Train Trip

After 4 days of travelling around in an A/C coach it was on to the train for the return journey to Coimbatore and then school.

The train left Delhi on Wednesday, October 10 at 11:30 A.M. and arrived at Coimbatore on Friday, October 12 at 5:30 A.M. That's correct! It was another early morning. The journey was 2630 km and came down through the heartland of India before veering to the eastern side and then back across to Coimbatore.


The train accomodation was 2 tier A/C. That means an air-conditioned coach with a 2 tier berth, bedding of 2 sheets, blanket, pillow, and towel supplied. There was space for 4 people. We were 3 most of the time and 5 at other times! Due to the fact there were only 2 Europeans on the train there were many stares into our compartment and many people who had to recharge their cell phones with the plugs in the compartment. Many interesting people were met this way. One lady was particularly friendly and useful. She made sure we were getting off in Coimbatore and she made sure we had an auto that would take us right to the bus for Ooty. The train arrived at 5:30 A.M. and by 5:55 A.M. we were on the bus from Coimbatore back to Ooty. Arrived in Ooty at 9:30 and then took an auto back to school (30 Rs).


En route the train passed through Agra (Uttar Pradesh), Gwalior (Mayda Pradesh), Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh), Bhopal (Mayda Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Warangal (Andhra Pradesh), Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) almost to the Bay of Bengal, then back inland through Salem (Tamil Nadu).



The landscape was very agricultural with all different kinds of produce - sweet corn, sugar cane, rice, carrots, and either peppers or something similar. There was also a brief section of arid land.


Now it's back to school and a changed timetable. More of that later.