Gulmarg Regency Shimla

Himachal Pradesh is known as Deva Bhoomi the land of the gods. Himachal is situated in the western Himalayas. Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous state elevating about 350 meters (1,148 ft) to 6,000 meters (19,685 ft) above the sea level. Tribes such as the koilis, kinnars and kirats inhabited the region from pre-historic era. Himachal Pradesh was established as a state on April 15, 1948.

Himachal Hill Stations is the favored ...

Shimla is supposedly one of more relaxed parts of India - getting off the toy-train to a Delhi like scrum of taxi drivers, and crowded streets with car horns it was obvious this is "relaxed" for India.

Shimla clings to the side of the mountains, buildings flowing down the hillsides. The main historic street runs along a ridge, and is quite relaxed once you get there, though with some very strange buildings - old English colonial creations ...

... diesel engine pulling us up hills no train should be able to manage, crossing hundreds of bridges and passing through dozes of tunnels. All built to take the British to Shimla, which during the summer months was used as the British Raj's capital. Each small quaint station enroute has two signs, one telling you how high you've climbed, the other a quote promoting religious harmony.

... is a stage where generally the minister gives the talk but during our stay there was Karaoke competition. The Ridge is the place where people mostly spend time sitting, chatting, observing others and indulge themselves in magnificent view of the mountains & valleys. On that square there is a really nice restaurant with good & fresh food – ASHIANA & GOOFA Bar and Restaurant. It’s got windows all ...

... here, away from the sweltering summer heat of Delhi. This idea was so popular that by 1864 Shimla had developed into the British summer capital and the entire government fled here in the summer. Then in 1903 when we constructed a railway to here and it became India's premier hill station. I found a cheap hotel, had my usual wonder and some dinner and looked forward to another day riding.

... for 2 days, arrived yesterday afternoon after a long train and bus journey, where we made friends with a German lady called Silka, so we've been spending alot of time with her... when i haven't been in bed or sleeping (in the v.smelly YMCA). I've been quite ill the lat few days with Delhi belly and a mild flu... it's drained me of all energy, the walk to monkey temple took everything i had. Thankfully the rain arrived so a perfect excuse to hide in a restaurant, eat ...

... which was v sweet - if a little embarrassing!! I had bought some huge bags of sweets so went round all the classes doling them out - everyone was very appreciative, particularly the teachers! Apart from one v handicapped woman who shoved the whole thing in her mouth, wrapper and all, and proceeded to almost choke to death on it! Oops. One of the guys who lives on site made me a little necklace with my name on - didnt have the heart to tell him he'd spelt it wrong haha! He ...

... find a place to finish some writing for a few weeks before the real work begins. The choices are seemingly infinite - any hill station or northern town could be suitable, or any tourist spot on the ranging hippie trail, but I set my sights on the Khullu Valley on the fringe of the Himalayas, towards the borders with Nepal and the treacherous roads leading up to Kashmir. Tales of travelling wretchedness are seldom interesting, not once you've endured too many to ...