{"id":10138,"date":"2026-10-23T11:20:53","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T00:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/?p=10138"},"modified":"2026-10-23T11:21:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T00:21:07","slug":"india-2026-journal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/india-2026-journal\/","title":{"rendered":"India 2026 – Journal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\nContents\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Prior to take-off<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nPreparation\n<\/td>\n\nMon 26 Oct\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n To Kuala Lumpur<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nOff I go\n<\/td>\n\nTue 27 Oct\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n 2 Observations<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nUp in the air\n<\/td>\n\nTue 27 Oct\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n A day at leisure<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nKuala Lumpur\n<\/td>\n\nWed 28 Oct\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n The National Museum<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nAn educational experience\n<\/td>\n\nThu 29 Oct\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Islamic Arts Museum<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nThe best of this culture’s art\n<\/td>\n\nFri 30 Oct\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n A customs experience.<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nNew Delhi Airport\n<\/td>\n\nSun 01 Nov\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n The Lucknow experience.<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nLucknow station\n<\/td>\n\nTue 03 Nov\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n The Dinner experience.<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nLucknow by night\n<\/td>\n\nTue 03 Nov\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n The Auto rickshaw experience.<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nHeritage museum – Lucknow\n<\/td>\n\nThu 05 Nov\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n 5 must be the magic number<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nNagar Metro gate #2 – Lucknow\n<\/td>\n\nFri 06 Nov\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Hiring a boat<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nRiver Ganges\n<\/td>\n\nSun 08 Nov\n<\/td>\n\n\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n What is it with me and transport?<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nTrain 11108 Varanasi to Gwalior\n<\/td>\n\nTue 10 Nov\n<\/td>\n\n ✔ <\/span>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n A grand day out<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nGwalior\n<\/td>\n\nWed 11 Nov\n<\/td>\n\n ✔ <\/span>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n India, a land of contradictions<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nGwalior\n<\/td>\n\nFri 13 Nov\n<\/td>\n\n ✔ <\/span>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

✔<\/span> A red tick denotes a new item in this version.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\nPrior to take-off – Preparation<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Monday 26th Oct 2026<\/p>\n

In preparation for my trip to Kuala Lumpur and India I moved from Matthew’s home where I stayed over the weekend. I was there to watch my granddaughter Sophie’s performance as the doctor in the Queenwood scholl musical Matilda. She was superb by the way. I stayed the night on Monday in Rockdale a short 420 bus ride to the airport .Dinner in Rockdale was at Nepolese restaurant. I chose Mo-Mo, Buffalo dumplings <\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\nTo Kuala Lumpur – Off I go<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Tuesday 27th Oct 2026<\/p>\n

A 10 minute bus ride to the airport and a glide through customs. I was offered a different seat on the plane when checking in so sitting on the plane I had a spare seat next to me. I could sprawl out all the way to Kuala Lumpur. The flight time was 8 hours and 45 minutes in total. At one point we were traveling at 763 kmph and I was very glad of a blanket as it was minus 48 degrees C (this must be have been outside otherwise I would have been a lot chillier than I was).<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\n2 Observations – Up in the air<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Tuesday 27th Oct 2026<\/p>\n

The flight was 8 hours 45 minutes long. We flew over Australia only to finally leave after around four hours into the flight. This always amazes me that half of a nearly 9 hour flight is over Australia.<\/p>\n

This was the first flight that I have taken with access to the Internet. I was able to check my emails, give Judy a couple of progress reports and listen to Spotify audio. Not enough bandwidth to watch a Netflix film but that is not surprising.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\nA day at leisure – Kuala Lumpur<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Wednesday 28th Oct 2026<\/p>\n

I spent the day wandering (Is 10.5 KM wandering – ED?) around KL observing the sights. I had an enjoyable butter chicken dish with rice at a hawker centre which took about 15 minutes to cook and only cost RM10 (Aus$ 3.39). A grand day out.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\nThe National Museum – An educational experience<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Thursday 29th Oct 2026<\/p>\n

Today i took advantage of a free English guided tour of the National Museum. THe guide was very knowledgable about the history and delevopemnt of Malaysia.It was pushed around by Portugal, The Dutch, the Japanese and the British befor becoming indepandant. The main groups are Malays, Chinese and Indian.
\nThe tour lasted 3 hours and covered the whole museum in some detail.
\nA great experience.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\nIslamic Arts Museum – The best of this culture’s art<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Friday 30th Oct 2026<\/p>\n

