==North East Visit: ==*
After completing the Andaman’s tour we fly to Kolkata y Air India flight and then further took Jet airways flight to Bagdogra from Kolkata.
Darjeeling==: ==On reaching to Bagdogra it was about 32 de C and a person from hotel Elgin came to receive us. We were heading to Darjeeling (6500 Feet above mean sea level) from Bagdogra with four hours journey by taxi.
When hills started and approaching to Darjeeling the cold breeze was flowing and a small railway tract was lying adjacent to road where a toy train was running. On reaching to Darjeeling we check-in at hotel with a excellent appealing reception as it look the museum. The hotel was 120 years old of British time. Here we met with 20 French people who were too accompanying with us for local sight scenes, few of them become our good friends. Next day at 4 AM we went to Tiger Hills to catch the sunrise from behind the majestic Kunchenjunga range. However we could not watch the sunrise as rain was started and we only purchased CDs and postcards. After taking breakfast in hotel we went to watch Ghoom Monastery & Batasia Loop.
The next day was our plan was to visit Mirik Lake **(6000 Ft) but unfortunately the whole day was raining so we had to stay at hotel and enjoy the sleeping in cold weather. At evening did some shopping.
==Kalimpong: ==The next day we headed towards Kalimpong (4000 ft) and took about 3 hours by taxi. During the travel we saw mischievous Tista river as its flow is unpredictable and check-in at hotel Silver Oak.** Here we are welcome and the hotel has beautiful exterior with flowers and glass windows.
After lunch we proceeded for a sightseeing of Durpin Hill (which has the famous Zong Dog Palri Fo- Brang Monastery which belongs to the same Buddhist sect as the present Dalai Lama) , Jelapla View Point, Pine View Point, Dr Graham’s Homes complex with its historic church & well maintained grounds founded in 1900 by Rev. Dr. J A Graham, a Scottish missionary, Delo Hill (5556 ft) appears to be the roof- of- the- world, is the highest point in Kalimpong. Delo also has the town’s picturesque water reservoir. Then on to Mangal Dham Temple constructed in memory of the late Guru Shree (108) Mangal Dasji and dedicated to Lord Krishna, Kalimpong Arts & Crafts Centre.
Darjeeling and Kalimpong comes in West Bengal state. Our tour was planed that we had to visit Gangtok after Darjeeling but due to strike of 48 ours at Gangtok we visited Kalimpong first and then Gangtok.
==Gangtok: ==We left Kalimpong and head for Gangtok (5500 feet) , the capital of Sikkim. It’s a 4.5 hours drive but took 2 hours extra as the traffic was abnormal due to strike and it was open that day only. Then check-in at hotel Norkhil.
After taking lunch visited Rumtek Monastery, 24 kms from Gangtok was built in 1960 by His Holiness the Late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa & this is a replica of the original Kagyurpa Monastery in Tibet, a must see for every visitor, the seat of the “Kagyu Order” . Behind the Monastery is the lavishly decorated Karmae Nalanda Institute of Buddhist Studies which attracts students from the world over. Here one can find the most unique religious scriptures & art objects of the world.
The next day visited Tsomgo Lake** (12, 210 Ft), a 40 km drive which takes 2.5 hrs. This lake is located very close to Nathula Pass which is the entry point to China termed as the “ Silk Route & remains frozen for most parts of the year. Legend has it that the Lamas use to forecast the future by studying the colour of the lakes waters. Enjoyed the surroundings, majestic snowy peaks which feed the lake and the clean fresh air.
After lunch, visited Nam Nang VP/Ropeway ; Do-Drul Chorten (Stupa) which is one of the most important stupas of Sikkim, built by the head of the Nyingma order- Trullshi Rimpoche in 1945. It contains rare details of Dorji Phupa, Holy Books, Mantras and is encircled by 108 prayer wheels ; The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology built in 1958 in traditional style, a renowned worldwide centre for the study of the Mahayana Buddhist philosophy & religion, a treasure house of rare “Thankas”, statues, over 200 Buddhist icons and prized objects of art .
==Observations: ==**It was clearly visible that administration of Sikkim is efficient and honest as compare to West Bengal. The roads condition is bad and water problem persist in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Every individual has his separate pipeline for water and no main water pipeline supply from administration.
At Gangtok no water problem and traffic discipline. The city has modern facilities and modern market. People are disciplined; particularly women are very forward as compare to rest of the country including South and Gujarat. All business is run by women, its women dominating society.
In all the North – East societies I noticed the women is far developed than men in every area of life, which is surprise to country like India. We can not see this in North India.
The next day we left Gangtok early morning to catch the Jet airways flight from Bagdogra to Delhi.