We had an easy start - 9:00 taxi to the station to catch the train to Mumbai. We arrived at the station and checked the status of our tickets. Despite booking 3 months ago, we still only had 2 confirmed seats and 2 wait-listed seats. We all got on the train and found an empty 1st class carriage. The ticket man found us and informed us that the train was full but we could have 4 seats in the compartment meant for 2. It was a bit of a squash for 4, so we spe...

In keeping with our relaxed mood, we had a leisurely ride to our next stop (Panaji the state capital of Goa). It involved 2 buses and 2 tuk-tuks - both the tuk-tuk rides were less than 2Km and cost more that both buses! 3 hours later we had checked into our new hotel - a nice heritage property in the 'Latin quarter' of Panaji where all the houses are in old colonial Portuguese style. The place does not look or feel like India at all. We spent the afternoo...

We were struggling to find a route from Hampi to South Goa - our next stop. The train didn't run on the day we wanted and the only bus was 10 hours and ran overnight. We wimped out and booked a taxi. It was supposed to be a 5-6 hour trip by car. However we had gone for the cheaper car option - about the size of a Corsa and no A/C. We set off and the first 3 hours weren't too bad. It then got hotter and hotter and the traffic got heavier. After a lunch st...

We travelled to Hampi on the overnight train. To fortify ourselves for the journey we decided on a good lunch - a buffet at the best hotel in Mysore. It was then off to the station to find our 1st class sleeper carriage on the train. This is quite a civilised way to travel. After a patchy nights sleep we arrived at Hospet where we were staying to visit the ruins of Hampi. After a shower and breakfast, it was off in a tuk-tuk to Hampi. Hampi is a vast site o...

We went up market on the bus to Mysore - we caught a super deluxe Volvo bus at 3 times the standard price (£3:40 for a 4 hour journey). The trip was hair-raising initially - first through the mountains then a steep descent to the plain. The road was narrow with lots of pot holes and sharp bends - we were at the front so hung on for dear life. It also took us through the national park where we had the bonus of seeing elephants, deer and monkeys. We arrive...