I was working in one of the famous wildlife organization of the world and I was often given projects that were quite unique. Some of the important projects that I covered during my tenure was the study on Kangroos and many other endangered species. All of these projects were quite interesting as I had to collect information on their habitat, size and colour

This time I was asked to gather information on one horned Rhinos. Through research, I came to know one place that is famous for housing the one horned Rhinos is Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Collecting all the details about the Park, it took me no time to book my tickets to India.

Since Kaziranga falls in Assam, I took a flight straight to Guwahati international airport - The Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport from Bangkok. Based in Bangkok for last 25 years, I was quite skeptical about my foray. All I knew about India was it is the land of Snake charmer and the people over their are quite orthodox and unconventional.

But then project is a project and this one, in fact , was quite fascinating as it was like a challenge for me. The first thing that I did was to find out about Assam. Lying in the North East terrain of India, Assam is considered the gateway into another world. Situated between 90-96 degree East Longitute and 24-28 degree North Latitude, Assam is bordered in the North and East by the Kingdom of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. Along the south lies Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Meghalaya lies to her South-West, Bengal and Bangladesh to her West.

As I went through more and more magazines and web sites, the beauty of the state indeed enthralled me. Without any particular reason, It came to my mind that I haven't taken a break for a long while or shall I say that I had a reason - I wanted to explore Assam.

Though I had to take a much awaited break, but some how I was not able to gather that much courage to speak to my project manager about the leave. I was in fact quite confused as how should I start this topic. Only two days were left, when I have to leave for Assam to collect information about the state and it was indeed high time for me to speak the matter to my immediate boss.

On one day, I gathered courage and entered my manager's room. " Sir, I have collected enough information on Kaziranga, and one horned rhinos and I don't think so there will be any problem" I said. As you know, I was being sent to Assam for a special task of compiling information on one horned rhinos.

" Sir, Assam is beautiful state with exotic flora and fauna. It is breathtakingly beautiful and people from all over the world visit this place in order to explore it. Assam can make any body crazy, Sir! it has good looking cities with great heritage and what can I say about the natural heritage " I said. And for next fifteen minutes, I was eulogizing about Assam and its beauty.

" Enough ! Authur, Do you want a break?" my boss asked rigidly and I looked at him with lot of speculation. " Sir!" and all the strength that I gathered fell loose and I was not able to say a single word. Looking at my face, my boss was able to judged something and then he took out red slip.

The red slip was enough for me to understand that my boss got what I wanted to say. That Red slip was leave application. " Okay! Authur, Though I am granting you a three weeks leave but please conduct the research first and file the paper. Send all the details about One horned Rhino through E- mail, so that I can start my research over here. I hope you are getting me. And then later you can enjoy your holidays" said the boss. And I nodded happily.

Practically, sitting at home, I planned my trip. The first thing that I have to do is to complete my project. So, Kaziranga was the first thing that came to my mind. I will also explore other national park like Orang and Manas.

Later, I will cover cities like Guwahati, Digboi, Jorhat. Hmm, the state has lot to offer and I think I will be able to encompass each and everything on my Assam tour, I thought. Accommodation in Assam is not a problem as the place boast a number of hotels throughout its circumference.

Two days later, I was on my fligt heading towards Guwahati. Filled with lots of aspirations and doubts, I was day dreaming about the destination and I never came to know when I hitted Guwhati.

" You are about to land the fascinating city of Assam - Guwahati. So, ladies and gentle men, please loosen your seat belts and get ready for your foray" said the hostess in the flight.
Now! the adventure begins, I thought as I came out of the plane.