We spent about a week in the northern Indian state of Sikkim. Sikkim is a relatively new part of India and the people think of themselves as Sikkimese/Nepalise. Located between Nepal, China, Bhutan and the state of West Bengal (India), Sikkim was made a part of India with help from the Brits. In an effort to keep it part of India, Sikkim receives relative autonomy and funding for public services. As a result, the roads are quite good despite the hilly terrain and the citizens enjoy a good quality of life. Unlike some Indian states, alcohol is made and consumed here [View Full Entry]

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We spent a few damp days in Darjeeling. It was the tail end of the monsoon season--damp beds and damp clothes, nothing ever dries completely! But we did enjoy the relatively cool temperature. The people of Darjeeling were wonderfully friendly. The landscape and the feel of the place is distinctly different from the rest of India. Most of the locals speak Nepaliese and want the greater Darjeeling region to become a separate state from West Bengal called Ghorkaland. There are also strong Tibetan influences at the restaurants and monastaries. Enjoying the food and the tea plantations, we ex [View Full Entry]

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