Thursday, January 9, 2014

The Darjeeling Adventure (Part - 1)

(A journey which will always be very special to me for varied reasons. It was fun revisiting the memorable parts of my trip to Darjeeling, about two years back, and penning it down. Hope I did justice to it. I would be presenting the experience of my trip in two separate posts. Here is the first one.) 


The commencement of the journey

It was only the second time that I had been inside the Sealdah station in Kolkata. Having travelled all my life from the bustling Howrah station, it took me some time to adjust to the ‘alien’ surroundings here. For me, a railway station in Kolkata simply meant the Howrah station. Thus, adjusting to the look and feel of the Sealdah wasn’t quite easy. Added to it was the fact that the crowd, even at 6 in the evening, was quite moderate. I was waiting for my train, which would take me to New Jalpaiguri (a place near Siliguri in North Bengal).  I was accompanied by my friend, who was also my colleague at my workplace, and together we were to take an official trip to the hills of Darjeeling. 

The words ‘official trip’ and Darjeeling rarely go together, but fortunately for us, it was true. We were to cover the Darjeeling Zoo for a story I was to write and my friend, as the videographer, was assigned the task of making a short documentary on it. We were to reach Darjeeling the next day; get our work done and leave the day after. Since the day the trip had been approved by our bosses, we had been the objects of much envy at our workplace and which quite frankly, really pleased me to no end.

The last few days had been expectedly quite exciting, as the lead up to any unknown place usually is for me. This was the first time I would be travelling to Darjeeling. I had only heard of its stunning beauty and serenity from my kith and kin. It was rather strange; residing in Bengal I never really got the opportunity to visit Darjeeling before this despite hearing so much about it. However, all of this was about to come to an end as I would finally be reaching Darjeeling the next day. Me and my friend, who like me would be visiting the place for the first time, had excitedly munched down some heavy food from a station restaurant a few minutes ago and were now eagerly awaiting the train’s arrival at the platform.

After some minutes of impatient waiting, where I strolled around the platform innumerable times, we finally saw the train chugging into the platform at around 6.20 pm. There was the usual mad scurry to get into train compartments by the people but before we got suffocated by the crowd, we quickly settled into our seats and patiently waited for the journey to begin.

                                                                                                                          **

Ratatat chhahh…Ratatat chhahh… The train sped across the Bengal terrain and brought with it cold and bitter wind.  Despite it being only late October, I snuggled under my warm blanket and stared blankly at the train ceiling.  It seemed as if I could hear the simultaneous breathing of everyone in the bogie. It was past midnight now and lying down on the upper berth, I found it hard to go to sleep. First there was the tension of my luggage which lay under the lower berth and made me look down every other minute and second there was the anxiety of the trip itself. There was the usual thrill associated with discovering a new place which was so renowned and then there was the nervousness if I would get the task assigned to me done efficiently.

Ratatat chhahh…Ratatat chhahh…

I looked over at my friend, who was sound asleep with his mouth half open. “What must he be dreaming of? Is he as nervous and excited as I am?”  I wondered.  There were so many things that could have gone wrong in the trip, I suddenly reflected. We could get no hotels, the zoo could be closed, and this train could meet with an accident even as we all slept.

I shuddered and forced myself out of the negative thoughts and concentrated on the ceiling fan above me which made a light buzzing sound. The blades were hardly visible in the darkness and yet I lost myself in its constant revolutions. Ratatat chhahh…Ratatat chhahh… The hum of the wheels now seemed like a cradle and I was finally lulled into sleep.

Arrival at NJP

The vibration of the phone in my pocket woke me up from my slumber. It was the buzzing of my cell phone’s alarm which was set for 6 in the morning. I took out the phone and realizing that it was 6 I muttered a “shit” under my breath. The New Jalpaiguri station was hardly 15 minutes away and the train would halt for just 10 minutes there. We hence didn’t have much time left to get ready. I turned to my friend who was now lying face down and fast asleep, even as his own mobile alarm kept on buzzing repeatedly. I shook him a couple of times, but it seemed that he was determined to sleep till the end of the journey. Not wanting to waste anymore time, I kicked him on his shin. That thankfully worked. 


He woke up with a start and frowned at me; as if accusing me of committing a heinous crime. “NJP is hardly 10 minutes away. Get your ass off,” I informed him. He checked his watch and realized the truth in my statement. We got down and immediately set about unlocking our luggage from underneath the seats. It seemed then that all the passengers of the train had woken up now and were excitedly chattering away. Hardly had we brushed our teeth and settled into our seats again that we felt the train slowing down; we were entering the NJP station. I checked my watch: 6.20 am. Right on time!

