I was really wondering whether this trip which we had organised would go through smoothly. It was just for 5 days and the destinations were all far away. From chennai me and my son had to pick up my daughter from Bangalore. Me my son and my daughter proceeded to Kolkata and joined by my husband proceeded to Gangtok.

At around 9.30 night was our train from Chennai. Me and my son carrying all the luggage for 5 days boarded the Mysore Express and alighted at Bangalore at around 5 AM. We were joined by my daughter at Bangalore at the station itself around 6.00 o clock in the morn. We had to catch the morning AirDeccan flight to Kolkata at 9.00. So took a auto to the Airport(new) which is very far away from the city. The auto was not allowed before some distance from the Airport and we had to get into a bus arranged by the Airport Authorities itself. After checking in we waited for our flight which was as usual unduly late. We never got anything other than a burger for breakfast. We somehow pushed it into our mouths and boarded the flight at around 11 (2 hours behind schedule).

At Kolkata my husband had come to receive us and taken us home. The next day morning we had to board a flight to Bagdogra, which was leaving Kolkata airport at 12 noon. Next day we got up in the morning and finished our breakfast and got into the cab which my husband had arranged for us to reach the airport. That fellow(driver) he arrived only at 10.15. We started off immediately and as he was a slow driver we had to push him to go fast otherwise we would miss our flight. The Driver being an old fellow found it very difficult to drive fast. In the process he hit one car and the otherside was a Kolkata state transport bus. My husband seeing the jam we were in asked the driver to slow down. The bus brushed past our vehicle with scartches on the vehicle. Ours ,thank god, was an ambassador vehicle. Had it been a Maruti we would all have been jammed in it and gone nonstop to Kailash. It was 11.30. Our flight was to leave at 12.00. We were quite far from the airport. Somehow that driver took us to the Airport around 11.45. we dashed in and taking care not to slip anywhere in the Airport as we had only 15 minutes for the flight to depart. Catching our breaths all the four dashed for checkin and boarded the flight at around 11.55.

What an experience!!!!!!!!! With all the tension and all the uncertainties it was really thrilling to know that we made it. We recalled the incident a 101 times after boading the flight. But still it was thrilling I should say. We got down at Bagdogra and from there we got into an Inova and left for Gangtok which was breathtaking. The hilly terrains,the rare flowers, the yellow skinned people, the mist ,the clouds.....oh my god....Is this not divinity... Does God exist in these divinities? Who created this absolutely beautiful breathtaking nature? What beautiful tea gardens...... At Gangtok the hotel room that was arranged for us for just fantastic. Every door was artistic with paintings of sikkim dragons. The hotel was located in a sloppy road.

How did they manage to build houses on this sloppy road? The view was excellent. We could see Kanchenjunga on some days of the year from the rooftop of this hotel(as told by the hotel staff). It was very very chilly. We had a nice sleep that night with all blankets etc... The next day we started off to Baba mandir and the Lake. It was raining like anything. But the drivers (I think theyshould be sent for Olympics) drove very well. The terrain was steep and slippery. Our Mahindra Jeep (superb vehicle) zoomed past so many of the vehicles. The drivers were all young boys in the age group of around 18 to 26 all in the latest international styles... looking great drove us very well. The lake was really magnificient. We saw some Yak as well. So many Army trucks keep vigil there. We even saw a place from where we could see China Border and chinese soldiers moving . It was a real treat. The down hill was really challenging. But the drivers, very smart guys ,drove very very efficiently. Evening we returned to our hotel and went on a short shopping trip. we purchased some articles and had the famous vegetable MOMO. It is a dish some what like Modak (made from rice powder offered to Lord Ganesh) with lots of vegetables inside. It is very delicious digests easily . After this we arrived at the hotel.

We had booked a flight from Bagdogra the next afternoon at 1 PM. Suddenly the Hotel Manager came and told us that please vacate the Hotel as early as possible and reach Bagdogra at your earliest because the Gorkhas have declared a 60 day bandh. For another 2 months u will not be able to leave Gangtok. Immediately in the pouring rain we started off packing our bags to Bagdogra. No taxis were available. But thank god we located our car owner and asked him to come immediately. He was quite far away from that place. But he promised to come. By 8 that night entire Gangtok all tourists fled. Our cab arrived at 9 and in the pouring rain we started off at 80 to 100 kms speed towards Bagdogra. My son was also not feeling well. He was having travel sickness. With all that we travelled. We came to Bagdogra at around 2 in the night. No accommodation in any of the hotels. Some how we got one room where only one single cot could be accommodated.Myself and daughter with all the baggage locking the door had some sleep. My husband and son had to sleep in the open verandah.

In the morning we pushed off to the Airport and relaxed ourselves there. Got into our flight at 1 and were back at Kolkata around 3 .30 and the next day leaving my husband at Kolkata myself my daughter and son boarded the flightat 4.00(flight delayed) and reached Bangalore and leaving my daughter at Bangalore with my son rushed to the station to catch our train and relax with a sandwich.

That was the most memorable trip for us all.

Though the schedule was very very tight we had a great time.