The day started with a good view of Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. This morning, I could see the 8000m+ mountain from my bedroom window!
Until today, the weather had been cloudy, misty, grey, and cold. It was a pleasant surprise to wake up to this view.
For breakfast, I’ve opted to have some fruit instead of a cooked meal. I packed the fruit into a small bag and headed for the viewpoint on Mall Road. Once there, I sat and ate whilst looking at Kanchenjunga. My PeakFinder app identified the visible Himalayan mountains.
Whilst eating, I saw someone who looked English. I told him the name of the mountain, in case he didn’t know.
He, Richard, had arrived yesterday and was feeling the cold. It took him two hours to warm up last night. I said that I had found that four blankets were optimal!
I mentioned that I was going to Tiger Hill tomorrow. It’s a popular viewpoint where people go to see sunrise and the sunlight hit Kanchenjunga and surrounding mountains. On a good day, you can even see Everest!
He told me later he wanted to come. I told my homestay owner if the early morning taxi he’d ordered for me could be shared. He said it could and that we could pick up Richard on the way.
My main aim for the day was to get a permit for Sikkim. This was a two-part process. I’d already completed part one. This required a signed form from the police verifying my ID.
The second part was to vist the District Magistrate Office. It was a scenic walk from the viewpoint to the DM Office. It was a big building where all sorts of legal stuff happened.
Whilst trying to find the permit office, I saw someone deliver a new office chair for somone. The two were struggling then the bottom half fell off! I saw this and helped out.
Later whilst continuing to look for the permit office, the new chair owner saw me. Remembering me, he took me to the office.
I gave the part one paper, my passport, and my OCI card to the official. He gave me a permit ten minutes later. It was an incredibly smooth, painless experience!