Yesterday evening we went to Kunga, a Tibetan restaurant here in Darjeeling, and ate momo (Tibetan dumplings). There we met a Japanese girl. We started talking and ended up going to her hotel and drink and talk, while trying to hide the alcohol from the owners, because we weren't supposed to consume alcohol there. It felt like being a young teenager again.
When it was time to sleep I noticed how quiet and peaceful it was. No cars, no trains, no one screaming, just some stray dogs howling in the night. It was indeed different from Delhi, a bit strange, but lovely!
There are a lot of dogs on the streets here in Darjeeling. Usually they are sleeping during the days, and wake up during the evenings.
This morning we went back to the Tibetan restaurant to have banana pancakes, warming tea and ate while listening to the chefs and waiter sing. The perfect way to start a peaceful day.
Afterwards we went to the train station to buy tickets for the Toy Train for tomorrow, but soon the rain started to pour down, so we fled to an Internet cafe.
My malaria pills are giving me terrible stomach cramps and make me nauseous, and the mosquito repellent stick is itching, but one look over the houses on the hills, and the gentle faces of the locals here make it all worth it. It truly is a mesmerizing town.
I want to stay here forever.
Friday, 5 September 2008
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Darjeeling: People of the clouds
We are now in Darjeeling, but before I talk about our trip here, I'll continue where I left of last time.
Agra was nice, with the Taj Mahal, The Fort, Baby Taj etc. But pricey, probably because of all the tourists. Anyway, the Taj Mahal made it all worth it. We took the train back to Delhi in the evening and arrived at 22.30. The train took only 2 hours, and we passed the birthplace of Krishna on the way.
The train personnel were very cute in their little uniforms, mustaches and semi-turbans. Meals and drinks are included in the train prices. One problem I find though is that you're supposed to eat with your right hand here, as the left is for toilet duties. I struggle with this, because I'm left-handed.
Anyway.
Yesterday we went to the Lotus Temple (The Baha'i House of Worship). It was very beautiful! Oh, and we had to remove our shoes again, which was fine because cleverly had the pair of socks in my bag! In the afternoon we strolled around the busy streets of the Main Bazaar in Paharganj.
This morning we woke up early to go to the domestic airport and go to Darjeeling. Or rather, to Bagdogra, and then to Darjeeling from there. The flight was only 2h, the stewardesses very beautiful, and the view simply amazing. We flew next to the Himalayas for over an hour, above the highest clouds, alongside the beautiful mountains.
We had met a Belgian girl at the airport who was also going to Darjeeling, so we shared a jeep to Darjeeling from Bagdogra. The 90 km ride took over 3 hours on the godforsaken roads, but it was the most amazing car journey I have ever been on (bear in mind I'm extremely carsick). We just went higher and higher up, up up in the clouds and the mountains. People emerged from the mist just meters away from the jeep and no one seemed scared or even bothered. The views were incredible all the way to Darjeeling.
Once in Darjeeling, we easily found our hotel and checked in, and then took a stroll down the streets of Darjeeling, with all the schoolkids on their way from school, vendors, animals, and the odd backpacker.
It is cool and nice here (we're even wearing long sleeves). It's indeed a nice change from Delhi and the heat.
Agra was nice, with the Taj Mahal, The Fort, Baby Taj etc. But pricey, probably because of all the tourists. Anyway, the Taj Mahal made it all worth it. We took the train back to Delhi in the evening and arrived at 22.30. The train took only 2 hours, and we passed the birthplace of Krishna on the way.
The train personnel were very cute in their little uniforms, mustaches and semi-turbans. Meals and drinks are included in the train prices. One problem I find though is that you're supposed to eat with your right hand here, as the left is for toilet duties. I struggle with this, because I'm left-handed.
Anyway.
Yesterday we went to the Lotus Temple (The Baha'i House of Worship). It was very beautiful! Oh, and we had to remove our shoes again, which was fine because cleverly had the pair of socks in my bag! In the afternoon we strolled around the busy streets of the Main Bazaar in Paharganj.
