Dinner and Beer after Trek Completion

Today, after 8 days of awesome trekking, we returned to Yuksom at around 4 PM. We all lost some kilograms in these last 8 days. But today after we had baths, I am sure each one of us lost atleast half a kg each.

After we got freshened up, Mr. Kinjong promised us some local beer called 'Chang'. Its made with any kinda grain (this time it was millets) and yeast, fermented for seven days and then served with warm water.

If this beer is served to you in wooden flasks, you are considered a special guest otherwise if its in bamboo you are just any other guest. These flasks are huge and one can keep pouring warm water until the taste fades away.

I shall post about the trek details (after Day 2) soon.

Sikkim Trek - Day 1

At 8 AM sharp we left our rooms to have our breakfast at Gupta's Restaurant. I had Top Ramen Noodles and Bread Omelette. We took our day packs while the Yaks carried the rucksacks and the cooking materials.

There were in total of seven to eight staff of Mr. Kinjong who accompanied us. Our guide for the trek is Baichung and he led us for the trek at 8:30 AM.

We trekked for straight four hours and reached our destination. I guess Baichung under estimated the group a bit as we reached two hours before the scheduled time.

We broke our first day schedule into two on Kinjong's request so that we get acclaimatized with the heights. We'll be camping here for the day. Will trail out in the evening to some stream if rain god permits.

Chao!

Dinner at Yuksom

At night Mr. Kinjong suggested us to visit the nearby hotel which was more like a wooden ghumti. But he told us that there is special mention about this in the Lonely Planet. And I agree with him now. The food was plain but yummy!

We ordered dal, roti, alu-matar-paneer, alu-gobi and salad. There were so many more options like pizza, pasta, noodles and much more.

Will be going tomorrow again for breakfast...

Yuksom - The starting point of our trek

We just reached Yuksom, the starting point of our trek. Mr. Kinjong had arranged for us four lovely rooms to spend the night. He is a local NGO and gave us a wonderful trek-expectation talk. Was really impressed about his concerns to preserve the environment. So, no camp fires, no littering, no spitting. The view from the room and the weather outside is awesome. We are gonna start our trek at 7 AM tomorrow. The Goencha La Trek shall last for eight days and its gonna be legen.... wait for it... dary!!!

The map of Sikkim and a funny public toilet

We reached Jorethang now (2 PM) and will now take another Mahindra 10 seater to Yuksom. We noticed this very useful map of Sikkim. The state looked so small in our India map, but is of pretty decent size.

We also saw this funny 'rate list' of a public toilet. More later...

NJP to Jorethang - The quest begins

We left NJP at 11 AM for our Sikkim's first destination Jorethang (mis-spelled?) in a Tempo Traveller. The capacity of the vehicle was 10+1 but our flexible and acrobatic bodies could make 14+1 possible.

Its a three hour meandric journey through the valleys of Sikkim. Beautiful views. Will post more pics once I return...

In the train, about to reach NJP

Its 5:30 AM and we are wide awake. Thats the amazing thing about travelling eastwards that you don't realize how fast the day progresses and also how fast the dusk fades in. Yet to see that...

On board Spice Jet to Kolkata

We left for Sikkim via Kolkata on board the Spice Jet flight. Right now I am in Kolkata waiting for our train which leaves Sealdah to New Jalpaiguri at 7 PM. Hopefully I wont vaporize till then.

My First Moblog

This is my 1st moblog. Thanks to bhai for this wonderful Nokia E61. This will help me in my Sikkim Trek starting April 19th 2008