There was the usual mad rush of the crowd getting out of the train as we got down at the platform. It appeared as if almost more than half of the passengers of the train had emptied at NJP, whose final destination was Guwahati.

We scampered out of the station and began looking for cars outside. A lot of our friends and relatives, who had been to this place, had informed us that we would find innumerable cars and buses outside the station which would be willing to take us to Darjeeling. And sure enough, right outside the station gates we found an array of vehicles, mostly Sumos, clamouring loudly to get our attention. The idea of a two hour bus ride didn’t quite thrill me and hence I was determined to get a Sumo, which was ideal for a tall person like me.

After speaking to a few drivers we finally zeroed in on one who offered a reasonable rate: 200 bucks per person for a two hour journey. The Sumo, which would have 6-7 more passengers apart from the two of us, looked decent and we gave our luggage to a guy who packed it firmly at the top of the car along with that of the others. The journey to Darjeeling would start at 7.30 am which meant we had an hour to while around.

We suddenly realized how hungry we were and hence went about scavenging for some food to eat. With some cakes and biscuits in hands, we sat on a vacant seat outside the station premises. As I waited for the hour to get over I glanced around at the surroundings. New Jalpaiguri didn’t really seem that different from Kolkata, neither the people nor the ambience; except for the fact that there were a lot more tourists here for obvious reasons. NJP is the perfect and the most well-known connector for anyone who wishes to get into Darjeeling.

My friend was lost in his own thoughts as he munched at the biscuits mechanically. I meanwhile looked at the people everywhere who were madly scurrying around to get into vehicles which would take them to the famous hill station. I wondered how many of them would be visiting the place the first time like us. Would they have the same excitement as me? Would they be as nervous as I was? I would never know.

Towards Darjeeling

The cool wind slapped my face as I gazed outside the window of the moving car. We had just begun our journey towards Darjeeling and the streets were rapidly getting vacant as we surged ahead. I, along with my friend, was sitting on the front seat with the driver. There was bubbling anticipation in my heart as to what lay ahead.

However, what I hadn’t anticipated was having to face the steep, hilly terrain that the car had to pass through in order to get into Darjeeling. Now, I am one of those people who are quite apprehensive of heights. I have had horrible experiences in my past of riding through some really high mountains and getting scared shit of looking down the ravines. A similar experience awaited me now.

The car, after having left Siliguri, was now entering into what seemed like a never ending hilly roadway. My insides squirmed as I couldn’t help but look down. What didn’t help was that my friend was even worse than I was in handling these steep hills. “God, look at how deep those ravines are,” he said in utter fear. “What if the car skids and we all fall down,” he mumbled again. “I don’t want to die now. I don’t want to die now,” he kept adding after every few seconds. The driver, who by now had sensed our fear, reassured us in his typical North-eastern accent, “Kuss ni hogaa. Saant rakko.” (Nothing will happen. Be calm.) He had apparently made hundreds of trips like this and never ever had had an accident. I had just started feeling a little relaxed when I saw an overturned car lying down in the bushes. I immediately lost all faith in the driver.

And then there was this 50- something ‘uncle’ sitting behind who had been to Darjeeling plentiful times and had never been scared of these hills. “Arre you are so young. What’s to be scared?” he said with a super confident chuckle. “When I was your age, I had easily walked my way up these very mountains once,” he declared pompously and looked on at the other people in the car; waiting for them to probably burst out in applause at his achievement. However, no one it seemed was remotely interested in his remark. While many were fast asleep, the others looked out the window. You will always find these highly annoying ‘uncles’ everywhere; who are know-it-alls and have been there done that. I merely smiled weakly at him and then looked out again. Those gorges just looked so precipitous. I kept having flashes where I was tumbling down with the car in those deep ravines. My head lay crushed by hitting one of the rocks, while a particularly sharp one had gorged through my chest and blood oozed all over my body.

I closed my eyes to stop these horrifying visions and turned away from the window. Lowering my head and closing my eyes, I tried my best to fight the impending sickness which was overflowing in me. “I will not die here,” I silently prayed. “I will die a writer... I will die a writer...”

                                                                                                                          **

I breathed in the fresh air standing at the edge of a small cliff overlooking the beautiful town of Mirik. We were in an area called Krishnanagar, which was known as being the entrance to Mirik.


