Country Roads

11 th April 2018 Being detained in a Sikkim police station was definitely not on my to-do list…. First there were some problems with issuing my permit for Dzongu because my inner line permit was only for the region around Gangtok and my restricted area permit expired today.   I said that I’d been told that the permit could be extended in Gangtok, but the officer said not so.   I asked my guide to call his boss… The bridge to Dzongu There was much discussion, of which I understood little, and then I was asked how long I wanted the permit for – 7 nights 8 days please.   No, the longest I could have was 4 nights 5 days.   Interesting since I had booked the homestay for 5 nights after conversation with my host – who would surely know the rules.   Well, that can be negotiated later. There were some questions about my “travelling companion” the German called Herman.   Well, apparently we had met in Gangtok and agreed to trave...

7 April 2018 River mist rising - from my bedroom window in Gangtok I woke to slightly clearer air after a night time thunderstorm and enjoyed the sight of river mist rising from my room windows. The hotel wanted another photo of me for their records – I joked that it was only for his personal album as I appeared in hundreds of Indian people’s travel photos! With the help of tour operator Sudan, the previous afternoon, I had booked a day tour with a driver who might or not speak sufficient English for basic communication. The entrance to Do Drul Chorten He was there on time and without asking my name said he was my driver for the day! First on my day’s sightseeing was Do Drul Chorten, one of the largest stupa in Sikkim located on a small hill with an approach through forest.   The sign advised me that it was built to mark the triumph of good over evil.   I tried circumambulating the chorten but the way was barred due to building work close ...

Valley Cloud 8 th – 11 th April My booked car arrives with my driver Jesraj.   My guide, Abijet will come soon.   I was waiting for the tour operator Sudan, to sort paperwork and payment but it seems we must go to the office. My papers seem in order, apparently I am travelling with a German bloke   (I cannot travel alone, I may or not set eyes on this man). Entrance to Kabi Goempa On our way I note a power pole at a crazy angle, we pull up beside it to check tyre pressure at some sort of vehicle workshop, which results   in removal of wheel.   Wouldn’t a driver normally check his vehicle before coming to collect a tourist???? Finally we were on our way and soon out of Gangtok and into much more pleasant surroundings, driving through forest and the occasional village that was quite picturesque (and a few small towns).   It had been raining gently on and off and the clouds had been low early in the morning, a g...