Back! - from Kolkata

Dear All,

We are back at Kolkata from where we started our dream vacation to Darjeeling & Bhutan on the 16th this month. We have our flight at 4:30 PM today and should be home @ Hyd by about 8 PM today.

One email will not suffice to explain the experience and we'll do the same via photographs & videos we took all along. All we can do is to term this trip as "mega success" and will cherish the same for our entire lives.

More when we are back home!

Thanks

Aditya & Siri

From Paro, Bhutan

This is Siri and Aditya again from Paro, Bhutan. We have been having a great time out here and the fear of this grand vacation ending is gripping us. Well, on the 21st after our permit clearances we left from Phuentsholing towards Thimphu the capital of Bhutan. The journey was great and took about 7 hours and we got down in between to take a stroll in one of the most naturally blessed countries. The drive went in windings through roads which were covered with pine and conifers on both its sides. The scene is right out of the dreams with several places having water streams running from the hills. We got down at one such place and took some pictures. We reached Thimphu at about 7 PM local time and checked into hotel Druk. We were provided with deluxe accommodation and we freshened up and took a stroll for a while and went back to our hotel room for dinner. We hit the bed after dinner.

On 22nd morning we took a tour of Thimpu and our guide Mr. Sonam was quite knowledgeable and showed us the whole city and I must say it was very clean and traditional to look at. Later that afternoon we checked out and left for Phunaka which is a western district. On 23rd we went to the Phunaka Dzong and took a small hike. Later on 23rd evening we left for Paro and were put-up at Gangtey Palace, a former palace converted into a resort. We are still staying in the same place. On 24th we trekked to Tiger Nest. Siri took a shortcut and rode a horse to the mid way while I, our Guide & Driver walked all the way up. Tiger nest is a Monastery which has been constructed right on the cliff at about 10000 feet and hangs menacingly and once of the most enchanting sights. This Monastery was constructed after Guru Padmasambhava a Buddhist monk meditated there for 3 months. It took us about 6 hours in all and way very tiring and came back to our hotel rooms. Today we went from Paro to Haa valley which was very enchanting and a great experience. We went to through the Chelela pass which is about 3,900 Meters about sea level. This is were the blue poppy – the national flower of Bhutan grows. It is said that catching a sight of this flower is very rare, but we could get a few plants which had these . Later we drove down to the Haa valley and had our lunch there followed by a visit to a 7th century monastery.

Right now we are at Paro (the only air port in Bhutan and a small city) and will leave for Phuentsholing tomorrow afternoon which will officially bring our Bhutan trip to and end. We shall call you from Jaigaon tomorrow. We have taken several pictures and hours of video which we shall share upon arrival.

More later
Bye

Aditya & Siri

21st Morning in P/Ling Bhutan

Hi again, this is Aditya & Siri reporting again from Phuentsholing , Bhutan. We got up early and had a wonderful breakfast with Toast and Jam/Butter followed by a cup of coffee. We later had our guide Mr. Sonam who came to pick us up. We later were escorted to the Immigration office to obtain our route permits. Our photos were clicked and our route permit should be available to us at about 12 PM today following which we shall leave for Thimphu the capital of Bhutan. It is expected to take about 8 hours (which includes a few stops) to reach Thimphu and we will have our lunch enroute.

The weather in P/Ling is very unpredictable, it rains with a strong down pour and the very next moment it's hot and shining. I have been told that such weather exists across Bhutan. Today morning we met a person who works with Soligas in BR Hills and it was a nice little chat. We are waiting right now so that our permits come through and following this we shall leave for Thimphu.

Will keep you guys posted on the progress!

Reporting from Phuentsholing, Bhutan

Hi From Siri and Aditya from Phuentsholing, Bhutan. We arrived here in Bhutan after an ardous 5 hours journey from Darjeeling. We came via Mangpoo which is a way to Gangtok Sikkim and took a diversion near Siliguri to reach Jaigoan. Jaigoan is a small typical Indian town, this is the border town with Bhutan and it is called Phuentsholing (foo-ent-sho-ling). Phuentsholing is the only exit/entry point by road into Bhutan from India. We left Darjeeling at about 5 AM today morning after witnessing the Kanchenjunga shine golden splendor at the break of dawn at about 4:30 AM from our hotel room. This like y'day was awe-inspiring. Our taxi driver Swapan Chakroborthy drove us from Darjeeling to Phuentsholing. We reached Bhutan border at about 11:30 AM and checked into the best hotel in town called "Hotel Druk". We have been provided with wonderful double room and we are enjoying it. I am just returning from a hot bubble bath in the tub. We had a decent lunch, which included a typical Indian dal and Palak Paneer with tandoori roti. We now plan to go and have some dinner.

