Top Places to Visit in Kalimpong

The first impression of Kalimpong is that of one of the innumerable bustling and dusty small towns in India. The town of Kalimpong which is just 50 Kms away from its big brother, Darjeeling, has a few interesting attractions which include Buddhist monasteries, nurseries, colonial architecture and magnificent views of the snow clad Eastern Himalayas. The drive from Darjeeling to Kalimpong is a nice winding one through lush greenery with river Teesta and snow mountains popping up intermittently. The town spreads itself over a ridge and was once a prominent link along the trade route with Tibet. Kalimpong is also culturally an important place and was a part of Bhutan during the colonial era. With tea plantations booming across Darjeeling and surrounding areas during colonial times, the face of this region changed with trade really picking up. While the town in itself might not be too appealing due to the chaos, Kalimpong has its numerous corners overlooking the magnificent landscape that engulfs it.

Here are a few of the must visit places in Kalimpong:

Colonial Remnants:

With the Biritsh colonial rule and influence of Scottish missionaries, Kalimpong witnessed churches and missionary schools being built alongside temples and monasteries, bringing in varied architectural styles. A walk along the secluded narrow by-lanes of Kalimpong would reveal some of the colonial beauties that have withstood time. One of the popular structures is Graham’s house, which belonged to a Scottish missionary, Dr. J.A. Graham. It was an educational institution for the children of British planters and estate workers in 1900s. The chapel nearby is adorned with beautiful stained glass windows. Morgan’s House, which is presently a tourist lodge run by the tourism department is another beautiful structure from the colonial era.

Kalimpong is also known for its gorgeous churches such as St. Teresa’s church known for its Bhutanese Gompa architectural influences. Macfarlane memorial church built in late 19^th century in memory of Rev. Macfarlane is another prominent colonial structure in Kalimpong.

Nurseries:

Kalimpong is home to many nurseries and also produces exotic varieties of orchids and cacti apart from gladioli, roses and anthuriums. Pine View nursery with its huge collection of cacti is one of the most popular nurseries in the town. The view of Kalimpong from here is a pretty one. Some of the other nurseries in Kalimpong are Holumba Haven, Universal nursery and Standard nursery. Most of these nurseries hold flower exhibitions as well in October every year.

Durpin Gompa:

Often referred as Durpin Gompa, Zang Dhog Pelri gompa was consecrated in the year 1976 by Dalai Lama and sits atop Durpin hill from which the gompa get its name. Adorned with mandalas and wall paintings, the interiors of the monastery are vibrant. One can walk up to the top deck of this Nyingmapa monastery and enjoy the magnificent views of the hills from there. Near to the monastery is a nice view point which offers a bird’s eye view of the beautiful undulating hills and river Teesta.

Tharpa Choling Gompa:

This gompa belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and was built in the year 1992 overlooking the town of Kalimpong. The premise also houses a new monastery and has a few chortens as well. The view of the colourful houses scattered over the hills from Tharpa Choling gompa is an interesting sight.

Thongsa Gompa:

Founded in 1678 A.D., Thongsa Gompa is the oldest monastery in Kalimpong and is also referred as the Bhutanese monastery. The original structure was destroyed in local wars and the present one was built in the 19^th century. The monastery has a couple of chortens and more than two hundred prayer wheels.

Deolo Hill:

A winding road leads to Deolo Hills, the highest point in Kalimpong with a large open park. Deolo hill offers captivating panoramic views of the engulfing distant mountains, deep valleys and river Teesta snaking its way through them.  Even Mount Kanchenjunga can be sighted from here on a clear day. Enroute the hill lies a large satue of Buddha seated on a statue and a view point named Sherpa view point.

Army Golf Course:

Laid out along the Durpin Hill, the Army Golf course opposite Morgan’s house offers lovely views of the surrounding hills and villages. Enjoy a cup of tea from the army canteen and gaze at the vistas from the highest golf course in West Bengal.

Forest Museum:

Nature Interpretation Centre or the Forst museum as it is commonly referred has a nice collection of photographs of Kalimpong, it’s forests, animals and landscape. This museum is a great place to understand in detail about Kalimpong’s ecosystem.

How to reach Kalimpong:

Kalimpong is 52 Kms away from Darjeeling and 67 Kms from Siliguri. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra, 78 Kms away and the closest railway station is at Siliguri. There are private taxis available from both Darjeeling and Siliguri to Kalimpong. There are frequent local jeeps plying between these towns as well.

Accommodation and Food:

Holumba Haven, Deki Lodge and Himalayan Hotel are some of the recommended places to stay in Kalimpong. There are cheaper places as well within the town. There are quite a few small eateries in Kalimpong, but two of the must visit places are Zakhang, for its authentic Bhutanese cuisine and Art Café for its continental cuisine and amazing views.

