First we went to central railway station in Chennai. At that time we couldn’t get tickets to go to New Delhi. But we were determined to start our tour. So we decided to catch a flight. But immediately a person approached us and told us that he can get us tickets to New Delhi by train. But we had to bribe him some amount. We got tickets in an air-conditioned coach.

A special mention about railway journey-A long journey in Indian Railways is always a great memory to cherish upon. Though Indian Railways is slow and it takes two to three days to reach destination. The journey time is enjoyed by watching sight seeing and by eating lots of food that comes frequently in train itself. Those people who are going to visit India, my advice is don’t miss a long journey in Indian Railways. It is always cheap and enjoyable.

We reached New Delhi after 1 day and 2 nights. We stayed in Ashoka Hotel. We had to board train to Kalka to reach Shimla (gallery). The name of train is Himalayan Queen. It is very similar to seating arrangements in an airplane. The train is completely air-conditioned with chair car facilities. They gave cutlets and bread to eat. But that didn’t suffice our hunger. Actually we expected either of south or north Indian meals. We reached kalka in evening. From kalka we boarded toy train. The train went for 5 hours and finally reached Shimla. Going in toy train makes one feel enjoyable. It goes very slowly. We can enjoy natural sceneries and high mountains of Shimla. While we went in toy train, we ate Punjabi meals which included rice, Punjabi dhal, roti and subji.

There were many foreigners who came with us in toy train. Foreigners always walk everywhere. I think this is reason why they have a very good health. We stayed in Hotel Ashoka (Shimla), which is in Mall road. We went for sight seeing next day. No rice was available there in Shimla. Only chapatti was available in opulence.

In Shimla, we went to helipad (where helicopters land in). We couldn’t see even people who were opposite to us (due to fog). In Shimla, we traveled in a maruthi omni car. While traveling, we could see many apple trees with so many apples. Roses were available in plenty along road side.

Then we heard we could camp for free at isolated campgrounds which dotted Apalachicola National Forest. Our frugality sent us into alligator country.

We spent two nights in dark woods next to dark waters of a slow river. Our only company was an old guy who seemed to be living there, and a nice couple with their two-year-old daughter. Lester was from England, Kari from Texas, and Indya was born in Guatamala. They met in India, of course.

Our little group circled fire at night, trading stories, and occasionally sneaking down to water with flashlights to look for eyes of alligators. We heard splashes in night, but saw nothing.

Lake Talquin