A journey in Rajdhani Express Train

Indian railways is a  part of India. Trains are the glory of India. It is one of the best ways to explore India. It is also cheap and best way to travel some where in India. In India trains run in all four directions. There are so many small and big Railway Stations in India. Trains play a big role in transportation also. A huge number of people travel here and there in India. For some people, it is a part of their life. Indian railways has a many class of travel that you can choose from, depending on your pocket. 1st AC, 2nd AC, 3rd AC, sleeper class, chair car are the different types of class. 1st AC is the most expensive bogey of the train while the 2nd and 3rd AC are more affordable. The fare of 1st AC may be equivalent to Air ticket depending on how much miles you are going to cover. The compartment of 2nd AC is more comfortable comparatively to 3rd AC.

Although I have been travel in trains many times in my life but it was my first experience to travel with Rajdhani Express. Rajdhani Express is the best train in India. It runs on long route. I reserved two tickets of 2nd AC class, one for me and one for my wife. Our numbers were in waiting list but I still had a month. I was sure that the tickets would be confirm by the time. Before three days of departure of the train, our tickets have been confirmed. I said my wife to pack the luggage. She felt very happy.

Now the day had come up. We packed our luggage and moved towards Nizzamudin Railway Station to start our souvenir journey. You will see some small tea stalls, book stalls, Children selling somethings, beggars, announcement about trains, and huge crowd at the station. Whenever you go through over crowded areas take care of pickpockets specially at railway stations and when you travel in buses. The train was ready at the platform before half an hour of departure. We entered in train and kept our luggage under our seats. The temperature was set to 23 degrees. The time was 11:00 AM when train left the station. Your all meals are including in your tickets when you travel by Rajdhani Express so don't buy any eatable things from the station.


Your journey becomes good when your fellow traveller is good. Our fellow traveller was a newly wedded couple who were going to Goa to celebrate their honeymoon. During journey we became friends for a short time. After 10 minutes waiter came with the bottles of mineral water in his bucket and gave two bottles to each passenger. There are two waiters in every compartment who serve for you and one police man who cares for you. It was just 45 minutes passed when waiter came with cold drinks and one small diary and a pen asked us, what we would like to have in lunch. I ordered for non-veg and my wife ordered for veg food. At 01:00 PM they started to serve food to the passengers. I opened my food there was chicken curry, lentil, rice, two chapatis, salads and dessert. I think this is enough meal for one person but don't ever think that they will refuse you to serve more. If you are still hungry ask to serve one more portion they will serve you with a smile. Food was great and hygienic. The difference in veg and non-veg food is only mixed veg instead of chicken curry.


After some time ticket checker came to us to check our ticket. I showed him he said "OK enjoy the journey". During checking I asked him, I want to see the first class cabin if possible. He was kind enough, he said "I will take you in first class cabin tomorrow at 10:00 AM" I thanked him. I asked his name he said "Ram Ji Lal". When it was around 05:00 PM waiters came with evening drinks not with the hard drinks that you people are thinking but with tea and coffee. Its your choice what you would like to drink, tea or coffee. Black tea and coffee were serve in kettle with separate sugar, milk and some biscuits. They were serving tea and coffee furthermore, they were taking orders for dinner also. Again we ordered the same. At 07:30 PM they served tomato soup before dinner with two bread sticks which were round in shape. I did not had the foggiest idea, they would serve soup also. After 20 minutes of soup they brought food. The train was in Gujarat state so their was a flavor of Gujarat in our food. After finishing food, we took a walk and went to sleep.


Next morning we woke up with the voice of waiters. They were saying its tea time. We woke up with rubbing our eyes. The time was 07:00 AM when I saw in my wrist watch. We brushed our teeth and drank our tea sipping noisily. The taste of morning tea in train was amazing. I drank two cups of tea. After half an hour waiters came to take orders for breakfast. You people must be thinking that in the morning they would serve vegetarian food but you are wrong. I again ordered for non-vegetarian food. My wife also ordered the same like me. The menu of non-veg breakfast was two breads, jam, butter and a omelet with tea and coffee. If you think its not enough, you can have more. We finished our breakfast. One thing you can not do on a plane or a luxury bus but can do in an Indian railways. Stand at the open door and enjoy the beautiful scenes and air but be careful. I stood up to the doors of train to view the scenes of outside. Our train was going through so many tunnels. But one tunnel came in our route, it was about 9 kilo meters long. One of the passengers told us, this is the longest tunnel in India on train track.


