During two days, we follow the coastline towards Kolkata. By the end of the second day we decide we fancy a view other than the sea. A local recommended the Aracu Valley so we listen to his advice and go take a look. We arrive in the dark in the valley and quickly we find a nice resort with bungalows resembling African huts. The interior was designed to follow the round shape. Hard to explain but you have to see it for yourself :)

Our African Hut

We are invited by a group of Indian youngsters to join their campfire. They do have a different idea about a campfire though... taking pictures while they are dancing and stop every five minutes to look at the pictures. When they go to sleep, we enjoy the end of the campfire by ourselves.

Dancing around Campfire

The next morning we leave early and soon we see why this place was recommended. We drive through endless valleys on both sides flanked by mountains, in the state of Orissa. This state has long been closed for tourism, unless you had a special permission. This makes this region an unspoiled part of India.

Orissa

This is also the reason you don’t find many hotels here. When we finally find one they say they are full but they also tell us we need a special permission from the police anyway. So, we go to the police station in the village of Balliguda. They help us to find a hotel but everything is full for that night. To our surprise, the Commissioner offers us his guest room at the police station, free of charge. No, not the cell but a real room with private bathroom and a tv.
The next day we could once again enjoy the beautiful nature.

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