sanuroxz
Super User
Day 19 : Myanmar/Burma
Distance : 15 KM
Mode : Booked Alto
Time Taken : 1 hour
Woke up during wee hours.. rushed and switched on the light… just got shocked ..the reaction was ‘is it a room or some zoo’ lot of flies and insects.. the room was full.. On investigation I came to know that those entered from the opened bathroom window .. I opened all the windows and door in the room and tried to make them out… and my attempt was working fine.. after quite a long struggle I was able to kick them out… then closed all the windows and sat on the bed.. no mood to sleep..and luckily it was 3.30AM…
Ooops I could not kick out all of them noticed a big insect on my camera bad with some bright colors which was looking so furious.. and that fellow was not moving as well.. I just pulled my camera out and threw my camera bag… Thank lord it disappeared.. I was so scared that I was not even entering the room rather decided to stay outside.. No mood to wake anyone up as well..
Spent almost an hour like that and finally entered my room after getting a call from Minning..he was on the way to me.. I got ready in confused state..whether he got permit for me..whether he got a vehicle for me… not at all a good start of the day…
He arrived at 5AM and gave all the good news.. Permit was ready driver was on the way to Nampong from Jairampur.. and then he started explaining about the permit..actually he gave me 3 permits.
· Permit to be given to Assam Rifles at the gate which was just near to IB
· Permit to be given to Myanmar Army
· Personal copy which should be kept with myself
Permit to Pangsau pass (Burma) is not provided easily.. Every month 10th,20th and 30th Indians are allowed easily to Myanmar for trade.. There used to be a market on those dates where goods were sold by both the nationals ..Remaining all days its almost next to impossible to get the permit. I was so thankful to Minning for making that possible for me..He had mentioned everything so neatly including Driver’s name and his vehicle details. He strictly instructed me to keep the 3rd copy with myself only.. Also warned me not to flaunt or take much pictures inside the neighbouring nation … I was assured that he had arranged the knowledgeable driver and strict instruction given to him was to take proper care of any situation … but where was he..
the scary insect
my permits
minning
Minning left as he was damn busy those days .. insisted me to visit in January during the Pangasau winter fest..Before leaving ordered the care taker of IB to prepare some good breakfast as I would be late for lunch.. The wait was for driver..
Finally Driver called me and told that he would be arriving in 5 minutes.. and I was just about to start my breakfast of Chapati ,Chana masala and egg bhurjee.. He reached though ij invited him for breakfast but he decided to wait for me.. Bharat ,the young driver had an Alto ..
We started immediately as I finished my breakfast..and within 5 minutes we had to stop as the check gate was closed..and sadly none was there we came out from car after honking for sometime.. That was Assam Rifles check point..One guy finally noticed us from the high tower.. Both sides were not able to hear each other properly.. and he was clearly telling us no vehicles were allowed.. huh.. The worst part was he was not ready to listen to us ..also threatened the driver.. so I had to take the front position ..Literally I was furious by that time..I just showed him angrily my permits.. and asked him how dare he was stopping us.. My voice was really at higher pitch that time.. He spoke to his senior but no positive answer came out.. I asked him that I would speak to his senior whoever he might be.. I was not doing anything illegal.. I had the permit .. I forced him that I would speak to his senior… He did not have any other way except speaking to his senior over phone.. and finally another guy came down to take our details and check our permit..He took one copy and entered details in a register.. Where there is a will there must be a way.. I just wasted 20 minutes there…
The UP guy who took our details was not happy as he felt like a lost soldier.. who cared … we were allowed to go after the request to pick some vegetable bags from the next camp to the last camp in our vehicle which we agreed… and we were climbing more hills and jungles.. we were travelling solo on that super smooth road.. and we spotted another camp.. where the guard instructed us to come in..I felt our arrival was already informed to them.. Bharat told me to keep the camera inside so I had not opened my camera..
I was wondering how much our Armed force were prepared.. The camp was not at all visible from outside..totally hidden inside forest.. and once we entered there I saw the training.. my lord I was so much impressed.. I never imagined how tough and innovative trainings they were undergoing with proper clothing and weapons..of course they must have to be prepared in that so called disturbed area .. the army people loaded few bags of vegetables and told us to leave early… We were once again travelling solo on that historic road… Bharat was a shy guy was not talking much.. and suddenly I noticed the weather changed instantly.. dense cloud covered the entire area and I felt very cold.. It happened with in few minutes.. I was in shock how such a drastic change happened in so less time..and I was literally shivering ..
