12 Reiek Vill
Reiek - Model Mizo Village
14th December 2011 (AM): The hotel desk suggested a Hindi-speaking 'Local Taxi' guy, named Hanif, for me to discuss sightseeing options and costs. Hanif suggested we go to Reiek to see a Model Mizo Village. It would be scenic route and a river (Tlawng) crossing too. And on return from Reiek, we would see a few Aizawl city sights.
We left at 9:30AM and headed West though the city and started descending steeply 1000M down to Tlawng river. There we crossed a bridge and then climbed up steadily another 1100M to Reiek Village and to a Resort there.
Tlawng river from the bridge on way to Reiek
We reached Reiek by 11:15AM and adjoining a Tourist Resort a model Mizo Village was laid out with typical rural Mizo huts made of bamboo; with all home and farming implements displayed in a natural setting. Educative and informative.
Village main street - going down a slope
When I finished my round there and was coming out, I met two lady visitors. One of them a Physics Professor in Mizo University, was showing around the other visitor and explaining all the stuff in the village. The Prof, Madhurima, obviously knew a lot about the Mizo villages and how they lived and used the various implements. With her permission, I went around the village again and learnt so many new facts, and got a much better understanding about the huts and significance of all aspects of Mizo Villager's lives.
Morning view of the Zarkot Traffic Point - from the balcony of my room in Hotel Tropicana
Valley view on way to Reiek
Entrance to Model Village
The balcony room as you enter main door
The Village was laid out on a down slope - with individual homes (huts) on either side
Inside - Main living room
The Kitchen corner in the main room
The balcony-like platform outside each hut is also used by the village bachelors to "visit, chat and court the young girls of that home, under Mom's watchful eye from the kitchen" so explained the Guide-Prof!
The Bachelors Dormitory Hall
The Drum Log - in the Bachelors' dormitory
The trophy heads displayed on outside wall
A Chicken Coop at one end of the front balcony
The chicken have own step ladder exit to outside
Reiek Resorts main dining hall - looks to be a nice place to stay a few days
The Reiek Resort's Main Hall had framed pictures of beautiful Mizo Girls in traditional Mizo dresses!
The detailed travel stories, with pictures, are in following sub-pages 47-01 to 47-20:
All the pictures of this North-East Tour in 23+ Flickr Albums are available in this Collection: North East -Dec-2011