Just when I was getting used to moving along on Indian city roads and highways, my heart jumping ever so often even though we had an experienced Indian driver .... we entered the state of Punjab. As my pal in Perth, Jeff, would say "Fuck a duck" .... the Punjabis are absokutely crazy. They even rattled our Indian driver mahavir which did not do much for my blood pressure.
We got into Amritsar late and looked up the Lonely Planet guide to India for a place to eat. I have to say .... except for the Rajasthani Thali that we had, Rajasthan is really boring for food. Every restaurant had the same menu.
So we chose this restaurant in Lawrence Road. ll the restaurants they reccomment are in Lawrence Road. This place Surjit is famour for their Tandoorie Chicken and we had some with some deep fried fish.... delicious after Rajasthan.
Next morning we visited the Golden Temple. Really nice ! and peaceful. The Sikhs community spirit is amazing. We had this free meal consisting od yellow rice, dhal, chappatis and kheer. You could have seconds as well. Then we saw this tremendous organisation with people collecting soild dishes and cutlery, washing , drying and then storing them away. Groups of men , women and children and whole families cutting and preparing vegetables. Huge massive cooking utensils ... some being washed, some washed and some full of food ready for the next batch. Apparently they feed 40, 000 people a day.
Next stop was the Laxmi Temple. We got into the inner sanctum and joined in the "worship" . I thought it was great the number of ways this ONE "Godthing" is worshipped and if only we all realised that there are numerous unique ways to worship It .... Oooops ! I mean HER .... Ooops .... Damn it ! Who cares ? I dont ! HE dosent either ... IT is far too great to care. Well I mean ... If we just marvelled at the way others worshipped , the world would not be in the state it is in...
Ten we visited the Jain Temple and Val had a long discourse with the Jain priest.
Back to the Hotel and then out to dinner at the Crystal restaurant. ... which was very nice again.
Into bed early and watched TV. The Mumbai errorist attacks had started.
Off to Shimla by 8am ... Along harrowing drive up the mountains and arrived after dark in Shimla. Settled into the Landmark Hotel. I awoke and opened the curtains to our huge window. Morning had broken ... like the fist morning . Black crows had croaken ...... But it was a beautiful sight. The first sunlight had hit the snow capped Himalayas in the distance.. I called out to Val and she jumped out of bed. had our tea gazing at the HIMALAYAS .... pronounced .... Him .. aah .lya ... say it ! Visited the high peak of Kufri and in the evening walked the famous Shimla Mall. Val is not well and i am getting that way too.
Early Night ...
Long , Long , Long trip back to Delhi. Arrived after 8pm. had a cuppa ... some dinner and settled to bed.
This morning ... took Val into Delhi to the Moyra Sheraton Hotel and had lunch at Bokhara. Voted the best tandoorie in the world.
Had Lassi, Black dhal, a whole chicken, naan, ... they had a few accompiaments as well. It is the best meal we have had on this trip so far.
The Mumbai seige is over and the TV is showing all the Hero Fuberals.
Here at the internet cafe and they are NOT allowing me to upload my photos.
On the 1st Dec train overnight to Ujjain. Then on the 4th train to Baroda. Will probably be able to update this blog there.
So until then my friends ....
NAMASTE !!!
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