we arrived customarily late in kalka only to find the toy train was fully booked. the platform was deserted within ten minutes, all except me and a lost looking italian. i approached him and we both decided to catch a bus up since it was quicker and cheaper....and we basically had no other choice.
after a scenic three hour ride we arrived in shimla. with heavy packs i sweated up the steep, steep hills up to ashoka hotel but they had vacancies and at 150 rupees a night with double bed, hot water and a tv i couldn't complain!
after a quick nap i headed down to the town and ate a pretty ok lunch at chung fa's, then found what would be my saviour on many occasions: barista!!. the coffee was superb and it seemed to be THE place in shimla to run into other backpackers to share tales. i ended up meeting another italian and two spaniards and we all went to a cosy indian restaurant for a great dinner.... then the long walk back up the mountain avoiding the insane monkeys.....and into a long and undisturbed sleeeeeep
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