic. Sadly Delhi Belly and a bad
cold prevented me doing much more while I was there.
I did get a chance to talk
to another cousin Chinmoi when he came to visit with a friend and there was
lots more bikers talk. Before I left Dibrugarh I was invited back to be a
celebrity at one of the Bihu (traditional dances) gala events. Back in Delhi
the big chill had hit. Instead of being a comfortable 25C it was a chilling 8C.
In the UK at the time it was a warm 14C.
I was so cold, even with heating that I had vest, shirt, pullover,
fleeced waterproof, scarf and beanie on. I couldn’t put gloves on as I needed
to hold a cup and that is difficult if you have gloves on. I did have a remedy
to the cold and that was to put vast quantities if whisky in steaming hot tea.
I also heard we had just missed snow at Shimla. I could have gone skiing! I had
got out of Delhi to Goa as fog set in and enjoyed the warmth of being so far
south. In my travels I have read the IAM autumn magazine, the LE club “On the
Level” MAG’s Road and a book about a Mr Clancy who rode around the world in
1912 on a Henderson! Some feat that was! I have also gained a sun tan!
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