There was a little change in the original plan. As we reached we heard of strike in Darjeeling for the Gorkhaland outcry. We had to drive straight to Gangtok on Monday. Tuesday Morning we leave for Yumthang Valley, only place we were to witness snow. It took 2 full days. First day we traveled a mountainous road to reach a place called Lachung. On the way I clicked many beautiful scene. In the journey there was a traffic jam on a hill due to landslide. It was about 8 and raining when we reached Lachung. Stayed there for night. In the morning of Wednesday when we woke up it was biting cold there. The rain earlier night added extra flavour to the cold. Water gave frost bites. Thanks to those who carried toilet papers. It saved frost bites at several places. Coming out of the hotel rooms we witnessed some of the most beautiful scenes on earth. I clicked the picture (below) which captured the early morning rays of sunlight coming from behind the hill.
It was Holi the festival of colours on Wednesday. We drove in 2 cabs towards yumthang valley and stopped where it was most snowy and after roads were snow laden. My idea of carrying colours rocked and we had great time playing with colours and snow. Colourful Mr and Mrs Snowy that we made also rocked and the work and idea of bringing colours was appreciated by other tourists present there.
Return journey from Yumthang to Gangtok was not as dreaded as whole going there and we safely drove to our hotel. Thursday morning we were to drive to Nathula pass, the Indo-Tibet border. Situated at the height of 15000 ft it gave practical example of thinning of air which we study in 8th class physics. It was first time I saw so steep roads. As high as 30 degrees steep. Or may be more. Climbing up few steps hurriedly and we were panting like dogs in summer. Cold winds challenged hearing and breathing. On return we saw the Tsomgo lake pupularly wrongly pronounced as Chhangu Lake. A lake in the lap of mounting. Green water and snowy mountains around was distinctly to behold. New to it was a market which attracted tourists. I bought some gifts/memoirs from this market and from shop new a temple called Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir of Indian Army which has a strange story of its own. That very day we returned to hotel and went out in the evening for stroll on MG Marg for the second time (First time was previous day). A beautiful street with beautiful shops, beautiful people and beautiful ambiance. We clicked all the beautiful things on street. It was on same day that my camera started malfunctioning. It is 2.5 yrs old and seems its life is over. Time for new cam!
Friday morning we took 4 cabs for as-called-by the hotel manager 10 point sight seeing around Gangtok. Only 2-3 sites were worth seeing but this time we enjoyed being together. All 4 cabs mountain racing was breath taking but we enjoyed it in the end as we came alive out of it.
Moved to Darjeeling on Saturday morning. Reach there and then city touring that day. on Sunday early morning we went to Tiger hill to see Sunrise but the cloud disappoints us. We could not see Kanchanjangha peak. Disappointed at last spot we catch the train and start with same shit again.
For first few days the images of beautiful scenery of Sikkim and beautiful chinks crowded our minds. But we finally adapt to our style and place of living and evolve to live with it happily!
Ending with a smile :)
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