Indian trains are renowned for overcrowding. This occurs for the unticketed seats. For the ticketed seats, there is a sophisticated buying system. Some seats have higher demand, like those with air-conditioning. For these, you generally have to buy an advanced ticket because they can sell out quickly. You have several options. If you try early … Continue reading / view photos Train to Thiruvananthapurum
Category: Travel
Jew Town
On my guided sightseeing trip with Jithu, he also took me to Jew Town in Kochi (aka Cochin). History Jewish settlers came to India as early as the 1st Century. Following floods and persecution by Portuguese colonists, Jews moved to Kochi in the 14th Century. They were welcomed by the Raja at the time. He gave … Continue reading / view photos Jew Town
Mattancherry Palace Museum
On my guided sightseeing trip with Jithu, he also took me to Mattancherry Palace Museum in Kochi (aka Cochin). The museum occupies a 16th-century Portuguese palace, known as the “Dutch Palace” after later renovations. Construction of the palace began around 1555. It was gifted to Vira Kerala Varma (the Raja/King of Kochi at the time) … Continue reading / view photos Mattancherry Palace Museum
Sightseeing with Jithu
Yesterday, a tuk tuk driver, Jithu, took me to the Love in Earth restaurant. Tuk tuk drivers are always trying to give you a cheap tour. They charge a low price because they take you to tourist shops. These shops sell you things like jewellery, perfume, spices, saris, scarves, and ornaments. The drivers get a … Continue reading / view photos Sightseeing with Jithu
Lulu Mall
On my second day, I returned to Lulu Mall, one of the biggest shopping malls in India. This young woman I was talking to said the Trivandrum one is bigger now. I was reminded that there’s one thing that makes or breaks you in India: a packed local bus journey. You’ll love it for being … Continue reading / view photos Lulu Mall
Return to Kochi
On my first and only trip to India in 2017/8, I travelled south to north on the western side. For my second trip, I’m planning to see more of the eastern side. I’ve started in a familiar place, Kochi. I was last here at the end of 2017. I reached Kochi from London via Abu … Continue reading / view photos Return to Kochi
Abu Dhabi Airport
When booking a flight, I think about when I’m leaving and arriving. I want to leave at a reasonable hour and arrive in the daytime, all things being equal. Arriving to an unfamiliar place in the dark can be quite daunting. In the daytime, you can use public transport, but a night-time arrival usually means … Continue reading / view photos Abu Dhabi Airport
Leaving Finland
On our last day in Finland, we had a little adventure. We had planned to catch an early morning train to the airport, so we arrived at Helsinki central station around 5am. However, to our surprise, the doors were closed when we tried to get in. Looking through the windows, we couldn’t spot any life … Continue reading / view photos Leaving Finland
Visiting EMMA
A pleasant Easter Sunday walk on a misty morning took us to the cosy Cafe Regatta in Toolo — a part of Helsinki we’d not been to. At the secluded waterside cafe, I had coffee and an indulgent cardamom bun. I also got my dose of dog therapy playing with three dogs sitting in the … Continue reading / view photos Visiting EMMA
Return to Helsinki
After a restful night’s sleep on the train, we awoke to find ourselves nearing Helsinki. Since we had time, we made our way to the train’s restaurant car and had a hearty, piping hot porridge. Our hotel was around the corner from central station. We chose it because of our upcoming early flight, which would … Continue reading / view photos Return to Helsinki