Note that Bhutan is 30 minutes ahead of IST and it is now 7:50 PM as we write this mail. Early this evening we took a stroll around Phuentsholing and found out that the heavy dependency on India. All know FMCG products belong to India - probably the reason for this is because it is a border town and Indians are allowed to freely move in and out of this town. We also visited a Buddist temple and took some snaps.

We would be leaving for Thimphu tomorrow morning at about 8:30 AM after finishing the immigration formalities and we shall push in more details from there to you all. Otherwise we are in prime of health and enjoying this fantastic time in this new country.

Singing off from Phuentsholing, Bhutan

From Darjeeling!

Hi from Siri and Aditya here @ Darjeeling. Today is 18th May 2007 (Friday) and about 7 PM now and we are right now sitting together in a small and cute browsing center and sending this mail.

We were in Kolkatta y’day and had a great time there which was quite unexpected. We drove around the city and saw the Howrah Bridge and the Hoogly Bridge which is indeed and engineering marvel. Additionally we also saw Victoria Memorial hall which houses some older pics from erstwhile British regime – it was a pleasant experience indeed. We had hired an AC Car fearing the summer backlash, but to our surprise it was cloudy the whole day. We then headed to the Science City into which we were taken via the Ropeway it was a small but a good experience, we roamed around the city and had a reasonably good time. We were getting hungry and fortunately we found McDonalds at Park Street and had a good veggi burger and then headed for the hotel to take some much needed rest. In the evening we went for some shopping at the Park Street and Siri cashed upon a fantastic Bengal Silk Saree with authentic Meenakari work which depicts the Ramayana.

Later we headed towards our hotel room (which was very good) and then had our dinner in our room itself. Following this we then took a Taxi to Sealdah Railway station to catch up with our Darjeeling Mail. It was a rainy evening and we were drenched as we had to run from the Taxi stand with our entire luggage to the platform. We then boarded our 1AC compartment and then quick hit the bed only to be woken up at 7 AM. The train hit New Jalpaiguri at exactly 8 AM and we were on the second leg of our fantastic journey. We hired a Taxi from NJP to Darjeeling. The ride was most enchanting and we have captured it on our new handycam as we drove through swirling curves on the Himalayas. We hit Darjeeling at about 11:30 AM and checked into our hotel “Seven Seventeen” which is a very decent hotel with a Tibetan theme. We got ready and immediately rushed for some much needed Lunch and we tried some Tibetan Vegetable Steamed Momo, which tasted more like Spring rolls – a good treat it was!. Since we were pooped by the drive we decided to hit the bed and took some rest. We plan to go to Tiger Hills tomorrow to witness the sunrise at 3:30 AM!! Later in the day we plan to check out Darjeeling.

We will leave for Bhutan on 20th Morning at about 5AM and will keep you posted!!

Bye for now!!

Siri & Aditya

Things to carry (MUST HAVES)

This post will be used to maintain a list of all things that we have to carry by category. Please update this list as and when you get ideas or remember things.

1) Documents

• Passports
• 8-passport size photographs each
• Air Line: Hyderabad to Calcutta (E-Ticket)
• Air Line: Calcutta to Hyderabad (E-Ticket)
• Railway Ticket: Calcutta to New Jalpaiguri (E-Ticket)
• Railway Ticket: Darjeeling to New Japaiguri (E-Ticket)
• Railway Ticket: New Jalpaiguri to Calcutta (E-Ticket)
• Email: Printout of all email discussions
• List of important telephone numbers & emergency contact.
• White Sheets + Notebook + Pens

2) Toiletries

• Shaving kit - 1 MACH3 blade + Shaving lotion + Shaving cream + Dettol
• Deo Spray +Perfume - AXE (Aditya)
• Soap (Dettol) + Box
• Shampoo (Black All Clear)
• Toothpaste + Brushes
• Mouthwash
• Moisturiser, Cold Cream, Sun Screen lotion, Face Soap (Siri)
• Rubber Band + Safety Pins + Hair Clips + General Jewellery
• Chewing gums and mouth fresheners
• Spare Glasses (A&S)
• Spectacle case (A&S)
• Hair Brush/Comb (small with spares)
• Hair oil (Ashiwin + Coconut - in cover)
• Tissue Papers

3) Monies

• Cash distributed in all compartments
• HSBC + SBI Only
• ICICI Debit Card
• Spare Cheque leaves
• DD for Hotel717 (need confirmation from hotel)
• International DD for Karma (Need to ask if he is ok).
• Photocopies of all DDs.
• Photocopies and EMERGENCY Contact of all CREDIT CARD NUMBERS.
• COPY of latest statement of all credit cards (loss verification)
  

