If you thought Ooty was the only place famous for home made chocolates then think again…Kodai is not far behind with its wide range of home made chocolates….Aaahhh these lip smacking home made chocolates are a must try when in Kodai…. Hop into any shop and you get to see a huge variety of them….You get them almost everywhere, in small shops, restaurants and even in chai shops……
Could not resist myself from the sinful indulgence 😛
Roasted Almond and roasted cashew were few my favorites ….
Some trips are not easily forgotten. Being a child whose parents loved to travel, I was fortunate enough to travel a lot of lesser known places in and around Kolkata.
About 99 Km from Jalpaiguri, Jhalong, is another such lesser-trodden offbeat wonder of Dooars Himalayan foothills, is situated on the bank of Jaldhaka on the way to Bindu in Kalimpong Sub-division. Jaldhaka Hydro electricity project on the Jaldhaka River is another major attraction. It operates water supply to the project and serves as a bridge for crossing over to Bhutan.
The nearest Airport is the Bagdogra Airport from where you hire a cab to this place.
The place was a truly serine place with the nature that stands in front of you with all its magic and splendor. Jhalong is rich with natural beauty; there are several places in Jhalong for sightseeing. Jhalong is a paradise for bird watchers. Being a weekend trip for me and my family from Kolkata, it was quite a refreshing one. Far from the busy schedules of the city life, the experience of staying over at a quaint little hotel just on the banks of the Jaldhaka was truly a mesmerizing one. Accommodations are quite less in this part of the country. So be prepared for not so luxurious stays. But trust me being able to stay with one of the localities and enjoying a hot meal with them in their kitchen is an experience in itself. A visit to the weekly market and a bare footed walk on the banks of the river can rejuvenate you and keep you wanting for more. Considered as a birdwatcher’s paradise, this village is home to several hill birds and migratory water fowl. Hill birds like kingfisher, brown dipper, redstart and laughing thrush can be spotted in this destination.
When one thinks of Ooty, one only thinks about the Ooty Lake, toy train and lush tea gardens. Ever thought about visiting any place that is off the beaten track? On our search for such a location we happened to come across Avalanche.
Avalanche is a nature lover’s paradise, which is just 26 km away from Ooty. This valley has been named after the landslide or avalanche in 1823. The lakes are tucked inside the lush green shola forests. The first thing that hits you at Avalanche is the palpably pristine fresh air. The jungle is dripping with epiphytes – ferns, orchids, mosses, lichen literally falling off the trunks and branches. Pristine mountain streams are everywhere, and at parts the shola is dense, dark and seemingly impenetrable.
The place is distinctly noted for two lakes side by side, known as Avalanche Lake and Emerald Lake. A small bride separates the two lakes. The water of the lakes is truly crystal clear and we could not resist ourselves from dipping our feet in the lake. The place is so less known to the public that you will not find many people around and that adds to the charm of the place.
The true untouched nature of the place would make you sit there for hours. It is also the perfect place to enjoy bird watching and a quiet afternoon. If you happen to travel a little further up you will be able to see a lot of lakes from the top. The places adjacent to the Emerald Lake, is mainly in a reserved forest and is largely off-limits to visitors. Prior permission from the forest departments is required for visiting the places beyond this
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