India

GHUM..THE SECOND HIGHEST RAILWAY STATION IN THE WORLD.

KEEP SHOVELING THAT COAL..

ALL ABOARD..

THE SCENE ON A GOOD CLEAR DAY FROM DARJEELING

THE "TOY BLUE TRAIN" AT GHUM STATION...THE SECOND HIGHEST RAILWAY STATION IN THE WORLD.

Darjeeling:: West Bengal.

Today I arrived in Darjeeling after a rather long journey by o/night train from Kolkata..but first I will go back to Kolkata from where this journey originated.The temperatures in Kolkata were for me rather overwhelming and decided after coming north from Chennai I would continue north mainly to avoid the extreme temperatures around 45 degrees and head for the mountains of Darjeeling...after a four hour wait to purchase a ticket at the booking office in Kolkata on the Train # 12343" Darjeeling Mail" I was in buisiness...once again the train station experience is one of bewilderrment with this "mass" of people in the train station concourse some sitting, lying standing sleeping people laying allover the cool marble floors with masses going in different direction laying in amongst or carrying all forms of luggage ,bags, boxes, suitcases.women struggling with their baggages and children while trying to negotiate a pathway through this tsunami of travellers.
.Ahh!. .looking for destination boards !!! train #, platform # coach # seat #..am I in the correct place.!!! I love trains but sometimes the "getting to your seat / bed is a major..I am in a carriage right up front of the train ..it must be nearly a kilometer long...the heat is oppresive..I am carrying three litres of water that seems to deminish rather quickly. I find my coach # 1A ,.I look forward to sitting down at last...The Darjeeling Mail  departs  on time at 22.05.....this is an O/night journey that arrives on time at 08.00  This is another station and is the termination  at the foot of the mountain...Here I find a share taxi and then it is a three hour road journey in a packed jeep up the windiest road I think I have ever experienced with just enough room for two  vehicles to pass..we pass hundreds of acres of Darjeeling tea plantations..the scenery  starts to be really spectacular as we keep climbing soon the fog is thick and we are really in the clouds Finally we reach Darjeeling at the top of the mountain.for it is here that I have come to ride the "Toy Train" The little blue train that is quite famous part of The Himalaya Railway( but more of that tomorrow.). My guesthouse has spectacular views I see as there is a break in the clouds..There is a rest period here to recharge my batteries.I will stay here for three days until I can enter Sikkim..I have a permit that I obtained in Kolkata..The temperature is noticeably much cooler here temperature has a 20-25 degree difference from Kolkata..air is clean and  wonderful..but must adjust a bit to the altitude now..I feel that I am at the " roof of the world".

India

THE WONDERFUL CHENNAI "CENTRAL"  RAILWAY STATION   CHENNAI

WASHING DAY..

THE PLACE TO STAY IN CHENNAI.

MARKET  CHENNAI..

Chennai : Tamil Nadu.

My introduction to India:    Upon my arrival in Chennai this was one of a breath taking experience ...literally..as I found out after going through Immigration formalities, and once upon leaving the airport building to be hit with an overwhelming blast of "the heat of the day " and apparently a record here in Chennai also as I was told, with the huge humidity factor  to add to the temperature I was told that it was 50 plus degrees. This was a new experience in fatigue...after just a short time...I was just so glad to reach my destination .." The Red Lollipop Hostel.". and what a great place it is...can't say enough "good remarks about this hostel, also in a great location
Chennai was a period of coming to terms with the oppressively hot temperatures and during the mid part of the day it was a case of  finding somewhere cool it is certainly too hot to go" out and about" exploring.I visit Hard Rock Chennai with some American friends we all welcome a big hamburger with the lot..I also get my guitar pin..Another night we visit "Everything BBQ" this reputed to be the best in the city ( I hope to post pics on here soon..) This was really a great place with a BBQ done at the table..a memorable experience.. I decide that it is way to hot here in Chennai and change my plans from travelling west to Cochin and the coast and go to  Chennai Central Railway Station where I quickly find the "Foreigners " booking office that have a special allotment of tickets for foreign travelers.and easily obtain a ticket on the "Coromadel Express" to Kalkota.I also check out the station so as I will know where to go when leaving...once again masses of travelers coming and going with  people and baggage scattered allover..Indian trains and their marvellous Train Stations ...something else..such an unbeleiveable network of trains..a legacy from British rule.

