Darjeeling IV

14th November 2021. Just to remind myself. Sunday.

Rolled out of bed late, at 0730. It was sunny outside. Decided a few things

1 Would make coffee and allow the sun to soak all over the body rather than have the indirect heat get at me while I was driving
2 Would not eat till I felt hungry, given that I had been stuffing myself every meal like a pig, thought it sensible to give my system some right to decide.
3  Would do nothing. Apart from exerting my finger occasionally to take a picture.

The first two worked perfectly. The third was demolished. Will come to that.

Settled down to it by 0830.

Had a splendid first hour of unadulterated peace, taking pictures as and when I felt the shade of light on the mountains had shifted an iota. Or, a closer look at one of the peaks was necessary.

 

 

 

Then came the stream of gujjus. It was always a gang of many many couples and their many children. This ensured that my camera got some quiet.

While they were thinning down, there came along four loud Bengali men with a load of photographic equipment. They took a few pictures, made some loud comments about the Himalayan range, especially about the Kanchanchanga. Took pictures of each other.

Then came along a couple, the lady in a red diaphanous sleeveless gown  along with a paunchy guy. The two groups merged. And, then it struck me. This was the same movie making set I had seen on the beaches of Puri. A pink gown in Puri, and a red gown here. Could not be a coincidence.


As the movie was shot, heard comments from the gujjus that this was a “pre wedding” shoot. Me, am sceptical. Mid wedding, maybe. But both man and woman look past their actionable prime. The movie set moved away, to other scenic locations.

And, the crowds started dissipating, possibly to do what tourists normally do.

 I started feeling peace return. When, the chief cook turned up. He was concerned that I had not come for breakfast. Told him he was to blame, stuffing me the way he had for the last 8 meals. My system demanded some well earned rest, and  soaking in the sun. He disappeared for 10 minutes and came back with two kids in tow. Told me to use the kids as guides and see some outlying areas.

There went the third part of my well laid out plan. How could I refuse. So, put on my shoes. Changed my jacket.

Met the two kids at the Thar. Went down the Kalimpong road. The first place they took me to was choked with the hordes. Drove past. Reversed into an open garage. Headed back the way we had come. Stopped to take a few shots along the way.

 

Then turned towards a forest drive, when the clouds came streaming in. So gave that up. Went further up the road and stopped. The clouds that had come streaming in had kept streaming, leaving some bright visuals. A village in Sikkim with a Shiva statue and one of Buddha is visible on the hill across. 

 

Then went up the cantonment road to get a bird’s eye view of Darjeeling. The building with a Blue dome is the house of the Rajah of the area, so say the kids along !!

 

 

Got back to the resort for a hot shower. Was ravenous by then. Decided to eat light. Vegetable sandwich with fries. By the time I ate and got to my room, the clouds were back with a vengeance.

In all, a good morning. The time after that was spent in correcting the earlier exercise. Tomorrow, warmer climates.

Leaving you with a bonus shot, which I am sure you'll enjoy !!