North India Trip - Day 6 to 9 -- 27 to 29-12-2007

Day 6 -- 27-12-2007

Woke up at 4.30 AM Had a Quick Hot Shower, checked out of the Hotel and went to the station,. As if on cue, the Shatabdi came in to the Platform No. 1, powered by GZB WAP-5.

The NDLS-AGC Section allows trains to go upto 150 KMPH,. The train started on the dot at 6.15 AM from NDLS and breezed through at around 70 KMPH upto Faridabad. Once past Faridabad, the train zoomed and was screaming past the surrounding countryside at speeds well above 130 KMPH. The Catering service brought our breakfast at 7.00 AM, which included, biscuits, candy and Vegetable Sandwiches, and in my case accompanied by a Green Chilly Laced Omlette!!!!

Reached Agra Cantt. at 8.10 AM and called up Dad, while Giri called up Suma, who along with her colleagues/friends Sneha & Shruti was going to join us at the Taj Mahal. They had boarded the Taj Express at Faridabad.

Hired a CNG Auto from the station to the Taj Mahal (Rs.50)... The Taj Mahal is located in an area aptly called Tajganj. But, compared to the brilliant white of the Monument, the road leading to it is mostly red!!!!, that is because of the Paan Stains all around the place.

I have to admit I have had very few goose-bump raising moments in my life, but once you enter the Taj Mahal Complex, the monument overwhelms your senses like nothing before. There are not many things in this world that can make you ignore the typically boisterous and noisy Indian Tourist, The Taj Mahal - I am glad to say- is one of them. There are not enough words describe the Taj Mahal and I am not even going to try....

Anyway, shot lots of photographs of the Monument. Finally the girls arrived around 11.00 AM, and while they went and saw the monument, I continued with my photographic quest to get the perfect picture. Whether I succeeded or not, only time will tell.

Once finished with Taj Mahal, hired a taxi to to get to Fatehpur Sikri (Rs. 700). This is the city built by
Akbar that was later abandoned because of scarcity of drinking water.

Had lunch on the way to the Fatehpur Sikri, pretty OK food.

Fatehpur Sikri has more guides than tourists!!!! and these guides start offering their services for about Rs. 150/- and can come down to Rs. 20/- within no time at all.....

Finished with Fatehpur Sikri, and headed back to Agra. Bought lots of Agra Petha and Gajak for home and office. Also purchased a small marble hand-grinder for Amma.

The Girls bought tickets for their return trip to Faridabad by the Taj Express, which arrived 30 minutes behind schedule at 7.25 PM powered by a JHS WAP4. The girls rammed through the crowd and got themselves 3 seats in the Unreserved Coach. It seemed like they were having lots of fun doing that....

They started off, we bid them temporary goodbyes as we were going to meet them at Tune's place at around midnight. I also told them that we were definitely going to overtake them at some point of time, as we were scheduled to take the Shatabdi back to NDLS an hour later.

Our train arrived arrived 15 minutes late and was immediately off, the LP was in a tearing hurry to get us to Delhi in time and sure enough just before Old Faridabad, We screamed past the Taj Express. now this time we could hear the train screaming past because Giri was on the phone to Suma and we could hear the sound of our train through the Mobile....

Reached NDLS at 10.35 PM and Giri set about readying himself mentally for the Taxi Ride to Faridabad. A fairly uneventful 90 Minute Taxi ride later we were at Tune's place. Hit the sack at around 12.45 and immediately went to sleep. Planned to get up at 6.00 and start on our Delhi sightseeing trip.....

Day 7 -- 28-12-2007
..... woke up only at 8.30 AM and after another round of Super Upma cooked by Sowmya, started for the Tibetan Bazaar at Faridabad and picked up a few sweaters and shawls for back home. Then went to Achar's place and loaded the suitcase with the woolens and started on our trip to Delhi.

First visited Qutub Minar, awesome monument, apparently the tallest structure in the world when built. Then tried to get to the Bahai Temple, but saw huge queue of people lining up to go inside. Ditch.... Headed to India Gate, nice..... and drove right upto the highest office of the Land i.e. Rashtrapathi Bhavan... some might disagree...they may feel that is at 10 Janpath.... well, to each his own...

After this went to Connaught Place and the sprawling Palika Bazaar. For the 1st time in our lives, me and Giri actually bargained for something that we bought, and we were pretty happy with the deals that we got. Purchase a few T-Shirts for the boys back home, a laptop bag for myself ( I need to buy a Laptop for the same now!!!), T bought some stuff for his mom. The lack of Parking Lot etiquette in Delhi , while taking out the Taxi from the Palika Bazaar Parking Lot, came as a shock to us.

