Thursday, July 7, 2011

A Ride to Sikkim and Bhutan 2200KM - Part 5 - Gangtok, M.G.Road

Today is our first morning at Gangtok. All of us freshen up and head for M.G.Road for breakfast.
Today we had set our goals to get the permits done for Nathu la, Gurudongmar Lake and the rest of North Sikkim.
The whole of M.G.Road is lined up with shops and hotels while Raman and Vishal had their breakfast I tried some clicks. The road is beautifull maintained with beautiul lamps and flowers adorning it. Vehicles are not allowed on this road. The skies are so clear maybe less pollution is the reason for the same. The whole of Gangtok is pretty much like any city it has its fare share of branded showrooms and various car and bike showrooms. Early morning is a nice time to experience the road as there isn't much hustle bustle as the tourist come out only a little later. I checked out some souvenier outlets and picked up some stuff like, small replicas of bells and gongs found in monasteries.



MG road
MG Road other side

The whole of M.G.Road is adorned with this beautiful flowers and benches to sit and while away your time while enjoying music being played by the speakers. Music is predominantly western the whole of gangtok seems to be influenced by the west, even the movies being played in the theatres were from the west.




We were said that permit office opens around 10am so we were whiling or time at M.G.Road the touritsts public started flowing in. We took the oppurtunity for a photo session ;-)





Later we decided that it would take time in finding the permit office so instead of taking our bikes we took taxi and head to permit office. Please note we are moving around with our helmets in taxis :p

There were a lots of tourist guides who were saying bikes are not allowed in Nathu la. After spending quite some time at the permit office heading nowhere we came to know that we will have to go to the home department as permits for bikes can be issued only by home dept. So off we went, the experience at home dept was very pleasant the people were helpful and fast. the lady who entertained us was very charming and both Raman and Vishal were head over heels over her. She too was excited about issuing this bike passes and all. The procedure is that the home department issues the permits and then they have to be submitted to :
1. Army Black Cat division, 2. Permit office, 3. Police HQ and this offices takes them and issue further permits. It took a total of 1 hr at the Home dept then we headed to Black cat division but it was already late. And the lady who issues permits for Gurudongmar Lake had already left for the day. An  army officer was very helpful and he issued us the Nathula permits which we planned on covering the next day. It came to our knowledge that we would be needing a reference from the army only then could the permits be issued to us. As the home department had issued us the permits in army quota. Yet again the army officer came to our rescue and took the matters in his hands and issued us the permits. But still we had to come the next day for the rest of the permits.
The Home Department office below.


Buildings besides the home department office. Also near the home department we found a nice hotel had some lunch. Below are some pics we clicked of Gangtok from nearby the Home Dept. We even heard somewhere a airport is being built in Gangtok. On the way back we came across the rope way and decided to hitch a ride on the same. It was worth the money it give you a bird's eye view of Gangtok hustling bustling below you. The rope way drops you at M. G Marg. From where we head to our room to get refreshed. We had the evening to ourselves so we came back on M.G Marg for a stroll and then dinner.
Gods lighting up Gangtok :-)


The whole of Sikkim is situated in mountains below we can see how every inch of the mountains are covered by people in Gangtok



The Rope way Cable car. All the ensuing pics are from the rope way car.












Above you can see how the roads of Gangtok are shaped  the buildings are accessible on the ground and higher floors by the same road. Its a lot of hiking so the people are also fit here. Following are pics while heading to M.G.Road in the evening.


Below where all the cars can be seen in the background is a car park where our hotel was located.





Raman took the oppurtunity and asked this lovely couple if we could pixelate them for our memories they obliged.

Tried to capture the night view of M.G.Road. though without a tripod it was not successful.





We ended the day with a nice hearty meal at Karma restaurant the food was good there and recommended for all future Gangtok visitors.

To be cntd....

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