The Sun was shining, my first allowance is credited in my account and it is a Saturday too! What a way to begin a weekend!
There is a day-tripper ticket, similar to weekend pass in London, which allows you to travel in train, bus or ferry through out the city, except for the private services. This costs some AU$15 whereas London weekend pass costs 8 pounds. But the latter is valid for two days! I would have to say transport here is costlier than London!!!
I checked the ferry schedule and we decided to leave by the one at 12. It is just 10min walk to the Ferry from home. We reached the ferry in time; it was big enough to accommodate 100+ people. The water was stinking, but the landscape looked beautiful!
And we started by 12. It was quite sunny. We both chose to stand in the deck with many other people, enjoying the winter Sun. Imagine a single ferry takes you from a canal in English country side (with those small stone bridge, with pavements and meadows on the banks), then in to wet lands like in Pichavaram (any wetlands will do ;) ), and slowly enter the canals of Venice !!! Now you see houses with entrance to the water, and shed for the boat (like a car shed) ! Slowly the scenario changes as you pass through some vacant land - a factory, lots of ship carriage boxes near it- nearing more urban areas. A huge bridge with road and rail, and then you enter water more of a part of sea than a river. Still, the water is narrow; the hilly roads on the banks are so steep that the parked cars seem like waiting for their turns to jump in to the water!
The water starts getting widened; some schooners standing in the middle! It resembles some pictures of Norway, Greece sort of. Then the real Sydney, incomparable, when the ferry taking a left turn and you suddenly see the harbour bridge and all this skyscrapers behind it, the busy port, the Opera house….You can see a lot of big ferries crossing the water , the waves they send out hits your ferry and it sways. And slowly you cross the harbour bridge, and take a right turn, just before the Opera house on your left, the trip comes to an end at Jetty 4 in Circular Quay.
I think I am exhausted with my words now. But just will be able to say this much that it was a memorable trip for us, and the explanation I gave is not even one tenth of what it really is! But for now, let me continue.
We walked to spot the ‘India Quay’ restaurant, which we had planned for our lunch, thanks to Binish Gopal( with his reference in ‘Sydney Badaees’ I could get its map and menu too, on net). The same was spotted easily, we had just planned for a walk around and come back for lunch. But our fate had other plans ! We were just passing a small bus stop and we saw a bus to the Bondi beach ! We had never travelled in a bus in Australia till now, and this beach was on top in our list for places to visit.
We checked with the driver and boarded the bus, to start another new experience. Through the one way steep roads of downtown, and on our both sides, a lot of old Victorian style buildings, and new concrete skyscrapers, a good mix of them! It slowly became a bit less messy, and purely residential, suburb areas. In some 10-15 minutes, we could see the beach in between the gaps of houses and bushes, down the hill!
Got down at the beach – a beautiful one with white soft sand, waves not very strong, but enough to hit and splash at the cliffs on our both sides. We both forgot the lunch and started walking through the beach - watching the surfers, taking some snaps, and continued the walk climbing the cliff which was projected to the sea, and through a path for pedestrians cut through the middle of the cliff. There were some portions of rocks in front of us, which looked like they were under water for a long time. I think this walk went on for an hour or two. Krithi was excited with the sea and I used it well for this long walk J. By the time she felt that we had getting tired, we had come far away from the beach J ! The main road was somewhere behind the hill, we climbed the steps to the nearest road, it was around 3:30 !
We ended up in a residential area, which was almost empty except some cars passing by. Spotted the nearest bus stop, and checked with the bus timings. But we had no clue where this buses goes to is in the same direction. I appreciate the London bus stops, which use to have a map of the routes which ach buses from that stop goes.
I was right in my worry, the first bus turned up in a few minutes and the driver showed me the bus stop for bus in the opposite direction. Another wait for the correct bus, which dropped us in Bondi Junction rail station.
Again, we were ‘fortunate’ in finding that the station is closed for maintenance and replacement buses are running till ‘Edgecliff’. Took a train from Edgecliff to get down at Town Hall, another train to Circular Quay, it was 4:30 by the time we reached ‘India quay’ for lunch! The fortune was again with us, ‘India quay’ was closed! Biniiiiissshhh….
We had no choice other than stupid Mc Donalds ! Krithi was giving me a look, it was her first birthday after marriage ! I was planning a memorable Indian lunch after the romantic ferry and beach, and see where ‘India Quay’ left me !
Took another ferry to Darling harbour, it would have been another good experience with the sky getting dark, Opera house and the bridge getting lighted – but there was this winter breeze which forced us to get in to the ferry and see all through window glass. I still managed to take some snaps, but without my tripod I doubt whether it will come without a shake !
I went too long ? I doubt yes. Anyway, the best part is over. We waited in the harbour for the fireworks, till 7:30. The mercury was dropping, and with the freezy breeze it was impossible to keep on waiting with no idea of when it will happen. A crowd had gathered and some were saying it 8 and some saying 8:30 ! Some rock music was going on and we had no interest in it anyway. Took a ferry back to the Quay and had a good dinner in ‘India Quay’. The last ferry to Parramatta had gone at 7 itself, so only train was an option.
Tail piece:- “ Australia is the land of Kangaroo. When Captain Cook saw the strange animal for the first time he had no one but the natives to ask what they call it. Unable to understand his question, they replied "Kan Ga Roo" meaning "I don't Know"! Tree Kangaroos of Taronga Zoo, Sydney.” Taken from http://sureshgo.tripod.com/, site of my supersenior who was in REC few years ago and in Sydney as well sometime back. He got nostalgic and wrote back when I wrote about St.Leonards, as he was working there.
Information :- The plug points are different from that in UK and India, I think they insisted to keep a different configuration ! It looks like ‘ / \ ‘ compared to UK ‘ ‘ and Indian, ‘o o’. The earth pin is ‘ ‘ same as UK :D. I am not sure whether the whole Europe follows UK’s method, and whole Asian pins looks like that in India.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Friday, August 05, 2005
AUSSIE WEEKENDER 4
I will have to finish this searching a house episode, it is going too long ! So, at last I got an apartment near to office, and a brand new one. I am going to be the first person to live there.
Signed a 6 month lease and walked in to the apartment complex. First, I had a tough time to find my flat, as the numbering was random, given a floor. The Lift has level, 2, 5 and 7 only. Level 5 can contain anything from 301 to 699 ! Level 2 will contain all 101 to 399 ! and so on.
That was just a tip of the iceberg. The A/c was not working( remember it is winter here), kitchen sink is stuck with the water not going out smoothly, our apartment is not connected to the intercom at the entrance( that means we will never know if someone comes to see us), and some small things like no keys to open the door to balcony !
