Wednesday, 23 November 2016

DIL DILLI ... The Bachelor trip

So, it happened that I had to make a sudden decision to Fly down to Delhi with some hope for getting a suitable Job. Okay! I don't have any problem in admitting that I was looking for Jobs here and there,when my cousin sis gave me the proposal of moving to Delhi.

I went within 2 days of her proposal, stayed with her in the working women's govt hostel. Yes! for the first time I was experiencing the hostel life. Learned a lot, enjoyed a lot and realized a fact with every single day that, I hardly can do without my MOM. Also, the Home is the best place to stay. Still for the sake of my career I had to try, try hard adjusting in a new life in a new city. 

Naah! am not going to bore ppl with my struggle story, how I got 2 job offers but rejected both and came back to Kolkata (mostly being an emotional bakra). I am willing to share my experience of the Delhi city, as I explored it my way.


I had heard and seen a lot about a place called KEVINTER'S MILK SHAKE in the Cannaught Place of Delhi, this time I thought of giving a try. I went there to find out that the name of the place has been changed into SHAKE SQUARE. As they say - Naam mein kya rakhha hai? (What's in the name) the Milk Shakes of the oldest Milk Shake shop were amazing. You can figure it out by the number of customer and the speed of their service. 



Tried the Coffee milk shake, and trust me its really very very hard to finish off that BIG glass of milkshake alone. 



Walking around CP in the evening to get the Delhi wali feeling, also to finish off that BIG glass of Milk Shake as my cousin Sis refused to have a sip. 

Its not a very hard task to find new set of friends in new places. I found a whole bunch of NEW friends in the Hostel, who were good enough to handle me and crazy enough to drag me out for a mall visit on the very 2nd day.




Delhi is known for the High class people and their fashion statements. I have heard about one such place, where one will only find Rich people and high class brand stores, its called the Select City Walk. I decided to visit the place alone, just to kill some time and observe those Hifi people.




It was indeed a nice place with some good looking people walking around. Though I did not had that amount of bank balance to buy stuff from there, but I got happy enough to spot a STARBUCKS and try out my very first Starbucks coffee (How I want one in Kolkata).



Nothing to say about the taste of  Starbucks coffee, i fell in love with the very first sip. But I must admit that sometimes it feels good to roam around in an unknown place. 


So, on one hand I was making new friends and on other hand there were couple of old friends I wanted to meet. So I decided to poke them and asked to meet. 
Luckily they were available and agreed to meet me :P



 My dear friend Ashish took me to BURGER KING (how I again want one in Kolkata). We were meeting for the 2nd time, though it was only a couple of months after He visited me in Kolkata,we chatted for hours.


The burgers were awesome and the adda was even more awesome than the food.

After that we went to Costa Coffee for another round of adda and some cold sipping. 


I was wondering why the hell are these food/cafe outlets are missing from our Kolkata?  I wish I could go up to someone and request for this.


Next on the list was a lunch date with my girl Susmita. We went to 'The Chowk' at MGF mall, Gurgaon. I love the feel when 2 people meet & talk and it seems like they are old friends , but the truth of the matter is that you might have met them once or twice in person. This kind of friendships are rare and one of a kind. 



The food was yummy there, the kebab platter which they have recommended was a plate full of happiness and their Dum Biryani was fab. We both foodies had a kickass lunch.





After the lunch we had some girl time roaming around, gossiping, shopping and getting a little drenched in the rain.




And then to another round of food and gossip, on the food court of MGF mall. Seriously, I love malls, they usually gives a lot of Food options :P



Our never ending nautanki and gossip would have continued if I din't have to get back to Hauz Khas from Gurgaon. Though it is a plus point that in Delhi the natural light stays upto 7.30/8 pm, its easy to feel a bit safer in the natural light than in dark.

It was during my stay that my Dadai's death anniversary came in, and I was determined to visit BANGLA SAHIB on that day.




A peaceful place with a heavenly feeling. I went alone to spend 2/3 hours there, sitting listening to the Kirtan and fiddling with my own thoughts. 

But take note - Visit Bangla Sahib once when you are in Delhi, its just beside Rajiv Chowk.


Apart from my old and new friends, I have someone in Delhi, who is a darling brother, cum friend and who is very very veryyy fun to be with.




RIK, has promised me a little lunch and then a guided tour to Qutub and loads of pictures.
Thus after another sumptuous meal at the Burger King, we headed towards Qutub. 







I had a really great time exploring the compounds of the Qutub Minar. I was mesmerized with the beauty that the place has. I've been to Qutub years back when I was a kiddo, that time neither did I had the sense of understanding these kind of things nor I was interested. 






 We had such fun, clicking pictures and watching the Aeroplanes passing by the Tip of Qutub (ahh whatta view), observing all the tourists coming and taking selfies and making wired poses for pictures. A couple of hours passed liked that.






It was a different day with my lil bro. I had taken a few pictures of the Qutub and its complex, if interested one can check them here - https://flic.kr/s/aHskes6kuj


Besides all my adventures within the city, I was enjoying a nice hostel life with my cousin as well. Eating veg in the mess and trying a few fast foods outside, roaming around and having addas with my new hostel friends. 


