15 October 2007

Darjeeling, Oct. 10-12 and 16


Above: Orchids at the Darjeeling botanical garden

We arrived in India very late at night and much to our disappointment the airport's retiring rooms were full, so we had to venture out to a hotel (we had a connecting flight the next morning). Our introduction to Delhi driving was immediate - our taxi driver u-turned and took us down a divided highway on the wrong side of the road, against traffic. Delhi, we'll be back.

The next day, after our connecting flight, we embarked on the journey from Bagdogra to Darjeeling - another experience on the Indian roads, which we shared with cows, chickens, bicycles, rickshaws, trains, children, and even a monkey. We decided to live the high life in Darjeeling, since it was Simona's birthday, and stayed in a room with lots of television channels and morning "bed tea" service.

Darjeeling is full of competing sounds, smells, and sights, some good, some not so much. On the plus side, it has earned its reputation for great tea (usually milky and sweet), and the mountain views are breathtaking. However, the exhaust fumes, ubiquitous honking, and crowds of people can at times be overwhelming. From what we have learned, that is part of the Indian experience.

2 comments:

cnew said...

Woooohooo you made it! Darjeeling Limited!

Jenny Russo said...

the smells, confusion, honking and chaos of India...sigh. i wish i was there with you embracing all of it. speaking of..when you arrive in goa please give rolf, marci and the michaels big hugs from me.