I had not even in the wildest dream thought that I will get these issues along with a new apartment, that too in Syndey ! I am sure I am paying one of the highest rents for a single Bed room house in this part of Sydney.
Anyway, the slow people took down our complaints again and again, whenever we go there to follow up ! After one or two days of sleep in the cold, we found a reset switch after opening the A/c and it solved one of the major problem partially, even though under no control, it works ! At last they found that the remote given to us was a wrong one and replaced it!
Now to add to this, the setting up of a home also needs to be done. After some research, we found a new dining table been on Sale at 20$, and chairs for 10$ each. Along the groceries, bought this dining table! Now came the problem, we have to bring it to our place some 1-1.5 kms away !
It was around 9:30 at night (Thursdays all shops will be open till at least 9, and this one was open till 10), we tried one or two taxis but no use. Just managed to place the table on the shopping trolley, and walked back home with it ! I was amazed with Krithi, who joined me to pull a cart on this freezing night with out any protest ! Really an experience of a lifetime J ! The nearest I previously had was the great move of my fridge to and from Krishnakumar’s(97MCA) place, we both had actually loaded and transported the fridge in a Maruthi Omni call taxi J !
In the normal case, TCS people do wait for some 3-4 people to join who need the same things, visit some shops will sell used furniture, buy them and ask for a delivery. Then, it will be reasonable to pay some 40-100$ per person when 4 people combines, for delivery. But this one was ok to be carried alone, and the shopping trolley was anyway there with no restrictions. The chair business was quick, next day just carried some 3 steel chairs with cushions from the same shop.
So, all is set, rented the other appliances like fridge, washing machine, TV and microwave to avoid all these trouble. They will just install it for you after delivery and pick it back once we are done with it.
As the house problems also get fixed over two week’s time, just waiting for my allowance to come (all money is finished) for starting my travel. This magic castle got a lot of fun now. Our apartment number is 412. It is not in the 4th floor. As I told you, I have to go to Level 5 and then climb one level down. Level 4, if you can call it, has only 2-3 apartments. All other 4xx are in level 5 ! The electricity provider recognises our meter as the meter of 12th Apartment, 4th floor! To give us a ring from the entrance so that we can see you and open the gate for you, you need to dial 50, which is ALWAYS the apartment number! Again, he has given some key words. No need to dial or check. If you know it, you can get in to the apartment and till any apartment door steps!
As I have already mentioned, one of my intentions is to make sure that I am giving a clear picture of what I, as a new comer, am experiencing. That is why I am just walking you through everything, so that this gives you as much information as, you were here and experienced them all. I believe our life is very short to learn all from our own experience!
Give me a shout if I sound boring. I will just keep these write ups for my personal diary.
Tailpiece :- There are many things I am skipping for now. One of the them is the story of a chinese driver who dropped us from St.Leonards to Parramatta. Just will try to write it down sometime later. That will give a glimpse of a driver’s life in Australia.
Signed a 6 month lease and walked in to the apartment complex. First, I had a tough time to find my flat, as the numbering was random, given a floor. The Lift has level, 2, 5 and 7 only. Level 5 can contain anything from 301 to 699 ! Level 2 will contain all 101 to 399 ! and so on.
That was just a tip of the iceberg. The A/c was not working( remember it is winter here), kitchen sink is stuck with the water not going out smoothly, our apartment is not connected to the intercom at the entrance( that means we will never know if someone comes to see us), and some small things like no keys to open the door to balcony !
I had not even in the wildest dream thought that I will get these issues along with a new apartment, that too in Syndey ! I am sure I am paying one of the highest rents for a single Bed room house in this part of Sydney.
Anyway, the slow people took down our complaints again and again, whenever we go there to follow up ! After one or two days of sleep in the cold, we found a reset switch after opening the A/c and it solved one of the major problem partially, even though under no control, it works ! At last they found that the remote given to us was a wrong one and replaced it!
Now to add to this, the setting up of a home also needs to be done. After some research, we found a new dining table been on Sale at 20$, and chairs for 10$ each. Along the groceries, bought this dining table! Now came the problem, we have to bring it to our place some 1-1.5 kms away !
It was around 9:30 at night (Thursdays all shops will be open till at least 9, and this one was open till 10), we tried one or two taxis but no use. Just managed to place the table on the shopping trolley, and walked back home with it ! I was amazed with Krithi, who joined me to pull a cart on this freezing night with out any protest ! Really an experience of a lifetime J ! The nearest I previously had was the great move of my fridge to and from Krishnakumar’s(97MCA) place, we both had actually loaded and transported the fridge in a Maruthi Omni call taxi J !
In the normal case, TCS people do wait for some 3-4 people to join who need the same things, visit some shops will sell used furniture, buy them and ask for a delivery. Then, it will be reasonable to pay some 40-100$ per person when 4 people combines, for delivery. But this one was ok to be carried alone, and the shopping trolley was anyway there with no restrictions. The chair business was quick, next day just carried some 3 steel chairs with cushions from the same shop.
So, all is set, rented the other appliances like fridge, washing machine, TV and microwave to avoid all these trouble. They will just install it for you after delivery and pick it back once we are done with it.
As the house problems also get fixed over two week’s time, just waiting for my allowance to come (all money is finished) for starting my travel. This magic castle got a lot of fun now. Our apartment number is 412. It is not in the 4th floor. As I told you, I have to go to Level 5 and then climb one level down. Level 4, if you can call it, has only 2-3 apartments. All other 4xx are in level 5 ! The electricity provider recognises our meter as the meter of 12th Apartment, 4th floor! To give us a ring from the entrance so that we can see you and open the gate for you, you need to dial 50, which is ALWAYS the apartment number! Again, he has given some key words. No need to dial or check. If you know it, you can get in to the apartment and till any apartment door steps!
As I have already mentioned, one of my intentions is to make sure that I am giving a clear picture of what I, as a new comer, am experiencing. That is why I am just walking you through everything, so that this gives you as much information as, you were here and experienced them all. I believe our life is very short to learn all from our own experience!
Give me a shout if I sound boring. I will just keep these write ups for my personal diary.
Tailpiece :- There are many things I am skipping for now. One of the them is the story of a chinese driver who dropped us from St.Leonards to Parramatta. Just will try to write it down sometime later. That will give a glimpse of a driver’s life in Australia.
Friday, July 22, 2005
AUSSIE WEEKENDER 3
It was a Saturday morning ( 02 July 2005). I am still in St.Leonards, not able to find any apartment still ! Anyway, the real estate agents will not work on weekends( some work till noon on Saturday). So why not start enjoying the place. This place I stay is anyway very near to the city centre, only 3-4 stations away. Again, the train crosses the Harbour bridge everyday on its way to Parramatta, and we can see Opera House at a distance.
