Darjeeling Shutdown

pfmcintyre · Jul 13th, 2009, 17:22

Hello,

I am getting a train to NJP on Friday, was planning on visiting friends in a village near Kalimpong. But I just heard the entire hills have been shut down because of the Ghorkaland strikes.

Really not sure what to do now, as flying into Kolkata on Friday and getting the Darjeeling Mail that night. Is there any point even getting the train north? It doesn't look like there's going to be any movement for a while.

This is just the worst thing that could happen. I have been looking forward to this trip all year.

I am not averse to the idea of going up there and seeing if we can get anywhere but we may get stranded, and it might be a little unsafe.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Pam

indracal · Jul 14th, 2009, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfmcintyre

I am not averse to the idea of going up there and seeing if we can get anywhere but we may get stranded, and it might be a little unsafe.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Pam,

Welcome to IM!

Would not suggest travelling if you are having any kids or older person, or one who might need urgent medical attention.

Otherwise, you may want to give it a try, but should be ready for getting stranded.

What does your friend say? Did you have a talk recently after knowing this bad news? He/she/they being locals, might have some valid issues/suggestions, anybody else (like me) would just guess!

Kengonetoindia · Jul 14th, 2009, 22:48

Yes, it's no fun in Darjeeling when the shutdowns are ongoing. I got stuck in that mess in May of this year and when they say everything is shut down they mean EVERYTHING. You couldn't even get out if you wanted to since all the taxis where off road. Couldn't even find a chai stall open. This is not a good experience and I urge you to reconsider your plans.

rockwater2 · Aug 16th, 2009, 21:22

HI Pam

So what if Darjelling is closed.
Frm NJP strike a deal with the Agents right outside the Station For the No.of days u intend staying & take a trip to Sikkim ( Pelling, Gangtok, Nathulla, Gurugondarmar & Youngthang)

It'll b an exciting trip & the best views u'll ever have, Believe me.

Yeah the guiys r negotiable with rates.

TAke care
Enjoy

machadinha · Aug 16th, 2009, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwater2

So what if Darjelling is closed.
Frm NJP strike a deal with the Agents

? Seems like weird and silly advice (you wouldn't have any connections to such agents, would you?), as it had been reported on the following thread if you read back on it that the entire region, including access to Sikkim, had very much shut down during the last and recent strikes. However, it has also been reported there the bandhs are over, at least for the time being, and that's the last I've seen on it: Darjeeling Strikes .

rockwater2 · Aug 16th, 2009, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

? Seems like weird and silly advice (you wouldn't have any connections to such agents, would you?), as it had been reported on the following thread if you read back on it that the entire region, including access to Sikkim, had very much shut down during the last and recent strikes. However, it has also been reported there the bandhs are over, at least for the time being, and that's the last I've seen on it: Darjeeling Strikes .

Wish i could help out with some of the agents. But sorry to say, dont ve anyones Nos. Anyways, going back to my story, There r more than 25 operators right outside the NJP stn. Approach em. They r very much legal & safe. And they ve a idea of whats open & not. Ive myself been thru them plenty of times. So if u r already planned out dont back off. Sikkim is equally beautiful. Gorkhaland is being fought for Gorkhas & they want Darjelling as a separate state frm West Bengal. Nothing to do with SIkkim.

Further if uve ventured on that route. & wanna opt out Sikkim or Derjelling, then the Best is Shillong. Frm the same stn. catch a train for Guwahati. & once in Guwahati , share a TAxi to Shillong & tour that place & CHirapunji. Its amazing .The same Hills & water falls.

Cheers

theyyamdancer · Aug 16th, 2009, 22:10

Just to point out a couple of things here. The original poster, coming all the way from the U.K., was rightly concerned about the planning of her trip. (Looking at the dates, she must be in India by now.)

Tourists in both Darjeeling and in Sikkim have been known to be stranded when bandhs (strikes) have blocked the highway - which highway is common to the hills leading both to Darjeeling and to Gangtok.