\n \"Cafe<\/p>\n

I spent the morning looking at some of the best Art that this culture offers. I have included some images of the textiles from Pakistan. This photo of the wall in the cafe does not really do it justice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\nA customs experience. – New Delhi Airport<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Sunday 1st Nov 2026<\/p>\n

Thursday 5th Nov 2026<\/p>\n

Executive Summary<\/p>\n

Near the end of my flight to New Delhi, the flight attendant gave me a QR code for India\u2019s online entry form. The plane
\nhad WiFi, but the website wouldn\u2019t load, so once we landed I switched to mobile data and finished the form while waiting
\nto get off.<\/p>\n

This being India, there was also a second form, declaring that I didn\u2019t have Ebola. I only found out about it at the
\ncustoms desk, where the official handed me a blank form and his pen and I filled it in standing in front of him. He
\nfound my tourist visa in his database, so things looked good.<\/p>\n

Then the questions started. Why was I travelling? Tourism, and this was my sixth visit. Why India? The people, the
\nculture, the food. Where was I going? Lucknow, Varanasi, Sanchi and a few other places. What did I do for a living? I\u2019m
\nretired, but I\u2019ve always written software and now do it for pleasure.<\/p>\n

By now I was wondering whether he had me down as a drug smuggler. Instead he said I must be quite smart, and asked about
\nmy paid work, my website and my phone number, because he wanted to message me. I was an interesting person, he said, and
\nit\u2019s unwise to disagree with a customs official. Once through the gate I looked back at the long queue and realised he
\nsimply had the power to stop and chat, so he did.<\/p>\n

Full Story<\/p>\n

Near the end of my flight to New Delhi, the flight attendant asked me if I had already completed an online entry form.
\nAs i said I had not she gave me a QR code to scan. Even though I had WiFi on the plane, i could not access the website
\nto allow me to complete the form online.\n<\/p>\n

As soon as we hit the tarmac, I turned off flight mode and connected to mobile data. Whilst waiting to de-plane I
\ncompleted the form and received a confirmation.<\/p>\n

This being India, I should not have been surprised to know that an additional form was needed to say that I did not have
\nthe Ebola virus. I found this out when I was in front of the customs security official. He gave me a blank form and his
\npen so i stood and in front of him and filled out the form. The official checked my passport, found my tourist visa in
\nhis database and so I thought it’s looking good.\n<\/p>\n

Then he asked me why I was travelling to India. I said I was a tourist and I’d been to India five times already. Then he
\nsaid, “Why do you come to India”? I told him I like the people, the culture, the food. Then he asked me,”Where are you
\ngoing to visit in India?” So I replied, Lucknow Varanasi, Sanchi and a couple of other places. Next was,”What do you do
\nfor a living”? I said I’m retired but I’ve always written software and now I do it for pleasure.<\/p>\n

I was by this time getting a little concerned. Did he view me a as potential drug-snuggler or criminal. He then said,
\n“you must be quite smart”. I said, I don’t know about that, but these days I’m helped with Antropic’s Claude AI agent.
\nThen he asked .”Do you do any paid work? I said I support a website in Queensland, Dying with Dignity. Next was if I had
\nmy own website. I told him I did. It contains travel photos and journals. He asked me for the address, which I gave him.
\nThen he asked for my phone number as he wanted to message me. You’re an interesting person. I had to agree as it is
\nunwise to disagree with a customs security official. After I’d gone through the gate, I turned round and there was quite
\na queue of people waiting to be processed, I think he realized he had the power to stop and chat, which he did.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\nThe Lucknow experience. – Lucknow station<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Tuesday 3rd Nov 2026<\/p>\n

New Delhi was a find your feet experience with nothing worthy to report. I had an easy walk to the station in the early morning on Tuesday to catch the 6:10am express to Lucknow. I travelled Executive class which meant a better seat and breakfast included.<\/p>\n

The train arrived a few minutes early in Lucknow. The fun started when I walked off the platform which opens out into the car park. My plan was to hire an Uber to get to the hotel. I entered the address of the hotel into the app and selected the car option. The credit card was checked and refused as it was an old card that had been compromised and I had not updated it.<\/p>\n

