farnwahab

The train services from Varanasi Junction train station to Howrah train station was delayed for 3 to 4 hours. I reached Varanasi Junction train station around 6PM. It's really freezing cold and I'm not really used to it! The arrival board states that the train will reach the station at 6.30PM. So I decided to kill time and get some chai and smoke a cigarette. Somehow, part of the area in the arrival hall was cordoned off specially for foreigners, and there were policemen around to guard them and watch an eye for any local citizens intruding the area. It was already 7PM but there wasn't any sight of trains arriving. The weather was really bad; cold and foggy, so I'm guessing it makes it difficult for trains to have limited movement. I decided to just ... read more

The next day, I woke up, showered and packed up, heading towards Pandhey Ghat. It took me about 10 mins to get there and I was hoping for a bed there. One thing I like about staying in dorms is not only the cost issue, but you get to meet other travellers from other parts of the world. I was relieved that I managed to get a bed, and intended to stay for 4 nights in Vishnu Rest House. While waiting to fill up the 'C' form, I went to the balcony and lit up my cigarette. I was beginning to love the moment in Pandhey Ghat; simply picturesque, with the Ganges River seem to appear calm despite the daily drama - people doing their laundry, rituals, shower... you name it all. I decided to walk ... read more

Alas! We reach Varanasi Junction Station @ 730am. We were exhausted from the long trip from New Delhi, thus, we stopped over to a nearby cafe and perk ourselves up with chai and samosas. It was freezing cold, and I desperately needed a blanket. Thankfully Anna loan her blanket to me for awhile till we reach to our desired guesthouse. Lots of auto rickshaw wallahs were desperately waiting outside the train station, hoping to rip us off for a ride to our destination. Not forgetting to mention the commission they would be getting for recommending a guesthouse to fellow travellers. We decided to book an auto rickshaw from the designated booking booth. However, to our dismay, there was no one manning the booth. Le Sigh! We left with no choice but to ask around who'll give ... read more

We (Guailo, Anna & I) departed from Bundi Bus Station around 930pm on the 1st January 2011 to make our way down to New Delhi. Since trains and private buses aren't running due to the strikes, I suggested that the only way to get to Varanasi is via bus ride to New Delhi, and head down to New Delhi Railway Station and get a Tatkal ticket to Varanasi Junction Railway Station. Well, of course, they weren't really sure of the idea, but hey, it's cheap (since I was really broke lol) and it's the only way to get to New Delhi, given the situation then. We were not mentally prepared of the ride; trust me, government bus ride was the deadliest I've ever experienced! For more than 12 hours, it was such a bumpy ride, that ... read more

Woah! Another day of travelling. We (Rob and I) left Bombay for Udaipur on the 18th Dec 2010. There wasn't any direct trains to Udaipur City Railway Station; we have to take a seater train to Ahmedabad, and take a connecting train an hour later to Udaipur City Railway Station. Rob checked out earlier on that day, and he said that most likely he'll see me at Mumbai Central Station. I reach Mumbai Central half an hour earlier before our train departs. I saw Rob sitting somewhere near platform one, and since there's some spare time to kill, we went out for chai. We walked outside the train station, and went to a local chai stall for chai. Shortly, we realised that we are left with 10 minutes, quickly paid for our chais and rush back ... read more

Well well well... Arambol, or used to be known as Harmal, is located 17km north of Anjuna. It's well known for it's hippie vibe and I'm not surprised; saw all the various kinds of hippies from the original to wannabe; and also traveller like me who just want to enjoy his getaway with a cup of tchai. With my bag-pack and stuff, I tried walking down along Glatonsbury St to find Chillies Guesthouse. I called up Derrick Fernandez the day before, and booked a room. He quoted 300Rps, well couldn't ask for a much better deal. To my dismay, he kinda forgot to reserve a room for me, despite the reservation I made the day before. A guy brought me down to a small alley nearby the German Bakery, and asked me if I'm looking at ... read more

So.. I survived the bus ride from Pondicherry to Ernakulam! Cost me 1000Rps from Pondicherry to Kerala by night bus. Expensive. The day before, I called up Benson from Costa da Gama Guesthouse and reserve a double room there. I intend to stay for about 3-4 nights in Fort Kochin. I got off from the bus and got onto a rickshaw and told him the address. He was puzzled, but I guess Indians don't like to disappoint their guest eventhough they know nuts about the area. It took us almost 45 minutes to get to Fort Kochin from Ernakulam due to traffic congestion. The driver got lost after awhile, and was going all around Fort Kochin (such a small town!) Afterwhich I paid 250Rps for the rickshaw, I was still cursing on the fact that tourist ... read more