Euro Train

Being great fan of Shahrukh Khan and DDLJ. I had only dreamt about the Euro train journey. I first traveled to Europe -Germany for Siemens assignment in month of April.
My work was based in small village Kamplint Fort, North West Germany. I was almost living dream where only Shahrukh Khan was missing.  Suddenly my sweet dream got over and I came to know about the long Easter weekend. It would have been nightmare if I would have stayed in that small village without anything or anyone around for Easter weekend. Most of my team members were located in Munich, Germany.
Somehow the introvert girl in me took decision and I decided to travel to Brussels on my own.
A colleague of mine was located in Brussels with reference of whom I got service apartment for 3 days.
After too much of thinking, calculations, analysis and not disclosing it to any one of my Siemens colleagues - I took bold decision of buying Euro train tickets for 89 Euros. It might sound small amount today. But when i broke this new to all my SISL friends - it was big deal.
After  wait of week the day came when i was to step in the Euro train - which had witnessed the King of romance SRK and Kajol in DDLJ movie. Bus from Kamplint fort to Moerse. Moerse to intermediate station by regional train. And then after wait for around 35 minutes the ICE train arrived. My heart was pounding as if SRK was sitting inside the train and as the door opens he will reach out his hand to me. Ultimately I got into the train and grabbed one seat. I was so much excited with the soft cushion chairs, wide windows, etc.  The train traveled through the scenic grasslands. Sun was about to set at the horizon and one could see hot air balloon floating in the sky. Yes i did forget to take pictures in this anxiety as i was living my dream.

There was no SRK nor villan but I had to get up from my dream. As i realized that its First class and I had bought tickets for second class. Suddenly I started sweating in AC train. The thought of getting caught by Ticket checker in the First class compartment of Euro train with second class tickets in my hand made me shivers in my spin.
As i was barely 23 years old. After 5 minutes, I took account of the situation. I slowly got up and confirmed with the person sitting next to me - if its first class. Later I took my bag with Traveller cheques and Passport and found out the second class compartment. It was already occupied. After some hunt - I found empty seat. Came back and collected my luggage from First class compartment. For a while, I was still scared that the TC will come and fine me for misunderstanding the difference between two grades of train compartments. Once I was comfortable - I again started enjoying the train journey.
Would recommend travelling my Europe by train if you want to enjoy the scenery at its best.

On the Way - 4

We boarded the train to Jaipur from Udaipur for our return journey. There were some Korean Tourist in our compartment travelling back to Jaipur. They entered the train and placed their luggage on their booked places. Within couple of minutes they took out cameras and started taking snaps in the Railway train compartment. It sounded funny to us, but i did remembered our visit to York, UK, where we had done something similar to this.

After a while, I also joined them in taking snaps of the Indian Rail compartment and enjoyed the whole experience of travelling in it after many years.

Grand Central Terminal, NY

The New York's Grand Central Station or Terminal is one of the must see tourist attractions of the New York City. The terminal was built hey days of the USAs long distance travel trains, when air travel was not so famous in USA. This station servers terminal for trains travelling to various counties in New York State.


For an American Tourist who cannot travel to Europe, this is one of grand Rail Terminals to watch out for. There are several display boards showing the schedule of various trains departing and arriving at the terminal. The station has two levels, the lower level has dining concourse with lots of fast food joints offering multi-cusine food. It was afternoon by the time we reached the Grand Central terminal and we had our lunch at one of the fast food joints table.

On the Way - 3

Any new visitor or tourist to Europe is facinated by the high speed train and luxurious interior the train has to offer them. I joined Axon, UK in Nov 2006 and started commuting on weekends, for while by EastMidlands train from Nottingham to London. Eventually the luxury became necessity and I lost charm for that high speed train travel.

When we entered the train from Nottingham to York both of us were all excited. We took some snaps in train comparment like various Indian Tourist do. That is quiet natural for someone to do. And had nice time viewing the country side from the train.

On the Way - 2

I had planned trip to Udaipur, Rajasthan with my parents during my visit to Jaipur for the second time.
We had booked nigth journey Railway tickets from Jaipur to Udaipur.
The train leaves Jaipur at around 10 o clk at night and reaches Udaipur early morning.
Due to unavailability of tracks and signal the train halted at a small village before reaching Udaipur.

This place is around 30 minutes distance from Udaipur Rail station. Being ily ritual, the regular travellers jumped out of the train on the rail tracks.



Although its not advisable, people in India try to folk around the rail tracks when such an event occurs.
I could take picture of early morning sunrising above distant mountain and Rails electric wires.