I chose the cash option and then waited for a car to be selected. After a few minutes a car and driver was allocated to me but after 10 minutes another car and driver was allocated and probably 15 minutes after that a third. It was at this point I decided to give up on uber and get an auto-rickshaw. (A motor bike with an attached passenger cabin. There are no autos in India like this AI generated one, Indian ones have dirt and dents).<\/p>\n


\n\tI knew the Uber price to the hotel was about two hundred rupee so I offered the auto driver 300. He wanted 600 which I refused. We discussed the merits of my offer for a bit and then he agreed to 300 We loaded suitcase in the back of the auto and I got in then he started to check where the Hotel was. He took my phone with the address and the Google map and asked a few other drivers and eventually came back and said no the traffic was too bad. “I’m not taking you” he said and so umloaded the suitcase.<\/p>\n

This was a little bit frustrating to say the least as, when you this about it, the traffic is too bad everywhere in India at 2pm. At this point Uber canceled my ride and I found another driver who wanted 600 we agreed on 300, he did not ask anyone where the hotel was until we were in a traffic jam. He took my phone and asked around. He took me there eventially and we arrived at the hotel safe and sound. I felt guilty and gave him 400 rupee. I think we left as firm friends.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\nThe Dinner experience. – Lucknow by night<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Tuesday 3rd Nov 2026<\/p>\n

Executive Summary<\/span><\/p>\n

As I hadn’t walked yet today, I decided a walk and dinner was just the thing. I asked Google for supermarkets and found three. None of them exist any more. I should have remembered from previous trips that Google lives in fantasy land, not India. Things change quickly here and Google’s photos haven’t kept up. I hoped it would be better at restaurants, but the one it showed close by was nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n

As I stood by the road pondering the map, a well-dressed man asked if he could help. I showed him Google’s photo of a bright red restaurant, and it turned out I was standing right outside it. Pollution had long since dissolved the red paint. He came in with me and suggested Thali, a vegetarian plate with a selection of dishes and rice, and he ordered roti as well.<\/p>\n

It was very tasty. He politely declined anything I offered him, even a bottle of water, so we just chatted. He was an executive with a pharmaceuticals company, married with two children. When I finished, he stood up and paid for my meal. When I protested, he told me he had lost his father at the beginning of Covid and that I was a father figure to him. What a wonderful gesture. I told him how much I appreciated it before we went our separate ways. On Wednesday I plan to ask reception about a supermarket that actually exists.<\/p>\n

On the way home I bought four apples and four light green mandarins from a fruit cart, and the mandarins turned out to be top quality. The seller said 100 rupees and, lacking the heart to argue, I happily paid. Walking away I worked it out at $1.40 Australian and felt totally guilty for even thinking of bargaining. It’s in my blood, sadly. That’s all for now folks.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Full Story<\/span><\/p>\n

It was time for dinner and as I had not walked yet today I decided a walk and dinner will be just the thing. I wanted to buy some fruit so I asked Google for supermarkets and found three. To cut along story short none of these supermarkets now exist. I should have remembered from previous trips to India that Google is in fantasy land not India. I guess things change quickly in such a huge country and it has not kept pace. Google has photographs of these places so they did exist but when you get there the places completely different which is very frustrating. I do not know why i thought Google was better at meals than supermarkets but I hoped. It said there was a restaurant close by and of course i could not see it.<\/p>\n

I was stood by the side of the road pondering the map and my options. A well dressed man came up to me and asked if he could help. I said he could and I showed him the Google image of the bright red restaurant image. It turns out I was standing outside, the photo must have been taken many, many years ago. The red paint had been dissolved by polution. I went in with my new friend, he asked if i read Hindi, I did not tell him I have trouble with English some days. He suggested Thali which is a vegetarian plate with a selection of vegitarian dishes plus rice.<\/p>\n