I myself travelled to Darjeeling on the day immediately after the very long bandh ended in spring 2008. There was no problem, but still we were held up by strikers in Kurseong. And we were searched by armed Morcha strikers further up the road.

It is a good idea to keep abreast of the news right up to and including the last minute as things change at the drop of a pin in the Hills.

As it is at the moment it is calm. But it may change again due to the ongoing talks. Read the newspapers. Don't rely on chance.

However many travel agents one may come across in Siliguri does not mean that a blocked road will become an unblocked road.

And, if and when visiting Sikkim, only Indian nationals may visit Gurudongmar and Nathula. So it is irresponsible to recommend those places without thinking of the original poster!

rockwater2 · Aug 16th, 2009, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by theyyamdancer

Just to point out a couple of things here. The original poster, coming all the way from the U.K., was rightly concerned about the planning of her trip. (Looking at the dates, she must be in India by now.)

Tourists in both Darjeeling and in Sikkim have been known to be stranded when bandhs (strikes) have blocked the highway - which highway is common to the hills leading both to Darjeeling and to Gangtok.

I myself travelled to Darjeeling on the day immediately after the very long bandh ended in spring 2008. There was no problem, but still we were held up by strikers in Kurseong. And we were searched by armed Morcha strikers further up the road.

It is a good idea to keep abreast of the news right up to and including the last minute as things change at the drop of a pin in the Hills.

As it is at the moment it is calm. But it may change again due to the ongoing talks. Read the newspapers. Don't rely on chance.

However many travel agents one may come across in Siliguri does not mean that a blocked road will become an unblocked road.

And, if and when visiting Sikkim, only Indian nationals may visit Gurudongmar and Nathula. So it is irresponsible to recommend those places without thinking of the original poster!

Understud!
Cant beat u guys!! The Bottomline is remain in ur shell

Cheers

machadinha · Aug 16th, 2009, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwater2

The Bottomline is remain in ur shell

Nah, not at all. Just the bottom line is the attempt to provide as accurate information as collectively possible

Enjoy your time here, I'd say

Swim around the board some to get a feel for it; you'll likely find it's generally a very friendly place. Maybe check this if you hadn't already as a nice introduction: A Beginner's Guide to IndiaMike.com.

Nick-H · Aug 16th, 2009, 23:08

rockwater2; please do not write in SMS/Chat abbreviations. It is strongly disproved of on this site (many others too) as it is hard for some members to understand, and annoying to many others.

theyyamdancer · Aug 16th, 2009, 23:11

Rockwater2,

I have some very nice shells on the seashore here in Greece, thanks!

I had a lovely time in both Darjeeling and in Sikkim and also in Arunachal Pradesh. You can read my travellogues if you are so inclined.

rockwater2 · Aug 16th, 2009, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

rockwater2; please do not write in SMS/Chat abbreviations. It is strongly disproved of on this site (many others too) as it is hard for some members to understand, and annoying to many others.

Sorry, probably missed out on that! Will keep a better track of my Eng. & be more formal next time.

Cheers

Nick-H · Aug 16th, 2009, 23:26

No need for formality!

rockwater2 · Aug 16th, 2009, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by theyyamdancer

Rockwater2,

I have some very nice shells on the seashore here in Greece, thanks!

I had a lovely time in both Darjeeling and in Sikkim and also in Arunachal Pradesh. You can read my travellogues if you are so inclined.

MMmmmmmm thats tempting!! Will definitely put Greece in my list.
Well i appreciate ur offer.wil definitely go thru em, maybe i might find something new!!!
By the way , did u try out Chang, the local Brew. I dont know how they make it, but it tastes like wine & served in Bamboo. & u hafta pour warm water in & sip it. Was fantabulous!!

Cheers

theyyamdancer · Aug 16th, 2009, 23:35

I see you have slipped back into SMS! Putting on my mod hat - please refrain from using SMS on IndiaMike - THANKS.

