My TripAdvisor Review No.668: Mount Washington Resort Mile High Chairlift, Vancouver Island.

High Point Of Vancouver Island.

Mount Washington is one of the highest peaks on Vancouver island, located 25 km west from Comox Valley. We visited the mountain in August 2019. There is a chair lift which takes you up to the mountain peak in barely 10 minutes. We got fantastic views over the Strait of Georgia and could see some of the West Coast mountains on the mainland. There was still some snow on the ground. In winter Mt. Washington is one of the best ski resorts in British Columbia. The tickets for the chair lift were quite pricey though.

Date of experience: August 2019

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My TripAdvisor Review No.664: Kanchenjunga Mountain, Darjeeling.

Towering Presence Over Darjeeling.

The Kanchenjunga mountain has a towering presence in Darjeeling. It is the main reason why Darjeeling, Gangtok and the surrounding areas of North Bengal and Sikkim get so many tourists. Kanchenjunga is the highest and most beautiful mountain peak in India, and the third highest in the world at 8586 meters. There are many viewpoints in Darjeeling from where we can get a fantastic view of the mountain on a clear day. The most popular of these places are Tiger Hill and Batasia Loop, and the best time is at sunrise when one can see the colours on the peak changing from red to pink to yellow and finally to white.

We were lucky to get fabulous views of the entire Kanchenjunga range from Sandakphu, which is the highest peak in West Bengal, about 58 km from Darjeeling. The entire range is popularly referred to as the ‘Sleeping Buddha’ because of it’s appearance, with the head of the Buddha in the west and the feet in the east. Mt. Kumbhakarna forms the head and face, Mt. Pandim forms the feet and Mt. Kanchenjunga constitutes the belly of the Buddha.

Date of experience: March 2020

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My TripAdvisor Review No.663: Sunset Lounge, The Tea Bar, Darjeeling.

More Than Just Teas.

Sunset Lounge of Nathmull’s is located at Chowrasta at the end of the Mall. One can also call it The Tea Bar as you get to sample a variety of Darjeeling teas before deciding which one to buy. They have a bewildering array of Black, Green and White Darjeeling teas varying in price from ₹400 per kg to ₹30000 per kg. One can also sample the aroma, texture and colour of the tea at the display counter.

We relaxed in the Sunset Lounge, which had glass top round tables and cane chairs, adjacent to the Tea Bar, and sampled a cup of their Green Tea which they served up in a transparent tea cup, at a nominal price. One can also order snacks like muffins or pastries to go with the tea. On a clear day one can get an excellent view of the Kanchenjunga mountain and the sunset from the window.

One can also buy some memorabilia and tea accessories like decorative and useful tea pots and cups in ceramic as well as metal. In addition there are fancy strainers and Tea Cosies. We purchased some packets of Green and Black teas, and souvenirs like fridge magnets and keychains with the tea motif, as small gifts for our friends back home.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.652: Tingling View Point, Mirik, West Bengal.

Tea Stop Near Mirik.

Tingling View Point was our first stop en route from Bagdogra airport to Mirik, near Darjeeling. It was about an hour’s drive from Bagdogra. It serves as an entry point to the hill town of Mirik, and you will see a platform with the sign board with a red heart, reading ‘I Love Mirik’. The views from the platform of the lower hills with tea gardens, and the winding road coming up the hill is superb.

We got down from our vehicle to stretch our limbs and have a cup of Darjeeling tea and some snacks at a tea shop called ‘Real View’.

Date of experience: March 2020

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My TripAdvisor Review No.650: Summit Hermon Hotel & Spa, Darjeeling.

Cosy Rooms With Mountain Views.

We arrived at the resort much earlier than the check-in time but the staff were very accommodating and speedily readied our two rooms and let us check in early. Reshma, the floor manager was very helpful. She gave us a lot of information about the places to visit as well as the contact number of a local taxi and tour operator.

The rooms are cosy and have heaters which we needed to use as it was still quite cold in mid-March. We had a beautiful bird’s eye view of the hill town and could just about make out the Kanchenjunga peak in the hazy distance. The bed mattresses were soft and had embedded heaters in them too. There was a large cupboard with a digital locker to keep our stuff. There was a flat screen TV with all the channels, and free wi-fi in all the rooms. We had tea from the sachets provided, made in the electric kettle provided in the room.

We had just returned from a five day Jeep trip from Sandakphu, so our first priority was to have a refreshing hot shower with the liquid soap and shampoo provided in the washrooms.

Then we went down to their restaurant ‘Sandakphu’ which was well furnished and decorated. The entire hotel has a quirky décor with old style but comfortable furniture and décor. There is a London ‘Bobby’ to greet you at the entrance. There are pictures and paintings of the Himalayas, and model locomotives of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway at various places on the showcase shelves.

At the end of our three day stay we did not want to leave, but had no choice as the entire hill town was shutting down due to the virus pandemic. Though we did not get to do much sightseeing, we had a very pleasant and relaxed stay at Summit Hermon, and would love to visit again.