It was very tasty and he ordered roti as well bread. I offered to get him anything and he said no that’s fine. I ordered a bottle of water and said this is for you he said no I’m alright so I had a bottle of water and we chatted about stuff. He was an executive in a Pharmaceuticals company, he gave me his card and he was married with two children one was in year seven. So I ate while we sat chatted.The time passed very pleasantly and as finished he stood up and paid for my meal. I said I can’t allow that, you’ve been very kind. He told me he lost his father at the beginning of covid and you are a father figure so I’m happy to buy you dinner. What a wonderful gesture, I was so appreciative and I told him so. We parted and went our separate ways. What a great experience, amazing. On Wednesday I plan to ask reception if they know of a supermarket that actually exists and is not a Google fantasy, anyway, that’s in the future.<\/p>\n

I should add that on the way home I spotted a man with a fruit cart and bought four apples and four really great mandarins. The manderins were light green which might be the particular type of Mandarin or it might be an Indian thing, probably the latter. Anyway when I got back to the hotel I tried one of the mandarins and it was really really top quality. The fruit seller weighed the mandarins and the apples , put them in the bag and said 100 rupee. I thought I haven’t got the heart or the energy to argue the price so I very happily gave them a hundred rupee. Walking away I did the calculation into Australian dollars and felt totally guilty at thinking to argue over the price of the fruit which was 1.40 in Australian dollars. Yes I know but I just can’t help myself, bargaining is in my blood sadly. That’s all for now folks.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\nThe Auto rickshaw experience. – Heritage museum – Lucknow<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Thursday 5th Nov 2026<\/p>\n

Auto rickshaw hire is fun.<\/p>\n

I wanted to ride from the Heritage museum in Lucknow to a mall that specialised in electronics. It was in a straight
\n\tline and a very few kilometers. <\/p>\n

Whenever I want to hire an auto I always bring up the route in Google Maps to show the driver where I want to go.
\n\tThis I did so when I walked out of the museum and spotted a driver across the road in a fairly open area. I went through the routine showed him the place I wanted to go. He looked at the map made the map larger and then
\n\tmade the maps smaller. Next he took my phone over to another driver that was close by and they started an animated
\n\tchat in Hindi. No resolution appeared at hand when a pedestrian walked over. The three then chated and looked at the
\n\tmap. Again with no apparent resolution. <\/p>\n

Next a motorcycleist with pillion passenger pulled up and this cyclist, luckily, spoke pretty good English. I
\n\texplained to him where I want to go, more chat in Hindi and then he said he would take me for 103 rupee. I was
\n\tprepared for about 120 which was a little over the odds but I thought that was a good price. We settled on 103 and
\n\the said I have to deliver my passenger I’ll be back in 10 minutes, fine, I said I’ll be here. About three minutes later another driver turned up. There was a brief conversation with the original driver and he
\n\tsaid to me I’ll take their for 100 rupee. I jumped in his Auto.<\/p>\n

I found it interesting that he understood where to go with the briefest of chats whereas it took five people to work
\n\tit out originally. Taking a 15 minute Auto rickshaw ride is such a great experience. If you are wondering about the
\n\tsaid to me I’ll take their for 100 rupee. I jumped in his Auto. If you are wondering, the cost was $1:45 Australian.\n<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\n5 must be the magic number – Nagar Metro gate #2 – Lucknow<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Friday 6th Nov 2026<\/p>\n

Executive Summary<\/span><\/p>\n

My trip from Lucknow to Varanasi was on a long-distance coach. Like most on this route, it left early in the morning, from Nagar Metro Gate No.2, and my ticket had the exact GPS location of the pickup point, which eased the stress a little.<\/p>\n

Because I fear missing transport, I planned to arrive half an hour before check-in in case the Uber was slow. Of course it came within two minutes, and with little traffic I arrived with my half hour intact.<\/p>\n

There was a Nagar Metro sign but no gate number, or gate for that matter. Still, other coaches stopped there, which seemed a good omen. When my coach’s time came and went, a young man and his friend offered to help, which soon drew a crowd of five, including an auto rickshaw driver who kept offering to take me to a bus stop. Luckily he got bored and left.<\/p>\n

My young friend rang the helpline and confirmed we were in the right place. We spent a pleasant hour chatting while he called a friend with very good English to join us and checked again with the coach company.<\/p>\n

The bus arrived an hour late. By then our group had grown to eight, so I quickly shook everyone’s hand and hopped on as it pulled away, very relieved to be on my way to Varanasi.<\/p>\n

