Darjeeling-a perfect holiday destination
Darjeeling is the ultimate holiday destination of those wanting to experience old world charm coupled with the mint like freshness of mountains. Enveloped on all sides by tea plantations, Darjeeling takes you back in time to the British era. Everything about the hill station seems like it has been taken out of a black and white photo album. Darjeeling offers to travellers just what a cup of tea offers to the weary.
The two hour long picturesque journey from Siliguri to Darjeeling is not taxing on the nerves. On the contrary, it is refreshing and rejuvenating. The journey can be made either by car or by the World heritage status toy train. Once in Darjeeling, there is a lot to do. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is a must visit. It is a tribute to the brave and mighty that have challenged nature by venturing to climb the tallest and the most inhospitable peaks that nature’s bounty can provide. Housing climbing equipment, mementoes, photographs and documents that pertain to historical climbing expeditions to Mount Everest, K2, Kanchenjunga, etc, it salutes the spirit of the dangerous sport of mountain climbing. Adjoining the Institute is the Darjeeling Zoo that is home to a large variety of animals including snow leopards, white tigers and the famous Red Panda found only in the Himalayas. While in Darjeeling, a visit to Batasia Loop on the toy train is recommended. It provides a scintillating view of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. For early risers, Tiger hill offers a spectacular view of a rising sun.
Darjeeling has a number of eating joints including some that have been operating from the British times. Glenary`s is one such joint. Even though the joint finds a not very flattering mention in Kiran Desai`s Booker prize winning novel ‘Inheritance of Loss’, it is a popular restaurant cum bakery. It is comfortable with an interesting décor and charming ambience. It is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a book. Those with formidable appetites can give the ‘Caventers’ breakfast a try. Tea is uppermost in the mind while speaking of Darjeeling. Nathmulls is the place for tea lovers as it enlists in its menu all the local varieties of tea grown in Darjeeling. Not only can one enjoy a cuppa of tea in the café but tea can also be purchased. Thrifty spenders are warned to steer clear of varieties like Makaibari tea as it can burn quite a deep hole in their pockets. An inconspicuous restaurant by the name of ‘Lotus’ serves delectable Chinese food. However, Darjeeling is not a night city. Most of the eating joints close quite early.
Darjeeling is a shopper’s paradise. From electronics to clothes to shoes to antiques, the quiet hill station has it all. A word of caution- shopkeeper’s may try to sell fake items. An eagle’s eye is required while shopping as well as good bargaining power. Mahakal market, Dragon market, Ladenla road and Chowrasta are some of the famous shopping centres. Arsenal, named after the English football club, is a favourite shop among football fanatics. The small shop in Dragon market attracts a lot of attention as it caters to sports-crazy teenagers of all ages.
The summer vacationer’s itinerary is incomplete without a visit to this splendid hill station. It provides the peace and tranquillity demanded by people wishing to escape the trials and tribulations of everyday mundane life.
