At 5.30am, our bus arrived in Shimla, the summer capital of Himachal Pradesh. This hill station is a very popular resort for the local and overseas tourists. The town has a population of around 200,000 people and at 2,205m high, the weather up here was cool even during the hot season.
At the bus terminal, a young porter had offered to carry my backpack and bag for a fee of Rs50=Rm4.50 as the town is located at the hilltop, where most of the hostels are found. At first I was a bit reluctant to use the porter's service but after walking for five minutes up the steps, I felt the stress and finally accepted the porter's service. The porter recommended a hostel ( Flora Hotel - Rs300=Rm27 per room ) for me to stay at the hilltop, close to the town centre.
After the hostel check-in, I started to explore this scenic town of Shimla. I wandered around the Scandal Point, the Ridge ( a large flat and open area), the Mall, Christ church ( built in 1846 ). Town Hall, mosque , Jakhu Temple ( dedicated to the Monkey God ) so there were plenty places to see in this fascinating hill station.
At the bus terminal, a young porter had offered to carry my backpack and bag for a fee of Rs50=Rm4.50 as the town is located at the hilltop, where most of the hostels are found. At first I was a bit reluctant to use the porter's service but after walking for five minutes up the steps, I felt the stress and finally accepted the porter's service. The porter recommended a hostel ( Flora Hotel - Rs300=Rm27 per room ) for me to stay at the hilltop, close to the town centre.
After the hostel check-in, I started to explore this scenic town of Shimla. I wandered around the Scandal Point, the Ridge ( a large flat and open area), the Mall, Christ church ( built in 1846 ). Town Hall, mosque , Jakhu Temple ( dedicated to the Monkey God ) so there were plenty places to see in this fascinating hill station.
1) Pictures of the Ridge , Christ church, shops built on elevated ground and undulating land, old colonial government buildings eg fire brigade station, town hall & old mosque:
2) Most houses im Shimla were built on the hill slopes. At night, when I sat on a wooden grand stand by the side of the Ridge, the night scene was fantastic.
3) Local deep fried food made of flour & potato mesh were basic diet and street food were local favourites. I ate deep fried potato cakes & samosas as breakfast:
4) Fresh fruit eg apples, pears, apricots and mangoes were plenty & cheap and I bought some apricots, mangoes & apples as snacks for the day:
" I enjoyed watching this Cliff Richard's film - The Summer Holiday - so today I am in Shimla, the summer capital of Himachal Pradesh, humming an oldie song : we are going on a summer holiday "
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