And we noticed another Army post .. Bharat told me that it’s the last post.. Their commander came and asked about our plan.. He checked my permit and requested multiple times that don’t go beyond Pangasau pass even though in my permit it was mentioned to till the market place.. the reason he told was election in that part of Myanmar and whom people were supporting somehow did not win and violence was going on.. also added that last day some vehicles were burnt.. Sounded scary .. Bharat was worried for his vehicle
Honestly first I thought the commander was scaring us.. and I encouraged myself from inside that nothing would be going to happen.. though I was in a unstable state but not at all showing to Bharat atleast.. Again I had come from so long way.. and if I could not visit then I had to regret till I visit the place and even I did not know when I would come there once again..so why to take chance.. I gave my best…
Even the commander strictly instructed me not to click any photos inside Myanmar.. I really could not find out all those abnormal reasons..
Once I came inside car I felt little better from that cold.. According to the commander that was the highest point inside india also the last point of india on Stillwell road and weather always used to play hide and seek anytime.. I was wondering how harsh is their lives living there.. Often storm formation destroys their settlements as well but they could not move from that place…
We left that place after assuring that we were not going to go much inside Myanmar.. sorry for telling lies.. I was helpless… Bharat was totally confused whether to believe the commander’s words or my confidence.. Officially we were in foreign territory by that time..That was a different feeling..and all can understand how must be the feeling when someone coming closer to the dream come true J
Weather was getting worse..cold was increasing.. and I went back to all those books written on WWII and Stillwell road.. how dangerous this route used to be which took uncountable lives .. The number of people died in bullet was much less than people died due to those harsh geographical conditions and I was witnessing the same that moment.. And one board knocked me.. ‘Pangsu Pass’.
Assam Rifles board
Oh boy what a feeling… another dream achieved ..
Due to the bad weather the visibility was almost nil.. Bharat was struggling to drive even..to add in Pangsu pass those super smooth road ended and all muddy road started.. Bharat and myself came out from car.. Now we had to decide whether we would go further or not.. I was clearly reading his mind from his facial expression .. he was mainly worried for his vehicle.. even I thought seriously .. we were in some other land if something would going to happen who was going to save us
still my excitement won without any competition .. and we decided to leave the car there and keep on walking till we feel comfortable.. wherever we would feel something odd we would come back.. I had a wish atleast we should walk till ‘Lake of No return’..
We locked the car and I kept camera inside…We were walking in that least visible climate and on wet ground.. we spotted a market coming up all structures were of Burmese pattern... Bharat told that the new proposed market would be operated from there in few days.. Though we were walking but the definite fear was always there inside… At some distance Bharat told that was Lake of No Return.. ha ha.. That was a joke for me.. it was so cloudy nothing was visible..I was feeling bad..but mother nature had this plan for me I guessed … It was really scary to walk in all those muddy road.. It was super slippery.. and in no time Bharat slipped like anything… he was totally dirty in mud and got pain in leg L In sometime I realized that walking would not give us anything as nothing was visible..
Though Bharat got ready to walk further but I was in dilemma .. Not a single human being was visible in that foreign land.. after thinking a while we decided to return back.. Bharat was in pain while walking I was feeling so bad for him.. And as feared I also slipped .. and I hit my nose.. and it started bleeding.. it was so painful..We don’t have any first aid as well..We did not have a single choice.. both in pain kept on walking… those small distance seemed like long miles.. but finally managed to reach the newly market place..
We spotted few human beings there.. those kind Burmese people gave us water and cloth for our injuries.. Neither they understood our language nor we.. I got some Kyat (Burmese Currencies ) by paying INR for memory.. took few pictures .. and decided to come back to Nampong soon.. Though my pain was decreased I could see the pain from Bharat’s face…
chinese bike
new market coming up
poor and innocent burmese
my new friends
Soon after clicking few pictures we came back to car and started driving back..That moment sun was coming out from the thick cloud.. We reached the first check post.. The commander after seeing our condition gave some first aid .. also thoroughly checked our vehicle.. I must mention here according to Bharat the quality of few goods which were sold in Myanmar were good.. Nothing was found in our vehicle and we were allowed to go..
