Of & Tea Rhinos
World Travel|September - October 2016

The North-East Indian state of Assam is home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceros – it ’s also a land of mysticism, legends, chillies and tea. Anushka patodia pays a visit to India’s tea country.

Of & Tea Rhinos

“Time for tea,” called out the server at the majestic tea estate I was sitting in. On a regular day this line would perk me up instantly, but because it was mentioned in tea country, it took on another significance altogether. Tea country in India is Assam, the most accessible of the “seven sister” states of North-East India.

Four days ago since I had landed in Guwahati, the Assamese capital, and the gateway to the North-East, a region known for its exotic culture, mysticism and one of the world’s spiciest chillies, the bhut jolokia. (For context, it is 400 times hotter than Tabasco and measures more than 1 million Scoville heat units.)

Guwahati has North-East’s only international airport, the entry point to the seven sisters (Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh), and is also in close proximity to the Himalayan state of Sikkim. This was a land that had been on my travel bucket list for years, but the pressures of professional life entailed that I could take no more than a week off at a time – which is why on this particular sojourn, I could cover just Assam. Sadly, the rest were for another time.

A gust of clean air greeted my starved lungs the second I got out of Guwahati International Airport. This port city is set along the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra river and is now among one of the 100 fastest growing cities in the world. As I made my way towards my hotel in a local taxi, I couldn’t help but notice the lush greenery all around. Assam receives 2,800mm of rainfall on average each year, which has led to abundant foliage across the state. Guwahati itself is a quiet, industrial town lying between the banks of the Brahmaputra river and the foothills of the Shillong plateau, with tiny, slope-roof houses that can withstand the copious monsoons they receive.

この記事は World Travel の September - October 2016 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は World Travel の September - October 2016 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

WORLD TRAVELのその他の記事すべて表示
Cairns An Astonishing Taste Of The Tropics
World Travel

Cairns An Astonishing Taste Of The Tropics

Cairns and its environs offer a wealth of experiences on Australia’s east coast.

time-read
7 分  |
February - March 2020
What's New Santorini?
World Travel

What's New Santorini?

As one of the world’s top destinations and a never resting one, Santorini is getting ready for the season 2020! Want all the updates?

time-read
2 分  |
February - March 2020
Unravelling The Giant Pieces Of The Philippine Puzzle
World Travel

Unravelling The Giant Pieces Of The Philippine Puzzle

A dreamy active holiday awaits you in Kappalady, a kitesurfing village in Sri Lanka with newfound eco-luxury; Explore the many national parks and rice marine life of the Philippines.

time-read
5 分  |
February - March 2020
Road Trip Through Cyprus
World Travel

Road Trip Through Cyprus

A road trip through Cyprus is like a journey through time – old monasteries and hipster cafes. The island’s short distances are jam packed with history and endless views of the Mediterranean.

time-read
8 分  |
February - March 2020
Private Luxury: The Caribbean Islands
World Travel

Private Luxury: The Caribbean Islands

From Grenada to St. Lucia: The most undiscovered Caribbean islands to visit this year.

time-read
10+ 分  |
February - March 2020
Island Resorts Protecting The Oceans
World Travel

Island Resorts Protecting The Oceans

Turtle, marine mammal and coral preservation; celebrity-led developments and the rehabilitation of ecosystems: some of the world’s most exclusive island resorts excel most for the commitment they show to protecting the oceans. Venture to these isolated locations across the planet to see the difference resorts like this can make to life beneath the waves.

time-read
6 分  |
February - March 2020
Ibiza: Off The Beaten Dance Floor
World Travel

Ibiza: Off The Beaten Dance Floor

Ibiza has a reputation as a glitzy location for the influencer jet set but digs a little deeper and you’ll find an island of gourmand wellness gurus and bohemian creatives.

time-read
9 分  |
February - March 2020
Chasing The Wind In Coastal Sri Lanka
World Travel

Chasing The Wind In Coastal Sri Lanka

Experience the tropical bliss in sweeping flat waters and eco-resorts putting a small coastal village on the tourist map

time-read
5 分  |
February - March 2020
Waves & Wellness
World Travel

Waves & Wellness

Guide to Luxurious Surf Resorts for Grown-ups.

time-read
4 分  |
February - March 2020
An Icelandic Road Trip
World Travel

An Icelandic Road Trip

The beauty of the glacier-swept region has topped bucket lists for decades, spurring a love for a winter-kissed Nordic escape blessed with icy volcanoes and boiling geysers. As the night sky parts with a curtain of lights, explore the dazzling city of Reykjavik and discover what more Iceland has to offer.

time-read
5 分  |
December-January 2020