Day 11, the epic climb

As teams moved closer to us all the time from different routes toward the bottle neck to north east india between Bhutan and Bangladesh, we decide to leave hotel Embassy at 0500 and headed due north to Darjeeling, some 250km away and a climb of over 2500 meters. The day started well with just the normal worst roads imaginable, but 111am we had arrived in Shiliguri the last post before climbing into the Himalayers. After work the main road was blocked by a land slide, we diverted via an army base and began the initial slow climb. With in 30 minutes we were climbing almost 100meters every 10 minutes. I've driven the Andes and can confirm that while the Andes are generally higher than the mounts to Darjeeling, the sheer incline was hard even to walk up, let alone push a rickshaw up. Which we inevitably did. Started with one man out to help with weight, then with a push, then with 2 men out and pushing while keeping the throttle on full, when we reached 2000 meters it was just to much for poor Ezme. We pulled out the tow rope in hope a passing 4x4 may show mercy on us. No such luck, but little did we actually ask. After a 20 minute break we climbed to see how much further to go and found solace in a restaurant some 500meters ahead the worst was now behind us. We made the final push and rolled into the most obscure but welcoming restaurant where all the staff spoke impeccable English, who hurriedly brought fresh tea, a Darjeeling and Assam blend. It was truly delightful, this,followed shortly but a feast of vegetarian dishes all wonderful and so colourful. With in formation in hand that the worst was indeed o behind us we pushed on to Darjeeling some 20km higher into the mountains. The roads weren't steeper,s promised but the condition was poor very poor. Ezme seemed to love it though and she flew up mostly in 3rd gear. 2 hours later saw us breach the walls of the city. It's a magical place, the people are a blend of Tibetan, Chinese, Bhutanese, Nepalese and Indian. Fairer skin, bigger smiles and very welcoming, each bends sees the locals actually cheering us on. Words cannot explain this hill side town, it has many similarities to south America and towns like Cusco and La Paz, The people look almost identical, the clothes are the same, all the tourist toot is the same yet they are worlds apart. This thriving city certainly deserves more time!! Found a hotel next to the tea planters club which was built by the English in 1876, and was a meeting place for plantation owners to relax, discuss and set tea prices globally. The hotel is not quite to grand but will serve us well I'm sure.