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Feathered Friends and Landscapes

by Vidya Sury July 8, 2012 54 comments

I am sharing an assortment of photos today from my recent trip. I can’t seem to stop thinking of it. One thing is certain, that part of my country is definitely worth another trip or three.  My aim was actually to categorize the five hundred odd pictures and post in groups.I wanted to post pictures of the tea gardens, mountains, waterfalls, the gorgeous zoo, trees…. but you know how it is – I just ended up picking this week’s favorites. I have severe ADD when it comes to my photo albums. I could get lost in them, in the memories associated….and still be at it a week later. So, without further ado, let’s get on with today’s show!

(Click a picture to see the larger version)

Sikkim Zoo – This building is at the topmost point and made of wood. Sadly – locked. No entry. I would have loved to climb to the top!
Sikkim Zoo – pretty bird – peacock pheasant.
Sikkim Zoo – pheasant
Outside the monastery – pigeon – I enjoyed watching it walk up and down the road like it owned it. It probably did.
Sikkim Zoo – rainbow pheasant (I think)
The mighty Teesta river in a fog on our way to Darjeeling
The gorgeous Bakthang Falls in Gangtok. The sound is deafening!
The view from our hotel window in Gangtok. Heaven?
The view from our hotel balcony in Darjeeling. I love the little groups of houses with the early morning sun’s rays caressing them gently
She stood guard outside our Darjeeling hotel room. Must have weighed a ton. Although she does not look like she needs to worry about her weight. She’s in pretty good shape eh? Solid brass. Almost as tall as me.  Goddess Saraswati.- recognized by the instrument – the veena.  I am named after her. Really. I was christened Vidya Saraswati

This Sunday, Unknown Mami is seeing spots. And what pretty spots. Let’s go join her and all the others who are part of today’s trip. Lets travel the world together!

My first stop from Unknown Mami’s will be Honduras Gumbo – one of my favorite blogs.

Have a wonderful week ahead, folks!

Thank you for subscribing to my blog! Do consider leaving a comment – or just reply to this email! I’d love to know what you think.Cheers!

Vidya

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54 comments

Terri Sonoda July 8, 2012 at 1:59 pm

Good morning Vidya! Beautiful pictures! What a trip that must have been! I am such a fan of waterfalls, and that one looks amazing. That building at the Sikkim zoo looked so inviting. Too bad it was locked. Thank you so much for sharing, my friend. Just love your Sundays!
Terri
XOXOs

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 3:56 pm

Hugs Terri! Yes, it was a superb trip, rain and all 😀 Thanks – I hope we spend a Sunday exploring nature.

Thanks also for letting me know about the pesky icons. Is it still being a pain? I tried pushing them further left. If they’re acting up, I’ll just knock them off 😀 Let me know – much appreciated!

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Leovi July 8, 2012 at 2:22 pm

Beautiful pictures, I do. Stunning landscapes. I like the composition in the second. Congratulations. I also love the song “The more you ignore me.”

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:08 pm

Thank you, Leovi. Thinking of that song took me down memory lane, leading to a lot of other songs. 🙂 The second pic is my favorite too!

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BLOGitse July 8, 2012 at 2:34 pm

wow, look at that waterfall, amazing!
Happy Sunday!

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:09 pm

Ooh, yes. Nice and misty shower it was! 🙂 Happy week to you!

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retired not tired July 8, 2012 at 2:36 pm

Fabulous pictures. In this digital age the children are saving their pictures on the computer however since my parents can no longer travel they take out their albums and relive their trips. Today they went to Alaska.

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:10 pm

I’ve heard Alaska is very beautiful. Glad we have digital albums – so much easier to pull them up, and enlarge them sometimes and see. Great to share, too! Thank you for coming by!

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Tara R. July 8, 2012 at 2:28 pm

The river and waterfall shots are beautiful, very ethereal. I would have wanted to explore the tower too.

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:09 pm

Thanks, Tara! Up close, the tower was beautiful, blending so well with the landscape.

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My Inner Chick July 8, 2012 at 9:21 pm

–Brilliant Photos.

