I had to catch a flight at 6:30 morning that too from BIAL (Bangalore International Airport, thanks to Indigo!! Cheap tickets) and it was 12 midnight by the time I completed packing. Go up at 3.30 am lazy but excited coz I was going home. By 4 I was ready, asked my cousin to drop me to padmanabhnagar bus stop to catch the bus to BIAL. Reached the stop by 4.20 AM ;) and was waiting for the bus. The bus was spot on, 4.30 am. Board the bus I was the only one till I reached BHEL were I was joined with few more travelers. Although the traffic was very less, I reached airport by 5.50 am.
Had a look at the new airport building and entered the building. Was in the queue to collect the boarding pass, I see a familiar face, its one of my hostel mate when I was at school in Noida. He was travelling on the same flight and obviously to the same destination, Kolkata. Then me all alone to a small town Giridih Jharkhand. No time to chit chat, hurried to the security check, was a long queue but was moving fast. In a flash boarded the flight. Flight started moving and my excitement was getting to the peak, I was giving a surprise visit at home. Didn’t have to worry about the travel time of 2.20 hours in flight as I had a window seat and it was a day journey. Take off was as usual nothing great about it.
Started enjoying the outstanding view of rural Bangalore and in minutes we were above cloud. Took some snaps.
Got this view of a dam, don’t know where I was but it looked like a big one. Rest was as usual and was in Kolkata by 9.30 am.
I had to catch train at 1 from Howrah to Dhanbad, so I had lot of leisure time. Spent some time at the airport observing people, what they were doing. It was 11 and I thought it was time to leave for the railway station. Took a pre-paid taxi to railway station for Rs. 230 and got out of the airport. What do I see.. its raining and raining like hell. I don’t see my taxi, and there was no one to assist. Asked a few people they guided me to the taxi stand. Was a bit worried as I was carrying laptop and it would get wet. Got my taxi. Gave the pre paid slip stating I had to go to Howrah Railway Station. Already few minutes into the journey taxi driver askes “ what time is the train ? “ I said its at 1. He said you will not be able to make it as its raining heavily. Damn worried I asked “ what is the alternate? “ he told will go through the new bridge but that will cost 100 rs. Extra. I got irritated and left everything on fate thinking he was trying to fool as if I am a first time traveler to this place.
By the time I reached the baara bazaar area it was 11.50 am, that alarmed me looking at the jam “Am I going to miss my train” checked with the driver what can be done (as it was raining and the place is almost like a fish market). He just said wait. He took few twists and turn and all of a sudden I was in front of a railway crossing which I never came across before when I had travelled to the railway station. The gate was closed and I was getting late. The driver asked me to get down with my luggage. WT !! he took one of my luggage and crossed the gate with the train approaching, I took the risk and crossed it too. I asked the driver what he is up to. I realize I was on the shore of holy river Ganga. I kinda got a hint what he was about to tell. He pointed me towards the ferry stand, and said from here you will get a ferry directly to the Railway station (the rearliest way to reach). Still confused, driver says “I have done so much for you, give me something” gave him 30 bugs without thinking anything, which he accepted happily. Exchanged thanks and I rushed to the stand.
Took a ticket of just 4 rs.(hell cheap) and went on towards the dock waiting for the ferry to arrive. Ferry arrived in 5 mins. Luckily. Boarded the ferry and everyone was staring at me (may be because I was carrying the laptop bag, which is a big thing in that part of India)Crossed the burning (shamsan) ghat, looking at which my mood turned sad. All of a sudden I see the ferry approaching The Howrah Bridge. Never thought I would experience this. Took out my mobile to take some snaps without thing of the people staring at me. Took some snap, the view was amazing.
Had a look at the new airport building and entered the building. Was in the queue to collect the boarding pass, I see a familiar face, its one of my hostel mate when I was at school in Noida. He was travelling on the same flight and obviously to the same destination, Kolkata. Then me all alone to a small town Giridih Jharkhand. No time to chit chat, hurried to the security check, was a long queue but was moving fast. In a flash boarded the flight. Flight started moving and my excitement was getting to the peak, I was giving a surprise visit at home. Didn’t have to worry about the travel time of 2.20 hours in flight as I had a window seat and it was a day journey. Take off was as usual nothing great about it.
Started enjoying the outstanding view of rural Bangalore and in minutes we were above cloud. Took some snaps.
Got this view of a dam, don’t know where I was but it looked like a big one. Rest was as usual and was in Kolkata by 9.30 am.
