19.2.26

Liz and I are off to Mumbai! A 7am taxi to Margao train station. We had problems booking a train, thank you Mick & Ann for their help, their chef sorted it.

We wwe’re very early for our 8.50 am train, so went into a nearby cafe for a quick breakfast.

We chose two toast with jam, a tea and a coffee. Liz took a sip of her cinnamon flavoured water, it was vile. I skipped coffee as it’s so hit and miss unless there’s a ground coffee machine. We waited ages for the toast. We were just about to leave when it turned up, pre jammed, Liz didn’t want it, so we dashed off to the station whilst I stuffed 2 lots of jammy toast in my mouth and juggling my case with the other hand.

The ttrain was delayed 20 minutes. Then another 20. We decided to splurge and spend 80p to get a seat in the executive lounge. A good choice, decent machine mocha, comfy chairs and a lovely young Indian lady to chat to.

The train was 2 hours late, we should have arrived at 7pm, so now it’ll be 9pm.

Almost immediately we were brought breakfast. Cold and spicy, but it was the thought that counted. A morning newspaper too.

We booked 2nd class air conditioned. A good choice, a lower bunk each by the window.

Up the top was a yoga teacher (we’d guessed Maths or Geography) from Canada and an Indian guy who’s father has a yoga business.

There was so much wide open space on the journey and a few small villages along the way.

We had lunch. Another selection of cold goodies and later an assortment of snacks.

Hope it was nothing personal.

For tthe last half hour or so I chatted with the Indian guy. Really interesting, he knew all about UK issues, World Economic Forum and the Turkish economy. He explained a lot of Indian history and politics.

On aarrival in Mumbai a small man in an orange shirt made a beeline for us, promising a taxi for 850 rupees. I’d already checked what it should cost, so suggested 450, ok ok, come. On arrival at the taxi the driver said 800.

We refused, we were mobbed by taxi offers and orange shirt guy was still hovering incessantly . In the end I told him to go away. A nice man said 450 and off we went, to his tuk tuk.

It was certainly an adrenaline seekers dream. We loved it, he knew that vehicle down to the last mm. 45 minutes later we arrived at T24 Retro Hotel.

Love at first sight, 1930s retro, İ was in my element.

It was 11pm by this time. It’s exhausting lounging on a train or day, time to sleep.