Re: Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADTRIP

Travelogue Approved

Congrats on another successful trip with your team. Waiting for the updates now

Re: Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADTRIP

Thank you, will update the thread with lots of photos & Tlog

Re: Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADTRIP

Glued to the thread. Bound to be a beautiful one. I had gone through your previous t'log.

Re: Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADTRIP

Subscribed and waiting

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Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADTRIP 2

The Tour Of Thunder Dragon
Part - 2

The primary reason of not visiting Bhutan last year was the stressfull 1000Km ride from Duliajan to Jaigaon in Bhutan Border.
Secondly arranging Entry permits of Bhutan.
Thirdly we dint have much idea about the entry routes, direction & places of attraction of Bhutan.

The first 1000 kms ride of the roadtrip is very stressfull and damn boring. The only motivation is to meet some of my friends in Guwahati & Goalpara on the way Jaigaon.

The entry permits and route issue was solved by discussing the matter with some passionate travellers in different website and forum. Even I created a thread here www.xbhp.com/talkies/touring-queries-route-planning-itinerary/25819-assam-bhutan-motorcycles.html Everyone is encouraged and motivated us to visit Bhutan.

We decided to start our MahaRoadtrip2 - International on 1st Oct 2014.














To be continued....

Re: Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADTRIP 2

Keep them coming!

1st Day of Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam MAHA ROADTRIP 2

Tour Of Thunder Dragon, Bhutan
Day - 1

I was really sad as it was continuously raining in Assam for a week creating floods in Guwahati & Goalpara. We had plans to visit Bhutan via Guwahati & Goalpara meeting our friends on the way. It would be a problem to ride continuously in rain moreover it will damage our gadgets like Mobile Phones, Cameras and Laptops.

When we posted about the Maha Roadtrip 2 in our facebook page many riders contacted us but most of them dont have the required documents and budget. Finally the same members who participated in Maha Roadtrip 2013 confirmed their participation.

Initially it was decided that everyone will ride single but finally we decided to do double riding and take a single rider motorcycle as backup. Double riding will cut the fuel cost and will not be a problem to find parking space in hotels. As we had jobs in our office on 1st Oct so we decided to start our journey after 1PM.

On 1st Oct 2014 I went to my office, as the puja vacation will start I had lots of work to complete and reached home after 1PM. Took bath, prayed to god and went to nearest Durga Puja Pandal to recieve blessing from Goddess Durga. After my lunch my friend Bijoy Baruah from Digboi reached my home to pick me up in his Bajaj Pulsar180. My mom wished us luck and we started our journey.

We started our journey from Duliajan at 2.30PM and reached my friend Abhijit home in Naharkatia after 40mins. He was ready with his Bajaj Avenger 220 and without any delay we continued our journey. We reached Moran at 4.30PM where our members Arnab was ready with Mrinmoy in his Royal Enfield Classic 350. We continued our journey and reached Sivasagar NRL Petrol Pump where our members Jayanta & Om from Tinsukia in their Bajaj Pulsar 200NS joined us. I sat on Abhijit Avenger which is comfortable like a sofa and posted live updates on our facebook page.

We reached Dergaon at 9PM. We recieved a warm welcome at Bijoys sis-inlaws home. Some of theirs neighbours girls came to meet us. They served us Tea, Sweets and special Bhujiya made at their stalls. We had our dinner in a restaurant and reached our resort in Kaziranga at 1AM.














To be continued...

Day2 of Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADTRIP

Tour Of Thunder Dragon, Bhutan

2nd Oct 2014 - Day 2 of Maha Roadtrip2

We started our journey at 8AM from Kaziranga and we had our breakfast in Jakhlabandha and reached Tezpur where Om met his girlfriend. We had our lunch at a new restaurant named Orchid in Mangaldoi, Assam. Duck fry was the special item in the menu but not special as our mothers cooks at our homes. After the heavy lunch & the midday sun made our tired body feel sleepy.

We crossed Bihata Chariali (The Guwahati bypass) and stopped by the side of road. Drank water, Juice & Smoked to refresh our sleepy mood. We continued our journey and reached Barama, BTAD at about 5PM where we spent a lovely evening by the side of the road infront of St. Johns School. We reached Bongaigaon at 8PM.

The town was in festive mood of Durga Puja. We stayed in Hotel Diamond above the TVS Dealer. I wanted to eat in some dhaba or try Puja Special street food but our tired body dint allowed us. We had our dinner at our Hotel, we ordered chicken curry with rice thali it was ok types.








To be continued...

