Part 7 - Kalimpong entry: Journey from Srinagar to Kalimpong, April 1933

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SUMMARY:
Diary notes of travel from Srinagar to Kalimpong via Sialkot, Lahore, Calcutta and Siliguri, including a lorry breakdown, train fares, and logistics. Observes crown imperials, yellow crocus, and wild Tulipa stellata near the Banihal road, and lists presents for Bhutanese and Tibetans.

CONTENT:
24th April 1933. KALIMPONG. 4300' We left Srinagar 9.0 am on Tuesday 18th
on a lorry (1 1/2 ton) with Ramzana & Ahmad Sheikh. Banihal road
pretty good, with deep snow cuttings on north side. Some crown
imperials seen on north & a few yellow crocus on south. The
saffron beds were lovely, covered with the little wild Tulipa stellata.
Stopped the night at KUDH, about 60-65 miles from Jammu.
Reached Sialkot at 12.00 on 19th & stopped night in Residency.
Repacked ammunition & guns. Dined with Jock Scotland &
Burton. Lorry Srinagar to Sialkot - Rs. 30/-. Engaged another
lorry for Rs 33/- to Lahore, being considerably cheaper than
train fare with excess. After 10 miles one of the back wheels
came off with no warning. At the moment we were going slow
& were saved a crash. Found another lorry at 2.0 & reached
Lahore 5.30 pm. A spare axle was brought, but did not fit,
but was filed & hammered for 2 hours & then forced in. Left
Lahore 7.0 pm 20th & reached Calcutta 7.0 am 22nd. Spent the day
getting stores from Mazda, Lindsay St. & did well to get everything
for Rs 500/-. Left Calcutta 8.15 pm 22nd & reached Siliguri 6.30 am
23rd. Changed to narrow gauge, reaching Gielle Khola 11.0 am.
Kalimpong 1.0 on 23rd. Fares: 2 - 1st Cl. Lahore to Calcutta 245/-
Calcutta - Gielle Khola 83/-. Car to Kalimpong Rs 8/- each. Presents
brought for Bhutanese & Tibetans: Brocade, binoculars, necklaces,
heavily scented soap, scent, hats, papier mache lotus bowls, saffron,