Monday, May 11, 2009

Day 61 - May 8 - Gangtok to Lachung

May08 at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging

Again i got up a bit worried as to where am I, where is my bike?? Its takes a minute to realize where i am. This has been happening since 4-5 days hehe. Today's plan is to sit pretty at Lachung by evening. Knew the distance was around 120 kms, but never know the road conditions and what might dealy and bettor to start early.

But i got lazy and also went to cyber cafe to do some updates. Collecting all the things scattered accross the room and putting it on the bike and was ready to go as late as 11 Am. Thats a good 5 hours lost. The weather was great but post 3 pm it deteriorates around here. Also the approach roads to Gangtok put me in comfort zone. But a bit out of Gangtok and the roads got real narrow, offroads, slush sections, landslide clearances and pretty undulating up and down. Took me like 45 mins for 10 Kms and thought i was in trouble today. Damn the Tata Indicom pathetic service else could have saved the cyber cafe time. Then i quit worrying. Cos i am going to Lachung today what ever time it takes and how ever so just enjoyed the good weather as it lasts.

After crossing a bridge to get to the other side of valley the roads improve and becomes great infact. But still narrow and curvy not giving any great speeds. Today was a thinking day. Thought a lot and thought a lot more riding slowly. Just analyzing the travel life as to how u meet people and go the separate ways. Life, philosophy, the purpose etc etc. Kinda not so happy for couple of hours and then realized i did not want to leave Gangtok hehe. The views around were just great, weather was great and the ride was smooth. The sumos and other vehicles promptly give me a pass. I don't even need to honk all i have to do is ride in thier rear view mirror for a few seconds. But some times i stop for a pic and they pass by and when i start i am again there for the pass. May be bit annoying for them but i cant really ride at their speed. Have lunch before Mangon at a neat place with good parking space. Then it rains a bit!! And i see the sky's pretty ok but its raining. Thought of geting into the rain gear when i have the chance and did so. To my irritation the rain stops and its sunshine. The textile jacket on itself heats up but now with the rain jacket on i was getting cooked inside. But did not want to stop and remove as never know when it rains and it will be waste of time. Approaching Mangon, two guys on a pulsar honk at me to stop. Said they were going to Chungtang and lets go together and can wait a bit a Mangon. Well did not want to take the risk with strangers so declined and went ahead. By now i was thinking will i make it to Lachung in good time.

At mangon by like 2pm. The cop says to get to chungtong soon cos if it rains the roads will be difficult. Well she was right. The road sorry path was all mud and stones. Road under construction. Pretty steep and rocky as well. By now my tank bag is slipping like hell. Thanks to the unwanted wax polish they put on the tank at Guwahati. I was afraid if the tank bag falls, it would rip of the connected fone charger. By now it was hot and the slow speed making me sweat. Some how manage to keep things on the bike and reached chungtong by 3.30. Lachung is just 22 kms from here. Wow i will be home in max an hour. Thanks to the weather i made it in good time i guess. Cos i rmbr a sumo driver at gangtok saying that i would reach only by 5.30 and when it comes to bad roads sumo's are faster than i am.

Now this was a beautiful ride till Lachung with plenty of waterfalls on the way. Not just a few feet hight but few stories higt. The mountains are pretty steep around here. With time in hand and good weather, i rode pretty slow and taking many pictures. If any one loves waterfalls much, should not miss the Chungthong Lachung road. Now seeing the raw beauty of sikkim.

Was wondering should i push till Yumthong for the night. But that would not save me much time any way it would prolly be much colder there. So Lachung it was so that i could catch up some lost sleep of previous days. In Lachung by 4.45 and remember Karzang Lodge from Sparsh's log and went straight looking for it after some asking around i am there. Neat lil cozy room for 250 bux and i take it. No internet around, and my BSNL sim is not giving me gprs and airtel sim which gives does not work here. So was heading out for a small walk in the town, just then the lodge host suggests me to check out the river behind the hotel. I find the path and boy was it a great place. Fast flowing river with light green water and round rocks all around. That place was amazing and got me Euforic. Hard to describe but it was like a small water fall on the other side and towering mountains behind it. To my side of the river it was some rocks and the Lachung town houses and two towering peaks beyond them. There was a high water fall as well!! The peaks playing hide and seak in the mist and clouds. When the sky clears a bit i could see snow caped peaks all around. Boy was the place amazing. Posed for the cam aplenty. Just sat there by the river for a few mins, hearing the flowing noise, and trying to grasp the ambiance around. As it got a bit dark and cold i got back to my cozy room and then the laptop keeps me engaged. By now the rest of the wooden rooms gets occupied by families arriving in Sumo's, i can hear conversations in different languges all around. Kinds contributing their bit by running around the wooden floor. Pah! its ok this does not bother me.

Hilly roads after Gangtok...


Some Unstable roads...




Good that i was not there when it rolled down...


Suspension bridge...


One of the many riverlets...


water crossing...


The awesome Seven sister waterfalls...






The roads improve to this awesomeness


Did somebody drop their paper weight??


Crafty Engineering...


My simple whole meal enroute...


The Teesta river...


Water fall embankment...


Tall water fall... Check out the Sumo below... Got the same pic like Sparsh...


Some overhangs post Mangon...


Chungtong to Lachung nothing but waterfalls.. Had to lie on the ground to get this...


Up close...


One more water fall...


want more??


One more...Else where these would be specific attractions...


Quite a name for the town...


Small wheat field on the road...


Close


Bokeh....


Country side houses...









Lachung residents...


The sleepy street...


Found a rare cow:D


Wow a River Teesta right behind the hotel...


Quite a view from the town...


Fast flowing and cold...


Posing time...











I really spent like 15 mins like that... It was amazing everything was just perfect...


Mind blowing view...


The cozy room at Karzang hotel...


Out side the hotel.. just before tourists flowed in...

2 comments:

Satish said...

I loved the water fall, the river behind the hotel and the icy mountains covered by mist..

Unknown said...

hey we will be there from 22nd nov to 25th nov in lachung, yumthang and lachen. kindly advise me with the do's and dont's. I want to know about the weather at that time. also i want to know the contact of the hotel as well as any offbeat activities and cultural food. lastly , the photos are great specially d one whic u took lying on the ground