Destination: India

Delhi

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 | By elcastleberry | Views [485]

The chaos of the developing world, all of its stark contrast, reigns here. A child's grimy hand tugs my skirt. I hear the tap-tap-tap of a woman's fingernail on the taxi window, and turn to see her kissing gathered fingers to her mouth in a begging gesture, ... Read more >

Tags: chaos, culture, delhi, developing world, india, india

It's a Small World (It seems)

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Views [379]

One of the best things about writing this blog is choosing the accompanying photograph. Today it is from the Pineview Nursery where I spent a very pleasant hour or so in the end. It did not start out so well as, having vaunted my new found ability to ... Read more >

Tags: churches, nursery, walks

Photos: David_photogallery_Kalimpong2

Sun, 20 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Photo Gallery

Photos: David_photogallery_Kalimpong1

Sat, 19 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Photo Gallery

Kanchenjunga

Sat, 19 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Views [386]

I have been waking up most mornings around 4-5 am with the sounds and lights of taxis below my 6th (not 5th) floor window as they prepare to take tourists to Tiger Hill to view the sun rise over Kanchenjunga. This morning was no different. Yesterday, ... Read more >

Tags: contemplations, journeys, mountains

Slow Train to Ghoom

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Views [328]

Having aborted my mission to Ghoom the previous day, I was up early and down to the train staion to book my ticket on the Toy Train by 8.30 (ok not early for some). This time the purchase went through without a hitch, though at 1100 rupees the fare seemed ... Read more >

Photos: David_photogallery_Peace_Pagoda

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Photo Gallery

Photos: David_photogallery_Yiga_Choling

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Photo Gallery

Photos: David_photogallery_Ghoom_Shakya_Choling

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Photo Gallery

Bhanga Boys

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Views [554]

I have now moved rooms to one more befitting my bachelor status. Facing Darjeeling, now shrouded in mist, it is smaller and lacks en suite toilet and shower. What it lacks it gains by virtue of the view (admittedly not a great advantage today), wardrobe ... Read more >

Tags: cigarettes, drink, food, friendship

Mushrooms and Clouds in the Hills of Kodaikanal - 2

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 | By vavachan | Views [1076] | Comments [1]

Chennai was experiencing non-stop rain for a week, roads were waterlogged and homes flooded. Luckily my sky palace on the third floor was a constant reassurance against any such possibilities. Also, my neighbourhood was relatively unharmed in what can ... Read more >

Photos: David_photogallery_Darjeeling1

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Photo Gallery

Photos: David_photogallery_2Darjeeling

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Photo Gallery

The Worm has Turned

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Views [410]

Darjeeling, 14th December. Happy Birthday to Emms (my eldest neice) for yesterday. Hope you had a good first term at Universtity and a good birthday. Today it is I, sitting in the Himalayan Java Coffe House on the Mall, Darjeeling, who is tapping ... Read more >

Tags: hill station, meeting people, train journey

Change of Plan

Sat, 12 Dec 2015 | By davidford | Views [438]

My train for New Jalpaiguri leaves tonight and not tomorrow night as I had thought.  I've just booked two nights at the Dekeling guest house in central Darljeeling and I'm quite excited now and looking forward to what I hope will be a calmer ... Read more >

Tags: change of plan, food, train journey