The next morning, on 1st January 2026, I started my day around 6:30 am. I got ready and stepped out to understand my route towards Burmiok Mahadev Dham. A little later, I returned to the homestay, had omelette Maggi for breakfast, and began my journey around 8:30 am, fully prepared for the trek.

As suggested by the local people, I took a shortcut towards Bhalu Marg, the main road. From there, it was said to be just a ten minute walk, though it honestly felt like twenty. The shortcut led me through a small water stream, a place so peaceful that one could sit there alone for hours. I felt instantly connected to it. Time seemed to slow down. But since I did not have much time, I could not stay there longer, no matter how much I wanted to.

As I moved ahead, I crossed several organic farming lands attached to nearby homes and homestays. One uncle was quietly working in his field right in front of me. Watching him made me realize how little we understand the value of the resources we have. We take them for granted, while others treat them with deep gratitude and respect, almost like worship.

After climbing countless stairs, I could barely feel my legs by the time I reached the main road. I did not count the steps, but it must have been at least five hundred. Walking further, completely soaked in nature, I noticed how easily we get stuck in the same routine loop and slowly forget ourselves. In that moment, it became very clear to me that we all need breaks from our everyday lives. Solo travel does that to you. It stirs your thoughts, makes you question things, and clears your mind.

By the time I reached Mahadev Dham, I had found myself a friend in the form of a walking stick. I did not even realize when I became so dependent on it. The dham had many stairs again, though they were not as tough as the shortcut. Still, to reach Bholenath, I would have climbed anything. When I finally reached the top and completed my darshan, I was surrounded by local people, prayers, emotions, and memories all at once. It felt overwhelming and grounding at the same time.

After spending some time there, I walked back down to the main road to head towards my next destination, Himali View Point, as suggested by the locals. Later, I found out it was actually Daragaon Munsong View Point. After around thirty to forty five minutes of walking and searching, I finally witnessed the full stretch of the Kanchenjunga range along with the Teesta flowing below. The view was absolutely breathtaking. I stood there silently, letting the moment sink in.

Soon after, I started heading back towards the homestay. I noticed a path that seemed to lead directly to the main road and thought it would help me avoid more stairs and rocky trails. But when I asked a local, I was told it was the wrong way. I returned to Himali View Point again, trying to find the correct route, but somehow lost my way once more.

That is when I met a didi. She was incredibly sweet and warm. She took me to her home and asked me to rest for a few minutes. She even invited me to celebrate New Year with her family. I politely declined, as I need to leave tomorrow morning from Burmaik. Otherwise, I would have stayed without a second thought. At her home, I sat quietly, drank water, and Mita didi offered me more, which I gulped down without hesitation.

She had also visited Mahadev Dham for puja and gave me prasad and a dhaga. She then insisted on dropping me back to my homestay. At first, I felt a little reluctant because I did not want to trouble anyone. But she gently told me that guiding a guest properly was their responsibility. Her mother was equally sweet. She mentioned that she had seen me somewhere earlier. At first, I could not recognize her, but after a moment, I suddenly remembered that we had arrived at our destinations in the same shared car.

While waiting for her sister, Mita didi even taught me a few words in Nepali. We laughed and talked, and at one point, we almost lost our way again while trying to find my homestay. If Mahadev had not made me realize to call the owner and confirm the directions, we would have ended up somewhere unknown. After about ten minutes, I finally reached my homestay, only to find out that Mita didi and the owner, Sunita didi, were schoolmates and knew each other already pretty well.

After a power packed lunch, I went back to the water stream once again. I dipped my feet into the flowing water and sat there quietly, feeling its movement. It made me realize that nothing can stop water from flowing. Just like that, we should never give up, no matter how hard it feels to recover. I lost track of time there, but I truly loved that place. The calm, the sound of water flowing over rocks, moving forward without hesitation.

Later, I received a call from the owner didi, insisting that I join their New Year party. After a while, I returned. I had never celebrated New Year like this before. It felt incredibly warm and welcoming. They were preparing for a karaoke night and barbecue, and we also celebrated the birthday of a grandmother who was staying there with another family.

With warmth in our hands and bodies, we sang old Bollywood retro songs and nineties classics. We had momos as snacks, followed by fried rice and chili chicken for dinner. I did not realize when I became so connected with them. It almost felt like being with my own family. I had so much fun that night, far more than I could have ever imagined.

The next day, I had to leave as I was heading towards my next destination. And just like that, my New Year celebration came to an end, leaving me with memories that will stay with me forever. And just when I thought the story was settling down, the mountains had another surprise for me.

My first solo travel to Kalimpong