Wisps
of wind caressed my face while my eyes remained stuck to the views
outside. Palm trees ascended above the choppy blue waters and the
traditional houses for most of the part through the journey. Kerala, for me, was rolling its way to
glorious beauty in picturesque motion.
Accustomed to the madness that local trains of Mumbai offer, I heaved a huge sigh of relief when the local train ride from Kozhikode (Calicut) to Kannur, my destination in Kerala, provided for a complete contrast, in all possible ways.
For starters, there were no crowds to suffocate my space or jostle me around, something that I had anticipated a few minutes earlier when I was standing at the ticket window. Sure, the weather was hot and I did feel some sweat trickle down my forehead soon after hopping on the train but that was amply compensated by my prized acquisition - the window seat - in the right direction.
For the next two hours or so, I witnessed an eclectic mix of charm, spirit and beauty mirrored in the picturesque landscape, covering the floors of this divine country.
Views from my window seat: Feel the ecstasy of the moving train!
Even amid the stillness of the trees, the skies, the waters and the Zen-like views I heard the wind whisper a promise...
A promise...
... to be a perfect companion on this nature trail of mine.
Traveler Tips:
1. Located at a distance of 85 kms., Kannur can be reached via road, rail or bus from Kozhikode.
By rail: The nearest station to Kozhikode airport is Faroq from where one can get access to a few direct trains for Kannur. The train that I have described above is the Calicut Kannur Passenger which departs from Faroq at 2 pm (and at 2.15 pm from Kozhikode Main), takes around 2 hrs. and costs a meager Rs. 18! You can get some more options to choose from if you decide to catch a train from the main Kozhikode station. Do your research on the internet beforehand to find the train suited to your timings and preferences so that you dont find yourself lost once you are there.
Other options: Cabs charge around Rs. 2500 for taking you to Kannur. As an alternative, buses are available too.
PS: Last 2 days remaining for 'One Picture From My Photo Album' Contest to close. Please participate if you haven't already! :-)
PS: Last 2 days remaining for 'One Picture From My Photo Album' Contest to close. Please participate if you haven't already! :-)
55 Comments
I can almost hear the clickity-clack of the train, Arti. All those palms!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely, as always I feel as if I have undertaken this journey with you.
ReplyDeleteI love all the palm trees, and the cute yellow train! So clever the way you put your blog name on the train! Train rides are so special, I rode one once. I love hearing the distant whistle of a train.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for this wonderful trip. It is going to be an experience you would cherish.
ReplyDeleteSouth of Vindhya's, the climate is a little different compared to Mumbai and Kerala has got extremes but still its a paradise for the eyes. You should also try the train ride between Coonoor and Ooty, that is another memorable ride :)
ReplyDeleteGood pics! And it would be quite nice to ride in a local train that isn't crowded. That's a first and I hope to have that traveling experience too someday!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect train trip! Uncrowded, beautiful scenery....great destination! How perfect.
ReplyDeleteA window seat in a train is one of the best ways to travel, ever. So glad that you got to see more of GOC that way. What did you do in Waynad? (I'm from there, y'know ;))
ReplyDeleteI couldn't make it to Wayanad, Divya :( Next time, perhaps!
DeleteNo wonder why they call it land of god, just so green like heaven :) it's the toy train arti?
ReplyDeleteTrue that, Mareta :) It is not the toy train, it is the general local train of the state but the views were amazing.
DeleteThank you Arti for taking us through the verdant Kannnur by train. A rush of memories swept through as I have traveled all over Kerala in trains many years ago:)
ReplyDeleteArti, Nice to read your new post ,Lovely photos from Train, amazing view.
ReplyDeleteI love train journeys, especially local train journeys in smaller towns!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myunfinishedlife.com
This is a lovely ride. I did take the train from Kozhikode to Mangalore last month and it was auch a wonderful one. Am sure you too had a lovely train journey.
ReplyDeletewww.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
It sounds very interesting trip. Riding on a train is always fun.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to feel the space when you come from a super crowded city like Mumbai. Beautiful shots and lovely narration.
ReplyDeletelovely post!
ReplyDeleteA train journey within Kerala or even from Mumbai to Kerala will be a visual treat! Once in Kerala, the views are absolutely gorgeous like the ones you have shared, one house surrounded by trees!
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience in Sri Lanka. Have never loved a local train journey so much ! :)
ReplyDeleteI could almost hear the train! It has been a long time since I last rode one. Love the scenery you captured from the train. Oh my, I couldn't seem to locate the photos I would love to join in your contest :) Have a great week Arti! :)
ReplyDeleteThe pictures and narration is so inviting that one feels like going to Kerala asap. I visited Kerala long time ago, I think I need to visit again.... Thanks..
ReplyDeleteSounds like an amazing train ride!