Now it was 10:00 AM. Ticket checker came in our compartment. I wished him good morning. He still remembered that yesterday I requested him to visit in first class cabin whereas I had forgotten about it. He took us with him to view first class cabin. First class couch was having 9 private compartments with two sleeping births, carpets on floor, wooden furnished, curtains, door and great sleeping accommodation. Mr. Ram Ji Lal said, "the service of 1st AC is much higher than the 2nd and 3rd AC". The menu is different. They would serve you like you are their Son in Law. Time was passing smoothly now it was lunch time. We finished our lunch. At 02:00 PM we packed our things because the train was arriving to our destination. I gave 200 rupees to the waiters as a tip. They served us very well. At 02:30 PM the train was on our  destination. We left the train with sweet memories. Wish you happy journey.

Things to remember
1. Reserve your ticket before one month of travelling.
2. For couples book tickets for 2nd class.
3. Don't carry bottles of whiskey in trains.
4. Reach 45 minutes before at the station from the departure time.
                  
                                

                  

Place for those people who are fancier of food - Barbeque Nation Chandigarh

Chandigarh is one of the most beautiful places in India. It is also known as Paris of India. It will be not wrong to call this place a city of fashion. People are very fashionable in Chandigarh either it is male or female, young or old. Sector-17 is famous place in Chandigarh for shopping. You can find outlets of every brand which are famous in the world. But one thing which separates this place i.e its food. There are so many famous restaurants in Chandigarh. But Barbeque Nation is on the top in my views.

First good thing about barbeque nation is its hospitality and second is gastronomy. Lunch and dinner starts with unlimited and scrumptious veg and non-veg barbeque starters. They are having two types of crockery. If you are vegetarian, they will serve you in green colour crockery and if you are non-vegetarian than in black colour crockery. Don't even worry about what the staff will think about your eating habits  They are busy with refilling your barbeque stand. They will serve the starters till you bend the flag on the table. When you bend this flag it means you have reached your limit for starter.

                                                                             

My first visit was with my friends and I was impressed with its live grill concept. I did not have the foggiest idea about this restaurant. I was half filled so I couldn't enjoy the food as I wanted. . The second visit was with my wife. After that I became a regular customer of barbeque nation. When I visit to Chandigarh, I never miss an opportunity to visit barbeque nation. For me Chandigarh trip is incomplete without visiting here at least once. I am sure when you visit once, its food will attract you again and again.

The name barbeque nation is perfectly
matches with its concept. You will get an idea by its name that there will be some grilled snacks. But the difference is only you have to grill these snacks by yourself. You can grill your choices of snacks. There are 5 veg and non-veg starters. Because I am non-vegetarian so I always concentrate on non-veg starters. you will have prawns, chicken tikka, fish tikka, mutton seekh kebab, Peshawar's chicken leg and sometimes crab or lobster as the day's special. Chef is always sweet enough to prepare an extra variety for you.


If you are visiting in lunch hours, you may get a free drink of cocktail or mocktail and some times one small bottle of beer in weekdays not in weekends. But if you are visiting during dinner hours, you will see live music and dance show by the staff. A man wearing black dress visits here and there with a trolley of Tequila shots. It is really fun to watch them performing for you with little choreography. If you are celebrating birthday of your friend or your family member, they will specially sing a short song for you on this occasion. You will hear the sound of whistles, claps and cheers. 

Time runs very fast here even you will not know, where two hours gone. Don't fill your stomach with starters only leave some space for hot soups and main course also. Main course is also excellent. You will have different types of salad, Chicken masala, Mutton rogan josh, Chicken biryani, Daal makhani, Mixed veg, Haka noodles, Manchurian with fried rice, plain rice with butter naan, plain naan and simple tandoori chapatis. 

As the river is incomplete without water, food is also incomplete without desserts. If there is still a little space left in your stomach, go for desserts. Desserts are delicious with good variety. Ice-cream, Gulabjamun, Brownie, Pastries, fruits and so on.

Some important things
1. Reserve a table in advance specially on weekends.
2. Don't leave tip for waiters
3. Timings are 12:00-16:00 for lunch and 19:00-23:00 for dinner
4. skip your previous meals before entering here.


                 

A Dangerous Rainy Day

Rain is very important in our life and it is the beautiful moment of nature.  Rainy season brings happiness in our life. We feel very good when we see clouds in the sky. In rainy season we love to eat different types of food. It feels very good when drops of rain fall on our face. The joy of long driving in rain is very good. But one day of rain was very bad for me.

