Cockerels take over


Cockerels really don't wait for first light! The compound just outside our window houses many hens and the cocks were loudly proclaiming from about 4.00; much like the horns, though, it's a sound easy to get used to and unlike the horns it only lasted about three hours. 



We breakfasted in the cabin. Morning temperature was about 10C but the sun warmed us and Aizawl up quickly. We've been trying to plan our remaining travels, but despite internet it's not easy to find all the relevant information. Mizoram travel is generally uncomfortable and time consuming, though it's not always easy to find out just how long journeys might take. We have plenty of ideas now but the detail might have to wait until the tourist office is open on Monday as some of the places will have very limited accommodation. There are moves to increase tourism (for many decades the whole region was inaccessible), including development of a golf resort! 



Our hotel is about 1100m above sea level, but it's the steepness which constantly impresses the eyes and tires the legs. 







We had a wander an did some shopping (including slippers - the floors are cold!) this morning, finishing at the Seoul Café. Lovely cakes and drinks, but pricey. 



This afternoon I visited a dentist to check on a temporary filling installed two years ago - he declared it fine. More impressive views from his clinic. 











Another far from simple supper with Hliri and Lalchungnunga was delicious. Unlike most of India, pork and beef are eaten - tonight we had two versions of both. 



We were taken to their kirk after supper. This is a very Christian state, and the Saturday meeting is just a warm-up for Sunday's two services with Sunday-school in between. 



There will be almost no shops or restaurants open tomorrow so we're hoping for breakfast then we've a selection of nuts and nibbles for the rest of the day. 

Another purchase today was an Indian sim card. These are not easy to obtain without applying, giving India home details and having an Indian bank account - essentially it's about control - but Mizoram is a little more relaxed about these things and I had a choice of pre-registered cards. In the UK I have a Vodafone account - they wanted over £6 per day for roaming (nearly £400 for our trip!). Lebara use Vodafone, are cheaper, and have roaming included so we both took on Lebara UK sims before coming here. But that makes it difficult to be contacted from India (and Vodafone network here isn't good) so I'm pleased we're sorted before heading off into the less visited regions. 

Although my usual UK number is mothballed until we return, Jen's still works and WhatsApp is fine for us both. 

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