Indeed it was a memorable trip: Part II

           The second day was "journey day". We preferred journeying during the day due to safety reasons.. we flew from Kolkata to Bhagdogra,,we had booked a package tour to Sikkim through North Bengal tours and travels. Their correspondent received us at Bhagdogra Civil Aerodrome. We clarified the journey time and route we would be taking. Met the driver at the entrance who would be escorting us to Gangtok before it gets dark(was the rule). Four hours was the journey time on the National Highway connecting Bhagdogra and Gangtok. We soon reached Siliguri, another major city in North Bengal. From there was a journey,, most endearing...

her enchanting graceful curves.. 

her elegant shades.. turquoise, aquamarine, lightSeaGreen, emerald..
her tranquility..n casual composure.. as she flows..  far.. 

...keep all her spectators spell bound

at once u grieve, she is gone

      then she would be flowing beside u again

so far she flows.. far beyond your eyes can reach

so far she flows..relentlessly 

      thro the ranges of great Himalayas..

far across the country

      ..to meet her companion BramhaPutra

Well that was about river Teesta.. :) Phew!!.. she has a tuf ride. com'on BramhaPutra u cud hav as well turned ur course to meet this beauty.. :p
But, we couldn't stop to take her pick. n so pics from moving vehicle has degraded her charm,, u would curse me.. 

                        ..so here are some pics (i flicked from net) :p

                                                                                       Thank You ...  for all the great photographers  who took these beautiful pictures

                                                                                                                                 

Gangtok; first aspect u notice about this place is its "plastic free & very clean". Second, soon u realize you are in a toy land with doll houses around. Third,, cute people with tiny eyes n their refined demeanor, n how can i miss their versatile hairstyles(faux hawk, spikes, all sorts of funky haircuts). Forth,, a mother and daughter can run a wine shop here!! :D :p

       We checked into Hotel Anola.. our tour correspondent met us n gave the itinerary for Gangtok’s stay. We compared it with list we had prepared n tweaked in few more places then he informed us tat permit for Nathula pass will be provided for specific days of a week… as our days of stay doesn't match with permitted days there is little hope of going to India-China trading border. We dint want to let go so we insisted him to get us permit if possible and gave him our passport copies. We were in dismay and regretted for relying completely on tour organizers for this. And due to Gorkhaland protests we had to cancel our visit to Kalimpong and extended our stay in Gangtok,, which left us in mixed emotions. 

      Once we stepped out of Anola into streets of Gangtok we were taken over by a wave of exquisite pleasantness. Clean MG Marg with pedestrian tiled-walkway as broad as a road! It provided benches for fagged shoppers’ n dustbins to help keep it clean :) Foutained divider as u can see in the picture above..

      We entered Hotel Tashi which was close by. A long aisle covered with glass bricks was architecturally admirable. There was a Ganapati moorti carved out of wood..at the corner was a receptionist who welcomed us with warm smile. we Turning slight left..realized the restaurant itself "is a great piece of art! Had roti and dal..!! was reluctant to try native dish. I am not a foodie, i prefer home food!

 

Bdw..MG Marg is expensive,, just like MG roads of other cities.. but there is a parallel road housing mini shops.. u can buy mementos or souvenirs back home. You can shop shawls and sweaters in native shops. You can buy traditional dress of Sikkim “Bakhu” in any native shop,, but do explore a lot before u buy it.. u have options of vivid colors, opulent golden/silver prints and different quality of silk