It was Marj of course who had the inspiration to link a trip to the Ganges plain with a visit to Shimla - the former summer home of the Raj.
I thought this would be a great trip to do in April, when the weather would be reasonable,and it would coincide with our anniversary.
At the beginning of March, Rachel from the Travel Agency rang, to see if we wanted a cheap upgrade to Premium Class. Seeing as this meant 10kg more luggage allowance and free booze, we agreed.
So on 12th April, the taxi arrived, and took us to Terminal 3 for the BA shuttle to Gatwick, and the flight onward to Delhi. It was a night flight, so we tried to get a little shut eye before landing.
We were sooon off and meeting our local agent, Kapil, but had to wait for the stragglers, so Marj paid 20p for the toilet at Delhi Airport ( the lady really wanted rupees, but seemed quite fascinated by our funny english coin).
We went by minibus to the Surya Grande Plaza Hotel, and tried to get some sleep. After having a meal in hotel restaurant, we get some rupees and checked our emails.
The next day was the 14th, and after check out, we were taken on a tour of Old and New Delhi. On the way to Jaipur we were treated to a ‘free lunch’ at a carpet shop, but failed to buy anything. The long drive to Jaipur was highlighted by the sight of monkeys, camels, desert, farms, hills, villages, and luxury mansions.
We checked in Holoday Inn, and eight of us had a good meal of curry & beer, and a very late night.
On the 15th we had breakfast with the other four of our group of twelve, then took an elephant ride up to the Amber Fort.
In the afternoon we swam in the hotel pool, wrote postcards, and had a nap before dinner. This ws an indian meal, outside, with a wide range of entertainment, ranging from Elvis songs to me dancing with three Rajahstani women!
On the Saturday (16th) we saw the Palace of Winds, the Observatory, and the City Palace, Jaipur. Afterwards we finished and posted 20 postcards.
Buffalos; dancing sloth bears; kites; storks; mongoose out of the hotel window
Sunday 17th drive to Agra via Deserted city. Cheched in Sheraton.
Taj Mahal at sunset. Marj on a camel.
Continental meal for 10 in hotel - magic tricks.
18th - Taj at dawn. Group photo etc. Marj’s camera battery flat - no charger. Diana’s seat.
19th bus back to Delhi and the Surya Crowne Plaza. This time we had time for a swim, and impressively, young Indians were having swimmimg lessons in the shallow end.
We had (possibly) farewell drinks and a meal with our companions.
20th April - our anniversary - a 6.30 pick up took us to New Delhi station, coolie cases on head, onto Kalka Express. Non-stop tea & biscuits, breakfast, coffee, water and pineapple drink.
Chandigar looked interesting, but when we got to Kalka we could see the hills in front of us. Another coolie took our cases, and loaded them into our compartment on the Shimla train. Jil & Tony were already on board, along with 26 Indian travellers and their luggage.
We left Kalka 30 minutes late, but this was soon forgotten when the train wound its way up and up. The views became more and more glorious as we saw all different types of trees and flowers as the ascent progressed. We passed through villages and little stations, sometimes stopping for a few minutes so that passengers could get out to buy drinks and snacks. We limited ourselves to bananas, but Tony bought some samosas, and the Indians delighted in tea, nan and dal.
What we expected to be a two hour journey turned out to be nearer five, but the changes in scenery during the ascent made up for it.
At 7,000 feet, our carriage waa invaded - by more coolies wanting to carry people’s bags and cases. I pointed to our two cases, and they disappeared, but only on to the heads of the two men. We were met by staff from the Oberoi Cecil, who led us to waiting cars. After tipping the coolies 100 rupees each, we took our seats, and were driven up steep tracks to the hotel. What a splendid reception! No standing around with your bags waiting to be served by someone who is busy on the phone. We were greeted will scented bowls, and given a hindu mark of welcome on our foreheads. Then, led to seats in the lobby, we were given a refreshing drink, while reception staff stood to take our details and give us our keys (the metal things we used to have in English hotels).
When we got to our home, I complained that we did not have a double bed as ordered, so we were upgraded to a de-luxe suite with a beamed bedroom and separate dressing room.
We went to the restaurant for our evening meal, and as it was our anniversary we chose an excellent italian wine. Jill and Tony joined us, but as they had been up since the small hours (and were in their seventies), didn’t relish a big meal.
The next day (21st) was our first chance to check out Shimla, where 50% of the population are monkeys! We soon realised that our hotel was a very long way from the centre, and we had not yet aclimatised to the altitude, so took it very easy.
We had a drink and a rest at the Shimla British Retreat, where the manager gave us a guided tour.
Back at the Cecil, we enjoyed the vitorian style Swimming Pool & the modern sauna.
On the 22nd we had enough strength to walk the length of The Mall (british pronunciation), and do Christ Church, Scandal Point, Upper and Lower Bazar and a Handicraft exhibition.
On the 23rd, we got a driver to take us to the Viceregal Lodge and the Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the Monkey God, at the top of Jakhoo Hill, at 2,455 metres the highest we have probably ever been.
We had to go through the Victory Tunnel and take the town bypass to avoid the pdestrianised area, ang got all this for 500 rupees (£6.25).
On the 24th we walked to the Himachal State Museum, where amongst other things were letters from Ganhi to Hitler, Roosevelt and Churchill, which gave new insigts into the period from 1940-1947, when World War II, the Indian campaign for independence and the religious divide all coincided.
The Cecil was where Rudyard Kipling and his father, Lockwood Kipling, stayed during Rudyard’s journalistic period,but it has since been rebuilt and further renovated.
On the 25th, the hotel driver drove us on the terrible windy, bumpy road, all the way back to Kalka (two and a quarter hours). The worst trip for a long time! There we joined the Shutabi Express, to take us back to New Delhi and two nights at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
April 26th - in an Indian Garden! The pool and health centre area of the Delhi Hyatt are magnificent. We swam again and again in the outdoor pool, drank lime sodas and smoothies, and submitted to asian massage treatments to prepare us for the flight home. The garden area was profuse with bushes, plants and trees. The ma nicured lawns were ideal for a Japanese woman to undertake her yoga routine, which fascinated and motivated Marjorie. I took things more slowly, preferring to watch the bright red dragonflies.
27th Up at 7am (2.30 in UK) and a nice breakfast before the coach came to take us to Indira Ghanis international. The great flight was messed up by my Delhi belly, so I was unablew to take advantage of the free booze! drat.
Now to plan the next trip!