I went to Gangtok with family during the short-term break after our annual examinations. Gangtok is located in the eastern Himalayan range at an altitude of 1650 metres. On reaching Gangtok, we found a serene atmosphere amidst a variety of flora and fauna and greenery which was different from the ever-busy city life in New Delhi. During our visit to the handicrafts exhibition, we bought some traditional handicrafts of Sikkim. I got to know that in Sikkim, there are different tribes. Prominent among them are Lepchas, the original inhabitants, Bhutia, Nepalese, and so on. We also visited a flower show among others, which was spectacular as it showcased flowers in different colours.
The people of Sikkim were kind, hospitable, and humble. The next morning we went to Tsongo Lake which is situated at around 13500 feet. The road to the lake is quite narrow. Due to heavy snowfall and the risk of landslides, we were stopped at around 11,000 feet by the Army. We got to see the snow-capped mountains. It was a wonderful experience as I saw snow and mountains at this altitude for the first time. I found the Indian army braving the harsh climate and protecting our nation. My respect for them has increased.
The next day we left Gangtok to go to Kalimpong — another hill station situated in West Bengal at an altitude of 1250 metres. We visited the Cactus garden where we found a wide variety of cacti. Another memorable experience was when we went paragliding. I went around the hills and enjoyed the scenic beauty of Kalimpong. Our trip to Gangtok and Kalimpong was not only enjoyable and memorable, but also a good learning experience.
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