We started around 10:30. Train to get down at Milson’s Point, which is just before the bridge. Walked to the end of the platform and there was a spectacular view of the bridge which was taking a right turn in front of me. The bridge was huge than I have thought even while crossing it in train, containing a 6 line highway, two rail lines, and foot paths at two ends( the one on the right side is dedicated to cyclists, and the left one for pedestrians) ! It grows high to the middle and comes down like a trajectory of a body in projectile J. At the top in the middle, two Australian flags flying gloriously ! Took some snaps, we walked down and climbed the steps for the pedestrian footpath for the bridge( first with climbed the cyclist one, which was not steps, and then saw it was only for cycles).
The bridge seem to be too long. Checked the actuals to see I was true, it is something around 3900 feet (1.1Kms) ! It was a fantastic view of the Opera house and land part surrounding the waters with an island in between ! This experience was almost same as the one I had, when I first got out of Westminster station and saw Big Ben just in front. From each step I walk and look back, I feel that is the best spot to take a snap, and across Thames, seeing the big picture with house of parliament included, you feel that is the best and by that time you would have blinked your lens eye for at least 5-6 times L ! The same was here with the sights I got about Opera house. It was getting closer and closer, and at distance some Yatches became visible. Each beam I cross, I get a new view, a new look, of the waters below !
I finished some 8-10 snaps there itself! Walked down some steps in the direction of Opera House. It was still far away! But, these are some times we really loose the sense of time. I don’t have an idea how long we were there, watching the ferries coming and leaving 6 jetties in Circular Quay, licking a cone with chocolate and raspberry flavours reluctant to melt even with afternoon Sun directly falling on it, watching the Seagulls. Then, we slowly started walking to the Opera house. It was much massive than we thought, took some snaps around, and went in till the area where we could go without a ticket. The souvenirs seemed much costly than those in UK, and anyway, it is too early to buy them.
The time was around 3. We tried the local McDonalds for ‘lunch’J. I would say, I have never expected McD to be this bad – they still got the crowd, but they don’t have a veggie burger, and their finger chips are stupid! But anyway, we were enough hungry to eat a so called veggie pesto, and chips with coffee spending some 8 AU$ each for that stupid meal.
It was raining, all of a sudden, when we finished our ‘lunch’ and came out. We just waited for the rain to finish off and then slowly walked towards the nearest station. That was the end of the day for us. During the walk around, we have collected some information brochures for Sydney site seeing trips, harbour trips and some maps which could give us an insight of what all to see, and where !
The walk was tiring for Krithi, she was looking at me pathetically and then I let out the secret, anyone walks with me ends up in the same state :D.
Tail piece :- As if now, I have got a place to stay and have almost settled down. The rest of the renting home story, I will send sometime in the middle of next week. I have given my magic castle's address below. Why 'Magic castle' ? Wait. I will tell you in a couple of days.
We started around 10:30. Train to get down at Milson’s Point, which is just before the bridge. Walked to the end of the platform and there was a spectacular view of the bridge which was taking a right turn in front of me. The bridge was huge than I have thought even while crossing it in train, containing a 6 line highway, two rail lines, and foot paths at two ends( the one on the right side is dedicated to cyclists, and the left one for pedestrians) ! It grows high to the middle and comes down like a trajectory of a body in projectile J. At the top in the middle, two Australian flags flying gloriously ! Took some snaps, we walked down and climbed the steps for the pedestrian footpath for the bridge( first with climbed the cyclist one, which was not steps, and then saw it was only for cycles).
The bridge seem to be too long. Checked the actuals to see I was true, it is something around 3900 feet (1.1Kms) ! It was a fantastic view of the Opera house and land part surrounding the waters with an island in between ! This experience was almost same as the one I had, when I first got out of Westminster station and saw Big Ben just in front. From each step I walk and look back, I feel that is the best spot to take a snap, and across Thames, seeing the big picture with house of parliament included, you feel that is the best and by that time you would have blinked your lens eye for at least 5-6 times L ! The same was here with the sights I got about Opera house. It was getting closer and closer, and at distance some Yatches became visible. Each beam I cross, I get a new view, a new look, of the waters below !
I finished some 8-10 snaps there itself! Walked down some steps in the direction of Opera House. It was still far away! But, these are some times we really loose the sense of time. I don’t have an idea how long we were there, watching the ferries coming and leaving 6 jetties in Circular Quay, licking a cone with chocolate and raspberry flavours reluctant to melt even with afternoon Sun directly falling on it, watching the Seagulls. Then, we slowly started walking to the Opera house. It was much massive than we thought, took some snaps around, and went in till the area where we could go without a ticket. The souvenirs seemed much costly than those in UK, and anyway, it is too early to buy them.
The time was around 3. We tried the local McDonalds for ‘lunch’J. I would say, I have never expected McD to be this bad – they still got the crowd, but they don’t have a veggie burger, and their finger chips are stupid! But anyway, we were enough hungry to eat a so called veggie pesto, and chips with coffee spending some 8 AU$ each for that stupid meal.
It was raining, all of a sudden, when we finished our ‘lunch’ and came out. We just waited for the rain to finish off and then slowly walked towards the nearest station. That was the end of the day for us. During the walk around, we have collected some information brochures for Sydney site seeing trips, harbour trips and some maps which could give us an insight of what all to see, and where !
The walk was tiring for Krithi, she was looking at me pathetically and then I let out the secret, anyone walks with me ends up in the same state :D.
Tail piece :- As if now, I have got a place to stay and have almost settled down. The rest of the renting home story, I will send sometime in the middle of next week. I have given my magic castle's address below. Why 'Magic castle' ? Wait. I will tell you in a couple of days.
Friday, July 15, 2005
AUSSIE WEEKENDER 2
Looking for a house never was so tough during anytime in my life. I had a couple of constraints with me – mainly it was financial, and then, locality. Normally a decent place will start with AU$ 200 per week, and it can be AU$400 also if it is a double bed room apartment. I am talking about the unfurnished apartments only. If you are looking for a furnished one, you are looking at paying around AU$ 475 and above.
As for locality, we prefer to stay near the office, and at the same time stay around the railway station.
Again, normal bond (deposit ) is 4 weeks rent and you have to pay two weeks advance. Most of the apartments are leased through agents( brokers) only. They say leasing for renting here ! Crazy people !
The process starts with you searching the net in some sites and giving them a call, or you just walking in to their office. Again, you can also call the number seeing any board in front of an apartment saying ‘For Lease’.
