Magical Darjeeling – The Town of Many Smiles

So many people had suggested that I visit Darjeeling to experience the delights of the British influence that strongly remains. Not having travelled the North East of India I decided that it was time to take in such a trip, maybe with a little luck I would also get to see a glimpse of Mt Kangchenjunga and experience the enchantment of the famous ‘Toy Train’.

Having negotiated with the airline to allow me to take a large camera bag packed with my favourite lens, I eagerly started my journey. I wondered what wonderful people I would have the pleasure to meet on this expedition.

Wow! What an amazing scene that spread before me, this was certainly a photographers dream, rolling hills swathed in fluffy clouds, buildings staggering the mountains and tea plantations creating carpets of green. True to word the British influence shone everywhere from buildings, trains to traditional tea rooms. Having quickly checked into my accommodation I couldn’t wait to take my camera and explore my immediate neighbourhood.

The streets were alive with banter from the local people as the tourists watched with anticipation and amusement. I quickly found my way out of the hustle and tourist areas to the quieter locations where I could react with the locals. As I say time and time again I am just amazed at the warmth of the diverse cultures in this incredible country. My challenge soon started I wanted to get those shots that were not posed and here again everyone was obliging, so I clicked away sharing the results with the posed subjects but still managing to get those true emotions I was always looking for.

As I travelled around the area I was fascinated with the assorted activity that was taking place. The merriment of the women working in the tea plantations was quite contagious and before long I found myself in the middle of the fields amongst the workers. As they busily picked the tea filling their baskets that sat on their backs, I enthusiasticallycaptured the moment through my lens. They chatted away amongst themselves stopping to pose and sometimes acting shy when they noticed my camera. Their laughter infectious as I shown them the photos on my view finder, what a wonderful way to lose momentarily the worry and stress created by our city lives! The lush green plants in such an amazing landscape was the best backdrop that any artist or photographer could wish for. Busy capturing moments I was amused to turn round and find that a group of tourists had followed me and were actively photographing me as I was clicking away…..then I realised who the culprit was, my driver was happily showing the group my Septembers article in Asian Photography.

Its 3.15am in the morning and I am getting ready to drive to Tiger Hill where hopefully I will get an amazing sight of the sunrise over the Himalayas, I have my doubts as it has been cloudy the whole of the trip. Alas the clouds didn’t let us down there was no sign of the sun or indeed the wonderful mountains, it wasn’t to be. Moving down the road I Stopped so that I could capture a sun ray peeking through the trees and as the clouds drifted away from the sun for a fleeting moment there standing proud was Mt Kangchenjunga, the early morning drive had been worth it.

Driving along the narrow roads of Darjeeling we came to a halt due to traffic, now I was truly reminded of back home and the traffic jams we have to muddle through! As we sat stationary I observed an elderly man standing in his doorway of his shop, the seriousness displayed on his face, I wondered where his mind was wandering. He was obviously awaiting customers but he looked deep in his thoughts, was he reliving some of his past or looking to his future?

As I continued on my journey I was intrigued yet again by the strength of these women, laden with foliage they walked spritely along the road. The ‘tell tale’ lines in their faces showing a glimpse of the hard life they had so far endured, what inner strength these women displayed. The warmth and friendliness of these North East inhabitants was creeping to the top of my favourite list, I couldn’t have been more welcomed anywhere in the world than what I was in Darjeeling.

My next stop was to visit the Batasia Loop & Ghoom Monastery, the scenic drive to my destination was not disappointing and as we climbed higher into the clouds it felt like an October foggy day back in the UK. The peace and quiet of the Monastery was well worth the journey. The children taking lessons were distracted by the visitors and their concentration was certainly no longer on their subject. The feeling of tranquillity even ran through the children as they played, there was a calmness enveloping them. What I did detect was seriousness about these young people, not the big smiles one would normally expect from young children, maybe it was the disturbance caused by the visitors. The precision that the elder gentleman displayed as he adjusted his hat to protect himself from the sun, was yet again an example of how peaceful life can be outside the hustle of the everyday city life.

As I started my journey back to my accommodation, my last night in Darjeeling, I was struck by the motherly smile that a tribal woman gave me, the kindness shone in her eyes, was she going to be my last portrait in Darjeeling? Yes she was and what a final photograph to remind me of such a wonderful trip!