On the way just infront of our car a big deer jumped.. Bharat suddenly stopped the car came out and threw the Dao at the deer.. Thank lord the deer was missed J Frustrated Bharat.. we stopped there for sometime ..View was awesome all around.. Nampong was visible from there.. Bharat showed me the hills near to Vijoynagar from there..
Finally we reached the last checkpost .. again some checking took place and finally Bharat and me reached IB .. Though I invited him for lunch he denied politely. I paid him 1800 for the trip.. he said sorry for the pain also thank you and departed…
stillwell road
Nampong visible
last row of mountain is Vijoynagar
Indian customs office
I took bath cleaned the wound and put some bandage then came for lunch ..it was almost 3 PM .. Lunch was simple veg dishes..
Nothing much to do after lunch and none was there in IB for hangout so I was sitting alone on the edge… watching the sunset.. SDO of Nampong came to meet me with his wife.. and he was happy to see me as a traveller there.. his main concern was to promote more tourist in that region.. Thanks to Minning for sending him to meet me.. We had a nice 30 minutes talk over tea before they left..
and suddenly few armed forces arrived there and took positions on the hill edges just in front of the IB Their leader came to me and asked me whether I was staying in IB.. in polite tone.. when I asked him ‘sir ji golibari to nahi hone wali’ ..she smiled at me and said nothing like that but they got some information that there were some UG movement hence they were keeping close eyes.. and while talking I came to know he was from Odisha.. They were not AR personnel but CRPF .. he was telling how tough life was there .. They were said not to trust anyone.. also told that how their 2 convoys were blasted while patrolling in some remote parts near Nampong before couple of months..
Seeing their leader got busy discussing with me the other jawans started plucking the amlas.. Amla tree was a big entertainment for many in that region I must say
They left after sometime.. and it was pitch dark by then….I spent time with those medical guys who went to some remote villages.. how they walked 14 kms and how the people treated them… My dinner was ready again as I wished some good veg dishes..
I entered the bed was thinking my journey from the last 3 weeks.. and I was feeling as if I lost lot of energies…
NEXT >
Distance : 15 KM
Mode : Booked Alto
Time Taken : 1 hour
Woke up during wee hours.. rushed and switched on the light… just got shocked ..the reaction was ‘is it a room or some zoo’ lot of flies and insects.. the room was full.. On investigation I came to know that those entered from the opened bathroom window .. I opened all the windows and door in the room and tried to make them out… and my attempt was working fine.. after quite a long struggle I was able to kick them out… then closed all the windows and sat on the bed.. no mood to sleep..and luckily it was 3.30AM…
Ooops I could not kick out all of them noticed a big insect on my camera bad with some bright colors which was looking so furious.. and that fellow was not moving as well.. I just pulled my camera out and threw my camera bag… Thank lord it disappeared.. I was so scared that I was not even entering the room rather decided to stay outside.. No mood to wake anyone up as well..
Spent almost an hour like that and finally entered my room after getting a call from Minning..he was on the way to me.. I got ready in confused state..whether he got permit for me..whether he got a vehicle for me… not at all a good start of the day…
He arrived at 5AM and gave all the good news.. Permit was ready driver was on the way to Nampong from Jairampur.. and then he started explaining about the permit..actually he gave me 3 permits.
· Permit to be given to Assam Rifles at the gate which was just near to IB
· Permit to be given to Myanmar Army
· Personal copy which should be kept with myself
Permit to Pangsau pass (Burma) is not provided easily.. Every month 10th,20th and 30th Indians are allowed easily to Myanmar for trade.. There used to be a market on those dates where goods were sold by both the nationals ..Remaining all days its almost next to impossible to get the permit. I was so thankful to Minning for making that possible for me..He had mentioned everything so neatly including Driver’s name and his vehicle details. He strictly instructed me to keep the 3rd copy with myself only.. Also warned me not to flaunt or take much pictures inside the neighbouring nation … I was assured that he had arranged the knowledgeable driver and strict instruction given to him was to take proper care of any situation … but where was he..
the scary insect
my permits
minning
Minning left as he was damn busy those days .. insisted me to visit in January during the Pangasau winter fest..Before leaving ordered the care taker of IB to prepare some good breakfast as I would be late for lunch.. The wait was for driver..
