Made our way out of Kalimpong with a police escort (we have local connections!) and managed to avoid the worst of the political strike.
A whistle stop tour of Gangtok then on to Pelling far up into the hills and fantastic views of the mountains. Clean, fresh stunningly beautiful and very cold. Got up at 5am to watch the sun rise on the snows of Mt. Kachenchunga - well worth the trouble.
Next stop Tashi Ding. A magical shangri-la sort of place in the middle of nowhere. Strong associations with Guru Rinpoche, it has it's own cremation ground and a really special atmosphere. A great place to finish our pilgrimage.
Back down to Siliguri (West Bengal) stopping off on route to pay our respects to one of several caves associated with Guru Rinpoche in this area. This involved a somewhat claustrophobic crawl through a very small tunnel into a bell-shaped meditation chamber (most excellent!). To get to the cave we crossed a wonderful river - video below:
Have finished my antibiotics I am well on the way to recovery, apart from a hacking cough and a badly bruised and scraped leg (I fell down a gap in a bridge while playing with some kids - happens every day, right?).
I have been traveling in India for 8 weeks now and have done what I came for. I am tired and India'd out for the moment, so have decided to cancel my solitary retreat and come home early. I fly back to Blighty on the 4th December - in time to get in some Xmas shopping (yippee!).
I'm really looking forward to seeing my friends, some clean clothes and a hot bath, not to mention real coffee and a croissant.
If anyone is able to offer a slightly scruffy, ever so slightly homeless traveler some accommodation for a few days/weeks, I'd be pleased to hear from you (my community is not expecting me until January 15 - Hi Guys!).
Love to All,
Jayasiddhi
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