First day in Thenzawl

 The illness afflicting us is fading. 6.00 this morning found us trying to negotiate a couple of seats in a Sumo for the trip south to Thenzawl. 

Sumo is a generic term for the eight-seat jeeps that plough between towns across India; the model has changed over the years (though outwardly not much changed) by becoming more powerful and more comfortable. The numbers of passengers has about halved from our previous experience (five across the front was common) but they carry more than ever on the roof racks.

Thenzawl is about 30 miles in a straight line from Aizawl, but 70 by road. We stopped a couple of times in Aizawl for passengers, then on the edge of the city for prayers and final supplies (most passengers were going much further than we were). 

It was really very comfortable. The road was sometimes smooth, sometimes very rough, but always twisting. So many hairpin bends to negotiate, so many incredible views. We were in the back row so visibility wasn't great - had to duck down - and taking photos not easy. At one point trying to take a video clip I experienced queasiness; quite a shock. 

Two more breaks for toilet and breakfast and we were dropped off around 10.30.

Hotel Delight is in the centre of Thenzawl, and staffed by the most helpful people we could meet. We had a choice of rooms and the one chosen (mostly for balcony) is fine - clean, board-like mattress, spacious but we might need another blanket because, despite being about 400m lower than our Aizawl hotel, it's chilly out of the sun.

We asked for breakfast, then waited ages... a full meal turned up, far more than we wanted. 

We'd mentioned to the receptionist that we might have a look at the golf course; as we were finishing "breakfast" she popped in to say our auto rickshaw had arrived and we pootled off to the major tourist project on the outskirts of town. 

Poor Thenzawl. I don't know how it was ever imagined that an expensively designed, built, irrigated and maintained golf course and resort (the only one in the state) could possibly be successful but it clearly isn't. All the accommodation is empty, as is the café. The timber built clubhouse is in need of serious work or parts will collapse in the next few years. We were the only people there; I couldn't just leave so agreed to have a try on the practice ground (Jen persuaded me 18 holes in the midday sun wasn't a great idea!) so money changed hands for the privilege and club hire. The clubs were dreadful! I wasn't expecting high quality, but grips might have helped. The ground was like rough concrete including the greens. All my excuses gone, I played for half an hour, lost a ball (£2! Most expensive ball I've ever bought!) and found Jenny. In a place where flattish land is in such short supply an unused golf course seems utterly crazy.

Afternoon naps were appreciated before a sunset wander around the village. Bought a few nibbles and noticed a lady working a loom and looked closer... The whole family came out to chat, giggle and, most importantly, take multiple photos to post on some site. Great fun for all of us!