Recently we went to Sikkim on a short break. A travelogue though would be in order, certain things that we saw and experienced are a must to share:
- Gangtok is the cleanest hill station we have seen till date. Ooty, Kodai, Lonavla, Darjeeling, Shillong and some lesser known locations that we have seen earlier pale in comparison with the city roads, markets and places of interest.
- MG road is a good example for many cities to follow - no vehicles, tiled & broad walkways lined with good shops/eateries, ornamental street lamps and flowers/fountains are a treat to your senses.I was reminded of the Farmers Market in Los Angeles!!
- An over 10 km long tiled pedastrian walkway along the road could be found elsewhere. But you will find Sikkimese religiously using it and meticulously avoiding crisscrossing of the roads. In the process, the motorists are free to drive without the usual nightmares on Indian roads.
- No spitting on the roads or malls or elsewhere which is the bane of the complete sub Himalayan belt from Delhi to Timbaktoo in North East!
- There are no traffic lights in Gangtok. You will find handsomely clad policemen in blue uniform at every juncture controlling traffic. I heard they are open to bribe. But it did not seem to have any effect on traffic discipline, and that matters.
- There are CCTV cameras in street corners to watch how households dispose off their garbage. You throw it on the street and you get a ticket for Rs 200. Worse, you will have to pick up the garbage and throw it into the bin, after you pay the fine. No wonder the streets are clean.
- Most polite cab drivers who can fluently converse in English and Hindi I have seen till now. And they are honest.
- Gangtok does not welcome plastic bags! You cannaot get carry bags of plastic in any shop. They hand u in the purchase in lovely brown paper bags. PLEASE, PLEASE NOTE!!
- Gentle speech and manners of Sikkimese is a treat to watch.
- The snow clad mountains and deep green forests are a visual treat beyond description!
Anyone looking for a break? Gangtok strongly recommended. Simply Sikkim, beautiful!!
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