It was morning of 13th June of 2013. I was getting ready to meet my relatives who are living in "Punjab". I sat my alarm at 4:30 AM. I woke up with the sound of alarm. I went outside to see the condition of weather. It was all clear. There was no symptoms of rain. I got ready at 5:30 AM. I had a cup of tea with some biscuits. I sat in my car and moved towards Punjab. I was alone so I had to drive car myself.

Nearly after one and half hour of drive, I covered 80 kilo meters of way. I saw some dense clouds which were coming from west side. After some time drizzling started. It was only 20 minutes passed when drizzling turned into heavy rain and morning turned into evening. I switched on my car's fog lights. It seemed to me that the rain of whole season would fall today. My car's wind shield wipers were working on highest speed. But still I was facing the problem to see the road. The visibility was not more than 100 meters. Some how I kept driving.

After 45 minutes I felt hungry. I parked my car at MC Donald's outlet. But I couldn't come out from my car because of heavy rain. I decided to have some eatables things from drive through point. Some how after one hour I reached to my destination city. The roads were filled with 2 feet of rainy water. I was afraid that water will enter in my car. But it didn't. The scene was like this.

 



In some pictures it looks like vhicles are running on water.

PARIS OF THE MIDDLE EAST, DUBAI

Dubai is a place which was dessert in its earlier time but now it has been turned into heaven for tourists. Paris of middle east, Dubai is one of the top tourist destination in the world. There are so many places to visit in Dubai, that you could have shortage of time.

Burj Khalifa:  

Known by the name of wonders of the world, Burj Khalifa is the highest building in the world. This building is very beautiful from outside but more beautiful from inside. There is everything of voluptuousness present in this 828 meters tall and having 160 floors in this building. Saying about this building that you can see sunset twice from this building. The difference of temperature from ground floor to top floor is 20 degree celsius.

Burj Al Arab:

Burj Al hotel is only one 7 star hotel in the world. This is the 4th biggest hotel in the world. Your Dubai trip is incomplete without watching this hotel. It is located on 280 meters artificial island from Jumeirah seaside. The more imperial is view of this hotel the more imperial is its manner to welcome the guests. You will be picked up from Airport, by hotel helicopter or by luxury Rolls Royce. After entering in the hotel you will feel like King or Queen.

Dubai Marina:

Dubai Marina is an artificial canal, which is inhabited in the heart of Dubai. Dubai Marina yacht club and Dubai Marina mall is a dignity of this Canal city. You can not describe its beauty of morning and evening in your words.

Global Village:


Global Village is an Entertainment, shopping, cultural and family destination, where 39 pavilions represents the culture of different countries. You can also see 12 wax mannequins of world's famous persons. Wax mannequins of Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Amitabh Bachhan, Shahrukh Khan and Jackie Chan are prominent among them. 

Gold Soak:

Gold Soak is famous place in the world with the name Gold market, is also known as Golden land. Here you can buy beautiful designs of jewellery. Prices of gold in Dubai is low and if you love golden jewellery then it will be icing on the cake for you.      

        

FULL OF NATURAL BEAUTY, A ROAD TRIP TO LEH LADAKH VIA ROHTANG PASS, INDIA

Leh-Ladakh

Some mysteries of nature are very close to us. Beauty of nature can not be described in words. Suchlike beauty of nature you can see on the way of Leh-Ladakh. It seems that God came on earth and created these scenes by his own hands. It seems that this place is not a part of earth. If there is place like heaven then it must be this. You can see confluence of snow covered mountains and sky. It is a cold desert. Its not an easy job to go there by road. On the way of Leh-Ladakh there are 5 passes which are Rohtang Pass, Baralach La Pass, Nakila Pass, Lachulung La Pass and Taglung La Pass which are located on very high altitude. Rohtang pass is lowest and Taglung La Pass is highest among them. Best time to visit Leh-Ladakh is June-October. So let us start the journey.

Till now my last destination was only Rohtang pass. I always thought that what will be there beyond this point. So it was an opportunity for me to fulfill my dreams and to visit Leh-Ladakh. I think every people who is living in North India must want to visit Leh-Ladakh once in a life. I am also one of them. You need minimum 7 free days to complete this trip. You must have a SUV to go to Leh-Ladakh. We were four people who planned a trip to Leh-Ladakh. It was morning of 15th June. At 2:00 AM we left our city Jagadhri. Our first destination was Jispa which is approximately 135 kilometers from Manali. It takes about 6-7 hours drive from Manali to Jispa depending on stoppages and traffic at Rohtang. 





It was about 7:00 PM of 16th June when we reached at Jispa. Sprinkle of rain welcomed us. After reaching Jispa we checked into the hotel Ibex. We were very tired because we covered long distance. We finished our dinner and went to sleep. Have a look at the picture of hotel.

