Guwahati - Assam

 Our Aizawl departure day began as we've become used to with breakfast on the roof. It's been great to have that space, especially as there's no dining room. Everything was wet following yesterday's rain, even the covered furniture. We were a little concerned about the weather today as visibility closed and cleared, and with that the temperature. 

Our flight was scheduled for 1.55, but the airport road was due to close at 10.00! We set off ludicrously early at 9.00 for the hour drive. 

Police and army were spread along the road; Chungnunga and his driver speculated on why and decided some vip must be visiting. Around the half way point a fast convoy of labelled cars, vans and an ambulance sped past on one of the clear and smooth sections. It was only when we arrived at the airport we learned that today was a rehearsal for Monday when the deputy president is due. 

We passed the site of the new railway terminal and a new rail bridge,though we had to make do with the now old temporary bridge installed when the proper bridge collapsed while being constructed. 

Aizawl's Lengpui Airport is also being rebuilt, though it was new when we first visited twenty four years ago. It was a mess and there was no information available at all - no screens, or even chalkboards. Online I learned that our flight was on time; but the hours passed without check-in desk opening until it was certain we'd not be leaving to schedule. Well after three hours had passed the desk opened and we passed through security having said very fond farewells to Lalchungnunga. Again we waited. 

About fifty minutes after our advertised departure, and with online information still claiming we were running to schedule, we boarded a plane which made Orkney's Islanders seem new. Particularly disappointing was the window state; clearly (haha!) we weren't going to get a view. Staggered to discover the aircraft was only nine years old, despite really rough repairs on seat backs and a collapsed seat base. 

Ah well. It flew us to Guwahati which felt immediately as though we'd leapt a century forward in time as we experienced a modern airport again. Bag arrived promptly and we chose (from multiple taxi booths) to use the plug advertised electric cab. The following forty minutes demonstrated the battery is not seriously depleted by using the horn pretty much all the time. 

The Airbnb we'd booked directly was significantly not as advertised - "with balcony" would have been a great trick in this basement room. 

We walked away. A few minutes online found us an hotel a few miles away in the heart of the city, but I couldn't complete the booking due to "insufficient days being booked". No matter. We'd go and just walk in, and this plan in mind we took an electric three wheeler rickshaw thing. Despite assurances beforehand it was obvious very quickly the driver doesn't have a clue so I was guiding him based on Google maps. He spent much of the journey shouting at me and trying hard to do the opposite of guidance. When we arrived after fifteen minutes or so he tried to charge us as much as the taxi from the airport. If he'd been more generally pleasant I'd have happily paid. 

Turned out that hotel was full so another search produced the Rains Inn which seems fine. They're using smoke in an attempt to minimise mosquitoes. 

The restaurant is excellent - biriani tonight. 

And we keep getting messages from the other hotel which we couldn't book asking when we'll arrive! I've sent a couple of messages explaining. 

Popped along the street and found grapes and an atm - first time ever I've had notes dispensed like a cartoon fruit machine hitting the jackpot and spewing them all over the ground. 

We're hoping to watch the Calcutta Cup this evening, but may fall asleep - it'll not be finished until after midnight here and I'm struggling to stay awake now.