We could sight a brand new palatial hotel in front of our train boogie. The hotel's building was made of white marble and tried to immitate the old Rajasthani architecture.

London Waterloo

The London Waterloo Terminal is hub for all trains travelling towards South of UK. One can get arial view of the London Waterloo station from the London Eye Ride. Most of the SouthWest trains start and end their service at this terminal. It was also getway for the Euro Star train from UK to Main land Europe. However now the Euro Star services start and terminate from the London St Pancaras Station. There are few London Underground servies such as Waterloo City Line, Bakerloo and Northern Line etc connecting the Waterloo Station to other parts of central London.

Boarding Southwest Train At London Waterloo Station.

On the Way - 1

Our first visit to Pune via the new Mumbai - Pune Express High Way was an unique and exciting experince. Every year before my marriage, I used to visit our Homes Ganapati festival in Chinchawad, Pune with my family.
It used to be economic to travel by car when all four of us used to go to Pune from Mumbai.
When the Mumbai - Pune Express highway started all of us were geared up to visit Pune during Ganapati via the Highway.
Driving on the four laned express highway was a dream come true for my younger brother Manas. Even though halting is not allowed on the highway, we parked the car on road side and tried to take some pictures for few moments. The journey from Mumbai to Pune has truely become effortless and less time consuming due to this express way.

St Pancras

Everyone is proud of their baby and so am I. Well you got me wrong. Its St Pancras - London. Hmmm. I have seen the new St Pancras Station at London being built for almost every Monday morning at 7:30 am. I started commuting to London every Monday after I joined Xerox Project as Axon SAP CRM Consultant. I used to catch the 5:25 am train from Nottingham to London for almost eight months. When the opening of the London St Pancras came nearer, they had displayed a board. And I remembered counting the counter on that board which said '110 days to go'. In August 2007, I moved to new project of Birmingham City Council. Somewhere in my heart, I was feeling happy that I was going to be located near my home. But at the same time, I felt bad to know that I will not be able to see the grand opening of the St Pancras Station. Well, I wish, that I had not made this wish even in my wildest dreams. But it came true. I was assigned to Transport for London Project within months time and I was able to see the opening of the new St Pancras Station. :)

London Zone 1 Day card

All major attractions covered in London Sight seeing article lie in Zone 1. So if you travel to London Zone one by some long distance train in UK or Europe, then please buy Zone 1 day travel card. This will cover transportation by London Tube and local buses in London.
We bought the Travel card for Zone one at Kings Cross.
One needs to tap the oyster card or the Zone one ticket on the ticket machine at the entrance of each station or after entrying the London Underground Bus.
Note: Please don’t forget to collect London 2 for 1 pamphlet at the Tube Stations Ticket counter

Nottingham to London

I had booked train tickets quiet well in advance on East Midland Train site. If you book in advance then the train tickets are very cheap. The National Rails site provides you exhaustive list of train times. The Mega Trains site also provides you cheap train tickets on selected train journeys and is worth visiting. You might save almost 50 to 60 percent on the train journey fair if you plan the trip in advance.
We caught East Midlands train from Nottingham to London St Pancras International at 5:29 am. This train reaches St Pancras at 7:38 am. For those new to London, Kings Cross (Tube station and long distance train) and St Pancras International (Euro star and Midlands Station) are geographically located at same location.

Rome Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station or Florence SMN Station

Getting to Florence From Rome

We caught a 6:30 am Euro Star train from Rome termini to Milan. To reach Florence, the destination train station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station. There are many stations in Florence with similar name.

As the breakfast in hotel was served from 7 o clk in the morning, we decided to skip it. We had baught few croissants and nestle Choco milk from the Local super market located in the Rome termini. On our way to Florence we had breakfast in the train while enjoying the Tuscany country side.

The weather in early morning is very pleasant. Abhi doubted on our choice of our clothes and was keen to change to something warm. Unfortunately it didn’t last for long. It was soon bright and warm.

Hotel near Florence Station:

Its advisable to book hotel which is near to the station. We had booked an apartment with kitchen. We checked in the hotel and dumped our luggage. By then it was 8:30 am and we had to rush to Academia.

Getting to Rome Terminie from Ciampino Airport

Getting to Rome Terminie: We arrived in Rome in morning 10:30 at Ciampino airport. From the airport we had to take Cortal bus (1.2 Euro) which took us to Anangina Metro station. Then took metro A to Rome termini. There are other private bus operaters who quote themselves as 'Offical tour operaters' and have direct connection to Rome City. However they will charge you upto 15 Euros per trip. Also check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome_Ciampino_Airport

Drive through Country side

Our aim in this trip was to explore the England country side . While our way back to Deepdale farm, we decided to drive along the small country roads rather then taking quicker route using A149. We could sight many lush green farms, farmhouses, barns, wind mills.
There were some local pottery shops selling British hand made pottery and much more exciting things on our way back to Deepdale.