ReplyDeleteIts a beautiful journey...with coconut trees around and chudukkan chaya pazhyam pori in one hand :)
ReplyDeleteNice post Arti ! It made me feel nostalgic about my train journey from Delhi to Kerela long time back. The landscape, climate & the view,everything changes beautifully and you can't resist your self enjoying it. A train journey like this will always be a memory to cherish:)
ReplyDeleteI could sit for hours just watching out the window of the train and watch the beautiful scenery in passing. Looks like you are heading to paradise. Have a wonderful rest of the week. Hugs Carrie
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteAh, the wonders of a window seat, you can't beat that!
ReplyDeleteah!! you took me back a couple of decades, when this used to be the route to Kannur, when I would use time to devour that thriller novel on the way back from college....... simple pleasures of life.
ReplyDeleteMy Uncle's family visited Kerala few years back and I am surprised they never visited that part.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I hear about trains my eyes start shining with excitement.
You must have enjoyed a lot through those 2hrs.
Although I am missing the look of the train,was it a toy train or like any other Indian train ?
local trains can never get as crowded as the Mumbai trains in any part of the world..:)
ReplyDeletenice pics and crisp descriptions... glad to read ur blog aarthi!..:)
Hi, Arti
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the train journey, seeing those intriguing landscape with you.
I like the yellow train.It is very cute!!!I believe my granddaughter would be very happy if she see the train!
Tomoko
looks like a wonderful travel, i love train ride too, especially if it passes countryside with views such as these.
ReplyDeleteSounds like something i'd really like to do too ARti! What a lovely train-ride. Hope your weekend is relaxing and fun. Am back from my tripe, much work awaits me ;)
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of our earth never fails to enchant me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, have a divine and glorious day ♥
I know how you feel...the contrast of train station and journey between Kerala and Mumbai! Love these photos.
ReplyDeleteI have completed a train ride with you, somewhere in Malaysia. It looks so familiar.
ReplyDeleteTrain journeys in India are really interesting. The get to see people from all walks of life. Then some of the trains pass through breath taking landscapes.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos my dear Arti!
ReplyDeleteI love so much the train!
Kerala is a paradise!!!
Thank you!
Many kisses
Indeed a memorable one!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week ahead!
ReplyDeleteI've never been on a train ride, you made me wish I could enjoy a ride as much as you did.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the countryside through the window is always the best experience. Relaxing photographs, my dear friend! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Arti,
ReplyDeleteI am happy that I have recovered to 99.999 percent!
I would like to walk this beautiful season in Nara. Rainy season will be here soon.
Have a good day, Arti.
Tomoko
Although I've never even visited India when I think of trains there I have images of nothing but masses of humanity. Lovely to see another side of train travel - a peaceful, beautiful side at that.
ReplyDeleteKerala sounds like a very lovely place to visit.
This post reminds me of my train journey from Baroda to Kottayam. It's truly God's own country :)
ReplyDeletemy hometown is named Trento coz it used to have a long train rail in our place. but i never seen a train ever since i was born. lol.
ReplyDeleteI have always seen and heard of the crowds and conditions of India train travel. Thanks for this different perspective. The scenery looks beautiful. Looks like another wonderful trip, Arti!
ReplyDeleteHi Arti,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed hearing about your train journey and seeing your lovely photos.
Traveling by train is lovely you can relax, sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Happy new week and thanks for visiting me.
Hugs
Carolyn
Thankx for the wonderful review....but yes kerela is a really beautiful state.....i just love the peace & tranquility the place provides....
ReplyDeleteLooks like you treated your eyes to some very scenic routes just by looking out the window. I bet at some locations you wanted to get out to explore more of its wonders.
ReplyDeleteyou know how i love traveling by train in your country, Arti. This post of yours made me nostalgic about my journey there last year.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend! :D
I love traveling by train -- it's the one thing I'd definitely do when I visit India. I saw a documentary sometime ago on your trains and I was fascinated.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, train service was established here in the 1800s but was closed, sadly, in 1992. I remember when it was announced that your rail company would help ours to reopen the lines. Not sure what became of that partnership. However, limited service was restored but I think the government has decided to close it again as it was costing them too much money. I keep hoping we'll wise up and reopen rail service, especially as it's such a cheaper way for farmers to bring their produce to market.
Anyway, thanks for the virtual trip. It'll have to do until I get to do the real thing.
Marcia
Sounds like a wonderful journey, Arti! I love travelling by these trains too... its so much more fun than simply driving down somewhere. the only thing is that we need to factor in a lot of time for them, which doesnt always work out :(
ReplyDeleteHi - Just come across your blog - so much India stuff on here it's amazing!! A mate of mine just done a couple of months there and I've added it to my list - going through your site to find what things might be best for me when I hit India - doing Central Asia first though! Thanks for a great site. Jonny
ReplyDeleteDelighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!
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