Pelling: a few shots

Hi,

Yes, Pelling is the place where I, along with few of my office colleagues - Manu, Biswanath, Sarbartha, Surya and Soumik da went for a weekend break. To summarize our trip in a evidently poor understatement, I would say that the time was awesome! :)

Now, about this post. It should not be here. Truly speaking, this blog is liked by people because of Mr.P. And this time, I could not find him anywhere. I discovered that I have lost him somewhere when I landed in New Jalpaiguri Station (NJP, from where Pelling is a 5 hour drive). Was planning to make this post more of a travelogue type of something, but now I can see that I wont be able to. So, a big "SORRY" to all of you for me not being in a position to describe our Pelling trip in a systematic manner. Whatever I could pick up (yes, I had to do it. Mr.P was not there this time!), after learning from Mr.P, here they are:

This one runs along the entire mountainous road which we had to take from NJP to Pelling. To get a proper view of the river, I changed my seat three times in that vehicle, but my luck, the river always showed up its best from those windows which was farthest from me. My adolescent years were spent near places where shallow mountain rivers are not a very uncommon thing. Views of this TISTA river, made me go a little back. Saw many things worth posting in our journey that day but as Mr.P was not there, so, I messed up the shots.

When we reached Pelling, it was definitely not more that 7-8 degrees Celsius there. After Biswanath and Surya played the major part in discussion which we had that night, the sandman came to work very early. Next morning... ... it was worth waking up at 5am with just a couple of degree Celsius of heat around. KANGCHENDZONGA. All of us saw this Himalayan citizen gradually becoming more and more prominent with the sunrise. Take it from me, you have to be there to feel thankful for your gift of sight.

After breakfast, we sat out for some sight seeing. After crossing Rimbi Waterfalls, while going for the Rimbi Rock Garden, we saw this. It is called RHODODENDRON, the state flower of Sikkim. The driver who was there with us, was getting very excited while showing us any such tree. I have never seen anyone becoming so happy while showing a flower, that too not very rare. Undoubtedly beautiful (isn't it??), but not rare! I dont know he was being a travel guide or was really happy.

After the Rock Garden, we were at the Kanchenzonga Falls. It was grand and I got some shots too, but none of them were worth posting. Then we went to the holy Khechuperi Lake. They say that the birds in that area don't allow even a single leaf to be floating on the lake's water. Near the lake there is a monastery and a worship place. Everyone has to enter with their shoes off. But I went as inside as possible with my shoes on (with no ill faith at heart off course) to see this sight. Complete darkness coexisting with a MILLION LIGHTS.

Outside, there was a good crowd of tourists (now pilgrims). But among those tourists there were a good number of locals too. While we were on our way back to our vehicle, these maroon clad PUPILS were on their way towards the lake. (I actually have no idea what to write about them, so wont talk much here now).

And in the souvenir shop just outside the premises, I saw something that I had only heard of and seen in the internet. Do you see that cylindrical thing (with that artistic metallic base) mounted on that black thick handle (behind that wooden horn)? Well, I don't know what that is called in English but in Bengali, it is called jap yantra i.e. a device to aid meditation. The echo of a far away faint Buddhist chants comes to me mind whenever I think of this device. I dont know why it happens. Probably the way I have always been picturing it since childhood, has something to do with it!

After this, we came back to our hotel, had lunch and sat out again. We saw the Dentam Valley (where I messed up the shot) and then we went to the Pemayangtshe Monastery. Only Sarabrtha and Soumik da went inside (photography was not allowed inside, so I, a so-called friend of Mr.P waited outside). He was sitting outside with two more of his fellows. He was the youngest of the three. He was being photographed by a few more. He didnt want to be shot by me. He tried to hide his face. He was curious at the same time. He was the LITTLE MONK.

After Manu took a timer mode shot of six of us in front of the monastery, we left for the the second highest suspension bridge in Asia. Nearing 200 meters in height the SHINGSHORE BRIDGE gives a magnificant view of the valley between the two mountains which it connects. We six took a to and fro walk on the bridge. It was drizzling lightly and a little lonely walk with a calm song in ones earphones didnt look like a bad idea to me. Later I realised that it was worth the time.

We came back and our driver bid us farewell when we all decided to get down at the Helipad. This place has been made by trimming the top of a mountain and gives a 360 degrees view of the place. From the top, I took this. The town of PELLING. 6620 feet high but one frame and thats enough. As Surya had said on the very evening of our arrival "Its only an alley". Standing there, I could not have agreed more. The drizzle was still on after trying for some facebook profile pics, we all descended down.

The next day, we came even more down to NJP in a somewhat 4 hours of Hollywood-action-sequence type of ride and from there, on Monday early morning, to our very dear Kolkata.

I know, this was not the best of the posts you have seen. But still, it would be great if you could tell me how was it. :)

Till next time. Cheers!

P.S. If you happen to see Mr.P anywhere, please let him know that I am looking for him.