Tlawng at Reiek Kai(crossing) in May, 2014. I had always avoided Reiek Tlang for two reasons. It’s just an hour drive from Aizawl, I can go anytime. Secondly, everybody has been there. When I eventually did go to Reiek, I fully enjoyed the short hike through the forest, thick and still well preserved.
On the top left is Sreedhar. As we were waiting for BMC bus at the same pickup point, we started chatting. He has been thinking of taking a break from work to travel to the different states in India. We seem to think very much alike from trekking, travel, our education system to work culture in India vs developed countries like Australia and Germany.
Where is it? Except for a few photographs, you can’t find the location in Google. If you search “uttari betta” in Google Maps, it takes you to BMC office. I am not a search expert but I am not impressed.
I learned from Neeraj, BMC founder, that it is near Magadi. I opened Google Maps and switched to terrain mode. I could immediately see a few elevated areas near Magadi. There’s one called Huthridurga that has nearby area rising upto 1100m. There’s a temple on the top called Shankreshwara Temple. Huthirdurga . This is what BMC calls Uttari Betta.
It is known by different names. Hutridurga, Hutri Betta and Huthridurga . As a non-local, I can’t tell whats right (most).
I trekked here today with BMC. It took 1.5 hours to climb and an hour to come down. It took us 2 hours drive from Mysore Road Satellite Bus Station to reach the village at the base.
Expenses
BMC Fees – 950
Uber fare to Garuda Mall – 317
Red Bull and water bottle – 120
Metro from MG road to Baiyapanahalli -17
Ola fare back home – 260
Total = 1665 Rupees
Longmasu is the last village in Mizoram on the bank of the Chhimtuipui river. Beyond this, Burma border is 5km down the river. There are about 70 houses. The locals told me they moved to the current location around 1994 to be close to the then upcoming road.
The only source of water since leaving Tongkolong comes after Bymari and it doesn’t even look palatable. I was dutifully warned at Tongkolong.
About half way into Longmasu, I was greeted by this gate made of bamboos. The gate is to prevent cattle from Bymari from straying into Longmasu area.
The last village sighted but no sign of the mighty Chhimtuipui river.
Welcome to Lomasu, it’s original name in Mara. Lomasu means lungthu- three stones used to support a pot over the fire.
In fact there are three such big rocks which resemble lungthu on the bank of the river just outside the village. One of the rocks had fallen though. The locals told me the naming of the village after the three stones was influenced by Pu Laldenga (founder of MNF) who said whoever used three stones as lungthu to cook is a Mizo during the insurgency days.
The village playground which gets flooded in rainy season, infested by frogs and snakes which also becomes food for some of the villagers.
The village is inhabited by Mara, Bru and two tribes I have never known before- Matu and Zakhai.
Most houses in the village are bamboo huts.
I was lucky to be hosted in one of the best houses in the village, the house of Pu C. Lyhmo, a school teacher who was away.
The inside is even more impressive. Simple but very neat and tidy.
Needless to say there is no electricity, no phone and no healthcare. The only healthcare available is in the form of a Drug Distribution Center.
For emergencies there is a WLL phone at the house of the village head. I paid 5 rupees to call my relatives in Saiha to update them of my where about.
After a good night rest I woke to a misty morning.
After zing chaw (breakfast) I was on my way by boat to Saphaw, the caste of Beino.
As I walked into the village, most eyes were on me.
Let us not burn it down. Phawngpui is under threat from forest fire every year. Here is a photo of Farpak after it caught fire a few years ago.
We may rappel down or jumar up Thlazuang kham but lets not pain our club names all over Farpak. In my honest humble opinion we do no good by having our club names on the trees, on the grass.
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