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We awoke this morning to a thunderstorm. So much for any further birding here in Ramnagar. As Terry says, "I've never had rain here before". It's supposed to rain heavily here all day. The weather on this trip continues to be out of the ordinary.
The 9:30 train to Delhi leaves at 10. The doors to our car are locked; it takes awhile to find someone to open them so we can get into our seats. As usual, the block of 12 seats are scattered. This train is much older, could be out of Orient Express, brown leather seats. After an hour the sun appears; my window seat gets downright hot. We arrive at 3:15; the traffic is horrendous around the station. But our trusty bus and drivers are there to meet us! It is much warmer, people are sleeping on train platforms, on sidewalks. Three guys in Indian drag add more color. There are post-Republic Day celebrations still happening so many roads are closed. We have to take a circuitous route to the hotel, but go past some landmarks during the drive: India Gate, large parks, embassy row including the US Embassy.
We finally arrive at our hotel at 5:30. The Vivanta by Taj is a beautiful modern building designed to please the eye with high ceilings and unusual angles. The ceiling and walls of our room slant every which way. Heat, plenty of hot water, extensive buffet not just with Indian cuisine, this feels like luxury!
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