Hotel Tibet Gallery Gangtok

... which Moti recommended me. I decide to give it the last chance - the ATM is just next to the Tourist Office, I drop by there, and ask where is Altitude. It's just the next door.
The Himalayan's had a small office, but Altitude's is just tiny. The dude there is very positive. He says that there is a goup that just started today, and basicaly it's possible to join them probably. I ask about a new group, and he's not frightened with the idea. I ...

... countries. It became evident pretty quickly that the trek was not going to be easy. It started at a pretty steep uphill. It took enough effort that layers of clothing came off after the first 20 minutes, despite the weather being freezing. It was a very pretty hike, with Darjeeling off in the distance and the Himalayas in the other direction. Our trekking guide, Nema Sherpa, was a cool guy and great to talk to about the history of the area and many other topics ...

... bad. At the border we jumped out and got a permit no problem. Probably the first bureaucratic thing in India that took less than 10 minutes. We just had to sign and get a stamp on our passport that lasts for 15 days. By about noon we arrived in Gangtok. We went to the Travel Lodge, which was recommended by Lonely Planet, but it was full. Then we walked across the street to another place which was slightly nicer looking ...

... this place is, for now you'll just have to take my word for it. Andrew and I are rethinking the trek... maybe we'll relax a bit more here and see some of the things to do around here (there is a high altitude lake at 14,000 ft that you can take a yak ride around for only 80 Rs...). Plus, we got a super sweet deal on a hotel that has a brand new TV AND WARM WATER! So we might be sticking around for awhile... but hey it's our vacation we're allowed to!

... The whole arrangement earned some big points for ambience. The waiter took my order and asked where I was from. "I'm from the United States." "Oh, you are American! I am Uncle Sam." My *****iness subsided that night and I was able to appreciate Andreas much more. He always had great travel stories and he told me about learning to make didgeridoos in the Australian wilderness. His backpack was minimal...at least half the size of mine. His didg was the one big item he carried ...

... jednoduchých restaurací, stánků, kláster a několik svatých míst jako jezero Kathok a korunovační trůn. Po obědě a sprse tedy vyrázíme tato místa obhlédnout. Jezírko je absolutně nádherné, je to klidné místo, okolo vede vyslapaná cestička, celé okolí je zarostlé zelenou trávou ve které jakoby vyrůstaly obrovské balvany - kdo ví, kde se tu vzaly. Kamenný korunovační trůn stojí na kopečku nad vesnicí, u něj monumentáln ...

... and I am in love with them. Very high up. The jeep driver must know his way well through these hills, for he would stop at random intervals and buy some plants or veggies from random hill people on the side of the road. In the mountains and villages, the majority of the people appeared to be either Tibetan or Nepali. Very few people looked like the stereotypical Indian, if there is such a thing. This being the case, the entire state has a very ...

... the Tibetan Refugee Self-help Centre to read about the history of Tibet and how they had to flee their country. Since then we have taken a particular interest in all the stories in the newspapers concerning the matter. Becky also bought a fluffy blanket here. For dinner our meals had meat and VEG on the same plates ( with no weird 'brown' sauce), it was brilliant and like being in heaven. Also great local beer from Sikkim, definitely go to Glenary's ...

... It is unbelievable the noises that come out of his head. Day 5 was the real highlight, the pinnacle, the trek to Goecha La pass. We awoke at 3am. Well, I awoke then. Ben had woken up at 2am like we were all supposed to, and had awaited his morning tea until he figured something was up by 3. Our guides and porters were fast asleep and without Ben's initiative we probably would have lost our one and only shot at seeing these mountains, the highlight and purpose of the whole trek ...