Stacked Up!

Colourful houses and buildings stacked up together like match boxes are a common pretty frame that one can sight at many popular hill stations across India. Howsoever colourful and pretty they might seem, in reality it is encroachment of a hill; and all that remains of it are the sporadic 'greens' that you might easily miss out amidst the blues, reds and yellows.

Kalimpong, West Bengal. October 2019.

5 Safest and Best Rated Taxi Services in Kerala During the Lockdown

Known to the rest of the world as God’s Own Country, Kerala boasts of an expansive coastline on the South-western side of the Malabar Coast. Its exotic backwaters and rich heritage undoubtedly make Kerala a dreamy escape for travelers across the world. Its scenic beauty along with the umpteen number of activities to indulge in make it hard to not fall in love with this slice of paradise on earth.

With some of the best places in Kerala scattered around, one of the ideal ways to get around is by renting a safe and convenient taxi service. Call for a convenient door to door pick up and go sightseeing with your friends and family. These hassle-free experiences save you the inconvenience of an uncomfortable commute - every traveller’s nightmare. Most of these car rental companies offer drivers who are well-versed with the roads, know a lot about local history, and can give a nice tour of all the good places, including hidden gems in their state.

Kerala is well-connected via roads. Its amazing network of roads allows commuters to get to any part of Kerala in just a few hours. While there are a ton of options out there, we bring to you only the best so you can make a safe choice in the post-COVID world.

Some of the safest and best-rated taxi services in Kerala that you can trust during the lockdown are:

1.  Savaari Car Rentals

Founded in 2006, Savaari Car Rentals is known to offer its services in 130+ cities in India. Rated 4.4 on Google with over 2000 reviews, Savaari takes the extra mile to give its customers a great travel experience. From offering travel kits to real-time food-breaks suggestions during the trip, Savaari prides itself on being the real road trip expert and their blogs surely speak volumes for this testimony. They cover a wide range of services such as intercity, one-way, airport pick and drop as well as local rentals. Their cab offerings vary from hatchbacks, sedans, luxury cars, SUVs to 16 seater tempo travelers. But what makes Savaari one of the best car rentals in India is that they offer COVID digit insurance to its driver-partners as well as customers during the pandemic, thus redefining safe travel in the post-COVID world. Get a taste of Savaari’s excellent service with a car on rent in Thrissur with an experienced driver.

2. Kerala Taxis

Boasting an amazing team of car rental and tourism professionals, Kerala Taxis assures a hassle-free experience and all the positive feedback left by people on their website will only strengthen your faith in them. Their taxis are well-maintained and they take immense pride in offering only their best vehicles to the customers. Being a Kochi based taxi company, they sure know some of the best places in and around, so be rest assured of a great and comfortable time with them. Their drivers are well trained and have a record of being on time.

3. Grandeur Car and Coach Hire

Whether it is a business trip or a leisure holiday, Grandeur Car and Coach Hire will have you covered regardless. Their mantra is “Safety, Sincerity, Good faith, and Genuineness”. Located in surfer’s paradise, this car rental company ensures each of its drivers are thoroughly screened and carefully selected through interviews. They are well versed in English and Hindi. This car rental takes its customers very seriously. Their round the clock customer support only shows their dedication in ensuring a comfortable time to each of their customers, making it one of the most trusted taxi services in Kerala. For all their airport pickups, they ensure the guests are graciously received with a placard bearing the names and other details.

4.  Avis India

AVIS India offers premium cars for rent. They offer cars with or without a driver. Their mobile app makes booking a car an effortless experience. The company is recognized world over as a strong, iconic and truly global brand, catering to the expectations of all business, corporate & leisure travelers. Founded in 1946, Avis was launched as a company to rent cars from airport locations.

5. Le-Cabz

Le Cabz has a large fleet of cars, utility vehicles, coaches with all India permits. These folks make renting a car ridiculously simple. They take their visitor experience quite seriously. Not beaten on price for economy car hire in Kerala, they are one of the most affordable car hire companies offering brand new cars. Most of their customers love the price offered by Le-Cabz and have applauded their dedication in providing brand new cars to their clients.

With COVID changing the way people travel, the above-mentioned car rental companies are strictly following all precautions to curb the spread of the contagious disease. Savaari is one such company that has strictly adhered to all precautions recommended by WHO. Keeping in mind the safety of their customers as well as their driver-partners on the road, all cabs are sanitized and disinfected at regular intervals, drivers are trained to practice social distancing and mandatory to wear a face mask. Savaari’s car rentals in Kottayam is quite popular for being a safe and reliable mode of transport in Kerala.

