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Published: April 23rd 2008
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Snowy peaks...
...The pictures dont do it justice ......... Yes please, it's brass monkeys up here.!!
***SO MUCH TO WRITE SO PLEASE READ IT ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *****
Yes now in Darjeeling and what an amazing place it is.
From the bottom of the mountain where the train dropped us we needed to get a jeep to the hill station which was bumpy to say the least. (mum I know you are worried about all this mountain transport were doing but these guys are pro's aren't they???? )
NIC - 4 hours later (after a stop at a relatives caf on the way!) we arrived with bruised buttocks, and heads from hitting the ceiling! Fortunately they'd tied our packs to the roof, so they made it too! We took the first room we were offered and made a hasty dash to the HOT shower (a luxury if you remember!) and then a change into the thick socks and a few extra layers! DAN: sorry to butt in but when I pulled my slippers out of my pack Nic had the cheek to call me a chief!! but I could see the jealousy in her eyes!!.
Ha ha! Of all the things to cart all the
The mountains...
Tiger Hill, Darjeeling and Khachendzonga way around the world?!!!!!
Anyway, Wrapped up, (without the slippers) we headed out into the cloud which was beginning to lift, to leave a bright sunny day with magnificent views!....Not as grand as reported though because the nearby Himalaya's were hidden in their own clouds...we were gutted as that was one of the main reasons for the visit.
DAN- So next day we rose at 3.00am yes 3.00am as we were told to get our asses over to Tiger Hill (local high point) to see the sun rise and light up the Himalaya's. Everest can also been seen from here. Our fingers were crossed hoping it to be clear. we had spoken to a few people who had been there for days and still not caught a glimse!.
Well when we got there we could see the outline on the Great Khangchendzonga (8598m, third highest in the world) also know as 'The Guardian of the eastern Himalaya's' the atmosphere there was estatic as as soon as the sun rose HOLY SH*T WHAT A VIEW, we were blown away (see the pictures) and the crowd let off an almighty cheer! truely an amazing sight, the snowy peaks were
illuminated by the sun and turned from pink to white as the sun grew more intense.
NIC - It really was an experience, if not a very cold one! We decided to take in the scenery and walk the 11km back to Darjeeling through villages and past buddhist monastries, it was so relaxed (a far cry from Kolkata!) and all the locals we met seemed really pleased to see us.....The smiles of the natives up here (who have a Tibetan look) lights up their whole face and gives a lovely wrinkle across the nose and cheeks, something I'll always remember!
The mountains were with us all the way back to town and then as if they knew we were satisfied with our viewing, they gently wrapped themselves back up in the clouds, not to be seen again while we were there!...talk about luck! (how upset would we have been if our 3am jaunt was for nothing!)
The town and people were beautiful, as already mentioned, and it all seemed nicely relaxed (well, it's quite diffcult to tear around at break neck speed up and down the steep roads and steps that the town is built around!...good exercise,
and warms you up!!)
Fortunately there was always a nice cuppa to hand, made from the local tea plantations and amongst the best and most expensive in the world! We treated ourselves to some good quality leaves to brew in the mornings - perfect!..dont think they'll last us long though (have to say, probably better than tetleys!)
DAN - Feel the need to tell you about the polictical situation up here due to the Chinese/Tibetan conflict, there are many Tibetan refugees here and therefore alot of Free Tibet demonstrations (see pics) also due to Parts of West Bengal wishing to split and create an independent state there have been more demo and even strike up here directly affecting us as we were unable to book any transport out of the state.
Anyway being the Indian travel dons that we are now we found a way out and are off to Varanassi tomorrow evening on another sleeper train trouble is we will be traveling during Nics birthday, it's not ideal.
NIC - Don't worry parents - the demo's weren't violent!...but were very moving.
So, we arrived back in Kolkata this morning, as this was the only
route out that was available (14hrs on a bus...uuurrrgggh!) and are staying here tonight and during the day tomorrow. So untill we have more news...
Lots of love,
xxxxx
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Dad Walton
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You gotta write a book
Firstly, Happy Birthday Nic, Many Happy Returns. The photos are terrific, keep them coming. Looks like you're having the time of your lives. Good for you. You're doing a great job with your travel blog, I'm really impressed, you should turn it into a book, it's fascinating, very well written and great fun to read. Dan, the guys at the club want to know where the photos are of you, wearing the club shirt in those exotic places! Haven't seen any yet. Stay safe, people. Love, from the old man.