Friday, July 1, 2011

Day 04 - Around Gangtok

Gangtok is on a hill and is spread over two adjacent peaks. And there is lots to see, and we saw the following places. We later realized that we missed out on some of the more well known tourist places and saw the lesser places. I am not complaining. We didnt plan to be typical tourists and enjoyed the offbeat places.

First was the bhakthang falls just outside Gangtok where the river Ranipool falls into the gorge. here are two pictures. one of the water and the other of the gorge!





This is where my brother tried on some exotic local lepcha clothes.. He looks funny eh?



Then we went around seeing some temples and a monastery. a comparatively new one. It was a challenge for me because it is far below the road level and the only access is down a steep footpath. I made it down and up again in one piece..



Then we went to Tashi View Point. A high point in Gangtok from where you can get a 360 degree view of the hills..



Then it was afternoon. We had lunch and climbed on the ropeway between the two peaks of Gangtok..



Here is an amazing thing! You can see that clouds also throw shadows! Notice the sunlight is dappled on the hillside. The dark patches are actually the shadows of the clouds on the mountainside..





Last but not the least we went and saw the Do-Drul Chorten Monastery, and then headed back to dinner and bed.. It was a long day.. Tomorrow we will visit North Sikkim..