After this we started for Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, from where we had to take the Bangalore Rajdhani. The Train started 30 Minutes Late from NZM powered by a LGD WAP4. The Bangalore Rajdhani must be one of the most neglected Rajdhanis in the Country. We were travelling in a 98XXX make coach, with Dirty Curtains and loads of cockroaches.

Dinner was served along with soup, the food was strictly just OK in terms of quality.

Went off to bed and got up at around 8.30AM. Did not where we were and was not entirely bothered about it either.... A very decent breakfast was served... Bought some oranges at Nagpur... took a few videos of the crawling Rajdhani.... I was racing through the Sidney Sheldon novel (Absolute Crap, but whattodoo!!!!)

Nothing much happened and in the midst of all this Giri was napping away. I just calculated as to how much he had slept in this trip and he had easily got about twice the amount of sleep that I had.

Anyway, reached Secunderabad, still about 45 Minutes behind Schedule... The loco was changed to KZJ WDM2A, because from here-on it was diesel territory all the way to Bangalore. Had Dinner and went to sleep. was woken up by the coach attendant at 6.00 in the morning for a Hot Cup of Tea. the Train reached Bangalore at 7.00 about 25 Minutes behind schedule. Giri took a rick home and so did I. Felt great to be back home.

Summary:

This was the Longest & most expensive trip of our short life so far, and Me and Giri unanimously agreed that it was too short, but that's the way life is. Had Lots of Fun, encountered a new set of people, environments and culture.

Would we do the same again????

WHATTA QUESTION TO ASK RA!!!!! SURE MATE.....

North India Trip Day 3 to 5 -- 24 to 26-12-2007

Day 3 --- 24-12-2007 Got to the Hotel Shimla Holiday Home at 6.30 AM, did not get a room till 9.30 AM, decided to crash till 1.00 PM before we move out for Lunch...

Got up around 1.00 PM had our shower and ventured out to get some Lunch, took the LIFT from near the Taxi Stand and got onto Mall Road, ate Kiwi Fruit...

Lunch at a Punjabi Restaurant on the Mall Road...The Restaurant only had about 10 items that were available out of their extensive 8 page menu. Grabbed a couple of Butter Naans, Methi Roti and the obligatory glass of Lassi...

Roamed around the Mall, saw a Yellow Church on the Mall, Nice Building, must have been getting ready for Christmas Mass...Mall Road has lot of old colonial buildings and some very fine architecture... The most crowded place in Shimla...with lots of shopping opportunities..

Visited India Coffee House (ICH), and had a cup of the finest filter coffee. Decided to return the next day, and try some of the Food at the ICH.

Reached our Hotel, and crashed again, before we ordered dinner at around 9.00 PM, the food at the Hotel was very good, in particular the Tomato Shorba, and the Mix Veg. Raita, the rotis and the naan were pretty. Decided to get up early next day for our sightseeing around Shimla.

Day 4 --- 25-12-2007
Woke up at around 7.00 in the morning, walked to the toilet and took a nasty fall on the slippery floor, I had never ever imagined that people can actually fall the way they are depicted in the movies, but now..... Been There Done That!!!

Had very hearty breakfast at the Hotel, consisting of Poori Bhaji, Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Cup Cakes and Tea to round it off.... Wished I could have Donuts as well..but they were not on the Menu.

Took a Maruti 800 as a Taxi for our sightseeing, visited Kufri, Helipad, Mashobra and Naldehra. Saw a lot of deer and a couple of bears and wolves in the Mini-Zoo at Kufri. The Taxi hire set us back by Rs. 720/-.

Refused to take the Horse ride up-to the highest point in Kufri. Me being a tad on the Heavy side, did not feel like burdening myself upon any of the 100 or so, under-nourished animals out there.

Took quite a lot of photographs including a fair few Shaadi.coms.

Returned to Shimla by 2.00 PM and had a light lunch at a Hotel on the Mall Road, and went back to our Hotel. Slept for about 2 Hours and then went back to the ICH on Mall Road, tried some Egg Dosa and a glass of Coffee.

Went back to the Hotel, ordered Dinner, set the alarm for 5.30 AM (1st Test between IND & AUS) and slept.