4) Garments

• 1 pullover each
• 1 sweater
• Feelce Jacket or Jeans Jacket
• 6 Shirts (T + normal) + 4 jeans (Aditya)
• Burmuda (2 nos) - Aditya
• Jeans + Kurthi + Ts for Siri
• 4 big towels

5) Camera & Electronic Accessories

• Digital Camera Nikon
• Digicam Charger + Recharable Cells
• Digicam USB Cable
• Digicam TV/Video Cable
• Memory Stick for the digicam
• Duracel Batteries (back up)
• Handy Cam (need to collect from Mysore)
• Handy Cam charger + Bag
• Handy Cam USB/TV/SVideo Cable
• Pen Drive (memory stick)
• Tripod (small) for the Digicam
• Few CDRs + DVDRs
• Headphones (if needed)
• Lens cleaner
• Mobile Phones for National Roaming
• Mobile Chargers

Footware

• 1 pair Bathroom slippers (needed for train too)
• 1-2 pairs of sports/walking shoes
• 1 Sandals if required (but let's avoid the luggage)
• 3 pairs of good socks.
  

Other/Misc

• Handkerchiefs (5 sets)
• Wet Tissues
• Detergent sachets
• Gloves (2 pairs)

Wow!!!! Great Plan!!!!

Hey!!!!

Isn't that a great plan.... Dont you think so???? I feel we are going to have a great time at our honeymoon.... The plan includes all the important places and equal amount of rest.... This makes the plan even better and enjoyable....

Let me narrate the story of how we finally arrived at this plan.... It was a long journey from deciding to this stage.... We decided on the place and searched for important and unique places in and around Bhutan.... We then decided on the places and Adi started making the plan.... In the course of time we found a guide "Karma" Who helped us fine tune our plan and also suggested few other places which could be included.... He also took the responsibility of booking transportation and the hotels at all the places so that it would be comfortable for us....

After this stage my exams started and then there was a big gap.... Almost a month I guess. After that again there was a movement and things started getting confirmed and here all the excitement started....

The excitement is still there and will be there.... I think we would have the best honeymoon(May be everyone says the same hehehehe!!!!) and the most enjoyable one....

Our Trip Schedule

Tentative Schedule

Date	Dep./Arrival	From	To
16-May-07 (W)	17:30 – 19:30	Hyderabad	Calcutta
16-May-07 (W)	19:30 – 20:30	Calcutta	Hotel
17-May-07 (T)	09:30 – 17:00	Calcutta	Around CAL
17/18-May-07 (T/F)	22:05 – 08:00	Calcutta	NJP
18-May-07 (F)	09:00 – 11:30	NJP	Darjeeling
18-May-07 (F)	12:00 – 22:00	Darjeeling
19-May-07 (S)		Darjeeling
20-May-07 (S)	07:00	Darjeeling
20-May-07 (S)	7:00 – 14:00	Darjeeling	Phuentsholing
20-May-07 (S)	14:00 – 15:00	Phuentsholing
20-May-07 (S)	15:30 – 17:30	Phuentsholing
20-May-07 (S)	17:30 – 20:30	Phuentsholing
21-May-07 (M)	06:00	Phuentsholing
21-May-07 (M)	06:00 – 13:00	Phuentsholing	Thimphu
21-May-07 (M)	13:30 – 14:00	Thimphu
21-May-07 (M)	15:00 – 17:00	Thimphu
21-May-07 (M)	17:30 – 22:00	Thimphu
22-May-07 (T)	08:00 – 16:00	Thimphu
22-May-07 (T)	17:00 – 19:00	Thimphu	Paro
23-May-07 (W)	07:00 – 8:00	Paro	Paro
23-May-07 (W)	09:30 – 14:00	Paro	Taktsang Monastery
23-May-07 (W)	16:00 – 20:00	Paro	Paro
24-May-07 (T)	07:00 – 12:00	Paro	Punakha
24-May-07 (T)	13:00 – 14:00	Punakha
24-May-07 (T)	14:30 – 15:00	Punakha	WANGDUE PHODRANG
24-May-07 (T)	15:30 – 19:00	WANGDUE PHODRANG
24-May-07 (T)	19:30 – 20:30	WANGDUE PHODRANG	Punakha
25-May-07 (F)	08:00 – 12:00	Punakha
25-May-07 (F)	13:00 – 21:00	Punakha	Phuentsholing
25-May-07 (F)	21:00+	Phuentsholing
26-May-07 (S)	08:00 – 15:00	Phuentsholing	Darjeeling
26-May-07 (S)	15:00 – 22:00	Darjeeling
27-May-07 (Su)	09:00 – 16:00	Darjeeling	New Jalpaiguri
27-May-07 (Su)	20:30 – 06:00	New Jalpaiguri	Sealdha
28-May-07 (M)	06:30	Calcutta
28-May-07 (M)	16:25 – 18:25	Calcutta	Hyderabad

Our honeymoon plans!!!!

