After the British acquired Darjeeling in 1835, crude huts of original inhabitants gave way to manor houses, bungalows and cottages with gingerbread trim. English-style gardens have flowered everywhere. Tea gardens thrived in the perfect climate. By 1881, when a narrow-gauge Toy train began to zigzag up the mountains, the hill station was completely anglicized. The British lived on the town’s top ridge, and their workers lived on the hills below - a social and geographic stratification that exists today, with the Indian upper class taking the place of the British.

Just because you are visiting the Queen of the Himalayas at a height of 7,000 ft. doesn't mean you can not access your email! While Internet service from Darjeeling is slow and sometimes unreliable, you can stop by the following cafes and see what the Internet Gods have in store for you that day:

  • Cyber Cafe - at the Hotel Red Rose on Laden La Road
  • Compuset Center - on Gandhi Road
  • Rhythm Internet Cafe - near Hotel Tshering Denzongpa, JP Sharma Road

RESTAURANTS

There are many restaurants serving a variety of foods. Too many to name in person and not like your trip is going to be dependent on them :) Check them out once you are in town, however, you must try the MO-MOs (Tibetan Dumplings).

Darjeeling's crafts are different from those in the rest of Bengal. Nepalese and Tibetan brasswork and jewelry, gems, woodwork, carpets and wool weavings are the mainstays. And, of course, you can buy the world-renowned Darjeeling tea directly from some of the tea estates after taking a tour to see their production methods.

In Darjeeling, visit Habeeb Mullik and Sons for good curios. For handmade Tibetan carpets, woolen sweaters, socks and handicrafts, stop by the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center.

If you are looking to take some tea home, try Nathmulls. They also ship worldwide.

Don't expect rocking nightclubs or packed bars in this hill-station, 7,000 ft above sea level. However, for intimacy, you can't beat the bar at the Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling, where 10 people means a crowd. The ambiance creates good conversation. Glenary’s has an open bar attached to its restaurant which is popular with the year-round population in Darjeeling.

Once again, these are not endorsements in any way. They are listed to help you. They should be able to help you with local arrangements, however, caveat emptor - buyer beware.....

• Clubside Tour and Travels Ph:54646 clubside@dte.vsnl.net.in
• Diamond Treks, Tours and Travels Ph:53467
• Himalayan Travels Ph:55405 kkgurung@cal.vsnl.net.in
• Juniper Tours and Travel Ph:52095 Fx:52625
• Samsara Tours, Travel and Treks Ph:56370 samsara@dte.vsnl.net.in
• Kasturi Tours and Travels Ph:53468 Fx:54430
• Trek Mate Tours Ph:74092 odyssey@dte.vsnl.net.in