The problem starts slowly. You find a place which suits you - by net, by seeing the board or seeing in their office – you give them your contact details, and they will say they will get back to you. This getting back will take 24 hours, just to check whether it is still available ! Again, if you act smart by telling 3-4 options in the list so that you have got more chances of getting one, then they will outsmart you by being silent, as they get confused :). This is common for all real estate agents in Australia ( they are just like our brokers, they got their level and speak in that language only), I have tried most of them by now. For the net queries, normally it takes a fortnight for you to get a response. I responded for some 20 apartments in net to different agents, all the responses I got was 2 ! I am not sure where they are having the problem, in finding someone who could read and write, in browsing net or just a problem to work !
There is another point here. You don’t have to pay anything to the agents. They will take you to the apartment, and show it. If all goes fine, and once you have signed the lease agreement ( it is normally 6 months to 1 year), you pay the first two weeks in advance along with the deposit( that is normally 4 weeks, and is paid to the Rental bond board). So, this first two weeks rent is the brokerage for them. After that only you start paying to the landlord !
All I had was a map of my area and was clear of my boundaries – that is from where walking is feasible to get to office and railway station by walk.
I applied all three ways for finding a house, but this fast and smart real estate agents kept me searching, checking and following up for a week ! I think, that is a big period because there is demand and there is supply too. Then, I have no clue why these stupid, lazy anti-catalysts are slowing down the process in the middle !
As for locality, we prefer to stay near the office, and at the same time stay around the railway station.
Again, normal bond (deposit ) is 4 weeks rent and you have to pay two weeks advance. Most of the apartments are leased through agents( brokers) only. They say leasing for renting here ! Crazy people !
The process starts with you searching the net in some sites and giving them a call, or you just walking in to their office. Again, you can also call the number seeing any board in front of an apartment saying ‘For Lease’.
The problem starts slowly. You find a place which suits you - by net, by seeing the board or seeing in their office – you give them your contact details, and they will say they will get back to you. This getting back will take 24 hours, just to check whether it is still available ! Again, if you act smart by telling 3-4 options in the list so that you have got more chances of getting one, then they will outsmart you by being silent, as they get confused :). This is common for all real estate agents in Australia ( they are just like our brokers, they got their level and speak in that language only), I have tried most of them by now. For the net queries, normally it takes a fortnight for you to get a response. I responded for some 20 apartments in net to different agents, all the responses I got was 2 ! I am not sure where they are having the problem, in finding someone who could read and write, in browsing net or just a problem to work !
There is another point here. You don’t have to pay anything to the agents. They will take you to the apartment, and show it. If all goes fine, and once you have signed the lease agreement ( it is normally 6 months to 1 year), you pay the first two weeks in advance along with the deposit( that is normally 4 weeks, and is paid to the Rental bond board). So, this first two weeks rent is the brokerage for them. After that only you start paying to the landlord !
All I had was a map of my area and was clear of my boundaries – that is from where walking is feasible to get to office and railway station by walk.
I applied all three ways for finding a house, but this fast and smart real estate agents kept me searching, checking and following up for a week ! I think, that is a big period because there is demand and there is supply too. Then, I have no clue why these stupid, lazy anti-catalysts are slowing down the process in the middle !
Friday, July 08, 2005
AUSSIE WEEKENDER 1
It is another morning. The temperature outside is 8 degrees. It is 7:40, still the Sun is sleeping !
We both started to walk from our hotel - or will call a Studio Apartment with breakfast served - to the local station, St.Leonards. Krithi had covered herself with all she got, and still feeling the chill. A ten minutes walk, collected the tickets to Parramatta. Return for two people cost A$17.60( around 600 INR), down the escalator to the platform to board the train going south. A huge two storied train arrived in no time, with body looking like a rolling shutter's. You board in the middle and can decide to go down to the basement or upstairs or stand in the boarding floor( let us call ground floor). There is just a little space for the people to stand, in the ground floor. The basement and first floor are full of seats like or buses (3+2 configuration).
It started moving slowly, and the whole journey to Parramatta was literally slow ! It took almost 1 hour, which I would expect a tube to cover in 30mins ! So my estimate to reach the destination by 8:30 went wrong, and reached there by 9. Then, I found it was not stopping in all stops, skipping some stations in the city. If you want to go there, you have to change in some major city stations. After all this, it took an hour plus !!!
My first day in office, in Sydney after landing here yesterday night. My brain is still sleeping for two reasons: it is only 9 even in Sydney, and in India it is worser, only 3:30 am.
This time, unlike my adventurous evening in London, TCS had arranged a place for accommodation, in another suburb on the opposite side of the city ! What a favour ! Still, just paying A$105 per day for that. I think, it was better in London where I paid only 40 pounds per day for a B&B in the middle of the city. Again, please note that, it takes only one hour for a slow train to go across the suburbs crossing the city. So, I won’t say Sydney is a big city. It is green, and peaceful except for the centre part. That is yet to be seen.
I see a bit a South Africa here with the colour standards of the name boards, and greenery. But, I am yet to see an African here( But this was on week days, week ends they are available in plenty! I have no clue what it means) !
* * * * * *
The flight was cool. Singapore flight took off from Chennai by 12:00 midnight and reached 6:30 AM local time. Again, 9:30 AM flight to Sydney took a long time to drop us at the destination by 6:50 PM local time. Singapore Airport window shopping was good. It is bigger than Dubai Airport, the shopping area is also more. As hubs, these airports (Dubai and Changi) sees a lot of transit passengers and so, the shopping area really does matter.
Again, Sydney airport was friendly. Just took red channel as the checking's were heard to be more than in any other place, for the preserved food and all. They are heard to not allow even medicines sometimes. But, all went fine. They just had a glance at the packs, and once it is sealed and manufacturing date given, there was no issue to let it through. But, there was a police dog at the airport checking for drugs and all, it barks at an aunty who came with us. It was barking staring at her hair. It was because she had put flowers in the hair the previous night while leaving Chennai and the smell was still there !
I hired a cab to the hotel and to pay him I had only 50$ notes. His charge came to 50.10 . The Punjabi driver, Gurcharan, was OK with 50, but just for my comfort found a 10 cents coin and gave him. Later, I was just wondering where I got a 10c coin when I have done no transaction in Australia at all. It was actually Singaporean 10 cents, which I had converted there for a coffee :) !
The sleep, the tiredness, all make you do funny things. The taxi was a bit rash like all taxis here, and the place at night looked like Jo'burg to me - all those ups and downs, single Villas, greenery and breeze. Again, I saw a lot of people crossing the road just by a dash which was again similar to Jo'burg !
We both started to walk from our hotel - or will call a Studio Apartment with breakfast served - to the local station, St.Leonards. Krithi had covered herself with all she got, and still feeling the chill. A ten minutes walk, collected the tickets to Parramatta. Return for two people cost A$17.60( around 600 INR), down the escalator to the platform to board the train going south. A huge two storied train arrived in no time, with body looking like a rolling shutter's. You board in the middle and can decide to go down to the basement or upstairs or stand in the boarding floor( let us call ground floor). There is just a little space for the people to stand, in the ground floor. The basement and first floor are full of seats like or buses (3+2 configuration).
