Rishi Khola Zuluk and New Darjeeling

Most of the people in my office asked “Gangtok?” when I said I was heading North. Well, the places I went in North Bengal and Sikkim are old but not crowded at all; at least till now.

Got two days extra on Easter eve. There was no second thought. We were eight in the group. I did not know all of the people. Partho Da had planned and made the arrangements this time. It was very smooth for me. Just a cab to Sealdah and board the train on Thursday night.

Padatik Express as the name suggested was very late. After getting down at NJP, it took four hours to reach Rishi … and it was amazing.

Next day we started for Zuluk. It is near Jelep La which is the gateway towards China on the forgotten silk route. Zuluk had many offerings for us - hail, flakes and snow!

It was a new place called Sillery Gaon that was next. Locals are calling the place New Darjeeling to make it popular. It was a nice little hamlet. There is no electricity in this place but we never faced a problem. Instead the home-stay was wonderful. I fell in love with this place, completely.

To be continued…