Dooars in Rain - 4

                                                               **Dooars in Rain - 4**

28/07/24, Our vehicle arrived well before 10 AM. This time our self-appointed navigator, Kuntal, announced that we would head for the government resort at Sultanekhole, with plans to detour to a few tourist spots along the way, including the Chulsa Tea Garden, Samsing, and Rocky Island. The vast expanse of tea gardens begins well before Chulsa. Along the way, Pijush and I wanted to stop and take some photos of the tea gardens, which Kuntal and Debanu strongly opposed. However, Pijush's colorful language ensured that Kuntal didn't push the issue further!

 The road to Samsing winds through a picturesque landscape of tea gardens, jungles, and hilly trails. The vast, tranquil tea gardens are a major attraction for visitors who appreciate serenity and lush green surroundings. In addition to its scenic beauty, Samsing also offers opportunities for bird watching, trekking, and nature walks. 

Kuntal urged us to keep moving, as our final destination for the day was still quite far. We then headed towards Rocky Island, about 3 kilometers away. The same Murti River that we had seen earlier on the plains at Jaldapara flows through Rocky Island, where the riverbed is filled with rocks and large boulders, giving the place its name. 

From there, we continued towards our final destination for the day—Sultanekhole. Knowing there was no shortage of room availability at the forest resort, we planned to explore the area before checking in, just as we had done at the Jaldapara government resort. 

However, about 1.5 kilometers before reaching the resort, we were blocked by touts and fraudulent tour agents who demanded that we show a firm booking ticket before proceeding with our own vehicle. It was clearly illegal, but they were adamant. To make matters worse, it had started to rain. Ultimately, we had to hire a local vehicle for INR 300 to take us the remaining 1.5 kilometers to the forest resort.

[it’s better to proceed with a firm booking for the forest resort ]

The Sultanekhole Eco Resort is nestled within the dense forests of Neora Valley. Managed by the WBFDC, the resort features about 12 cottages, each with double beds, scattered along the hilly slopes. During the summer, they also offer tent accommodations.

Amidst rain, we made our way to the resort gate. On the way, we crossed a long, narrow rope bridge that hangs precariously between two ends, with a crystal-clear stream [also called Sultanekhole river]  flowing through the jungle below. Later, Kuntal, standing knee-deep in the fast-flowing water, attempted to capture some critical photographs. Only he knows how they turned out!

The resort manager informed us that all bookings are done online. Fortunately, the laptop I had been carrying with me came to the rescue. The only available network here is Vodafone, which, surprisingly, works well in this remote area, unlike in other parts of West Bengal. Using Kuntal’s data service, I was able to book two cottages at the resort.

Nature is abundant here! Some exotic insects, like stick insect and giant spiders, which we used to see during our childhood in the plains, can still be found here. There are also a few enormous fern trees thriving in this area!

To be completed in the next episode…