Last Minute Deal

To visit Norwich was a last minute deal. We booked last minute car rental deal with Hertz. It was difficult to find in Norwich Youth hostel or cheap Bed and Breakfast on Long weekend. After searching for some Bed and Breakfast site and Hostelworld, I came across farm near Deepdale.We had never been to Farm in UK and had contradictory views. Ultimately we made booking in the Burham Deepdale farm. It was cheap and staying on farm was first time experience for us.

Mount Rigi Scenic Train

Mount Rigi Scenic Train

There was train station ahead at station. We jumped in to the train as everyone did. The train took us to the top of mount Rigi. The rail tracks took several twist and turns around the snow covered mountain. We were trying to take glimpse of beauty around through every corner of the train. We could see few restaurants, hotels and homes on our way to the top of the mountain.
The train halted at the final destination and we hopped off. Being my first experience of the snow, I had almost gone crazy. We rolled in the snow and everything what ever was possible. We climbed observatory at top of the peak and took some pictures.

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Ropeway to Mount Rigi

Ropeway to Mount Rigi

The ropeway was huge one and accommodated 20 to 25 people for single trip. That was my first experience and we were wondering what we are ultimately going to experience in the foggy clouds. As we rose higher and higher above the clouds, the skies became clear and in front of us were mountain tips covered with snow. To our surprise we could see some snow scattered on the mountain cliffs next to the ropeway path. Hmm…the exciting journey had just started but suddenly the ropeway halted at its destination and everyone de-ported it.
Everyone was assuming that its top of Mount Rigi. We walked through the tunnel un-know of what’s going to come up ahead in our path. At the exit we could see snow shovelled off the path. I immediately jumped into one and took a snap. That was my first encounter with snow. Well it was not the last one.

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Cruising in Lake Luzern

Cruising in Lake Luzern

We reached the city centre and hopped in boat. The boat had several routes including 1 hour, 2 hour and four hours. Since we had to reach Interlaken in the evening, we opted for 1 hour cruise. Once the boat leaves the dock, one can see the Luzern city settled next to the lake bank. Many hotels and villas populate the lake side. The better the lake view, costlier is the hotel. On the other side you can see the Swiss Alps tips lost in the foggy clouds. The boat halted at the stop named Rigi and we decided to de-port .

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York Rail Museum

The York Rail Museum is the biggest Rail Museum in UK. Entry to the museum is free of charge. The museum has live size rail models from all over the world. From high speed train in Tokyo to old nineteen century rail wagon, it has all. Its worth visiting the York Rail Museum to see how the rail technology evolved over period of time. The visit would take around 2 to 3 hours of your time.

York Model Railway Museum

The York Mini Railway Museum possesses miniature models of the Railways. The entrance to museum is free for York Pass holders.

The museum lies next to the York Railway Station. The Museum has imitated Railway Stations, docks and yards of Railways from old and the latest technology.

Using buttons and pulleys, one can simulate the trains and see the live show. You also have liberty of changing tracks of the trains if there is another train coming on the same track.

Overall it was very good experience and I would recommend one to see it.

Zurich

We reached Zurich at 5:30 pm. As usual we had booked room in Youth Hostel.
At the station, we figured out the next day’s plan and time table for train to Zurich Airport.
Then we took tram and reached the Hostel.

Zurich Bag packer Hostel:

There was only one hostel located in City centre of Zurich so we decided to opt for that.

I would recommend not staying in any hostel in metropolitan city. It’s difficult to get cheap, clean and safe place in heart of metropolitan city. It’s worth spending some more money and staying in a good hotel in outskirts of the city.

Zurich sight seeing:

We walked along streets of Zurich. We visited a church, wall and strolled along banks of the river. There was river cruise available, but we did not opted for it as we already had enjoyed two long cruises in Luzern and Interlaken.

Shopping in Zurich:

We bought some wine chocolates from local super market COOP.
On the Kaufman Street, I bought two perfumes bottles.
Last but not the least, we did a lot of window shopping on the Kaufmans Street.

Train to Zurich Airport:

We took a train at evening at Zurich airport. The journey to airport is about 15 minutes to half an hour. After check in we relaxed at the airport and then ultimately caught flight to London Heathrow.
For those who have visited many European cities, I would recommend to skip Zurich and make a short and sweet trip.

Click here to go to Switzerland Main page