Tag: Hills

Perilous Mountains of Sikkim, 2017 – Part 2

Far from civilization, in extreme weather conditions, no connectivity, living each day in disciplined rhythm, probably the soldiers also wait for the colourful, boisterous tourists to arrive at their sentinel!

Literally, the last frontier for civilian vehicles, the Zero Point, Yumthang in North Sikkim, just 15 km from the China border, is your chance to see and touch remnants of the winter snow, in the month of June. The area is barren but the treacherous journey is picturesque, the eternal romance of the mountains and clouds changing colors and tactics on alpine slopes. Sometimes you can see the blush of pink mountain flowers, many times the rugged energy of a river breaking down the mountain, rock by rock, stone by stone!

Tourists follow the serpentine rugged roads to reach the cold altitude of 15000 feet. They stand in awe at what is the edge of a certain part of the country and they cross a rickety plank bridge to touch the crumbling snow. In winter months, travelers engage in snow ball fights in rented gear!

Photo highlight – Freezing temperature and the husband carrying snow across the plank bridge, in his hands so that the children could hold it!

Continue reading “Perilous Mountains of Sikkim, 2017 – Part 2”

Touristy Notes from Sikkim, 2017 – Part 1

Tiny tots like him walk to school on weekdays with siblings, trotting dangerously along the edge. It is scary but they look unperturbed, their cheeks red under the clear mountain sun.

The month of June brings back memories of summer vacations and travels to lands far and fair. In June 2017, our family of 3 went to Sikkim with family friends and relatives. I took notes on my phone, posting them along with pictures on my Facebook page. I bring them out here to share impressions that stay forever.

Lachen Monastery, Sikkim

We were soaking in the blue skies, admiring the mountains, and the peace, letting our prayers flutter in the wind, along with the prayer flags.

Continue reading “Touristy Notes from Sikkim, 2017 – Part 1”

Nature’s Medley…continues

Hills and Ravines

A fine vintage
Of memories running
On your forehead
Delicate lines
Hills and ravines
Life’s ups and downs
Chiseled on your brows

Highs and Lows

Scaling mountains
Traversing hills
Like a madman roams
In the highs and lows
Of your bosom
This thrill seeker
Finally, finds a home

Wind and Dew

She plaited stars
Shimmers unparalleled
In her lustrous braid
When the wind unravelled
Those twisted tresses
Diamonds floated free
And became dew drops

Beauty

I searched in
Golden sand dunes
Silver ice-scapes
Burgundy hills
Fields of peridot
Beauty, I eventually
Found you within

Stars and Moon

I will meet you
At the other side
Of the blue night
In sweet slumber
In deep sleep
Let’s serenade the moon
Trace lines on the stars

Sand and Ice

Are you made up of
Golden sand dunes
Or of the icy miracles
Of snow top mountains
With you, under the galaxy
Of a thousand sparkles
My heart melts, freezes
Sighs, rejoices, all at once!

Nature’s Medley

Oceanside

Curious crimson
Of a dusky sun
Mixing with seas
Of tranquility
In this cocktail, drop
A potion of moonlight
See the waves dance

Woodland

Flirtatious wind
Caresses pine trees
Raindrops tremble
In torrents free
As clouds descend
The forest resounds
With a swish of jealousy

Hillside

Feathery gray
The magic of waiting
As the mist gathers
Engulfing me
Before the first rain
Surreal shift of clouds
On yonder hills

Dunes

A desert storm
Blows away the
Sands of time
Golden dunes shift
An oasis moves further
I stand blinded
Clinging to a mirage

Mountain River

Life’s meanderings
Like the whimsical
Bends of rivers
Inundated, rocky,
Puddling, flowing
From icy glaciers
To the vast ocean!

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