So I was planning on spending a little time on the trains shooting pictures (and going somewhere obviously). However, I was not really planning (within 5 days) on riding a 16 hour bus to Delhi, a 14 hour train to Varanasi and then a 20 hour train to Chakki Bank which is right next to Pathankot, with a 4 hour taxi from there! I did splash out a whole 2500 rupees for the entire train trip, and will extravagantly be spending that time in air conditioning (2AC). The New Delhi railway station has an entire office dedicated to issuing last minute tickets to foreigners. Possibly one of the few situations in Asia where the tourist is given a helping hand with tickets. Normally there is a considerable price jump from an Indian entry fee and a tourist one. The Taj Mahal jumps from 25 rupees for a local, to 750 rupees for a foreigner. I even remember that there was something called a ‘tourist tax’ in all of the hotels in China.
The worst train trip I have ever made in India was from Bodhgaya to Delhi during the 2003 Kalachakra. The train arrived an entire 24 hours late, making the total travel time nearly 72 hours. I have also taken a train across the States from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, and as I remember, that was nearly the same time (A totally different quality of train though!). Having watched The Darjeeling Limited several times, it is hard to think that I will capture the same kind of beauty as Wes Anderson did. Although I am not sure I am really after photos that look like that movie.
mark | 27-May-08 at 8:36 am | Permalink
Hi Ben,
I’ve been enjoying your blog and a couple of thoughts. first about railways journeys. I can’t help but think you are traveling on Indian trains at what will in future be seen to have been a fascinating and pivotal time - the time when India is really in transition. I always think of Indian railways as a positive colonial legacy. Is that true because from what you describe they don’t appear to be a very positive experience. I wonder if you were to go back again when you get to my age whether it would be better or worse than they are now!
Second I looked up Varanasi via the link you provided and i’m deeply in envy. I wish I was with you. Are you there at a particular religious festival or is it always busy there? Looking forward to some pictures.
Travel safe
M
Ben | 27-May-08 at 11:07 pm | Permalink
No particular festival. It is always a holy day in Varanasi by the river Ganga. There is a religious festival every night I am planning on visiting. SO HOT THOUGH!!
The trains are great. Especially as I got upgraded. The colonial legacy is what holds the rail system together still. I don’t think much has changed. The digital revolution is more affecting the cellphone and business stuff. Although they are more accurate on train times - eg. how late it will be arriving!