This thread is about my trek to Singalila national park, west bengal, India. The trek is known for views of Mount Khangchendzonga the third highest peak in the world, and mount everest. Both are visible from a place called Sandakphu-see pic "view of things to come". On a clear winter day the entire panorama with Mt everest, khangchendzonga, pandum, kumbhakaran studded on the horizon is breathtaking.I'll start from NJP (new jal paiguri) the nearest railhead from where we drove down to Manebhanjang, the starting point of trek. And what a trek it was! It was the most well planned trek I've ever done. Everything worked with clockwork precision except rains. At NJP station we were received by Dhritiman; a geat wildlife photographer and a dear friend. On seeing me after three years he quipped"man you've gone old but glamorous." I took that as compliment and had inroductions with rest of team mates who were meeting Dhritiman for the first time. Actualy Dhriti had organised the whole thing through his company "Wandervogel adventures". The package included everything from NJP station onwards till the end of the trip at NJP station after good 11 days. So we were off quickly to the starting point called manebhanjang. We were there at 5 in the evening. Unwound and went out for a stroll in this sleepy village on Indo Nepal border. Nepal side houses didn't have electricity. People have same features as Nepalese. In the evening we had a starter party of sorts where we met an economist & poet! who was visiting the place again after 50 years! alongwith his sons and grandsons. His first visit to this place 50 years ago glistened in his eye as a distant dream. He wrote poetry but not to get published. Not upto the mark yet, he remarked. He spoke good accented english and parted our company after two drinks. No more! and walked away with good balance good gait. Poets afterall know balance and gait!!
No comments:
Post a Comment