Finally Driver called me and told that he would be arriving in 5 minutes.. and I was just about to start my breakfast of Chapati ,Chana masala and egg bhurjee.. He reached though ij invited him for breakfast but he decided to wait for me.. Bharat ,the young driver had an Alto ..
We started immediately as I finished my breakfast..and within 5 minutes we had to stop as the check gate was closed..and sadly none was there we came out from car after honking for sometime.. That was Assam Rifles check point..One guy finally noticed us from the high tower.. Both sides were not able to hear each other properly.. and he was clearly telling us no vehicles were allowed.. huh.. The worst part was he was not ready to listen to us ..also threatened the driver.. so I had to take the front position ..Literally I was furious by that time..I just showed him angrily my permits.. and asked him how dare he was stopping us.. My voice was really at higher pitch that time.. He spoke to his senior but no positive answer came out.. I asked him that I would speak to his senior whoever he might be.. I was not doing anything illegal.. I had the permit .. I forced him that I would speak to his senior… He did not have any other way except speaking to his senior over phone.. and finally another guy came down to take our details and check our permit..He took one copy and entered details in a register.. Where there is a will there must be a way.. I just wasted 20 minutes there…
The UP guy who took our details was not happy as he felt like a lost soldier.. who cared … we were allowed to go after the request to pick some vegetable bags from the next camp to the last camp in our vehicle which we agreed… and we were climbing more hills and jungles.. we were travelling solo on that super smooth road.. and we spotted another camp.. where the guard instructed us to come in..I felt our arrival was already informed to them.. Bharat told me to keep the camera inside so I had not opened my camera..
I was wondering how much our Armed force were prepared.. The camp was not at all visible from outside..totally hidden inside forest.. and once we entered there I saw the training.. my lord I was so much impressed.. I never imagined how tough and innovative trainings they were undergoing with proper clothing and weapons..of course they must have to be prepared in that so called disturbed area .. the army people loaded few bags of vegetables and told us to leave early… We were once again travelling solo on that historic road… Bharat was a shy guy was not talking much.. and suddenly I noticed the weather changed instantly.. dense cloud covered the entire area and I felt very cold.. It happened with in few minutes.. I was in shock how such a drastic change happened in so less time..and I was literally shivering ..
And we noticed another Army post .. Bharat told me that it’s the last post.. Their commander came and asked about our plan.. He checked my permit and requested multiple times that don’t go beyond Pangasau pass even though in my permit it was mentioned to till the market place.. the reason he told was election in that part of Myanmar and whom people were supporting somehow did not win and violence was going on.. also added that last day some vehicles were burnt.. Sounded scary .. Bharat was worried for his vehicle
Honestly first I thought the commander was scaring us.. and I encouraged myself from inside that nothing would be going to happen.. though I was in a unstable state but not at all showing to Bharat atleast.. Again I had come from so long way.. and if I could not visit then I had to regret till I visit the place and even I did not know when I would come there once again..so why to take chance.. I gave my best…Even the commander strictly instructed me not to click any photos inside Myanmar.. I really could not find out all those abnormal reasons..
Once I came inside car I felt little better from that cold.. According to the commander that was the highest point inside india also the last point of india on Stillwell road and weather always used to play hide and seek anytime.. I was wondering how harsh is their lives living there.. Often storm formation destroys their settlements as well but they could not move from that place…
We left that place after assuring that we were not going to go much inside Myanmar.. sorry for telling lies.. I was helpless… Bharat was totally confused whether to believe the commander’s words or my confidence.. Officially we were in foreign territory by that time..That was a different feeling..and all can understand how must be the feeling when someone coming closer to the dream come true J
Weather was getting worse..cold was increasing.. and I went back to all those books written on WWII and Stillwell road.. how dangerous this route used to be which took uncountable lives .. The number of people died in bullet was much less than people died due to those harsh geographical conditions and I was witnessing the same that moment.. And one board knocked me.. ‘Pangsu Pass’.
Assam Rifles board
Oh boy what a feeling… another dream achieved ..