P.S.: This is a sponsored post.

Lover's Confluence

The Lover's view point between Darjeeling and Kalimpong offers a magnificent view of the the confluence of River Tessta and River Rangeet. The hills on the left are a part of Sikkim and the ones on the right fall under the territory of West Bengal. It is easy to discern the rivers with the difference in colour apart from the direction of the flow. Teesta flows from north Sikkim separating Sikkim and West Bengal for a large distance, and Rangeet joins Teesta from the left as seen in the above frame. The white sandy stretch near the confluence is often used as a launch for river rafting on Teesta. 

Mountains are Calling!

It's not just the mountains; even beaches, lakes, roads, forts, islands, waterfalls and wildlife as well are calling every travelling hungry soul out there during these uncertain times. It would take a while before travelling becomes common again, and even when it does post COVID 19, the way we travel is going to be totally different. 

However, until travel sneaks its way back into our life, let's relive our old travels through photographs, videos, experiences, views, adventures and numerous memories that we have collected over the years. Go search your hard discs and phone galleries to run through them for some virtual travels.

Am gazing at the above picture of Kanchenjunga Peak (taken in October 2019 near Darjeeling) today to celebrate the completion of 11 years of Tales of a Nomad.

Islands of Kadamakkudy

Kadamakkudy was half awake as we manoeuvered the car through its narrow alleys sandwiched between marshy lands, mangroves, fish farms and endless paddy fields. There was hardly anyone outside at 6:30 in the morning. Google map wasn’t really helpful as I took a few wrong detours to turn up at dead ends with gorgeous views of the backwaters, fishing nets, slanting coconut trees, paddy fields, numerous birds and a few solo fishermen going about their chores. Most of these islands are still not connected by a road or a bridge and we had to take a couple of make shift ferry services. These are a few small boats tied up together and operated with an engine to help people and vehicles hop on from one island to another. It is an interesting experience to float away with your vehicle on the serene backwaters and enjoy the surroundings.

Kadamakkudy in the suburbs of Ernakulam is a cluster of 14 islands- Valiya Kadamakudy , Pizhala, Cheriya Kadamakudy, Murikkal, Palyam Thuruth, Pulikkapuram, Moolampilly, Kothad, Korambadam, Kandanad, Puthussery, Chariyam Thuruth, Chennur and Karikkad Thuruthu. The islands are majorly known for their large cultivation of Pokkali rice and fish farms.

I wouldn’t say there is a list of places to see or explore in Kadamakkudy. Instead, the place is all about soaking in the surrounding, nature and landscape. The breathtaking landscape and the engulfing tranquility would definitely leave anyone gazing in oblivion. This is a great place for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts who love landscapes and avian fauna. There are more than 70 species of birds around these islands.  With beautiful narrow alleys running through the country side, Kadamakkudy islands offer lovely trails for cyclists as well. The islands are known for its sunrises and sunsets, and it is well recommended to visit Kadamakkudy during either of these times.

Travel Tips:

• There aren’t any good restaurants except for a couple of toddy shops.
• Visit early in the morning or in the evening. 
• If you would like to cover multiple islands, it is ideal to come in own vehicle

Where to Stay near Kadamakkudy Islands:

You could either stay in Cochin and travel to the islands, or check out home stays nearby. It's not always easy to find a place to stay in offbeat places like Kadamakkudy islands. While planning to visit such locations, I suggest you check out the platform, Cozycozy that brings all  hotels, homestays, backpacker hostels, villas, etc. in one place. What I like about this website is that the results are displayed on a map, which makes it easy to find a place to stay based on your itinerary.

How to reach Kadamakkudy islands:

Kadamakkudy islands are 18 Kms away from Ernakulam. If travelling by own vehicle, cross over the islands of Bolghatty, Mulavukad and Moolampilly to reach Pizhala, the main island in Kadammakudy. Alternately you can take a bus from Ernakalum to Varappuzha and then take another bus to Kadamkkudy. There are also boat services from Ernakulam, but the frequency and timing needs to be checked prior to the visit.

Thumboormuzhi Dam and Butterfly Park

A spate of butterflies welcome as you walk through the large entrance gates of Thumboormuzhi dam and butterfly park. The check dam on Chalakkudy river in Kerala is enroute Athirapilly waterfalls and is a popular attraction on this road that leads further to Malakkapra and Valparai.

Fluttering and colourful under the bright sunlight, visitors can easily spot Buddha Mayoori, Blue Glassy Tiger, Garuda, Striped Tiger and more than hundred other species of butterflies here. It is an absolute eye soother to see them flutter around this park by the banks of Chalakkudy river. 