I had to catch train at 1 from Howrah to Dhanbad, so I had lot of leisure time. Spent some time at the airport observing people, what they were doing. It was 11 and I thought it was time to leave for the railway station. Took a pre-paid taxi to railway station for Rs. 230 and got out of the airport. What do I see.. its raining and raining like hell. I don’t see my taxi, and there was no one to assist. Asked a few people they guided me to the taxi stand. Was a bit worried as I was carrying laptop and it would get wet. Got my taxi. Gave the pre paid slip stating I had to go to Howrah Railway Station. Already few minutes into the journey taxi driver askes “ what time is the train ? “ I said its at 1. He said you will not be able to make it as its raining heavily. Damn worried I asked “ what is the alternate? “ he told will go through the new bridge but that will cost 100 rs. Extra. I got irritated and left everything on fate thinking he was trying to fool as if I am a first time traveler to this place.
By the time I reached the baara bazaar area it was 11.50 am, that alarmed me looking at the jam “Am I going to miss my train” checked with the driver what can be done (as it was raining and the place is almost like a fish market). He just said wait. He took few twists and turn and all of a sudden I was in front of a railway crossing which I never came across before when I had travelled to the railway station. The gate was closed and I was getting late. The driver asked me to get down with my luggage. WT !! he took one of my luggage and crossed the gate with the train approaching, I took the risk and crossed it too. I asked the driver what he is up to. I realize I was on the shore of holy river Ganga. I kinda got a hint what he was about to tell. He pointed me towards the ferry stand, and said from here you will get a ferry directly to the Railway station (the rearliest way to reach). Still confused, driver says “I have done so much for you, give me something” gave him 30 bugs without thinking anything, which he accepted happily. Exchanged thanks and I rushed to the stand.
Took a ticket of just 4 rs.(hell cheap) and went on towards the dock waiting for the ferry to arrive. Ferry arrived in 5 mins. Luckily. Boarded the ferry and everyone was staring at me (may be because I was carrying the laptop bag, which is a big thing in that part of India)Crossed the burning (shamsan) ghat, looking at which my mood turned sad. All of a sudden I see the ferry approaching The Howrah Bridge. Never thought I would experience this. Took out my mobile to take some snaps without thing of the people staring at me. Took some snap, the view was amazing.
Waiting for the ferry...
Howrah Bridge..
Howrah Bridge Again..
Reached railway station dock by 12.20 pm. “The dock takes you directly to the station”. Entered the station, saw the status of my train and it was already waiting for me on platform # 10. Rushed to the railway canteen to get some food packed was very hungry, had not taken anything since morning. Got biryani packed and went forward to board Bhopal Express (3025) . Boarded the train Thanking driver !! gosh was spot on time. Kept my luggage and in few minutes the train started.
The train trip was going to be a short journey of 259 kms to dhanbad. Train turned out to be a good one, with just 2 stops Durgapur and Asansol. Exchanged some words with a lady who was also travelling to dhanbad. Had some conversation on recession (everyone is talking about it and I am bored of the topic). Train trip was smooth, kept staring through the window and see the places pass by. Lot of things going on in my mind, visualizing the reaction of parents when I would reach home and kept laughing at myself. ;) Train reached dhanbad before time at 4.15 pm instead of 4.40 pm (unusual as per Indian railway standards). Assisted the lady getting her luggage down (I don’t understand why they carry the whole world in the suitcase).
At Durgapur Railway Station ..
Went outside the station looking for my cousin, who would have come to pick me. Waited for him to arrive as he didn’t reach, as the train was before time. Called up, he said he will be there in another 5-10 mins. He arrived. Hold on … the journey is not over yet. There is still some travelling left.
My cousin arrived, hurrah!!! Got into the car and we exchanged some words wrt to the journey and stuff. Completed the work which my cousin had to do at Dhanbad and we started another journey towards Giridih which was 60 kms from dhanbad .
Was kind of worried as it was dusk (5.30 pm) and the area which we were going to travel is inhabited by naxalites. Keeping the worries aside (as I was too excited to reach home), we went on with the journey enjoying the road and the sceneries.
Finally, reached home at 7 pm without any naxalites attaching at us.. hehe. And the journey ending with a happy note.
“Literally” ran to my house to see my parents, they were there doing their daily work and they were kind of aww… (speechless, no word can describe that).
Did you notice something? I don’t think so…
Why did I write all this ?
It’s today that I did realize that I travelled through:
1. BIAL bus – Land
2. Bangalore -> Kolkata – Air
3. Some whre in kolkata -> Howrah Railway Station - Water
4. Howrah -> Dhanbad – Train – Land
5. Dhanbad -> Giridih - Land
So I travelled through Land, Air and water in a span of say close 12 hours or so.
Happy Journey !!
