X. BACK TO INDIA: SUBCONTINENT OF DIVERSITY - FOLLOW HOLY TRACES OF THE LORD BUDDHA.

DAY 167 - DARJEELING

 
167) SUNDAY, 11 DECEMBER 1977 : 142KMS. - DARJEELING

 

We crossed the border town of NEPAL to reenter in INDIA without any complication for customs and our passports check.  I was afraid of facing the similar problem with fussy officers  like the first time when we passed through the country at the check point in AMRITSAR.  It turned out to be opposite, it was very convenient and took us less than half an hour.

http://munichtomadras1977.blogspot.com

 

We drove through  the area of endless tea plantations on both sides,  planted in the shade of large trees (I think that tea plantation does not require much direct sunlight).   After SHILIGURI , we arrived in Mahanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the name of the river that flows through this national preserves. There are many varieties of flower  and tree looking lush and verdant.  I saw Yellow Cosmos–like flowers blooming all around.  

 

DARJEELING railway - Photo :  travel.futurebox.co.in /Google images search

There is a railroad track along the road we drove until we reached DARJEELING, I saw  tea plantation along hillsides  as well as tea production plants at intervals. 


 

Temple in DARJEELING - Photo : tripwow,tripadviser.com / Bing images search

DARJEELING in Tibetan language means "THE PLACE OF THE THUNDERBOLTS"  located at 2,130 m from sea level.  The temperature is  rather cold like countries in Europe as being  near the Himalayas in the surrounding of high mountains and peaks covered ceaselessly with snow. It is known worldwide for the finest tea leaves. Most of the people living here are Tibetan refugees, Nepalis  and Gurkhas,  There are also many Tibetan temples in the area.