TravLAromancing Sikkim!

"Let's go to Sikkim Darjeeling next year" said Bharat. We were in Mussorie then and I nodded my usual half-committed'yeah'. After hazy planning uncertainties and multiple cancellation certainties we finally made it to Sikkim - the border land state has plenty to offer in cultural and scenic beauty.

View from Samuel's terrace

We are indebted with gratitude to Samuel for being the best host ever. He opened his sprawling, cosy,

MG Road, Gangtok

comfortable home to us which had a scenic valley as not the only added bonus. Samuel met Bharat on Instagram, of all places, and their friendship resulted in being a well planned vacation. All of 16, he smiled through patiently as we Bombay laggards tried to match his excitement to show us as much of Sikkim as time permitted. He rec
kons we need at least ten days to get the full deal of Sikkim.



Bharat was little let down that it wasn't as cold as we anticipated. We did bulk up on sweaters and layered winter clothing which we used only at one place.

Baker's Cafe

We covered the Bombay - Bagdogra flight (via Guwahati) by noon and reached Gangtok by 5.30. After keeping our luggage we walked around the Gandhi road, the main market of the city. Hungry after the long journey we stopped over at Baker's Cafe - beautiful inside, scenic outside & our regular hangout - before window shopping around town.



Day 1 - Around Gangtok

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

After breakfast at Baker's admiring the Kanchenzunga (got addicted to how Sam would call it) we started off with Namgyal institute of Tibetology. Peaceful, atop a hill, we paid our respects by rotating the chanting dials.

Banjhakhri falls

After warming up our respective SLRs we moved on to Banjhakri Falls Energy Park. The elevated garden has some depictions of the local culture and several spots for potential profile pictures.

We visited a monastery I didn't note down the name of. I loved the way several stories were depicted on every inch of the walls.

 From Tashi viewpoint, on a clear day, you get an elevated view of the Kanchenzunga & co. It was cloudy, so we trooped down for lunch.

Red Panda

The enclosures in the Himalayan Zoo are clean and has as natural a landscape plausible in a zoo. Bharat me were lagging behind as we would wait like wanna be wildlife photographers capturing different expressions on the animals. The Red Pandas, the Tibetan Wolves and the Leopards are the money winners of this park.

The city from Ganesh Tok

Ganeshtok is one of THE sunset spots. You can have a quaint look of the city, the tower, the
mountains and indulge in sunset photography. It was past sunset by the time we reached Hanuman Tok. It is much higher and has a wider horizon to look down from, but the poor lighting didn't help. You can also find samples of the Sanjivani tree, famed for being used on the wounded Lakshmana in the battle of Lanka. Back to Gandhi road we tried a new cafe, witnessed a local dance show and shut shop for the day.


Day 2 - South Sikkim

It takes the whole day to cover the sights here. But the long drive is a series of soothing wallpapers livening up in front of you. Note - never sit behind the guy with lens unless you don't mind chilly winds on & off your face. Bharat was going crazy (check out his gallery  here) with landscape beckoning you to keep the lens uncovered. We stopped at the Tea gardens. We drove past many, but this one was open to visitors and sloped downwards. Clicked an all time favorite single picture there too.





Samdruptse monastery is one of the regal ones, with a giant sculpture of one of their saints depicted on the top. Across the valley from here you can spot the giant sculpture of Lord Siva in Char Dham, out next destination.





Chardham is unlike any place I've been to. It has replica temples of the four main Hindu destinations, as well as the 12 main lingas of Lord Shiva.



Rounding of the visits to witness Giant statues we reached Ravangla by sunset, so we did not get to enter the park. But the wait outside was worth the chills the lights came on - 1 by 1- on the beautiful status of Lord Buddha. It is one of the sights to never fail your memory. On a clear sky day, they say you could even spot the Kanchenzunga, the heavenly sunset glimpses of which we enjoyed on the drive to Ravangla.
























