After the color, palaces, forts, calamity, cows, & camels of Rajasthan, we spent 5 days in the Himalayas -- in Darjeeling.  The area was beautiful -- the foothills alone stand at around 14,000 feet and the skyline is dominated by Kanchenjunga (at almost 6,000 meters, the world's 3rd highest mountain). 

Darjeeling was very relaxing, offered great views, and had fantastic tea (from the famous nearby plantations).  The culture was entirely different -- heavily influenced by the large amount of Tibetan refugees and the large Nepali population.  In fact, we felt as though we were in an entirely different country.  The faces, food, language, attitudes, and atmosphere were a far cry from the free roaming cows, incessant horns, and desert like surroundings in Raj.  In Darjeeling, we were in a peaceful mountain town -- which although touristy to some degree, was as "real" as the rest of India.

Over our 5 days, we did some light hiking, visited a Himalayan zoo (with snow leopards), visited the Himalayan Mtn Institute (a school started by and dedicated to Tenzing Norgay -- a true national hero), trekked to a gompa (Buddhist monastery), and watched the sunrise over the Himalayas (from Tiger Hill at 11,000 feet) -- a truly amazing experience that made the whole jaunt to Darj worthwhile.  As the sun came up and Kanchenjunga turned pink, the crowd of about 1000 people (EVERYTHING in I is crowded) began to cheer.  Like everything else in I, Tiger Hill was a fascinating cultural experience.

Finally, we finished our visit to I with an overnight in Kolkata -- a city with a great vibe (albeit ridiculous traffic and some very disturbing poverty).  While we would have liked to stay another day, we were happy to go to the spa at our hotel (which was AMAZING, although the "flower bath" was maybe a bit much . . . . ) and relax.

All in all, India was an amazing, wonderful, and incredibly interesting experience.  Despite all of her trepidation and fears, Jenn really had a great time and ejoyed I immensely.  Likewise, I found it to be the most fascinating (and lovably bizarre) place I have ever been.  The Taj was the best monument either of us have ever seen, and Varanasi was the most unique and fascinating place -- from a culturual perspective -- that we have ever visited.  If you ever get the chance, and are willing to immerse yourself in a world that is SO different from your own, then head to India and enjoy.  While maddening and frustrating at times, it really is a magical place (and the food is quite good as well -- we both survived a month without any stomach problems).