The car had stopped for a few minutes here as the driver needed to get some water for the car. All the inhabitants of the car were now strolling outside the vehicle and stretching their bodies after the hour long journey we had made thus far. My friend, like me, was standing beside me and was stunned at the sight which lay in front of us. This was unlike anything I had ever seen in Bengal. The pine-clad hillsides made for such an extraordinary view that all my sickness from a few minutes ago seemed to have vanished. The fragrance of the fresh grass had rejuvenated me and I was now eagerly looking forward to what lay ahead for us.

It was at this point I realized how different this place was from Kolkata. Be it the structure of people’s homes or their looks. While most of the cottages and huts were similarly shaped and looked quite clean, the people bore the distinctive North-eastern looks. 
   
As I turned, I suddenly caught a little girl staring at me from the window of her small hut which stood nearby. She looked like one of those cute characters in the Japanese anime films, and was probably fascinated by the tall ‘alien’ creature standing in front of her house. I smiled at her. The girl seemed unsure on how to react for a few seconds and then finally smiled back.

“All right, get into the car everyone,” hollered the driver all of a sudden and brought me back to reality. We quickly settled into our seats and prepared for the final leg of the journey. As I slammed the car door shut, I looked back at the window of the hut. The girl was gone.

                                                                                                                      **

I had always seen tea-plantation workers in pictures and documentaries. Hence, it was quite a sight to see a group of these workers going about their business casually, as our car passed through a tea-plantation site. Clad in their characteristic dress; the scarves neatly tied over their head and baskets hanging from their backs, they worked in a very orderly manner without even bothering to glance at us. I however, wanted to sit and observe them some more, but was denied that opportunity as we had to move towards our destination.

                                                                                                                       **

After riding for another half an hour through the hilly terrain, we entered what seemed like another small yet lovely looking town. The driver informed us that this was Ghoom, a tiny locality in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region, which was famous for its scenic beauty.  The road we were passing through was the Hill Cart Road, which was the common route taken by cars and buses travelling from Siliguri to Darjeeling. For some reason, I noted, the road was glistening with moist water and the air was misty. The driver cleared my confusion when he said, “It has been raining since the last few days in this part of the hills.”

In the little time I got to observe the area, I noticed that it was bubbling with life. People were busy chatting, shopping for vegetables and doing other stuff. I then noticed that there was quite a crowd outside a store selling woolen garments. I was quite tempted to join them and try out some of the fancy looking jackets they were selling, but had to curb my feelings.

Some of the people in the car then informed us that Darjeeling is hardly 6 kms away now. Feeling elated at the news, I tried to look beyond the marketplace we were passing through. I could see mountains, resplendent in verdant grass, in the background. My heart pounded in excitement at the prospect of what awaited me ahead.

Entering the Queen of hills

There was a real chill in the air as we noticed our surroundings changing slowly. The rain over the last few days coupled with the place’s general location, resulted in bitterly cold winds smothering our faces. Even inhaling the cold air was causing me much discomfort, but I faced it all quite happily. The car turned over another bend in the road and then I finally saw it.

There it was; the ‘Queen of Hills’ as it is renowned for. The hills of Darjeeling looked so picturesquely perfect that I felt like floating around those mountains and remain there for my entire life. White, fluffy clouds hovered around the hills which were covered with lush green trees. For a second it seemed time had come to an absolute standstill as everyone in the car feasted their eyes on the stunning beauty in front of them. All my friend could mutter was a “Wow” as he admired the surroundings with wide-eyes. It was a scene straight out of a romantic song from a Bollywood movie. It was something which would turn dull people into romantics. I for one, wanted to write some poetic lines which would do justice to the scene ahead of me. Unfortunately though, I wasn’t particularly good in that department and chose instead to relish the spectacular landscape.



Beyond the hills we could now clearly see the city of Darjeeling towards which we were heading. The myriad buildings of different colours and shapes slowly started to grow bigger with each passing minute as we hurtled closer to the city.

Finally, the hilly pathway now gave way to normal city roads and I knew that we had arrived at our destination. As if just to approve of my thoughts, a Toy Train, the celebrated symbol of Darjeeling, slowly whistled by at a little distance from us.  My heart gladdened with joy and I desperately yearned to get a seat in that train. However, now was not the time for that.

A few minutes later, in which I had managed to catch a glimpse of the local market and a mall, the car stopped at what was apparently the main city junction. I got down from the car and stretched my long legs. We were surrounded by hotels, small restaurants and guest houses. I wanted to explore some more and look at what lay beyond those small lanes leading ahead. But my friend then thumped me on my back and said, “Let’s get going. We have a long day ahead.”

Indeed. We had a long day lying ahead of us. As we walked towards a hotel, I checked my watch; it was 9.30 am. I found it a little hard to believe that only two hours had passed since the time we had boarded the Sumo from NJP. It really seemed like several hours had passed in between the various happenings of the journey. 

