Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Planes, Trains, Automobiles . . . camels, elephants, horses and rickshaws!



During our journey through northern India, we utilized practically every form of transport know to man (except aquatic, thank heaven). Our adventures began by way of air from Bangalore to Delhi were we met up with my Dad, Diana and Ellen. Amazingly, all of us received our luggage without incident! On the 9th, we set off in a 10-seater van with minimal a/c capacity. We toured several interesting sites in Delhi including the Secretariat, India Gate and Jami Masjid (India's largest mosque). From Jami Masjid, we traveled a short distance through the bazaars of Old Delhi by way of bicycle rickshaw to the Red Fort. This mode of transport was a first for us all and allowed us to truly experience the environs of Old Delhi.

The next day we headed for Agra. Mark got sick while we were touring Agra and wasn't even able to walk up the steps at the Taj Mahal. However, he was able to muster a smile for the photos. Luckily, he was feeling better for our long drive to Jaipur. We were able to break up our drive with a ride on a camel cart (also a first for all of us) and auto rickshaw (a first for my Dad, Diana and Ellen). These diversions were not a result of the flat tire on our jalopy van! In Jaipur, we were able to ride elephants through part of the city.

The transportation highlight had to have been the overnight train we took from Delhi to Kalka. Our train was delayed for over an hour so we had plenty of time to spend at the Old Delhi rail station (quite an experience in itself!). In order to make up lost time, the conductor accelerated the pace of our train which made the journey very rocky and difficult to sleep. I would have taken some pictures of us on the train but I was feeling extremely ill. When we reached Kalka, we found out that there were no tickets available for the 5 a.m. "toy train" (Shivalik Queen) to Shimla. The next train was scheduled to leave at 8:30 a.m. We decided to forgo the Shivalik Queen (despite that fact that it is listed among the 1000 things you should do before you die). Instead, we took a taxi though the winding roads of the Himalayan foothills. While in Shimla, we rode horses in the mountains. The views were breathtaking and the fresh air was a pleasant relief from car exhaust.

After spending 2 days in Shimla, my Dad, Diana and Ellen flew back to the US. We spent another few days there while Tim attended a conference. We all were dreading the long trip back to Delhi. Our only viable options were train (which Thomas opposed) or auto (which Mark and Grace opposed). We ended up taking a tour bus which was arranged by Tim's conference. The bus had great a/c, but no suspension. Luckily, Thomas, Mark, Grace and I found seats at the front of the bus. Tim was stuck in the last row, but somehow survived. At times, he was bouncing so far off the seat that his head was almost hitting the ceiling. We had to stop the bus twice for people who were ill, fortunately we weren't among them.

Despite some of the crazy transport issues, we had a fun time visiting northern India. We enjoyed having my Dad, Diana and Ellen along and will look back with fond memories of our trip. We joked that we should write a movie script for another Family Vacation (if we can get Chevy Chase to agree to play the role of Tim).