Thank You For Your Sundays, dear. Xxxxx SmooCH <3

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:11 pm

Thank you, Kim! Hugs!

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Laurie Matherne July 8, 2012 at 11:00 pm

Thank you, Vidya, for taking the time to sort and edit the photographs. They are spectacular.

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:11 pm

🙂 Thank you Laurie.

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Bill Dorman July 9, 2012 at 12:40 am

Great pics; your share buttons are protruding into the post and into the comment section. I know there is a way to decrease the fonts so it fits because I had to do it at Lori’s place but don’t remember. Do you know how I can do it from my end?

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 3:30 am

You mean the vertical buttons, Bill? Hmm. On my screen (and a couple of other browsers) they look pretty far away from the post. I am sure it can be sorted. 🙂 I really appreciate you letting me know – the overlap can be so-o annoying! Do you browse on your phone? Hugs! Vidya

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Terri Sonoda July 9, 2012 at 2:27 pm

Hi Vidya. Yes I experience the same thing as Bill. Just wanted to let you know. HUGSsss

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Bill Dorman July 9, 2012 at 8:16 pm

All good now; they are far enough to the left you don’t have to put them out of their misery….:)

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:12 pm

Thank you, Terri – I’ve tried adjusting them. If they continue to irritate, I’ll kill them 😀 Hugs!

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Vidya Sury July 14, 2012 at 3:29 am

Thanks Bill! 😀

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Rocio Esmeralda July 9, 2012 at 1:52 am

wow, beautiful amazing pictures!!

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:12 pm

Welcome and thank you, Rocio! 🙂

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Joanna Jenkins July 8, 2012 at 11:51 pm

What a great assortment and very different kinds of photos– The landscapes are stunning and that first building– very cool.
Happy SIMC, jj

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:11 pm

Thank you, Joanna!

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Lisa July 9, 2012 at 12:37 pm

Oh! How I love traveling with you! What a beautiful country. I do the same thing with my photos. It takes me so long to sort, edit and then decide which ones to use.

xoxo, Lisa

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:15 pm

🙂 Thank you, Lisa! I hear you! But what fun, isn’t it? Sometimes I forget why I began looking at the photos in the first place and get lost in them!

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Vishnu July 9, 2012 at 12:47 pm

I was going to comment on that last post with Vidur – loved the back and forth banter which shows such a loving relationship. Isn’t it the small things in life that make all the difference:) ?

Thanks for sharing these pics – the view from this hotel is a million dollar view. Especially the one of Gangtock – each place you show us sounds like another place I want to visit, Vidya!!

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:17 pm

Hi Vishnu! Yes, the small things make the biggest difference, usually. They have a nice way of adding up.

We especially asked for a room with a view of the Kanchenjunga – unfortunately the weather was too hazy for us to see it. Still, beautiful views and I have plenty of shots 😀 I am still getting over the brightness at 3 am! 😀 You’ll love Sikkim. 200 monasteries…all beautiful!

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Barbara July 9, 2012 at 7:20 am

This is heaven! Love the mystical atmosphere in your photography! And the birds, how come we (well, I should say I) always find birds abroad so much prettier and interesting? When I was in Kerala I once saw a kingfisher (what a splendid blue) and could not believe my eyes, my enthusiasm must have found an expression in my body language, the bird looked at me as if it wanted to say: “I do not need that!” and took off before I had a chance to take a picture!

You always bring back happy memories, thank you so much Vidya Saraswathi and have a happy week!

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:15 pm

🙂 Hi Barbara – the mysticism was mostly because of the fog and the constant rain. Oh, birds know exactly when to take off! The only reason I was able to click these photos were because they had just had lunch and were inside that enclosure, probably enjoying their 40 winks! Some birds, like the night heron have a way of staying still for hours – or so it seems.

Thank you – love to have you here!

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Elle July 9, 2012 at 4:11 pm

Love these pics Vidya. What a wonderful country…would you please stop giving me the urge to visit it! But then, I’d miss out on your photos…nah, forget it…I’ll live with the urge. 🙂
Elle
xoxo

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Vidya Sury July 9, 2012 at 4:23 pm

Elle! What a sweet thing to say! 😀 Thanks!

