Darjeeling and Sikkim

This is just a brief update of our last few days in the hills of west Bengal and Sikkim. As the following photo indicates not much changed as far as climatic abnormalities go. Our last day in Darjeeling was a white out.

We set off for, as the promos say, Small but Beautiful - Sikkim, our destination for the night was the capital Gangtok. On clear days you can see Gangtok from Darjeeling (so I'm told) but the share jeep takes 4 hours, All the way down the valley and all the way up the other side. Any respectable journeys on Himalayan roads involves numerous hair pins, some serious reversing, lots of horn blowing and many heart stopping moments as tyres verge on the edge of sheer cliffs. Despite the heart palpitations the journey to Sikkim was spectacular. Beautiful powder blue glacial rivers surrounded by Lush green peaks.

Due to it's proximity to china and the fact that China has never acknowledged Sikkim as part of India the Government has lavished this underpopulated state with well more than it's fair share of Federal Funding. I'm not sure if it was the government overspend or the high proportion of Bhutanese, Nepalees and Tibetan people but Sikkim was very very nice by Indian standards. Flash shops, few scungy dogs and no beggers. we had a great couple of days in Gangtok and the surrounding areas. I would love to come back in summer to do some hiking.

Next stop Delhi for some Kazak visa love.

I'm not kidding, that boy's head is like Sputnik; spherical but quite pointy at parts! Now that was offsides, wasn't it? He'll be crying himself to sleep tonight, on his huge pillow,
Ev and Nat

P.S for more photos click here http://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/gallery/users/Nat%20and%20Ev/

P.P.S People have been asking about Nat's involvement in the blogging process. I'm more into blogging than she is so I start and she edits and finishes them off. I promise I will let her be the sole author soon.