“In Darjeeling, the clouds roll over the hills like a soft, white blanket, wrapping the world in a serene embrace.”

- Anonymous

After not much sleep it was time to head back to the airport, feeling tired and still a little annoyed . The car was at the hotel waiting to collect me a lot of apologising then he said he was sorry as he was at the wrong door OMG don’t tell me that. I’ve let it go ( I hope) the airport was busy busy as it was the Durga Puja festival which celebrate good over evil they get 5 days off. The flight to Bagdogra airport was a quick 90mins on arrival told no photos and to put the shades down it was a military airport in northern West Bengal. There were many military police about but every thing moved quickly I even was greeted quickly. The car from Glenburn Tea Estate was there to take me up to Darjeeling to the tea estate.

The journey was slow and on asking this was due to all the traffic related to the festival the road became very steep narrow and winding. The driver stoped to give me afternoon tea (very nice) and we continued the drive it was to be. 90 - 120 minutes 3 hours later Glenburn kept ringing the driver to see our progress it was getting dark the clouds were rolling in and the road saw still steep and winding not to mention how narrow it was …. Finally after a 5 hour journey I arrived a little stiff from seating so long but just in time for cocktails what great timing.

Glenburn estate was everything I had read and photos lead it to believe each day at between 5 and 6 cocktails are served on the veranda let’s say they know how to poor a good strong gin, nibbles are served and you chat to various guests the arrive each day so you get to meet a good cross section of people. A fellow guest Margret who was 87 was on her 6th visit to Glenburn thought this would be her last hurrah well let’s say travelling from Inverness by herself should could handle a G&T and just a wee drop like a trouper.

Breakfast and lunch were on the lower terrace and dinner was much more formal in the dining room seating at a large table and guests would be allocate a different seat each night fabulous way to meet people. Each day was a themed menu northern Indian, Nepalese, Bhutan , Tibetan so the list would go. This was a great was to experiences the country.

Each day there were a number of activities on offer walking down to the river for a bbq lunch and drive back. hiking on the near by tracks, a day trip to Darjeeling, riding the toy train. You were always accompanied by a local guide from Glenburn to help where they could. Relaxing at the estate was also a good option the weather was great about 27c sunshine but the mountains were covered in a mist so I never saw them like I did last year. The locals say this is the impact of climate change they had recently had unseasonably rain.

The day I went to Darjeeling I went with Margret a great to traveller with some so experienced in the region we were accompanying by a local guide a girl names Luna who pampered Margret.

First stop was the Tibetan Refugee centre they arrived in the area in 1956 when China invaded Tibet, there story is remarkable some who at the centre came in 1956 and continue to do traditional craft of weaving and sewing. Then we went into Darjeeling the city was busy as it was the last day of the festival Margret knew all the good shops and some of the shop owners, remember her which was such a treat for her.

Time to leave and say goodbye I travelled back with Margret as Our plans were an hour apart but due to delays I was late departing let’s hope the driver is there to meet me in Chennai