Taking an overnight train can be a little problematic. The train doesn't leave until evening and you have to vacate your room in the morning. They'll always let you store your bags but by the middle of the afternoon it just gets tiring waiting for the time to go to the train station. Also, we have become big fans of resting during the middle of the day as do most of the locals.
To solve this problem you can try to extend your check out time or simply book another night if it's cheap enough. We decided to move from Hampi to Hopset which is the town where the train station is and found a hotel that is a short tuk-tuk ride to the station. We got a basic room at a nice resort for just Rs450 or about $7.50. It is very basic- no AC, about the size of a dorm room but clean with hot water and a TV. Also 3 onsite restaurants and a pool. So we wiled away the afternoon here- big lunch with meat and beer (because Hampi is a holy place it was all veg and no beer for the last few days.) A swim in the pool, nap, shower, free wifi, rearranged our packs. All refreshed for the 12 hour train trip to Mysore.
We are traveling 2AC sleeper car this time. Much nicer than chair class. Each section of the car has two tiers of bunks that flip down so much roomier. There are vendors that come around selling all sorts of things- full meals, water, juice, soda, snacks. Still a long time to travel but I find train travel the easiest. The motion of the train is the least likely to get me sick and you can get up and move about. Mike likes to stand in the area between the trains and hang out the door and watch the scenery go by. I'm not quite that adventurous. Next stop Mysore in the heart of Karnataka. We splurged for a hotel in the middle of the city next to the Royal Palace. Nice place with a pool- I could get used to this!
~Rebecca
To solve this problem you can try to extend your check out time or simply book another night if it's cheap enough. We decided to move from Hampi to Hopset which is the town where the train station is and found a hotel that is a short tuk-tuk ride to the station. We got a basic room at a nice resort for just Rs450 or about $7.50. It is very basic- no AC, about the size of a dorm room but clean with hot water and a TV. Also 3 onsite restaurants and a pool. So we wiled away the afternoon here- big lunch with meat and beer (because Hampi is a holy place it was all veg and no beer for the last few days.) A swim in the pool, nap, shower, free wifi, rearranged our packs. All refreshed for the 12 hour train trip to Mysore.
We are traveling 2AC sleeper car this time. Much nicer than chair class. Each section of the car has two tiers of bunks that flip down so much roomier. There are vendors that come around selling all sorts of things- full meals, water, juice, soda, snacks. Still a long time to travel but I find train travel the easiest. The motion of the train is the least likely to get me sick and you can get up and move about. Mike likes to stand in the area between the trains and hang out the door and watch the scenery go by. I'm not quite that adventurous. Next stop Mysore in the heart of Karnataka. We splurged for a hotel in the middle of the city next to the Royal Palace. Nice place with a pool- I could get used to this!
~Rebecca
I'm really enjoying hearing the details! If you don't mind questions... I am wondering--are you finding it easy to stay within your $100 per day budget?
ReplyDeleteSounds lovely! $7.50 for a basic room? WOW. 3 restaurants and a pool…nice. What's a tuk tuk ride? I hear the Great Lakes will have more ice this year, than ever in history! Our news said 60%!!! And Lake Superior has some magnificent natural ice formations. Brrrrr, you picked a perfect time to travel!!!!
ReplyDeleteA pool sounds nice - 6 below here this morning and more snow on the way! You picked a good winter to skip! Safe travels.
ReplyDelete