As final arrangements are put into place for the upcoming World Tea Tours’ Tea Tour of Fujian, I’m still warmed by the illuminating memory of my visit to Darjeeling in December of 2011. After having had the honor of speaking at the second Indian Tea Forum, I headed up into the hills for a short, but rejuvenating, visit to the Glenburn tea estate. Besides the garden’s exceptional teas, the accommodations of the restored estate bungalows, the gourmet food, and the attentive staff always ensure a pampered experience. I’m looking forward to bringing another group there this October for part of the tea tour’s itinerary.
One of my favorite experiences when visiting this area is seeing the sunrise on Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak of the Himalayas. Tibetan for “Five Treasuries of the Great Snows,” Mt. Kanchenjunga has been a sight to behold a number of times, but on this recent trip, I enjoyed the spectacle after walking only a few steps from my bedroom door. Glenburn’s main house faces directly to the snow-covered peaks and the conditions were just right for a breathtaking view. Just before the first rays of the day’s sun began to kiss the highest peak, I borrowed a chair and cushion from the veranda and moved it out under the cover of the fading stars. A watchful staff member was quick to appear with a pot of freshly brewed tea.
As the tea warmed me from within, the golden rays of the dawn painted the inspirational scene. Transfixed by the timeless and indomitable presence of the majestic peaks, I could hardly blink for fear of missing an instant’s opportunity to drink in the panoramic vista. As the moments passed, the contours of the mountain were bathed in hues of gold, then orange, then pink, and finally brilliant white. After a second cup of tea, I stood up and turned my gaze across the valley toward the town of Darjeeling. The sun was now fully blanketing the hillside, and the windows of the houses reflected the light, sparkling like countless diamonds. Inspired, I returned to my room and climbed back under the covers, just in time to have my “morning tea” served bedside.
Having had the good fortune to enjoy teas in many wonderful places, I do have other favorite teas. For me, however, drinking Darjeeling tea is not just an aromatic and flavorful pleasure; it is inseparably infused with the experiences I’ve had there – the land, its people, and its culture.
For more information on the previous Tea Tours, visit World Tea Tours online.
This post was first published February 3, 2012; updated for today’s publication.
I’d call that a peak experience Dan. You were blessed on many levels to witness one of life’s astonishingly beautiful sunrises.
Namaste
As the World Tea Prepares for the Biggest Tea extravaganza in Las Vegas, I intend to change the drinking habit of my fellow Mexicans and Latin Americans. Tea is a Luxury beverage and I have a clear intention to make the Tea a house hold beverage like coffee.
Market in Mexico is niche because people have been drinking cafe since centuries. We have been working hard with the help of Indian Embassy in Mexico, and Tea estates to penetrate the market, educate average mexican about the Tea and Tea Etiquetty.
We have partnered with Cafeteras Nacional Mexico as Partner who are pioneers in bringing expresso culture in Mexico aiming Tea will be available in bulk in Mexico and to the final consumers in affordable prices.
We are launching our brand where hoteliers, restaurant owners, media, embassy and various consulate will have a strong presence. We are proud to represent India and Indian Tea in Mexico. The event will have a presence of single blend Teas from all the prestigious Tea estates from Assam and Darjeeling, few teas from China, Srilanka and Nepal.
We would be more than happy to share my tea experience in Mexico and Latin America in near future.
Hi Dan. Thanks for the wonderful descriptive to help me relive that same experience. It is quite breathtaking up there and the accommodations are wonderful. Next time you make contact, please give my warmest regards to Sanjay and tell him I hope he has been relaxing and enjoying some great fishing.
Thanks Sandy. I will certainly give your best to Sanjay and staff. The next issue of the ITCC newsletter has an interview with Sanjay. A great guy who’s making great teas.
Dan took me along and I was amazed at the concept of spinning tea tourism with the tea garden working and at the same time providing such comfort to the tea travelers – more and more tea estates should follow the suit to generate extra income to improve their properties like interplanting teas with other cash crops..the idea is perfectly novel.
Thanks Rajiv. I’m glad you came along. Can’t wait to share more details of our adventures in Kalimpong and the lost tea garden of Pedong.
i will soon have lots of information about tea in this area and pass it on to you…
Thanks for your descriptive writing on your experience at Glenburn, Dan! You’re really living the tea life, aren’t you? I look forward to traveling to Darjeeling and staying at Glenburn myself.
Thanks Dianna. Perhaps I have a bit of “tea wanderlust?” I am most happy when I have a little dirt from a tea garden on my shoe. I’ll be leading the Tea Tour of India in October and we’ll be spending a couple of nights on Glenburn. Also Assam and the Nilgiris. Please come!
Fabulous content, I will be viewing back again regularly to look around for refreshes.
It’s a great development, the chateau of teas tour! Lovely evocation of that high and faraway place.