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I'm writing this blog from Calcutta, we should have left for Darjeeling yesterday but due to some problems with the train tickets we haven't got on. Basically we were on a waiting list for a place and we didn't end up getting one. This wouldn't be such a frustrating scenario except you only find out if you're on the train a couple of hours before departure! To be honest, from our experience with train travel we knew this was always a possibility because that's how the system works out here but regarding this particular train we were confident of getting a place due to our position on the waiting list. However we've since realised that its Indian holiday season and hence very busy. Seemingly the system is also open to corruption as people can pay 'extra' to ensure their waitlisted ticket has been brought forward. So long story short we're still in Calcutta, (we asked the man in the hotel if there's anyway we could get on the next days train but we couldn't, we probably could but would have had to stand for 12 hours overnight!)
We really wanted to go to the Himalayas but that will have to wait for another time now. Trying to put a positive spin on it we may have dodged the bullet; we've heard the area is incredibly busy at this time of year due to Indian tourists escaping the hot summer weather to go to colder climates! Imagine trying to sell that holiday to a Brit back home in May!
I lied a bit at the beginning, the above story is all true but it all happened last Wednesday and is now in the past ( for the interest of good story telling you see), we're now sat on a train on our way back to Calcutta. We've been to a coastal resort called 'Digha' for the last 4 nights, put together as a last minute plan. We're actually sat on some corrugated boxes of mineral water ( oh how the irony that I'm saved by a box) in the pantry car of the train, again because our waitlisted ticket didn't get confirmed ( this journey is only 3 hours so its bearable). It's technically illegal to do this but for the first time in the whole trip we played the 'dumb tourist' card (and we played it well too!), so after paying a small fine to the conductor (£6) he let us stay on the train.
It's worked out ok too because being in the pantry car ensures you'll never go hungry. We had chicken curry for lunch and it was really tasty.
A take on Digha now, it's a small coastal town where droves of Indian tourists head for a beach holiday. The beach is really nice and also very big. It's funny because all the indians cram themselves into one small area of the beach where the amenities are, so If you walk 10 minutes down the beach you practically have it all or yourself. The only plausible explanation why the Indians do this is laziness, they refuse to walk anywhere if it can be helped. They even have motorbikes on the beach ferrying people up and Down it!
The rest of the town isn't very nice as its been touristed ( not sure if his is a word but I'm inventing it if not) for the Indian population. In fact for the most part it's indians who get hassled and not us because many cant speak English.. The town does have a really good aquarium, even more so because the entry was free. They had 'puffer fish' and 'guitar fish' which we'd never seen before.
We'll be flying to Bangkok tomorrow, one more night in Calcutta which I think we're both happy about; it's time to move onto another country.
Since this has rambled on for so long out final thoughts on India will have to wait until the next entry.....
- comments
jennifer Watts Having just spoken to you, will not say much apart from great blog again. A pity that you couldn't get to the Himalayas though, but sure you'll have lots more excitement in Thailand!!! Take care and have fun. Lmdx
Dave Nice one Andrew, don't forget me tea bags !!
nicola Hi Andy sounds like you are having an amazining time !! im well gel xx take care Nicola
sarah Brilliant blog, shame about the Himalayas. Looking forward to your next experiences around the golden triangle!! x