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Betsy at Zen Mama July 9, 2012 at 5:05 pm

Beautiful Vidya! Love your pictures this week! Esp. the view from your hotel and the waterfall. Thanks as always for showing me your incredible country.

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Vidya Sury July 14, 2012 at 3:30 am

I hope you will visit me, Betsy. 😀 I’d love to show you around!

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Stasha July 9, 2012 at 6:20 pm

Love Darjeeling. Those landscape photos are divine!

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Vidya Sury July 14, 2012 at 3:31 am

Stasha, I sense you have visited Darjeeling? 🙂 The place is heavenly!

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Evelyn Lim July 10, 2012 at 1:22 am

I definitely know how it feels like to get lost in the memories of a photo album LOL! Your pictures sure look great! It’s nice to know that you had a wonderful time in your recent trip.

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Vidya Sury July 14, 2012 at 3:51 am

Thank you, Evelyn! It was great. And the photos prolong the pleasure – infinitely!

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Cathy | Treatment Talk July 10, 2012 at 4:15 am

Love them all, but my favorite is the Bakthang Falls in Gangtok.

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Vidya Sury July 14, 2012 at 3:51 am

Oh Cathy, you should have seen it! The noise was deafening and it was beautiful to see the water cascading and flowing out from the other side of the bridge. I got a video of it 😀

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Kimberly July 11, 2012 at 3:19 am

THe falls are breath taking!
You’ll have to come to canada and I’ll take you to the Niagra Falls. It’ll blow your mind girl. xox

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Vidya Sury July 14, 2012 at 3:52 am

Hey Kim – my husband freaks about about the Niagara Falls. In fact he kept talking about them each time we saw waterfalls during our trip. And yeah, we may meet sooner than you think! Hugs!

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vanita July 11, 2012 at 10:28 am

i love these sis. they are beautiful. to be honest, the building kinda creeps me out. makes me think of an asylum. i sent you a Staree invite just now. it’s easy to use and may make you a profit. your shots are way cooler than the ones i’ve seen on there so far.

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Vidya Sury July 14, 2012 at 3:53 am

🙂 Vanita! In person, the building was very charming. But yes, I see what you mean. I could build a story around that! I got the Staree invite and signed up and got accepted. Gotta figure out what to do there. Hugs!

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Carolyn Hughes July 11, 2012 at 3:06 pm

Beautiful photos! Looks like a stunning place to visit. Thank you for sharing Vidya 🙂

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Carolyn Hughes July 11, 2012 at 3:07 pm

Beautiful photos! Looks like a stunning place to visit. Thank you for sharing Vidya 🙂

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Vidya Sury July 14, 2012 at 3:54 am

Hi Carolyn! 🙂 Thanks so much for coming by! The NorthEast is a fabulous area!

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Dionna @ Code Name: Mama July 11, 2012 at 4:38 pm

Oh my goodness – those river/falls pictures are breathtaking, I would love to be able to travel and see such beauty!! I love the pink house, too 🙂

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Vidya Sury July 14, 2012 at 3:55 am

Dionna! So lovely to see you here! 🙂 Yup – breathtaking is the word! Thank you! I hope you visit!

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Unknown Mami July 13, 2012 at 9:16 pm

I love visiting your country through your eyes. I feel lucky.

The blog is looking pretty.

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Vidya Sury July 14, 2012 at 3:56 am

Thank you, Claudya ! 🙂 It is to your credit that I began sharing photos! 😀 And it really warms my heart that you noticed the changes here ! Muchas Gracias!

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melissa August 2, 2012 at 1:58 pm

These are just gorgeous! I love the wooden building at the zoo and the falls especially. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of this gorgeous part of your country!

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Vidya Sury August 2, 2012 at 4:01 pm

Hi Melissa! 🙂 Thank you so much for coming by. Yes – that trip was just fantastic.
Love, Vidya

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Happy Hours Make Happy Days - Vidya Sury June 16, 2014 at 12:44 pm

[…] eager to visit again, it is north east India – Sikkim in particular. Remember I posted about feathered friends and landscapes from there last year in June? Oh, what bliss. This time, rather than get a travel agent do the […]

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