Day 5 > Tsering woke us up early morning to get ready for Yamthang and zero point. It was difficult to rise n shine, due to last night's beer. But we managed well. We started our journey from Lachung to Zero pint first. Btw due to the rush, I lost my favourite pairs of three-quarters there in Lachung :( On the way from an army canteen we bought cigs, cause cigs cost more in the local shops. Tsering was there to arrange all those things. The road to Zero point ws beautiful. You'll see mountains filled with rhododendrons of different colours(depends on the time of the season). We reached Zero point and a very cold breeze was blowing there. We witnessed that breathing issue of Gurudongmar here in Zero point also, though very slight. Actually we could not go to the real zero point as one bridge was broken about 1 km ahead. But that place was great. While returning from Zero point we went to Yamthang valley. June was the worst time to visit the valley. So we were disappointed. During April the valley covers itself with flowers and in winter with snow. Many food joints are there. We had some noodles there and then started our journey back to Gangtok. Late that evening we reached Gangtok.
Day 6 > Day 6 was uneventful. We spent the whole day very lazily, most of it in the hotel. The world cup match between Brazil & Portugal was scheduled that night. We planned to watch it at the hotel. As all know, the match was a dud. Tsering brought us a big bottle full of Chhang to take home. That would have cost him a lot. But he gifted the 2.5 litre bottle to us! We also went for some shopping a M.G.Marg and bought a load of things including umbrellas, mementos, posters,bags, sweaters and liquors.
Day 7 > The last day in Sikkim. We had to return to NJP before evening. So we had limited plans for the morning. We took Tsering's car again and visited Ranka Monastery and Jhakri falls. Ranka was just great! That was the 1st monastery we had seen. It was new compared to Rumtek. So much peace and silence were there. Even we had company of a Buddhist monk on the ay back who told us about their rich culture and heritage. Jhakri was not that overwhelming. Its just a well decorated park with some nice falls. Then we returned to our hotel, had nice Bengali lunch(thanks to Goutam), packed our things and headed to the Siliguri taxi stand. Tsering came at the hotel to bid us goodbye. One thing I should mention here - when the cars in Gangtok drive downhill they don't use the engine, the engine simply is turned on and then off. It rolls down to the destination! I found it very interesting. Anyway there was trouble waiting for us in the Siliguri stand. I am very sorry to say this, but I confess only the parts of Gangtok where there is a bit of Bengal would be the worst places. e.g. Siliguri stand. Reaching there we saw many people waiting for cars. We heard that as usual there was some strike in Darjeeling region. So we had to pay extra in the shared cab. Exclusive vehicles were demanding very high. So we took the cab and reached well before time at NJP station. We had some chhang left in the bottle. So we almost finished it up at the train and had a fabulous journey in Padatik Express back to Sealda. Next morning we reached Sealda at time.
This tour will always remain in my memory. If in case I miss it, I'll read my own blog, chat with my tour partners, watch those breathtaking pictures and may be I'll visit again!
Thanks for reading.
