To Dzukou and back : Yarrow visited

Ready, Get set, Go!

One crisp tuesday morning, two Mahindra boleros stole up through Viswema village and drew to a stop outside the base camp of Dzukou Valley. Out spilled 5 ladies and 7 gentlemen carrying an assortment of bags and backpacks, all geared up to make the three hour trek into the famed valley.

And so it begins. Up, Up and away on your feet :P

Lo and Behold!!!

First View of the Valley.

Lulu gets a bunch of flowers from.....?

Pause and pose :D

Sisters in arms.

Redbull gives us wings.

At 5.30 am, guided by two seasoned trekkers the group made their way up, buoyed by the many cans of redbull and packaged water when around 8.30am, we reached the newly built rest house and sat down to a filling morning meal of rice, smoked pork, boiled greens and khüva (Naga spring onion) chutney. Yummy! and the view...simply awesome.

Meal on banana leaves. 

Rock of sisters :D

Another sisterly break :)

Then it was time to get the day's work rolling :)
On the agenda : A wedding portrait shot and two very special shots for a top secret project.

You're the man!

So we walked down into the valley and by the time we got through with make up and were ready for the first shot, it was already noon. Click! Click! Click! and the breeze is bone chilling but we smile and look into the lens of the very talented and smooth M.Kire. Not to mention the icy water of the river, which gives the valley it's name, Dzükou, literally meaning "Cold waters".

Momma Tetseo and her babies,  the Tetseo Sisters.

Mother's triumphant entry into Dzukou Valley!

 Mother who has accompanied us patiently packs our bags and put our things into all available bags as we move around, walking into the thicket and the stream and making faces as we get into the mood of the shoot.

I can show you the world

We all make a fuss over the groom and his bride, carrying her train all over the carpeted valley trying out various poses. More clicks and clicks and smiles and aching jaws already. Oh! it's time to change into the next costume.

First shot : Wedding Portrait of the newly wedded Nienus.

Make up time :)

M.Kire freezes the moment.

Assistant for the day Mhaseve Tetseo and M.Kire checks out the location.

My good friend and guide, Apholie with Ame and M.Kire takes a breather.

On to the next part of the shoot!

something we left behind.

The valley is so beautiful in spite of the marked absence of flowers at this time, (as it is now off season for flowers). We did see beautiful purple and bluish flowers on our way into the valley. Patches of white and yellow carelessly strewn around and several corners of pinks dotting the massively green and dewy rolling hills, all around us in such a way that songs came easily to one's lips and a great sense of awe and humility creeps into your very bones. One could easily fall down on one's knees in thanksgiving and it would only seem fitting if not an insufficient display of acknowledging the greatness of the Maker.

Kuvelü (Kuku) takes a bow.

Checking out the day's shots.

M.Kire flanked by the Sisters.

Team Tetseo. (Mercy, Azi, Mhaseve, Kuku and Lulu)

After a great many poses and smiles and clicks, we finally head back. We make the uphill climb to the rest house and repack our bags and take some last pictures. The sun is fast disappearing behind the rolling hills and we still have miles to go before we sleep. We get out our lights and singing merry songs, we make the trek back home. It gets really dark as we make the descent down from the valley to the base camp and treading slowly, we make it back down to hot tea and the vehicles waiting to take us back to civilisation and our daily lives. Everyone is tired and looking weary but hearts are happy and light.

It's been a good and satisfying day. Perfect weather, great company and friends guiding us and a fulfilling day as far as the day's plan went. And we reach home without incident and excited to see the results of the days effort!  Woohoo! A day to remember.

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