Got back yesterday from a trip to West Sikkim which apparently is on the verge of superceding Gangtok from the itinerary of the visiting tourist. And after my trip, I can see why. We reached Pelling in the afternoon and took a short hike to Rabdentse, the ancient capital of Sikkim. The stone palace lay in ruins with the blue sky making a contrasting back drop to it.
In the evenings, we used to be offered Tongba, a millet based alcoholic beverage sipped through a bamboo straw. A very interesting drink which is available only in the old homes and which wont be listed on a bar unfortunately. Since we were staying at a friend’s place, his family made our stay most endearing by laying out a red carpet treatment with the most ethnic of cusines. Our favourite however was the Tongba, hands down.
A trip to Khechoperi Lake, which is worshipped by the locals and is also an entirely natural lake was next on the agenda. Prayer flags adorned the sides of the lake as tourists thronged to turn the prayer wheels placed along the pier of the lake.
We could not venture out to Yuksom but we did make a long journey to reach Singshore Bridge, the second highest suspension bridge in Asia. Looking down from the middle of such a high bridge is probably the bravest thing I have done in my entire life. I loved the Bridge itself and I felt it was worth travelling all the way till there just to be able to see it.
And to think I had been wondering just last week about how long it had been since I’d last travelled anywhere. I should have such thoughts often.
Fantabulaso!!! Sounds like an awesome trip!
I must taste Tongba before I die!
Was most definitely an awesome trip. Yeah, the Tongba was an interesting experience – a must try!