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Article: The challenge of the Brahmaputra Steering a ship down one of the world's great rivers isn't plain sailing, as Tim Pozzi discovers on a voyage into uncharted tourist territory
- Article from:
- The Sunday Telegraph London
- Article date:
- August 23, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Sunday Telegraph London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Gazing from the bridge of the RV Charaidew, it was difficult to
tell where the grey-green of the Brahmaputra river ended and the
murky grey of the Assamese sky began. The ship's captain seemed
anxious. The enormous river, 1,800 miles long and sometimes six
miles wide, is littered with thousands of sandbanks and islets.
"He is looking for those small ripples on the surface, or some
slight shifts of colour," explained Pratik, the cruise manager.
"These could be dangerously shallow areas," he added, with a nervous
laugh. I looked in turn at the half dozen or so other crew members
on the bridge. They offered me reassuring, but tense, smiles. I got
the feeling they'd have been more relaxed if I ...