Travel

Darjeeling- our escapade with মেঘ পিয়ন

I do not know why, every bengali I ever meet has got a strange nostalgic attachment with Darjeeling. Technically its just another hill station in West Bengal. But, its every bong’s dream escapade. Well, we’re also bong and so we started our journey for it.

How to go:-

The nearest and most convenient (accesibility-wise) town there is Siliguri. And, its extremely well connected with various parts of India via its airport at BAGDOGRA and railway station at New Jalpaiguri (overnight journey from Kolkata). From there lots of shared cars (mostly SUV and some small ones) make trip to Darjeeling, Per seat costs around around 150/– 200/- which sits 10 people. The journey is around 5 hours journey, considering a 1 hour food break. Fares are reasonable enough, so do not hesitate. Also, if budget permits, one can hire a full car, which will definitely be more confortable and will cost somewhere around 1800-2500/- one way.

Where to stay:-

We were put up at The Planter’s Club, near darjeeling mall. Its one of the oldest buildings in the town. Its basically a club for the tea planters and their families and in its golden days, no common man were allowed. Well, times have changed and so did the rules. Nowadays, the non-members just have to take a temporary membership at 150/- and they can check in. Other than this, Darjeeling is flooded with hotels, lodges and guest houses of different budgets. One can find a room there from 200/- to 15000/- per day, hence you can easily identify the range. A visit to any of the popular travel websites can give a clear idea. Our reason for staying at Tea Planter’s Club is very simple. My mother went with us and our son was just 2 years old then. So, mom needed a good balcony overlooking the road so that she could just sit and relax with a good book and junior needed open space to run around…. And, I somehow have a longing for the old spacious buildings still having the old-age charm. Wife didn’t comment anything and hence we landed there.

The best part is this place is bang opposite to the famous caventer’s and Glenary’s and literally 3 minutes walking distance from the Darjeeling mall. Yet, car reaches the hotel, which is a luxury, because, most hotels near mall, still are unreachable by car, as motor vehicle is prohibited there by the authorities. We took 2 rooms. Each costs us around 2000/- per night EP. But they have a restaurant which serves brilliant food and you get the best darjeeling tea in this place.

We went to Darjeeling in the month of June, the rainy season. Hence, sightseeing options were very less. Basically, we went there to relax and enjoy. And boy, we did just that. Just one day of sightseeing in the Himalayan Zoo and the Museum and relaxing seemed to be a much better option.

On the second day, we went for the famous heritage toy train ride and we got the shock of our life. Toy train tickets are not sold over the counter, They conduct a joy ride (a round trip) to ghum including batasia loop and back including some refreshment. These tickets are sold via the normal IRCTC site and are over months back. So, we visited Ghum, Batasia Loop etc via car and spent some time in the Darjeeling station. This station seemed just out of a fairy tale- small, sleepy and nobody seemed to have a hurry there. Next time, it’ll be a good idea to spend some more time there.

The third day was spent at the Darjeeling mall, or every afternoon in that matter. Personally I felt the mall to be a over-hyped, crowded place. The authorities tried their best to keep it clean, but we being Indians tried not to. Local bands play along the roadside, which is anyday a better option to listen at…..

But, what we liked most is the lazy afternoon tea and a nice drinks at the terrace, verandah at the Tea Planter’s Club. Local tea planters still visit that place with friends and family to relive their golden days and is a pleasure to mingle with them. Go with friends, order some good drinks and spend the evening there- its one of life’s simple pleasure- yet to be treasured.

Considering its the full rainy season, we got to see the mountain range from the hotel balcony itself one morning and it was majestic.

We were there for three days and it went like breeze. The departing time has come. The car left us at the New Jalpaiguri station and off we started for Kolkata. We couldn’t see much mountains but the fog made up for it. We literally experienced cloud entering our rooms – soaking us and leaving us in few minutes. And till date, I personally long for it again. Darjeeling- our very own মেঘ পিয়ন …..

I can be reached at indrajit.lahiri@ymail.com

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Indrajit Lahiri

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View Comments

Shaikh Sohail says:

March 19, 2015 at 9:15 pm

Beautiful. A quick question...do we have to put up at the Planters club in order to access the terrace tea place?
indrajit lahiri says:

March 20, 2015 at 11:57 am

I think so. Regular guests are not entertained there. Either you have to be a member, or a resident temporary member...