Its absolutely true that when ever we say "Bhutan"....There is surprise on everyone's face....I think the only person who didnt have that surprise was my uncle Ramu mama.... Insead he started asking why we are not going to "Switzerland". Its been a great journey for me from the day I started speaking to Adi till today and will be till the very end of my life.... I have been learning a lot from him.... Another very important thing I learnt from him is planning.... Its been an amazing plan he has made. I really am lucky to have such a person as my partner for life(So that I can leave all the planning to him and enjoy!!!!hehehehe).

Bhutan is a lovely place and one of the most beautiful places which has not been touched by humans.... Thankgod.... Else it also would be like any other place.... This is one very important reason we chose Bhutan as the place. I was very particular that we have to be out of India for our honeymoon and this fulfilled that criteria also.... I am really excited about the whole plan and I am sure even Adi is.... Especially the route through which we are going to Bhutan.... Darjeeling!!!! the lovely tea gardens the Toy train hhhhhhhhhoooooooooo.... Just cant stop thinking of it .... yeppie....I just feel like jumping of joy....

He has been crazy about Cambodia since the very begining....I can recall sometime after we met on the 26th of Dec he said we will go to Cambodia.... I asked my mom and she suggested that we could go to a colder place as it would be too hot there.... Realising that we couldnt go for our honeymoon to such a place we decided on Bhutan..... Accha now....dear what have you been doing with the profiles in the name of kambhuja_pravasi????haan.... I know made many girl freinds saying that u are from cambodia right.....

Keeping all the negatives away and thinking about the positives Adi has I have been very happy with him.... He is a wonderful man to be with....

Looking forward for the marriage and ofcourse the honeymoon.... The most enjoyable period in anybody's life....

Working up the Bhutan Plan - Part 1

Whenever we tell people that we are actually going to Bhutan for our honeymoon people project a stone face and a subtle astonishment with a dash of inquisitiveness. “Bhutan??” is what they ask, well frankly not many Indians are really aware of Bhutan. All they know is that it is lost in the Himalayas and probably a good friend of India. Some people have even asked if this trip is going to be exhaustive! Well, frankly speaking I say that I don’t know if there is going any. But, one thing is sure that we will be traveling a lot on Bhutan roads and a small hike here and there. I definitely don’t want to make this a trekking trip for we don’t want to get totally exhausted; mind you that this is our “first” honeymoon!

All the while Siri was sure that if she is going on a Honeymoon; it would not be in India! Given this situation I hastened and a lot of places came up. Frankly speaking the first one that came to my mind was Mauritius. Well, that is where all the Honeymooners go and enjoy the sun and water. I was a little itchy about these beach resorts since it would definitely be over crowded since it was summertime and this place is slam next to the Equator and its going to be in actual fact, a very “hot” place. So, Seychelles and Maldives were out too on similar lines. Now since we had developed need for cold feet, the first thing that hit me was the “Swiss Alps”, but sashayed it away into the dim since it would become typical. Of course I was sure it was not going to be very easy on the pocket either.

Coming to the penultimate, way back in 2004 I had developed a very strong interest in Hindu Temples and architecture and was particularly impressed by Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Angkor Wat is mega temple complex build by the Khmer Kings during the 12th and 13th century AD. I was particularly amazed and awed by the Hindu influence and impact beyond the Indian subcontinent and I somehow wanted to experience this grand temple. In fact I had made strong itineraries and joined several groups, which discusses travel to Southeast Asia and particularly Cambodia. The plan was something like this: Leave for Calcutta by train, then later take a flight from Calcutta to Bangkok, then take a plan further to Phnom Penh and then later visit Siam Reap to experience the great Hindu/Buddhist temples. Well, frankly it did not happen and I surely wanted to see if I could go there for my honeymoon, since I am spending all that cash anyways. But, given that we are travelling during Mid of May – I felt that this place is going to be really hot (close to 40C) and probably not the best place to Honeymoon. So then went the idea of going to dear old Kambhujadesha - Kampuchea (Cambodia). Just to reveal a secret, I had Cambodia so much on my head that I used to create profiles by the name kambhuja_pravasi (Cambodian traveler).

Heads Up!

We plan to go to Bhutan during the 3rd week of May 2007 for our HONEYMOON and this blog presents our plans for a typical Indian traveler planning their trip to the most naturally bestowed land of the Himalayas called Bhutan.