Day 4 Brahmaputra River Cruise Review
MORNING YOGA ON DECK
To work up an appetite before breakfast, the M.V. Mahabaahu crew can take you through some yoga poses, or perhaps you prefer a friendly game of cricket on the river banks? They do that too! It’s wonderful to have some solitary time and the opportunity to take a leisurely walk along the river banks each morning.
MISHING TRIBE
Due to the ever-changing landscape and receding riverbanks there is no guarantee where exactly the M.V. Mahabaahu will moor up, and so our fourth day saw us arrive at the Mishing tribal village, where a local villager agreed to show us around his house and village.
It was an incredible revelation that the ship had never docked in this village before, and the residents had never encountered tourists. The novelty of exploring a place untouched by tourism added an extra layer of wonder and excitement to the experience. It was truly remarkable to be among the first visitors to set foot in a place so unspoiled and undiscovered, making the journey even more special and unforgettable.
We ambled through the village alongside other captivated guests (and locals!), taking in sights and sounds and getting a real feel for how the locals live their day-to-day lives. We were humbled to see the way in which these nomadic villagers, living on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, use basic, natural resources to survive.
Nestled amidst the lush greenery, the stilt homes of the villagers stand out as a remarkable sight, crafted entirely from sturdy bamboo. These one-of-a-kind residences boast a living space perched above ground level, offering stunning panoramic views of the picturesque landscape while creating ample room for livestock to freely wander below. Demonstrating exceptional self-sufficiency, the villagers cultivate a diverse range of crops, including over a hundred varieties of rice, maize, mustard, and vegetables, ensuring a plentiful harvest throughout the year. Furthermore, their traditional fishing techniques, carried out with hand-crafted bamboo boats, not only sustain their community but also exhibit a profound connection to the natural world.
This area is so untouched, yet the children were happy, and eager to see the photos we had taken. Their beaming friendly faces is a memory I will cherish. I wish I could do justice to the overwhelming experience and bring this to life but no camera can capture what the eye can.
KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
Later in the afternoon we dropped anchor further down route near the banks of the Kaziranga National Park (which we visited later in the week – don’t miss Wednesday’s post to hear all about it!) Suddenly our luxury river cruise liner became a safari boat!
Payal pointed out all the surrounding wildlife, including Indian roofed turtles and a variety of birds including, Pied Kingfishers, Black Neck Cranes, Vultures, Pelicans, Ruddy Shell Ducks, Parakeets and Fish Eagles. My husband, Bill, was of course, in his element!
We were completely overwhelmed to catch sight of a Bengal Tiger in the Elephant grass on the side of the bank. Payal told us this was the first sighting of one since the river cruise began two years ago. This was soon becoming the Indian holiday of our dreams!
EVENING COOKING CLASS ON BOARD
Back on the MV Mahabaahu that evening, we were given an Indian cooking class courtesy of the onboard chefs. We were taught how to make Pudina Kabab and Amritsari Fish, something which we can’t wait to replicate back home.
In the evenings, fellow passengers tend to gather in the Soma Lounge where there is a well stocked bar, board games and an excellent selection of informative books about Assam and its wildlife. This was the ideal place to exchange stories of the day whilst sipping our drinks.
Don’t miss tomorrow’s post on our Assam advenutre on board the M.V. Mahabaahu Brahmaputra River Cruise!
BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER CRUISE ARTICLES
