INDIA (2)
Tamu, Myanmar – Moreh, Manipur, India
I understood the Indian immigration office only opened at midday and thus felt no
rush to go anywhere. Around one o’clock, a short ride took me to the Myanmar-India
border and across the river into the state of Manipur, India. The immigration office
was roughly a kilometre further, but no one was in sight. Instead, officials directed me
to the police station in Moreh.
The area was vastly different and reminded me more of Africa than India. The office
was stuck atop a stony hill, reached via a dirt track. I wrestled the bike up the hill and
once the formalities were done, ventured into the village and onto Sangai Lodge.
In this basic place, virtually all cyclists overnighted. The Sangai Lodge owner was
helpful and a mine of information. He further informed me that Manipur state was
considered one of the most dangerous. The state is an extremely mountainous region,
allegedly home to drug traffickers and guerrilla armies. I wasn’t sure if this was
indeed the case but chaotic it sure was.
Exploring tiny Moreh was in a cloud of dust and amidst busses, tuk-tuks and people in
lungis pushing and shoving hand-drawn carts. It’s a scene that could take just about
anyone by surprise. But, on the other hand, the usual things done upon entering a
new country, like changing money and buying a SIM card, was surprisingly
uncomplicated.
The plan was to get to Delhi ASAP and bike to Pushkar to catch the famous Pushkar
Camel Fair. Although I wasn’t keen to use public transport, this event was not to be
missed and the principal reason for my second visit to India.