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Published: November 2nd 2011
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After checking out of our hotel in Darjeeling, we headed to Chowke Bazaar. Jumping into a shared sumo, we began the 3-4 hour descent back down to Siliguri. Here we wandered the streets in search of the local bus to take us to the border of India and Nepal. Clueless as to where the bus stand was we soon heard 'Nepal, Nepal' being shouted from a moving bus, so with the bus slowing we hopped aboard and took the 1 hour journey to the border. Upon arrival we signed in at the immigration office of India before heading to the other side of the bridge to acquire our visa at the Nepali immigration office. After purchasing bus tickets we grabbed some street food and jumped aboard the bus. The 17 hour bus journey as expected was very tiring and restless, particularly given we had a religious singing choir on board!
Day 1 - Nearing the bus drop-off point we were given a hotel card by a man on board. Figuring it would save on taxi fare, given the free ride, we checked out the hotel and decided to stay. After checking in we we wandered about Thamel to familiarize ourselves
with our surroundings. Heading in search of a Ukulele we found ourselves drawn inside a run-down building where we were plated music by the local band. From here we headed to a music shop where we purchased a small guitar and flute before heading back for dinner and bed (for anyone curious as to what Raita is, do not order this for your dinner - it it yoghurt!!)
Day 2 - After breakfast we headed out toward Durbar Square to explore the holy ground and buildings. Paying an entry fee of 600 rupees we wandered the grounds, stopping to make an offering to Ganesha (choco gems and jelly rabbits) in return for good luck and safety whilst trekking. Seeing the children go about their games, we also stopped to buy a kite. After mere minutes of flying, chris was soon mobbed by the groups of children and his precious kite taken! With derby time approaching we headed back for some rum and coke before making our way to Tom 'n' Jerry's bar. Here we were later joined by the Irish gang (whom we met in Darjeeling) and together we made our way to the Irish Everest bar for the
second half given the first bar was empty. Following the match we decided to meet back up at the reggae bar. Inside the bar were bands playing live music and locals smoking flavoured hookas and charas joints. After a couple of tokes chris began to feel woozy so we made our way back to the hotel for rest!
Day 3 - Feeling a little rough, we headed for a stodgy breakfast before jumping in a cycle rickshaw to make our way to the tourist office centre. With the rickshaw becoming damaged a mere 5 minutes after departure we opted to walk the rest of the way, all the while passing locals selling goods from watches and wallets to goats which lined the roads and path. Inside the tourist office we completed the appropriate paperwork and emerged with our trekking permits and national park entrance ticket. Having met an befriended an English couple inside (Paul and Trina), we decided to walk back to Thamel together and later meet up for dinner. With a skype date due, we headed back to the room for a family call before meeting up at the Shangri-la restaurant for delicious chilli chicken and rice. With
plans to meet Paul and Trina early the next day to visit Monkey temple we soon retired to bed.
Day 4 - Waking later than expected and late for our meeting, we dressed quickly and dashed to meet Paul and Trina. Realising they had already left we grabbed a chicken kebab from the Israeli snack stand and ate at the side of the road. With the heavens opening and the rain coming down hard, the streets began to flood. Deciding to give the temple a miss, we were forced to make a dash round the corner to the pub for beer and cards until the bad weather subsided. When the rain eventually did stop and the streets cleared of water, we headed out to shop around for our much-needed trekking gear. Walking down the road later on we spotted our good friend Andy jumping up and down like a mad man, so after a hug and catchup we all headed to the pub for pool-playing and the so-called happy hour (10 rupees off a 300 rupee beer bottle)! Feeling hungry we then headed to the Shangri-la restaurant for more chilli chicken and momos before making our way to another
bar for more beer, cocktails and pool. Tiring ourselves out we headed back to our hotels, planning to meet for brunch the next day.
Day 5 - Waking early we headed out for some breakfast, finding ourselves at the local bakery indulging in a delicious ham, cheese and salami sandwich. From here we walked back near the tourist office in search of the elusive immigration office to renew our visas. After hours of being pointed in numerous directions, we finally arrived at the office to discover it was closed due to the current public holiday. Taking a taxi back to Thamel we bought appropriate mountaineering insurance (by registering with the British Mountaineering Council - BMC) before making our way to meet Gill and Andy. Together we made our way to a fast-food restaurant where we indulged in buff balls, spring rolls and pakora. With Andy's parents soon to arrive, we said our goodbyes and headed back to the hotel. After making some calls home we headed back out for dinner, on the way arranging for a taxi to collect us at 5am the next day to take us to Ratna park bus station. With the bags packed up and
ready for trekking we headed to bed ready for the next day.
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