Sikkim was no where on our travel plan. However, it was probably meant to be. (Oh… well for those who don’t know it already, here is the link to melodrama story on how we landed in Sikkim .
Post our 45 minute ride on a local bus from Bagdogra airport to Siliguri, sweating and almost roasted, we arrived at the bus stop. While enquiring about the taxis for Gangtok, we banged upon a (read- fraud) travel agent. The amazing pictures of locations decorating his office walls lured us to travel. So, we consented for the North Sikkim tour.
North Sikkim, Here We Come
Now, this gentleman quoted Rs 22,000 for the entire trip including stay, travel and most of the meals and after negotiating we were good to go for Rs 16500. Viola, what a deal for the entire trip. After we paid him advance of Rs 5000, he very casually suggested that for a point called Zero Point. But there was a catch that we might have to pay Rs 100-150 extra per head as it is beautiful but not included in the package. We consented as it seemed justified aside the fact that we were too exhausted to bang our heads further.
We had lunch at a close-by restaurant called Shere Punjab and enjoyed Paneer Butter Masala with hot Tandoori Rotis. The waitress was a pretty North Eastern girl in a Red T-shirt who served with a smile. Ice Cream! Well, we relished the dessert too after the meal before we got into the shared taxi to Gangtok.
It was dark by the time we reached Gangtok and the city glimmered under the stars. We checked into the hotel named ‘Travellers Inn’ and were more than surprised at its upkeep. The room, though huge and equipped with AC, television, and sofa, was unkempt and slightly damp. Other news came of the rest of the stays at the coming two locations were supposed to be humble home-stays with equally humble meals. After settling arguments with the travel agent and getting the assurance of the journey ahead, we headed to a roof-top restaurant for dinner. Having had the delicious food, we booked a taxi for morning sunrise and hit our beds dead asleep.
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