Later, on our way back to Gangtok, we stopped for tea in the evening near Pankaj’s village. The young girl who served us the tea was a stunning beauty, and not in the rural sense. She was young, pretty, dressed in jeans and a shirt and knew how to use good makeup. Someone you are more likely to meet in a mall rather in a remote town of Sikkim but many people in Sikkim have wonderful dress sense, even in the remotest corners. We also had lunch at the same place on our way to the Yumthang Valley.
So, on the way back, I started showing her the pictures on my camera. Suddenly she shouted, “Pankaj, come here and see, there is a picture of the jeep in snow.” Pankaj came running (and who will not at the bidding of such a beautiful girl), he anyway had been talking non-stop about the jeep skidding incident. Soon, Pankaj called others in the kitchen and everyone else wanted to have a look too.
When we reached Gangtok, Pankaj and a friend of his helped us find a hotel room. The favor in return? I showed Pankaj’s friend the same picture on the digital camera again. I said to Pankaj that if he wished, I can send him the picture. He thought for a while and then “Jane dijeye” (Let it be).
I will also remember Pankaj because he was the coolest driver I have ever met. He must have been in his mid-twenties but he was never in a rush to reach anywhere. Anyone who wanted to overtake him, he would move aside and let them go.
I have stories to tell. :)The driver who took us to Yumthang was also the coolest driver I have seen till date. Very jolly good fella and extremely popular. We made friends in no time. It is because of him that we managed to go to some places in Sikkim that we would otherwise not get to. He was from Lachen and knew people around very well.And for us too, our driver’s friends helped us into a great hotel to stay in Gangtok(Mintokling). I still can’t forget what a great place it was. Will write about it some day.Last, very unlikely that your jeep had snow chains. The drivers might have experience but still, it is VERY VERY STUPID to drive on a road like the one in the picture. Very very stupid.
What an adventure! There’s nothing quite like being stuck in the snow!
Arun, thanks a lot for your sharing your thoughts and experiences from Sikkim. I do not know about snow chains, I googled it and saw what you mean. Yes, the jeep definitely did not had snow chanis.Teri, it definitely was a small adventure.
Those must’ve been heart-stopping moments…when the jeep skidded…:D
Sidhu, for a while we didn’t even realize that the jeep has skidded and there was a general confusion as to why is Pankaj trying to drive off the road. It was only after that he asked all of us to get down that we came to know that something is wrong. So the heart did not stop that much actually, pata hi nahin chala.
Hi Mridula,We are just planning a trip to North Sikkim in April. I would love to know more about ur trip. Ur experience with the jeep skidding must have been heart stopping! Sandhya
Hi Sandhya,If you have a specific question do let me know. My email is on the profile page. And have a wonderful vacation.
We are just planning a trip to North Sikkim in January. I would love to know more about ur trip. and tell me is it any problem to go this time in Gangtok?
Souvik we didn’t face any major event in Sikkim when we visited in late December. But who can predict weather!