My previous two trips of Delhi with my family didn't gave me the opportunity to visit the RED FORT. But I had kind of made up my mind to visit it this time. My bro & sis were busy so decided to go Alone. 






I explored the entire fort alone, and realized one fact that my Dadai used to tell - "Travelling alone is actually a nice thing."  When you are alone, you can concentrate tottally on the place you are in. 






Though the fort did not gave me much excitement, as there was nothing much to see, like the Agra Fort, but still I'll have that accomplished feeling in my heart that I did visit the Red Fort.


The very next day I had to suddenly return home, that's a different story altogether. But my Delhi expedition went for a long pause, till I visit again. 

Thursday, 7 August 2014

When you are in SIKKIM, do not skip these .....

Try the awesome MOMO's - its authentic over there 

Be it Veg, Chicken, Pork or Beef, they are authentic, you will get the awesome'st Momo's in Sikkim.

On the way towards Rumtek Monastery, the small joint beside the view point sells the best Veg Momo's (Veg, yes trust me you'll love it) 


There are many restaurants in M.G. Marg (Gangtok) where you can get good quality Beef/Pork/Chicken momo as per your preference. ** Taste Of Tibet being the best place ** 



Eat the fabulous stuffs from BAKER'S CAFE - At least once

It is the best bakery of Sikkim (at least I felt so), try to have breakfast over there once, they serve you the freshest items. 

Just opposite to the Cafe Coffee Day at M.G.Marg (Gangtok), is this little heaven. Have their breads, muffins and coffee if not others.


and if you have something to celebrate, then do try on their fabulous Cakes, they are just 'melt in your mouth' types. (I had my Birthday cake). 


Spend a night at Lachen - Stay in any Home-stays

You may have one of your best experiences if you spend a night at Lachen, (Though it is a must if you are visiting Gurudongmar Lake). 

Lachung mostly suffers from electricity and water scarcity. Don't afraid of that, this makes the whole experience worth it. You'll be able to see one of the clearest sky in your lifetime, and it will take you to some other world.


and if you are as lucky as me, you might have to spend the night with merely 2 candles blinking throughout the night (and wake up at 4 o clock, to start for Gurudongmar Lake).


** Tip- Do not forget to take ample amount of warm clothes, specially leg warmers and warm socks. Stock up alcohol to keep yourself warm from inside. And if possible arrange for cars with heating system (if cold is your worst enemy)


Visit the Gurudongmar Lake - If possible in winters

One of the highest lakes in the world, is one of the beautiful lake in Sikkim. You'll be mesmerized by the surrounding of the place.

Be it during the summers or the winters, the lake has its different look, its never enough to visit Gurudongmar. 


  (pic courtesy - Indiamike - http://www.indiamike.com/files/images/53/71/09/gurudongmar-lake.jpg)


**Tip- Gurudongmar Lake is situated at an altitude of 17,000 ft, thus altitude problem is common factor, so carry light snacks, fruits and water, don't travel empty stomach (keep a good amount of popcorn and chewing gum with yourself), keep medicines ready for headache & other problems. Carry sunglasses (if possible with Polaroid coating) and sunscreen of minimum 50 SPF.


Go see the magnificent YUMTHANG VALLEY 

When you plan for the north Sikkim trip, do not forget to include Yumthang Valley in it. The serenity of river Tista flowing through the valley surrounded by breathtaking mountains will make you come alive. 





**Tip - if you visit Yumthang valley, do visit ZERO POINT with it, ask your driver about it (they will charge you some extra money for Zero Point, coz of some permit thing)


Take a ride on the Zig Zak road in Zuluk - The old Silk Route

Zuluk is situated on the East of Sikkim, the old silk route has that splendid Zig Zak road, with 32 hair pin bends, which ultimately takes you to the viewpoint from where you can see the entire road lying beneath you. And if you are lucky enough, you'll feel the clouds playing around you, if luckiest you might get snowfall as well (depending on what time you are visiting the place)





**Tip - Zuluk needs permits like North Sikkim, talk to the travel agents at least one day prior to ur date of visit to Zuluk.


Visit 'BABA MANDIR' and hear the unbelievable story of Baba Harbhajan Singh (Visit the original Mandir at East Sikkim)

An soldier of Indian Army who died in an accident is worshiped as God and is believed to be alive (till now). 

Don't forget to know the detailed story from the Jawan's at the mandir premises .. 






When in Gangtok, take a tour to the flower show - Orchid Garden

Take out some time from the scenery and soothe your eyes with some beautiful Orchids, at the flower exhibition.



 

 Spend some time in Rumtek Monastery 

A place full of serenity & tranquility, spend as much time as you can in Rumtek Monastery. Make sure you witness the prayer session of the Lama's, it can take you to Nirvana. 





Last but not the least, go shopping & an evening walk at M.G.Marg 

M.G.Marg is the busiest place in Sikkim, preferably Gangtok, most of the souvenir and other shops & restaurants are in this place. Take a leisurely walk over there and along with buy the colorful souvenirs, fragrant Sikkim tea and cheap liqueurs (if you are a liqueur person).




  **Tip -  Do not forget to try up your bargaining skills at the souvenir shops, you might get the awesome'st piece at cheapest price.