Having just returned from the madness that is India, I thought I would post a blog, well a bit of a diary really. Deb and I travelled to Delhi (noisy, mad, frantic), Chandigar (smaller version of Delhi), Kalka (useful to pick up narrow gauge railways, the start of our celebrity status), Shimla (playground of the rich Empire building Brits), Tattapani (beautiful little village with hot sulphur springs and delightfully powerful atmsphere - get there quick though, it will soon be drowned due to the Indian government development of a hydro electric dam), Lake Renuka (beautiful tropical lake with some sad lions and a cheetah and a rather disappointing and costly government run hotel), Haridwar (mad, barmy busy city of pilgrimage and Ganges dunking) and back to Delhi (much less startling second time around!). As most people who are bothering to read this will know, due to some minor health problems, I was restricted from travelling to the altitudes that we intended, namely Leh in Ladakh. However, the foothills of the Himalaya were in themselves dramatically stunning. Can't wait to go back and move further up those lttle mountains!
This was an incredibly eye opening experience. The indescribeable chaos, constant noise and cacophony of the towns was completely contrasted by the unbelievable beauty and tranquility of the smaller villages and the hillsides. The polarity of the experiences alone was difficult to cope with. There were so many contrasts on the journey, each so very difficult to describe; so to prevent any boredom, I'll just post a few piccies and urge you all to go and spend some time out there yourselves. It will add a completely different perspective to your life and emphasise just how fortunate most of us over here are.
If you do go, and intend to use public transport (especially buses, taxis and auto rickshaws) please take out additional insurance both on a basis of life and replacement pants. Some of the most beautiful journeys were the most frightening journeys that I have ever experienced; due sometimes to the very narrow mountainside roads and always to the drivers of vehicles wanting to get whereever they were going first.....overtaking despite oncoming lorries, handbrake turns in coaches on mountain passes whilst the driver was on the mobile etc (I really am not exaggerating). I thought I had seen the end on many occasions. Beware and start worshipping Hannaman immediately!!
Thanks to Deb and Damon for a fab fortnight.
Simon
