We arrive in Kalimpong along the winding roads of the cliffs precipice, with the view of the Kanchenjunga still insight as we ascend. We check in to Sherpa lodge overlooking the village sports arena. We wrap up warm, being winter and 1700 metres from sea level and venture out to find ourselves a good old cup of tea. As we were wondering around the small village that once belonged to Bhutan, we were called over by an Indian lady. She invited us into her home/ homeopathic clinic and made us some tea and heated up some homemade roti. We talked philosophy, (well she sort of talked and Charlie and I just nodded occasionally in agreement) travelling and India. She was a wise and slightly eccentric woman with a warm heart and a good sense of humour. Several cups of tea and a fair few photo albums later we made our way back to the lodge. The rest of our time in Kalimpong was spent visiting this slightly eccentric doctor and her family, getting up for sunrise at the monastery whilst listening to monks chanting, as dawn lights up the surrounding mountains and we take in the natural beauty this place has to offer.
We decide to take our journey east and get the overnight train from Siliguri. Some say that travelling isn't just about the destination but about the journey itself. This train journey was no exception. With a profusion of activity from start to finish. Our beds swiftly scoped out, the moving market around us commenced. Selling toothbrushes, to watches, to blankets, to torches. Vendors yelling, chai they were selling. Those were all frivolous to us as it was the variety of food that Charlie and I seldom refused. At 4 in the morning we arrive in Guwahati.