On way we had a glimpse of Manipal Institute of Higher Learning. I mistook it for a palace.


 

        We reached Gangtok in the evening. We stayed in the hotel Rezedevous in Gangtok . That night it rained heavily which was unseasonal. In the morning we planned to go to Nathu-la pass but we had to postpone since there was land slide and almost fifteen hundred tourists were stranded. We decided for the local tour. Our first visit was the Rumtek Monastery. A guide took us around explaining the importance and history of the place. Beautiful paintings and artefacts of the Buddhist religion decorated the monastery. Just outside the monastery we tasted the tibetan tea which was made of yak milk.
                  

            Luckily the next day the route to Nathula cleared thanks to the effort border security personal. It is 56 kms from Gangtok and is situated at an altitude of 14,450 feet at the border between India and Vhina. Nathula is open to only Indian nationals on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The visitors have to get a permit from the Tourism department through a registered travel agency. We hired a tourist vehicle and started our journey to Nathula pass and it was a heavenly experience. The dense  greenary gave way to snow capped mountains. Our first stop was Tsomgo lake. In the clear pristine waters of the lake we could see the clear reflection of the mountain. The driver told us that the lake is considered sacred and attempts to shoot movie scenes failed. Small shops dotted the road which served snacks, sold craft and also rented snow boots and winter clothings 

        
         Here my son enjoyed yak ride.

                   

         The next stop was  Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial Temple dedicated to the memory of Harbhajan Singh,a sepoy in the 23rd Punjab Regiment
                    
                   
                   

                    
                   
                   After passing many frozen lakes, mountains and army barracks hidden under the snow we reached the Nathula pass. We had to trek a bit to reach this pass which was at an altitude of14,450 feet. There were army personal both Indian and Chinese facing each other seperated only by a barbed wire which is said to be the border. Some tourists became emotional on seeing the Indian flag flying at such an high altitude. One of them shouted Jai Hind and everyone responded.  

         We took the pictures of the Chinese army personal and even shook hands with them. There were no Chinese tourists on the other side.

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       And this was our return journey from Nathula pass when suddenly we were surrounded by fog and could not see even see two feet ahead. All of us became silent as fear gripped. This was an unforgetable experience of our trip as we prayed to god for a safe return. Our driver carefully maneuvered the vehicle through the turns avoiding oncoming military vehicles.


      And thus ended our trip to Nathula pass. Next day we visited the Himalayan Zoological park famous for the Snow leopard and Red Panda, flower complex, the Peace Pogoda etc. There were many other places unvisited due to shortage of time. I liked the cheerful disposition of the people . I loved watching kids in smart uniform walking up and down the roads either going to school or returning from school with light school bags slung over their backs. I tasted delicious momos for the first time. I plan to return again with more liesure.