Delhi-The Indian Goodbye, Next Stop Malaysia (Kingfisher Strong, King's Black Label)

After another night in Siliguri we set ourselves for the final leg of our journey back to New Delhi Station and thank you India because it didn’t let the entertainment and bewilderment stop even for a second.  Starting with the infamous Mahananda Express being five hours late we climbed aboard and got settled for a long expected thirty one hours. Unfortunately the service ended up taking forty four hours. That’s right one night’s accommodation onboard turned into two nights and we must have had the same driver as the one from Varanasi because it still confuses me how a train looses fourteen hours moving in a forward direction. It was a great farewell to the thousands of Kilometres covered during our two and a half months in this most amazing country. We even had the company of mice and a 3am fight in our carriage where a group of locals had a mobile phone stolen by a staff member. They taught him a lesson before he was lead away by armed guards. Not our place to get involved!!!

44 hours-Top Bunk 3AC. Nice...

Anyway tired dirty and at the Old Delhi Railway Station instead of the New Delhi Railway station we arrived with a day to spare before our flight to Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. At least this gave us one last bartering tirade and a final farewell ride in a rickshaw. I think I will miss these little three wheel things once we are gone. The rest as they say is history or nearly!!!

Oh these little things will be missed especially with non of the metre's working!

Back home to The Vivek Hotel with time for some laundry, packing, farewells and a last supper. This was where the gang known as the Sunrise, Temple or Train Crew went their separate ways following a gruelling four weeks on the road. After the last couple of journeys I think we will close proceedings as the Train Crew.

Last of the Indian Street Food, Fried Potatioes, Lush

A fitting last supper dessert. Named God Save the Queen!

Don’t worry though. I will be leaving this part of our World Adventure with two final Indian beers, Kingfisher Strong and King's Black Label from Goa. That’s right I didn’t forget about the one that got away and even though I never managed to get my hands on it our good friend Oz managed to and he got us all a snap. Good man!

Kingfisher Strong

Kingfisher Strong Premium Beer comes from the house of United Breweries Limited. The brand was launched in 1999 to cater to the growing Strong Beer segment in the country. It has been the fastest growing beer brand in the country.

Kingfisher Strong combines the unique taste and quality of Kingfisher in a Strong Beer and is positioned on the similar platform as the mother brand, Kingfisher Premium. The tagline used for communicating the positioning platform is “Same Taste. Extra Dum”! Can you believe that?

Kingfisher Strong has a national footprint and is among the top 3 strong beer brands in almost every state in the India.

The beer itself is a light tasting, easy drinking beer with plenty of malt. It goes down really well. If not a little too well, especially with it containing around 8% Abv. It is fast growing in popularity and I can understand this with it having more flavour than the regular Kingfisher Premium, which has 4.8% Abv.

Kingfisher Strong Ad Campaigne

King's Black Label

The beautiful beaches of Goa and King's Beer go hand in hand. This beer, which unfortunately is only brewed and sold in the state of Goa, is a highlight of any trip there. The King's Black Label premium pilsner, 4.85% Abv is a very light tasting, pale coloured, beer that's known for its smoky malt aroma. You should be able to find it at most beach shacks, liquor stores. I somehow didn’t manage to do that. So no wonder Kings remains a fond memory for many people long after the vacation is over! Just not me, with everywhere being out of stock when in Goa. Fingers crossed for next time even though Oz was not a huge fan!

King's Black Label-Cheers Oz! (Sort your pouring out and the glass is all wrong)!

I am not very good at saying goodbyes and the great nation of Indian will be massively missed. Even with all the ups and downs along the way the place is just mind blowing.

The food has been great and we would like to thank everywhere that we ever ate because we have not been ill once as expected. Quite remarkable really! You see not cleaning your kitchen at home must have its benefits when travelling. Only joking there I am very anal.

When it comes to the beer I suppose it would be fair of me to be truthful. It has been a blast trying as many different beers as possible along the way. They have all been enjoyable in their own little way. However, saying that the quality is average at best. So no need yet for Belgium, Germany or the Czech Republic to worry.

India is now the second most developing nation on earth.    Just not in brewing beer. What will South East Asia throw our way? So excited to find out see you all there and I really do hope if anybody is actually reading this that you have enjoyed travelling around India with me and Kate. We will be looking to indulge your minds with more Beer, Food, Travel and Culture.

I will now find some parting words to sum up India as we bid it a cheery fair well!

Where you from?

What’s your name?

How long you stay?  When you arrive?

Where are you going?  Where you staying?

You Married?  When you have children?

I have a shop?

Rickshaw?

Change Money?

Looking is free...come back...promise?

Hashish?  Ricvkshaws? Hotel???

A million times per day....

YOU JUST CAN’T MAKE THIS SHIT UP!!!

Cheers

Next stop Malaysia..............................................