When I reached Jorthang and found out that the last share car to Okhrey had also left, it was natural to sit on my head and read. But that's what people out of routine like me do, jumping into new zeal, I did. The work is quite difficult though. The cell phone had not yet arrived then. Calling first the travel agent in Kolkata from an STD booth, and then reserving a car from a local cab driver of his acquaintance to Okhrey we got late and leave Jorethang at 7 pm for Okhrey. Traveling in the hills, especially in some remote areas, is quite dangerous after this evening. What else to do, there was no place to stay in Jorthang at that time. Therefore, it was advisable to go out without thinking too much.
Needless to say, night travel on mountain roads with this danger is an extraordinary experience. But those stories later. Let's talk about the beginning first. Working all day and reaching the destination by night train, this was the routine of traveling to the mountains in working life. Hills mean to me either North Bengal or Sikkim. And of course unknown or lesser-known destinations on my list. When I am talking about, very few people who knew the name of Okhrey in Sikkim. It is on the western side of Sikkim. Actually, Hilley or Versey is a much better-known name. This place is mainly for trekking fanatics. There is also an excellent bird sanctuary nearby and a wonderful Rhododendron Sanctuary. Several monasteries. Besides, another hill village in the north can also be reached from here. The well-known Pelling is also not far away.
And yes, there is Kanchenjunga! I heard great views from Okhrey. However, I don't often meet Kanchenjunga. Not even on this trip. However, October to January is the best time to experience the majestic views of the Kanchenjunga Peak. The puja vacation was in October itself. Still, the ever-moody Kachenjunga turned away its face due to cloudy weather.
Incidentally, there is a fair of rhododendrons throughout the Hille and Versay valleys, interspersed with Singalila National Park. This 104 km wide area marks the border between India and Nepal. Anyway, the small village of Okharey comes on the way to Hilley and Versey. People stop there for temporary rest and refreshments on their trek to Versey Rhododendron Sanctuary. There are maybe a handful of crazy people like me but only one homestay. I stayed there for 3 days in the Puja holiday, that's right.
Our train to New Jalpaiguri from Kolkata was too late for any other reason than the weather. Reached Tenzing Norgay bus stand in Siliguri from New Jalpaiguri station, washed my hands at the hotel adjacent to the bus stand, had lunch, and boarded the bus to Sikkim, the sun rose overhead. The rule of local buses is to stop and pick up passengers at almost all stops. Here too it continued and its definite result was the late arrival at Jorthang, which I have spoken of at the outset. One thing needs to be mentioned here, in the case of traveling, always reserving a car and going here and there is not cool in the pocket of the middle class. Due to the distance to Okhrey, it was impossible to reserve a car at that time. So the only option was to go with the local people in a shared cab.
One word before going to the main part of the journey. That day, while waiting alone for the goods in an unknown small town in a foreign state, I felt the touch of the life of the mountain people once again. Some are offering sitting tools, some food, and water. When I went out to search for a phone booth, someone came out of his shop to guard my luggage. A woman took a gap to the nearby Durga temple. And all with a smile.
The area is a market. Apart from shops, buses, and car stands are also here. In the evening, everything became very bright. The car is ready. The driver is a Nepali youth, who just passed his teenage years. They start working at a very young age, I am used to seeing it. He requested to take his younger brother with him. Otherwise, you will have to drive alone while returning. No objection. It is better to start the journey without delay. The scheduled arrival time at the homestay has long passed. There is no way to report. They don't have a telephone. I left Jorthang with a little worry in my mind.
The thoughts disappeared from my head after going a little beyond the market. Dark solitude prevails. And endless silence. The sound of the engine, the chatter of the two boys, Kishorekumar's song on the recorder, nothing can touch that silence. The glass is all raised, yet the frosty wind shivers to the bone. By that time, the night fairies have pulled the veil over their heads. The blue light of the starry sky created a magical illusion. Saptami moon in one corner. what is indescribable O God, to live to see these things.
Looking outside, nothing can be understood on the way. I felt that I was turning one after another. The more I turn, the more the sky descends. That means the path is completely uphill. How much risk I took that day, I realized that on the day of return. The return was during the day. The bends are quite numerous, with the possibility of falling several thousand feet in one direction. Kudos to that young man. With what masterful skill he delivered me to my destination that night. Have travelled the hilly route many times to date. Some are in memory, some are erased. This night journey is different from everything else. I will never forget that literally heavenly night.
It was 10 pm to reach Okharey. My fears almost proved true by then all the homestay family had closed the doors and turned off the lights and gone to bed. Finally, the driver wakes them up by honking the car's horn. He is also in a hurry to return. They gave up my hope like that day. A Bengali woman would travel alone that night on a hilly path, it was beyond their imagination, he clearly admitted. The driver left with the car. Cold is deadly. Dinner arrived just as he was wiping his hands and feet in hot water and taking out the essentials from the bag. Hot rice, dal, boiled potatoes, and omelet. It is called nectar. Eat fast under the double blanket. And immediately sleep.
Woke up in a fountain of light. As soon as we removed the window curtain and looked outside, the maddened nature unfolded in front of our eyes. All around are mountains. And somewhere in his lap is a ceremony of green, somewhere flowers. Breakfast is a toast omelet, with steaming tea. Heard, it's the homestay owner's garden tea. It's exciting, no doubt. The sky is sparkling clear. The force of the wind is quite understandable. I wrapped my head in winter clothes and went out on foot.
The western part of Sikkim, especially this side, is relatively rugged. In it, the flowers meet. The bird sings. Different species of birds can be seen here. This area is famous for Red Panda. There are also bears. There are rabbits and wild dogs. In addition to colorful rhododendrons, there are various types of orchids. Among the flowers are primula, magnolia color, and familiar marigold flowers. Fascinating oak and pine trees. Height 7200 feet. As a result, it is cold throughout the year. It gets below zero in winter. The nearest town is Sombia. Shopping, a bazaar is there.
Sikkim is currently playing a significant role in the tourism map of the northeastern states. Generally, people here are educated and aware. Children from remote villages like Okhar are also living in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and other big cities of India for education and employment. Some of them came home for a Puja vacation. After lunch, there was quite a chat with them. After a while, the leader of the homestay joined there. After a while, I talked to the rest of the family. A family is full of children. Everyone does all kinds of work. Happy people are less happy. I also joined the rhythm of their happiness.
I was on the first floor. The next day I stayed on the second floor. Why not, the view is even better from there. The next day I went to a bungalow much lower than the main part of the house. It's back in the woods. Understand what a thrilling experience. Especially at night. A concert of jingles, the occasional bark of a dog. In addition, complete solitude around. Each time the work of hauling my luggage was done by the children of the homestay owner, with great enthusiasm. In terms of eating, it was said, I will eat what they cook. Like bread-potatoes or puree-vegetables, toast-omelet, rice-dal-vegetable-egg curry or chicken. Fish is not available in the mountains. Whatever the term, the presentation of the food is beautiful. Their decorations are so beautiful.
From the second day, the weather started to change color frequently. A fly in the sun is a cloud in a moment. Clouds and fog. That fog is such that one cannot see what is at a distance of one hand. Needless to say, I was enjoying the whole thing. Along with this, wander around at will. One day I went to see a cave on top of the hill. A teenager from a homestay family took it. That way is also quite dangerous. That was my first and last trekking in life. I remember the story of that mountain boy. It was his enthusiasm that day that was impossible. After climbing the Gumpha, my mind was filled with immense peace. Buddhist monks are busy with various activities. A group of young students in the classroom. These are the would-be monks. They are also quiet, reserved, and disciplined.
Squash and other vegetables grown in Rukhu land are rich in health benefits if not in variety. I have seen them use organic fertilizers in farming. Farming is the livelihood of village people. Some residents have tea gardens. Apart from this, the potential in tourism is also increasing. Life is simple. Basically dependent on nature. So survival is also related to that. 3 days passed in the atmosphere of Amal's company. vacation is over Now I have to return to the world of work. The day is Durgadashmi. Mother will return to Kailash. He organizes small pujas around. See them on the way. Jorthang first in share car. From there via Siliguri to New Jalpaiguri station. Bye bye
