So the C's departed Varanasi bound for Darjeeling via NJP on the Radjahini Express, leaving the R's to one more night of blaring music and chanting on the ghats of Varanasi.
The most eventful part of the train journey was actually getting to the station. Thanks to the ever efficient management of the hotel they advised the taxi driver to take the C's to the station out of town. After many ph calls to Javed and some colorful language, the driver performed a miraculous U turn on the highway and headed to Varanasi Junction, filling up with fuel along the way much to the consternation of Jen. The train was punctual, 5 star service with bottled water, orders taken for breakfast and the C's finally succumbed to sleep.......Kevin had recovered sufficiently from his 24 hr bug to announce........ahhhhhhh a dry fart and Jen announced the loo was most salubrious.
13 hrs on a train followed by a 4 hr 80 km journey up the impossibly steep road ....of sorts, the C's finally arrived in Darjeeling having stopped for 30 mins in road side diner perched precariously on the side of the mountain for momos and a cuppa tea.
From Tshirts to fashionable long johns and thermals, the new attire for the coming days , rugged up the C's went out to check out what the town had to offer..........bargain gortex jacket, 5th of the price back home for J and not to be out done, K found himself a woollen jumper with hoodie. Cups of tea,visit to a tea plantation, nights of Teachers whiskey and coke at Joey's Pub with a game of backgammon thrown in, steam train, Tibetan soups and a pleasant home stay accommodation. Darjeeling was given the thumbs up
How divine!! Just as it should be....dry farts and salubrious toilets...mmmwwaaahhhhhh X
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