Darjeeling was my ultimate destination and I spent 2 weeks here. A sort of holiday within a holiday. It fulfilled all my expectations and more, a really nice place in the hills, with very British overtones and lots of tea! Sipping tea with a fresh cake at Genarys Tea Rooms is superb. The Botanical Gardens are a quiet oasis with many types of tree and a wonderful glass house. The natural history museum is a horrid collection of moth eaten stuffed animals. The town is great for walking around and being amaised at scenery and old British architecture. It is also a good idea to tell yourself not to buy too many books here!

My favourite restaurant was the Dekevas restaurant. They do great breakfasts and it is a really cozy place to relax before a day exploring. 

Snow Leopards: If you come here you must see them at the 'special' part of the Zoo. As the actual Zoo was too harrowing for me, with Indians teasing animals and some cramped conditions. The Snow Leopards have their own part of the Zoo a little distance away and have a permanent caretaker. I was lucky and at the time there were young cubs. They say that they are disinclined to breed, so I think I was lucky to see the them. At one point I heard someone doing very bad cat meow impressions, until I realised is was a Snow Leopard meowing. they say that Snow Leopards in captivity loose their spark, but the ones here were certainly in high spirits gambling about and having cat style games with each other.

Pictures include: The Windamere Hotel for posh people, Gymkhana Club for the faded Raj feel, Oxford Book Store still stocking a good selection

Tip: Be careful of the 'strikes'. All the shops close and you cannot get any food!

Get away: I avoided that toy train and went down to Silligri on the bus, from there I took the train to as I was advised that the roads were too bad for the busses, and it would be a journey from hell. The night train took 12 hours