walking a railroad

Walking a Railroad

7:42 PM (Bangalore)
 Autorikshaw reached Krishnarajapuram Railway Station. Some time still in hand, I will use it in loitering around the platform.

7:54 PM (Bangalore)
Phone rang someone called, "Gautom, where are you?"- I am at KR Puram Station on platform 4. "Come to platform 3 under shed 16." Now going to platform 3. Train name Chennai Vasco Express, coming from Chennai going to Vasco arrival KR Puram Station expected at 8:20 PM.

8:40 PM (Bangalore)
Here comes our train. Fuck man!!! its coming on the other platform. Platform number four. Run Everyone Run. With all the backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, mat rolls everybody jumping off this platform onto the tracks and up into the train on the opposite side. More running, more climbing.

8:44 PM (Bangalore)
Settled S6-46 upper berth. Most of the guys n' gals in the group have known each other from previous trips. I guess a fun group. This is my first outing with Bangalore Trekking Club, I will take my time.

9:42 PM (Bangalore)
Yesvantpur station. Eight more joins. Total 24- 17 boys and 7 girls is my count.

10:24 PM (Bangalore)
Train leaving Yesvantpur station only now. I had already had a late lunch so will not have anything for dinner tonight.

11:14 PM (In Train)
Train moving fast and slow and I am feeling a little bored. It's like sun rises slowly and slowly it shines. It doesn't just become noon after midnight.

12:23 PM (In Train)
Most of us are asleep, a few are trying and I am not sure. No, no wait I hear someone talking something like giving gyan. Haven't met the entire group yet. Ok lets say goodnight

1:25 AM (In Train)
Well its making me feel funny. I am supposed to be sleeping but its not letting me. When in a forest amongst all noise there's chirping of a cricket, near a lake there's croaking of a toad that always stand tall and clear; likewise here amongst all noise of thumbling locomotive like tin cans tied to a rope dragged by some unruly kid and all the clattering of window panes and buzzing fans overhead there's this rhythmic sound of my fellow travelers snoring stands loud and sound- its music damn it!!!

7:11 AM (Hubli Station)
Wake up old man. Jump off your berth and out on to the platform. Board says HUBLI. A quick brush chik! chik! chik! and a fast breakfast. Some iddli and vada.


10:13 AM (Castlerock)

CastleRock

At Castle Rock- fancy name for a railway station. Train standing and photo session started, followed by introductions, mist n drizzle n nice weather. There's this abandoned railway shed that stands right outside the station in ruins and covered in moss gives you a feeling of some old British castle destroyed by barbarians from up north(ah my imaginations sucks!!!) From here we walk into the mist.

12:32 AM (On Track)

The Welcome Tunnel

We have been walking for quite some time now. A group of fast trekkers carrying the tents are ahead by an hour or even more. Rest of us are moving in even smaller groups occasionally stopping here and there overtaking each other and many other groups travelling alongside. I am with the photographer carrying his tripod and lazily moving- at the end. Taking all my time in enjoying the walk and appreciating the surrounding. It feels like it will rain, a few drops and nothing. We have crossed three tunnels tunnels, few streams, a few trains and right now on a bridge looking at this green rock protruding out from the deep valley bellow.

2:32 PM (Caranzol)

Entering Goa

Group has stopped at a small station. Refreshing and re-energizing and filling empty water bottles. 6.5 Kilometers from here is Doodhsagar railway station says a railway employee posted in this desolate place who just finished his lunch and now washing his plate and tiffin box. And yes we are in the state of Goa now.



4:14 PM (Doodhsagar)
OK finally reached.... What I lost during this fourteen kilometer long walk- lots of calories and all of my shoe sole. What I gained- lots of stamina and strength and photography tips and made new friends and hell lot of fresh air. Right infront of me a sign board says Dudh Sagar Water Falls and above it a little to the left near the peak of this hill white water pouring down from the sky- what a sight.

The Doodhsagar Falls

 5:45 PM (Doodhsagar)
First thing I did was get into water, the fall gushes under the bridge before falling further down into the valley. I heard them say water is less now and yes, it was quite shallow.

