Day 1: First Stop: Raiganj, 400kms
from Kolkata. Worth seeing: Kulik Bird Sanctuary
The WBTDC tourist lodge is close to dilapidated. They should seriously build a better one, because I am sure, there will be sufficient bird watchers given the sheer number and variety of birds that migrate to the region, including the Siberian Crane. Oh yes, they need to promote it better as well!
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| Closer look at the Asian Open Bill |
Day 2: Lunch at Subway, City Centre, Siliguri – second
largest city of West Bengal (182 kms from Raiganj, 580 kms from Kolkata)
Climb to Kurseong (36 kms from Siliguri), 4800 ft a.s.l.
approximately. Just perfectly cold for a cuppa hot coffee and a plate of
steaming momos.
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| Charming town of Kurseong all wrapped up in mist |
Major disappointment for Ele - toy train not running because of major landslides. Major disappointment for me - too much cloud cover marring the view of the snow peaks.
Day 3: Descend to foothills, known as dooars / duars
(loosely meaning doors to the mountains).
On the way pass through Coronation Bridge also known as
Sevoke Bridge (built in the 1930s by the British to commemorate the coronation
of King George VI). The beautiful greenish-blue Teesta flows underneath. Always
wondered how bungee jumping from the bridge would be. There’s a business idea
for someone to go try.
Stop at Malbazar. Tea
estates as far as the eye can see interspersed with thick tropical forests.
While re-fuelling at a petrol pump meet up with owner who has a collection of vintage cars. The cars are a little old fashioned to Ele's taste but Baba and I are mesmerised as always.
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| Ele with a vintage Merc |
Post lunch visit to one of the watchtowers in Gorumara National Park.
Spotted two rhinos grazing amidst the tall elephant grass. Unfortunately peak tourist season meant a horde of tourists in the watchtowers, who were noisy enough to drive away an entire herd of elephants! They should really limit the number of people at the entry point!
Bullock
cart ride from forest gate to watchtower. Ele & I walk super fast on the
way back trying to beat the bullock cart and we succeed! Ha!
Day 4: Picnic on the banks of the Murti river amidst the tea
estates of Samsing and Matelli.
Water icy cold, driver wades in waist deep
and catches a cold.
Day 5: Driver down and out with fever, old man decides to
drive because little man is throwing a tantrum. Climb to Lava, 55 kms from
Malbazaar. Get cold feet about driving on steep mountain roads and let the old
man drive. Regret decision immediately as the last mountain driving he did was
15 years back. Am at my seat’s edge literally but in
half an hour old man has feel of the road and we are cruising. Reach Lava safe and sound within a couple of
hours.
Lava is tranquil, far from the madding crowd and breathtakingly beautiful.
A quaint, red monastery stands at the highest point. Unlike Rumtek in Sikkim, the monastery has a warm and welcoming
atmosphere.There are friendly monks running an eatery serving yummy momos.
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| Little Monkey paying his respect to the Buddha |
And then
Lady Luck smiles brilliantly as the sun shines and Kanchendzonga dazzles in the distance. Pure bliss - am in heaven. That inexplicable sense of elation whenever I see the snow peaks. Feel like a pilgrim for this is truly nothing short of witnessing
the glory and almighty power of the One!
Day 6: Return to the City and the Daily Drudgery!