Sri Lanka.

THE HUGE TEMPLE STATUE ON THE POINT.

TRINCOMALEE'S POST OFFICE.

ANOTHER SCENE FROM THIS HUGE TEMPLE.

 LOVELY DEER ROAM FREE EVERYWHERE

LOVELY BEACHES HERE

WATER IS CLEANER HERE IN TRINCO..

Trincomallee. SRI LANKA :

Today here in Trincomalee locally known as " Trinco " and located at the north eastern coastal part of the island .Trinco has a major port  to handle shipping, and Trinco is also known for its many lovely beaches and is a very popular tourist destination..I am here for two days and today once again I hired a Tuk-Tuk to see the various sites that are to be seen here..I have found that Tuk- Tuk hire is a cheap an ideal way to get about to the places that you choose to visit..They are prolific and there is always one there when you want one...just you need good nerves to travel this way.. The trip here from Kandy was a seven hour bus trip as trains were booked out..I must note here that anyone considering a bus journey here in Sri Lanka should be prepared for a "white knuckle " ride..as the  travel by a long distance bus ride  is raised to a new level of awareness...with the majority of this journey being done on the wrong side of the road..I dont usually travel bus if I can at all avoid it.. .My Tuk-Tuk driver makes a visit to show me the the beach and waits while I have a quick 'dip"..another stop was at the top of the point where there is located  a huge Hindu Temple..that overlooks the ocean..This is a wonderful structure painted brightly and with a long history..I also visit The Main Railway Station and make a booking for my overnight train journey return to Colombo. These postcards are card souvenirs that I have posted home...
I will write more on this page as I don't have my notes with me at this time....
 I will add pics and cards soon for this place...

Sri Lanka.

COOLING OFF ON A VERY HOT HUMID DAY..

NOW BE A GOOD BOY

DONT LIKE THE CHAINS MUCH !!

A GOOD COOL OFF AGAIN..

Kandy: SRI LANKA.

A train journey of some five hours from The Main Railway Station ( The Fort ) in Colombo sees my arrival in Kandy. I travel on this trip 2nd Class as all of 1st  class is booked ..but I prefer the second class journey.. Here once again I try to locate a friend as I want to photograph some elephants..I hire a Tuk Tuk for the day and get to visit many different sites on the day ..The most prominent site for me was the "Elephant Bath" a local Elephant foundation for the preservation of the Elephants here.. Located about 80 kilometers  out of Kandy at a place called Pennuwalla.This is where you can get in the river with the elephants and "bathe an elephant" this was quite different...safety always a factor... and although all the elephants had a "mahout",   I was a bit dissapointed with their leg chains...on the day , on my Tuk- Tuk journey, I also visited a Spice garden, Tea Plantation where one tried the various flavours , and can purchase the local product..we stopped also at a Botanical Garden with various lovely tropical flowers and plants.
    Most afternoons see a thunderstorm with heavy rain but at least it cools things down...here because of its elevation the days a are a little cooler. I stop for my daily coconut water (milk ) I love it.. so refreshing...so inexpensive and safer than local water...and nourishing as well.. a win win.The woman makes short work of the coconut with her big sharp knife..

I AWAIT WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION..

SHE'S DONE THIS BEFORE..

Sri Lanka

DINI AND HER HUSBAND GREAT HOSTS..

HUSKING A COCONUT FOR ME

TYPICAL FISHING BOAT ON THE BEACH ..NEGOMBO

Negombo : SRI LANKA.

 Located about 60 kilometers north of Colombo this was another great location to stay for a few days.also great accomodation located right by  the beach , and just a short train journey of around one and a half hours from Colombo.The beach here I found was very rough at the time with strong rips and unsafe to swim..
   Here I visited friends and enjoyed the company of a wonderful Sri Lankan family, who lived someway out of Negombo in a beautiful setting of palm and banana trees and just an abundance of tropical fruits growing within the area of their house...great memories here...will attatch photos and cards soon.

