On 10th of February, 2022, while I was spending my honeymoon in the eastern Nepal, me and my wife made a spontaneous decision to go to Darjeeling, India. This was our first time visiting far away from our country. We were visiting tea garden in Ilam from where border to West Bengal state of India was not very far. At 12 PM we reached Pashupatinagar in Ilam from where you can go to India. There was no any checking. People were moving freely here and there in the border. One of the Indian can driver of Nepali origin approached us and told us he would tour us around main attractions of Darjeeling in a reasonable price. During that time Omicron variant was spreading rapidly and there was low influx of tourists. We were offered a cab ride in very reasonable and satisfactory price.
The first stop was at Mane Bhanjyang, that lies between Nepal and India border. I am standing at Mane Bhanjyang, situated at a border between India and Nepal and is a gateway to Singalila National Park. Kanchenjunga, world third highest mountain could be seen from here but due to foggy weather, the mountain couldn't be seen that day. Weather was quite unpredictable. Just a week before that Darjeeling had the record breaking low temperature and heavy snow than usual. I was unfortunate as I had never seen a snow in my life and it would be a great experience if I had got a chance to witness the magnificent phenomenon.
After stopping at Mane Bhanjyang and having a warm sip of tea in such cold weather, the next stop was Jorpokhri. There was a huge lake at the centre and the bending circular pathway to walk around the same. A statue of cobra can also be seen at the centre of the lake and there was a seating arrangement around the lake made from cement. I fell in love with the place and the weather. Entire place was covered with fog. There was a beautiful juniper forest but the fog made it unclear for us to see thoroughly.
I have never seen a train in my life and it was my first time I saw Darjeeling toy train on my entrance to the main place of Darjeeling.
Weather was so cold that my hand was shaking. So I stopped here and bought a muffler and hat made of woollen here to keep myself warm. Wollen items are the main peculiarity of Darjeeling. Just after the train passed, people were seen walking around the railway track. One can hear the sound of train coming and people immediately step off of the track.
There were more places I visited that day but would love to write in another post as it contains more memories and experiences in a small period of time.