This is a rite of passage for tourists,Indian and foreigner alike,one absolutely must attempt to view the sun rising over the Himalayas,Tiger Hill being the highest point hereabouts.The transition from darkness to dawn appeared promising,but at the point when old sol was due to make his entrance the cloud enveloped all.
The next part of my day involved following the road along the border with Nepal to the mildly picturesque Mirik Lake,a twisting,turning delightful 3 hour journey with every bend in the road producing a vista that out performed the previous one for scenic beauty and the WOW factor.Probably the the most magnificent,continuous views from a road trip so far.
Mirik Lake is a pretty alpine lake resort with boating and horse riding available and quite popular with Indian holiday makers and amid premier tea producing country but for me it was something on an anticlimax after the journey itself.
The cloud arrives
I actually strayed into Nepal to take a few photos and as it wasn't the border crossing there were no troops or officials to get excited.
My driver knew a short cut back to Darjeeling from Ghum( I get all the luck)which had me in my customary attitude of paralytic fear,speed,rutted potholed road,crumbling edges with the usual bottomless abyss below,and the driver using one hand for his mobile phone and the other to change gear,who needs a steering wheel?When a vehicle from the other direction appeared he would nonchalantly undo his seatbelt and reverse at speed to a point where two vehicles could pass with a millimeter or so between cars and the spare millimeter between our car and the precipice.
It's been a fun day and I get to do it all again tomorrow when I take a jeep to Gangtok another 5-6 hour marathon breath holding roller coaster.
From Tiger Hill
Dawn
Nepal
From slightly inside Nepal
Darjeeling Tea
Mirik Lake
Mirik Lake Resident
Tiger Hill from my rooftop.
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