Thursday, 5 November 2015
Siliguri
I am having real problems updating my blog which is somewhat frustrating. I seem to have lost all my postings since Kolkata so here is a quick resume and a few photos.
Whilst the cars were being trucked north we travelled 95 km south to visit the Sunderbans, the largest delta in the world and home to the largest community of Bengal tigers. It took over 3 hours in the bus which gives you some idea of the challenges of driving in India. Despite its fame the Sunderbans get relatively few tourist visitors and therefore the infrastructure is somewhat basic. However the camp was clean, the food good and the beers plentiful.
Due to the shortage of tigers and the thickness of the mangrove it is very rare to actually see tiger. However there is plenty of other wildlife to see including multiple other cats, deer, boar, amazing birds and crocs. Nothing ventured nothing gained we spent the day before yesterday onboard boat and climbing watchtowers.
Both evening the locals had laid on entertainment. The first night was an evening of local dancing which Alice would have enjoyed, the second an evening of high drama. Audience participation is encouraged so Xavier joined the dancing and Paddy led the somewhat pantomimesc participation during the drama. I will not try and tell you what happened but there was a tiger and a crocodile involved.
We visited the local village which has been rebuilt since its cyclone Isla in 2009. One cannot help but feel guilty about how fortunate we all are. The villagers were incredibly uncynical with their visitors which I think reflect how few foreigners visit.
The team seems to be bedding down with newbees quickly settling into the relentless high quality and highly amusing banter.
We left the Sunderbans at 6am yesterday to drive back to Kolkata airport to fly to Siliguri and collect the cars. Although the bus journey was slow the journey was relatively painless. You learn very quickly the the most uncomfortable seats are those at the back of the bus directly above the rear axle. Unfortunately those were ours!
We arrived in Siliguri at about 4pm to find all the cars unpacked and ready to go. The Buick started first time like the elderly lady she quite clearly is. One of the great things about the trucks, buses and tuk tuks is the volume and quality of the customised paint works. You've guessed it but more on this later.
Poor Xaviers petrol can had leaked so his boot was full of fuel. A nuisance but nothing more until Ines's bags get put in there.
I had such an interesting chat with our guide before dinner and he is organising a visit for Paddy and I to Dr Graham's Home in Kalimpong which is where Alice's grandmother helped and from where Henry Haversham set off into Bhutan.
The evening started with Paddy and I visiting the local shop to buy some local kit which is being made for us today. Then it was drinks curtesy of the hotel, probably a rash move on their part but very kind and then diner. Afterwards we had tuk tuk racing which was hilarious. Joint winners were Maria and Chris. Paddy and Ines went the wrong way and Xavier and I never really got going getting confused at the start! Very funny and no damage done. At midnight we visited the local Hindu paper as it went to print which was fantastic. It's owned by the hotel owner who runs it as an independent newspaper dedicated to telling the truth.
Shakedown day today so we will get out and about as soon as we can.
More soon.
RHC
Sent from my slyPad
Whilst the cars were being trucked north we travelled 95 km south to visit the Sunderbans, the largest delta in the world and home to the largest community of Bengal tigers. It took over 3 hours in the bus which gives you some idea of the challenges of driving in India. Despite its fame the Sunderbans get relatively few tourist visitors and therefore the infrastructure is somewhat basic. However the camp was clean, the food good and the beers plentiful.
Due to the shortage of tigers and the thickness of the mangrove it is very rare to actually see tiger. However there is plenty of other wildlife to see including multiple other cats, deer, boar, amazing birds and crocs. Nothing ventured nothing gained we spent the day before yesterday onboard boat and climbing watchtowers.
Both evening the locals had laid on entertainment. The first night was an evening of local dancing which Alice would have enjoyed, the second an evening of high drama. Audience participation is encouraged so Xavier joined the dancing and Paddy led the somewhat pantomimesc participation during the drama. I will not try and tell you what happened but there was a tiger and a crocodile involved.
We visited the local village which has been rebuilt since its cyclone Isla in 2009. One cannot help but feel guilty about how fortunate we all are. The villagers were incredibly uncynical with their visitors which I think reflect how few foreigners visit.
The team seems to be bedding down with newbees quickly settling into the relentless high quality and highly amusing banter.
We left the Sunderbans at 6am yesterday to drive back to Kolkata airport to fly to Siliguri and collect the cars. Although the bus journey was slow the journey was relatively painless. You learn very quickly the the most uncomfortable seats are those at the back of the bus directly above the rear axle. Unfortunately those were ours!
We arrived in Siliguri at about 4pm to find all the cars unpacked and ready to go. The Buick started first time like the elderly lady she quite clearly is. One of the great things about the trucks, buses and tuk tuks is the volume and quality of the customised paint works. You've guessed it but more on this later.
