Time: June 2007
Place: Konkan Railways, Mangalore, Karwar
Company: Infosys colleagues
Highlights:
Had heard a lot about Konkan railways and hence planned a trip with colleagues to see the beauty of it. Had grand thoughts of the railway track running parallel to the sea coast with amazing views all around - like those US scenes depicted in movies! But alas, it was not to be. It seemed like a normal enough railway track - at least the route from Mangalore to Karwar.
Considering that we wanted to do only a part of the Konkan rail (in just one small weekend), we finalized on Mangalore to Karwar stretch which had to be done during day time. So, took a bus (I forget train or bus, but bus I think it was) from Bangalore to Mangalore, went to Mangalore Infosys office and refreshed. That was a brainwave-moment since we did not want to spend unnecessarily in Mangalore for a lodge for just refreshing. I met my batchmate Divya in Mangalore DC and then we all went to a famous Benne Dosa restaurant and gorged! Then to the station for the actual trip. As mentioned earlier, the scenery did not live up to the expectation. Anyways, we had much to do in Karwar. So it was ok.
At Karwar, got settled at the dorm, and then headed out to a nearby island-resort. The weather turned nasty and so did the waves. The small dingy boat in the wast Arabian sea scared the bejesus out of us. It was a near-death experience for most of us. We took a long while getting back to normalcy at the resort. Then explored the island-thingy as best as we could. Then realized it was not really an island! It was connected by road - albeit longish. We didn't mind - the going-back route was via road and not in that boat - whatever the cost! But there was one guy amongst us who wanted to go back in the boat - just because we had already paid for it and also to experience the near-death experience again. Took some time convincing him and off we went back to our lodge in a jeep.
Next day morning was a light day. Spent some time on the beach enjoying and relaxing. Our bus was in the afternoon at about 3:30 pm. But it never came. We waited and waited. Then when we asked, we were told that that bus was cancelled! We had not received any intimation about it - and we had 9 seats! All the officials were confused on what needs to be done. Worst part was none of them knew anything about e-tickets. They were asking where was it obtained!! How to explain "internet"?! Finally they arranged for another bus and we got seats - but not before a verbal duel with the concerned officials. From then on, it was uneventful.
Quite an adventurous and unforgettable trip indeed.
Place: Konkan Railways, Mangalore, Karwar
Company: Infosys colleagues
Highlights:
Had heard a lot about Konkan railways and hence planned a trip with colleagues to see the beauty of it. Had grand thoughts of the railway track running parallel to the sea coast with amazing views all around - like those US scenes depicted in movies! But alas, it was not to be. It seemed like a normal enough railway track - at least the route from Mangalore to Karwar.
Considering that we wanted to do only a part of the Konkan rail (in just one small weekend), we finalized on Mangalore to Karwar stretch which had to be done during day time. So, took a bus (I forget train or bus, but bus I think it was) from Bangalore to Mangalore, went to Mangalore Infosys office and refreshed. That was a brainwave-moment since we did not want to spend unnecessarily in Mangalore for a lodge for just refreshing. I met my batchmate Divya in Mangalore DC and then we all went to a famous Benne Dosa restaurant and gorged! Then to the station for the actual trip. As mentioned earlier, the scenery did not live up to the expectation. Anyways, we had much to do in Karwar. So it was ok.
At Karwar, got settled at the dorm, and then headed out to a nearby island-resort. The weather turned nasty and so did the waves. The small dingy boat in the wast Arabian sea scared the bejesus out of us. It was a near-death experience for most of us. We took a long while getting back to normalcy at the resort. Then explored the island-thingy as best as we could. Then realized it was not really an island! It was connected by road - albeit longish. We didn't mind - the going-back route was via road and not in that boat - whatever the cost! But there was one guy amongst us who wanted to go back in the boat - just because we had already paid for it and also to experience the near-death experience again. Took some time convincing him and off we went back to our lodge in a jeep.
Next day morning was a light day. Spent some time on the beach enjoying and relaxing. Our bus was in the afternoon at about 3:30 pm. But it never came. We waited and waited. Then when we asked, we were told that that bus was cancelled! We had not received any intimation about it - and we had 9 seats! All the officials were confused on what needs to be done. Worst part was none of them knew anything about e-tickets. They were asking where was it obtained!! How to explain "internet"?! Finally they arranged for another bus and we got seats - but not before a verbal duel with the concerned officials. From then on, it was uneventful. Quite an adventurous and unforgettable trip indeed.
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