One can only imagine what time the Wake Up call was to catch the 07.05 Shatabadi Express (I kid you not) to Bharatpur. We were too early for Breakfast and so were issued the Classic Indian Hotel – Breakfast Box. One supposes the hotel had to provide this since we were B&B. Rosemary, our UK Guide, had let slip that we we would be having Breakfast on The Train too – Yay! At Bharatpur our Coach would be waiting to transport us to the Laxmi Vilas Palace, for Breakfast-Heute #3!
Bus, Jeep, Camel-cart, Rickshaw, Tuk-Tuk, the Tour Company are making sure we experience all forms of travel in India, no Boats, again – Yay!
Hector is not a Trainspotter, however, I had to take a photo of my first ever Indian ALCO, I know about these things. Our Loco was also Diesel, and emitted heavenly clouds of muck every time we took off. The labeling on the ancillary coaches caused amusement. Do the Indians know something we don’t?
My allocated seat on the train was beside Simon from Leeds–Bradford. The Trusty Panasonic still had photos of my recent Trip to that part of Yorkshire. I had all the proof that I knew the Best of Leeds and Bradford Pubs. We’ll meet again….
The Indian State Railways Breakfast has to be described in the sister Website as it is Indian Food.
Each Carriage has its own Attendants, Bottled Water was issued early on, then Hot Water and a tea bag, Hector wished coffee…. Hector does not drink Tea outside of Scotland.
In a former life I would have been taking loadsa’ photos from the train. By Coach, one travels along Roads and Highways, Ribbon Development follows, finally, to see the Countryside proper: The Hamlet, The Indian Village. Today we saw Indian Agriculture, the small fields separated by Bunds, the Brickworks, the associated Chimneys, Dung Patties stacked for fuel. Poverty? The two intermediate stops felt like being at that Geographical nonsensity, – The Middle of Nowhere. The Replacement Samsung showed me exactly where I was, India.
Jaipur to Bharatpur was a bit over two hours. Simon and Hector chatted. Our Guides were keen to have us waiting to alight minutes before we reached the station, the train will stop for only two minutes. Where are we, Japan?
Navendra and Raj had welcoming smiles, our luggage was aboard already. This is how to travel.
Bhupi, our Guide, is in the midst of opening a Luxury Hotel. We have got wind of the fact that he does four Tours a year, for reasons yet to be established. Hector Holmes will get to the bottom of this. Anyway, the Laxmi Vilas Palace was verging on The Ridiculous. Even the humblest of establishments call themselves – Palace, this was. Where were the Guests?
A large table was set for The Group, Breakfast-Heute #3.
Everyone back on the bus!
From Bharatpur to Agra was, in theory, less than a couple of hours, freedom? Apparently we were not due to check-in at the Gateway Hotel until 16.00, I overheard Sikandra, on the outskirts of Agra, a change in T’intinerary (sic). Fatehpur Sikri was the next scheduled stop.
India Trip 2016 – Day 6 – Agra, Uttar Pradesh – via Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra
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