Next morning after finishing our breakfast we moved to our next destination Leh-Ladakh. On the way we clicked some beautiful pictures of nature. Have a look.

Our SUV 

Baralachla Pass

 

Touch of Great Canyon 

After crossing two passes we reached at Taglang La Pass which is located at the 17582 feet above from sea level. We had a headache at this point because of low Oxygen. It was so chill here. We had never felt so much cool like this before in our life. 

Taglang La Pass

After a long drive we reached to Leh-Ladakh. We checked into the hotel Khangri. Next morning When we woke up it was beautiful morning. We visited to Lord Buddha Monastery. It was very big. An effigy of Lord Buddha was very big. Monasteries in Leh-Ladakh Plays a major role in Leh-Ladakh tourism. No trip is complete without a visit at least one monastery. 

An Effigy of Lord Buddhah

Now it was evening and it was full moon night. Manager of the hotel told us that we should go for full moon party. We asked him what is this party. He told, the party which is organised by some localized and foreigners. It was our luck that we reached on the night of full moon. It happens every month of full moon night. The party started at 10:00 PM. What a party that was. DJ and drinks in the interiors with foreigners. Full of entertainment and enjoy. 

Pictures of Full Moon Party

We could't understand, when night turned into day. Now it was morning but we were still enjoying the party. We were nodding in the party. Really this type of party we were enjoying first time in our life. If you are planning a trip to Leh-Ladakh, make sure your trip cover full moon night. We came back around 6:30 AM. But the party was still on. 

After taking some rest we left our hotel and moved ahead towards Srinagar. Way of Srinagar from Leh-Ladakh is also very beautiful. On the way  you will reach to a place where you will see a magnetic hill. Stop your car in the box marked with white paint on road in neutral and see what happens. It will move magically to upwards direction. You will not believe on your eyes. 

Magnetic hill

When we reached to Srinagar weather was slightly hot than Leh-Ladakh. May be it is because of noon. But at night it was very cold. Famous thing about Srinagar is Dull Lake and Sikaras which are pride and joy of this lake. Food of Srinagar is having a touch of Arabian taste and Arabian food is famous in world. We spent two nights in Srinagar one in Sikara and other in hotel.

Now it was time to leave Srinagar and return to home. We left Srinagar with some sweet memories.

Bye Bye Leh-Ladakh

  

  

                      

House of Greenery, Kerala, India

God's Own Country, Kerala

Kerala is unique melange of  warm seaside and cool mountains,
which will make your holidays souvenir. Peace and interesting 
sea sides, rivers, coconut trees, mountains covered with fog,
green tropic forests, water falls, distinguished animals and
monument sites present a unique tinge to Kerala.

Kovalam

There are three half moon shape coasts in Kovalam. Shore
Light House is the famous coast among these three. It is
very easy to reach there because it is only 16 kilo meters
away from the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram.

Vaarkala

Pappansum coast in Vaarkala is famous for its peace,

clean water falls and rock mountains. 2000 years old

Shri Janaardana temple is also centre of attraction.

It is located 40 kilo meters away from Thiruvananthapuram.

Bekal

The fort of Bekal is situated in between two islands

which are covered with tall coconut trees. This is the

biggest and protected fort in Kerala. Sultaan Tipu,

Vijayanagar Empire and Kingdom of British have

been took-over this fort.

Munnar

Munnar is centre of attraction for nature lover people.

Scene of tea plantations is very beautiful situated in

Munnar. A flower by the name of Neelkuranji  can

be find here. This flower, make whole mountain in

Blue colour only once in a year. You will see beautiful

waterfalls here. Highest pinnacle of South India

Anaaimudi  is here. It is a different kind of enjoyment

of trekking to reach there. On the way of trekking

there is a Irravikulam National Park. Meupatti Dam

is four sided covered with beautiful mountains. Munnar

is 130 kilo meters away from Kochi.

Peermade

Peermade is on the way of Periyar wildlife sanctuary.

There are beautiful plantations on road side which

make your journey a souvenir. The landscape of

Peermade includes spectacular waterfalls, open

grass lands and pine forests. It is situated only 75

kilometers of distance from Kotayam.

Vythiri

100 kilo meters away from Kozhikode this hill station

is located at the 1300 meters high from sea level.

Fog covered mountains and amazing scenes attracts

many tourists.

Ponmudi

Ponmudi is full covered with greenery. This place is

famous for Beautiful mountain of flowers, distinguished

butterflies, Small rivers and waterfalls and also known

as trekking. This is only 61 kilo meters away from

Thiruvananthapuram.