Due to the bad weather the visibility was almost nil.. Bharat was struggling to drive even..to add in Pangsu pass those super smooth road ended and all muddy road started.. Bharat and myself came out from car.. Now we had to decide whether we would go further or not.. I was clearly reading his mind from his facial expression .. he was mainly worried for his vehicle.. even I thought seriously .. we were in some other land if something would going to happen who was going to save us
still my excitement won without any competition .. and we decided to leave the car there and keep on walking till we feel comfortable.. wherever we would feel something odd we would come back.. I had a wish atleast we should walk till ‘Lake of No return’.. We locked the car and I kept camera inside…We were walking in that least visible climate and on wet ground.. we spotted a market coming up all structures were of Burmese pattern... Bharat told that the new proposed market would be operated from there in few days.. Though we were walking but the definite fear was always there inside… At some distance Bharat told that was Lake of No Return.. ha ha.. That was a joke for me.. it was so cloudy nothing was visible..I was feeling bad..but mother nature had this plan for me I guessed … It was really scary to walk in all those muddy road.. It was super slippery.. and in no time Bharat slipped like anything…
he was totally dirty in mud and got pain in leg L In sometime I realized that walking would not give us anything as nothing was visible..Though Bharat got ready to walk further but I was in dilemma .. Not a single human being was visible in that foreign land.. after thinking a while we decided to return back.. Bharat was in pain while walking I was feeling so bad for him.. And as feared I also slipped .. and I hit my nose.. and it started bleeding.. it was so painful..We don’t have any first aid as well..We did not have a single choice.. both in pain kept on walking… those small distance seemed like long miles.. but finally managed to reach the newly market place..
We spotted few human beings there.. those kind Burmese people gave us water and cloth for our injuries.. Neither they understood our language nor we.. I got some Kyat (Burmese Currencies ) by paying INR for memory.. took few pictures .. and decided to come back to Nampong soon.. Though my pain was decreased I could see the pain from Bharat’s face…
chinese bike
new market coming up
poor and innocent burmese
my new friends
Soon after clicking few pictures we came back to car and started driving back..That moment sun was coming out from the thick cloud.. We reached the first check post.. The commander after seeing our condition gave some first aid .. also thoroughly checked our vehicle.. I must mention here according to Bharat the quality of few goods which were sold in Myanmar were good.. Nothing was found in our vehicle and we were allowed to go..
On the way just infront of our car a big deer jumped.. Bharat suddenly stopped the car came out and threw the Dao at the deer.. Thank lord the deer was missed J Frustrated Bharat.. we stopped there for sometime ..View was awesome all around.. Nampong was visible from there.. Bharat showed me the hills near to Vijoynagar from there..
Finally we reached the last checkpost .. again some checking took place and finally Bharat and me reached IB .. Though I invited him for lunch he denied politely. I paid him 1800 for the trip.. he said sorry for the pain also thank you and departed…
stillwell road
Nampong visible
last row of mountain is Vijoynagar
Indian customs office
I took bath cleaned the wound and put some bandage then came for lunch ..it was almost 3 PM .. Lunch was simple veg dishes..
Nothing much to do after lunch and none was there in IB for hangout so I was sitting alone on the edge… watching the sunset.. SDO of Nampong came to meet me with his wife.. and he was happy to see me as a traveller there.. his main concern was to promote more tourist in that region.. Thanks to Minning for sending him to meet me.. We had a nice 30 minutes talk over tea before they left..
and suddenly few armed forces arrived there and took positions on the hill edges just in front of the IB
Their leader came to me and asked me whether I was staying in IB.. in polite tone.. when I asked him ‘sir ji golibari to nahi hone wali’ ..she smiled at me and said nothing like that but they got some information that there were some UG movement hence they were keeping close eyes.. and while talking I came to know he was from Odisha.. They were not AR personnel but CRPF .. he was telling how tough life was there .. They were said not to trust anyone.. also told that how their 2 convoys were blasted while patrolling in some remote parts near Nampong before couple of months.. Seeing their leader got busy discussing with me the other jawans started plucking the amlas..
Amla tree was a big entertainment for many in that region I must say They left after sometime.. and it was pitch dark by then….I spent time with those medical guys who went to some remote villages.. how they walked 14 kms and how the people treated them… My dinner was ready again as I wished some good veg dishes..
I entered the bed was thinking my journey from the last 3 weeks.. and I was feeling as if I lost lot of energies…
NEXT >
Last edited:
