SIKKIM - DAY THIRTEEN : GRAZING ACROSS GANGTOK

       With only one whole day left in Sikkim, I was in a dilemma as to whether to spend all of it visiting Changu Lake and Nathula Pass, or just sit back and spend a lazy day in Gangtok, waking up late and strolling through the market and town. The fact that for several straight days, I had been waking up early and rushing from place to place trying to see as much as I could was probably what prompted me to go with the second option. Also, the previous day's exhausting ten hour journey in the crowded jeep helped take the decision.

Mall Road - Void of Cars

    I slept soundly, and though I woke up at 5 a.m, continued to lie in bed, slipping in and out of a lethargic but satisfying series of naps. I finally climbed out of bed at 10 a.m. An hour later, I headed out, informing the manager that I intended to stay one more day. Walking around town, I casually browsed the assortment of clothes, shoes and curios that filled up much of Gangtok - from the fixed price shops of M G Marg to the more flexible priced ones of Lal Bazaar. As it approached lunch time, alarm bells in my tummy started going bonkers and I extended the purview of my wanders to the numerous roadside eating places as well. A chicken roll and jam tart were devoured and soon it felt like time for an afternoon snooze. 

Adieu Gangtok

        Returning to the hotel room, I did just that, venturing out once again only at 6 p.m. After wandering around a little more, I found myself returning once again to Chopsticks for a third time, which had become my favourite dinner place in Gangtok. Good food, drink and the IPL kept me happy for the rest of the evening. As I walked down M G Marg one last time to return to the hotel, I felt like I would miss this city - the great food, cheap and abundant alcohol, clean streets, friendly people and diversity of the market, making it a dream city for the young traveller. I returned to my room and watched the end of the IPL match before dozing off, happy with my decision to spend my last day in Sikkim on a content, lethargic note rather than a hectic one.