The "I leave in 3 weeks" post

homzakova · Feb 8th, 2005, 09:50

I know this is typical but I couldn't resist. My wife and I leave for India for the first time in 3 weeks! Needless to say we are very excited. I've been planning for almost a year. This site has been very helpful.

We fly to Bombay, stay for 2 days with friends then take the train (Sleeper class) to Varkala. I chose Sleeper because I will be able to see out of the windows. I don't consider myself spoiled but I am crazy to make my first Indian train trip a 36 hour non ac experience? It is funny- this is the part of the trip I am most looking forward to and dreading at the same time. I grew up in the south (of the US) and never had ac, just a fan. But I'm sure the south of India might be 'slightly' warmer. Plus I am 6 feet tall and I will be on an outside berth that is only 5' 5" when it is bed time. Am I worried over nothing, or should I try for 2nd AC and stand by an open door when I want a view?

We will spend 4 nights in Varkala at the Thiruvambadi Beach Resort. Anybody stayed there or seen it? Then 2 nights at the Kayaloram and one night on a house boat. Then 3 nights in Kochi at the Old Courtyard. I figure after the train I may need a little luxury. Then flight back to Bombay, 1 more day and then back to NYC. Short time in Bombay, but any must sees that may not be in the guidebooks?

The main concerns I have are staying healthy and not having my pack rummaged through on the train.
( It will padlocked to the seat) But mainly I am looking forward to what should be an amazing vacation. I've always enjoyed the countries I visit because I appreciate the differences from where I am from. And India will be about as different as any place I've ever been.

steven_ber · Feb 8th, 2005, 11:57

I see from your other posts that you are taking the Netravati Express, I have posted the full timetable below, I find it useful on long journeys to have the timetable, it's very useful to know how long you will be at each station, for example - Kankanadi 04:30 - 04:40, If you're awake, this is a great opportunity to get an early morning cup of Chai.

Though do remember, if the train is running late it may not wait for the full 10 minutes, but there will be a loud, long blow of the horn before the train departs.

The time to be most aware of theft is arriving at the station in Mumbai and just before the train departs.

The fact that you even considered travelling in Sleeper class means you would enjoy it, the kind of people who wouldn't enjoy it wouldn't even entertain it as an option.

The journey will be testing, 36 hours is a long time, though it would be testing in air-con as well, the worst time will be the second afternoon, there is only so much great scenery a person can see before he gets frustrated that he can't get off and sample it.

Are you getting the train on the 3rd or the 4th of March?

The 3rd looks to be busy, the 4th not busy. (From looking at 'availability')

You seem to have side berths, apart from the length issue, you will not regret getting side berths, the biggest problem with Sleeper class can be extra people getting on during the day, the 'inside' berths normally seat 3 in daytime, this can double through extra people boarding the train, side berths are unaffected, as each seat only has room for one.

I am fortunate in that I find it easy to sleep with my legs bent, it would help if you could, if not, you can have you're feet hanging off the end, lots of Indians do this, or your legs in the air with your feet resting on the partition. (It’s painful when you wake up.

)

The journey may be a bit harder for your wife, all the staring is probably hard to get used to, though try to remember that it isn't personal, just curiosity.

Are your friends in Mumbai Indian?

If so, ask them about the staring, also ask them about a stainless steel tiffin carrier, you should get one of these in Mumbai and fill it up with food for your journey.

Stainless steel tiffin carrier.

Once you depart Ernakulam, ask the train conductor if the train will stop at Varkala, it used to, I’ve been on trains that stop where their not supposed to, they just say "it's always stopped here", It is likely that a new train conductor will get on the train at Ernakulam.

Also, on the second day on the train, try to find out how many people are going to Varkala, I remember reading a rule a while ago that said 'if 12 (I think it was 12) or more passengers want to get off at an unscheduled stop, the train has to stop at that station', I will check on this rule.

On the second afternoon, when your beginning to get frustrated at the length of the journey, just remember that you could be in Brooklyn on your way to work on a Monday morning.

