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October 2009

Pokhara to Darjeeling via Chitwan National Park

Sat 3rd Oct 2009 — drew

Having said good-bye to Pokhara, we arrived in Chitwan after a 5 hour bus journey. The journey moved us from lush green valleys with snow-capped peaks behind down onto the hot, flat plains of Nepal known as the Terai. Our hotel was located right beside the river and we were very thankful for the powerful fan as after 4 months in the hills the humid heat was a bit of a shock. We had opted for a package tour which crammed a lot in to a short stay.

Darjeeling - Calcutta

Sat 10th Oct 2009 — drew

We were lucky that we got a reasonable view of Khangchendzonga and the snow peaks through the clouds on our arrival in Darjeeling as soon after the weather turned and we were immersed in the clouds and could not see across the valley. It didn't take us too long of staring out into the mist and rain to decide against another trek and count ourselves lucky for the fine weather that we had on the Annapurna Circuit.

First week in Calcutta

Sat 17th Oct 2009 — drew

We had Sunday after we arrived to get our bearings and have a look around the city. So we walked up to the old central area around Dalhousie square. This is where all the impressive, old colonial buildings which are slightly crumbling in places but the courts and financial buildings are still in use and being restored. Walking around the city can be quite hectic – getting across the roads jammed with rickshaws, ambassador taxis, hundreds of buses and then trams can be quite an ordeal and frequently reminded us of the computer game 'frogger'.

Diwali, climate marching, lice and strumming

Tue 27th Oct 2009 — drew

We had fun celebrating the Diwali weekend which in Kolkata (Bengal) coincides with the Kali puja festival (festival celebrating the Hindu goddess Kali). On the Saturday evening we walked around the local streets to see the different stands and Kali statues. Each community gives a donation towards their display so there is some competition between them as to who has the best Kali – there are 108 different forms of Kali, most communities opting for the blue Kali (more forgiving and easier to worship apparently) but there was definitely a recurring theme of severed heads and gore.