Gangtok - A Traveller's Guide

Gangtok (Nepali and Hindi: गंगटोक) is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. Gangtok is located in the Sivalik Hills of the eastern Himalayan range, at an altitude of 1,437 metres (4,715 ft). The town, with a population of thirty thousand belonging to different ethnicities such as Nepalis, Lepchas and Bhutia, is administered by various departments of the Government of Sikkim. Nestled within higher peaks of the Himalaya and enjoying a year-round mild temperate climate, Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim’s tourism industry.
The precise meaning of the name Gangtok is unclear, though the most popular meaning is "hill top". Today, Gangtok is a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning, with the presence of several monasteries, religious educational institutions, and centres for Tibetology.
-From the Wikipedia article - Gangtok

Our Travel Route and Experiences:

The only entry point to Gangtok is via share-taxi/taxi from New Jalpaiguri (NJP). Any auto-rickshaw can take you to the taxi stand and the 4 hour jeep ride to Gangtok will cost you around Rs. 250 per head along with 9 others squeezed together.
We reached Gangtok after dark at around 8.00 pm and put up in "The Mist Tree Mountain". This place happened to be in the very center of the city and in close proximity to many sights and facilities and so very convenient.

All the small things...

DSC04829
Originally uploaded by neptune000

All the, small things
True care, truth brings
I'll take, one lift
Your ride, best trip

Always, I know
You'll be at my show
Watching, waiting, commiserating

Say it ain't so, I will not go, turn the lights off, carry me home
Na, Na.......

Late night, come home
Work sucks, I know
She left me roses by the stairs
Surprises let me know she cares

Say it ain't so, I will not go, turn the lights off, carry me home
Na, Na......

Say it ain't so, I will not go, turn the lights off, carry me home
Keep your head still I'll be your thrill, the night will go on, my little
redmill
Say it ain't so, I will not go, turn the lights off, carry me home
Keep your head still, I'll be your thrill, the night will go on, the night will
go on, my little redmill
--------------------------------------------Blink-182 - All the Small Things

Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Monastery
Originally uploaded by neptune000

The Rumtek Monastery - Gangtok is one place where I found peace. 2 days of absolute serenity and peace!
A very chummy innkeeper, Tak Tak Bhutia and the simple yet superbly tasteful dishes his wife made in the open kitchen just added to the pleasure.
A few moments spent talking with the resident monks there widened my very rudimentary knowledge on Buddhism and the monk's way of life!
That is well a story in itself.
....to be contd

Off to Sikkim and Beyond

My wanderlust now leads me to the mysterious depths of fascinating North east India. Will be starting tomorrow on a backpacking trip to explore the elusive state of Sikkim and hopefully get a glimpse of the famed Kanchenjunga/Kanchendzonga, the third highest peak in the world and my first sight of the Himalayas.
Praying to the weather Gods not to play spoilsport and to keep doing the good work to keep the Sun shining. Got some new batteries for my camera - a 4 pack of Sanyo 1700 NiMh to supplement my heavyduty Sony ones during the trip.
The trip as such is very unplanned and unpredictable with no reservations of any sort, because I think thats the best way to experience a new place. My partner in crime will be Uday (he thinks that all whole trip is planned to the last detail, haha!), a very good friend for close to 7 years now. We will be backpacking to Kolkata, from there to Siliguri and then we plunge into the unknown! Sounds exciting? It does!
Hope to collect loads of pics and life long memories of all our experiences in the new places, amidst new people and learning about a new religion - Buddhism and to have a whole lot of fun doing all this!
Bye, till my next post with loads of pics and some cool stories!
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Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad

Chowmahalla Palace was once the centre of Hyderabad, India. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizam entertained his official guests and royal visitors. The palace is unique for its style and elegance. Building began in the late 18th Century and over the decades a synthesis of many architectural styles and influences emerged. The palace originally covered 45 acres but only 14 acres remain. This complex today consists of two courtyards with elegant palaces, the grand Khilwat (the Durbar Hall), fountains and gardens.

Directions:

Getting there is pretty simple once you are at Charminar, it's just a stone throw away from there. The local shop keepers and passers-by weren't that friendly to let out the exact location to the place but we managed to ask a traffic constable the way and a friendly Autowallah was more helpful and we were there pretty soon. After passing Mecca Masjid, take the small lane towards your right - you wouldn't even see it properly with all the shops and the crowds so keep your eyes peeled. This one comes before the Charminar Bus Depot. Apparently a "Taj Book House" nearby the palace has more popularity and you can find the palace once you can ask your way to the book shop. Ha!

Marine Drive, Mumbai

Shamirpet Lake, Andhra Pradesh