I decided to go up to "Hill Station" of Simla (Shimla) because like so many people its association with the British Raj and particularly the wonderful narrow guage railway the Brits built to access it was a draw. I also thought it would be a nice place to go. At just under 7000 feet, the low Indian Himalayas - it is cooler and fresher than the plains of the north below.
It is 5 hour plus train journey from Kalka. It is up hill all the way. It is quaint, fun and very scenic and sociable because the carraiges are small. The journey is dotted with little stations, lots of tunnels and big vistas as you enter the foothills of the Himalayas. Gradually you feel the temperature difference. One nice thing is at most stations there is a stop over for 10 minutes or so. This is time for legs stretches and local colour because the train is a draw and serves these isolated communities well.
Simla itself is quite hard to get your head around. It clings to the mountainsides but is in fact a very big place now - nearer a city in fact. It is on levels. The main level called The Mall feels a bit like Namche Bazzar but there is nothing like the same trekking scene. It is a hard place to move around because of the hills and narrow roads and it can get busy.
I stayed in a Homestay called Aapo Aap. The building is magnificent - the rooms palatial and host Shivi made our stay outstanding. Totally recommended.
Simla for me was a quiet retreat. I enjoyed climbing to the top to visit Jakhu Temple. It is the highest point in Simla. I guess the air is a bit thinner at 6750 feet but not noticeably so. The path to the top is also the domain of many monkeys. They are ferral. There are monkey sticks on sell to ward of monkeys searching for food. I was burrowing in my rucksack for something and quite a large monkey was there in a split second. I shooed it. A local guy was a bit more animated and laughed.
There is much evidence of English influence from the days of the notorious and often riotess British Raj who lived like kings in this lovely place.
Like everywhere in India I think Simla is changing. Building is happening - much of it illegal apparently.
It was a good place to visit and must be a much different place when the snow is on the ground
Views on the way up and of Simla as described above.
It is 5 hour plus train journey from Kalka. It is up hill all the way. It is quaint, fun and very scenic and sociable because the carraiges are small. The journey is dotted with little stations, lots of tunnels and big vistas as you enter the foothills of the Himalayas. Gradually you feel the temperature difference. One nice thing is at most stations there is a stop over for 10 minutes or so. This is time for legs stretches and local colour because the train is a draw and serves these isolated communities well.
Simla itself is quite hard to get your head around. It clings to the mountainsides but is in fact a very big place now - nearer a city in fact. It is on levels. The main level called The Mall feels a bit like Namche Bazzar but there is nothing like the same trekking scene. It is a hard place to move around because of the hills and narrow roads and it can get busy.
I stayed in a Homestay called Aapo Aap. The building is magnificent - the rooms palatial and host Shivi made our stay outstanding. Totally recommended.
Simla for me was a quiet retreat. I enjoyed climbing to the top to visit Jakhu Temple. It is the highest point in Simla. I guess the air is a bit thinner at 6750 feet but not noticeably so. The path to the top is also the domain of many monkeys. They are ferral. There are monkey sticks on sell to ward of monkeys searching for food. I was burrowing in my rucksack for something and quite a large monkey was there in a split second. I shooed it. A local guy was a bit more animated and laughed.
There is much evidence of English influence from the days of the notorious and often riotess British Raj who lived like kings in this lovely place.
Like everywhere in India I think Simla is changing. Building is happening - much of it illegal apparently.
It was a good place to visit and must be a much different place when the snow is on the ground
Views on the way up and of Simla as described above.
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| cricket any where |
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| The Homestay A wonderful place Great host. |
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