Kolkata, Bagdogra, Siliguri, Biksthang

Our last early morning walk in Kolkata took us across past Eden Gardens. Unfortunately we did not get quite as far as the bus station as time was limited, but we walked back across the Maidan, past children heading to school, and out past the horse paddock where we had entered on the first morning.

The drive to the aiport through the city was nice in the early part of the day with things still getting started.

At the airport we saw a wedding couple and they let us take their photo.
In Bagdogra, we were met by our guide Alister with our two cars and drivers. We went into Siliguri to find a money changer and then headed north.
It was good to be back on the road we had taken from Bhadrapur to Kalimpong in 2010.
 

 We drove through forest areas and came to the hills and Teesta river, stopping for a late lunch at a small shop beside the road. This was our first local lunch and it was great, looking out on a steep slope of bamboo below the road. Dick and I shared Momos.

We drove on up beside the river, past the turnoffs to Darjeeling and Kalimpong until we crossed the river again at Melli. Here we had to present passports to go into Sikkim. 

We then drove west along the northern side of the Rilli river to Jorethang. There is a crossing here from Darjeeling but foreigners are not permitted to enter Sikkim this way.

Turning north we had a tortuous route on unmade roads as the end of the day approached. One day this major road project will be done I guess and it will be a straightforward trip.

We got to our destination after dark and were welcomed by our lovely hostess who guided us along rough paths to our smart bungalows.

Back to the heritage farmhouse for dinner which unfortunately was western style chicken and vegs. 

Our host Diki's father was a London trained doctor and had been in charge of health in Sikkim. He was very entertaining and gave us some millet wine [spirit]to try.