Well so on 23 march all teams arrived at the nd railway station . some as usual early and some as usual just in time . we thought that we would miss the train but as the journey was done in only 30 minutes still had time to spare .all thanks to the coolie who did not ask for a fortune at such a crucial hour also as the train was on the pform no 1. I did tip him rs 10 extra . nice guy . well we were greeted by the srimals in front of our bogie. After settling down others also came and greeted us. Train started in time at 7-40 am and we were soon on our way to kalka. During the journey lot of shifting took place it soon became a men men and ladies ladies group. Got the break fast in the train but no lunch was served there.
Kalka to shimla is by toy train or by taxies . we decided to go by a large size taxi so that all can be in a single taxi . the choice fell to a traveler taxi which was a eight seater.
The luggage was kept on top . cost was fixed to 2300rs by their union operators. The distance between kalka and shimla is about 95 kilometers . as soon as you leave kalka the hills start .
we were getting the taste of hill roads. And feeling it in our stomachs. Had lunch in a dhaba on the way after about an hour of drive at a place recommended by the driver of the bus. So the menu was zera aloo mix veg capsicum paneer roti rice dahi personally monitered by nk.
Next stopped at juice counter all had himanchali juices and also bought a bottle of himanchali wine for future usage. After lunch I shifted to the back enclosure off the vehicle . the driver found a better patch of road and started driving very fast . this was not approved by my stomach and just before entering shimla I vomited out the entire lunch , ofcourse after stopping the vehicle. Entry into shimla was quite dramatic as sir nk gupta would not get down from the the vehicle . he called the dig so that the vehicle could be driven right up to the hotel. Well he was success ful to get it at least up to a road below. Porters lifted the luggage to the grand hotel.
After reaching the hotel we went to reception to check for our accommodations. nikku was not satisfied with his room as it was on a higher floor and he was a wounded war veteran and a senior citizen . eventually after threatening to report to their top brasses for bad upkeep of the rooms he shifted himself to a room besides us. Mc gupta went to his allotted room but was not very satisfied. Pc srimal shifted into the old nikkus room which he found reasonably good. All settled we all went to sagar ratna for dinner. Also met some transport middle men who promised to bring the eight seater traveler close to the grand hotel so that there is no walking involved. Next day was planned for a visit to kufri and institute of advanced studies and other places as considered fit.
