Dooars in Rain -2

Dooars in Rain - 2

Our Bolero navigated the rugged road beside the 'Bhorer Alo' resort, crossed the Teesta River, and headed into the jungle road toward Odlabari. The rain had vanished, leaving us to contend with the oppressive heat. 

Having already had lunch on the train, the only way to cool down now was with a cold beer. My suggestion was quickly agreed upon by Pijush and Kuntal. I asked our driver, Mr. Tamang, to stop at a nearby beer shop or bar. However, after a half-hour of driving, poor Tamang couldn't find one. Kuntal, familiar with the Malbazar area from previous visits, assured us he would locate a beer shop there. Debanu, who never supported our beer-drinking habit, kept quiet; the reason became painfully clear later.

In Malbazar, Kuntal took charge, heading to a nondescript shop on the busy road. He returned 15 minutes later, clutching five cans of beer in both hands! We quickly grabbed a can each and began to cool down. Debanu, who took only a few sips from the fourth can, soon regretted it. The small amount of beer caused severe indigestion for him later in the evening, requiring heavy medication to continue the journey. He later confessed that he had an allergy to beer, which had exacerbated the situation and kept him awake all night.

The Green Island Resort, situated on the bank of the Jhalong River, is encircled by a small stream on the other side, making it appear as though the resort is nestled in the middle of an island, hence its name. As soon as we checked in and settled into our rooms, hot tea and pakoras arrived.

The view from the window was mesmerizing. The towering, raven-like ridge of the hills and the awe-inspiring gorge through which the Jhalong River flows create an illusion that you could almost reach out and touch them. Apart from the silvery shimmer of the river, lush greenery surrounds everything. Debanu captured a stunning and serene video of this very spot at 3:45 AM, showcasing the extraordinary beauty of the area.

As dusk settled, the rain began to pour, its heavy drops drumming on the tin roof, mingling with the chorus of crickets and other nocturnal insects, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Outside the room, Debanu discovered hundreds of dangerous red ants lined up across the floor. One bite from these ants could leave you unstable for at least an hour, so we carefully avoided their paths while watching the rain.

Pijush requested the resort boy to prepare desi chicken for dinner, which we feared might not make it to the dining hall due to the heavy rain. However, at 9:30, there was a brief lull in the rain, allowing us to make our way to the dining hall for dinner. If the Dooars in the rain is the essence of our journey, then the rain in Jhalong is the pinnacle of our experience!

To be continued…