Naha Dho Ke Fresh!!!  Few tents are already up, thanks to the leading team of fast trekkers.




6:37 PM (Doodhsagar)
Group starts chatting- all seated in a long line near the rail track as evening is now upon us. Now sleeping mats are being spread as we are about to begin the game of Antakshri.

8:16 PM (Doodhsagar)
Dinner time. Holding torch. Paratha, Palak paneer, Nutri bar, Jowar Roti, Groundnut chutney, Cup noodles. Yo 'm done!!!

10:16 PM (Doodhsagar)
Post dinner talk starts with stories of travel to haunted places. Followed by what I would say entertaining standup comedy. Group dispersed and good night greetings shared.

11:25 PM (Doodhsagar)
Sure most of the group will soon start snoring. Some outside and some from inside the tents

6:04 AM (Doodhsagar)

Heavy Rain

Wake up! Wake up! Answers your nature calls and get back soon for breakfast.

8:00 AM (Doodhsagar)
Super Heavy rain. Departure delayed. Breakfast done.

8:35 AM (Doodhsagar)
Bingo! water inside my mobile phone as we decided to walk into the rain.

9:30 AM (Sonalium)
We are at Sonalium station. Few members have plans to go to Goa so we leave them here. They will catch the next train to Vasco at 11AM. Just out of Sonalium station to your right a small trail starts from near a temple. Call it the Jeep trail.

The Jeep Trail

10:23 AM (On Track)
Jeep trail ends here (it was more of a leech trail) and we are back on rail road. But trekkers are in a different mood here. Fulfilling fantasies of dancing in rain on a railway track; adding wild moves to gagnam dance as it played on a mobile phone wrapped inside a polythene cover.

11:02 AM (On Track)
About one n half km before Quelem station between last pillars of 47 n 48. A swift stream on our left. We plan to spend some time here.

12:34 PM (On Track)
We had fun, trekkers went wet n' crazy. It was relaxing. Will now walk over the remaining rail road to Kulem station. Here comes the downpour.

The Rejuvenating Stream

1:12 PM (Kulem)
At Kulem  station. My legs are hurting more because I have been walking in this weird manner curse my wet and heavy pants which seemed to be unevenly stitched between the legs making me uncomfortable. First thing change of clothes.

2:23 PM (Kulem)
Had lunch. Fish curry. Fish fry. Hungry tummy now so happy. Place is near the station, take the foot bridge and exit at the north side, take left at the crossroad and then first left lane, third house on right. Couple of table and chair outside.

Goods Train at Kulem

4:20 PM (Kulem)
Train comes Vasco-Nizamuddin Express. General compartment- full rush. So push and talk and make way and find a place to settle down. Once done now wait.





6:37 PM (Londa)
Londa station another one and half hour wait before our final train to Bangalore arrives. Bhelpuri gorging session followed by BTC Feedback session.

8:00 PM (In Train)
Train came in time. Now slowly settling down, arranging and rearranging our berth until we get it right.

11:00 PM (In Train)

Majestic Doodhsagar Falls

We had biscuits and moongdal and nuts and everything eatable that was left in our bags. Also had dinner. Then talked n' talked n' made noise n' played dumb charades. I was the last dumb enactor "Funtoosh the dudes of tenth century"- huh! Our team won n' the other team lost. As we are all tired and badly need some sleep quickly exchanged goodnight greetings and retired.

02:33 AM (In Train)
Shivering like I am the cause why this train is rambling. Someone must have left the doors open my berth being the last one takes all the chilling wind rushing in n m dressed extreme shorts n light tee shirt. Do not know what to do now smearing volini all over my legs and arms and will try sleeping again. MORE SHIVERRING!!!

6:56 AM (Yesvantpur)
Man had a cold night. Some of us got down here while rest will continue till city central railway station or majestic.

7:23 AM (Majestic)
Majestic. Quick walk out of station and shake hands before all dispersed with hopes to meet again and be part of another fantastic journey together.

Note: Photo credits Chaitanya, Kushal and Gangadhar (Photos were edited to best fit sizes). Many thanks to Bangalore Trekking Club for organizing this trip.