Something however told me that the adventure had just begun.

To be concluded

(To read the second and final part of this post, click here.)

41 comments:

  1. Very well written Bhavesh as usual. I specially loved that part "For me, a railway station in Kolkata simply meant the Howrah station." Presentation of every moment was just perfect. Thank God that I did not read it immediately otherwise would have missed those small tiny hilarious moments. Eagerly waiting for part 2 . Please keep up this excellent way of projecting these kinds of moments through you writing. I think one really needs a magic to intrigue people like us who does not know the joy of reading.

    ReplyDelete
  2. hey even i thought that howrah is the only railway station in kolkata...geee i didnt kno abt seldha...thank u for info n my god wat lovely pictures...its soooo green...i have been thru krishnagar so many times but never saw that lovely green scenery... well probably must b sleeping at dat time..neways bhavesh its very well written...i love the way u write coz u never miss the small details like abt the little girl looking at u..n the train sound..dats nice...coz u kno wat in my life i have been thinking that train sound is choo choo but after traveling in train for first time in my life i came to kno that the sound of train is nt choo choo hehehe neways keep it up..n hope to see ur part 2 soon..

    ReplyDelete
  3. Darjeeling is such a beautiful place for everyone. Please help me to get details about Darjeeling Tour India Packages.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have read your article.
    thanks to sharing your trip experience..
    Tempo traveller in Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Bhavesh..It was true delight to read your blog post. :)
    I have always wanted to go to Darjeeling, famous as a lush green hill town in West Bengal and is widely popular for its tea plantations. There are huge number of places to visit in Darjeeling and the town is the most visited destination in West Bengal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Anjali for reading this post and taking out time to comment... :) Darjeeling indeed is a beautiful place and should be visited by everyone at least once in their life. I had wonderful moments there.

      Delete
  6. it must have been adventurous journey. Magnificent view of snow covered peaks of Khangchendzonga, beautiful pine tress, majestic hills, glorious parks and impressive tea gardens, Darjeeling has everything to make it a perfect trip. best places to visit in Darjeeling will leave you in awe.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Awesome, All the pictures in this article is fantastic, It shows the natural beauty.Taj Mahal Day Trip

    ReplyDelete
  8. It was great reading your blog about your journey to Darjeeling.I hope you had great time in your travel and i loved reading your blog and the way you explain about your trip is awesome.If you are planning to travel then book your tickets in advance from Online Bus Ticket Booking portal and enjoy your travel.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello,

    We himvalley read your blog..As we all know there are so many beautiful hill stations in India to visit.I like your place alot.Its very nice place.
    #Activities in Solang Valley Detailed Guide #himvalleymanali

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello,

    We himvalley read your blog..I love the way you post this article. This is wonderful post. Its beautiful place. Excellent information given here, this will help to all tourist who are planning to visit above Hill Station in India.
    #camping in Manali 11 best places for camp - #himvalleymanali

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello,

    We himvalley read your blog..I love the way you post this article. Excellent information given here, this will help to all tourist who are planning to visit above Hill Station in India.
    #camping in Manali 11 best places for camp - himvalleymanali.

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello,
    we himvalleymanali read your blog..i like your post..very beautiful place
    #camping in Manali 11 best places for camp - himvalleymanali

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello,

    we himvalleymanali read your blog..I love the way you post this article..very beautiful place.
    Best #visiting places in manali like - solang valley

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great post about the Darjeeling experience , please read about other places here - Darjeeling Toy train booking

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow!! very helpful and valuable post. Thanks for your experience. The Darjeeling adventure part is very nice. Thanks a lot for sharing your article.
    http://www.pacificindiatour.com/tours/delhi-agra-jaipur-tour/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow!!! This is very nice to interesting blog is so wonderful amazing. is very fantastic tour packages .Taj Mahal Tour By Gatiman Train
    Thank you we offered provide you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow!! very nice post about your trip. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information in this blog. Its an awesome place to visit. Loved reading this blog and its well written. It helps people who are planning for their trips. Plan your trip and book your Bus Tickets in advance to comfort your journey.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I honestly loved the blog so much. I think you detailed it to the fullest. I also did visit Darjeeling but I had everything pre-planned from travel agency in Siliguri so I had no issues. I loved the culture, people, weather and the environment was full of life.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi,

    Just finished your beautifully-written Rendezvous with Darjeeling. And what stunning photos! . I also have a blog and write the about Kurseong and darjeeling "Kurseong To Darjeeling? It’s Easy If You Do It Smart". Please check and share your views.

