Getting to Darjeeling was the scariest 3 hour car ride of my life! The mountain roads are not in the greatest condition, are very steep, and as we were driving here on Saturday night, a dense fog/cloud developed. At some points, we could not see 6 inches in front of us. Tricia managed to say two entire rosaries on the way up. I chanted a buddhist mantra the entire time. John thought it was great fun and would gladly do it again. I think his sense of adventure greatly exceeds mine.
We went on a pretty pleasant hike (lack of oxygen aside) in the mountains our first day. Pictured here is Aloobari monastery.
Dinner at Glenary's with Tricia and Jeremy. Tricia and I were especially excited to eat here because it had some significance a book we recently read, The Inheritance of Loss. (Really good read, BTW)
Darjeeling is known for Black Tea. We went on a visit to Happy Valley Tea Garden, which grows organic teas exclusively for Harrod's of England. The views were tremendous and
the teas excellent. The most expensive one is called Super Fine Tipy Golden Flowery Orange One, named for all the things that make it expensive. The tea lady us pose in this corny way as we were sampling some of the best teas. Notice how happy it made me.
View of the plantation.
The only negative thing other than the ride up has been the persistance of clouds. We should be able to see the entire range of the Himalayas but they are obstructed by uncooperative weather. Also, the elevation has made me feel even more out of shape than normal. John's resting heart rate is now 84. Mine is 70. And we want to die most of the time climbing the steep roads and stairs (of which there are way too many.) 
View from hotel room.
We went on a pretty pleasant hike (lack of oxygen aside) in the mountains our first day. Pictured here is Aloobari monastery.
Dinner at Glenary's with Tricia and Jeremy. Tricia and I were especially excited to eat here because it had some significance a book we recently read, The Inheritance of Loss. (Really good read, BTW) 
the teas excellent. The most expensive one is called Super Fine Tipy Golden Flowery Orange One, named for all the things that make it expensive. The tea lady us pose in this corny way as we were sampling some of the best teas. Notice how happy it made me. View of the plantation.
Beardy (aka John) with the "Give me my sweets gang." These children ran up to us yelling, "Give me my sweets!" Beardy took their pictures after giving them some candy. This is very typical behavior for him.
On our last day, the clouds cleared and we decided to go on a one day trek in the Himalayas in Nepal. Wrong choice! Not only were we caught in heavy rains but also we had to endure a hail storm, all sans rain gear. Here Trish and I are pictured finding a little shelter while the guide and Cactus cheeks (aka Beardy, John) went to the nearest rest station to call for a jeep to pick us up.
Porcupine face (aka Cactus cheeks, Beardy, John) and I warming ourselves by the fire at the rest station.
Salvation! I only look like that because I was so incredibly cold.
On our last day, the clouds cleared and we decided to go on a one day trek in the Himalayas in Nepal. Wrong choice! Not only were we caught in heavy rains but also we had to endure a hail storm, all sans rain gear. Here Trish and I are pictured finding a little shelter while the guide and Cactus cheeks (aka Beardy, John) went to the nearest rest station to call for a jeep to pick us up.
Porcupine face (aka Cactus cheeks, Beardy, John) and I warming ourselves by the fire at the rest station.
Salvation! I only look like that because I was so incredibly cold.
I am reading ur blog!! u have another follower! The ride to Darjeeling sounds scaryyyy!
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