India – Day 3: Shimla

After a delicious Indian Buffet dinner last night we set off at 6.30am to Delhi Railway Station to catch the train to Kalka where we got on the ‘Toy Train’ which took us through the Himalayan foothills to Shimla.

4 hour trip from Delhi (25C), to Kalka
Andy and I on the Toy Train
The Toy Train climbing up the mountain to an altitude of 7500 feet
Half way to Shimla the sky darkened and there was a hail storm with thunder and lightening
We shared our coach with a friendly Indian family on holiday from Bangalore
View from the train
Shimla Station
The Oberoi Cecil Hotel

The hotel was established in 1884 by the British. Mohan Singh Oberoi started working at the hotel in the boiler room in 1922. He rose through the ranks until he was able to buy the hotel in 1944.

Tomorrow we have a talk about the history of Shimla and a guided walk.

Carol

India – Day 2: Delhi

After an eight hour flight in a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330 we arrived in Delhi, five and a half hours ahead of British time, at 11.15am. Short coach ride to the Taj Palace Hotel. After booking in we went for a walk to a local coffee shop. We have seen monkeys and cows on the roads.

Our first hotel entrance
Cheers!
Entrance to the lobby

Early start tomorrow for the train to Shimla.

More tomorrow,

Carol

India – Day 1: Setting off!

Thursday 27th February

We are setting off this afternoon to drive to Heathrow for our 21.20 Virgin Atlantic flight to Delhi with Great Rail Journeys. Very excited, and a bit apprehensive.

Coincidentally, today is the fourth anniversary of my emergency open heart surgery, so I feel very lucky to be taking this trip.

This was my intensive care bed.

Looking forward to posting some exciting photos. Thanks for following,

Carol

Welcome

I hope you enjoy visiting my blog. There’s lots to look at.

I will start posting regular photos and updates when we are on holiday, starting with our visit to India with Great Rail Journeys at the end of this month.

Let me know what you think.