Eat Outs

Stinking meat market in the neighborhood. A couple of gambling shops. An unlikely location for eating place, but on the roof of one of the buildings is a well-designed restaurant - creatively named Feeder.





Decent preparation. A cup of tea costs Rs. 10. So called Feeder combo is Rs. 100. Smartly dressed young girls work as waiters. Wisely, alcohols are strictly prohibited. The restaurant closes at 8.00 PM.

Potable Water, Enjoyable View

The recently commissioned Water Treatment Plant is one of the welcome developments at Ziro. In contrast to tapping water from the sources in the jungle in the past, a proper treatment plant is functioning now on the hill behind the All India Radio. The water here comes from Seya Piro (source of Seya Kiile) and supplies most part of Hapoli township. The output tank here can store as much as 300,000 liters.


What prompted this blog entry, however, is not the water supply aspect of the treatment plant, but the way the location has been developed. As it is located on the top of a hill, it makes for a pleasant spot to stroll in the evening. The area is well maintained. One can have some of the best views of Ziro from here.


One only wishes the same quality of maintenance is kept up.

Showcasing Ziro

The maiden visit of the President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil to Arunachal Pradesh was an occasion for showcasing the rich cultural heritage as well as potential of the women of the state. It was made an special occasion to showcase Ziro for all the right reasons in the Banquet Hall, Itanagar.

This is the model of the Apatani agricultural system - siigan, hurbu, endi, arge and pakho. Oh yes, and live fishes! In the background is the picture of the view of Ziro from Paku Akhii Putu (seen in one of the previous posts).


The followings are the model of an Apatani house - without walls.




I wish a President visits the state more frequently!

Fascinating Valleys

Valleys fascinate me. It may be because of Ziro, which is a valley though many people prefer to call it a plateau. Valleys everywhere remind me of Ziro.



This is a real plateau in the Peruvian Andes. Hours of driving through this vast expanse of plain area on the Lima-Huanuco highway gives the impression that the hilly roads have ended, until one starts descending again to Huanuco! No trees except for lots of shrubs. The picture below is taken in November which is summer in the southern hemisphere. This area is, naturally, snow-covered in winter.



Paro valley in Bhutan could be a replica of Ziro. Same vegetation and landscape - pine trees, gentle hills, paddy fields, small winding roads.



Mechuka in West Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh has the same landscape again – pine trees, ferns, gentle hills, but much higher snow-covered mountains in the background. No paddy fields. Most areas resemble dry millet-cultivated areas (lyapyo) at Ziro. Walking on the tracks is sheer pleasure. Though motorable roads are being constructed to connect all the villages surrounding Mechuka town, these tracks will continue to be used in the years to come.



Kathmandu valley is much bigger. The city has grown big, really big. The outskirts still retain what the old-timers say signify the valley that was.



German valley in West Virginia, USA. Entirely different vegetation, but same looks to laymen like me. Same landscape. Makes one really homesick.

Village Lodge at Ziro

Itanagar-Ziro-Daporijo-Along route has been the most popular tourist routes, next only to Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Even so, accomodation issue have been a nagging problem in this route. Not any longer in the near future. Ideas of village tourist lodges are catching up with the people at Ziro.

One such lodge with a restaurant has been started recently.

The building, mostly of wood and bamboo, has a freshening look and the restaurant serves Indian, Chinese, Continental and Traditional Apatani dishes.