Further ahead lies and children’s park and then the hanging bridge over Chalakkudy river. The dam was built for irrigation of the farm lands in and around Chalakkudy area. A walk on the hanging bridge offers picturesque vistas of the gushing Chalakkudy river, Thumboormuzhi dam that checks its flow, rocks protruding from the river, hills in the backdrop and surrounding lush greenery. Across the bridge is Ezhattumukham, the other bank of the river, which offers an access to the waters and visitors can take a dip in the same.

While visiting the dam post monsoons is ideal as the river would be at its furious best, the butterfly season is prior to the monssons. Thumboormuzhi is an underrated one day getaway from Kochi and Thrissur which many skip in a hurry to reach Athirapilly waterfalls.

Travel Tips:

• The dam is open from 9 AM to 5 PM
• There are entry charges of INR 15 per person
• There are a few shops that sell short eats and snacks on Ezhattumukham bank.

How to reach Thumboormuzhi Dam:

Thumboormuzhi dam is 45 Kms from Thrissur and 60 Kms from Ernakulam (Cochin). The dam lies on the Athirappilly road, and the nearest main town is Chalakkudy, 17 Kms away. There aren’t frequent public transportation services to Thumboormuzhi, and it is recommended to visit in your private vehicle.

How travel is going to change post the COVID-19?

Since most of us entered into lockdown in March , the world as we know it has changed drastically. After we emerge from the lockdown not everything will go back to the way it was - especially travel. Every aspect of travelling will need social distancing in it – from where you can travel to how you can sit on a plane. So how can we travel responsibly post the COVID-19 phase?

1. Start with travelling closer to home - Most countries would be coming out of lockdown at different points of time. They would also be having restrictions on letting in outsiders.  It is better to plan your first vacation within the country or somewhere closer to your country. Choose a good getaway within your country. You will have hands-on information about the situation in your own country rather than a foreign place.

2. Choose your accommodation with someone you trust - To maintain cleanliness, it is best to choose an accommodation with someone you trust or with a well-known brand. Do not opt for cheap hotels, which are not known for their cleanliness. Read reviews and research well about your hotels before booking them. Avoid overcrowded hostels where it would be difficult to maintain social distancing. The lesser you interact with people, the better; at least until we are fully unlocked from the grips of COVID-19.

3. Health certificate could be made mandatory - Most states and countries would also ask you to submit health certificates before you enter. This could become a norm until the Corona virus has been completely eradicated. It will always be best to have health certificates ready in hand when you first start travelling post COVID-19.

4. Buy an international travel insurance policy - Travel insurance policy will be of use now more than ever. If in the worst-case scenario you have to undergo any medical emergencies, having an international travel insurance will cover for the expenses. There are also higher chances of flights being cancelled or delayed. Travel insurance will cover those expenses too.

5. Avoid public transport - This might come as a blow to budget travellers, but avoiding public transports is the best precaution you can take right now. Overcrowded public transportation could be hotspots for virus infections. They could also be unsanitary. Even if you are opting for metros or buses, ensure you maintain proper social distancing norms.

6.  Opt for private transportation modes - Choose private vehicles like cars to get around your destination. You must know how to get an international driving license in India before you plan your trip in a private vehicle abroad. You can also opt for a trustable personal taxi service.

7. Plan road-trips - Road trips could be the best form of travel post COVID-19. Destinations to which we can drive-in will be the safest and affordable choice. You will have better control over the itinerary this way.

8. Staycations to ensure social distancing - Staycations are when you stay at a place nearby your home rather than travelling abroad. You can plan on a resort getaway or plan on a leisure activity time with your family at a place. This will reduce the number of people you meet. It will also be less expensive and more sustainable.

9. Travel maintaining social distancing and by wearing a mask - It is always best to ensure we follow the practice of maintaining social distancing and of wearing a mask even after we come out of lockdown. Ease on restrictions doesn’t necessarily mean that the virus would also be easy on us. Take the necessary precautions while you travel.

10. Last but not least, maintain hygiene and wash your hands often - COVID-19 has instilled in us a very good hygiene practice – washing your hands often and maintaining proper hygiene. It is best to keep following this practice even after corona virus has been eradicated.


P.S.: The author of this article is Arya T.N.

Win every new challenge on Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6

As I sat scrolling through my old travel photographs it reminded that I haven’t travelled nor gone for a long ride in a while. Road is my favourite home and in the last couple of months I have terribly missed the deserted roads, meeting smiling strangers, breaks at nonchalant tea stalls and gazing at endless landscapes. The eudemonia that I feel while am on the road can never been explained in words. And I am sure many of us can relate to that.

