FLYING FROM CAPE TOWN VIA DELHI TO BAGDOGRA IN THE DARJEELING DISTRICT OF NORTHERN INDIA WAS A LONG HAUL . We arrived tired and dusty , but excited about the challenge : running in the mountains for five days on the Himalayan 100 Mile Race would certainly be tough . That was not the sole focus of the race , though . We were here for the promised rich cultural experience and insight into the lives of the Himalayan people . From Bagdogra it was a 90-minute taxi drive to Mirik , where we would acclimatise to the altitude for a few days . The road was busy . Along with swarms of pedestrians and animals , we dodged other cars , trucks , motorbikes , bicycles and tricycles all loaded to the hilt . It felt chaotic , but somehow it worked .
© JANKOVOY / SHUTTERSTOCK