Kurseong, West Bengal
When you travel to Kurseong, take the train. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has an adorable steam-powered toy train that has been running since 1890. The train to Kurseong starts at Darjeeling station at 4 p.m. and the fare is a very reasonable at Rs. 210 for first class and a purse-saving Rs 60 for second class. Bagdogra Airport is around 40 km from Kurseong, and individual or shared jeeps ply between Kurseong and the airport.
Four local tea-estates - Ambootia, Castleton, Makaibari and Goomtee – all offer tea estate tours. Must-do: tea-tasting sessions to sample blends of Darjeeling tea, ‘the champagne of teas.’ Stay at the comfortable, pocket-friendly Makaibari homestays run by local villagers and tea-garden workers, where you can enjoy home-cooked local cuisine, made from organic ingredients, sitting at the kitchen table with your hosts. Prices start from around Rs. 1,050 a day, inclusive of all meals. To book, call:033-22878560, or contact Nayan Lama at 09832447774.
Gopalpur-on-sea
The scenic old port-town of Gopalpur-on-sea is the place to laze on lonely beaches fringed with palms or casuarinas; or chequered with coconut or cashew nut mini-plantations. The exceptionally fresh seafood makes this a non-vegetarian’s paradise. Visit the crumbling British-era jetty, and climb to the top of the nearby lighthouse for a panoramic view of the gorgeous green-blue waters of the ocean. You can also hire a boat to take you out to sea, where you might be lucky enough to see dolphins! Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar is about 190 kms from Gopalpur on National Highway No.5. Behrampur railway station is a mere 16 kms away. Taxis, mini-buses or buses connect Bhubaneshwar and Behrampur to Gopalpur.
The Orissa Tourism-run Panthanivas Gopalpur has air-conditioned cottages for Rs. 2500 to Rs. 2750 plus taxes. Double rooms with air-conditioning can be had for an economical cost of Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 1,000 or for Rs. 650 to Rs. 700 for non air-conditioned rooms, if you don't mind sultry weather. Book online at: http://panthanivas.com/ booking.html
Imphal, Mizoram
The spirit of this friendly, vibrant city is embodied in the Ima Keithel, or Mothers’ Market. This roofed market has nearly 3000 ‘Imas’ (the Manipuri word for ‘mothers’) selling everything from dried mushrooms, fermented fish, fresh seafood and veggies to beautiful handlooms, handicrafts, snacks and even lunch! You don’t need to bargain - prices are reasonable. Pick up shawls, stoles, Manipuri sarongs or phanek and innaphi wraps, bamboo items, lotus flowers, Manipuri chikki topped with sugar meringue and or even the infamous Bhoot Dholakia chilli. Sample the hot bajjis, or try authentic Manipuri platters of rice, dal and fish curry.
Also worth visiting is the Maharaja's Palace, Kangla Fort. This lovely fort is set in manicured gardens, with its own temple and museum. Manipur Tourism’s Imphal Hotel, the most posh hotel in Imphal, has suites at around Rs 1,200 and deluxe double rooms for Rs 600 (approx). To book, Email hotelimphal@yahoo.co.in, hotelimphal@rediffmail.com or call 0385 2421373/2423372
