Year End in the Darj. & Sikkim Hills

I have a candid confession to make. I have never written a travelogue this quickly. The photographs (uploading process has been super smooth) – they are still okayish, but dear reader, I will admit ,perhaps, this has compromised with the quality of the writing. This is more of a narration of where we were and what we did and what we ate.

Sunrise on Kanchenjunga from Elgin Mt. Pandim, Pelling

Peaks towards the extreme East of Kanchenjunga

After the Old Silk Route drive in November, we had initially planned to stay put in Kolkata in the year end. But as the year end approached, the itch started. See how everyone were planning their vacations and enjoying their lives and we were sitting like morons. That very thought was painful and the pain was only increasing as the days passed. So unable to bear any further, we decided that we will go "somewhere" in the hills of North Bengal or Sikkim. Leaves weren’t a problem, so slotted in the last week of the year - Christmas Eve to the 31st of December. Some doubts remained though - like the weather, political situation and accommodation. But then, felt that it should work out in the end with the right intentions.

Christmas Celebrations at Elgin, Pelling

Christmas Celebrations at Elgin, Pelling II

Christmas Celebrations at Elgin, Pelling III

Talked to our office admin and wanted to explore if there are any accommodation available in their associated hotels. Was skeptical because the year end is actually a high season and getting rooms just two weeks away was even more challenging. But, we kind of hit the jackpot here - we got 3 days in Pelling and 3 days in Darjeeling. Was wary about Darjeeling though, but then, the town was calm for quite some time.

Rabdentse Ruins

Rabdentse Ruins II

Reflections on Glass

Breakfast Stop at Moregram

Lunch At Glenarys, Darj.

Lunch At Glenarys, Darj. - II

Lunch At Glenarys, Darj. - III

Bags were packed and on the dawn of 23rd Dec we left home. Reached Bagdogra after a 12 hours marathon run. Malda town continues to be a nightmare took exactly an hour to cross it. Christmas was in the air and with Christmas trees and gift boxes and red ribbons and the smell of cakes and pastries – we were elated.

Next day started from Bagdogra at 11.30 AM. Travelled through Melli-Bhanjyang-Namchi-Ravangla-Legship and reached Pelling (the resort is actually at Pemayangtse) at 6 PM. Excepting the broken stretch between Melli and Bhanjyang, the road was excellent. Deep pine forests, views of the Rathong-Kokthang and Kanchenjunga, beautifully dotted villages in the hill sides and deep, deep green forests, it was invigorating.

View from Tiger Hill

Thukpa

View from Glenarys

That evening was a special one with bonfires, Christmas decorations, clanking of glasses and cutleries and a sumptuous buffet spread of Roasted Chickens and Grilled Fishes.


The next day we woke up late and lazed around before finding the way to the breakfast table. Watched Kanchenjunga looming ahead and consumed cups of tea and time went by in a jiffy. In the afternoon, we went to a restaurant , Melting Point ,in Middle Pelling, for lunch and ordered for Fried Rice, Thukpa and Chicken Manchurian. Did not find the place worth the 4 stars of TR.



In the evening we went to the Pemayangtse Monastery. Dined at the Kabur Restaurant at night and returned to the hotel around 9 in the evening.

Darjeeling Town

The next day was the last day at Pelling. We drove down to the Rabdentse Ruins (2 kms) in the morning and hiked to the palace complex. The hike took around 25-30 mins with my toddler son and it was good that he didnt need much support. While returning back we were famished and went to a place Big Bowl for lunch. Had rice and egg curry and dal for lunch. Later we went to the helipad ground from where we watched the sunset on the Kanchenjunga range and visited a local fair. Called it an early night.


On 27th Dec, we checked out of The Elgin Mt. Pandim and started for Darjeeling. Everyone advised us to avoid taking Legship-Jorethang-Melli road/Legship-Jorethang-Darjeeling road in the Swift. So, had a take a long detour through Ravangla-Namchi-Melli-Teesta-Peshok-Darjeeling.


The Peshok and Lopchu tea gardens wore a ghostly look- the manicured gardens resembling a jungle of unkept wild grasses and ferns hanging from the ends of the hills. Enroute stopped for momos and noodles and tea at Melli.


After reaching the hotel, freshened up quickly and went to the Mall. Saw that the ‘Teesta Rangeet Festival’ was going on at the Chowrasta. It felt that Darjeeling had finally come alive after months of unrest and uncertainties. Locals and tourists thronged and danced like there was no tomorrow.

The Elgin, Darjeeling

The offspring cribbed for a balloon and I found one balloon seller after some difficulty. Later checked into Glenarys and ordered Mixed Grill and Chicken Cutlets and additional beverages. Glenarys was packed to the hilt and the guests and waiters made it lively and exciting.


When we were returning back to the hotel, the Mall market had wound down, the fest had ended for the night, roads were deserted excepting some police forces who were huddled in a check post. And it was cold and we could see the stars through the branches of the trees in the periphery of the mall.

Batasia Loop

To appease my son, we had planned to go to the Zoo the next day. But the Zoo was closed since it was a Thursday, so we drove down to the Batasia Loop where we spent time watching a couple of toy trains come and go and ate some oranges under the blue sky with no clouds and a sun that resembled summer rather than December.


But son was still disgruntled that he couldn’t go to the ‘animal fair’, so we took him to Glenarys again for lunch and he felt happy with the Black forest cake and the Gratin fish. We spent the evening sitting in the Chowrasta and watching the ongoing rock concert.


Next day, after a wholesome breakfast, we went to the Zoo and son was happy despite walking the steep inclines. Finding the parking was however a problem for me and I had to park the car around half a kilometer from the zoo.

Tea shop near the Zoo, Darjeeling

Had lunch at one of the nearby shops and by the time we reached Tiger Hill it was around 4 in the evening.


Watched the sunset from Tiger Hills with minimal commotion and descended fast through the loops. Repeated the routine from the past couple of days i.e. Dinner at Glenarys and went in to sleep early knowing that we leave the hills the next day.

Ripening Mustard fields beside SH-7

Left Darjeeling around 10.30 in the morning and took the Mirik road to Matigara. Several stops along the way ensured that we were late in reaching Bagdogra. Lunched at Khanna Hotel near Bagdogra exit and from then on it was fast dash towards Dhantola. But darkness had descended and with cattle and goats and young children and frequent cars coming on the way , the progress was slow. Gained time once we were back on the highway and stopped at Golden Park for the night. And next day it was an early morning dash towards sweet home.