The train to Bhopal

9th February 2018 – Train to Bhopal

Another early’ish start as we had to get the 08:02 train to Bhopal. As the traffic was light we made good time to the station. Said goodbye to Mr. Singh and handed our luggage to the porters. The Audley rep took us through security and onto the platform. We had this idea that Indian trains and stations where seething masses of people with people on top of the trains etc.. This was none of that and was orderly. The information boards tell you where your carriage will be, the train arrival is tannoyed just prior to its arrival and you get on. There was some confusion as people took their seats, but that was about it.

The train had wide comfortable seats which reclined and had a drop down table. Although the whole decor was well worn it worked so, we got comfortable for our 6 hour journey south to Bhopal.

After about an hour out we were offered water by the carriage staff and then at 11:30 we were offered a vegetable soup. This was cleared away and we thought no more until about 30 minutes later they came down with lunch. It was quite a tasty chicken curry with rice, followed up with an ice cream.  The service is supplied by meals on wheels. I thought I was too young for that!!?

Lunch Menu

Meals on Wheels!

A tasty lunch

A few minutes late we entered Bhopal Junction Station. We were met from the train by the local representative and our driver for the next few days, Naseem. Again he is a man of few words. As we drove to our hotel were a bit concerned as he didn’t use his horn as he wove his way through traffic.

The hotel Jehan Numa is located above one of the lakes around Bhopal and an oasis of calm.