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Date of stay: March 2020

Room tip: Most of the rooms have Himalayan views. Try for a room on the higher floor.

• • Location
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My TripAdvisor Review No.475: Whistler Olympic Plaza, Whistler, Canada.

Celebration Of The 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

The Whistler Olympic Plaza is a large open space surrounded by hotels and restaurants. It has beautiful manicured laws and a walking plaza leading into the Whistler Village shopping plaza. You can visit more restaurants, confectionery and curio shops down the walking plaza.

Vehicles are not allowed to ply in the plaza and there is sufficient designated parking areas within walking distance.

The Olympic Plaza is beautifully laid out. As you enter the open area you will see the Olympic Rings where all the visitors pose to have their pictures taken. There is a placard explaining the significance of the Plaza. It is a place where the participants were feted and awarded their medals during the events in Winter 2010.

It is the center of attraction and the focal point of Whistler.

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Date of experience: June 2019

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My TripAdvisor Review No.473: Rendezvous Lodge, Blackcomb Mountain, Canada.

Mountaintop Mall.

The Rendezvous Lodge is at the top of the Blackcomb Mountain, which is connected to Whistler Mountain by the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. After taking the gondola across from Whistler we thought we’d have a bite at the cafeteria in the Lodge.

The restaurant serves mainly American and Canadian fast foods like burgers, salads, French fries, poutine, muffins, cakes, coffee and cold drinks. Better than the cold drinks was the fresh cold mountain spring water which was available free at the water fountains near the washrooms.

But the USP of the restaurant is the splendid mountain views all around. The large windows all around ensure that you do not miss out on the spectacular views while enjoying your meal.

There is a gift and curio shop also in the building and the items available like mementos and clothing were of fairly good design and quality.

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Date of visit: June 2019

• • Value
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My TripAdvisor Review No.464: Peak 2 Peak Gondola, Whistler, BC, Canada.

Spectacular Ride.

The Peak 2 Peak Gondola ride is an absolutely top-of-the-list must do in Whistler. The views from the gondolas are simply spectacular. The tickets are not cheap but you must know beforehand that you are getting not only a to-and-fro ride between the Whistler Peak and the Blackcomb Peak, but much more tan that. You get a ride from Whistler Village base or from Blackcomb base up to the starting point of the red P2P gondolas, and back again. Once at the top of Whistler you can get up to suspension bridge, or at the Blackcomb mountain you can take a free bus ride to the 7th Heaven chair lift and get to the top of the ski slopes. Furthermore you can ride the P2P gondolas as many times as you like for the day, as long as you don’t take the ride down to the base again.

At the peaks of either the Whistler or Blackcomb mountain there are restaurants and washrooms where you can enjoy your meals gazing at the beautiful scenery. You can also do some shopping for souvenirs or clothes.

The usual P2P gondolas are red in colour and there is no waiting required to get into one, but there are some silver coloured gondolas, fewer in number, which have a glass floor. You may have to wait around 15 minutes to get into one. There is a good chance of spotting wild bears on the slopes below from a gondola.

The gondolas are closed and cosy, but be prepared with your jackets at the top of the mountains. When we went up there was some rain as well, which chilled us to the bone.

It is well worth a trip.

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Date of experience: June 2019

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My TripAdvisor Review No.455: HI Whistler, Whistler, BC, Canada.

Simple and Elegant.

HI Whistler is a simple but elegant accommodation in the mountain resort of Whistler about 2 hours’ drive from Vancouver. We stayed in a private room for two with a queen size bed, a TV, a table, two bedside tables, and an open closet with hangers. There is wall-to-wall carpeting. The en-suite bathroom was quite large with running hot water, liquid soap dispenser and toilet paper provided. Clean towels, napkins, bed linen and blankets were provided. The room ac was dysfunctional but it was not required during the night as it was quite cool, and a pedestal fan had been provided in case it became hot in the afternoon.

There was Cheaky’s Café in the lobby where we would have our breakfast and coffee and then catch the No.20 shuttle bus to Whistler Village and roam around for the day. There is a community kitchen and laundry room which we made use and both are very convenient to use. The use of the kitchen is free, but the laundry is pay per use. Of course you have to tidy up after your use.

The surroundings of the hostel are very green and ringed in by the mountains. There are walking and cycling tracks nearby, and the ‘Train Wreck’ site is within a 2 km walking distance through a path leading into the wilderness. The shuttle bus from Whistler Village runs every 20 minutes and drops you at the hostel for $2.50 a ride.

The staff are very friendly and helpful. There is a lounge with a lot of reading material. Use of the kitchen is free and there is a decent dining hall attached. One can even sit out in the open veranda and enjoy the scenery while having your meal.

We enjoyed our 3 day stay at HI Whistler.

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Date of stay: June 2019

• Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC