3-Dec-10
It was a perfect Friday afternoon here at Pune and my wife and I were all set to head south. We had our stuff packed and waiting at the airport for our flight. Waiting at railway station, airport or any bus stop isn't the natural me, but had to do so this time around due to a completely opposite wife :). Just like in their ads on TV, Indigo Airlines again, was bang "On-Time" and were greeted by pretty faces on board. Not to mention the lovely blue caps they wore! Indigo, a sure-shot fly again airline - I would surely recommend.
Our flight to Bangalore didn't take long. The captain announced that we have started descending even before the samosa's were finished. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, samosa's were tasty but cold - the air hostess mentioned it though. Nevertheless, we decided to go for it to keep our tummy's quiet temporarily. Besides, that was the cheapest item on the menu.
Again, bang "On-Time", we arrived at Bangalore airport. Picked up our luggage (5 Bags - I never had more than "One" when I traveled alone :)). Getting into the Meru Airport taxi was fast and easy. Driver, though courteous, played only Kannada songs which I didn't enjoy much. Everything was fine till we hit the city center. Traffic jams (not horrific ones, but you really don't want to see them) all over the place with Metro construction adding to the fun. After almost 2 hours, we finally reached our destination with my pocket getting lighter by Rs. 750. It really pains to shell it out, doesn't it?
Having reached Bangalore, our next destination was further down south to Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. We had our train from Bangalore station the next day (4-Dec-10). We decided to get to bed early as the next 3 days were going to be a test of endurance.
4-Dec-10
Lots of packing / unpacking done for the 3 day excursion to Thanjavur. We started off at 4:30 pm to catch the 7 pm train - Mailaduturai Express. It was a pain getting an auto to the station - I really don't understand why auto drivers refuse service and to the station! Finally after a frantic search, we were successful in getting one of the guys to take us there. Eighty bucks is what we paid him - I would've given him another ten-ner as a tip for his services! But I didn't - I turned into a miser.. as always..
Okay, now that we're at the station, it was a piece of cake to locate the platform. The station was, surprisingly clean and tidy when you compare it with Pune or Mumbai for that matter. The train arrived before we did. Boarded the train and found it was a pretty old coach - cockroaches were all over the place. Old coaches - a perfect home for them. I only hope Indian Railways have taken note of it! Our neighbors on the train though did not have problems. The "Roach infested" train chugged out of the station very much on time, halted at all major / minor stations - which was kinda frustrating. I pity the driver - he might be dreaming someday he would head the Rajdhani atleast - just like we aspire to be on the top! Anyways, the train halted at Bangalore East, Cantonment, Hosur.... (I don't remember the rest, was asleep by then) - of course after having home-made dinner packed like a Take-Away at McD. Our co-passengers (a big family of 5) had a better dinner by the looks of it. It seemed as though the entire kitchen was packed in their bags.
5-Dec-10
The train was scheduled to arrive at Thanjavur at around 5 am. Fearing we would miss the station, I woke up at 4 am (letting my wife sleep for some more time) only to know we were at Trichy. The engine swaps positions at this Junction meaning - the train gets in and out from the same side. I decided to have a cup of coffee since sleep was miles away. Paid Rs. 5 for it and sipped it! Not the worst coffee ever had, but it was better than some I had earlier. The clock almost hit 6 o 'clock and it was time to get off the roach-coach- such a relief! Greeted by the driver, we head towards the parking lot. We had arranged for an Indica, but there was something else parked there.. guess what! an Amby!
Yeah, thats the one we hadn't hired but were kinda excited to move in it! Exit Indica, Enter Amby!
From the station, we were taken to the hotel PL.A Residency just a few hundred meters away from the station. To my surprise, the hotel staff was sleeping to glory at the reception area. Our entry shook them up, except for one of 'em. We finally checked in - thanks to the sleepy receptionist. The room wasn't something I don't wanna describe much, but here goes.. Double room, AC, one large mirror and thankfully a western style toilet! Hot Water looked like its "On-Demand". You won't get it, if you don't ask for it. For this hotel, If you need something, ask well in advance. Something more, their restaurant "The Rice Bowl" - stinks, literally. We got ready and went to the restaurant with our Buffet Breakfast voucher handed over to us during our check-in. Buffet Breakfast starts at 7 am and ends at 10:15 am - had some 3 standard items - idli, wada and uffma (upma). We had it and got into the amby for a famous temple in Karaikal (Pondicherry). The view on either side of the road was scintillating - Green and only Green paddy fields with coconut trees on the edges.
Be sure to carry some food along if you can't handle local food - the temple is situated in a relatively small town.
We returned to the hotel at about 6 PM and had some rest. We decided to have dinner someone else as the hotel restaurant was pathetic. We had dinner at a place in Thanjavur which I don't recall but it wasn't bad at all. There are quite a few places where you get good food.
The hotel is by side of the main road and becomes very noisy from traffic (buses & trucks with annoying horns). I would not suggest this hotel at all.
6-Dec-10
We had just over half a day before hopping on to our train to Bangalore. We decided to visit the BIG TEMPLE, which is in fact really big & beautiful. It is very close to the hotel & railway station. I would suggest you leave your footwear in the car - as there isn't much space to keep them safe. The temple is not crowded at all and you can move around freely. Some pictures of the temple -
In all, it was a good trip & much better break from work!
It was a perfect Friday afternoon here at Pune and my wife and I were all set to head south. We had our stuff packed and waiting at the airport for our flight. Waiting at railway station, airport or any bus stop isn't the natural me, but had to do so this time around due to a completely opposite wife :). Just like in their ads on TV, Indigo Airlines again, was bang "On-Time" and were greeted by pretty faces on board. Not to mention the lovely blue caps they wore! Indigo, a sure-shot fly again airline - I would surely recommend.
Our flight to Bangalore didn't take long. The captain announced that we have started descending even before the samosa's were finished. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, samosa's were tasty but cold - the air hostess mentioned it though. Nevertheless, we decided to go for it to keep our tummy's quiet temporarily. Besides, that was the cheapest item on the menu.
Again, bang "On-Time", we arrived at Bangalore airport. Picked up our luggage (5 Bags - I never had more than "One" when I traveled alone :)). Getting into the Meru Airport taxi was fast and easy. Driver, though courteous, played only Kannada songs which I didn't enjoy much. Everything was fine till we hit the city center. Traffic jams (not horrific ones, but you really don't want to see them) all over the place with Metro construction adding to the fun. After almost 2 hours, we finally reached our destination with my pocket getting lighter by Rs. 750. It really pains to shell it out, doesn't it?
Having reached Bangalore, our next destination was further down south to Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. We had our train from Bangalore station the next day (4-Dec-10). We decided to get to bed early as the next 3 days were going to be a test of endurance.
4-Dec-10
Lots of packing / unpacking done for the 3 day excursion to Thanjavur. We started off at 4:30 pm to catch the 7 pm train - Mailaduturai Express. It was a pain getting an auto to the station - I really don't understand why auto drivers refuse service and to the station! Finally after a frantic search, we were successful in getting one of the guys to take us there. Eighty bucks is what we paid him - I would've given him another ten-ner as a tip for his services! But I didn't - I turned into a miser.. as always..
Okay, now that we're at the station, it was a piece of cake to locate the platform. The station was, surprisingly clean and tidy when you compare it with Pune or Mumbai for that matter. The train arrived before we did. Boarded the train and found it was a pretty old coach - cockroaches were all over the place. Old coaches - a perfect home for them. I only hope Indian Railways have taken note of it! Our neighbors on the train though did not have problems. The "Roach infested" train chugged out of the station very much on time, halted at all major / minor stations - which was kinda frustrating. I pity the driver - he might be dreaming someday he would head the Rajdhani atleast - just like we aspire to be on the top! Anyways, the train halted at Bangalore East, Cantonment, Hosur.... (I don't remember the rest, was asleep by then) - of course after having home-made dinner packed like a Take-Away at McD. Our co-passengers (a big family of 5) had a better dinner by the looks of it. It seemed as though the entire kitchen was packed in their bags.
5-Dec-10
The train was scheduled to arrive at Thanjavur at around 5 am. Fearing we would miss the station, I woke up at 4 am (letting my wife sleep for some more time) only to know we were at Trichy. The engine swaps positions at this Junction meaning - the train gets in and out from the same side. I decided to have a cup of coffee since sleep was miles away. Paid Rs. 5 for it and sipped it! Not the worst coffee ever had, but it was better than some I had earlier. The clock almost hit 6 o 'clock and it was time to get off the roach-coach- such a relief! Greeted by the driver, we head towards the parking lot. We had arranged for an Indica, but there was something else parked there.. guess what! an Amby!
Yeah, thats the one we hadn't hired but were kinda excited to move in it! Exit Indica, Enter Amby!
From the station, we were taken to the hotel PL.A Residency just a few hundred meters away from the station. To my surprise, the hotel staff was sleeping to glory at the reception area. Our entry shook them up, except for one of 'em. We finally checked in - thanks to the sleepy receptionist. The room wasn't something I don't wanna describe much, but here goes.. Double room, AC, one large mirror and thankfully a western style toilet! Hot Water looked like its "On-Demand". You won't get it, if you don't ask for it. For this hotel, If you need something, ask well in advance. Something more, their restaurant "The Rice Bowl" - stinks, literally. We got ready and went to the restaurant with our Buffet Breakfast voucher handed over to us during our check-in. Buffet Breakfast starts at 7 am and ends at 10:15 am - had some 3 standard items - idli, wada and uffma (upma). We had it and got into the amby for a famous temple in Karaikal (Pondicherry). The view on either side of the road was scintillating - Green and only Green paddy fields with coconut trees on the edges.
 |
| Paddy Fields |
 |
| View of the road to Karaikal - Amby Interior |
Be sure to carry some food along if you can't handle local food - the temple is situated in a relatively small town.
We returned to the hotel at about 6 PM and had some rest. We decided to have dinner someone else as the hotel restaurant was pathetic. We had dinner at a place in Thanjavur which I don't recall but it wasn't bad at all. There are quite a few places where you get good food.
The hotel is by side of the main road and becomes very noisy from traffic (buses & trucks with annoying horns). I would not suggest this hotel at all.
6-Dec-10
We had just over half a day before hopping on to our train to Bangalore. We decided to visit the BIG TEMPLE, which is in fact really big & beautiful. It is very close to the hotel & railway station. I would suggest you leave your footwear in the car - as there isn't much space to keep them safe. The temple is not crowded at all and you can move around freely. Some pictures of the temple -
Main entrance
Secondary entrance (after the main entrance)
Main temple
Nice architecture all around the temple
In all, it was a good trip & much better break from work!
