[anilisanil]

Hi San nice travelouge you have here. Just a small doubt, sorry if I missed it in your write up, are you narrating a trip you did in 2006 or is it that your cam is showing a wrong date, I am asking because I am planning a trip to Darjeeling-Gangtok in November!

[San Phrangmung]

Originally Posted by anilisanil

Hi San nice travelouge you have here. Just a small doubt, sorry if I missed it in your write up, are you narrating a trip you did in 2006 or is it that your cam is showing a wrong date, I am asking because I am planning a trip to Darjeeling-Gangtok in November!

No you are very much right i was there in 2006, but became a member this month only. So even though old i wanted to share the experience.

November would be a good time to visit the area. Just bring along lot of woolens.

[m-hawk]

Even my taxi driver was an elderly gentleman the day he recvd me at bagdogra and drove me to Darjeeling I was a little worried at the pace we were travelling he was quite slow but enjoying th lovely sun and the views I Did nt mind The following day was my early morning tiger hill sunrise day and with kids no matter what one gets delayed for various reason s . Now I expected to miss the sunrise but when we startred after the small talk and apology the elderly gentleman dove as hard he could and beleve me he was as sharp as a fox and overtook almost all other cars enroute Later I found out he was retired army man from Gorkha regiment !! The local language there is Nepali and apparently Darjeeling was a part of Nepal the British included it into. India due to it s tea growing suitibilaty !!

[San Phrangmung]

Originally Posted by m-hawk

Even my taxi driver was an elderly gentleman the day he recvd me at bagdogra and drove me to Darjeeling I was a little worried at the pace we were travelling he was quite slow but enjoying th lovely sun and the views I Did nt mind The following day was my early morning tiger hill sunrise day and with kids no matter what one gets delayed for various reason s . Now I expected to miss the sunrise but when we startred after the small talk and apology the elderly gentleman dove as hard he could and beleve me he was as sharp as a fox and overtook almost all other cars enroute Later I found out he was retired army man from Gorkha regiment !! The local language there is Nepali and apparently Darjeeling was a part of Nepal the British included it into. India due to it s tea growing suitibilaty !!

He he, so the old chap made it that day for you guys despite being late wakers!

And yeah, thank God that the British kept it within India for us to enjoy.

Why dont you add some photo of your journey here and welcome more pennings as well.

[San Phrangmung]

Come join me for a morning walk in Darjeeling. Go get the sweater first but.

The night was cold enough to keep me awake for long, so no going out with that cold breeze shaking everything out there.

Don't believe come near the window and see for yourself.

[San Phrangmung]

St Andrew's church, British legacy.

[abhinav.s]

Awesome, Amazing, Too good.. Err I am running out of adjectives now

Great pics San and very good compilation! Have always wanted to visit Darjeeling, will do it one day.. some day!

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by San Phrangmung

@hvkumar

Yes i remember the operator guy saying something about not being allowed to go after a certain time. But he told me permits are to be made a day early.

Have you been to the nothern side, Yumthang, Lachen and beyond.

Yes, I think they do not allow the taxis to go towards Changu Lake/Nathu after 10 am at the Hanuman Tuk Check Post in Gangtok. That way, the taxis can all be back before 3- 4 pm.

No, I have never been to North Sikkhim, because they seldom issue permits for private cars/mobikes to be driven there. I am told that it is difficult and time-consuming thanks to the iron grip the taxi cartel has over travel to both North Sikkhim and Nathu la. In 1994, when I rode a mobile to Gangtok, I travelled a little beyond Mangan where you have to show the permit at the check post but they turned me back. Last year, I did not try at all.

I think the Gangtok-Teesta-Darjeeling route is one of the pretty roads in the region. I remember the S-type curves where the road loops over itself in the real steep sections!

[lightinin95]

Wonderful pics San. Keep this going. Planning to visit Sikkim / Darjeeeling during mid Nov.

Cheers, Sam

[San Phrangmung]

@Abhinav you must have been to Coorg, Yearcaud, Munner etc in south which on the other hand i have to visit.

@lightnin November would be lovely in Darjeeling. Do take the morning walk around mall and go up to Mahakaal temple on way.

@HvK Sikkim Tourism should do something about the taxi owners cartel, if one can go to every single point in remotest Ladakh in own vehicle, ther's no reason why it should not be the case here.

And yes that road was really special, i can never forget that drive to Darjeeling from Gangtok.

[San Phrangmung]

The morning walk is approaching its starting point after finishing the mall loop.

Last pictures of town square and our hotel Belevue.

[San Phrangmung]

Dinner time Darjeeling

Momos, soup, chow, cold coffee. A bit expensive this place.

[San Phrangmung]

Walking along Mahakal market and the one and only Mall in Darjeeling just opposite the old post office.

[San Phrangmung]

Every morning we used to see people walking barefoot with a small lota in hand towards the mall walkway. So one morning we decided to follow the locals to the town's top.

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by San Phrangmung

Darjeeling is one place that no traveller from the eatern sector has not visited.

True. Very true.

Bengalis love Darjeeling as much as their mishti doi & rosogulla if not more. And Kollywood had hit it even in the black and white projection era with movies like "Kacher Sworgo". While Anjan Dutta and other singers have songs after songs on the Darjeeling experience.

Remember these. That song of Anjan wasn't really that great. In fact told him that too.
Nothing much he could do except making a face. We were working together those days in Kolkata.

The former British hill station was however unable to cope with the huge tourist inflow and its infrastrure collapsed. Now it's all but dirty roads and unplanned construction everywhere which is a eyeshore.

So true again.

The Windamere heritage property is an exception though that has been able to keep the old structures intact and well maintained to give us a feel of Raj days for a price.

Stayed there long back. Of course I didn't pay. Client payed for that as I went there for a shoot and their guest house was fully occupied.

Remember spending every evening with hot chocolate at Keventers. Their roof top sitting arrangement was nice. Watching Kanchenjungha under setting sun with hot chocolate and chicken puff. Deep sigh!

Is that shop/restaurant called 'The Glenary's' still there? They had lovely spread. their keema and nan was really yummm.

Oh boy! I'm getting all nostalgic. What fun it was taking that toy train and crossing stations like Sunada, Tung and all.

Thanks a lot San Phrangmung, for taking me back again to my young days. God I feel seriously old now.