Varanasi

Arrived this am from our 14 hour over night train ride from West Bengal. Wonderful reception upon arrival. The hotel is the only heritage hotel here. It was the home of a Maharajai. ]
From Puri to Bhubaneshwar we drove again through the lovely country side, rice fields, sugar cane, and people very busy in the fields. Green and lush. The train to Calcutta departed an hour late. As a consequence we had a thrilling experience rushing through the congested streets of Calcutta to the other train station for the overnight trip to West Bengal. Just arrived in the nick of time. Crashing through all the hords of people at the station. Whew!!!!
Darjeeling with its fields of tea plantations is very beautiful. We relaxed in Darjeeling by having high tea at the sumptuous Windamere hotel. Felt like royalty dressed as tourists. The people continue to be friendly and very interested in where we come from. WE are often asked to have our pictures taken with their families.
Darjeeling is a hill station from the British time but now it is EXTREMELY congested with vehicle traffic. Too bad as it is such a beautiful location on the hill side. Had a fun time on the toy train to Ghum. See previous pics. Darjeeling to Gangtok again a scenic ride through the hill country. Gangtok again another hill station, is not con gested as they stop car traffic after 5pm. (except for armed escorted dignitaries out shopping) which we saw a few of. Our next stop was Kalimpong, again spectacular drive up hillside to a ridge where the city is located. The hotel was a converted heritage residence of a another RAJ.
For all you golfers there is a spectacular hillside golf course: 9 holes, 12 greens, par 64, figure that, but it is one of a kind. Destination for a golf retreat...........
We left the hills yesterday afternoon on the overnite train as mentioned.
We will be visiting the holy waters of the Ganges today and tomorrow.
Regards, Alan and Susan