Darjeeling I

 Departure at 0900 odometer at 31872

But, before I go down that road with you, let me give you something about my time at the hotel.

Last evening thought I’d be different, as many of you have asked me to. So, ordered a Pasta  - Penne Arrabiata. The dish came. The pasta was Penne allright. The sauce was the left overs of the masala from Durgapur - the bhindi masala. But, did not create a scene. Ate the pieces of Penne that were not covered in the masala. Called the waiter and sent the rest back to the cook, asking him to learn the Arrabiata sauce correctly. Laid it on thick this morning.

Had two calls this morning - on Skype and GoToMeeting. The wifi provided by the hotel was awesome. Fantastic speeds and stability. Not usual.

Went for breakfast after that. Staff told me their south Indian dishes were good. So, thought a Thosai could not be a wrong try. It was actually very good. 

 

The sambar and chutney, for a Tamilian were not really there, but, for a local it would have been high up on the scale. The guys were not happy with my one dish for breaking of the fast. Got hustled into ordering an aloo paratha. But, before the order was finalised, described in minute detail that in a genuine paratha stuffed with aloo, the spread should be thick and must cover every millimetre  of the paratha. Believe me, that is how it came. Brilliant. And, soft, low on oil. 

Please stay at the Cindrella if you ever go to Siliguri.

Turned onto the highway into traffic. Fell in behind a army truck who lost his way because the road ahead was closed. Bugger sat in the middle of the road asking directions from a local, while traffic piled up behind me. Slipped between him and the circle as he edged forward. Traffic behind me remained stuck as the truck stopped again. No clue what happened thereafter.

Single statement on road quality, since I have been bitching last few days - the road top all the way to the Hotel was good. Very few holes or bad stretches. Congratulations to the guys who laid this stretch.

The approach to the climb is narrow. And, continues to be a narrow curvy single lane that requires vehicles to stop and squeeze past one another. The gradient is steep till Kurseong, then becomes a bit less steep. Those of you who have done other hills will find this climb different. Down shifting is necessary, and constant.

One thing that hits you as you start the approach, is the smell, which turns from that of muck to that of burning rubber. Stays with you till Kurseong.

Traffic is heavy. Mainly Sumo taxis flying up and down. And, mini lorries, crawling up and down.

You have three choices. Get in front of the pack and leave them huffing behind. Stay with the pack, breathing the monoxide of the sumo in front while getting your arse kissed by the sumo behind. Drive slowly and get honked at and cursed and spat at by all who want to drive as though life is done at the end of the drive.

I started peaceful, the went with the pack, then left the amateurs behind. Till I stopped to take a shot of the snow tops.

Then fell in with the pack, till the sumo in front stopped suddenly to eject a fountain. Good thing my habit is to stay couple of car lengths behind. Allowed the fountain space and time. Went wide around to get behind the next sumo. That had a guy on the right rear window spitting every so often. Caught the guy at the next turn, eased alongside, stopped the bugger and cursed the bastard. Thereafter stayed peaceful.

Checked in to Sterling Resorts. Beautiful location. One thing about these guys. They were the first in this business, and picked up some classic properties. And, very important, polite and helpful. Immediate contact established with the chief of the kitchen. Told him I had noticed a Pork stall. His reply made was satisfying. It was supported by the manager who had called the chef out. Said it was not on the menu, but he would dish it out for me. Tomorrow, lunch.

As I was parking the Thar in a good spot, saw the snow. 

Got directed to their view point. Glorious. Absolutely splendid. Spent the next hour sitting at the sole bench in the view point.

 

Lunch was aloo dum Gorkha style with chapattis. Sorry, forgot to tell you, proceeded by some Old Monk.

Went for a long walk at about 1545. But first, slipped into my shoes, heavy jacket, muffler and cap. It was getting chill.  Saw the kutti train.

 

Did 6000 steps of good gradient walking. Got back to my favourite spot - the viewing bench. Leave with you some of what I live to see.

There is a lot more. For private viewing !!

Dinner is at 2000. Ordered, after discussions. Rice with Mutton Gorkhali.

Tomorrow morning I am supposed to get up at 0400 and go to Tiger Hill view point. Believe Mount Everest is clearly visible. Asked them why not 0600. They say the mist may come in and obscure the view. So, tomorrow I’ll go at 0530. Stay a few hours, See how it goes.

Fortunate that BSNL works great.

Next few days, it will be snow, and more snow.