We left Shimla to return to Delhi, saying our goodbyes to the friendly staff and local residents.
The first part of the journey was a hair raising 4 hour drive down the mountain, through hair pin bends. I think driving a taxi is an extreme sport in this area!
We arrived in Chandigarh and boarded the train for Delhi.
Eventually we arrived back in Delhi and got a coach back to the Taj Palace.
Drinks and dinner now. Tomorrow we will be having a sight seeing tour of Delhi.
Today we took an optional tour, driving in taxis further up into the mountains through the amazing Kufri countryside of Upper Shimla.
We stopped at a viewpoint in the tiny village of Fagu.
We drove on to Wildflower Hall, a luxury hotel constructed on the site of the former summer residence of Lord Kitchener, where we had lunch.
We drove back to Shimla, a hair raising experience. The roads are narrow and winding and very busy. We passed through many villages, none of which have pavements. There were a few near misses but no one was injured!
Tomorrow we travelling back to Delhi, by taxis and train.
I think we will miss Shimla
Carol
This morning we had a very interesting talk, with slides, about the history of Shimla and the surrounding area by Raja Bhasin, who has appeared on Tv with Michael Portillo. We then got into a fleet of taxis and drove through narrow, packed streets to the Viceregal Lodge, which was the official residence of the Viceroy of India during the summer months when the British moved the seat of power to Shimla to escape the heat of Calcutta. Many British rulers have lived there including Mountbatten. It now houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies.
After lunch in another Oberoi Hotel we walked up Mall Road. Being on the mountainside, Shimla is very hilly.
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.
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
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.
Early start tomorrow for the train to Shimla.
More tomorrow,
Carol
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.
Looking forward to posting some exciting photos. Thanks for following,
Carol
Our travel documents arrived today from Great Rail, ready for our holiday at the end of this month.
