The main mosque in Darjeeling, biggest and oldest, 19th century. Flooring and ceiling wooden. There are 2 other mosques here.
Along the corridor of the Darjeeling Mosque, I greet a soft-spoken small man in full white garb, complete with a white skullcap. His English is not too good, but I gather he's the muezzin, the bilal. So I compliment him, your azan is good, have you been to Masjidil-Haram in Makkah and heard the beautiful azan there? His face turns sombre, and he shakes his head, I've not been to hajj. I feel sorry for him, truly.
A typical tea shop in Darjeeling. Colourful boxes of premium tea leaves. The highest quality is maroon, lower quality ones are blue & yellow.
The tough little 'Himalayan Toy Train' takes a breather at the Batasia Loop, where it gets over a hilltop via the track which loops onto itself. Unfortunately weather is not good for views of the high Himalayan mountains at the back.
Just love this slogan at the Batasia Loop gardens.
As our steam engine laboriously climbs the gradient along the road, a jeepney (aka taxi) comes abreast and the lady-passengers make eye contact with me. Ah well ... I reciprocate with this shot.
After a 50-min run from Darjeeling, burning coal is ejected to make way for fresh fuel at Ghum station, for the return trip. The towns are only 9km apart, but the mountainous terrain lengthens the journey.
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