- I IIn One of the iconic nature reserves/ tiger and elephant reserves in the country is Simlipal in Odisha and I was cycling right past it. So I took my first day off from cycling and hired a car and driver to take me around.
It turned out to be an over 100 km. tour on dusty dirt roads through adivasi (tribal) villages and jungle areas.
I am so glad I did this, and my driver was excellent. Total I guess this cost around 4,000 to 5,000 rs.
I was only able to see a very small part of this massive park and only a superficial idea of the tribal culture here. It was a very tantalising glimpse. The very popular BJD government of Naveen Patnaik seems to be making a great effort in improving the lives of the adivasis with grants for pucca houses, small solar panels, schools, etc.
It is a prime attraction visiting Simlipal to see tigers, elephants etc. especially at a place earmarked for that where the Forest Department places salt beside the water hole. We only saw deer and monkeys but that was ok.
Lunch inside the reserve was similar to the tasty thalis I have had everyday in Odisha. I would give this simple inexpensive vegetarian rice plate 10 out of 10.
Often (but not today) karela (bitter gourd) , my favourite , lightly fried is served.
After this delicious lunch I strolled over to another local eatery where this delicious looking chicken dish (wrapped in leaves) was being prepared over wood fire and as you can see in my photos being consumed by 3 local tribal lads along with this local rice made brew which seems to be a staple of the tribal diet, being sold everywhere along the way.
these guys are drinking the brew and sharing the chicken cooked in the wrapped up leaves over the wood fire.
This is the finished product and how I wish I could have tasted it, but I had just had lunch and had a mouthful of gutka and just could not have tried, and unfortunately I don’t think I will ever see this beautiful preparation again. On the other hand, the fermented rice drink that the lady in the photo is selling, and I think is a sort of weak rice beer is even very often sold along the roads and highways.
