Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

[beruoist]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

Wonderful stuff sir ji...Keep it coming

Cheers
Biru

[Hoodibaba]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride



Now time to move ahead:

Day - 5 & 6 – 23-24 April, 2013 {Kolkata to Siliguri} (600+ kms)

There is not much to write except that I was constantly guided to wrong direction a number time, even by traffic police man, as even they had no clue to reach NH 34 (hi-way to Siliguri). For the first time I was feeling absence of a GPS navigation system in my life. Reached NH 34 which is is very bad shape throughout except the last leg. Found Siliguri a complete Cosmopolitan City with all the necessary facilities readily available with good showrooms of reputed brands. It is very strategically located as Nepal border is just 16 kms away, Bangladesh border is hardly 10 kms away. One can reach Bhutan in just few hours from Siliguri and to China border through Sikkim via this route only. Got my bike serviced at Suzuki Service Centre. Spent some really good time with my colleagues of Xkmph and got the vital information for my onward journey to Bhutan and Sikkim. Handed over the documents to Santanu and Arindam, for getting the permit for Nathula.

Day 7 – 25^th April, 2013 {Siliguri to Thimpu} (300 kms)

Started for Bhutan and just after driving for 1 hours was stopped by motorists while passing through Mahananda Wildlife Santury as a Wild Elephant was roaming on the highway. Everybody was enjoying citing the wild elephant and after some exciting moments which last for over 45 minutes moved on. The highway has the most picturesque/scenic view as it passes through Tea Gardens on both sides and enjoyed the ride upto the Border (except for 5-6 kms which is still to be metalled). Had to be extra careful on road as every now and then spotted ducks and chicks crossing the road added with fawns of goats at many places.

After covering a distance of around 150 kms from Siliguri to Phuentsholing crossed the Entry gate of Bhutan and reached Immigration Office (Phuentsholing). Filled the simple Form and submitted the necessary documents (like ID Proof, ID Card, Driving License etc.) at Window no. 7 (first floor) and got the Entry Permit for Thimpu and Paro for 1 week within an hour. I had heard that for single visitor, entry to Bhutan might be a bit difficult but in my case it was on the contrary much easier and they welcomed me at every point. Thereafter reached the Road Safety & Transport Authority. It was lunch time so had to wait till 2.00 p.m. local time. Got special attention from the Transport Officer who guided me personally to complete all the formalities. Submited the copies of RC, Insurance Policy, PUC, Driving License and Entry Permit (for Bhutan) and paid fee of Rs. 45 for the Bike. Thanked the Officer and moved on to Thimpu, at a distance of 150 kms, after filling the petrol tank to its brim as fuel was cheaper by more than Rs.10 per litre in Bhutan. The roads in Bhutan are very well maintained and reached Thimpu at around 9.40 P.M. Spotted a parking spot for bike (by chance) on an intersection. Immediately came the much required help from the security personnel (in plain cloths) who asked me to park the bike right there along with the luggage and sent a policemen along with me to look for a room in any of the hotels nearby, as I was told that by 10 p.m. doors of hotels are closed for the day and would open only next day at 7.00 a.m. Got a room after few tries and unpacked the luggage from the bike and thanked the officer who was still waiting for me near my bike after having some pleasant talk with him about Bhutan and its culture and the places that could be visited next day and also about his passion for riding although he confessed that he has had not done long drives like me so far.

BTW: My Vodaphone was still working almost 170 kms inside Bhutan and I could send SMS and receive the same, may be I had got a Roaming Card activated just before start of my trip.

Only few pics of Day 5, 6 & 7:

Xkmph club members at Siliguri (On my left hand side is Santanu)



The moment of the Day: A wild elephant on the high way (which passes through a wild life santury) to Phontsholing. We enjoyed these moments to its fullest for over 30-40 minutes. Although we were told that a cyclist was killed by these elephants a few days back.




Here is a youtube link of my road Trip through the Tea Estates on way to Phuentsholing (Border of Bhutan). :

My NE. Trip - YouTube

[The Monk]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

Sir,

Here is the image of the map that you painstakingly made to share. Putting it up as promised

[sumitro_d]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

Sir,

Here is the image of the map that you painstakingly made to share. Putting it up as promised

[ATTACH=CONFIG]101147[/ATTACH]

with permission from Sir can we have this map on the first post too of this thread?

[rx100.7050]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

No more words for you except that you are a real Super Hero.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

No more words for you except that you are a real Super Hero.

[Sandeep Patnala]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

You are an Iron Man Sir

[Hoodibaba]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

Here is a pic of the Immigration Office, Bhutan which is just 50 metres inside the entrance gate of Bhutan. One has to fill a simple form and submit it at Window No. 7, first floor alongwith some I.D.prooof (like Voters I.D.Card). It doesn't take much to get permit for one week to visit Bhutan cities which can be extended at the place visited upon after lapse of one week. No fee is charged. I recommend everyone to visit this country once. I liked it.



And now a video with some difference. As I had to get puncture repaired in my rear tyre, nearly half the way to thimpu, I got pretty late and it was quire dark when I reached Thimpu (150 kms from Border), I decided to videograph the journey on the way.
Night riding in Hills - YouTube

[Hoodibaba]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

Sorry for the long wait. Was busy 24x7 last week.

Now time for the real travelogue and pics I hope you are waiting for.

Day 8 – 26^th April, 2013 {Thimpu to Paro} (50 kms)

At the outset I must say that it is a all together feeling when you are in a different country and it is more thrilling when you are riding on YOUR OWN bike in that country. And I can say that you must visit Bhutan to have this feeling.


