What's the most important ingredient of a journey?

Is it the roads? The beauty of the places that race by your window? Or is it the mode of transportation?

Perhaps the most important ingredient of a journey is the company you keep. It is who you are traveling with. Traveling with the right people can enhance your trip, and make it the experience of a lifetime.

I recently went on a road trip through the hills of North Bengal, through the winding roads and cute little waterfalls. I was fortunate to find peace in the place so close to my heart.

I was also blessed to have someone with me who has been a constant throughout my life. My elder brother, who I affectionately call Rambo, knew me when I used to hunt for tigers - with a wooden gun - among the rows of beetle nut trees.

It is a story that he hasn't gotten tired of repeating over the years.

We were recently back together in Malbazar, as always on this ill-fated month of July. Every year, in the middle of the monsoon, we meet up in this cozy little town in the heart of north Bengal that we both call home. Malbazar is where my wanderlust is quenched. Where I feel settled and at home. Where my desire to escape ceases to exit.

However, once a traveler, always a traveler, and so one morning, we all headed to a familiar destination in North Bengal - Bindu.

Bindu - A rendezvous (of the waters) of Bhutan and India

Bindu is a small town right on the Indo-Bhutan border, which is famous for hosting the second-oldest dam in the country. The dam, which is built on the river Jaldhaka, is used to feed the Jaldhaka Hydel Project at Jhalong. Bindu is also the location where two streams - Bindu Khola and Dudh Pokhri - confide their waters into the Jaldhaka River. (Source - Wikipedia)

While the Dam is certainly its crown jewel, the place is also a fantastic holiday destination for its scenic location. Nestled in between clouds and hills, Bindu offers picturesque views of pristine waterfalls, lush green valleys, and blue mountain ranges.

The place, like most hill stations in North Bengal, is also known for its scenic drive, up and down the hills, and stunning views of the adjourning peaks. It's a place where you can return again and again and never get tired and so, one Monday morning, we turned to Bindu to satisfy our wanderlust.

A drive through the hills of North Bengal

We left home after a hearty breakfast, traveling on familiar roads, in a vacation mood. We crossed Chalsa deep in conversation, recalling various previous experiences.

Messi is quite familiar with the roads in North Bengal, thanks to some extensive traveling through the Dooars region. However, he had never been to Bindu before, and we were excited for him to explore the place.

It hardly matters to my seven-year-old son whether the destination is old or new, for he too has been bitten by the travel bug early in his life.

We entered the Chapramari Forest range in subdued anticipation, hoping to catch sight of some Wildlife, and took a turn at Khunia More to venture deeper into the wilderness. Those aware of the forests of North Bengal will know that here the jungle reaches right to the doorstep of the road, threatening to take over any given day.

We traveled through the buzzing of insects, and listened to the melody of wild birds. The road went from good to bad to non-existent in some parts, but the scenes outside the window kept us mesmerized. We crossed rubber plantations and old bowstring bridges with howling waters underneath. The weather added to the holiday charm; the morning sun played hide and seek with the clouds as we went up the hill.

A stunning view of Bhutan from Gairibas

Our first stop on the road was Gairibas, which offers a stunning view of Bhutan. Unfortunately, the sun was gone by then and the clouds had gathered over our heads. Even as we parked the car, it had begun to drizzle and the mountains had draped themselves in the mist. We waited a while for the rain to end, sipping on hot cups of tea.

A trip to the hills is incomplete without plates of momos and pretty soon, we were all breaking into steaming momos. Messi is particularly fond of the Tibetian dish, but it has already been established that his heart remains in the mountains.

For the rest of us, the rain provided the chance for more conversation and nostalgia. There's nothing better than bonding over delicious food but, pressed for time, we were soon back on the road. We followed the path as it winded through the hills, with the deep gorge on one side.

We stopped for snaps at stunning bridges and crossed various waterfalls, some of which were overflowing across the road. We went past orange plantations, which would be a sight to behold in the winter.

The sleepy border town of Bindu

After a quick photo session with our umbrellas by another picturesque bridge over the Jaldhaka river at Jhalong, we continued to head up the hills. Traveling through in North Bengal can be time-consuming, because every bend, and every turn into the road opens up to such pretty sights that you are compelled to stop.

After resisting the urge to pause some bends and failing at others, we eventually arrived at Bindu at around midday. By then the drizzle was gone and the sky was clearing up. We drove through the narrow roads before finding ourselves at the famous dam.

I recalled visiting the place with my closest friends a long time ago, and, as some of them might remember, it was one hell of a trip! I had been here with my family as well and those days of the past lay scattered in the wilderness around.

You actually end up leaving memories at places you visit and they stay preserved, awaiting your return. Rediscovering those precious pieces of your past when you come back can be a wonderful experience.

I saw that a lot had changed since our last visit. You can no longer walk to the river, but the view is still stunning. Messi was intrigued by the intricate workings of the dam and bombarded me with multiple questions. Some I answered to his liking, others were passed on to the more learned person in the house, my brother, his Chennai Jethu!

There's tea and momo available here too, and lots of shops for the shopaholics. We bought a few souvenirs for the road, resisted the urge for another cup of tea, and were eventually on our way.

A blockbuster end to the trip

Our journey, though was hardly over. All through driving up and down the hills - and perhaps all that photo session too - had stirred up a hunger fit for the kings! By then, exhaustion had taken over, and the journey was beginning to take its toll. Messi, as usual, retained his chirpiness, but the rest of us were feeling our age.

However, all that was overcome thanks to some hot cups of tea and some more plates of momo, this time at Jhalong.

As we raced back home, we rolled down the windows and allowed the mountain breeze to wash our tiredness away. It was already afternoon by the time we had descended into the plains, venturing into the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary. We were once again in awe of the wilderness, listening to the voices of the jungle, when all of a sudden, we spotted a commotion ahead. People were out of their vehicles, staring into the forest.

When you have traveled through the forests of North Bengal all your life, such a scene instantly sends your senses into overdrive. It generally means one thing and one thing only - Wildlife.

We swiftly pulled to a stop and rushed out.

Around 50 meters away from the road, we stopped a herd of Elephants!

The giants looked at ease among the trees and leaves, brushing their tails and waving their ears. There's a special charm in spotting animals in the wild. Messi was pretty excited and perhaps a little scared too. We were tempted to stay on and watch the majestic beasts, yet the sun was going down and it was time for us to head home.

And so, another day was over. Another trip to add to our experience. A trip to Bindu reiterated that the beauty of North Bengal remains unmatched. And that traveling with the right person makes every trip worthwhile.

Bindu Essentials

Location: Gorubathan CD Block, Kalimpong District

Nearest Airport: Bagdogra - 112km

Nearest Railway Station: Chalsa - 40km, NJP - 109 km

Best Time to Travel: November to January, can visit all year.

Watch: A video of our escapade-

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