Sikkim ( A trip to north east )

#Sikkim

It was a Tuesday morning when I took my train from Jharsuguda to Ranchi. I had a flight from Ranchi to Patna in the evening so I thought to shop few things in the Nucleus Mall which is near to the airport. I reached my hometown Patna, stayed there for few days, celebrated Rakshabandhan and left for Sikkim on Sunday. I took a flight from Patna to Kolkata in the morning. My flight from Kolkata to Bagdogra was scheduled at 2:50 pm so I explored some good restaurants at the airport. I reached Bagdogra at around 4 in the evening. From there I had to take a cab to Gangtok. On the way to Gangtok I saw Darjeeling for the first time about which I’ve been listening my entire childhood. Indeed it was beautiful. I could see ladies working in tea gardens. I reached Gangtok a bit late at around 8 and then searched for the hotel which I had already booked. My hotel was at a very good location called MG Marg. It was a very happening place with lots of branded outlets and good cafe’s. I freshened up in my hotel and went out for a walk in MG Marg and had some fresh juice. As the day was a bit tiring I slept early. Next day I woke up early in the morning and from the balcony I could see kanchenjunga which is the third highest mountain in the world. I clicked few pictures , had my breakfast. The receptionist at the hotel was so humble. He arranged a cab and I finally left at around 11 for my Sikkim Darshan. I covered almost all the places of Gangtok including Hanuman tok, Lhasa waterfalls, Rumtek monasteries and many more. Meanwhile I had the best momos of my life.

I wanted to visit North Sikkim , Pelling and Ravangla but I couldn’t cover all as I had very few days. So the next day I left for North Sikkim where the cabs were provided on sharing basis. I took the front seat beside the driver and started my journey. Lush green mountains and waterfalls was all I could see. The cab stopped for lunch at a dhaba where a sikkimese family were serving lunch.

I reached Lachung at around 10 in the night and had to stay there.

I had my dinner and went to sleep. I woke up at 5 in the morning opened the window and realised that I was in heaven. I was inhaling beauty, literally. I clicked few pictures got ready and headed for Zero point that’s 15,300 ft high. I wanted to go to Gurudongmar lake but it wasn’t open for tourists.

On the way I could see the picturesque Yumthang valley and finally reached zero point. There were plenty of rhododendron flowers which is national flower of Sikkim. And then all I could think about was mountains which were surrounding me and the river flowing by my side. As I have stayed in Kashmir for four years I was badly missing Sonamarg and was reminded of my college days and the beauty of Kashmir. The memories of Kashmir hit me hard. And as they say, every traveller has stumbled upon that one place from where they never return. For me that place is Kashmir. This is how my Sikkim trip ended. I took a cab from Gangtok to Bagdogra and catched my flight from Bagdogra to Kolkata. And I started to work so that I could plan my next trip.