Simla Off The Beaten Path

This one is going to sound a little strange to all the 'Bharatiya Log' visiting this page, but it is possibly noteworth for Aussies, Brits, Americans etc...

On one of the days walking along the lower stretches of the Mall (heading down towards Annandale and the Main Train Station) we came across the Shimla fire station and had a little look through the doors to see their fairefighting equipment. Edwina and I just loved the little red fire engine that serves the town. For me it looked like the one in the story book that 'Fireman Sam' used to tootle along in! And so I just had to take a snap of it!

The firefirghters there were pretty cool and let us in and sit in the fire-enging to have our picture taken!

Passing Ram Bazaar in the evening, i hear beautiful prays "oom jay jagdish haree" .... not so easy to find, since covers by many guest houses and cafes and restos but voila ... the statue of Lord Krishna inside with candle lights was guiding me to visit this place :)

I visited Chadwick Falls on an extended day trip that I did with a couple of other guests from our hotel and a local guide. The falls are about 7 kms from the main part of the Mall and we combined a visit to them with a stop at the Viceregal Lodge as well. Unfortunately when we visited, the falls which are about 65m high were not flowing very swiftly as it was a pretty dry time of the year (Jan/Feb) but I am told that they are spectacular after the monsoon. Not really worth a trip on its own to see them if you time in Shimla is short but if you have a more extended stay and want to combine it with some other attractions over that way then it may be a nice thing to do.

As for doing it on a guided walk - our guide hung out at the CityView Hotel, and put together a day walk for us for Rs150. If you are interested ask for Mushtaq (Mushy) at the reception.

Tunnel which connecting Sankat Mochan temple to Lower Bazaar. And from 'lower' Shimla to 'higher' Shimla before the lift to Mall Road.

This Tibetan temple is situated at Ram Bazaar, in front of Amber Hotel. Whenever the bell rings, I feel so peaceful, meanwhile, the wind just blowing over my face :)