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Nawabon ka sheher, Lucknow. #travel #travelvlog #CueJumper #lucknow

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The Cold of Sikkim

After spending four beautiful, exciting and scary days in the beauty of the tiny town of Darjeeling (Blog: http://ow.ly/VyxVZ) I made my way to Gangtok early in the morning. I was not moving out of Darjeeling because of the earthquake (in Nepal) tremors that we left, I was just moving out because there was a long trip ahead and I had just started. My parents and especially my niece had panicked by this decision but I had spent quite of lot of energy in planning this trip, so, going back was obviously not happening. Come what may!

One can catch the Sumos (Jeeps) to Gangtok from the Darjeeling Sumo Stand. It costed me Rs. 200/- and the journey last 4 hours. We experienced a landslide situation on the way but it wasn't anything major. A phone call to the driver was followed and we were informed that another tremor had hit the region. 

Here’s a photo blog of my 8 day stay in Sikkim which covers Gangtok & North Sikkim. Please do not use the pictures without permission.

Gangtok! I was welcomed here with a hail storm! Shit scared obviously because of the way the region was behaving since the past few days.

The New Rumtek Monastery which is just on the outskirts of Gangtok. Beautiful place which is heavily guarded by the Indian army. There’s a Old Rumtek Monastery too which is a few miles further, unfortunately I couldn't find any transport heading that way.

Monks creating a sand mandala for a pooja that was to happen 2 days later. I stood there for 15 minutes seeing and listening to how amazingly its done.Got  the permission of a monk before getting a picture of this. House of Cards anyone? 

The murals in the monastery are so beautiful. Give them enough time and importance whenever you visit such monasteries. It seemed like a build up to Bhutan.

Something really cool and also sightly terrifying happened (AGAIN!) today! So, I was at the Main Street looking to book myself a tour to North Sikkim when suddenly we were struck by another aftershock. As soon as we ran out I met Jigmee near the tourism office. A conversation started between us and she started showing me around. I was then invited for dinner with her parents. Uncle aka Rishi Kapoor is a very cool guy who is into construction. Ma'am works at the tourism office and Jigmee is a civil engineer. I'm heading to north for a few days. Once I'm back I'll definitely visit them. They helped me calm down a little because that's the third time I've ran out for open space. I am so glad I met them! and I am still in touch with Jigmee :)

I got myself booked for 3 day north sikkim tour which covers Lachen and Lachung which have 5-6 places shared amongst them. It costs Rs. 3,000/- or less person with 10 people in one Sumo. I was okay with it but the money spent was so WORTH IT!

A man and his yaks.

Lake Gurudongmar at 17,800 feet. World’s 3rd highest lake! The 2nd one is just a few miles away but the army wont allow you there anymore.

BRRRRRRR!

View of the Yumthang Valley from Zero Point, Lachung.

Hot Springs! What a great massage! There was no one around and It was such a great experience!

In North Sikkim, you will find lhasa apsos everywhere! :)

My first SNOWFALL experience! Haha

Wild flowers started blossoming everywhere as summer approached.

Beautiful landscapes of North Sikkim.

Bade miyaan, Chote miyaan. That there is Mr. Polle. I'm talking about the gentleman and not the pooch. I was traveling with them for a North #Sikkim tour. The SUV was full of bongs and Mr. Polle and his wife were the sweetest. Well, at least Mr. Polle! (I think I did piss off his wife when I said Bombay's view while landing is much better than #Calcutta 's, even though all you see is slums, it's a beautiful sight at night) This was their fifth time in Sikkim and obviously I was wondering why one would come to the same place to travel so often. He said, "You'll get your answer the day we finish the tour" Since I was #traveling solo, throughout those 3 days he was kind enough to tell me the names of places, rivers, their history as and when we passed them. The drivers are not enthusiastic especially when you're traveling with a bunch of people. He had bit of Mr. #Bachchan in him. He had picked up that accent when he was living in U.P during his childhood. 1 less irritating bong I can guarantee you that! I fell in love with Sikkim after being there for 8 days. I had got my answer. That was just one of my stops during the #Northeast trip. I had promised I'll mail them the photos of my trip since they were worried that I wasn't going to be back in #Mumbai that soon. Somehow after many months I finally mailed them! I called Mr. Polle yesterday just to confirm. He answered with a "Oh yes, How are you?" He's going to call me back once he finds the time. I know I'll be going to Sikkim again for more than 2 weeks at least. It's always a great feeling too meet such wonderful people while traveling, even if they are tourists! 

I was back in Gangtok and took a 1 day tour to Changu Lake & Nathula Pass (Indo-Tibet Border) You can avoid this if you did the north sikkim tour first.

The beautiful Yumthang Valley.

It was my last day in Sikkim and the might goddess Kachenjunga finally showed up in my room! Yes, that was the view from my room! :)

So, this was a look at my travel in Sikkim! I was going to head to Nepal from here but after the earthquake scene it dint make sense. So I decided I will head towards Bhutan instead! :)

Note- Gangtok, Darjeeling, Nepal & Bhutan Border are all 4-5 hours away from Siliguri or NJP Station near Bagdogra Airport, West Bengal.

Where to Stay:

I met this american couple in Darjeeling who recommended me this place. Hotel Pandim has amazing reviews on Tripadvisor and is totally worth it. Even though it was way out of my budget the place was exceptional and I dint mind keeping my luggage over here when I was touring north sikkim. Its a wee bit expensive but trust me if you arent traveling solo just go here instead. The food, service everything is the best!

Where to go:

1. Rumtek Monastery: If you saw the photo above then I hope you are convinced already to check this place out. If you are traveling solo and hitch hiking like I did then start early and plan smart.

