Mountain roads

We spent a couple of days in Darjeeling then headed off by jeep to Pelling in Sikkim. Enjoyed a few days in Pelling as well, before heading, yet again by jeep, to Siliguri on our way to Kolkuta (Calcutta). We are now currently in Siliguri waiting for our 7:00pm. over-night bus to finish our journey to Kolkuta.
We have said our goodbyes to the Himalaya range. After being in them for the past month and a half it's nice to be back to hot weather and flat roads. Now let me tell you about skinny, mountain roads! If the "Wild Mouse" at the P.N.E makes you nervous, then the roads in Sikkim would terrify you, and if it scares you then you would absolutely die of fright. It's hairpin turn, after hairpin, after hairpin, after hairpin...... on a one and a half lane, two way traffic road. They drive in the middle of the lane, speed around blind corners with no guard rails (to protect you from the sheer drops that you can't bare to look over) and when they meet on-coming traffic, it's chicken, until the last fraction of a second! Never mind the fact that they all have bald tires too. Very nerve racking, Brittany didn't do too well to be honest. The rest of us are now immune to reckless driving (we haven't worn a seat belt for six months due to the fact that they are non-existent) and spend our time absorbed in the spectacular scenery. We're going to miss the mountains but beaches are calling to us. So far so good in India. Looking forward to more.
Maggie the mom
P.s. We have added some Safari pictures to the Nepal folder in our www.watkinstravel.myphotoalbum.com if you'd like to look. Also we've added another video.