Today we had a new guide and the day started out smoothly
with a trip to the train station. While
there we looked at an old narrow gauge steam engine and a passenger car. The train is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We then boarded the Toy Train, also known as the
Himalayan Queen. The name implies a certain
majesty and class. In reality it is
utilitarian and a bit worn. The Toy
Train is a narrow gauge railroad that runs three times a day from Kalka to
Shimla and was built by the British to take people into the hills for the
summer. The scenery was beautiful but hazy...as usual.
It takes about six hours to go the approximately 60 miles, has 107 tunnels, 991 curves and 864 bridges. Remember, that is all in 60 miles. In the 45 minutes we were on it we went through a dozen tunnels and covered approximately 6 kilometers (about 3.6 miles). It only took us about 15 minutes to get back to Shimla by car.
It takes about six hours to go the approximately 60 miles, has 107 tunnels, 991 curves and 864 bridges. Remember, that is all in 60 miles. In the 45 minutes we were on it we went through a dozen tunnels and covered approximately 6 kilometers (about 3.6 miles). It only took us about 15 minutes to get back to Shimla by car.
While on the train Mary struck up a conversation with her
seat mate. The woman was from Delhi and
she and her family, including 4 year old grandson, had spent 3 days in Shimla on
vacation.
At the train station...buckets of sand for the fire brigade.
After we returned we headed up the hill outside of Shimla
to the Jakhoo Temple, a temple to the Monkey God, Lord Hanuman.
The site has a small Hindu Temple, the world’s largest statue of the Monkey God (a108 foot tall, bright orange statue of the Lord Hanuman),
...and a gazillion monkeys. We asked the guide why so many monkeys here. He answered, obviously, because of the Monkey Temple.
Our guide rented a “monkey deterrent” stick to chase off the monkeys. Apparently they will steal anything they can get their hands on. They especially like to steal eyeglasses. We left everything in the car and did fine.
There was also a lovely little temple near the statue.
The site has a small Hindu Temple, the world’s largest statue of the Monkey God (a108 foot tall, bright orange statue of the Lord Hanuman),
...and a gazillion monkeys. We asked the guide why so many monkeys here. He answered, obviously, because of the Monkey Temple.
Our guide rented a “monkey deterrent” stick to chase off the monkeys. Apparently they will steal anything they can get their hands on. They especially like to steal eyeglasses. We left everything in the car and did fine.
There was also a lovely little temple near the statue.
We then headed out of town to the Windflower Oberoi Hotel
at the top of a ridge. Mary had wanted
to stay here but it was too far out of town and was way too expensive. Tara arranged a facility tour, scoping out
the place for potential clients. It was
a pretty awesome place with great views.
Then we had a lovely lunch on the terrace overlooking the valley. (Minor substitute for not getting to stay at
the hotel.)
It was then back to Shimla...
and a stop at the Himachal Museum. This museum contained a small display of stone-age tool and lots for Indian art and artifacts from the area from the last couple of thousand years.
and a stop at the Himachal Museum. This museum contained a small display of stone-age tool and lots for Indian art and artifacts from the area from the last couple of thousand years.
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1 comment:
Shimla is mostly known for the snow activity and toy train. The place is full of lovely destinations and excitement that you could witness from Mangalore to Shimla by the train. This place is directly accessible to Shimla and you can make a memorable ride with this.
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