Day3 of Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADTRIP

Tour Of Thunder Dragon, Bhutan
Day-3 On 3rd Oct 2014

We started our journey at 6.30 AM from Bongaigaon. The road was wide & we maintained a good speed. Though it was a four lane road but the bridges construction work were not completed yet. The four lane road merge into a single bridge crossing. We were behind some long vehicle carrier trucks. Its was dusty and we could not see anything from behind. We tried to overtake the trucks, two of our bikes crossed but I fell in a drain made to drain out the excess water from a large potholes. Thanks to the heavily loaded enfield with saddlebags that we dint jump off from the road to the river. We crossed drain with a jerk, after crossing the bridge and checked everything is alright.

We took a break of 5mins and continued our journey with a oath to drive more carefully. We crossed a biker coming towards Bongaigaon. We crossed Assam Border at Srirampur Gate and reached Alipurduar bypass of West Bengal at 10.30AM where we had our Breakeast cum Lunch.

We reached the border town the Indian Side is called Jaigaon & Bhutan side is known as Phuentsholing. We came to know via our Royal Enfield is facing starting problem. The engine turns off in high RPM. As it was Durga Puja half of Jaigaon was closed. We had to search a mechanic to repair the motorcycle moreover we had to obtain entry permits of Bhutan in the immigration office in Phuentsholing.

We waited near the Immigration Office and two of our members went in search of a Bullet mechanic. Two hours passed but they dint returned. We went to the pass section and they will be there till 7PM BST.

At around 3.30 PM we recieved a call that our Bullet was repaired. The main culprit was the battery which ran out of water due to vibration in high speed cruising. They are charging the battery and will return after two hours.

We were bored and tired loitering in the streets of Phuentsholing, suddenly sounds of bullets draw our attention. It was the same rider group we crossed on our way in the morning. KA registered 6 Bullets & a Duke200. When we introduced ourselves we came to know they are from Bengaluru and there club is called Just4Rides. They tried to enter from Gelephu but dint get permits to they came to Phuentsholing.

It was about 5PM and getting dark but our members dint return. There was a long queue in the pass section. It seems that half of Kolkata and foreigners are going to enter Bhutan.

Our members repaired our bullet and reached back after 5.30PM. We filled up our forms and deposited it in the immigration office. After a long wait in the queue they took our finger print & photos in their computer. After few mins they issued us a group permit. As the transport office is already closed for the vehicle permits we decided to halt in Hotel Anand in Jaigaon few metres away from Phuentsholing Gate.

As I was bored of eating rice & meat everyday for a twist in taste I decided to try some street food of Jaigaon. Visited the Durga Puja Special Stalls. Ate some delicious Momo, Egg Roll, Puchka, Juice & Jalebi. Came hotel and as I was very tired, so slept early at 8.30PM.









To be continued...

Day4 of Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADT

Tour Of Thunder Dragon - Bhutan
4th Oct 2014, Day4 of Maha Roadtrip 2

We woke up late as the Transport Office will open after 10AM BST. After my bath when I came out of my bathroom I saw Arnab with a sad face with his saddlebag open. Actually yesterday he bought a new battery for his Bullet and put his old battery in his saddlebag wrapped with a polyethene. The acid of his old battery spoiled his cloth in his new saddlebag. We asked him to drain his battery dry and take it in a extra bag.

We decided to skip the breakfast and arrange the Vehicle Permits first. We went to the RTSA Office Phuentsholing and applied for Motorcycle Route Permits. Documents required are Xerox Copies Of Entry Permits Of Bhutan, Vehicle Regn Card, Driving License & an application in plain paper. I noticed that Xerox rates of Bhutan is high Rs5 per page. We paid fees of Rs75 per motorcycle in RTSA.

At the RTSA Office we met a Tour Organiser who advised us to change our currency and take a local mobile sim. After recieving the permits he took us to a shopkeeper who gave us exchange 103Nu for 100Rs. We exchanged about Rs40000 which we thought will be enough for 4days. We also took Two local Pre Activated Bhutanese Mobile Sim cards as we have not activated International Roaming in our Indian Mobiles. After having a delicious lunch we started our journey.

I was leading and riding the bullet. We were enjoying the curvey hilly roads of Bhutan. After riding for few mins we were stopped in the first check gate. We showed our immigration entry permit and vehicle pass. The officer asked our motorcycle numbers, which we said one by one. Suddenly he said "one motorcycle number dont match, you cant go further". We were in a state of shock, we tried to convince him its not our fault, he said go back to RTSA and correct it. I tried to butter him and said its already 2.30PM BST and the office will be closed, even tried to give bribe but nothing worked.

Since there was no other option, I returned back to RTSA with Bijoy leaving others at the check gate but as expected the office was closed. I was very angry and frustrated as its was not our fault. Moreover we had the habit giving bribes and get easy solutions in India but its not working in Bhutan. There was a girl from Sikkim who was also waiting. She told she came with her family and looking for permits. Soon few more people came looking for permits. The girl told me that as they are not getting permits her mother is angry and she wants to return back. We contacted a cop and asked for help. He called the RTSA officer and told about our problems. After few mins the officer came and corrected the motorcycle number.

