SPELLBOUND IN SIKKIM||TRAVEL BLOG (PART-2)

In this blog I'm writing about my experience while I was traveling in India's one of the most beautiful state Sikkim. This is the second part of this series. In case you've not gone through the first part then here is the link

https://littlehapinez.blogspot.in/2018/03/spellbound-in-sikkimtravel-blog-part-1.html 

25/02/18

HOTEL TARIKA

At around 8 o'clock we woke up. Trust me, if the clock didn't tell us the time I would think it was 6 o'clock as the sky was so gloomy. As if the sun was too shy to look up beyond the clouds. However, we stepped down to the dining area of our hotel at 10 o'clock. Yes, it took 2 hours to sum up all the luggage. We sat down and asked them what they had for breakfast. They said that they had prepared Puri Sabji. You know what, my husband is sold by the name of Puri Sabji. What else then I could say. NOTHING!!! I wanted to

PURI SABJI

try local dishes but I had to surrender. First of all He loves Puri Sabji. Second we didn't have much time to look for something else. So as a final result that we ordered it. Puri Sabji was surprisingly very tasty though time was running out so fast. Our local tour conductor called us several time as our car was ready. We bid good bye to Hotel Tarika with a HAPPY HEART. And promised that I wasn't coming back for sure.

BREAKFAST : 200/- INR
TAXI FROM HOTEL TO TSOMGO TAXI STAND:  200/-

LACHEN

We hurriedly finished our breakfast and at around 11 am we reached Tsomgo Lake (Changu) Taxi Stand, near Vajra Cinema by a taxi. There are many taxi stand in Gangtok. So you better know properly where is your taxi stand. Our tour conductor promised us to pick up from our hotel as they didn't do that and we had to come there by hiring a taxi, we excluded that fare from the total expense. So finally we all set to go to Lachen. Our plan was to stay at Lachen on 25th of Feb. On 26th of February we would go to Gurudongmar Lake and Chopta Valley. On the same day we would go to Lachung. We forgot about one thing that we

On the way to Lachen, Butterfly Falls

Mangan

may had planned our trip but God is there also who hasn't given permission yet. However, let's begin the journey. At 11.30 we started our journey. After 10 to 15 minutes our car stopped at the garage where a mechanic checked every parts of the car as per the rules. At 12.15 pm we ultimately left for Lachen. What can I say about the scenery which I was seeing through my eyes. I was only thanking God for making the world so beautiful. Moreover every time when the car was taking a turn, Nature was changing every inch of it specially River Teesta. O God!!! From where I can find words to justice River Teesta. You know what I can't say the real color of Teesta. Sometimes its blue then in a minute it completely changed into green. After almost one and a half hour of journey our car stopped in front of Butterfly Falls. It is a very simple regular falls but still its simplicity has something to say. On the way we make some friends. We all would be together through our whole North Sikkim Tour. I was so excited and looking forward to see what nature store for me in Lachen. At around 2.30 o'clock in the afternoon our car stopped at Mangan where we had lunch. Our lunch was ready. We ate at Chirag Da Dhaba. The lunch was so simple yet tasty. We had rice, dal, papad, kala Chana sabji and egg with our fellow travelers. At 3pm our driver Simon started his engine. Again I engrossed in the beauty of

On The Way To Lachen

nature. After almost one hour we stopped in front of a police station. We were informed by our driver that they had not arranged our permit for north Sikkim. So we had to wait and he would go to get it done. O God!!! It is said that time flies but on that particular day I realized that time can move like a snail. We couldn't come out of the car as it was raining so badly. We became frustrated as well as restless. After two hours of raining clouds must had been so tired that they finally stopped crying. Thanks to God. Some of us Came out of the car and went to have a hot cup of tea. It re-freshened us. Just after finishing our cup of tea we saw the glimpse of our driver Simon. Meanwhile all the cars who started their journey with our car left us far behind. When we reached Chungthang it was 5.45 pm. I don't know whether you believe it or not but we hardly could see anything other than the flash of lightening. We could only hear the sound of rain. Our car stopped in front of a tea stall where they had arranged our evening tea. But no one
was interested. All of us were scared. Simon, our driver didn't care those factors at all. He went to have a cap of tea. At 6 pm we again started our journey. It was bloody scary. We even couldn't see the roads. We

