Darjeeling hills - Post 1

It's been just over a year that I first visited the Darjeeling hills. However, our February trip had to be cut short last year, due to a sudden Gorkhaland bandh (where everything shuts down, and even if mildly violent, tourists are not harmed.)

Thankfully got to visit it the second time around in October and had enough time to at least explore the usual tourist itinerary. A full post on Darjeeling has been long pending, so making the most of my free time today. 

Given that I am not a hills person, Darjeeling fascinates me! It's just as much the main town, and our lovely hotel Revolver (best beds ever with electric blankets & warmest hosts), but I think I'm more in  love with the ride via Hill cart road (Siliguri to Darjeeling) and the truly mesmerizing and misty ride downhill through Makaibari, Kurseong & other hill towns- it can transport you to another world.

First glimpse of Tea Gardens @Siliguri

Toy train station at Kurseong

Revolver- A passionately driven, Beatles themed Hotel

Dining & Entertainment room @Revolver

Souviners at Revolver

Playful Kitty @Revolver

In the market, I most look forward to the Oxford bookstore (no relation to the Press). The breakfast at the generations old Keventer's is from an era where  you gave a damn about  Trans/saturated or any kind of fat and just indulged in the meatloaves, sausages, just-right fried eggs and sugary drinks. There is also Glenary's an old bakery, restaurant and pub all in one cottage- mood and decor preserved wonderfully reminding you of an era long gone by...

Oxford Bookstore

The floor to ceiling stacked up shelves at Oxford.
You are sure to find some rare book here!

Glenary's

Bakery @Glenary's

@Buzz- The pub at Glenary's

Buzz at Glenary's

At Keventer's