It started moving slowly, and the whole journey to Parramatta was literally slow ! It took almost 1 hour, which I would expect a tube to cover in 30mins ! So my estimate to reach the destination by 8:30 went wrong, and reached there by 9. Then, I found it was not stopping in all stops, skipping some stations in the city. If you want to go there, you have to change in some major city stations. After all this, it took an hour plus !!!
My first day in office, in Sydney after landing here yesterday night. My brain is still sleeping for two reasons: it is only 9 even in Sydney, and in India it is worser, only 3:30 am.
This time, unlike my adventurous evening in London, TCS had arranged a place for accommodation, in another suburb on the opposite side of the city ! What a favour ! Still, just paying A$105 per day for that. I think, it was better in London where I paid only 40 pounds per day for a B&B in the middle of the city. Again, please note that, it takes only one hour for a slow train to go across the suburbs crossing the city. So, I won’t say Sydney is a big city. It is green, and peaceful except for the centre part. That is yet to be seen.
I see a bit a South Africa here with the colour standards of the name boards, and greenery. But, I am yet to see an African here( But this was on week days, week ends they are available in plenty! I have no clue what it means) !
* * * * * *
The flight was cool. Singapore flight took off from Chennai by 12:00 midnight and reached 6:30 AM local time. Again, 9:30 AM flight to Sydney took a long time to drop us at the destination by 6:50 PM local time. Singapore Airport window shopping was good. It is bigger than Dubai Airport, the shopping area is also more. As hubs, these airports (Dubai and Changi) sees a lot of transit passengers and so, the shopping area really does matter.
Again, Sydney airport was friendly. Just took red channel as the checking's were heard to be more than in any other place, for the preserved food and all. They are heard to not allow even medicines sometimes. But, all went fine. They just had a glance at the packs, and once it is sealed and manufacturing date given, there was no issue to let it through. But, there was a police dog at the airport checking for drugs and all, it barks at an aunty who came with us. It was barking staring at her hair. It was because she had put flowers in the hair the previous night while leaving Chennai and the smell was still there !
I hired a cab to the hotel and to pay him I had only 50$ notes. His charge came to 50.10 . The Punjabi driver, Gurcharan, was OK with 50, but just for my comfort found a 10 cents coin and gave him. Later, I was just wondering where I got a 10c coin when I have done no transaction in Australia at all. It was actually Singaporean 10 cents, which I had converted there for a coffee :) !
The sleep, the tiredness, all make you do funny things. The taxi was a bit rash like all taxis here, and the place at night looked like Jo'burg to me - all those ups and downs, single Villas, greenery and breeze. Again, I saw a lot of people crossing the road just by a dash which was again similar to Jo'burg !
Friday, July 01, 2005
AUSSIE WEEKENDER Introduction
It is again a chance for me to get a feel of another continent, another country, another city, and another culture, all at the same time!
I am in Sydney now, sitting in a time zone +10 GMT, somewhere in the east coast of Australian continent ( I will accept my geography is bad, so you can shout if I am wrong). As usual, I am trying to give you a feel of the country, through the eyes of an ignorant traveller, who just wanders around without any knowledge of where he is in or what is the importance of the place. But that doesn’t stop me from giving my personal comments, observations and throwing you some open questions when I am stuck!
It may be just a personal comment, and none of my observations need to be fully correct. All I know till now about this place is, it is situated somewhere South to Singapore and all (that is, if gravity was acting from North to South, you just need to sit in Singapore and you can skid down to Australia). Then, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide etc. I know because they have cricket stadiums. I know the seasons are opposite to that in India, because Australia falls in the Southern hemisphere. This wonderful piece of knowledge also, I knew only after being to South Africa. Now, I am in there, and having committed to write about it, I have no choice than finding something interesting to write about.
I am not sure what will be the time when I can send it through, Friday morning looks still the best, as none will be in a good mood to read this on Monday morning :).
But I would love to hear from you, good or bad. Silence means ignorance :(, anything else is better.
I am in Sydney now, sitting in a time zone +10 GMT, somewhere in the east coast of Australian continent ( I will accept my geography is bad, so you can shout if I am wrong). As usual, I am trying to give you a feel of the country, through the eyes of an ignorant traveller, who just wanders around without any knowledge of where he is in or what is the importance of the place. But that doesn’t stop me from giving my personal comments, observations and throwing you some open questions when I am stuck!
It may be just a personal comment, and none of my observations need to be fully correct. All I know till now about this place is, it is situated somewhere South to Singapore and all (that is, if gravity was acting from North to South, you just need to sit in Singapore and you can skid down to Australia). Then, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide etc. I know because they have cricket stadiums. I know the seasons are opposite to that in India, because Australia falls in the Southern hemisphere. This wonderful piece of knowledge also, I knew only after being to South Africa. Now, I am in there, and having committed to write about it, I have no choice than finding something interesting to write about.
I am not sure what will be the time when I can send it through, Friday morning looks still the best, as none will be in a good mood to read this on Monday morning :).
But I would love to hear from you, good or bad. Silence means ignorance :(, anything else is better.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
LONDON WEEKENDER 10
I think my countdown has begun. 6 more days to go and I will be back in Chennai, from fridge to oven with a sort of defrosting in Dubai ! London is becoming warmer, and days are becoming lengthy and I look like a fool came here to enjoy the winter !
The last weekend is also over. Finished almost all places I planned to visit in the city. Had a visit to The National Gallery, British Library, a ride in the Millennium Wheel - London Eye to take an aerial picture of London, and visited the last, Leeds Castle - a beautiful castle in the middle of a lake, surrounded by a golf course and gardens ! The main cancelled item will be the Wax museum as I couldn't find anything to motivate me to pay £20 for that and stand in a long queue.
I will be taking a handful of memories and souvenirs to treasure and another handful of experiences I want to forget. May be the souvenir list looks like the Tom Soyer's gifts: some weekend passes and tube tickets, the admission counterfoils for castle entry, newspaper copy of the yearly budget and Madrid tragedy, and a lot of such small things. But there are things I proudly will treasure, like a print of the Magna carta ! Then I have 11 rolls of photos waiting to be processed. This thrill I swear, you will never get in digital photos.
But I think I have a lot of pending things to write, so hopefully I will be able to carry on with my weekenders for another one month atleast !
The image of my England has not changed much. The Astrix theory of Caesar's tactics to defeat the British still holds: fight after 5pm and full day on weekends ! English still work 8-5 and no weekends !
