Darjeeling: A Magnificent Beauty
Well, there comes a time in a year when all cupboards, shelves, study tables need be cleaned and dusted lest one should face the wrath of one’s mother. And as I was cleaning my room I came across one particular cupboard that took me down memory lane as all my photo albums came streaming out of it.
As I began flipping through them, I came across photos from a family trip to the North-East, and although there is so much to talk about, this album of my memory only describes my experience in the beautiful little town of Darjeeling.
Our trip began in West Bengal, in the little town of Siliguri, a few kilometers away from the Nepal border. Siliguri, as I remember, is the hub of cheap Chinese goods that can be found in exuberant, lively markets—carry a lot of money if you have a shopaholic partner. After spending a couple of days exploring the city and eating amazing sea food, the time had come to move further up north. And then began the journey which I can never forget—the toy train ride to Darjeeling.
As amazing as it sounds, this was a wondrous journey between the hills. With my parents lost in the memories of Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore from the film Aradhana, we kids ran about waving at the locals outside, and watching the extensive tea gardens from the window in absolute wonder. But a lot many adventures awaited our arrival at Darjeeling.
As we reached Darjeeling, there was only one word that came out of my mouth—wow! It took us a while to settle down in our rooms, and though it got dark by the time we were done the evening had just begun. With the hills lit up beautifully, we sat around a bonfire that night looking at the million stars that one can’t see in Delhi. Although a little crowded, this hill station holds the path to some of the best memories one can have.
I was woken up by my father’s rustling sound—he was trying to find the warmest clothes he was carrying. Even though I got up complaining, as we climbed up the Tiger Hills to watch the sunrise from Mt. Kunchenjunga, I blessed my father with all my heart. We visited the magnificent Ghum Monastery—its architecture was just awe inspiring. And although I don’t remember its history, I do recall being extremely fascinated at the site of it.
Then there were the massive tea-gardens. Since the owner of one of these gardens seemed to have a liking for kids he gave us a decent discount on the tea. Our guide later showed us the surrounding areas, the Observatory Hills, the verdant greenery and the striking white snow far away—these were the moments that took my breath away. There was also the exquisite food which with all the spices and flavours was nothing short of brilliant.That feeling of having a cup of tea with a plate of dim sums in the cold weather is something that I can never forget.
On our way back to Siliguri, from where we had to take our flight, the kind driver took a slight diversion and brought us to Mirik–a tourist spot nestled in the hills of Darjeeling. And despite all the adjectives that Webster’s dictionary offers me, I have absolutely no way of describing it, except by saying that it was beauty in its purest form. The magnificent Sumendu Lake also known as the Heart of Mirik, extended in front of us, with little shops surrounding it. And as we left from the doors of heaven preparing to get back into the real world, I realized all of us had moist eyes.
For now, it’s time to close the little album and clean out the dust. But then, one day I will open it again and that will be another story altogether.
Nemisha Kawaatra
Image Source [http://images.skymetweather.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/toy-train-darjeeling1.jpg]
[http://www.lumbinitravels.com/images/dg.jpg]
[http://www.travel-images.com/pht/india268.jpg]
[http://www.rainbowskill.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/mirik.jpg]