On The Way To Lachen

only depend on our driver's shoulder and we continuously enchanting the name of God. At around 7.55 pm we reached finally to our hotel at Lachen. Our fellow cars were already present there. We were the last one. However we entered in our room. The room was clean enough to stay for one day and most importantly it's geyser was working properly. We were extremely tired and hungry. We quickly got ready and made a fast move towards dining area. Our dinner was ready to be served which had rice, dal, potato, cauliflower fry and chicken. After a long day that menu was nectar for me. Now my eyes were forcing me to close them. The rain didn't want to stop. Our driver informed us that we had to start our journey to Gurudongmar Lake at 5 o'clock in the morning. Uttering that we didn't waste a single time to get a sound sleep.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE....
SEE YOU IN THE NEXT PART.....
WITH LOVE

** THIS IS NOT A PAID PROMOTION


                     

SPELLBOUND IN SIKKIM||TRAVEL BLOG (PART-1)

As I have always mentioned in my blogs that I am a crazy traveler. Each and every bit of my journey gives me immense happiness. I guess you guys have already read my two travel blogs of Varanasi and Digha. In case you haven't read here are the links
https://littlehapinez.blogspot.in/2017/05/travel-blog-digha.html
https://littlehapinez.blogspot.in/2017/07/varanasi-diarytravel-blog-part-1.html

First one is the link of Digha travel blog
Second one is the link of Varanasi travel blog part 1.

Now let's begin the journey of Sikkim...

DARJEELING MAIL 

DEPARTURE TIME : 10.05 PM (SDAH)

EXPECTED ARRIVAL TIME: 8 AM  (NJP)

TRAIN NO: 12343

PLATFORM NO: 9B

TICKET FARE (AC 3 TIER): 920 INR

Darjeeling Mail is not only just a train for me. It is a dream for me. I always wanted to board on this train. From the day we started planning for the trip I knew clearly on my mind that Darjeeling Mail would be one of my companion throughout my journey. We booked AC 3 tier tickets in November. 

Our journey began on 23rd February, 2018. The departure time of our train was 10.05 pm. We left our house at around 7.45 pm. We hired an uber and reached Sealdah at around 9 pm. At 9.20 pm our train was ready on the platform. Our coach number was B2. So finally my dream train was in front of me. I was so happy that I almost forgot about my entire trip. What I only wanted to enjoy at that time was my journey by DARJEELING MAIL. On 10.10 pm I heard my companion i.e my dream train blew his horn to let me know that he was ready to start. Just like any other AC coach there was also a fresh towel, a bed sheet, one pillow and a quilt present on each seat. Though It was only on my mind but I loved to think that my dream train had arranged everything to make me comfortable. I never felt so excited. I sat comfortably on my side lower seat and started to gulp all the things going on in and outside of the train. It was my husband who broke my reverie and told me to serve our dinner which my mother cooked for us. Our dinner was so simple yet so delicious. We ate rumali roti and chicken. We also bought some cakes, biscuits and mineral water bottles.  After finishing our dinner when everyone was preparing to sleep I thought that I should definitely stay awake for my Darjeeling Mail. My mind was determined though my eyes weren't supporting my decision. I fought hardly with my eyes and I forced my eyes to see a beautiful sky which was full of stars. But just after crossing Burdwan I had to surrender on the lap of my seat. I didn't know how much time I was asleep but when I woke up my train halted to take some rest at Malda. It was 5 am. I came down from my side upper seat to lower one which was acquired by my husband. I needed to put some fuel to my body so that it functioned properly. We had "CHAI". Right after our tea break my companion Darjeeling Mail also charged up. I guess it also recharged itself. It started its engine and I felt sad deep inside. As I knew my journey by Darjeeling Mail would slowly come to an end. Only one station was left which was Kishangunj then we would reach to NJP. With a heavy heart I was waiting for NJP but at the same time one thought pop out quickly that it was not the end of my journey. It was only the first chapter of the whole tour. We reached NJP at 10.30 am. I bid good bye to Darjeeling Mail. When we stepped down from train we had no clue from where we should start. We only knew that we had to reach Gangtok where we booked our hotel Tarika.