ARR. - DEP. - STATION NAME
----------------------------------------
00:00, 11:40, LOKMANYA TILAK
12:08, 12:10, THANE
12:50, 12:55, PANVEL
14:42, 14:45, ROHA
17:05, 17:15, CHIPLUN

18:45, 18:50, RATNAGIRI
20:36, 20:38, KUDAL
21:30, 21:32, THIVIM
21:46, 21:48, KARMALI
22:30, 22:40, MADGAON

23:08, 23:10, CANACONA
23:33, 23:35, KARWAR
00:13, 00:15, KUMTA
00:48, 00:50, MURDESHWAR
01:04, 01:06, BHATKAL

01:54, 01:56, KUNDAPURA
02:42, 02:46, UDIPI
03:30, 03:32, SURATHKAL
04:30, 04:40, KANKANADI
05:23, 05:25, KASARAGOD

05:48, 05:50, KANHANGAD
06:08, 06:10, CHARVATTUR
06:23, 06:25, PAYYANUR
06:43, 06:45, KANNAPURAM
07:18, 07:20, CANNANORE

07:38, 07:40, TELLICHERRY
08:08, 08:10, BADAGARA
09:10, 09:15, CALICUT
09:48, 09:50, PARPANANGADI
10:13, 10:15, TIRUR

10:33, 10:35, KUTTIPPURAM
12:05, 12:10, SHORANUR JN
12:35, 12:40, TRICHUR
13:33, 13:35, ALWAYE
14:20, 14:25, ERANAKULAM JN

14:58, 15:00, SHERTALAI
15:35, 15:40, ALLEPPEY
15:52, 15:54, AMBALA PUZHA
16:12, 16:14, HARIPAD
16:33, 16:35, KAYANKULAM

17:25, 17:30, QUILON JN
19:20, TRIVANDRUM CNTL

wonderwomanusa · Feb 8th, 2005, 11:59

Have a great time!

I'm 5ft 4in, and those side berths are not long enough for me! You will probably have a backache after 36 hours, but you'll find someone to massage you in Varkala, I'm sure!

Don't take anything you can't afford to lose, and be sure your passport, tickets, money, ATM cards etc are in your under-the-clothes money belt, and you'll be fine. (I always lock my bag to the bottom of the berth, and have never had any problems -- and it's nylon and could be easily opened with a razor or knife.)

Your wife will have a good time if she is modestly dressed and doesn't look for "instant friendship" with strange Indian men.

homzakova · Feb 10th, 2005, 08:38

Thanks for all the help. We will leave Mumbai on the 4th. I chose a side berth because I'll have access to the window and I will be able to attempt to sleep whenever I want. I will wear a money belt with all my valuables but I will have some small electrical items- camera and pda, in my bag. I will lock the zippers and padlock it under my seat.
I've rode the NYC subway for years and never had anything stolen. Ironically at this very moment there is probably somebody in India nervous about their upcoming first trip to the US.

Feb 8th, 2005, 09:50	#1
homzakova Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 10	The "I leave in 3 weeks" post I know this is typical but I couldn't resist. My wife and I leave for India for the first time in 3 weeks! Needless to say we are very excited. I've been planning for almost a year. This site has been very helpful. We fly to Bombay, stay for 2 days with friends then take the train (Sleeper class) to Varkala. I chose Sleeper because I will be able to see out of the windows. I don't consider myself spoiled but I am crazy to make my first Indian train trip a 36 hour non ac experience? It is funny- this is the part of the trip I am most looking forward to and dreading at the same time. I grew up in the south (of the US) and never had ac, just a fan. But I'm sure the south of India might be 'slightly' warmer. Plus I am 6 feet tall and I will be on an outside berth that is only 5' 5" when it is bed time. Am I worried over nothing, or should I try for 2nd AC and stand by an open door when I want a view? We will spend 4 nights in Varkala at the Thiruvambadi Beach Resort. Anybody stayed there or seen it? Then 2 nights at the Kayaloram and one night on a house boat. Then 3 nights in Kochi at the Old Courtyard. I figure after the train I may need a little luxury. Then flight back to Bombay, 1 more day and then back to NYC. Short time in Bombay, but any must sees that may not be in the guidebooks? The main concerns I have are staying healthy and not having my pack rummaged through on the train. ( It will padlocked to the seat) But mainly I am looking forward to what should be an amazing vacation. I've always enjoyed the countries I visit because I appreciate the differences from where I am from. And India will be about as different as any place I've ever been.