The other thing of Astrix that holds, is the coffee. It is hot water with a spot of milk, still ! They will faint if you say you drink black coffee or coffee fully made of milk. I have no idea what difference this spot of milk makes !
I will be landing in Chennai on Monday morning. But hopefully I will be able to keep writing for another 3-4 weeks.
The last weekend is also over. Finished almost all places I planned to visit in the city. Had a visit to The National Gallery, British Library, a ride in the Millennium Wheel - London Eye to take an aerial picture of London, and visited the last, Leeds Castle - a beautiful castle in the middle of a lake, surrounded by a golf course and gardens ! The main cancelled item will be the Wax museum as I couldn't find anything to motivate me to pay £20 for that and stand in a long queue.
I will be taking a handful of memories and souvenirs to treasure and another handful of experiences I want to forget. May be the souvenir list looks like the Tom Soyer's gifts: some weekend passes and tube tickets, the admission counterfoils for castle entry, newspaper copy of the yearly budget and Madrid tragedy, and a lot of such small things. But there are things I proudly will treasure, like a print of the Magna carta ! Then I have 11 rolls of photos waiting to be processed. This thrill I swear, you will never get in digital photos.
But I think I have a lot of pending things to write, so hopefully I will be able to carry on with my weekenders for another one month atleast !
The image of my England has not changed much. The Astrix theory of Caesar's tactics to defeat the British still holds: fight after 5pm and full day on weekends ! English still work 8-5 and no weekends !
The other thing of Astrix that holds, is the coffee. It is hot water with a spot of milk, still ! They will faint if you say you drink black coffee or coffee fully made of milk. I have no idea what difference this spot of milk makes !
I will be landing in Chennai on Monday morning. But hopefully I will be able to keep writing for another 3-4 weeks.
Monday, March 15, 2004
LONDON WEEKENDER 9
This week was spent on having a Roman experience in Bath on Saturday, and Lord's and Wimbledon on Sunday. But let me finish what I have left incomplete.
So it was my second day in Edinburgh ! After a tired day's sleep with no supper, I got up by 7. A very good, and filling breakfast - cornflakes+muesli and bread with baked beans and half done egg- at the hotel which comes along with the rent( it is B&B-Bed and Breakfast). Started my day out by 10. I had to vacate my room and placed my luggage with the reception so that I could pick it up later. The normal check out time is 11am.
It was a sunny day. Again, an hour long walk to the centre, crossed the Bridge to the new Town, walked to Calton hill which has some construct like Roman circus and a tall Nelson monument. Climbed the steep roads and steps to reach the top of the hill by 10. It was perfect silence ! One side of the hill has nothing but some hills at distance and greenery in between, and the other three sides are occupied by the township with sea at one end. I don't know how long I stood there alone with the water on the rock in small pits have become ice, no intention to melt even with the Sun shining on it. I woke up from my dreams when a bell rang in some church below. It was 11 ! I agree to the fact that to experience this peace, for getting a feel of being a part of the Universe, you don't need to come this long. But what I wanted to say was, this is what you find common in any part of the World. You don't need language to experience it, rather language can't convey this experience !
Climbed down and walked to the next bus stop and my aim was to see the seashore. Took bus 22 and with a day pass again, reached the shore area. There was an old luxury Royal ship parked namely, Royal Yacht Britannia - used by the Royal family for cruises. Again, an entry fee of £7 feels not worth it ! The shopping complex from where you get the view of the sea, the ship, was constructed like a ship. A lot of kids playing around, full of joy and fun ! And there was a kid sitting on the 'bishop' of a giant chess board thinking where to move it to, playing with her sister :) !
Back in bus on my way back, again kids were ruling the World. Landed back in the town by 1. Walked around the new part of the town, went down the gardens which come just below the Castle on the other side. Again, back to Royal Mile after a lunch at McD. I have really fallen love with this place - the pipes, the smiles, the hills.......
Visited the Whisky heritage centre. I told the salesman,' I don't drink. So I need a souvenir, it should have whisky, but a memorable piece of something to remember'. He showed me a small barrel, with a small bottle inside with 14 years old Whisky ! It looks a piece worth a souvenir for £10.
Winded up my walks, took a bus back to B& B and took my bag and back in Royal mile again by 4:45. Walked through it for the last time ! I have to leave it. Back to the station by 5:15. And the return journey started by 5:30. Again, the same phases, the sea along with us, snow appears after 20mins, and it is dark by 6:30. The train leaves me at Kings X by 10:20 and am walking back home at 11:30 getting down from the tube at East ham.
It was a good trip with lot of memories. I think the Scots resemble me of the Sikhs. They love to enjoy, they are proud and famous being brave, and they keep their tradition and make their mark. Seeing the cartoon postcards of Scotts in Edinburgh confirmed the last one too, they make good jokes out themselves !I think I will have to write for one more month after coming back to India, to finish off my backlog
So it was my second day in Edinburgh ! After a tired day's sleep with no supper, I got up by 7. A very good, and filling breakfast - cornflakes+muesli and bread with baked beans and half done egg- at the hotel which comes along with the rent( it is B&B-Bed and Breakfast). Started my day out by 10. I had to vacate my room and placed my luggage with the reception so that I could pick it up later. The normal check out time is 11am.
It was a sunny day. Again, an hour long walk to the centre, crossed the Bridge to the new Town, walked to Calton hill which has some construct like Roman circus and a tall Nelson monument. Climbed the steep roads and steps to reach the top of the hill by 10. It was perfect silence ! One side of the hill has nothing but some hills at distance and greenery in between, and the other three sides are occupied by the township with sea at one end. I don't know how long I stood there alone with the water on the rock in small pits have become ice, no intention to melt even with the Sun shining on it. I woke up from my dreams when a bell rang in some church below. It was 11 ! I agree to the fact that to experience this peace, for getting a feel of being a part of the Universe, you don't need to come this long. But what I wanted to say was, this is what you find common in any part of the World. You don't need language to experience it, rather language can't convey this experience !
Climbed down and walked to the next bus stop and my aim was to see the seashore. Took bus 22 and with a day pass again, reached the shore area. There was an old luxury Royal ship parked namely, Royal Yacht Britannia - used by the Royal family for cruises. Again, an entry fee of £7 feels not worth it ! The shopping complex from where you get the view of the sea, the ship, was constructed like a ship. A lot of kids playing around, full of joy and fun ! And there was a kid sitting on the 'bishop' of a giant chess board thinking where to move it to, playing with her sister :) !
Back in bus on my way back, again kids were ruling the World. Landed back in the town by 1. Walked around the new part of the town, went down the gardens which come just below the Castle on the other side. Again, back to Royal Mile after a lunch at McD. I have really fallen love with this place - the pipes, the smiles, the hills.......
