October 12, 2007
Important Notice
Anyway the old domain shall lead you to my new blog as well. If you are not being automatically forwarded please klick on the link mentioned above.
October 06, 2007
A land of breathtaking beauty
Whereas the stream beds are almost waterless in the dry season they are dangerous and impossible to cross during monsoon. By strategic planting and training of the rubber tree Ficus Indicus that flourishes alongside the streams with its roots growing from all parts of the tree the Khasi ancestors with their experiments had perfected the art of making those living root bridges. These bridges are trained over 20 to 25 years to become fully functional and cross fast flowing rivers and streams. They are very strong and can carry up to 50 people at one time and are still being used by the villagers’ everyday. Perhaps they can last for 500 years and more after being well formed and supersede any comparable steel construction.
After a two hours trek and the crossing of two other root bridges the Umshiang Doule Decker Root Bridge named after the Umshiang River that is crossed can be found. These bioengineering wonders are unique and supposed to be exclusive to Meghalaya in the whole world.
Click here for more photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13626255@N08/
October 02, 2007
Manipur by the way is a totally unsafe place as I have realized. Even I had a permit there were many restrictions. Nevertheless I was with a kind family who member of the local government and had the possibilities to assure a relatively safe stay for me. Anyway it is a strange feeling seeing the vehicles carrying machine guns driving around and stuff...