Darjeeling once more. Review on Darjeeling

I got lost in Darjeeling when I visited it for the first time with my parents. I was in my kindergarten then. I get lost (intentionally for a change) even now whenever I visit this hill station although I am 27 and a pretty experienced traveler.

From the hot and humid Kolkata, Darjeeling is a welcome break and is never tired to fill my tired lungs with Fresh Mountain air. Darjeeling can be best explored by walking around aimlessly.

Following are a few humble recommendations if you are planning to pay a visit to this charming hill station:

Take the Darjeeling mail from Kolkata. Treat yourself royally and book a ACII ticket. Reach New Jalpaiguri the next morning after a comfortable sleep. Proceed to Darjeeling on a Landrover/ the toy train. If you are not visiting Darjeeling during the monsoons go for the toy train. It is an experience in itself and a journey that could be summarised as 'Not to be missed'. The train takes eight timetable hours to screech its way up the 80km to the most famous tea-producing area in India, but the times flies by as you are constantly presented with the views over the rolling fields of tea bushes, which makes you click your camera endlessly.The train passes the unforgettable Batasia loop, the Ghoom Buddhist monastery and you finally arrive your destination alluring you from behind the lofty pines.

There are hundreds of Hotels in Darjeeling. A good choice would be the Dekeling Hotel. It is centrally located and is good value for money. One good reason to stay in this hotel is that across the street lies Keventer, a place you cannot afford to miss during your stay. A breakfast/ evening snack at Keventer or Glennary's, that is only a few steps away is a must. Relax with a nice pot of tea and a good view.

Regular features during my visits are the following:

Hot dog and hot chocolate at Keventer,

Tea and pastries at Glenary,

Das Studio for my usual requirements of film rolls.

The Dekeling hotel is on the Chowrasta (crossroads) and is quite close to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. The Mountaineering Institute has a museum, which has a superb collection of stories and memorabilia from the various Everest expeditions. The zoo is a favourite of mine and has the rare and endangered snow leopard, Siberian tiger and the Red Panda among others.

It is a tradition to go to the Tiger Hill before daybreak to see the first rays of the sun strike the mountains. On a clear day you are greeted with sights that will remain in your memories for a long time to come. However you need to be a bit lucky to catch the sunrise of your life and often the fog plays a spoilsport. The Kanchendzonga range, however will play hide and seek with you and will probably grant you a glimpse of a sight that is truly larger than life.

Walk aimlessly and Go up in the morning and Down in the afternoon... Pay a visit to the Tibetan self-help center and the Botanical gardens.

Visit Darjeeling during the winter months (Nov-Jan), the skies are clear offering panoramic views of the town, the Kanchendzonga range and if you are really lucky a glimpse of the Mt. Everest.