No, I didn't try Chaang. Maybe next time.

(But I did try Apong in Arunachal Pradesh.

Perhaps it is an acquired taste. I have not yet acquired it though. Mr. T. on the other hand tried to find out the recipe.)

Jul 13th, 2009, 17:22	#1
pfmcintyre Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: LONDON Posts: 3	Darjeeling Shutdown Hello, I am getting a train to NJP on Friday, was planning on visiting friends in a village near Kalimpong. But I just heard the entire hills have been shut down because of the Ghorkaland strikes. Really not sure what to do now, as flying into Kolkata on Friday and getting the Darjeeling Mail that night. Is there any point even getting the train north? It doesn't look like there's going to be any movement for a while. This is just the worst thing that could happen. I have been looking forward to this trip all year. I am not averse to the idea of going up there and seeing if we can get anywhere but we may get stranded, and it might be a little unsafe. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks Pam

Aug 16th, 2009, 21:22	#4
rockwater2 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25	So what if Darjelling is Closed HI Pam So what if Darjelling is closed. Frm NJP strike a deal with the Agents right outside the Station For the No.of days u intend staying & take a trip to Sikkim ( Pelling, Gangtok, Nathulla, Gurugondarmar & Youngthang) It'll b an exciting trip & the best views u'll ever have, Believe me. Yeah the guiys r negotiable with rates. TAke care Enjoy

Aug 16th, 2009, 22:10	#7
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	Just to point out a couple of things here. The original poster, coming all the way from the U.K., was rightly concerned about the planning of her trip. (Looking at the dates, she must be in India by now.) Tourists in both Darjeeling *and in Sikkim* have been known to be stranded when bandhs (strikes) have blocked the highway - which highway is common to the hills leading both to Darjeeling and to Gangtok. I myself travelled to Darjeeling on the day immediately after the very long bandh ended in spring 2008. There was no problem, but still we were held up by strikers in Kurseong. And we were searched by armed Morcha strikers further up the road. It is a good idea to keep abreast of the news right up to and including the last minute as things change at the drop of a pin in the Hills. As it is at the moment it is calm. But it may change again due to the ongoing talks. Read the newspapers. Don't rely on chance. However many travel agents one may come across in Siliguri does not mean that a blocked road will become an unblocked road. And, if and when visiting Sikkim, only Indian nationals may visit Gurudongmar and Nathula. So it is irresponsible to recommend those places without thinking of the original poster! __________________ "Wandering seemed no more than the happiness of an anxious man." - Albert Camus

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Jul 14th, 2009, 22:48	#3
Kengonetoindia Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Salt Spring Island B.C. Canada Posts: 90	Yes, it's no fun in Darjeeling when the shutdowns are ongoing. I got stuck in that mess in May of this year and when they say everything is shut down they mean EVERYTHING. You couldn't even get out if you wanted to since all the taxis where off road. Couldn't even find a chai stall open. This is not a good experience and I urge you to reconsider your plans.

Aug 16th, 2009, 23:08	#10
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	rockwater2; please do not write in SMS/Chat abbreviations. It is strongly disproved of on this site (many others too) as it is hard for some members to understand, and annoying to many others.

Aug 16th, 2009, 23:11	#11
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	Rockwater2, I have some very nice shells on the seashore here in Greece, thanks! I had a lovely time in both Darjeeling and in Sikkim and also in Arunachal Pradesh. You can read my travellogues if you are so inclined.

Aug 16th, 2009, 23:26	#13
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	No need for formality!

Aug 16th, 2009, 23:35	#15
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	I see you have slipped back into SMS! Putting on my mod hat - please refrain from using SMS on IndiaMike - THANKS. No, I didn't try Chaang. Maybe next time. (But I did try Apong in Arunachal Pradesh. Perhaps it is an acquired taste. I have not yet acquired it though. Mr. T. on the other hand tried to find out the recipe.)