My permit stated I had to cross the border on 7 November. Thus, I had a day to
lounge around until crossing into India. The following day turned out to be election
day, and the town was busy with pre-election activities. Truckloads of voters took to
the streets, waving flags and singing songs. They appeared to be from the opposition
party. One couldn’t blame them as Tamu had no electricity. My abode had a generator
between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., besides which they relied upon solar energy.
Tamu, Myanmar – Moreh, Manipur, India
The Indian immigration office only opened at midday and, as a result, I had no rush to
go anywhere. Around one o’clock, a short cycle took me to the Myanmar-India border
and across the river into the state of Manipur, India. The immigration office was nearly
a kilometre further, and though well past midday, no one was in sight. So instead,
officials directed me to the police station in Moreh.
The place was completely different to anywhere else 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 all the formalities were done, I ventured into the village
and onto Sangai Lodge. At this basic place, virtually all cyclists overnighted. The
Sangai Lodge owner was extremely helpful and a mine of information.