To sail in Assam down the wide and wonderful Brahmaputra at sunset is a magic like no other. Balm for the soul. The antithesis of city living .

The whole thing was a treat: the empty beauty of this ever changing riverscape as well as the grace and aimiability of these resourceful village tribes people, constantly made aware of the bounty of nature - and its opposite, the very real threat of destruction specifically via monsoon and land erosion. Hardworking people - a privilege to meet them all - and yes, the jute factory too was an experience in harsh reality. Dickensian. Our eyes opened and interest stimulated.

We stopped too for the Khaziranga National Park - getting up so early to get there, seeing the kids on their way to school at 6am - seriously. As well as all manner of animals ( for instance the incongruous looking Indian one horned rhino... seeing is believing), the park was teeming with birds. I can normally never distinguish them on the trees, but with the aid of a patient guide and excellent binoculars hired from our boat - I saw a myriad of beautiful birds. Read more