John's World...Thomas and Friends

We had gotten in late last night to Darjeeling.  Our little hill station excursion.  We wanted to start this morning with gusto and take in as much of this corner of Northeast India as we could. 

meat lovers heaven

street of Darjeeling

We started the day with a great breakfast at Keventers in Darjeeling.  You might call the meal "meat-centric" to say the least.  Ham, bacon, and sausage all on one plate.  There was toast if memory serves me correct. 

All of that food was merely fuel for what was to become the center-piece of the day.  A ride on the famous "toy train" of Darjeeling. 

even looks like Thomas...

The toy train or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a train system that began in the 1880's with many of its steam locomotives still in use.  The rails stretch, wind, and spin all the way from Darjeeling to Silliguri in West Bengal (about 80 kilometers).  The rails are only two feet apart and have miniature real trains to navigate the narrow streets and steep gradients.  The railway is considered a miracle of engineering and worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

After Brinda purchased the tickets (and scared several ticket line usurpers) we got on the steam locomotive for 12:20pm. 

Around 1:30 we actually left Darjeeling Station... 

one of the highest trains in the world

We were on the Joy Ride route.  Only two hours and two stops. 

he kept thinking it was a real toy

To think that this was the mode of transportation of the aristocracy was hard to believe.  The smell of the coal fired engine left one feeling as if they had smoked a pack of cigarettes from some former Eastern Block country.  While the ride was jerky at first, it smoothed out as you went along. 

The first stop was Batasia Loop.  This is the loop in the rail system that allows the train down a steep section of the route.  The loop spirals down over itself to more easily make its way down.  The loop is also the location of the Ghurka War Memorial in honor of fallen Ghurkas (native to this area and who provided great service to both British and independent India. 

Garden at Batasia Loop

Ghurka Memorial

The last stop was Ghum.  Ghum the home to several recommended museums and the Ghum Monastery.  In Ghum, we were given about thirty minutes to "explore". 

We chose running instead.  Thirty minutes gave you a few minutes to walk somewhere, walk around and quickly walk back for the return ride.  We high tailed it over to the Ghum Monastery.

The monastery is in the Tibetan tradition that I happen to follow (Gelugpa).  Much of the iconography was familiar and welcoming.  A monk was kind enough to open the door to the gompa (main temple) for James and I.  It was great to have a quick show of respect to the large Buddha inside.

All of us at Ghum

We made it back to Ghum Station with minutes to spare. 

ready to go

It was a much faster ride up the hill.  We were glad for it.  The ride was interesting.  You leave with a sense of appreciation of a dying mode of transport (steam locomotives).  The kids had a great time.  However, it is one of those "one offs".  Nice to try.  Like when Brinda and I went camel trekking in Morocco.  Nice but a second time no thanks.  For us, maybe the practicality of modern transportation supersedes the niche of modes of days gone by.