Poor Xaviers petrol can had leaked so his boot was full of fuel. A nuisance but nothing more until Ines's bags get put in there.
I had such an interesting chat with our guide before dinner and he is organising a visit for Paddy and I to Dr Graham's Home in Kalimpong which is where Alice's grandmother helped and from where Henry Haversham set off into Bhutan.
The evening started with Paddy and I visiting the local shop to buy some local kit which is being made for us today. Then it was drinks curtesy of the hotel, probably a rash move on their part but very kind and then diner. Afterwards we had tuk tuk racing which was hilarious. Joint winners were Maria and Chris. Paddy and Ines went the wrong way and Xavier and I never really got going getting confused at the start! Very funny and no damage done. At midnight we visited the local Hindu paper as it went to print which was fantastic. It's owned by the hotel owner who runs it as an independent newspaper dedicated to telling the truth.
Shakedown day today so we will get out and about as soon as we can.
More soon.
RHC
Sent from my slyPad
Monday, 2 November 2015
Kolkata
After an excellent journey with Emirates I arrived in Kolkata at 7am yesterday. I was met at the airport by a representative from the Oberio who asked me to wait for another couple which I patiently did. As my family knows I am always happy to have a chat to a complete stranger and passed a marvellous hour chatting about modern India and modern UK with an elderly and utterly charming Indian lady waiting to meet her granddaughter coming home for England. Such a lovely way to arrive in India.
I arrived at the Oberio at about 9.00am to meet Paddy and Charlie McGowan in the lobby so off site seeing we went. First off the railway station. A great introduction to the amazing hustle and bustle of India but no longer any sort of architectural delight. st Pancras it certainly isn't! Then we visited the Queen Victoria monument built by Lord Curzon in the style of Kedelston for those with knowledge of Derbyshire. It is an amazing statement to the might of the India at the turn of the century.started in 1904. We then walked along the river meeting some divers who were looking for the divers father (slightly odd!) and watched people waning in the river whilst spreading their uncles ashes (even odder!). The off to the race course and home for tea.
I was due to meet my old friend B for a drink but his flight was delayed. B has lived and worked in north east India for the last 15 years and has arranged paddy and my trip to Dibrugarh at the end of the rally.for the first time he has had everything nicked and has to get a replacement passport so flew down to Kolkata. I hope all is now okay.
B arrived during dinner and we had a drink together which was fantastic. By the time I got to bed having not slept for 48 hours I was delirious. I slept for 4 hours and then woke thinking I wasn't going back to sleep! Ahhhhhhh...... The next thing I knew it was 11am this morning.
We had a 3 hour tour around Kolkata in a tram ( built in the 1930's) which was really interesting. The highlight beings cup of tea by an old street vendor who prepared my earthenware cup with such case. The cost 5rupees the equivalent of 5p.
Photos to follow. Our bags have been sent ahead so I don't have the lead to connect my camera to the iPad so I can only send the photos from my iPhone.
RHC
Sent from my slyPad
I arrived at the Oberio at about 9.00am to meet Paddy and Charlie McGowan in the lobby so off site seeing we went. First off the railway station. A great introduction to the amazing hustle and bustle of India but no longer any sort of architectural delight. st Pancras it certainly isn't! Then we visited the Queen Victoria monument built by Lord Curzon in the style of Kedelston for those with knowledge of Derbyshire. It is an amazing statement to the might of the India at the turn of the century.started in 1904. We then walked along the river meeting some divers who were looking for the divers father (slightly odd!) and watched people waning in the river whilst spreading their uncles ashes (even odder!). The off to the race course and home for tea.
I was due to meet my old friend B for a drink but his flight was delayed. B has lived and worked in north east India for the last 15 years and has arranged paddy and my trip to Dibrugarh at the end of the rally.for the first time he has had everything nicked and has to get a replacement passport so flew down to Kolkata. I hope all is now okay.
B arrived during dinner and we had a drink together which was fantastic. By the time I got to bed having not slept for 48 hours I was delirious. I slept for 4 hours and then woke thinking I wasn't going back to sleep! Ahhhhhhh...... The next thing I knew it was 11am this morning.
We had a 3 hour tour around Kolkata in a tram ( built in the 1930's) which was really interesting. The highlight beings cup of tea by an old street vendor who prepared my earthenware cup with such case. The cost 5rupees the equivalent of 5p.
Photos to follow. Our bags have been sent ahead so I don't have the lead to connect my camera to the iPad so I can only send the photos from my iPhone.
RHC
Sent from my slyPad
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