Siliguri to Shantiniketan

From childhood, I heard about Shantiniketan, built by Robi Thakur. The most peaceful place, The great VisvaBharati University, where Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Satyajit Ray, Noble laureate Amartya Sen .. So many learned personality  studied there. The authentic Bengali cuisine at Amar Kutir is mouth watering, still attracting many tourists.
Different departments of culture, Museum of Bangladesh department of art and architecture, dance & music make the place more attractive.
The childhood home of Robi Thakur, a huge Bengali zamindar house,tal ghor where screw pine jaggery prepared. I like his house, which he makes according to his choice.. Though 2 storey building, but back of that a small thatched hut or Kutir where he spent most of his times.
Like Govt. Crafts shop Amar Kutir, there is a leather factory.
Last but least, I enjoyed my evening at Khoaii mela, with the local bolpur sarees and crafts and evening cultural programmes of Baul, Rabindra Sangeet and dance..
Very soon coming with new place... 

Trip to Sikkim

Our Travel agent gave us two options for this summer holidays. One is Bhutan and other is Gangtok. As we ve no interest for snow, we rejected Gangtok option. But when Asim described about North Sikkim. The valley of flowers, Himalayan Valleys and falls,Nathula pass and China gate along with Gangtok.

Gangtok is the capital of the mountainous northern Indian state of Sikkim. Established as a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the 1840s, the city became capital of an independent monarchy after British rule ended, but joined India in 1975. Today, it remains a Tibetan Buddhist center and a base for hikers organizing permits and transport for treks through Sikkim’s Himalayan mountain ranges.
On 20th'April'19 we took flight from Hyderabad to Bagdogra, the nearest airport to Gangtok. I opined, that to see only Gangtok and in around, a tourist can easily roam the city with sightseeing. But for whole Sikkim, u must need to go through a package.

After travel agent sent cab for pick up from airport. After launch in Siliguri, we started our journey to Gangtok. By evening(4 hrs.) journey, we reached our hotel in Gangtok. After refreshment, we went for a walk to see near local Market. Unfortunately the shops closed soon. It is their rule to close shops by 8 to 8. 30 p. M. But we ate  hot momos from the street. As we ve to be ready for North Sikkim by tomorrow morning, after dinner we went to bed.
21st morning, our journey started towards North., the city Lanchung, which is 6hrs journey.
Lachung is a mountain village close to the Tibetan border, in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim. It's divided by the Lachung River. The village is home to the 19th-century Buddhist Lachung Monastery, surrounded by apple orchards. Nearby, the Yumthang Valley's Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary protects many species of rhododendron. The valley is also known for its waterfalls, pine forests and hot springs.
The hotel we were staying is very cozy rooms. From all windows u can see the spectacular view of Himalayan snow  valley.
Following my usual habits, I moved out of hotel rooms in search of some hot food. Chilled breeze with little snow fall I walked out to the village Street. But to my surprise, besides our hotel,I found a cottage.. Where socks, woollen caps jacket gum boot grocery, vegetables.. everything need for chilled climate are available. I'll never forget the warm welcome of Mr & Mrs. Bhutia. Very nice couple. Just feeling like home I sat on the cozy bench covered with woollen carpet. Slowly I realised they sell hot Maggi, omelette.. Tea etc. I ordered 3 hot Maggie for me and kids and omelette for my husband. My son said that "uncle ur Maggie recipe is tooo good. I ll come for dinner. True. He prepared in a way with slice onion and tomato, it was really tasty.
On 22nd morning.. After light breakfast we went to yumthang valley. It is called as valley of flowers. After finishing all in and around places of North Sikkim, we returned towards Gangtok. There are so many dhaba on roadside villages. They prepared traditional Sikkimise food like veg and chicken thupka,a hot veggi soup type of meal.They also habituated with, rice, dal, cabbage, all vegetables and mostly chicken and egg.. We reached Gangtok before evening. And no mood for go anywhere.. only to take rest. 
On 23rd morning we started for changu Lake, Nathula pass and China gate.. All are full of snows.. But the big the Buddhist learning centre and museum were mostly liked by us. Most tourist visit Flowers exhibition and buy seeds of beautiful wild flowers, which can grow in humid area but with care. I'm not the exceptional... Ha ha.. Here I upload a slides with collections of our Sikkim trip. Hope u enjoy!!