NEW JALPAGURI

 On the platform of NJP I felt like we were some lost children as the tourist guides and drivers asking us so many questions. They were behaving like they all were ready to take us home safely. We decided to have breakfast then we worked out our next step. When we were having toast and omelet a gentleman came to us. He offered that he would take us to Gangtok in exchange for 150 rupees per person. He also recommended to visit his office. After having breakfast we went to his office which was just in the opposite side of the road. They suggested us to conduct our whole trip. At the beginning of our journey we wanted to visit North Sikkim so our tour conductor planned the tour accordingly. But always remember one thing you should always bargain with them. Otherwise they charged a lot. You should break down each and every part of their calculation. However, after loads of bargaining we finally came to an end of discussion. We started our journey to Gangtok at 12 pm.

FARE OF TAXI: 150/- INR (NJP TO Gangtok, Deorali Taxi Stand)

TOTAL TOUR OF NORTH SIKKIM (Lachen and Lachung) : 3000/- INR (including transport, lodge and 3 meals) 

NJP TO GANGTOK

It took 4 hours to reach Gangtok. The roads were so clean and green. After few kilometers Teesta came to greet us. She was flowing in its own rhythm and guiding us through out our total trip. Our driver halted for lunch at Melli. We ordered one plate of momo. We reached Deorali Taxi Stand at 4pm. As I have already mentioned earlier that we have booked Hotel Tarika which is also situated at Deorali Taxi Stand.

ONE PLATE MOMO: 100/- INR (10 PCS)

HOTEL TARIKA  

I was so disappointed. The rooms were decent and clean but the geyser wasn't working properly. The manager of the hotel promised to give us a front view room. Yes, he gave us a room which has a window but I hardly could see anything other than a building. Our Sikkim tour guide Tapu came to meet us in hotel. Special permit is required for North Sikkim and Nathula. So he collected xeroxes of our photo id and color photos. After that we booked a taxi from Deorali  stand to MG Road. The manager of the hotel told us that it took 7 minutes to reach MG Marg so we were disappointed again. It took 10 minutes by car. If someone wish to walk then the it will take 32 minutes.

HOTEL FARE: 800/- INR (NOT WORTHY)
TAXI FARE: 60/- INR (RS. 20 PER PERSON)

MG MARG 

CHICKEN MANCHURIAN

FRIED RICE

MG Marg is the center of attraction in Gangtok. Its a great place for shopping. Of course its a heaven for foodie people just like me. We badly need hot cups of tea to activate our mind and body. We went to a small shop where we ordered special tea. Then outside of the shop some vendors were selling veg momo. Those momos were very small in size and there was hardly any stuffing. This kind of momo or dumpling you can only find on the roads of MG Marg. As it was Saturday almost every shops were closed. We shopped a little and then we went to a restaurant near taxi stand. We ordered two plates of fried rice, one wings on fire and one chicken manchurian. It was altogether a very happy meal for us. 

WINGS ON FIRE

 SPECIAL TEA: 20/- INR (ONE CUP)
 VEG MOMO: 20/-  INR (10 PCS)
  DINNER: 950/- INR
 TAXI FARE FROM MG MARG TO HOTEL TARIKA: 80/- INR (20/- PER PERSON)





As soon as we reached hotel we started packing our luggage. At 11.30 am in the morning we would leave for Lachen.

NECESSARY ITEMS TO BE TAKEN WHILE TRAVELING IN SIKKIM
1. PHOTO ID
2. XEROX OF PHOTO ID (MINIMUM 10 COPIES)
3.COLOR PHOTO (6 COPIES)
4. NECESSARY MEDICINES

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE....
SEE YOU IN THE NEXT PART.....
WITH LOVE

** THIS IS NOT A PAID PROMOTION