Chandigarh to Thanedar

Fantastically twisting ascending train ride for over 5 hours from Kalka to Shimla at 2400 metres followed by a stomach-churning 2.5 hours by road to reach the Banjara Retreat at Thanedar.Fantastic vistas across the Himalayas with great service and attention in thie apple sentre of India. Unfortunately bitterly cold and a day of constant downpour.

Camera Loss

Disaster. The camera is lost and, as the computer had packed up earlier, images since Chandigarh with it! A bad day at Black Rock (Shimla). Billo is devastated but these things happen. The police are out in force in pursuit.

Chandigarh

Following Partition in 1947 when Lahore was pinched by Pakistan, Le Corbusier took over the project of creating a new state capital for Punjab in 1952 with spectacular results still evident today despite some decay. Some examples:Museums of Modern art and Fine Art were limited excitement but no images to show (due to loss of camera reported elsewhere)

Nek Chand's Rock Garden, Chandigarh

My personal favourite so far. Nek gathered stones resembling birds and animals from road work sites he worked on for 20 years and saved them close to rubbish tip. He then went about transforming the whole site into a fantastic sculptural labyrinth and a most exquisite example of creativity and human endeavour.


Billo

Hotels we have known

Colonel Lamba's Home for the partially disabled in Agra was a testament to all those dreadful b&b's in blighty - not to be recommended despite his warm welcome. Whilst Broadway Hotel in Delhi is a fine establishment in one of the worst areas of deprivation you would hope to avoid. All part of the rich tapestry....Donny

Train from Delhi to Chandigarh

An early start and back on the tracks....

Baby Taj

A mini version of the Taj Mahal was built as a tomb further down the river and has beautiful gardens and an amazing serenity..