<\/span><\/h3>\nAfter some time, we touched Rupa-Klakatang-Balemu highway near Shergaon and took a right turn towards Balemu. By that time, we were a bit relaxed. We had driven on this road only a few days back.<\/span><\/p>\n There was relatively higher vehicular movement on the road. We were just 90 minutes -2 hours away from the plains. And then the front wheel of the right side gave up.<\/span><\/p>\nThough I go for long drives regularly, I did not develop worthy expertise in changing car tires. On top of that, I had never driven an Innova earlier. We were in a bit of trouble. At that time, a gentleman named Mr. Sang Chwang Khirmey, along with his wife and two kids, was crossing that place in his car. <\/span><\/p>\nHe got down from his car to help us out. Practically, he replaced the punctured tire with the spare one with our limited assistance. I would like to profusely thank Mr. Khirmey for his kind help on that day. Mr. Khirmey is a government employee and stays at Rupa.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Flat Tire, Again<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nWe wasted around 45 minutes in this episode. After moving ahead a few kilometers, we found a tire repairing shop. We went there to repair the damaged tire. The mechanic said that the punctured tire is beyond repair. <\/span><\/p>\nSo, we had to move on without any spare tire. I was desperately hoping that Innova would not give any further trouble at least till we get down from the hills. But that was not the case to be.<\/span><\/p>\nWhen we were around 12-13 km away from Balemu, the front left wheel-tire also gave up and as told above, we did not have any spare.<\/span><\/p>\nThere was no locality nearby. We were amidst hills and thick woods. It was around 4-4.30 pm then. Shadows of the hills have started growing taller and started enveloping the surroundings. There was no mobile connectivity.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Stranger to Rescue<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nAt that point in time, like an Angel, a biker appeared. He was also going downhill. Hearing our plight, he offered to be a pillion rider so as to get a mechanic\/alternate vehicle from the plains.<\/span><\/p>\nHis name was Sunil (sorry I did not ask for his surname). He was from Bengaluru and came for a bike expedition. I am not sure whether he is a member of this forum but I would like to use this opportunity to convey my sincere thanks to him. Without his help, we could not have managed to get out of that soup.<\/span><\/p>\nWe came down to Balemu hoping that we would get some Tata Sumo or similar type of vehicle there. The idea was to park our Innova at the side of the road and to inform the rental agency as and when we get mobile connectivity while going to Guwahati by the to-be-found vehicle. <\/span><\/p>\nBut nothing was available at Balemu. People advised us to go to Bhairabkunda. We went to Bhairabkunda which was another 10-12 km away from Balemu. In between, we tried our luck at an army camp, at some houses with a parked vehicle but nothing clicked.<\/span><\/p>\nWhile Balemu is in Arunachal Pradesh, Bhairabkunda is in Assam. Basically, this area is a meeting point of the borders of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Bhutan. Few people asked us whether we were coming from Bhutan.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>The Desperation<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nWhen we went to Bhaiabkunda market, no Sumo or similar type of vehicle was available. All vehicles there were essentially passenger vehicles and were plying on designated local routes. Nobody could tell when those vehicles will be back at the market, leave aside whether they would agree to go to Guwahati. <\/span><\/p>\nBy that time almost one hour has passed since I left our vehicle and other members. It was getting darker. I was not being able to speak with them, as there was no mobile connectivity at the place where our vehicle was stuck. <\/span><\/p>\nNeither I could speak to the rental agency as Balemu and Bhairabkunda too were outside of the coverage of any network other than BSNL. It was a hopeless and frustrating situation. Sunil was also getting late. But he decided not to leave me until and unless some solution got worked out.<\/span><\/p>\nWe realized that instead of searching for a vehicle for Guwahati, we should first ensure bringing down the other members and luggage so that all of us could be together. We saw a Tata Magic standing there. The driver was a young lad. We told him our problem. He agreed to come along with me. Sunil resumed his journey.<\/span><\/p>\nAfter getting into the vehicle, I became a bit skeptical about whether all of us will fit in this vehicle. The driver assured me. Anyway, I had no other choice at that point in time.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>The Magic of Tata Magic<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nTata Magic had its own limitation. It was not equipped for a steep climb. So, we had to stop a couple of times to let the engine cool off. Finally, when I reached the place where the Innova was parked. It was almost dark. Everyone was inside the Innova keeping the door locked and the parking light on. <\/span><\/p>\nAfter seeing me, the way they celebrated that was not less joyous than the celebration of the French football team after winning the FIFA World cup. When chips are down then only we realize how much family members care for each other.<\/span><\/p>\nThe driver of the Tata Magic advised us not to leave the Innova there. That place was completely forlorn and it would not be safe to leave Innova there. He told that somehow, we had to get the car to some shop\/house. Since we did not have any spare tires, we interchanged the front and rear tires using the torch of our mobile phones.<\/span><\/p>\nIt was decided that I would slowly drive the Innova till we reach a suitable place to park it. My Brother-in-Law will be along with me. The Tata Magic would come behind the Innova with the other six members and the entire luggage.<\/span><\/p>\nWe found a small shop when we had more or less reached Balemu. We requested the shopkeeper for permission to leave the Innova in front of his shop. He agreed. So, we left the Innova there. I do not know how eight people and entire luggage did fit in a Tata Magic. But Tata Magic did magic literally.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Drive Back to Guwahati<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nWe reached Bhairabkunda market around 8 pm. Barring a few, all others shops had closed for the day. There was no streetlight in the market. It was absolutely dark. We started searching for a bigger vehicle frantically. <\/span><\/p>\nFinally, after half an hour\u2019s effort, we managed to get a Winger. The owner cum driver was ready to go to Guwahati for Rs. 6000\/-. We immediately hired it without any bargain.<\/span><\/p>\nThe mobile network became become available sometime after leaving Bhairabkunda. I called the car rental company and informed them about the problem. We called up our relatives at Kolkata too. <\/span><\/p>\nOn the way, we had our dinner at a Dhaba. At someplace on the highway, there was a huge traffic jam. So, the driver took a village road. When we reached Tranqville Guest House at Guwahati, it was another day.<\/span><\/p>\nFinally, the eventful but not so memorable day came to an end. We thanked our stars and slept off.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Train Back to Mumbai<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nOur return tickets were booked on Saraighat Express on 10th May. We kept 9th May as the buffer day.<\/span><\/p>\nIn the morning, we went to Kamakhya Temple. It was fairly crowded. Parents managed to go inside the main temple on account of being senior citizens. The rest of us offered prayer to the Goddess from outside. I did take some photos of the temple but misplaced the same while transferring the photos from my mobile to my laptop. <\/span><\/p>\nThe rest of the day was spent settling the matter with the car rental agency. So, we could not see anything else in Guwahati. I guess we were not that keen also. Nobody wants to have Dal-Roti after having Biriyani (no offense to the vegetarians).<\/span><\/p>\nSaraighat Express departed from Guwahati Station at right time on 10th May. Thus, our beautiful trip came to an end.<\/span><\/p>\n