Feb 8th, 2005, 11:57	#2
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,214	I see from your other posts that you are taking the Netravati Express, I have posted the full timetable below, I find it useful on long journeys to have the timetable, it's very useful to know how long you will be at each station, for example - Kankanadi 04:30 - 04:40, If you're awake, this is a great opportunity to get an early morning cup of Chai. Though do remember, if the train is running late it may not wait for the full 10 minutes, but there will be a loud, long blow of the horn before the train departs. The time to be most aware of theft is arriving at the station in Mumbai and just before the train departs. The fact that you even considered travelling in Sleeper class means you would enjoy it, the kind of people who wouldn't enjoy it wouldn't even entertain it as an option. The journey will be testing, 36 hours is a long time, though it would be testing in air-con as well, the worst time will be the second afternoon, there is only so much great scenery a person can see before he gets frustrated that he can't get off and sample it. Are you getting the train on the 3rd or the 4th of March? The 3rd looks to be busy, the 4th not busy. (From looking at 'availability') You seem to have side berths, apart from the length issue, you will not regret getting side berths, the biggest problem with Sleeper class can be extra people getting on during the day, the 'inside' berths normally seat 3 in daytime, this can double through extra people boarding the train, side berths are unaffected, as each seat only has room for one. I am fortunate in that I find it easy to sleep with my legs bent, it would help if you could, if not, you can have you're feet hanging off the end, lots of Indians do this, or your legs in the air with your feet resting on the partition. (It’s painful when you wake up. ) The journey may be a bit harder for your wife, all the staring is probably hard to get used to, though try to remember that it isn't personal, just curiosity. Are your friends in Mumbai Indian? If so, ask them about the staring, also ask them about a stainless steel tiffin carrier, you should get one of these in Mumbai and fill it up with food for your journey. Stainless steel tiffin carrier. Once you depart Ernakulam, ask the train conductor if the train will stop at Varkala, it used to, I’ve been on trains that stop where their not supposed to, they just say "it's always stopped here", It is likely that a new train conductor will get on the train at Ernakulam. Also, on the second day on the train, try to find out how many people are going to Varkala, I remember reading a rule a while ago that said 'if 12 (I think it was 12) or more passengers want to get off at an unscheduled stop, the train has to stop at that station', I will check on this rule. On the second afternoon, when your beginning to get frustrated at the length of the journey, just remember that you could be in Brooklyn on your way to work on a Monday morning. ARR. - DEP. - STATION NAME ---------------------------------------- 00:00, 11:40, LOKMANYA TILAK 12:08, 12:10, THANE 12:50, 12:55, PANVEL 14:42, 14:45, ROHA 17:05, 17:15, CHIPLUN 18:45, 18:50, RATNAGIRI 20:36, 20:38, KUDAL 21:30, 21:32, THIVIM 21:46, 21:48, KARMALI 22:30, 22:40, MADGAON 23:08, 23:10, CANACONA 23:33, 23:35, KARWAR 00:13, 00:15, KUMTA 00:48, 00:50, MURDESHWAR 01:04, 01:06, BHATKAL 01:54, 01:56, KUNDAPURA 02:42, 02:46, UDIPI 03:30, 03:32, SURATHKAL 04:30, 04:40, KANKANADI 05:23, 05:25, KASARAGOD 05:48, 05:50, KANHANGAD 06:08, 06:10, CHARVATTUR 06:23, 06:25, PAYYANUR 06:43, 06:45, KANNAPURAM 07:18, 07:20, CANNANORE 07:38, 07:40, TELLICHERRY 08:08, 08:10, BADAGARA 09:10, 09:15, CALICUT 09:48, 09:50, PARPANANGADI 10:13, 10:15, TIRUR 10:33, 10:35, KUTTIPPURAM 12:05, 12:10, SHORANUR JN 12:35, 12:40, TRICHUR 13:33, 13:35, ALWAYE 14:20, 14:25, ERANAKULAM JN 14:58, 15:00, SHERTALAI 15:35, 15:40, ALLEPPEY 15:52, 15:54, AMBALA PUZHA 16:12, 16:14, HARIPAD 16:33, 16:35, KAYANKULAM 17:25, 17:30, QUILON JN 19:20, TRIVANDRUM CNTL __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information.

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Feb 8th, 2005, 11:59	#3
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,534	Have a great time! I'm 5ft 4in, and those side berths are not long enough for me! You will probably have a backache after 36 hours, but you'll find someone to massage you in Varkala, I'm sure! Don't take anything you can't afford to lose, and be sure your passport, tickets, money, ATM cards etc are in your under-the-clothes money belt, and you'll be fine. (I always lock my bag to the bottom of the berth, and have never had any problems -- and it's nylon and could be easily opened with a razor or knife.) Your wife will have a good time if she is modestly dressed and doesn't look for "instant friendship" with strange Indian men.

Feb 10th, 2005, 08:38	#4
homzakova Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 10	Thanks for all the help. We will leave Mumbai on the 4th. I chose a side berth because I'll have access to the window and I will be able to attempt to sleep whenever I want. I will wear a money belt with all my valuables but I will have some small electrical items- camera and pda, in my bag. I will lock the zippers and padlock it under my seat. I've rode the NYC subway for years and never had anything stolen. Ironically at this very moment there is probably somebody in India nervous about their upcoming first trip to the US.

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