Day 3 - North Sikkim

This region is more famous for the Nathu La pass. We did not go because the roads were supposed to be strewn with ice which would make driving difficult. But we overheard many families who were headed in that direction. Lendup, or driver, added that the permission costs a little more for the trip there.

So we settled on Tsomgo Lake (pronounced Chang-huh). We expected it to be frozen. But we arrived to a clear water view painted with a reflective glow from the sunlight. There was plenty of snow along the banks to prompt a snow ball/shower fight in the group and of course the customary photo sessions. We took the rest of the day off and dinner was served by Chef Samtani.

Day 4

Rumtek

We woke up easy today. The guys went on a cycle ride around town (& Tashi viewpoint). My limbs were still a bit sore and I didn't reckon my fitness was good enough to cycle in the mountain air. So I stayed back and enjoyed a sun bath, while idly staring at the valley. Witnessed the para gliding, the helipad movements and the dance of the shadows on the valley from Samuel's gallery.

We visited the Rumtek monastery post noon. The Buddha deity

here caught my attention sharply. I just paused and soaked in the grandeur
of the main chamber. You just can't help but admire & feel like having time travelled a few centuries back. Samuel met up with some friends at the cafe ( also visited by Amir Khan) with whom he was having a guitar jugalbandhi. We drove through the city to the other end. There was a flower show and only Bharat, with his micro lens, was into it. We were a bit too late for the cable car ride. That would have been ultimate!

The last view - Sam's spot

But we winded up at one of Samuel's favorite spots of Gangtok, which ended up being one of my favorites as well. He regaled us with some local stories and I also caught sight of my first satellite!(I thought it was a plane.) Was too reluctant to move from there. We observed the sunset and the lights coming on in the city below. We then walked down to the main market, some of us shopping while I clicked and chomped on some snacks on the go. We signed off on Baker's Cafe yet again for the night. We honestly felt heavy and were reluctantly going through our last walk and talks around Gangtok. Sikkim won our hearts, to say the least.

If you aren't just into the winter feeling and the sights then you can even try trekking, paragliding, river-rafting and jamming into the local music scene -some of the other activities you can enjoy there. A second trip is due in the future. And Mr. Tshering has already planned the itinerary for it! Those are into cultural studies you are bound to meet a steady mix of people. Though a predominantly Christian population, most of the spots you visit are influenced by Tibetan Buddhist culture. The interiors and decors used by them are pleasing, not just the serene settings they are surrounded by.

Check out the entire album here - Kissing the clouds in Sikkim. Or follow me on Instagram - Ananda_Kishore where I will keep posting some of my memories from the trip.

How...

..to reach Gangtok - Flying Indigo we reached Bagdogra by noon and the cab reached Gangtok by 5.30 PM. A cab ride should be Rs. 2500 for an Indigo / Rs.3500 by Innova. Or take the helicopter ride Rs. 3500 per person.

..are the road trips.. not the best of roads, but not the worst of roads(compared to Ladakh). The "Aami Nepali" was a clear favorite.

Don't fall of to sleep during the road trips

Border roads organization have done a good job. But be prepared for dust ups, frequent curves and of course shifts in altitude. What makes the rides fun is some good music, and you should check out the local rock bands..

..the weather in December.. they say Jan is when it gets colder with snowfall. We enjoyed the sunshine in the day which took the temp up would generally be in 3 layers adding 2 more for Tsomgo lake.

.. the food.. shouldn't be an issue. Considering most of us were pure veg. with a half-jain diet, we ate quite well. Others may also enjoy the local cuisine.

..are the travel arrangements.. I have been suggesting to people to travel in groups of 5-6. Works out convenient. If you have to go to North Sikkim you are only allowed 6+driver max in a car. Innova suits the best. Hiring charges vary as per season.

..plan for the trip.. You can connect with Samuel (again, not a guide, just a guy happy to help) on Twitter - @meophiscated and _notsamuel on Instagram.

Well - kuch din to guzariye Sikkim mein!!