So finally day has arrived . I reached Airport for early flight and got some pleasant surprises . My co travellers happens
to be Mr Arun Nayak and Pushpa Bhat .
Both legendary runners. Arun a pleasant dentist from
south Mumbai was doing 90 k and Pushpa madam the veteran runner in her late 60s
was scheduled to run 65 km. It was long flight to Bagdogra . Longer than
international flights to gulf countries . I wondered about vastness of our
great country .
Bagdogra was as
hot and humid as Mumbai. May be because of cloud cover. I was not expecting this . "I expected a bit cooler weather." I protested The wait for taxi took more than hour . Roshni has arranged Taxi pooling for out station runners . So Valerian our driver came from Pedong for me and Ms
Pushpa Bhat . Our taxi took us to green
forest of Sevok after chaotic
traffic of Siliguri. The sight of
greenery changed mood of everybody . Sevok is dense forest on plains . At some elephant
crossing marking driver Valerian told us stories of wild elephants. Pushpa ji
travelled this area previously as well. She has memories of famous doors region.
Teesta river was on our right at start of the hilly regions. Steadily we kept
climbing with great , fast Teesta in sight . Water was muddy may be because of
rains on earlier day. Teesta has some dams there with one hydroelectric project
. Pushpa ji pointed me to Famous
coronation bridge” It is door of doors region .” Traffic was heavy on narrow road . Driver said this is important
road connecting Sikkim to Siliguri. In these difficult hills Railways is building new lines thru tall
viaducts over valleys and long tunnels thru hills . Really commendable job. We
stopped for a Tea on banks of Teesta . Exactly below under construction Railway
Viaduct ( Bridge) . The Nepali couple
owner of Tea joint were happy to talk with us . “ You have come from Mumbai
just for running ? “ He was puzzled.
We left Gangtok road
, crossed Teesta bridge and kept ascending
to Kalimpong region . Traffic was thin but road was quite narrow.
Air was getting cooler now . Region is extremely beautiful. With
hills and valleys on either side . Beautiful homes with colours full tin roofs.
I remembered Panchgani when we crossed groups of cute students in stylish uniform
s crossing road.
Kalimpong Region is beautiful but that is not thing with
town we found . Very narrow roads.
Unruly traffic , rampant haphazard construction. Unpainted houses doesn’t make same impression that of nature .
" How much more time " Pushpa ji asked velorian .
"Madam just few kilometres" he replied the same answer a dozen times
.
Journey was long , but I was enjoying it . The clouds were
turning black , and sound was telling that something is brewing up there .
" It must be running up in Pedong " Valerian remarked . I was curious again
"Is pendong is at
further up,"
Yes sir we will be
uphill for next 10/12 km . "Is there snow fall in winters here? " No
sir but it shows in Lava. You will be
passing thru Lava in your marathon " Valerian was happy to answer .
"Just 2 km to go
" Valerian replied to teasing or annoyed Pushpa ji .
But within a minute Valerian stopped suddenly, smiled mischievously
and announced " . We are here
"
Oh I was enjoying . I
wanted to just go own and keep breathing
serene nature . But Ok we are here finally .On left side up there was huge army ground and other
establishment and on down left side rows of houses in different colours and shapes
.
Is it our home stay ?
Yes . A smiling man of Gorkha
descent emerged from somewhere and greeted Valerian .
He introduced himself as Sunil Mukhia ..
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