Advertisement
Published: October 23rd 2010
Edit Blog Post
The next day we had a breakfast of Tibetan bread and apple pancakes and went to look for Khecheopalri Lake.
As Wikkipedia says ....
"the sacred Khecheopalri Lake is known as a "wish fulfilling lake", folklore and legends associated with it are many. The folk lore has generated deep religious interest and as a result lake's waters are permitted to be used only for performing rites and rituals. Consequently, a religious fair, one of the largest festivals, is held here every year for two days in Maghe purne (March/April), which is attended by a large number of pilgrims from all parts of Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal and India. They offer food material to the lake and carry waters of the lake as Prasad (substance that is first offered to a deity and then consumed). People believe that Lord Shiva exists in "solemn meditation inside the lake". During this festival, pilgrims float butter lamps in the lake on bamboo boats tied with khadas (scared scarves), in the evenings chanting prayers as mark of reverence, along with many other food offerings"
The lake has beautiful clear water full of fish and was completely free of leaves. Legend has it that if
a leaf does fall on the lake, a guardian bird immediately swoops down and removes it.
There was a Buddhist temple with an indoor prayer wheel near the entrance to the lake, and a walkway stretching out to the front of the water with smaller prayer wheels on each side. Posts all around the lake were covered in bright prayer cloths.
After taking in the tranquility of the lake we decided to have a walk around the woodlands by the side of the water. It was a nice picturesque walk but soon we were under attack. Charlotte had to have a leech removed from the backside of her trousers before it had the chance to bite her bum!. Shortly afterward I felt what seemed like a little needle prick in my calf and turned up my trousers to find another leech tucking into me. Marc removed it from me and we seemed safe until we sat down after the walk. Everyone started checking for more leeches and I spotted one sucking on Marc's ankle through his socks, which drew quite a bit of blood.
In the meantime Michele', who had proclaimed that sandals were the only way
Bell Ringing!
Michele' and Marc bring the noise to explore the lake in, noticed that there were lots of fat leeches on the floor and wondered where they had come from. He swore they were not from him, until it was pointed out to him that if he looked at his feet, he would see they were a bloody mess!
Having recovered from the leeches we had some lunch before Ed and Charlotte had to leave for the start of their long journey home to Brighton.
After they left myself, Marc, and Michele' set off on foot for Yuksom, the old capital of Sikkim.
Here's a hint for you all. When you are walking in India with two seasoned trekkers, and they offer to take you through a shortcut, don't under any circumstances, take them up on it!
What followed was three hours and about 8 km of fully backpacked walking up and down massive and steep Indian Hills in the pouring rain, falling over several times, and at one point having to be fished out of a hole. This wasn't no gentle walk on the North Yorkshire Moors for sure. Every time we passed a hut on the hills to make sure we
Temple
Inside is a prayer wheel which sounds a bell once every rotation is complete. were heading in the right direction all the children came out to shout "Namaste" and at one point the hills were echoing to the sound of Sikkimese village children shouting hello to the three white idiots who were wandering up and down the hill in the driving rain and diminishing light. When we finally reached Yuksom after a final 45 minute climb up a steep bank, I resolved never, ever, to go trekking again in my life. It was the most draining thing I've ever done, and this is coming from someone who was once made to watch the Hollyoaks omnibus.
Eventually we stayed for three nights in Yuksom. It's a sleepy village which can be seen in a day really. There are some nice temples, and is where the monument commemorating where Buddhism was introduced to Sikkim by the three lamas, along with a footprint in a nearby stone, which is said to have belonged to one of the three lamas. However as with everyone else visiting Yuksom, we found it really difficult to get out of the place. Jeeps out out Yuksom only leave once a day early in the morning, and no one told us they
have to be booked in advance. On top of that, it's not clear how to book a lace on the jeep, so you have to get certain local people to book a place for you, and you have to find out who these people are.
We got a bit bored by the end, Michele' and Marc were unable to get a trekking permit despite their best efforts with the police, while I went for a few walks, read a bit, and wished I had my guitar. I did manage to try paan, which is tobacco, spices, and sweet flavourings wrapped in a leaf, which you put in your mouth and chew on. It was a bit strange!
We managed finally get out this morning, and I headed directly for Darjeeling, while the other two guys should be on their way as we speak.
Buying tickets for the jeep to Darjeeling wasn't much easier than in Yuksom. The booth operators didn't seem in too much of a rush to sell me a ticket, but an Indian student who was returning from his holidays helped me out and I got a seat. He seemed keen to chat away to
The whole gang
Ed, Marc, Michele', Charlotte, Me me, but was very surprised when he asked what religion I was and I said I didn't believe in God. He also thought I was 25 which is a bonus.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.073s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 6; qc: 46; dbt: 0.0472s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
sara
non-member comment
Hope you are well:-) sounds like you are having a great time. Have enjoyed reading about your adventures:-) This recent blog reaffirms my thoughts on trekking-never go:-)