Exploring Gangtok After Being Treated To Picture Perfect Landscapes

It rained heavily in Pelling last night. The sound of heavy rainfall sounds rather ominous in an area that is surrounded by thick forests and the rain falling on the hilly roofs makes a louder sound than usual. In the morning I coaxed Aarefa into coming along with me for a walk in the woods. The tall and sturdy pine trees, the thick foliage around us and loads of silence made it an experience that we shall treasure in solitude once we get embroiled in the busy life of Mumbai soon.

The journey from Pelling to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim was a fascinating one. The landscape dotting the path was simply breathtaking and the nature had many surprises for us. Somehow when you enter a hilly region, the novelty value wears off after the initial charm since all the views start looking the same. But this journey was different. The influx of several breathtaking valleys and hills kept us surprised for most parts. Our cab driver played some Nepali songs. The music was very engaging and occupied my mind space long after I came out of the taxi. Thankfully the roads are in a reasonably good condition. It took around 5 hours to reach Gangtok.

Gangtok (5400 Feet) is the capital of Sikkim and the main tourist and business hub. The MG Road area is India's first litter free and spit free area. It is a wonderful arena to chill and have a good time. It is a road with shops on both the sides and benches for people to sit and relax. Vehicles are not allowed and smoking is prohibited too. Right below MG Road athere's another shopping market called Lal Bazaar. In a total contrast to MG Road, this market is dirty and unkempt. We had our dinner at Khan Chacha's Biryani House. It was a sumptuous feast of tandoori chicken, chicken korma and chicken biryani. Very tasty and quick service.