3rd Highest Mountain in the World

As we all say goodbye to the truck for a short while we all pile in a jeep and start to make our way up into the mountains. We finally arrive and stop, its here we have breathtaking views overlooking Darjeeling, we will be staying here for the next 2 days.

Darjeeling is situated on a high ridge and surrounded by terraces of rice and tea. As I slowly explore Darjeeling I find myself out of breath it appears the collection of villages linked by steps and lanes so steep that they appear to almost be built on top of each other. As I said the views are fantastic from here looking down on to the rivers below all with Mount Kanchenjunga (3rd Highest Mountain in the World) in background.  We take a pre-dawn excursion to Tiger Hill, where we watch the magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas, definitely worth the early start, lucky for us it was a clear morning and we also got to see a glimpse of  Mount Everest.

The cool climate and slow pace of life here is abrupt but a welcomed contrast to the rest of India. It's just a pleasant place to explore, with monastreries and tea plantations to visit and not to forget the Tibetan craft shops and markets lining the streets to browse through.

Time here comes to an end and tomorrow we are off to make our way to Karmi Farm.

Next stop on the Hippie train

We arrive into Puri late afternoon (in what appears to be one of the Hippie Capitals of India), grab a bite to eat for lunch and then indulge in a shower (after 4 nights without one you would to) and then a small walk around town and before you know it we are sleepy and decide it’s time for early night.

Yawn!!! Early to bed late to rise just the way a holiday should be. I find the closest place that serves banana pancakes for breakfast enjoy them before taking a long stroll to find Jagannath Mindir Temple this is meant to be amazing the problem is Non-Hindus are not allowed in. It was told we could spy from the roof top of the nearby library but of course with my luck the library is closed on Sundays and Yep! I was there on a Sunday. Instead we continue to walk the busy market square nearby in the hope that something awesome would pop out for me to buy. Nope! Nothing! I think it’s for the best; my bag is not big enough.

This afternoon we make the trip to Konark to visit the iconic Sun Temple. Here we have a local guide to tell us all about the structure and the history surrounding it, just so many things would be missed if they weren’t pointed out, like; a woman with Japanese sandals, a giraffe and even a man treating himself for venereal disease! (Yes – some things are best left to be questioned).

Before we go to watch some dancing at the Konark Festival we make a quick stop at the beach to view sand sculptures, some amazing work. Even after all these years of leaving on the beach my sand castle looks nothing like this.

Amazed at how they manage to make such sculptures we jump back in the car and make our way to the busy festival area were we sit down and watch some outstanding, creative, beautiful local dancing at its best.

Wow!!! Is that the time (8.30pm) I thought I was hungry, time to hit the road before the crowds and get back to Puri for some dinner. Tomorrow it will be up early (again!) to ensure we can get to Calcutta before it gets too late and dark.

Orissa Tribal Experience

We set off from Jeypore and spend the next few days and nights exploring the tribal areas of Orissa with our local guide and cook.

We stop in a small town called Koraput and look at the Jagannath Temple here they have a exhibition of gods of the different states of India, also a series of statuettes of Jagannath in various costumes. Umm... Different!

The hinterland of Orissa are mostly tribal areas, it’s been said that its home to more than 60 different tribal communities, all with their own distinct indigenous culture and traditions. Between the truck getting stuck in a hole (and getting out again), dancing the night away with the local tribal members, shopping at the local livestock, food and jewellery markets we just enjoyed this fascinating area and its people up close.

Before we knew it our days of bush camping and interacting with the local tribes was over. We head for Puri, I hear there is a local festival on could be interesting.