so i had another early start this morning packed up and headed to the jeep/bus sttation at 630am and got onto a jeep heading to kalimpong which is a bustling bazzar town spawled along a ridge that over looks the Teesta river the 2-3 hr rige was bump, and crowed they managed to fit 11 passangers plus a driver and the along the way we picked up a few more people on the roof. apart form the overcroweding the drive is beautiful along the way u pass millions of sheets which are tibetian prayer flags thet cover one side of teh mountain and then u look the other way and theres these tall tall trees covering the mountain face...along the way ur also kept amused by the signs they have posted "designed to keep u safe.EG "NO RUSJ NO RALLY ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF THE VALLEY" or ÖN MY CURVES WATCH YOUR NERVES"

in Kalimpong i have done a hell of a lot of walking up up and up. first thing i headed to THARPA CHOLING GOMPA built in 1926 and houses statues of the past present and future buddha (it was a 30min wlak up hill) on the way down stoped at THONGSA GOMPA founded in 1692 and MANGAL DHAM which is a really moderned looking temple shaped like LOTUS FLOWERS its holy to krishna.... People here i dont think are used to tourist but there so lovely and accompdating every place i visited this morning was closed and they opened then jsut for me....

the at lunch met an OZZIE couple from syd....it was great to here the acsent again

after luch headed to DURPIN GOMPA which is a 5km walk up hill.. it has spectacular views of the himalaya's...

well thats me for another day

heading back to NJP tomorrw to catch a train back to kolkata were i will met robin and head off to the sunderban tiger camp..

hope all is well with every1

niki