I had a lazy start today then eventually ventured out at midday.
First, I walked around the many markets of Darjeeling. I bought a small bag for my laptop/phone charger and cables.
There are markets for food, shoes, clothes, bag, and many other things. Most of the branded goods (Nike, Adidas, North Face, etc) are knock-offs. But some are good quality.
It had been so cold in Darjeeling that I needed an extra layer. I opted for a thick jumper. This had a Nike logo on the zipper, but the inside label said Adidas!
As long as you head in an upward direction — either steps or hills — you’ll end up at Mall Road. It’s the most famous street in Darjeeling. It starts at the equally famous Chowrasta square.
I was expecting Mall Road to be very commercial. Instead, it was a circular path, about 2km with plenty of signs saying “No vendors”.
I took the detour to a Hindu temple. It was a steep walk. About halfway up, you had to remove your shoes and walk on the rocky (and dirty) path bare-footed. This has become quite common but not everyone observes the rule. It’s understandable to remove your shoes before stepping into a temple. I do wonder why people are asked to walk on stone paving bare-footed, especially when officials have their shoes on!
When I reached the top of the temple, there wasn’t much to see. I said to myself, not for the first time, “No more temples!”
Although the weather remains dull, the sun did briefly come out. So, there were some mountain views as I walked around Mall Road.
Panoramic view of Darjeeling hills:
As I finished the loop, it started to rain. I ducked into the Himalayan Coffee cafe that Steve had told me about. I read my book and wrote my blog before heading back to the homestay.
Darjeeling is busy during the daytime. In the evening, the crowds double. I don’t know where they come from. Perhaps, they’ve had a day-long siesta. Whatever the cause, the main road leading to Chowrasta becomes barely walkable.
