Darjeeling all set for Christmas revelry

EOI, Darjeeling, 22 Dec 2015: It is Christmas time and cold-embraced Darjeeling is gearing up for Yuletide festivities with enthusiasm as visitors to the hill town are making their way up to spend quality time.

Christmas trees, Santa dresses and decorative items including the Northern star have flooded stores and retail outlets in the markets. Members of the Christian community are on a last minute shopping spree. “Shopping is normally done a month earlier to avoid the rush but we are late this year. I have to purchase several items including new clothes for the kids who are already quite upset,” said town resident Francis Mothey, grinning.

Bakeries are having a trying time meeting the order deadline for Christmas cakes, plum cakes and puddings and muffins and mince pies, all traditional delicacies. Prominent confectioners such as Glenary’s continue to dish out their famous plum cakes and puddings. “We are getting huge orders for Christmas cakes and puddings. We started preparations a month back, but the demand is on the higher side this time,” said owner Ajay Edwards, The popular confectionary is also offering customers its special soup, roast chicken and mince pies in its restaurant this Christmas and New Year. “We will offer special Christmas delicacies besides the confectionaries,” Edwards said.

Hotels across town too are gearing up for winter tourists that comprise both domestic and international visitors and are makingarrangements in advance. As is popular during this time of the year, hotels have lined up four-five course dinners, bonfires, carol singing and in-house games for kids. Tourists flock to the region during this time of the year for the winter break. It is not a tourist season in the strict sense, but the 10-15 day window during Christmas and New Year attracts visitors in huge numbers. “Hotels usually get tourists from December 23 onwards for Christmas and New Year revelry. Our rooms are booked till the first week of January. It has been like this for some years now. Perhaps the cold weather and the fir trees attract tourists,” said Diamond Oberoi, proprietor of the heritage Elgin Hotels and Resorts.

The hotel has also lined up programmes including carol singing and cultural dances with bonfires in its lawn along with relishing delicacies for guests. “We will have the residents of Gandhi Ashram performing for our guests. There will also be dances and indoor games for children. Our top draw in the cuisine section will be roast turkey and lamb and cold meat and plum pudding. We will also offer customers our best wine, which will be on the house,” said Oberoi.