Guwahati in transit

Paltan Bazar

It is by accident that the hotels we have chosen for the nights stay in Guwahati, both on our way to Meghalaya from Delhi and on the way back, happen to be in Paltan Bazar. It turns out that staying in the Paltan Bazar is a good choice. An air-conditioned private bus that we board at the airport drops us a few meters from our hotel near Nepali Mandir charging an extremely reasonable fare of just Rs 100. The next morning, we have to just step out of the hotel to find a shared taxi going to Shillong. (Fare Rs 140/- per seat).

On our way back to Delhi, our shared taxi from Shillong again drops us just a few meters from our hotel. The next morning, the government airport bus picks us up at the hotel entrance. (The only inconvenience using the government service is that the tickets have to be purchased in advance from the ASTC counter at Ulubari, a short auto ride from our hotel).

Fancy Bazar

The highlights of the half day that we spend in Guwahati are making our way through Fancy Bazar in the midst of the Pooja shopping frenzy, a ferry ride at dusk across the Bramhaputra and back (costing all of Rs 5) and an authentic Assamese dinner.

A place for authentic Assamese food

We have been recommended Paradise Restaurant at GNB road for authentic Assamese cuisine. At 7.30, it is a little early for dinner and there is just one table occupied. We order a la carte instead of the thali. Amla soup, steamed rice and fish cooked in amla curry, and fish steamed in bamboo hollows. We have ordered a surfeit of fish on purpose - that is something we rarely get to eat where we live. By and by, more tables get occupied, but the restaurant is not crowded. The food is delicious and with unique flavors. We resolve to return to try out the thali, but unfortunately that will have to wait another visit to Guwahati.

We learn that the group running Paradise has also started a restaurant in Delhi  (Jakoi) offering traditional Assamese food.