Himalaya
Day 40: Srinagar, Kashmir
Stars of Srinagar. The dashingly decorative Clermont Houseboats, originally built by the British because they weren’t allowed to buy land here.

'No, thank you.'
'I have lotus seeds.'
'I've bought some already.'
'What lotus seeds you have bought?'
'Blue.'
'I have six-colour lotus seeds. And wild orchid and wild tulip.'
'I have no money.'
'You buy and send me the money.'
At this point one would normally wind up the window and roar off as fast as possible, but as we're both in paddle boats there is no prospect of a quick getaway and either you drift along together for several miles or, as I did, you buy six-colour lotus seeds for all your friends. These disappeared mysteriously into a hotel wastepaper basket about a week later.
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PALIN'S GUIDES
- Series: Himalaya
- Chapter: Day 40: Srinagar, Kashmir
- Country/sea: India
- Place: Srinagar
- Book page no: 90
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