After breakfast, Natalie and I stepped outside of our hotel's restaurant to a procession of monks and lay people descending Tibet Road in celebration of Buddha's birthday. We made our way to Mahatma Gandhi Marg, the pedestrian-only road which marks the center of city life (at least as far as tourists are concerned). The quiet road was a much-appreciated oasis after the incessant honking jeeps of Darjeeling.
Clouds began to approach in the early afternoon so we took shelter in Bakers Cafe, which had all the hallmarks of a western-styled cafe (including a tasty cappuccino, my first in months). We used the time to get to know each other a little better. I admired Natalie's willingness to take on long term travel in India (and unexpectedly, Nepal) as a single woman.
When the rain let up, we made our way back to the hotel restaurant where Cameron was hanging out (we had planned to meet him there sometime that afternoon). We began to discuss the sightseeing options along with Dave (Australian) whom Natalie and I had met earlier. I wanted to see Tsomgo Lake which sat at an altitude of 3,800 meters. I was sold by two factors, reaching a new high in terms of altitude and the chance to go for a yak ride. Natalie was eager to seen snow-capped mountains and thus wanted to do a multi-day jeep tour of the north.
We found a tour agency on the pedestrian road that afternoon which managed to obtain our permits for the lake trip on short notice, thus allowing us to head there the next day. We also shared our intention to book a 3-day/2-night jeep tour of the north through them for the day after. Our plans settled, we enjoyed a cozy dinner at Tangerine, overlooking the Himalaya at sunset.
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Ames says
June 4, 2008 at 2:00 amYou should write a follow up book to The Lonely Planet… something like The Friendly Planet… or How to Meet Friends All Over The Planet. I think it is soo cool how you link up with others wherever you are on the same “roads” as you!! I guess you don’t meet many single women traveling alone? Was Gela also alone in Nepal??
Dave says
June 5, 2008 at 7:07 amThe experience of meeting so many other people from around the world was one of the big draws for me to take an extended trip. Plenty of single women leave home on their own, though you don’t often run across many that are truly traveling alone. I think they’re more concerned with safety, especially in a country such as India. Also, it depends on a person’s personality. I enjoy my alone time as much as the time hanging out with others. You learn to appreciate both experiences that way (imho).
Gela was traveling on her own for that month in Nepal, though the first half of her trip was dedicated to a volunteer experience, and the second half the trek with me.
Ames says
June 3, 2008 at 9:00 pmYou should write a follow up book to The Lonely Planet… something like The Friendly Planet… or How to Meet Friends All Over The Planet. I think it is soo cool how you link up with others wherever you are on the same “roads” as you!! I guess you don’t meet many single women traveling alone? Was Gela also alone in Nepal??
Dave says
June 5, 2008 at 2:07 amThe experience of meeting so many other people from around the world was one of the big draws for me to take an extended trip. Plenty of single women leave home on their own, though you don’t often run across many that are truly traveling alone. I think they’re more concerned with safety, especially in a country such as India. Also, it depends on a person’s personality. I enjoy my alone time as much as the time hanging out with others. You learn to appreciate both experiences that way (imho).
Gela was traveling on her own for that month in Nepal, though the first half of her trip was dedicated to a volunteer experience, and the second half the trek with me.
Gela says
June 6, 2008 at 9:10 pmHi Ames, since my name is mentioned in these comments I feel I have to react ;) – in my experience there are loads of single women travelling alone and if you feel hesitant about doing the same: don’t. Just go for it cause you won’t be alone for long – whether you’re male or female. It is just not possible NOT to meet people when you’re travelling in Asia (or South America so I’ve heard) because everyone is going to the same places anyway and everyone’s reading Lonely Planet! ;). In Nepal I was on a limited time schedule, that’s why I wanted to find a trekking buddy before going there and it worked out well with Dave. But I’ve travelled alone in other countries and I have never felt unsafe (or alone). Same goes for female friends of mine who travelled alone. At home it always seems you’re the only one dreaming of travelling alone, but once you’re out there you’ll find there are a billion people doing the same thing – and going the same way. So please don’t let the ‘alone’ factor put you off and go for it!
Dave says
June 7, 2008 at 6:44 amI couldn’t have said it better! It does sometimes suck that you really don’t find you’re the only one with the grand idea of traveling to far off destinations independently.
Gela says
June 6, 2008 at 4:10 pmHi Ames, since my name is mentioned in these comments I feel I have to react ;) – in my experience there are loads of single women travelling alone and if you feel hesitant about doing the same: don’t. Just go for it cause you won’t be alone for long – whether you’re male or female. It is just not possible NOT to meet people when you’re travelling in Asia (or South America so I’ve heard) because everyone is going to the same places anyway and everyone’s reading Lonely Planet! ;). In Nepal I was on a limited time schedule, that’s why I wanted to find a trekking buddy before going there and it worked out well with Dave. But I’ve travelled alone in other countries and I have never felt unsafe (or alone). Same goes for female friends of mine who travelled alone. At home it always seems you’re the only one dreaming of travelling alone, but once you’re out there you’ll find there are a billion people doing the same thing – and going the same way. So please don’t let the ‘alone’ factor put you off and go for it!
Dave says
June 7, 2008 at 1:44 amI couldn’t have said it better! It does sometimes suck that you really don’t find you’re the only one with the grand idea of traveling to far off destinations independently.
Kango Suz says
June 9, 2008 at 10:32 amI’m impressed with how close a shave that guy was able to give you with those hand-powered clippers! I have trouble giving my hubby a close shave with the ELECTRIC shavers. Obviously why I’m not in the profession…
Dave says
June 10, 2008 at 12:45 amI guess he didn’t know what I meant when I asked if he had an “electric” shaver. It hurt, but did a good job.
Kango Suz says
June 9, 2008 at 3:32 pmI’m impressed with how close a shave that guy was able to give you with those hand-powered clippers! I have trouble giving my hubby a close shave with the ELECTRIC shavers. Obviously why I’m not in the profession…
Dave says
June 10, 2008 at 5:45 amI guess he didn’t know what I meant when I asked if he had an “electric” shaver. It hurt, but did a good job.
BlakesJourney says
October 16, 2009 at 1:22 pmSometimes I feel mighty lonely while traveling alone. Especially in the country. Plazas are empty and nights are lack luster.
BlakesJourney says
October 16, 2009 at 6:22 pmSometimes I feel mighty lonely while traveling alone. Especially in the country. Plazas are empty and nights are lack luster.