Giri woke me up saying AUS had won the Toss and elected to bat. Watched the match for sometime and then took a nice long Hot Bath and went down for Breakfast.... and VOILA!!!! DONUTS on the Breakfast menu!!!! This Finally proves that there is definitely SOMEONE UP THERE, looking after us hungry souls.

Finished Breakfast. Settled the Hotel Bill (Rs. 5184/- for 2 Guys - 2 Days on MAP). Took a Taxi to the Shimla Railway Station.

Had Booked seats in the Chair Car on the 256-Himalayan Queen from Shimla to Kalka (Fare Rs. 167/- per head). The Train Covers a distance of 96 Kms in 5Hrs 35 Mins. The Train Passes thru 102 Tunnels and 864 Bridges. The Longest Tunnel is at Barog (~1150 Mtrs). Most of the Bridges are Multi-Arch Viaducts Constructed with Stone Masonry (Source: Wikipedia).

Reached Kalka at 4.15 PM. 10 Mins behind schedule.

I had already booked the Kalka Shatabdi to New Delhi. The Shatabdi is comprised of LHB High Speed Coaches and is powered by GZB WAP7 Loco. Took a photograph of the Loco after asking the permission of the Loco Pilot. The train started bang on time at 5.30 PM and was screaming through the countryside in no time (Not that we could hear any of it).

The staff served us sandwiches & Tea as soon as we started. Served us Tomato Soup at around 7.30 PM, and Dinner at 8.15 PM. We reached New Delhi at 10.00 PM, went to a Hotel on the Paharganj Side and dozed off immediately. Had to wake up at 4.30 in the morning, so that we could catch the Bhopal Shatabdi (INDIA'S FASTEST TRAIN!!!) to Agra.....

North India Trip Day 2 23-12-2007

Day 2: 23-12-2007

Booked Bus tickets for Shimla at the HRTC Counter, 270 bucks per head

Checked into Hotel Beas in Manali. Pretty Decent Hotel for 800 bucks a night and we were not even scheduled to stay the night!!

Hired an Alto and went to Snow Point and Solang Valley. First time we set foot on snow!!!!

Hired some heavy duty overcoats for 150 bucks per head. Slipped and fell on the sleet covered road, Giri tried to be the Knight in Black Overcoats, but he also fell down. 300 Bucks well Spent!!!!

Shouted a Kannada Expletive to Giri and were recognised as being from Bangalore by some other Kannadigas.

Solang Valley was freezing.... and we forgot our gloves in the car!!!!

Ate Maggi Noodles and drank garma-garam thandi Chai (which was cold about 20 seconds after being boiled)... missed Gops at Solang, he would have really enjoyed himself with all the stuff around...

Came back to the Hotel at 6.00PM . Wished we had spent more time in Manali...but there is always a next time...

Roamed around Manali on Foot before dinner, bought myself a pair of gloves (Rs. 100/-) Giri bought his uncle a muffler...

Dinner at the Hotel, pretty decent fare,but topped off by some of the best Gulab Jamuns I have ever had....

Giri started showing the first signs of being afflicted by cold & cough...

Got onto the half-full bus, started at 9.45 PM. Had slept for not more than 4 hours in the last 48, Felt very sleepy and still did not sleep for most of the journey. Giri as usual slept like a log.

Went through a really long tunnel near Mandi.. The bus stopped near Bilaspur for Tea.. Bus broke down with about 75 Kms to go to Shimla.. Used my torch to help the driver fasten the Brake Cylinder that had dropped off...

Bus got to the next pit stop and we had to disembark and hop onto another bus that was headed to Shimla from Dharamsala, somehow squeezed in the luggage and ourselves and WONDER of WONDERS, I went to sleep that too at the back of the bus... I never cease to amaze myself.. Arrived at Shimla at 5.30 AM

North India Trip Day 1 22-12-2007

This is a travelogue of me & Giri’s trip to North India. We covered Manali, Shimla, Agra and Delhi during the 8 days of our North Indian Sojourn.

I. 22/12/2007 – Bangalore to Delhi by Indigo Air

Initial plan was to cover the entire trip by Train or Bus. But due to the insurmountable pressure put on us by Chetan, we were forced to book our flight from Bangalore to Delhi. This decision, in hindsight turned out to be quite a good one. We had to book the flight because Chetan wanted us to fit Manali in our schedule, which earlier included only Shimla, Agra and Delhi.

We started from Giri’s place near Kathriguppe at 4.00 AM for the Airport. The driver of the Indica which dropped us at the Airport was for some reason paranoid about taking the Outer Ring Road to get to the Airport. He kept muttering about Cabbies getting mugged by bike riding thugs.