Spent about half the day at Thimpu. Although Bhutan has its own currency, but Indian currency is very much in circulation and the communication could mostly be held in Hindi although most of them were also comfortable to communicate in English as well. Although Thimpu is at an altitude of 7250+ feet, but the weather was comfortable. It was not at all crowded like other capital cities, with very less vehicular movement. I observed that there were no traffic Lights, although there were small and big imported cars and SUVs all around. The traffic was flowing at a steady pace with no overtaking, although vehicles were parked on one side of the road throughout its length. There were no hawkers, no pheriwalas, no patriwalas, no beggars, no encroachment whatsoever. The architecture of the buildings was purely traditional one. Mostly the ground floor had commercial shops with first floor serving as a bar-cum-restaurant and the upper two floors providing lodging facilities for the tourists. It was very much apparent that the city has been planned keeping in view the tourists of the western and south eastern countries. For vegetarians, it could prove a bit hard to survive for long although there are a number of famous bakery shops. Except for local handicrafts, there was not much to shop and they too appeared to be priced on the higher side for an Indian customer. There is a lot to learn from this small country.

In the afternoon moved to Paro, which was almost at a 2 hours drive from Thimpu (distance 50 kms). The roads upto Paro are being widened but had no difficulty on the way. Booked a hotel in Paro which is famous for the Tiger Nest (Takstang) Monastery and is visited by thousands of foreign tourists.

BTW: The Mobile connectivity had just got blank.

Now enjoy the pics:



First Floor serves as Bar cum Restaurant


You can have any brand you like. { But It is not for Me}




The National Handicrafts Emporium


Something to take as souvenier







KIERA - the Traditional Dress


O O O P S. I am here again. [something for the HARD ROCK Travellers]



Back to the Street but BE IN ALL SENSES




Wish it could be replicated in India also (A sign board for Election Posters):


The Royal Gate to the Kings Office


The King's Office







There was specific parking outlined for Motorcyclyles/scooters (Although there were not many)



Time to Move to PARO:



On way to Paro have to drive along the Pachchu River:


A Reflection into the Past :



Obviously the bridge was not in use now, but don't miss the Majestic Hills in the Background


Can You Spot the Tiger Nest (Takstang Monastery). Wait for more close up pics. I WAS THERE


It is not me. But It was a Hectic Day. Don't You Agree


Was too Engrossed in the pics, time to upload the video also. Thimpu has no traffic light signals, only second Capital in the world after Seoul (Watch the dancing like gestures of traffic police also):

[n_sandy]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

hoodibaba tussi chha gaye.... really a nice travelogue.. i'm also planning for bhutan trip and your travelogue will really help for this. Thx for sharing map

[Hoodibaba]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

hoodibaba tussi chha gaye.... really a nice travelogue.. i'm also planning for bhutan trip and your travelogue will really help for this. Thx for sharing map

Thanks Sandy. Meri Mehnat Rang Layegi. Whenever you plan, can contact me at 9958068681. I will give you contacts in Siliguri for cheap and good Stay and for further guidance.

You will get back more than 100% out of your endeavour. Go ahead.

[venkan12]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

Sir,

From your travelogue and pictures, we can make out that this country is very clean and well administered (though very small). Makes us ponder why its big brother India is not in a similar condition.

[Hoodibaba]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

Day 9 – 27th April, 2013 {Visit to Takstang Monastery and return to Phuentsholing} (150 kms)

Nothing special except the much awaited trek to the Monastery, which was an experience of a life time.

Started early for Tiger Nest and after driving for about 7 Kms took the diversion to the Tiger Nest and driving for another 6-7 kms reached the foothills of the place from where I started trekking for the Monastery through the thick forest. Took almost 3 hours to reach the steps of Monastery which is at a height of 10000+ feet. Was only the third person to reach at the top so early. Had some good time in the monastery and was guided by a monk who explained its history in great detail. After spending over an hour in the Monastery, started my downward journey and on the way met hundreds of foreigners who were going to the Monastery.

After reaching the hotel, paid the bill and started my return journey to India (to Sikkim to be more specific). Enjoyed the return journey and got the fuel tank again filled to its brim (although not much had been spent throughout my stay in Bhutan) before coming out of Bhutan. It was almost evening before I reached Phuensholing (distance covered 150 kms) and hence booked a hotel for the night stay.

Photograph of trek to Monastery :

As there was no body at the base point, luckily spotted this monk and obviously he was on his way to the Monastery;


Initially the trek was quite comfortable


By this time the monk was out of site


Now the trek was getting steeper


Now I was getting tired and the trek became steeper and steeper. Only company was of a dog, as you would notice, during every trek, from out of nowhere a dog comes and gives you company. He would wait for me whenever I stopped to get my breathe under control. He is like a God sent messenger.


Now after almost three hours, I was there. From this point, you have to descend about 250 stairs and then climb up almost the same no. of stairs to reach he monastery.


This shot looks better


This is the last ventage point from where you get a majestic view of this monastery. Thereafter while descending through the stairs you sometimes lose site of the monastery and suddenly face a grand waterfall. You have to deposit the camera and the mobile etc. at the gate of the monastery after ascending another 250 stairs and show the permit/imigration paper to the security who enter the details and only thereafter you are allowed inside the monastery.


After spending over an hour, left the monastery and after paying the bill at the hotel in paro started for Phuentsholing and this is the only photo I captured on the way back




Time to view the Video shots of Thimpu and Paro

Thimpu and Paro - YouTube


Hope you liked the bhutan chapter. Wait for tomorrow for Sikkim phase of this trip

[xpranav]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

This shot looks better

I sometimes wander in the layers of my thoughts wondering the kind of peace and fullness one can have at these monasteries ............... utterly peaceful and simple .............. away from all the hectic of this city life.

[ankit mishra]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

a very nice ride blog..

[chaosaddict]

Re: Hoodibaba is back from Sikkim and Bhutan - Soloride

Nice ones sir,,,,,,