Visited the Whisky heritage centre. I told the salesman,' I don't drink. So I need a souvenir, it should have whisky, but a memorable piece of something to remember'. He showed me a small barrel, with a small bottle inside with 14 years old Whisky ! It looks a piece worth a souvenir for £10.
Winded up my walks, took a bus back to B& B and took my bag and back in Royal mile again by 4:45. Walked through it for the last time ! I have to leave it. Back to the station by 5:15. And the return journey started by 5:30. Again, the same phases, the sea along with us, snow appears after 20mins, and it is dark by 6:30. The train leaves me at Kings X by 10:20 and am walking back home at 11:30 getting down from the tube at East ham.
It was a good trip with lot of memories. I think the Scots resemble me of the Sikhs. They love to enjoy, they are proud and famous being brave, and they keep their tradition and make their mark. Seeing the cartoon postcards of Scotts in Edinburgh confirmed the last one too, they make good jokes out themselves !I think I will have to write for one more month after coming back to India, to finish off my backlog
Monday, March 08, 2004
LONDON WEEKENDER 8
Scotland - the land of Bagpipes, and Scotch Whisky ! The land of Scottish the Braves ! The birthplace of Golf ! The land of castles ! But I had no idea where to start and what problem are waiting for me when I landed in Edinburgh at 11:33. Just went to the information centre in the rail station and asked for anything can be done for getting an accommodation. they should me to another counter open for accommodation. They charge you £5 ( I am sorry for using £ sometimes and saying 'pounds' sometimes. My funny keyboard doesn't show up £ sometimes.) for each booking you make from the counter. But luckily, they had only hi-fi hotel infos and my budget can't exceed £30. As already lost £46.10( for missing the train), I have to compensate it somewhere else. Here again, I took my trump card, the printout from net and showed them and asked them where this Mayfield gardens is.I had taken some 6 addresses and 3 of them were in Mayfield Gardens. So I was sure that this place is full of B&Bs. The first half of the answer was disappointing, but the second half was good. They said, "it is out of the town, about 30mins walk from here" !!! So I am in the heart of the Town and the town ends in 30mins walk :)) ! Good for me ! She tried two three places with the number I gave, but none had vacancies( I know I will burn my hands if I do make a call). She, then, gave me a rough map. Came out of the station, through a wrong exit and asked the first person I met, the nearest bus stop which can take me to Mayfield gardens. It was amazing ! The place was lonely and this guy was painting a wall standing on a ladder.He came down and came to show me the way to the bus stand and he walked until the stop was in sight and then, went back ! Now, it looks like you are not in a strange place ! See the people ! The whole perspective changes ! I walked to the bus stop and there were two people, asked one of them. He explained, " You can get in to 5 or 33. Better take a day pass, it will cost you £1.80 and keep the change and the machine in the bus will not give back change if you put £2 or something like that !" The other guy added, "just count for some 3-4 stops and you will reach a place where the bus will take a turn, if it is 33. Get down there. I think we have a 33 now." I am talking about a bus stop in the middle of the Town, Capital of Scotland ! Unbelievable ! If you have landed in another European country's capital and you feel so homely, like you are in Thrissur or Kozhikode, it is incredible ! Took 33, took a day pass, and got down at the place where the bus took a deviation from main road. Just walked a bit forward and the next junction glanced at the left side cut road and saw a B&B board. Just gave a try. They had vacancies, and got single rooms and for rent £29. I really got it right when the room was attached and had coffee kettle and other accessories like cups and saucers other than the basic heaters, towels, soaps, shampoo and all. The time was 12:50 by then. Left the luggage and started immediately.Walked back to the Royal Mile. Royal Mile is the main road in Edinburgh old town. Old Town and new town is separated by a bridge with the rail line making the partition. The Royal Mile starts from the Castle and ends in the Palace. It looks it is a mile in length. My road from the hotel cuts the Royal Mile in the middle and it goes on to the bridge and to the new town. On my left side, I have to walk up to the Castle and if I go down the road on my right side, it will take my to the Palace. It was 1:15 when I entered the Royal Mile - a road made of stone, gives you a feeling that you have gone back a century ! Except for the taxis passing thru the road rarely, the road is full of pedestrians, and the air, air is full of music of bagpipe ! May be because Bagpipe has been one of my favorite instruments, I am biased ! But I will really call it an experience ! With both sides on the roads, either souvenir shops or restaurants, passed the Cathedral, and walked to the Castle. The air was full of the bag pipe music due to the piper here and there standing on the corner playing it with the box open for donations. Anyway, you get the music free and it is worth putting 20p or 50p in ! A queue for some 15 mins to enter the Castle. The view of the city from the castle was good, with the sea on one side and snow-filled hills on the other, both at distance. The war museum inside the castle conveyed me the message that the Scotts are proud for being brave and they boast a lot of their military history. I was amazed to find Haider Ali's sword in Castle of Edinburgh. The Scotts also were so much excited about their victory over Tippu. This is the only person I see, featured as a brave man in Windsor castle, British museum and now, here in Edinburgh also ! In Windsor castle, his small machine of a tiger killing an English man , his golden tiger head, and clothes were on display. I have seen his sword and helmets in British museum ! Bought some mementos and done with the castle by 4. One of the main things I bought was a CD of the pipe band. As usual, things are unnecessarily costly. Walked down the Royal Mile to the other end getting in to almost all souvenir shops and mostly coming out empty-handed after using my 80's table !
Reached the other end of the road, the palace- the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Walked past it to the right, I had no idea what is there. I ended up in an open area with the freeway passing through. On my left was a golf course, and in front a hill which has some pedestrian steep path to climb. Climbed half way, and looked back ! The evening Sun shining with his golden cloth and the meadow of the golf course, the houses, and the sea, all looks like a beautiful girl dressed up for a party :) ! Just stood there till the Sun vanished. Then climbed down, walked back to my hotel, had my missed lunch by 7pm - a falafel from a Syrian shop on the way.
I realised how tired I am once back in my room. Just fell flat to wake up only on next morning 7 ! I think I have one more day to go, but don't want to be lengthier than this.
Reached the other end of the road, the palace- the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Walked past it to the right, I had no idea what is there. I ended up in an open area with the freeway passing through. On my left was a golf course, and in front a hill which has some pedestrian steep path to climb. Climbed half way, and looked back ! The evening Sun shining with his golden cloth and the meadow of the golf course, the houses, and the sea, all looks like a beautiful girl dressed up for a party :) ! Just stood there till the Sun vanished. Then climbed down, walked back to my hotel, had my missed lunch by 7pm - a falafel from a Syrian shop on the way.
I realised how tired I am once back in my room. Just fell flat to wake up only on next morning 7 ! I think I have one more day to go, but don't want to be lengthier than this.