This morning we woke up early to go to the domestic airport and go to Darjeeling. Or rather, to Bagdogra, and then to Darjeeling from there. The flight was only 2h, the stewardesses very beautiful, and the view simply amazing. We flew next to the Himalayas for over an hour, above the highest clouds, alongside the beautiful mountains.
We had met a Belgian girl at the airport who was also going to Darjeeling, so we shared a jeep to Darjeeling from Bagdogra. The 90 km ride took over 3 hours on the godforsaken roads, but it was the most amazing car journey I have ever been on (bear in mind I'm extremely carsick). We just went higher and higher up, up up in the clouds and the mountains. People emerged from the mist just meters away from the jeep and no one seemed scared or even bothered. The views were incredible all the way to Darjeeling.
Once in Darjeeling, we easily found our hotel and checked in, and then took a stroll down the streets of Darjeeling, with all the schoolkids on their way from school, vendors, animals, and the odd backpacker.
It is cool and nice here (we're even wearing long sleeves). It's indeed a nice change from Delhi and the heat.
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
India!
We arrived in Delhi late on the 31st of August and were greeted by our Indian friends. It was so humid and so hot even though it was midnight. The flight was good. Shorter than to China or Japan, which was very nice.
We slept in on Monday morning. We wanted to go to the Baha'i Lotus Temple, but it's closed on Mondays, so we went to the Jama Masjid instead, which is the biggest mosque in India. We had to wait outside for an hour and a half, because of prayers (and non-muslims aren't allowed in then). You had to remove your shoes before going in. I was only wearing a pair or flip flops, and no socks, which was unfortunate because the ground was EXTREMELY hot. Even the thin rugs they had put out had become very hot. We had to dance our way around the mosque. Needless to say, I am now always carrying a pair of socks in my bag, just in case.
In the evening we ate at the hotel restaurant. Bryani and tandoori chicken. The chicken was without doubt the best chicken I have ever tasted. Everything was of course very spicy and hot, and yet sooo good. Which I found surprising, because my stomach usually can't handle very spicy food.
Today we had to wake up very early (05.30), because our train to Agra would leave at 06.15. Fortunately our hotel is only 2 minutes from the railway station. Despite this, finding and getting on the train turned out to be quite the adventure. We asked 4 different people where the platform was and got 5 different answers. It was baaad. When we finally found the platform (ourselves!), the train was already rolling! Doors open, of coure, so we ran after it and jumped on it! It was really last minute..! But no India without running after and jumping on trains, I suppose..
Agra is incredible. The Taj Mahal is beyond everything. I couldn't take my eyes away from it. I'll post pictures later. We have also seen the Agra Fort, which was huge, and beautiful, but nothing compared to the Taj.
Now we'll wake our rickshaw driver and head for new adventures!
We slept in on Monday morning. We wanted to go to the Baha'i Lotus Temple, but it's closed on Mondays, so we went to the Jama Masjid instead, which is the biggest mosque in India. We had to wait outside for an hour and a half, because of prayers (and non-muslims aren't allowed in then). You had to remove your shoes before going in. I was only wearing a pair or flip flops, and no socks, which was unfortunate because the ground was EXTREMELY hot. Even the thin rugs they had put out had become very hot. We had to dance our way around the mosque. Needless to say, I am now always carrying a pair of socks in my bag, just in case.
In the evening we ate at the hotel restaurant. Bryani and tandoori chicken. The chicken was without doubt the best chicken I have ever tasted. Everything was of course very spicy and hot, and yet sooo good. Which I found surprising, because my stomach usually can't handle very spicy food.
Today we had to wake up very early (05.30), because our train to Agra would leave at 06.15. Fortunately our hotel is only 2 minutes from the railway station. Despite this, finding and getting on the train turned out to be quite the adventure. We asked 4 different people where the platform was and got 5 different answers. It was baaad. When we finally found the platform (ourselves!), the train was already rolling! Doors open, of coure, so we ran after it and jumped on it! It was really last minute..! But no India without running after and jumping on trains, I suppose..
Agra is incredible. The Taj Mahal is beyond everything. I couldn't take my eyes away from it. I'll post pictures later. We have also seen the Agra Fort, which was huge, and beautiful, but nothing compared to the Taj.
Now we'll wake our rickshaw driver and head for new adventures!
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