Darjeeling

Darjeeling 

Darjeeling originally belonged to the Buddhist kings of Sikkim.  In 1780 it was taken over by invading Gurkhas from Nepal.  Then the East India Company gained control of the region in 1816 but returned the land to the Sikkim in exchange for British control over the borders in that area of India.  In 1828 after exploring the area the British decided to build a sanatorium in the hills here and its location made it a strategic military location. In 1835 the first tea plants were put into the ground.  The climate was perfect for growing tea.  Thus the beginning of the famous Darjeeling Tea was grown here. 

Darjeeling is home to people from Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet and the original Darjeeling people. 

Scenes from Darjeeling

The hotel we stayed at which had a great view of the mountains and close to the main market areas. You left the hotel by walking downhill and returned walking up hill. It was quite a hike!!

An early morning view of the third highest mountain in the world,  Kangchenjunga at 28,169 ft from our hotel rooftop.

It was very cold at night. We had four heavy blankets on our bed and no heat.

But, we were given a hot water bottle every night. It was great and still warm in the morning.

The clock tower which was the central meeting spot for getting a jeep (taxi).

We found a little restaurant owned by a Tibetian family. The food was excellent, prices cheap and just a walk down the hill from our hotel and close to the central mall area. 

We ate breakfast and lunch/supper at the restaurant everyday.

Spring is just beginning to arrive in Darjeeling. 

Trees in bloom.

We went on a tram ride down the mountain that went over a large tea plantation.

Fields of tea plants.

Breakfast at our restaurant All of this cost about 200 rupees. ($3.00) Including tea

Shrine carved into a rock wall.

These trucks were used to bring in building materials and other supplies.

We hiked downhill for about 45 minutes and then hiked up this bank to get to the building at the top. This was the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center. They had an orphanage and made money by selling hand woven rugs and from donations to keep the center operating

There were about 15 women each weaving a different rug. They use the orginal rug as the pattern to make the new rug.

Of course we had to buy a rug!! We picked out this rug design to have made for us. It is a 6'x3' wool rug.  It will be made by one woman and the colors are all natural dyes made from plants. It will take 6 months to make and then it will be shipped to us.