An Eventful Day
Roller Coaster Ride To Gangtok
By Avinash Savant
“Road was as usual very scenic and quiet isolated. Actually the best part of our trip was exactly this, to venture into isolated, unmanned wilderness where there is no sound other than of nature.”
Day 5, 26 December 2012
Alarm rang up at 4:30 AM and we were up with a lot of efforts. It was seriously cold. We finished our morning courses and took our luggage up at the front desk. We had our breakfast there and paid the bills and in no time we were on our motorcycle again. We went to Rabdentse Ruins and parked our fully loaded motorcycle near gates at the mercy of mother nature. By now we had become very much care free and were ready to take any situation positively. We only carried my tank bag that has money, important documents and camera along with us. We did a 8 kms of trek to reach the ancient capital. I must say, the ruins were very well maintained and cleaned. The surrounding area had vast gardens around. It was very quiet there and only few gardeners were doing their regular tasks. Walking through these ruins and speaking to every stone of the wall was a beautiful experience. Learning about new culture and civilizations has always humbled us and made us feel proud about our diverse country. From these ruins, we chose a valley facing spot and took a time to gaze at enormous mountain ranges and snow capped peaks. This place at that time had no visitors except us and a African tourist who had come with his guide. After feeling satisfied we started trekking down to the entrance. We were happy to see our motorcycle and luggage untouched.
We started our journey towards Gangtok. We went to Pelling town in search of a petrol pump where I refilled our motorcycle and filled her up with 0.5 liter of Engine Oil which was much required. In these mountain roads, riding a motorcycle becomes a bit tricky task and requires a lot of clutching. This at times results in drinking a lot of engine oil and thus we need to keep a constant check on Engine Oil levels. After these necessary rituals we got back on road. At the outskirts of Pelling there is a small village named Geyzing where we halted for breakfast. We had Veg. Thukpa, omlet and Tea. While having breakfast, few young Sikkimi school girls entered and they too were having Thukpa. It was fun to observe them chatting in their local language and the way they were eating the Thukpa. Road was as usual very scenic and quiet isolated. Actually the best part of our trip was exactly this, to venture into isolated, unmanned wilderness where there is no sound other than of nature. It was very cold even by afternoon and so we halted at a roadside hut-shelter facing valley. We took off our jackets and got ourselves warmed by standing under sun. We climbed down the valley a bit to attend a “nature’s call”. It was my Aaie’s Birthday so we called her up and wished her. She was delighted that our phone was able to catch network in these mountainous region and we were able to call. Aaie was very much worried about our motorcycle venture in these isolated places and so she was constantly asking about how our trip was so far. We some how managed to convince her that we are travelling safe and with responsibility. After this call Maithili called Hidden Forest retreat where we were supposed to reach for the day. This resort is owned by Usha Lachungpa aunt’s relatives In-Laws and she had suggested her this place while our stay in Gangtok. Maithili called them up for direction and landmarks and also to let them know about our arrival time there. This is the only place in our travelling history so far, where they did not ask for advanced payment and just asked us for the confirmation over E-Mail and Phone Call. It is in such small things like these that our belief in innocence and humanity stays untouched. Here while on phone Maithili did a big mistake. When asked about our current location, Maithili informed them that we are currently nearing Ranipool town which is hardly some 11 kms from Gangtok. Actually we were far from that place and it was only 12:30 PM in the afternoon. It was due to our over study of the rout that one random name “Ranipool” just popped up in Maithili’s mind. After she was done, I reminded her that we are quiet far from Ranipool. We laughed on our silly mistakes and left the topic there and started our journey.
When we were nearing Ranipool, we were stuck in a traffic jam caused by land-slide. It was getting a bit hotter in this traffic jam and we were tired since we had missed our lunch. Travelling in scenic places has it’s own side effects, like forgetting your breakfast/lunch/dinner timings. By the time we actually reached Ranipool it was 4 PM or so. We asked for the directions to a traffic police at Ranipool chow-rasta and headed towards Gangtok. Gangtok is a capital of Sikkim and it was a bit crowded compared to from where we had come. We were expecting it to be more like Darjeeling or Pelling, but then we realized that every place has it’s own specialty and something new to offer. We hoped for the same and entered Gangotk, enquiring about our Hotel Hidden Forest Retreat. At around 5:30 PM and a lot of questioning to the locals, we reached our hotel. To our surprise, this hotel was very special and we knew it instantly in our hearts that this place will be lingering in our memories for the years to come. At the entrance gate, one sweet boy was sitting and he asked us by our names. Now it was a time for us to get surprised. When asked, he said he was waiting there for us from 1 PM in the afternoon. It is then we realized that our mis-information about “Ranipool” has wasted so many hours of this boy. We instantly said sorry but he with his ever-smiling face said that it is very much ok and went inside to inform his Madam about our arrival. Then one old man in his 60’s came to us with a pleasant smile and asked us for our luggage while we were taking it off our bike. It did not feel right of him at his age carrying our luggage. But he was quiet adamant on his request to carry the luggage, so we gave him our Tank bag and helmets. We carried our saddlebags with us to the room. While walking towards the room, we realized that this place is really our dream place. At the entrance there was a secured parking space for our motorcycle. All the pathways were done with stones with dense gardens on both sides. This place is built on a hill slope and thus the rooms are situated at various levels. It gives a feel of a country side township. All rooms are very beautiful and the interior ambience is well thought. We kept our luggage in the room and went down to the dining are. This is a special area of this hotel. There are big seating arrangements in open facing towards the valley. One can see entire side of Gangtok from here. The tables are made of polished huge pieces of jungle tree and the chairs were declined at back so that one could just lay back there gazing at valley with a Tea/Coffee mug in hand. Entire place is surrounded by well looked after garden and there is not a single place where there are not plants. This special valley facing area also has small sized Orange trees and they all had big, juicy Oranges hanging there. We entered into the Dining area where we met the Owner madam. She said that the moment we said on phone that we were at Ranipool, she made that boy stand at the entrance. She was quiet worried as to why we have not reached yet since she knew that our mode of transport was a motorcycle. We sincerely apologized her and asked her about places to see. While planning out this trip, we know that there is a China border close to Gangtok and we wanted to go there at Nathu-La pass on our motorcycle. Madam said, we need permits for the same and only tourist vehicles are allowed to go there. We were sad for a moment, but then we took it as a positive sign. Anyways we were doing the whole trip on motorcycle and so luckily we are at the place where we could relax a bit, so why not enjoy it too. So we requested Madam to arrange for the tourist vehicle and permits to go to Nathu-La and China border. We ordered for Sunny side up half fried omelets, Tea/Coffee and bread-butter toasts. Since we had skipped our lunch, we were very hungry and had all that we had ordered along with extra Oranges and bread-butter-jam toasts. We had all that at these valley facing seats and relaxed there for some time. Then we placed order for our dinner and got back to the room. We had a hot water bath and got freshen up. Since next day was a no ride day we were a bit relaxed and enjoying our planning free moments. We were watching TV for some time and then we got a call from madam saying the tour operator had come and they needed necessary documents to acquire permits. He was sent to our room and then we gave him photocopies our passport, driving license, etc. He then asked us to be ready at 7 in the morning. Later we went down for dinner in their Dining area. It was very cold out there, but the Dining area was warm. The staff that works here was extremely warm and helpful with ever smiling face. The food was simple with home grown vegetables but very tasty. We just loved this place. After dinner we roamed around in the garden and then went up to our room. Watched TV for some time, kept our phones-cameras on charging and went to a much deserved sleep.
