Patna/Darjeeling

Patna/Darjeeling
April 22, 1986

Here we are in Darjeeling, known to many as “The Himalayan Queen” an elevation of 6812 ft., and a West Bengal, Hill Station.

This Himalayan Queen’s hilly terrain shares her fruity floral aroma the Black Tea with the world that has no equal, and differs from season to season.

Recalling history of which I am not too sure of, this Tea planting was born in 1841 by a Dr. Campbell where he used seed from China.

What a sue case this would be today; ‘China’s seed and Darjeeling’s reaping’ Dr Campbell must have bought the seed from China, so the case is dropped, no suing, please.

Break time from history for a laugh at Clare, who ‘still’ has her only souvenir from Darjeeling, a packet of Darjeeling Black Tea bought in 1986. Twenty-two years later, this souvenir stares at one in Clare’s food pantry, has never been used.

Does Tea taste better with age like wine does?

Our one night stay at Sinclair Hotel was not a happy one for me. I recall having water shortage in the bathroom area and was happy to leave the following morning for Calcutta. Credit is due here, for the inspiring view of the Himalayas from our bedroom window of this hotel.

The day was spent visiting, The Toy Train, Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery and Zoo Park leaving the rest of the day strolling down their main street.

Houses in Darjeeling are built of concrete, brick and lumber very closing knit on the sloops of this Hill city.

Darjeeling’s inhabitants were mostly Nepalese and Tibetans, several temples in view reminding one of their Buddha.

THE TOY TRAIN:

The Toy Train is quite close to the Ghoom Monastery, where Mount Everest the world’s highest peak can be spotted in the distance. This Toy Train a UNESCO World Heritage site is a treacherous rail journey.

TIGER HILL:

Tiger Hill is also near the Ghoom Monastery where there is a 9-hole golf course for you golf lovers.

GHOOM MONESTERY:

Here one can see a 4.57-m high statue of a seated Buddha.

ZOO PARK:

This is a lovely place to visit, the Siberian Tigers and the Himalayan Black Bears two of my favourites were seen. These Tigers are beautiful animals, from a distance of course.

Tomorrow we leave this Black Tea scented air, Himalayan Queen city, for Calcutta.

Do you get that feeling this long vacation is finally catching up on Clare?

No, not as yet, the closing chapter is the funniest and happiest, lots happen here.

The day after our arrival in Calcutta our driver will drive us to, ‘My Beloved Kharagpur’, seeing her for the first time, thirty-six years later.

Secretly hoping, she has not changed too much since the Exodus of the British Raj folks.

345 Third Avenue, Kharagpur, my home, with our favorite Mango Tree and the two Neem Trees that graced the front of our home, wonder if they will be still there waiting to welcome me back home.

Good night, see you in Calcutta.

God bless
Clare