19/03/2025
Four years ago, on this day, we started our ‘very own, unplanned’ Darjeeling Trip. We arrived in the ‘Queen of Hills’ with no itineraries, no contacts, just a desire to explore. When the cab driver dropped us in front of the Ramada Hotel, we found out that our hotel was very far from the mall. We had two backpacks and no other things to carry then. We climbed up and up and found our cozy hamlet at the end of the steepy lane. After refreshing, we came to the mall and started walking around it. Visiting the mall and strolling around it for the very first time, watching the passersby, school students, tourists, clicking numerous photographs of everything and putting them on Insta stories – the memory is engraved in my heart forever.
While sitting on the stairs in the afternoon, we decided to visit some offbeat villages the next day. Kaustav knew the location of the Govt. registered taxi stand and we went there to look for a driver. It was a late evening with no crowd, as it was March and the weather was not that favourable to be on the road. There we met Yadav ji, our driver cm guide for the next day for our offbeat experience.
The next morning, he came and took us in his jeep and started for the trip. We told him that we want to avoid tourist places and crowds and if he has a better plan for us, he can suggest. From the very next moment, he became that ultimate ‘guide’ for us. He took us to the hidden places where literally no one goes. He told us all the stories, all the details we needed to know about Darjeeling. He took us to places where Kaustav could take pictures and videos without any disturbances. That’s not all – we even did a small trek to listen to some exotic birds.
After that day, Yadav ji became our friend. A 55 years old driver, originally from Bihar, but living in Darjeeling since his childhood, became our ‘cherished person’ in Darjeeling.
Cut to 2025, in February, we had our dream trip. We both took our parents to Darjeeling. It wasn’t an easy trip for us, as four of them are senior citizens with multiple physical issues and there is a 21-month old toddler who needs attention more than anything. This time too, we had no itineraries. We just booked our accommodation beforehand, near the mall, as our parents cannot walk like us, and that’s all. After reaching, we both went to take a stroll, and was thinking where to take them on the next day.
Whom to call? Where to go? And, suddenly Yadav ji came up in both of our minds.
And, you know what? We met him again. Sadly, he became more aged and lost his wife one year ago, but the enthusiasm – was just like our previous trip. This time he planned our road trip differently. He took us to different places, rather say easy places where our parents can enjoy. He told us about that Darjeeling, which we generally don’t bother about. Because we are not locals, we are tourists but we contribute to the lives of the locals.
Our day trip in Darjeeling with our parents ended happily. They were so happy to have a beautiful trip and it was possible just because of Yadav ji.
Writing this memory here is like cherishing those moments shared with our finest driver cm guide in one of our favourite places, Darjeeling. He is not on any social media platforms, so tagging him isn’t possible. We are just here to thank him for making our trip unforgettable.
These pictures are taken at a gap of four years, but at the same place by the same person, Yadav ji.