    Thanks
    Ruma Dey Baidya

    ReplyDelete
  23. Darjeeling is extremely delightful place , it is honored by God for characteristic magnificence.
    Andaman
    Best travel services

    ReplyDelete
  24. Travel Agent in Darjeeling, Darjeeling tourism is famous for its heady mix of tourism attractions.Darjeeling tour packages The panoramic views of the Tiger hills and the Mount Everest are sure to leave you spellbound. The beautiful Senchal Lake is a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate.Apart from that,the Darjeeling zoo,the Mountaineering Museum and Botanical Gardens are other place which are superbly pleasing for nature-loving tourists.If you're an adventure freak,Darjeeling tour will be a remarkable excursion for you.From trekking to forest trailing and camping to birding,there is a complete range of adventure sports to leave you mesmerized. Darjeeling tour operator You can head on to the forest trails of Kanchenjunga and trekking trails of Himalayan ridge to give your adrenaline a requisite rush.
    Travel Agent in Darjeeling

    ReplyDelete
  25. Darjeeling is the best place to visit. I love that place hill stations and stuffs make me feel to go once again.

    I have gone through Best Darjeeling and Sikkim Holiday Tour Packages

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have really enjoyed your post. Very helpful and informative post. I appreciate it and hope more post like this.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Thanks,
    I really appreciate your Post. We are also working as a Tour Operator. Golden Triangle Tours - A concoction of different cultures and colors of India
    Delhi Agra Jaipur, India has always been a favorite tourist spot. The best way to experience this miscellany of India is to opt for the Golden triangle Tours India, which has a wonderfully planned package to the three most historic cities in north India –Delhi, Agra and Jaipur Rajastha
    Golden Triangle Tour 5 Days
    Golden Triangle Tour 4 Days
    Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi
    Delhi Agra Jaipur Rajasthan Tour
    Thanks
    India Trip Designer
    www.indiatripdesigner.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Well, very clear explanation about this topic, You did a good job and giving us such a useful information that you have shared with us. Thanks for sharing the best and useful information. I am very satisfied with your site and also with your information.
    Regards
    Swot Business promotions
    Our strategic Top SEO services are comprehensive and aimed towards delivering a competitive edge for websites. A higher brand awareness generated by our SMO services empowers business to placement achieve a unique market.
    For More Details visit : www.swotbusiness.com
    We Having a lots of Satisified Customers of Our SEO Services,These following Companies are Getting SEO Services from our Company.
    1) tour OperatorsPhoenix Tours & Travels
    2) Maid Servicesphoenix maid service

    3) Tour OperatorsVinny Tours
    4) Event Planners,Wedding decoratorsSwastika Occasions
    5) Vinny Enterprises
    6) Cochin timbers
    7) Kollam timbers
    8) Dial Phoenix BPO ervices
    9) Top NEET / IIT-JEE Coaching Institutes in Tamilnadu

    ReplyDelete
  29. Myself Lucky Vashishtha, I am working in tourism industry from last 15years as an approved tour guide from ministry of tourism. I travelled all over the India with my guests ,after that I have decided to open my own travel company #ANAISHA JOURNEY, it was very challenging, but anaisha journey made it possible after providing best services, informations, innovative tours, best luxury hotels, transportation. Anaisha journey noida Agra based company now one of the best travel Company in India.
    Best Of South India Tour with Kerala 15 Nights 16 Days
    Highlights Of South India Tour
    Enchanting Kerala Tour Packages
    4 Nights 5 Days Tamilnadu Tour
    10 Days Best Itinerary of Rajasthan Tour
    Rajasthan Camel Safari tour 16 Nights 17 Days

    Thanks and best regards
    Lucky Vashishtha
    www.anaishajourney.com
    +919997959209
    +916395366927

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for viewing up such wonderful information. I like this post, keep writing and give a useful postTaj Mahal Same day tour

    ReplyDelete
  31. It is looking such a creative blog and you are explained your blog in details, which is very easy to understandable and also helpful for all. I have no words for say I just say thanks because it is helpful for those who wants to visit.
    Taj Mahal Same Day Tour By Car

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hey thank you buddy, this is very good blog with nice information and images which you had been posted is also very attractive. I feel this very effective post and tourist must read it.
    SEO services company in Agra

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.
    5 Days Golden Triangle Tour
    3 Days Golden Triangle Tour
    Same Day Agra Tour by Car

    ReplyDelete
  34. This blog post is very informative. You can visit my blog for Camping places near Kolkata in 2022

    ReplyDelete