While there, we hit d road a few times. The state is much smaller than it used to be in its glory days under its famous Maharaja & general. First the Brits, then India, totally carved it up, n looted it.
It’s also seen lots of bloodshed. First by wars with the Moghuls, then more recently by battles against India and its fucked-up police n military, which routinely committed brutal war crimes.
On d road
Anyway, went to Punjab’s capital, Amritsar, to the Golden Temple. Altho it was destroyed by the Indian army in 1984, its been restored, and is a beautiful, tranquil place. Its lies in the middle of a lake, with a bridge leading to it.
The main complex area
The front
Inside
On d roof
Punjab means Five Rivers (panj = 5; arb = river), but i only saw one. The turquoise waters come from the Himalaya mountains to the plains of Punjab, and canals channel them to the farmlands.
Fresh water supply
Uncle enjoyin a TB
Havent talked about d booze! The well-known beer is Kingfisher, but Thunderbolt is good. Smooth n strong (abt 7%), i cdnt get enough of it. Easy to drink as carbonation is low.
Their local whisky is good too, and the famous ones are Bagpiper and Blender’s Choice, considered premium.
The default beer on this trip
Transaction at the booze shop
But booze is only available at the designated booze shops, and almost all are just take-away. U wdnt really find ’em at local restaurants / stalls.
Our host, Hidayet, also took us to his wife’s village for dinner. It was 2 hours away, but worth it. Food n company was great. Met his in-laws n all.
Dinner & drinks in d courtyard
Bobby, a kid who doubled as our waiter/bartender
Sunset, when i was chillin on their roof
Cant recall the name of their village
Clear skies averyday
It has a huge Sikh temple
We headed back to our host village, ready to head back to KL the next day.
Stopped at the ice cream parlour for dessert
The next morning we sere set the nine-hour drive south to Delhi.
Took one last look around.
Kid gettin a morning ride
Kids off to school
Spinach field
Our host Hidayet escorted me all the way there.
Hidayet enjoying a beer at a rest-stop
A typical breakfast - wheat bread with a lil mashed potato inside, white butter, pickled chili
My first trip to India was many years ago. My whole family got sick, except me, altho they were very careful with food/drinks. U know what they say right? Dont drink the water. Only take bottled water, even to brush yor teeth! This time, I DRANK THE WATER. Dont know why.
Not only that, ate at stalls all d time. Somehow escaped any stomach/ass problems. Was hoping to lose some weight. Fail.
Quite an interesting trip, and who knows, i might head there someday to chill (and put on weight) again.
going amritsar on friday! am the only one stubborn enough to not get a typhoid shot… hopefully my kadus roots will see me thru just fine! 🙂
Typhoid?? Probably no need. I think Hep A wd be more relevant. Gd luck!
Didn’t get the spiritual awakening at harmander sahib??u need to join the club ,stone..:)
Did you try any of the local whiskeys? There’s some good stuff there.
Yea. Blender’s Pride is good shit