Operation Year of Freedom

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Thanjāvūr to Villupurum Junction and change for Puducherry, it's a travel day as we continue moving north.
Our first journey in second class with AC, and we're converts - $15 each for 3.5 hours traveling.
A lovely linen pack with a pillow in a bright, white case was waiting on the fold out seat beds. The seat padding may have left around the time the British left India, but we still had a very comfortable ride.
Changing to a local train at Villupurum Junction, our tickets cost 10 rupee (10c) each in general class, and we were pleased to be on board early to get a seat.
Ironically, the carriage was labeled as first class!
Tiger Balm is being regularly employed to counter the pong effect of the infamous Indian train toilet carriage.
Burning nostrils and the deep menthol smell help to take one's mind off the aromas.... After this trip though, Indian train toilets are winning the pong battle and controlled dehydration before a looks like the best approach going forward !
Puducherry was occupied by the French until 1956, and there are remnants of promenades, parks and European styled building still, and some very good French inspired food!
A break from dosa and vege gravies will help strengthen the long term relationship we need with these Indian staples.
Punducherry is another good location to hire a scooter and Nathan's back in the driver's seat, adding dodging cows on the road to his driving repertoire.Läs mer