Click on the image for a picture gallery.
A relaxed start with an 0830 hrs breakfast and an 0915 hrs departure for a long road journey to Yuksom, our final stop before getting back to some high altitude trekking. The vehicles were loaded and our convoy set off with horns blaring through the traffic of Gangtok. The winding and bumpy road took us through villages and terraced valleys gaining height as we travelled. The Teesta khola could be seen sweeping through the bottom of the valley looking ever distant as we climbed. Again, we saw a lot of road workers and people gathering vegetation. At one point the team jumped from the vehicles to assist a driver and some workers trying to push-start a lorry laden with gravel. There was a big cheer as the engine sprung into life and we returned to our vehicles. The journey continued along narrow tracks and roads winding through the steep and sometimes sheer valley. We stopped at the only tea plantation in Sikkim for a cup of tea but the teahouse was closed. So, on we went to Rintok to have some lunch in a local restaurant full of rustic charm. The food and service were good.
After lunch we drove on to the Bon Monastery to view the prayer room and speak to one of the monks. The Bon religion claims to be 18,000 years old and many of the Tibetan Buddhist practices originate in the Bon religion. Next we moved on to the Tashiding Monastery a few miles away. We stopped at the end of a mountain track and walked for 15 minutes up a very steep and slippery path to view the Gumpa. Three of the group attracted leeches on the walk up and one on the way down. The leeches gorged themselves on their host’s blood but they had all taken their last drink. The Gumpa was at the top of the hill with stunning views around the mountains and valleys. The buildings were highly decorated and hundreds of prayer flags on tall bamboo poles danced in the gentle breeze. The stonemason was not at home but his intricate work could be seen all around the Gumpa and the many Stupas. One building contained an enormous prayer wheel that was about 12ft in diameter and 20ft tall embossed with many symbols. Some of the group drank tea before descending whilst others wandered back down taking in the sights and culture.
We regrouped at the vehicles and pressed on for another hour to reach our night stop at Yuksom in the dark. The evening meal was eagerly awaited and everyone was ready for a good nights rest. Tomorrow would be an early start followed by a 1000m ascent.
Copyright 2005 ©
