Treks in & around Gangtok
a. Bye-Pass Road :: Sichey Busty to TNHS School: August 27 1986 Thursday -
About seven frames of a film roll were lying unexposed; the earlier 30 had been exposed at Mrs. Sita Debu & Mr. Debuda’s house (both of them Lecturers at Govt. College, Gangtok) on Aug. 16. Just to finish off the roll, I went out with a determination, the day being off on a/c of Janmashtami.
Left the room at about 10 AM; reached the Sichey Busty junction of Amdagola-Penongla Bye-Pass Road, skirting Gangtok Town, and proceeding to North Sikkim. I had earlier covered the road from Amdagola (Deorali) to this point while returning after meeting Mr. Sitaraman at his SITCO factory some time in June, though I was not carrying my camera. So I proceeded from Sichey Junction northwards to cover the rest of the bye-pass road. Nothing particular, excepting the terraced fields. The Missionary is erecting some building, a little below the Tashi Namgyal Higher Secondary School (TNHSS). One has a good view of Deorali and Tadong and also Rumtek from this point.
I was indeed very glad to see the suspension bridge which had fascinated me way back in 1983 (when I came to Gangtok). Our office was then within Raj Bhavan complex; I had seen the bridge almost immediately after joining my duty there atop a hillock, when we used to come down to Baluwakhani area (Vajra cinema hall was just coming up there) for tea & snacks. It had fascinated me so much. The suspension was built across Jorekhola in 1974-75 in Burtuk Panchayat Union. I lovingly walked over it and reached TNHSS (boys only) and then to my room in the Paljor Stadium Road by 2 PM.
Not only I had exposed the roll, but had at last discovered that bridge and the path to it through TNHSS, though twice earlier I had almost gone quite close to it via the bye-pass road. The trip had kindled my adventurous spirit, as can be seen in the following pages.
Map
b. Bye-Pass Road : TNHSS – Tashi View Point – August 30, 1986 Sat.
The travel bug having bitten me on Aug. 27, my legs took me to far off Tashi View Point, the culminating point of the First Sector of the Amdagola-Tashi View Point Bye-Pass Road; the second sector of the bye-pass road “Tashi View Point – 5th Mile of Nathula/Jawaharlal Nehru Marg” also starts from there.
I started the trek (though from my room itself at 9 AM)from where I left on Aug. 27 , i.e., from below the Suspension Bridge. I crossed over the bridge (still not believing that I had been able to discover my dream-bridge) from TNHS School point, reached the bye-pass, of course, after taking some snaps of my favourite bridge.
There were a few waterfalls, the same ones one encounters on NH 31-A, though they come a bit more dirtier here. Yet they are so charming. Work is still going on the road and the labourers and their kids can be seen along with their huts. Nothing very special to mention, but for the terraced fields and huts. At one point, say about 50 metres, there has been complete blockade due to a rivulet and the huge boulders and mud it had brought down. I crossed it (rather crawled over it), holding my life and the camera. Though quite adventurous, the actual reason was prestige. Some BRO men were watching me, hence I took it as a challenge. Really dreadful, especially when you see the site from NH.
Had four samosas and a cup of tea at the military canteen (Rs.2.50) and toffees (Rs.2.50). Reached the Tashi View Point and went a little further. It was cloudy, hence no view. Drizzled and then it poured. Reached room by 2 ½ PM by NH. On the way, two big prayer wheels were rotating by the flow of water. Had a refreshing bath after a trek of 16 kms.
c. Ranipool :: Sept. 06, 1986 Saturday
After leaving my room at 9.15 AM, it was a continuous walk until 12.30 noon, when I sat down for a bit at Hotel Monarch in Ranipool. [Gangtok-Ranipool 12 kms.] Weather was pleasant until I reached Ranipool – 3,500 ft. A drop of almost 2,500 ft. Naturally, I bathed in sweat. Not very impressive – the view. Ate one plate of ‘momok’ for Rs.6/- Walked a bit further and down to the foot suspension bridge of 44 metre span over Rani Khola (before Rora chu mingles with that) at Samik-Marchak. Did not go to the Saramsa nursery, as the heat had put down my spirit. Reached back by taxi shelling out Rs. 10/- Covered a total of 13 kms.
d. Bushuk: Oct. 11, 1986 Saturday
I had 3 days of continuous holiday on account of Dasain (Durga Puja). Today was the 2nd day. Yesterday I could not venture out as my stomach was upset. Woke up by 6 AM and pushed off after a cup of Maltova and 10 biscuits. I could see Mt. Dzonga (Khanchendzonga), an irresistible scene for me, and clicked some four frames. Marched towards Bushuk area. The road branches off from Nathula Road (Jawaharlal Nehru Marg).
Plenty of people – men & women, young & old – trek from villages of that are to Gangtok with their head load of milk cans. My, what a tedious routine! I couldn’t help going down & down to the river Rora Chhu (a tributary of Tista). As I crossed over the suspension bridge – even vehicles can go over it – I found a marble plaque “Pamteng Military Station Work initiated by GOC-in-C Jacob, July 1978”. One milestone declared – Ranipul 16 (kms. Or miles wasn’t clear); another declared – Pakyong 20 (though I am not sure it was 0 or some other numeral). Solitary road with very few people. However, there was not any movement or show of an army station there. Maybe, somewhere inside. I didn’t rest anywhere till I started my return trek. This was difficult as I had to climb up – though not steep – and I was too tired and thirsty and hungry. I watched some eagles and tiny, tiny birds on my way up. There are shortcuts, but they must be too steep, hence I avoided them.
Witnessed ‘Kumari Puja” being done on ‘Navami’ (9th day) at a Durga Puja Pandal. There was a drizzle as I reached the top road. Bought a packet of biscuit and reached my room at 2.15 PM, damn tired, hungry and thirsty. Maggie came to my rescue (noodle, not a dame!)
Way back in 1983, when I was in Thathangchen area, I had visited up to a certain point (top road, as referred to above). The dream came true only today.
Map (not to scale)
