Day 10: 30th September 2019
New place and no AC/fan and didn’t get sound sleep. You cannot expect more for 100 rupees but the people were very accommodative. When I got out of the shack, realized the steep and rocky surface we used to climb in the dark to park the vehicle. Didn’t know how we managed it but would think twice if I had to do that again. Don’t know why we don’t have different time zones in India. This side of the country wakes up early and becomes lively at 5 am. Breakfast was ready at 5:30 am and the market area was buzzing with action. For that matter, town sleeps at 5 pm and a different time zone is a serious issue to think about and do something as well.
We started to cover the balance stretch to Imphal (125 kms) and it was again the same ghat section. It looked more beautiful in the morning with the entire area covered in mist.. Dodging potholes and turns became routine and normal now and we continued our 15-25 kms per hour speed. Wanted to reach before noon so that we can give our bike for servicing and take some rest. We continued to see unauthorised and authorised check post and we got stopped at one of the authorized check post.
CRPF with assault gun questioned us and asked us all kind of questions. They asked us to open the bags (asking us what we are carrying and where are we going to deliver) and I was irritated to undo all the bungee ropes and open the saddle bags. Fortunately, they wanted me to open only the tank bag and I was so delighted. No more questions and they allowed us to move forward. The other group who reached Imphal by car was stopped by one of the unauthorised check post and demanded to give 2000 rupees. Our brave team managed to negotiate and reduce it to 1000 rupees.
Looks like they don’t allow the tourists cars also from the customary tax payment 
. Reached Imphal, dumped our bags at the hotel and headed towards the service centre. Gave our vehicles and asked them to do a general check up and attend some specific minor issues. Left the place and reached the hotel and hit the bed for a deserving sleep. After 2 hours, started my administrative work (transferring data from mobile to lap top, cleaning the clothes and riding gear etc..).
The saddle bags were covered with water proof but the entire content got drenched and wet because of the overnight rains. The other riders told that “these are sold as water prrof but they are not”. It’s always safe to cover the bags with plastic covers. Don’t go for looks and go for things which works is a lesson leant. Imphal is a good city (as seen by the pictures shared by others) and I couldn’t do the sight seeing because of the delay. Hopefully I get to do that in return. Bike came back after all the touches and my riding gears got cleaned, my wet clothes are dry (to major extent) and I am so happy to ride again.
My mileage issue has nothing to do with the bike and it was about the riding style. The specialist told me not to go beyond 85 kms per hour to get the best mileage and I am going to follow that. Avoiding fear (where to find the next petrol station) is better than getting that extra kilometers covered in a short duration.
All the riding guys and driving team has reached and met for some time. Driving team is full of encyclopedias and the now the real journey starts. Some of us sat in the evening and discussed critical points (order of riders, how to ride in Myanmar etc..) and got prepared. Crossing the famous metal bridge (Google please) tomorrow and look forward to it.