2. Lal Bazaar & Downtown Bars: Its a great place to sit and engage in people watching.

3. North Sikkim Tour: You have to take this one for sure! Its worth it and its cheap. I got myself booked with Altitude Tours (Next to Tourism Office) They are all the same honestly. If you are low on budget then share a Sumo and be ready to adjust with fellow passengers. Most importantly, do what you want and don't listen to the drivers or anyone. No one’s going to leave you behind. 

4. Changu Lake, Nathula Pass & Baba Mandir: Avoidable but go ahead if you have the time. 

5. West Sikkim: I wish I had more time in Sikkim and more balls to go trekking on this side. Check out the Goecha la trek. I am going to head there one day soon! :)

Next Photo Blog is about my next destination. Bhutan!

Check out my video diary of the travels & Subscribe to the YouTube Channel! :

https://youtu.be/LZwaNRhBDQU

Follow my journey Instagram - @cuejumper Twitter - @cuejumper Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/thecuejumper

Shot on Nikon AW120 Music - The Journey (Camino) - Gustavo Santaolalla

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Tea? :) #travel #tea #kolhapur #CueJumper (at Motibagh Talim)

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Say hello to the Italian Nicholas Bogini who's been on the road since 5 years now! I met him in #Darjeeling when the journey began. Nicholas was volunteering to build a tiny school classroom a few hours away from Darjeeling. He showed me the pictures of the progress they had made in the past 20-25 days. One really needs to be motivated and patient enough to be a part of such a project. In return of his help he was given a tiny space to sleep and free meals. We hugged it out later when we reached the junction where he stopped and said, "Its just begun my friend." What an Inspiring guy! Here, Nicholas is writing something close to him in my diary 'Comet' :) #travel #vscocam #CueJumper

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Say hello to the Italian Nicholas Bogini who's been on the road since 5 years now! I met him in #Darjeeling when the journey began. Nicholas was volunteering to build a tiny school classroom a few hours away from Darjeeling. He showed me the pictures of the progress they had made in the past 20-25 days. One really needs to be motivated and patient enough to be a part of such a project. In return of his help he was given a tiny space to sleep and free meals. We hugged it out later when we reached the junction where he stopped and said, "Its just begun my friend." What an Inspiring guy! Here, Nicholas is writing something close to him in my diary 'Comet' :) #travel #vscocam #CueJumper

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Umm.. Best football pitch ever?! :) #vscocam #travel #Meghalaya #Wahkhen #Football #VillageLife #Khasi #CueJumper

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Hello #Cherrapunjee! What a swim! #travel #meghalaya #CueJumper

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The Furry God! Sitting in a tiny cafe of the tiny town in Paro, Bhutan and checking all my pictures of the journey so far. Lhasa Apsos are everywhere in the North Sikkim as pets and as strays. Love! 💙 If you have followed my previous travel blogs and the animal photos then there's always one similarity. The wait. Go check :) #pooch #dogs #pets #strays #lhasa #Sikkim #lachung #travel #CueJumper (at Lachung. North Sikkim)

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Hot chocolate with a view anyone? :) #Travel #Solo #Darjeeling #TheSpectacularNow #CueJumper (at Darjeeling City)

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I was to wake up at 4 in the morning. Woke up at 10 instead! Clouds in my room! So coool and I'll be just going higher in a few days! #travel #CueJumper #thespectacularnow #Darjeeling (at Darjeeling)

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Some plans/things don't work out for the best but some just got to! :) #JaanaTohPadega #Travel #CueJumper #nextiswhat

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It's a bit sad that palaces nowadays are given out for rents! This almost 100 year young beauty is Prag Mahal in Mandvi, Bhuj. The property is massive and the view from top is BEAUTIFUL! I'll repost that pic too.. #vscocam #Travel #Bhuj #Mandvi #IAMGUJARAT #CueJumper #TravelBlog

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Miss you home.. :) #vscocam #FlashbackFriday #Auroville #Travel #CueJumper

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So cool, I have more than ten people sharing their contacts! I'll write to you people someday this year. Big interview tomorrow with @coxandkingsIN #GrabYourDream Jury! Some of the prints have come out well! Something more cool is being done on the side.. Excited for tomorrow!! Wish me luck! :D Want me to write you a postcard? Inbox me your address on Facebook or any way you prefer to! #vscocam #travel #Postcards #CueJumper #fab50 #GYD

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Hey hey, I'm in the process of designing my own postcards. Postcards that feature some of the photographs I have filmed during my travel journeys, stories of people I met on the road, the new places I have been to, quotes and Illustrations! I have a few lined up already. Want to receive one from me? Probably I'll write to you from a city, from a country far far away. It could probably takes months to reach you but it will reach you.. :) Inbox me your address on Facebook or however you like. As a add on everyone shall receive a souvenir from my upcoming travels with the postcard! FYI Europe is happening soon.. Hop on?! :D P.S- 2014 Pay it forward people. You are getting something really cool in your mail box soon! Patience :D #CueJumper #Travel #Postcards #SoloTravel #TravelPhotos

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A huge shout out to these beautiful people I met or got to know better in 2014! Thank you each one of you for being a part of it! It's either while traveling or filming a wedding I've met such amazing people. So glad to have bumped into you'll. Definitely heading in the right way. I'll meet a few regularly and to some I might not ever even get to see. You shall not be forgotten! I hope you'll find happiness wherever life takes you. Again, Merci Beaucoup :) 7. #Travel #Weddings #LastDay #2014 #Selfie #BeautifulPeople #TheSpectacularNow #WhereWillLifeTakeYou #CueJumper