The last three years were filled with travels winding my way through various destinations. From a 78 day long ride across Himachal, Ladakh, Kashmir and Uttarakhand to the ride across the temples of Tamil Nadu to covering the palaces and forts of Rajasthan to the rides across secluded beaches of Maharashtra to staying with the local tribes in Arunachal to exploring the art and architecture of Italy to diving in the blue waters of Maldives, my travels have been a concoction of memorable rides and unforgettable destinations and breathtaking experiences, which have all been nostalgic.

With a full-time job and the present lockdown situation that the world is facing, travel seems too farfetched for the next few months. Staying indoors without travels is definitely a challenge but virtual tours are one way to relive memories and keep the travel spirits high. Reading travel book,travelogues and blogs, watching travel videos and movies, and researching on new destinations are some of the ways the traveller in me has been readying himself for the future travel days.

During this search for travelogues and videos I happened to stumble upon a video on YouTube which I could resonate with so much. Everyone goes through difficult times and searches for that perfect dose of motivation that keeps life going. For some it comes in the form of riding their Royal Enfield. It is the therapy that gives them clarity of vision to move ahead. I instantly wanted a test ride to feel the magic. Himalayan BS6 has been launched recently and while checking it out at a showroom near you may not be possible, remember I was talking about virtual tours?

How about we indulge in one? Go on, take the tour, I’ll wait a minute.

I am impressed by the new additions in Himalayan BS6 with more focus on rider safety as hazard light feature has been introduced. There has also been a change to EFI in BS6 from Carburetor in BS4 with no drop in performance at higher altitudes.The most important change is that BS6 engine has become more environment friendly with more of ethanol in fuel. The new riding experience is going to be out of this world.

But the challenge that I am facing at present as a traveller is that I cannot travel frequently, but I am being patient enough and hope to travel for long in the near future. What excites me right now is the anticipation of being on the road on the new improved Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6 that makes all the waiting worthwhile. The lockdown may feel like a challenge right now but it’s going to end soon with me back to the road!


P.S.: This post is in collaboration with Royal Enfield

Gudibande Fort- A Quick Getaway from Bengaluru

It was Byresagara lake that showed up first as we manoeuvered our way along the narrow village road. The lake was placid, had a few storks, rising mist and a lone fisherman, which made the frame absolutely breathtaking. The towering Gudibande fort atop the hillock loomed in front of us as we drove towards the village that was waking up. It was a race between the sun and us the moment we drove out of Bengaluru in the wee hours of a Sunday morning. By the time we took a detour on to the village road, the sun was had already spread its hues over the horizon.

Gudibande fort located in Chikballapur district, north of Bengaluru was built in the 17^th century by a local chieftain Byre Gowda. Byrasagara lake at the base too was built by him, who was considered a robin hood by the locals as he often robbed the rich and helped the poor. The fort is considered to be built as a replica of Madhugiri fort.

It is an easy climb all the way with a line of steps initially which turns into narrow rock chiseled pathways as you go higher. The hillock is strewn with boulders and some look precariously placed with a pathway beneath. The views from the vantage points enroute are an absolute delight with panoramic vistas of the surrounding areas. The rock cut slabs which act as steps at many places make sure that the climb is adventurous as well. A large part of the climb is a gradual ascent, with some short steep stretches.

The fort has seven levels with fortifications, ruined structures, small shrines, entrance gates with carvings, many bastions, and a rocky terrain throughout. Most of the structures are in a dilapidated state with overgrown bushes. The fort also has a few escape routes and rainwater harvesting ponds that you cross on the way up. Dodging past the large boulders, once you reach the top, the views are spectacular. Distant boulder strewn hillocks, miniature houses, Byrasagara lake and the barren brown landscape are an eye soother. Atop the hillock, there is a temple dedicated to Shiva. Though the temple isn’t attractive enough, carvings on the lamp post in the front are intricate and beautiful.

It is quite windy at the top and be prepared to face it once you reach the summit. Start as early as possible to avoid the harsh sun. While the climb took us less than an hour with multiple stops, we reached the base in half an hour. Gudibande fort is an ideal place for people who are new to treks and those who love landscape photography. It is still not so popular on the tourist’s map, and that’s another reason to visit this fort.

Travel Tips:

• Start the trek before 7 AM
•  There are no shops at the top or at the base
• There is space to park vehicles at the base

How to Reach Gudibande fort:

Gudibande is 95 kms from Bengaluru. Take NH 44 and take a left at Perasandra to reach Gudibande fort.