traveLOGue - part 1

Hmmm.. And every once in a while its just the place that lures you there.

And that would be my stint in the hols in Darjeeling, Kolkatta and Chennai. Chennai - to meet friends, Kolkatta - to meet family and friends and Darjeeling - do i really need to name a reason why??

Well.. If you are the kind raring to go, with your bags all packed..then may be you should think it over and just cancel your ticket to Darjeeling - specialy if you are palnning to travel by the toy train. :) The TOY TRAIN commutes a distance of 80 km from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling in a matter of around ten hrs.But if you are the kind ready to sit back and relax and enjoy the journey rather than the arrival - thats when the toy train comes calling.

Kooo chuk chuk chuk chuk chuk chuk.. :)

Hold on a second. If i just left you feeling that this trip to Darjeeling is meant for the arthritis ridden oldies who get there kick out of travelling at the speed of some 8 km per hr - wait till you find out what else the place has in store for the seeker. :)

Darjeeling is renowned for offering a view of the Kanchenjunga ranges and the Mount Everest set opposite one of the awesome"st" sunrises. It may sound insane that people actually get up at three in the morning and brave sub-zero temperatures to see the very same sunrise that they can catch from their bedroom window!! But the surprise lasts only as long as the wait for the sunrise. To cut matters short - gotta see it to know why.

Na... No one travels half way across India to catch a sunrise I know. :) So to charm the yet "un"-besotted there is the beautiful GANGA MAYA park and ROCK GARDENS. Catch the native scene, dance to the tunes of the traditional songs dresed in the many splendored traditional dresses. :) In the ROCK GARDENS the entire path to the hill top is paved. And the adventurous spirits can always try a hand (or is it feet!! ;) ) at some rock climbing.

Talk about rock climbing and talk about the TENZING ROCKS and GOMBU ROCK. :)

Darjeeing also offers immense avenues for trekking and rafting. For those with the shopping itch there is "maal" - mall. You could drop till you drop driving bargain over bargain.

To know it, to feel it you better book your own tickets.

P.S. its only because i dint go for either of the two. ;)

TRIVIA :

Place : Darjeeling

How to get there?

Road : From New Jalpaiguri or Siliguri it takes around three and a half hours. (Siliguri being the centre for all eastern trade in India).

Railways : From Kolkatta it takes around 14 hrs. And another ten hours by TOY train :).

Airways : No idea dude!!

Places of interest :

TIGER HILLS : the highest view point from where you can catch the sunrise and the scenic ranges all for a bare 40/- ;)

GANGA MAYA PARK and ROCK GARDENS

BUDDHIST MONASTERY

BATASIA LOOP : For a SHORT joy ride in the heritage toy train around a winding path. :)

TENZIMG and GOMBU ROCK : For the amateur rock climber in you. :)

TEA VALLEY : Savour the aromatic Darjeeling tea near these estates. Hmmm.. Simply superb. All the three of it. The locale. The tea. Anf the beauties serving it.

Forget the ROPE WAY. Its been closed.

Keep away from the museum unless you want to be saddled with sad figures like these. :)