ANDREW ROBERTS

The Sikkimese people are very friendly and my three days were most enjoyable. I stayed in the simple but very friendly Hotel Sagorika in Gangtok which is conveniently situated but reasonably quiet. It is quite cold at night but I had a good sized room with bathroom and TV – on which I saw Sachin Tendulkar achieve his 100th international hundred – and my half board rate included a decent meal.
Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, reminds me of many hill stations with its excellent views and the main street, M.G Street, has an impressive array of shops, a statue of the nation’s father, Mahatma Gandhi, after whom the street is named as in many Indian cities, and, close by, a cable car otherwise known as the Ropeway. Only, though, as the sign outside says, for those not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. I had had a long walk to and from the Takshi Viewpoint before finding the Ropeway – I hadn’t failed to meet the criteria in case anyone thinks I was walking for that reason! – which was pleasant but, with haze around, the view of the mountains was impaired. I found another viewpoint just above M.G Street better especially as a multitude of flags embossed with prayers fluttered in the breeze. The highlight of the visit was undoubtedly the visit to Rumtek Monastery, an hour by jeep
from Gangtok. It is most impressive and ornately painted and it does seem strange to be allowed to wander round whilst the monks go about their daily life. They have obviously become used to the presence of visitors but it is was a wonderful experience completed by a meal of vegetarian momos – a predominantly Tibetan dish – amongst the priests in a small restaurant outside the monastery. The views from the monastery were stunning.

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