SIKKIM - DAY FOURTEEN : 'AU REVOIR' SIKKIM

Standing in Line

        I slept well and woke up by around 8:30 a.m. Freshening up, I packed my bag and was soon ready to depart. Walking up the steps to M G Marg, I realized that hadn't bought any souvenirs from Sikkim in my aim to travel as light as possible. This being my last day here, I decided to pick something up. I had seen some colourful, unusual cloth lanterns a few days earlier that had appealed to me. Finding a shop selling them did not prove very difficult and I bought a few of different colours. Despite the fact that my tummy did not get along very well with momos in general, I felt that leaving Sikkim without trying them one more time would be a crime. I devoured a plate of them and a chicken roll before making my way down to the Siliguri taxi stand. Before I even reached the counter, I was prompted by a driver to skip the queue and go directly to his taxi. 

Teesta River - Known for Rafting

      We began the four hour journey the moment his cab filled up. The winding road, fast driving, my extreme back seat and the morning's momos had an unsettling effect, yet somehow I managed to keep the contents of my stomach safely within. The journey was uneventful barring a quick stop for lunch. We arrived at Siliguri within four hours and I checked myself into the Sher-e-Punjab lodge. 

The Mighty Himalayas from an Aircraft Window

     After resting a while, I went for a stroll through Hong Kong Market, taking in the atmosphere of little gullies, scores of hawkers displaying their wares next to each other and shopkeepers trying to attract customers. Returning to the hotel a while later, I ordered a couple of beers, some chicken and watched the IPL before falling asleep, resting before my flight to Delhi from Bagdogra the next day to attend Ayush's wedding.

THE END