Sri Lanka :

Mount Lavinia.  COLOMBO. Sr Lanka.

 Located just out of the city Mount Lavinia is a nice beach side suburb of Colombo and is where I decided to stay as I found a great hostel by the Beach.. The beach side has a few different restaurants and bars and a couple of good nights were shared with fellow travellers having some cold beers and watching the sunsets in this great location. at Jo Jo's on the beach  The local beach restaurants were good and served good food...The beach was just a five minute walk from the Hostel and although it looked good I was warned of extreme undercurrents and although very hot nobody was swimming here... This was a great location to spend some five days.I also returned here after my trip to Negombo before catching the train to Kandy. all the time I was here the weather was very hot...also many excursions into Colombo and its sites.some days though just too hot to be in the city.The train station at Mount Lavinia was in walking distance and was the cheapest and easiest way to get to Colombo City and back  the train line ran right alongside the ocean and very scenic...trains were usually very crowded ..and hot..

TRAIN COMING INTO MT.LAVINIA STATION.

THE REALLY CROWDED TRAINS INTO   COLOMBO CITY.

GROUP OF FELLOW TRAVELLERS AT MOUNT .LAVINIA STATION.

LOCALS ON THE BEACH AT MOUNT. LAVINIA.

Sri Lanka.

Colombo:  Sri Lanka.

Hi Folks.and thought it time that I started adding to my Travel blog as I have been traveling now for over a week. I will add my cards and photos at a later stage.already have posted cards home from four destinations but, first things first. I departed Sydney on the 6th May with a Qantas flight to Singapore , a good flight also  I may add..here in Singapore there was a three hour layover as no direct direct flights were available. The flight from Singapore to Sri Lanka was also an uneventful flight arriving in Colombo International Airport now after some 15 hours already of travel. I had a taxi waiting which I had previously booked through the hostel  due to the lateness of my arrival. .The first really obviously thing was the heat..the extreme humidity.The taxi ride to the city was around 45 minutes.and must admit the thought of  getting to my room and having a shower was a very prominent thought at the time
..also I was really tired as it had been a long day traveling.The aptly named Beach Hostel didn't disappoint either as it was located just a few minutes walk from the surf.here also located was a fine bar and restaurant.with cheaply priced food and beverages. This Hostel turned out to be a good choice in a great location and rather cheap.just five minute walk from the beach..and resturants and bars...not far from town and a ride in a tuk tuk of some fifteen minutes or a train ride from nearby Mount Lavinia Station.

WONDERFUL FRESH FRUIT MARKETS..

MY DAILY DRINK OF COCONUT MILK..

ON THE BEACH AT MOUNT LAVINIA.

IS THAT MY TUK TUK..!!

HELLO..

An update on this one of the first that I wrote..now that I have some other cards and photos to add..

China

CHINA

Hainan. : CHINA :

This "Greetings from" card that I received today from my friend in China..I really like these "Greetings from" cards and posted from origin of state ..as I have already written up one of the greetings from cards from China.. I will be brief with this one..Thank you Sumei  for posting this for me.from your home
.Posted 04 April 2015 : Arrived Sydney 05 May 2015: traveled 30 days.  Xie Xie ..Sumei.

South Africa.

Port Elizabeth : SOUTH AFRICA.:

I love trains and Train cards...Thank you so much Leone for this card from your home state. This card shows the Outeniqua Choo -Tjoe train doing the Garden route in South Africa.. I must write more on this train when i can...thank you so much for this card leone...and will send one for you soon..
Posted Port Elizabeth: 10 April 2015 : Arrived Sydney 05 May 2015 : Traveled 24 days..thanks ..

Rwanda.

Kigali : RWANDA.:

This is another really card that i received today showing this wonderful scene of a huge "silver back" Gorilla in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda...what an amazing looking animal..and endangered also..thank you for sending this card on Ruedi's behalf from Kigali and Thanks Ruedi for organising it. Posted Kigali15 April 2015: Arrived Sydney 05 May 2015 : traveled 20 days..Thanks again Ruedi