Gangtok

I pretty much hated Gangtok! It was for me everything that can go wrong with a hill station. Traffic, concrete...concrete all around. Every possible space covered with concrete buildings that perhaps don’t even belong in a city. But as they say, within an imperfect space, there are moments of perfection. And here are mine!

THE SHIRE

Staying at this place was perhaps one of the best things about my trip. Quiet, homely, great simple food and good conversations with the host. The shire was everything that I look for in a stay away from home.

It was about 15 min walk from the centre of the town, steep hill, yet ‘worth it’.

Room with a view

Peak of kanchenchunga visible from the terrace

The view!

CAMARADERIE

There is camaraderie in mountain people. Perhaps life's challenges bring together their sense of community. I noticed it at all spots where in Delhi would have led to a bloodbath.

PRAYER FLAGS

One of my favourite sights in the north east...prayer flags. Represent simple faith. With the fluttering wind, the prayers would be carried by to the gods and answered! Beautiful.

Prayer flags

THE ZOO

Don’t drive through the zoo, but hike through it. Ask your driver to go to the parking and wait for you. Walk in. This zoo is a part natural habitat and a great hiking place. You could easily spend a couple of hours in it.

Right in the middle where the car park is is a great restaurant for hot and fresh momos! Somehow they never make them as good as in the north east!

Nature

Hike through

Clouded leopard

Red panda

Day hike

TASHI POINT

I am generally wary of typical tourist spots. But here I was wrong. There is a great view depending on the weather. There is a nice spot for tea and some relaxation. People are friendly and open, as always you find in far off places.

Tashi point

View from Tashi point

Tea and TV!

ENCHAY MONASTERY

Now this was a place where I ... paused! What a wonderful atmosphere! For Sikkimese, this is the main place of worship and I am not surprised. The calm atmosphere beckoned me to simply sit and soak up the energy.

The small monastery

Beautiful window

The wheel of life goes on...

RIDGE PARK

It is an Ok place. Artificially created. Nice cafes around. Good for a stopover when in transit. Not necessary to go especially there. There is a garden close by where they sell plants. Worth checking if you like flora and fauna.

The ridge

Experience and buy!

  

RUMTEK 

Another place for a pause. Was I meant to be there I felt...so strongly yes! I was meant to be there. Beautifully located, this Tibetan style monastery is definitely worth going to. The drive itself is beautiful with paddy fields and bamboo groves of west Sikkim.  

When I went they had a festival going on and the guru, the Rimpoche of the monastery, passed by me for his seat. Just felt as if a whiff of pure beautiful energy passed by. I just stared in silence.

Enjoyed some shopping and some tea in the hospitable tea shops nearby.

Back benchers!

The monastery

View from the monastery

The visitors for the ceremoney

 

The beauty of monasteries

FOOD at MG Road

What I would recommend at MG Road!

1. Taste of Tibet
2. Baker’s cafe
3. The coffee shop

 

MG Road

CORONATION BRIDGE

The connection to Bhutan, Gauhati and a host of other places, the coronation bridge is beautifully designed and stands strong. Not necessary to go here especially for it comes on the way back to and fro the Bagdogra airport. Definitely worth a pause and reflect over the past – when the British reigned supreme!

DRIVE BACK TO THE AIRPORT

The highlight of my trip! The drive to and fro the airport is by the Teesta River and the beauty is unparalleled. The frequent traffic jams and stops ensured I got a good enough sights and pics!