We reached back to the check gate at 4PM and continued our journey. The views were very beautiful and we forgot all the anger and frustration. The childrens, pretty girls in the passing cars and motorcyclist use to wave there hands. The curves were very sharp, out of Joy and fear we use to scream in some turns. After riding for an hour we were surrounded by dense fog. We even cant see few metres, we felt cold and we stopped and wore our jackets. It seems it was impossible to reach Paro before midnight. We decided to buy something to eat and drink on the way.

After riding 40Kms we reached a small town like area. We entered a restaurant where we came to know there is a guest house nearby. I went in search of the Guest House and others went for shopping. The Guest House a govt college property. It was huge, clean and rates were cheap. A girl named Pinky showed the rooms it was large equipped with Heater and Geyser. I immediately booked to rooms. I got freshen up and walked to the restaurant. My ears were making some sound seems some altitude sickness. I was walking alone, on the way I saw lots of pretty Bhutanese girls since it was a MBA College Guest House.

When I reached back I saw some of my friends bought new Jackets. We had a delicious meal and walked back to the guest house. Since it was not allowed to smoke publically in Bhutan we were smoking in Hotel. We heard a knock in our rooms. A young man came and introduced himself as a bikers from Himachal. He was returning back to Phuentsholing with his two friend and one of his Enfield ran out of petrol. We some how draw half ltr of Petrol in a water bottle from his Enfiend and asked him to return back to the Guest House. We will arrange something in the morning.












To be continued...

Re: Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADTRIP

awesome man,,, just go on,,,,,,,,,, dont make us take the ugly pill of wait,,,,

Day5 of Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADTRIP

Tour Of Thunder Dragon, Bhutan
5th Oct 2014, Day-5

I woke up early in the morning. After taking bath I went out to see the outside views. Our bikes were wet with dew. One by one everyone got ready. I took Pinkys contact number so that we can prebook our rooms on our return journey.

I was really excited to start the journey and doing videography of the activities. We gave two litres of petrol to the Himachal Bikers. I wanted to start the journey but everyone was busy in their own way posing and clicking photos moreover no one is clicking my photos. I was always behind the cameras. We clicked some group photos and with an angry face I reached the restaurant for breakfast.

I ordered for local style Pork Thupa but even it was not yummy. Even at the restaurant the other members were acting lazy. With an angry mood I asked Arnab to start the Enfield and started our journey leaving others behind. After few mins we reached Geddu College Of Business Studies. The beautiful wall painting, the prayer flags, Prayer Wheel and the sound of bell changed my mind. Made me feel cool and relaxed. We waited for the other members and continued our journey.

The views were lovely, sitting on the backseat I started videography again. On the way near a landslide we stopped for a photo where we met Sanjay of Hotel Taj, Thimphu with his wife and two cute kids. They were travelling in his unique Toyota Car. We saw some naughty monkeys and a waterfall on the way where we stopped. I started riding the Bullet. We were enjoying the looping roads and maintaining good speed. We were riding above the clouds and the roads were very narrow. Arnab sitting as pillion was in fear as I sometimes look around to enjoy the views while riding. After 45-50 kms we saw a petrol pump where we refueled our bikes. Petrol prices in Bhutan was cheaper compared to India @Rs67. We had our lunch in a beautiful restaurant where the owner was very friendly and we talked about many things like about Motorcycling and Bhutan.

After riding for half an hour we stopped at the second Check Gate where we showed our permits. After riding for another half an hour we saw a diversion where one road leads to Paro while other goes to Thimphu. It was about 4.30 PM, we took the road to Paro. Just before reaching Paro Airport it started raining. It was getting dark and we searched for hotel rooms but it seems that all the hotels was full. We heard last night some visitors slept in Cars or Rented Tents. We tried our trump card, we contacted the number given by the tour Organiser whom we met in RTSA. Finally we got rooms in Hotel Brothers.

The hotel was old one and expensive compared to the service but thankfully we dont have to sleep outside in the cold and rainy weather. I decided to roam in the market to buy something for my dear ones. Honestly I wanted to buy the Traditional Dress of Bhutan for my sister and Gf but everyone said they wont wear it so I gave up the idea. The market was filled with gift and showpiece shops but they were very expensive. They asked Rs300-500 for a small sticker or key chain. The weather was cold and rainy. We went to the hotel, had our dinner and slept with a hope to Trek Tiger's Nest Monastery next day.



















To be continued...

Re: Day5 of Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADT

Nice man. Bring on the rest!

Re: Day5 of Tour Of Thunder Dragon, BHUTAN - Bikers Of Assam International MAHA ROADT

Congrats on this mega accomplishment, bro! BoA all the way.