Thought I would throw in a bit of a trip report and a few piccies of my recent trip to the Indian Himalyas.
Not going to go into to much detail, but if anyone is interested this link gives a more detailed report on the trek
http://http://www.hsyacf.org.uk/himalaya10/ After around 20 hours of traveling time we arrived in the stifling heat of Delhi.35c. Although it was nearly midnight the hustle and bustle of this city was amazing the amount of people (trying to carry your bags or sell you things) and traffic was incredible. After a short but scary ride we arrived at our hotel.
They know how to build roads in India but no idea how to use them 3 lane roads with around 5 rows of vehicles and cows! yes cows. horns blowing total madness, and dont get me started on roundabouts, but for some reason it all works everybody slows down they let other vehicles in whether they are in the right lane or not , no road rage, no deaths. Bloody amazing.
Anyhow after a quick nap it was up and across the road,200 yds 50 people wanting to carry my bag/sell me things, to the train station for the first part of our trip from Delhi to Khalka express train. "Ah express" I hear you say, not exactly! 60 miles in 6 hours. Nothing goes fast in India.
Then one of the highlights of the trip the toy train from Khalka to Shimla takes around 8 hours and is visited by many spotters?? I mean train enthusiasts every year.
Khalka train station, trying to look cool and not quite acheiving it.
The train, this is first class we didnt see what they call second class but I am assured it isnt nice, something to do with cattle.
Going through one of the 102 tunnels on the line, there are various viaducts along the way as well. The track is an amazing feat of engineering I am sorry that my photos do not convey this very well. Little fact the engineer who designed the railway killed himself in disgrace when after starting building from both ends the tracks did not meet up in the middle. The engineers name was Barog.
One of the many colourful hill stations enroute
And finally Shimla itself. Yeeah I know not the best picture, it stayed pretty much like this the whole time we were there and I am no David Bailey.
Right gonna sign off for now will add more soon of rest of trek. if any interest.