Monday, March 01, 2004
LONDON WEEKENDER 7
Destination : Edinburgh, Capital of Scotland
Onward trip : 28-Feb-2004, Saturday ; 5:55 AM from London Kings X (read as Kings Cross)
Return trip : 01-Mar-2004, Sunday ; 9AM arriving from Edinburgh Waverly
So the plan was to reach the city by 11 and then, finish the visits and stay there for the night( as there was no night trains)
You notice something wrong with the plan? Unfortunately, I didn't. I didn't see that March 1st is Monday and this year Feb. has 29! I realised it on Thursday night! Got a permission from the office comfortably to come late to office on Monday. The problem now is that, I am already lost. I have two choices: Either to cancel the reservations and change the plan, or stay there for two nights instead of one. Anyway I will loose money! If I cancel, I have to pay almost the same amount extra! That is the rule with railways here.
But my sleep took care of making the choice! I slept till 5 and literally ran to get hold of all the buses and tubes I could get, to catch the train. But tubes behave funny on weekends. They cut down the service, close stations, and all that sort of funny things happens! So not to tell more, I missed the train and it was 6:15 by the time I reach the station! I went to the reservation counter to ask what next. The clerk advised me that I can carry on with the journey paying 46 pounds more! So I ended up paying 46 pounds extra for over the original 53 pounds! The only advantage was, I can go in any train and come back in any train. The start was not good, not good at all!
6:45AM: The train for Glasgow via Edinburgh starts with me in coach F, in a left side seat with no one in my aisle seat( till the end of the journey). There is no crowd as usual. The reservation only saves you money, it has nothing to do with availability during these times. This train is supposed to be faster than the one I missed and is expected to reach my destination by 11:33, calling at Peterborough, Durham, York, Newcastle, Berwick-Upon-Tweed etc.( 'calling at' means 'stopping at'). Nearly an hour after the journey started, I could see snowflakes on the way and it starts increasing and when we reached Newcastle, it was some 5-6 inches of snow! The journey has started badly, and now snow is going to complete the episode! But from inside the train, it is a dream scenery with both sides full of snow and snowfall still continuing! You could see all in black and white( because roads are still black and all the rest is white :) ) !
To my surprise, the snow started decreasing and by the time I reached Berwick-upon-Tweed, it was a new Earth and new Sky! I have North sea on my right, and road with meadows and rocks in between the rail and the sea, it was another phase of the beautiful journey, and the sky is clear and it is sunny! The sea continues to be there till Edinburgh.
I was making my plans for making up my loss in the morning. The journey was worth spending that money, but still I need some more to make sure it happened for good. So decided to change my plan. I will start the return journey by Sunday evening, will take train at 5:30 and will be back in London by 10:20. That will save me one day's rent in B&B (Bed & Breakfast). Also, I will be fresh to be back in office after a good sleep than peeping in after a long journey in the middle of the day. The balance sheet matches with the saving in B&B itself will be 30 pound and for the rest 16, I got a memorable journey and with a good sunny day, I can write it off as a bad debt!
The train reached Edinburgh in time. I landed in Edinburgh, no idea what it looks like, how the people will be, where to stay..... the list of issues are still in front of me. All I had was a list of places to be visited, taken from net and some hotels listed in net. The weather forecast report taken from net was positive with sunny days, but may be the temperature will drop to negatives at night. But no snow was predicted.
With all those issues in front of me, I will stop for this week.
Onward trip : 28-Feb-2004, Saturday ; 5:55 AM from London Kings X (read as Kings Cross)
Return trip : 01-Mar-2004, Sunday ; 9AM arriving from Edinburgh Waverly
So the plan was to reach the city by 11 and then, finish the visits and stay there for the night( as there was no night trains)
You notice something wrong with the plan? Unfortunately, I didn't. I didn't see that March 1st is Monday and this year Feb. has 29! I realised it on Thursday night! Got a permission from the office comfortably to come late to office on Monday. The problem now is that, I am already lost. I have two choices: Either to cancel the reservations and change the plan, or stay there for two nights instead of one. Anyway I will loose money! If I cancel, I have to pay almost the same amount extra! That is the rule with railways here.
But my sleep took care of making the choice! I slept till 5 and literally ran to get hold of all the buses and tubes I could get, to catch the train. But tubes behave funny on weekends. They cut down the service, close stations, and all that sort of funny things happens! So not to tell more, I missed the train and it was 6:15 by the time I reach the station! I went to the reservation counter to ask what next. The clerk advised me that I can carry on with the journey paying 46 pounds more! So I ended up paying 46 pounds extra for over the original 53 pounds! The only advantage was, I can go in any train and come back in any train. The start was not good, not good at all!
6:45AM: The train for Glasgow via Edinburgh starts with me in coach F, in a left side seat with no one in my aisle seat( till the end of the journey). There is no crowd as usual. The reservation only saves you money, it has nothing to do with availability during these times. This train is supposed to be faster than the one I missed and is expected to reach my destination by 11:33, calling at Peterborough, Durham, York, Newcastle, Berwick-Upon-Tweed etc.( 'calling at' means 'stopping at'). Nearly an hour after the journey started, I could see snowflakes on the way and it starts increasing and when we reached Newcastle, it was some 5-6 inches of snow! The journey has started badly, and now snow is going to complete the episode! But from inside the train, it is a dream scenery with both sides full of snow and snowfall still continuing! You could see all in black and white( because roads are still black and all the rest is white :) ) !
To my surprise, the snow started decreasing and by the time I reached Berwick-upon-Tweed, it was a new Earth and new Sky! I have North sea on my right, and road with meadows and rocks in between the rail and the sea, it was another phase of the beautiful journey, and the sky is clear and it is sunny! The sea continues to be there till Edinburgh.
I was making my plans for making up my loss in the morning. The journey was worth spending that money, but still I need some more to make sure it happened for good. So decided to change my plan. I will start the return journey by Sunday evening, will take train at 5:30 and will be back in London by 10:20. That will save me one day's rent in B&B (Bed & Breakfast). Also, I will be fresh to be back in office after a good sleep than peeping in after a long journey in the middle of the day. The balance sheet matches with the saving in B&B itself will be 30 pound and for the rest 16, I got a memorable journey and with a good sunny day, I can write it off as a bad debt!
The train reached Edinburgh in time. I landed in Edinburgh, no idea what it looks like, how the people will be, where to stay..... the list of issues are still in front of me. All I had was a list of places to be visited, taken from net and some hotels listed in net. The weather forecast report taken from net was positive with sunny days, but may be the temperature will drop to negatives at night. But no snow was predicted.
With all those issues in front of me, I will stop for this week.
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