As If Butter Wouldn't Melt...

Part of a 2 week holiday back blip starting here on October 14th...

Mel's gone off both the monkeys and the people in Shimla...

This guy, just at the gate to the Jakhu Temple (seen here on the left) was on her back a minute after this photo was taken. At the end of a long hard slog, which we managed in the 'absolutely fit' time of 43 minutes, it really wasn't what she wanted. Mind you, at least it wasn't one of the bigger Langour Monkeys!

As for the people. Well, they stare. Lots. And lots. More so than on the plains, and much much more than in Darjeeling, which we're still comparing this place with. It's full on watching you all the way as you pass and beyond. Okay, so in India it's not rude, but it still remains off-putting!

Shimla itself is an odd sort of place. They really do seem to see the necessity in retaining their heritage, even if that does mean looking after the old colonial buildings, but some are definitely in a hell of a state.

Still, the city looks great by night as it sprawls up the hillside, and it's with a bit if regret that we're leaving the next day for our last day after that in Delhi (and the train to get there is a day train, so no sleeper, but rather an 'executive' seat (basically just like a seat on an airplane, and two meals served on the way).