Blogs from Gangtok, Sikkim, India, Asia

“You can fall in love for a place, and when you do, you have to come again and again to that place” I keep travelling whenever I get some time out for my inner self. I believe, Life has made me an explorer by heart and this belief is getting stronger with my age. Out of countless cities, villages, mountain trails, hamlets, sea beaches, National parks & forests, deserts that I have travelled so far, few are the journeys that reflects Life. Sikkim is a small picturesque North-eastern state in India, which is one of those places, that I think I fell in love with, for its beautiful mountain peaks and trails, beautiful view of majestic Khangchendzonga, the third highest peak in the world, small mountain villages and its people, rivers, countless waterfalls, the zig-zag old ... read more

Two weeks running around visiting family and friends and after short hop to Chennai it was time once again to see if I still enjoy my nomadic wandering. On the flight to Chennai and to Bagdogra (Airport for Gangtok) the thing that stuck me most was the dust cover that pervaded over India. Even from a 1000 meter altitude it was virtually impossible to see anything on the ground (no fun getting a window seat, cant see anything below). Looking at a 4,500Rs taxi fare I Had booked a shared taxi from “Whizzride” for my 4½ hour journey to Gangtok, capital of the state of Sikkim. The car arrived a bit late due to traffic congestion, we finally started off around 2 PM. Due to some accident ahead there was a huge delay en-route and it ... read more

My journey to this land begins with I boarding the train at the Guwahati railway station. It was a one night journey to New Jalphaiguri where we boarded the heritage “Toy train”. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life I along with my family and my relatives went to visit this beautiful place of East India, the Lofty Hill, Gangtok. India is a land of diversity and Sikkim is one such antique diverse element. Like any other hill station, Gangtok has a similar ambience with a little pinch of sophistication. The Toy train journey to the Darjeeling was one of the best I ever had. The greenery and the clouds were simply breathtaking. There are many routes but we took this just because of this enticing toy train journey. At the dusk, we ... read more

cut to the year 2006 October, i am now ensconsed in one of the largest multinational companies in the country in a managerial position and am generally feeling more comfortable about myself. the financial situation looks good too and I'm able to return loans to dad and pay for my own holidays and also take my family on one. more about that later. it's Durga pujas and as usual we decide not to stay but leave for a trip to north Bengal to Kalimpong and Sikkim . we leave from Sealdah and arrive at new Jalpaiguri station. i have to mention the sight of the Himalayas right from the station can uplift the weary soul instantly. today i sit in my home in Bangalore and from the 18th floor of the apartment i can see the ... read more

Après une autre nuit en couchette ( train toujours a l'heure) nous sommes arrivés le matin a New Jaipalguri d'où nous avons pris un jeep collectif pour Darjeeling. A partir de ce moment tous nos déplacements se font en jeep (privé ou collectif) car la voie ferrée fini a NJ. La route sinueuse et panoramique a souhait, nous a coupé le souffle (au propre et au figuratif, car la conduite n'est pas un cadeau et nos coeurs ont sauté autant que nos fesses!). Darjeeleing, bien connue aux amateurs de thé, est une ville de montagne incroyable: perchée sur des collines a 2100 m, elle est bâtie quasiment en verticale car les pentes sont très abruptes (d'ailleurs toutes les villes de montagnes ici sont pareilles, construites sur des parois abruptes presque verticales). Les habitants sont vachement en ... read more