IN DECEMBER 2021, our 22-member team of Ibex Expeditions set off on a mesmerising five-day journey. Flying into Guwahati, we drove straight to Pandu Port, where our 12-cabin boat called Sukapha was anchored. After a brief welcome and cabin allocation, we heard the thrilling purr of the boat’s engine.
Our journey was northwards and upstream, towards Tezpur. The Brahmaputra—or ‘son of Brahma,’ creator of the universe—is special for many reasons. Twenty nine kilometres wide from June to October, it creates a vast monochrome landscape threaded with sandbanks. We knew that cruising on it would be challenging but deeply rewarding.
The Brahmaputra carves its course through the green-gold landscape of hilly Assam in India’s far Northeast—a world of tea plantations, ancient temples, and wildlife, offering an enticing blend of culture, scenery, and adventure. The river shapes the destiny of the land and the lives of the people living there. We could immediately see the links between the changing course of the river and the lifestyle of the people living near it. Villages were built away from the banks, on bamboo stilts, ensuring safety from rising water levels. Human activity was sparse but fascinating. We spotted the occasional ferry and fishermen dunking their nets while nomads grew lentils on the sandbanks.
During our five days of sailing, I felt a sense of space, a rejuvenation of the soul. Sunsets were special. The hazy light of the day gave way to burnt orange skies, and the river became a shimmering mass of burnished gold. We glided lazily past forests, paddy fields, and villages. Our travelling companions were from across India, US, and Dubai. Friendships were struck on the boat while basking on the deck and over conservations at mealtimes—spreads of Assamese, Asian, and other cuisines.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2022-Ausgabe von Travel+Leisure India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2022-Ausgabe von Travel+Leisure India.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
The Abode Of Gods
Paphos, the ancient home of Aphrodite, is steeped in folklore. A walk around the old town can turn into a journey to the past; all you need is a little imagination.
Chasing Joy On Rottnest Island
Blue waters, shimmering sandy beaches, and historic sites-Rottnest in Western Australia is the quintessential island getaway. But what truly captivated our cover star Rashmika Mandanna is the happy and laid-back life that the island offers.
AS TIME GOES BY
A decade and a half after a life-changing sojourn in Vietnam, a writer returns to track the country's transformations-and his own.
PARIS MATCH
Royal roots and boho cool, French trad and cosmopolitan flair: Thomas Chatterton Williams visits the Marais and finds the perfect mix.
Spotted in the Wild
Tracking down a creature as evasive as the cheetah is never guaranteed. Jeff Chu treks to southern Africa to find big cats and fulfill a long-held family promise.
Tastes Like History
With a lineage spanning millennia, Armenian cuisine is an alchemist's dream. Veidehi Gite samples iconic dishes that evoke memories of home.
Secrets of the Happy State
A road trip from Aizawl to Champhai along the Indo-Myanmar border leads to many revelations for Florina Soren.
Championing Cheer
Fostering mindful atmospheres within corporate environments, Dr Sharon Rajkumar stands as a beacon of positivity, guiding others towards a more fulfilling and balanced life. In a candid chat, the TEDx speaker shares her journey with Kiara Sengupta, on how serendipity led her to become the first happiness evangelist in India.
Doodling Up Joy
Turning embarrassing moments of daily life into comedic relief comes naturally to Neha Sharma. The CA-turned-doodle artist now harnesses the power of her paints to create relatable comics that mirror the everyday. In a hearty chat with Bayar Jain, the self-taught artist and storyteller outlines her journey and underlines the importance of art in bringing happiness.
A Novel Take On Happiness
With his 90th birthday on the horizon, India's most beloved author Ruskin Bond, talks to Eshita Srinivas about love affairs on ships, the excitement of train journeys, and his new book that he hopes will inspire young readers.