Sambulpar Dam

Sunday morning Ramo(SMS driver) and Manoranan(SMS analyst) picked us up for a road trip to the Sambulpar Dam. After driving for about 30kms we reach the side of the lake that makes up a portion of the the water body flowing into the the dam. Manoranan told us the the lake was about 60kms around. Nice but what was all the fuss about? Back in the car we continued to drive through small villages and hamlets, not sure where we were going. As we pasted through the hamlets, farmers laid out their produce on the ground along side of the road. The Indian approach to "Farmer's market. Blankets covered with all types of vegetables and a few textile peddlers lined the road. Would the be enough traffic to sell all the produce? It certainly wouldn't be very fresh after sitting out under the sun all day!Finally we arrived at the gates to what appeared like a city park, where we were told we would need to go back into town to get a pass. We would need to apply at the local police station for permission to go into the park and lookouts surrounding the dam. So back into town we went. Manoranan took our passports and disappeared down an alley. Several minutes later he called Ramo and told him to drive over to the police station he was at. Where we sat, waiting. Did I mention that it is 39 degrees out? Eventually, Manoranan came out and told us he was waiting for the senior officer to return to grant us a pass. So we waited some more. A while later he came back out and said the Sr officer was at the other station so we needed to go there. At this station the officer made a call over to the first location, telling them to go ahead and issue us a pass, so back we went. We then waited for what seemed like forever, as Manoranan completed the paperwork. Really what could possibly take this long, remembering it is 39 degrees in the shade. It better be worth it..lol. What we didn't realize as we waited impatiently was we were getting a pass that few people are ever granted. Our hosts had never even been here before.Entering the grounds to the Dam, we were checked by security at every point. Huge signs stated "NO PHOTOGRAPHy". Manoranan told us to hide our cameras. First we drove up a long, winding road to the top of a small mountain, where we found the first lookout tower. Thank goodness for all those stairs we climbed at home as we climbed up at least five flights of stairs to the top of the lookout, but it was worth it. The view of the valley, town of Sambulpar and longest earthen Dam in the world was simply spectacular!Back down the hill we drove to the beginning of the road that would take you right across the Dam. Checked again by security, who took our pass to confirm the authenticity. A few minutes later we were driving over the dam. Eventually we got out and walked across. Only two gates of the dam were open but the volume of water rushing through the dam was powerful! What an amazing opportunity to watch the water crushing through the gates. On the opposite side of the dam we jumped back into the car and drove up to a second lookout. They reminded me of the fairy tale, Repunzel, Repunzel, let down your long hair. Climbing yet more stairs we made our way to the top of the lookout for another awesome view! Again NO PHOTOGRAPHY! Thinking we had seen it all we were back in the car heading down the hill, when we came to the security gates for the Powerplant. After clearing security we were then getting a private tour of the Powerplant. They never ever get guests, and the staff was more than willing to explain the entire process to us. We definitely received the VIP treatment.I don't know how the staff of Subhalaxmi were able to arrange/negotiate or what strings they pulled to get us this very special pass, but the hour and a half wait in the car at 39 degrees was worth every second! Hungry anyone? It is after 3 pm and everyone is starting to get hungry, so into the downtown section of Sambulpar we went. All of a sudden Ramo stops the car and tells us to roll our windows up. There was a parade of men, and boys sith yellow paint all over fheir faces and clothes following a huge truck, playing music, playing drums and cheering as they work their way down the street. It was part of the Genesh festivities where they take a Ganesh to the river and release it into the river as part of the celebrations. At one point a gentleman reaches into fhe car from the front window and hands us each a handful of nuts and spices he is sharing as part of the celebration. Being polite we all take some but i have to admit that a few blocks away i dump mine out the window. Hopefully this doesn't bring us bad luck! The parade turned out to be nothing to be worried about just a delay in getting to our destination. We detour from our original route and eventually get to the restaurant Ramo is looking for in the center of town. By now I am getting pretty tired of chicken fried rice so I decide to order fried prawns. I have had them before and they are usually very good and not spicy. Hummmmm... Not today. They are spicy so I eat a few and wait while the three men eat what appears to be mountains of a mutton and rice mixture, very spicy. They obviously enjoyed their meal!Leaving the restaurant Ramo notices we have a flat tire and quickly sets about changing it. No AMA here. I am actually surprised given the road conditionsand potholes that we haven't experienced flat tires more often. A few minutes later and we are off heading back go Jharsugada. Ramo wastes no time driving back as we pass every vehicle along the way with the infamous honking of the horn, until we get close to the aluminum plant. The endless parade of trucks is creating what appears to be a dust storm. By the time we reach our hotel, we are covered in dirt. Randy looks like he has black eyes