Anyway we got to the airport by 4.30 AM. We dragged our luggage (2 Cabin Bags, 1 Suitcase and 1 Large Kit), and got them screened. The flight was scheduled to depart at 5.30 AM and reach Delhi by 7.55 AM. We boarded the flight at 5.20 AM and took off by 5.45 AM. I might add here that this was Giri’s first experience of flying.

The flight was captained by a gentleman named Carlos, and his co-pilot was named Roberto. Now all we needed was some Banana Free-Kick Take-off and Landing, which was not exactly our GOAL (Sorry, But Great PJ!!!!). The 3^rd seat in our row was occupied by an ISKCON devotee, who, by the way he was running through his prayer beads, we initially thought was suffering from FLIGHTOPHOBIA (Isn’t that fear of flying!!!!. BTW it is called AEROPHOBIA).

The flight was incident free and we safely got to Delhi, without any stunts by our above-referred pilot duo. Got down at IGI Airport and hired a Taxi to Faridabad to Achar’s place, the destination of our suitcase.

II. 22/12/2007 – IGI Airport to Faridabad – What the **** is going on???

Within 20 Minutes of boarding the Taxi, we knew that the denizen of Delhi do not deserve the roads that they have been given by their respective Governments. (For those not in the know, Delhi NCR is spread over 3 States i.e. Delhi, UP and Haryana). For someone who thinks not too highly of the way Bangaloreans drive, this was an eye-opener. The reason why I say this is that Delhiites have an uncanny knack of making a mess out of their traffic. Road Manners never seem to have been taught or imparted to these guys. If Bangalore had even 50% of the Asphalting that has been done in Delhi, it would be heaven. It was so bad that at a later point of time, Giri was actually stating that he needed time to mentally prepare himself for a Taxi-ride. We could have really made some use of the ISKCON guy’s prayer beads.

Anyway we got to Achar’s place pretty much in one-piece physically!!! Mentally was a different story altogether. We were truly SHAKEN & STIRRED.

III. 22/12/2007 – Stay at Achar’s place – Bisi Bisi Coffee and Upma!!!!!!!!

Shylaja i.e. Mrs. Achar cooked some fantastic Upma for breakfast and the coffee kept coming right through the day. We guys before starting from Bangalore had declared that the Coffee we had at 4.00 AM in the morning would be the last cup of pucca filter coffee we would have for the next eight days, and boy were we glad to be proved wrong, that too on the same day!!! We were in for some more surprises yet on the coffee front.

IV. 22/12/2007 – Lunch & Delhi to Manali by 2X2 Sleeper Bus

Lunch, consisted of Tomato Bath, Some kind of stuffed Brinjal, and Rice-Rasam. After Lunch, Achar dropped us off near the ISBT, from where we had to catch the bus to Manali. The bus was supposed to depart at 6.00 PM but we boarded the bus only by 6.45 PM.

The Bus was filled with a bunch of delinquents, who for some strange reason, even if they wanted to speak to their neighbour, were shouting at the top of their voices. Scary!!!

NH-1 is amazing. Saw a bunch of Honda Cars (Civic-2, City-3), absolutely flooring the gas and screaming past our bus, which was doing nearly 80+ at the point of time.

Passed Panipat at around 8.30 PM. Panipat is my colleague Ravi’s home town. Thought of calling him, but then felt too tired to even take out my cell. Saw a lot of shops advertising PACHRANGA Pickles. Made a point to ask Ravi to get some for me next time round.

Stopped for Dinner at a Dhaba near Karnal. Tasted authentic Makki-Di-Roti and Sarson-Da-Saag. And One Huge Tumbler of Lassi. Absolutely killer!!!

Meanwhile, Giri lapsed into deep sleep after the bus took off from Karnal, whereas yours truly was finding it difficult to sleep. So I just watched the proceedings from the upper berth window. Occassionally grabbed a few minutes of sleep.

Saw the serene backwaters of the Gobind Sagar Reservoir near Bilaspur. The reservoir was formed after the construction of the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej.

The road to Manali is very well maintained, in spite of the inclement weather that hill roads generally have to undergo.

Stopped for Chai at 5.00 AM, some 40 Kms before Mandi. I Had to 2 Cups of Chai, and Giri was satisfied with one. The Chaiwalla did not have change and gave me a packet of Tiger Biscuits as change. Reached Manali at around 11.00 AM (Total Bus Travel Time:16:15 Hrs).

More to come.....