Full Story<\/span><\/p>\n

My trip from Lucknow to Varanasi was via a long distance coach. Most of the coaches on this route travel early in the
\n\tmorning and my coach was no exception. The coach was leaving from The Nagar Metro Gate No.2. My ticket had the exact
\n\tGPS location of the pickup point. This made matters a little less stressful for me.<\/p>\n

Because I have a fear missing transport in general I aimed to be at the pick up point half an hour in advance of the
\n\tchecking in time which was 15 minutes prior to pickup. I thought this extra time might be needed if i could not get
\n\tan Uber quickly. No surprises that the Uber came within 2 minutes.<\/p>\n

There was very little traffic at this time and i was at the pickup point with my half an hour spare still intect.\n<\/p>\n

However, I naturally became concerned because although there was a sign with Nagar metro but no gate number or gate itself for that matter.\n<\/p>\n

I was happy to see that some long distance coaches did stop at this point to pick up passengers. I felt this was
\n\ta good omen. After the coach arrival time had passed a young man and his friend came up to ask if I needed any help. This of course attracted a couple of other people and an Auto rickshaw driver. The magic number 5 was reached.<\/p>\n

The Auto rickshaw driver was annoying by saying he could take me to a bus stop not seeming to understand that i
\n\tthought I was at my bus stop already. Luckily he got bored and drove off.<\/p>\n

My young friend phoned the helpline number on ticket to check if this was the right spot. He was given a second
\n\tnumber which he tried and, great, we were in the right place. We spent a pleasant hour chatting and waiting for the
\n\tbus. During which time he phoned one of his friends to come and chat, the new fellow had a very good command of English . He phoned the coach company again and we were all assured that the bus would arrive soon.<\/p>\n

Soon is a relative term, the bus did arrive but an hour late. By this time our group had swelled to eight. It took a
\n\tfew moments to shake all their hands as one does with people who have helped. I had to quickly hop on the bus as
\n\tit started to move away. I was very relieved to be on my way to Varanasi.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\nHiring a boat – River Ganges<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Sunday 8th Nov 2026<\/p>\n

This is rather like engaging an auto rickshaw. I wanted to take a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges leaving from Assi Ghat.<\/p>\n

The first boatman I talked to initially wanted 3,000 rupees, we agreed on 2,000. His first mistake was to ask for the cash up front. His second was wanting to cast off in the dark. He did not understand that I wanted to go at sunrise to take photos.<\/p>\n

The second boatman I spoke to understood even less English than the first. Luckily for me a helpful young fellow arrived and translated. We settled on 2,500 rupees for an hour and a half. He understood that I wanted to take photos so we were to leave at sunrise which was at 6:13. In the event we left 6 o’clock and I immediatly started to get some good photos.<\/p>\n

The current on the Ganges was quite swift so we drifted along for three quarters of an hour and it was a hard row back upstream to Assi Ghat. It was a great experience.<\/p>\n

Sunday was the first day of the 3 day Diwali celebration. A celebration was planned by the river at sunset. It was a great event, seeing the the rituals and festival. You might like to view, on the photo page, the photos and videos I took.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\nWhat is it with me and transport? – Train 11108 Varanasi to Gwalior<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Tuesday 10th Nov 2026<\/p>\n

The trip to Gwalior is overnight and takes 15:45mins. I have an air conditioned sleeper bunk.<\/p>\n

\"20261110_160315.jpg\" There are 21 carriages and the ACi is advertised as 5 coaches from the engine. Naturally i walked some 12 coaches to the engine only to realise that the engine was at the opposite end of the train. I did eventually locate my carriage and cabin F in it, i have a lower bunk. I did not want to have to negotiate the step ladder. I need not have worried as there is a staircase up to the top bunk. <\/p>\n

The train was so long that it took 3 minutes to clear the platform. I had the 4 bunk cabin to myself until 8:50pm, the 25 minute dinner stop at Prayagraj Junction<\/p>\n

There was a power point for each bunk so I wrote this journal piece on the train and in the evening watched a movie from my external hard drive. I could have watched Netflix but i did not want to use that much bandwith on my phone hotspot.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\nA grand day out – Gwalior<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/a>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Wednesday 11th Nov 2026<\/p>\n

Executive Summary<\/span><\/p>\n

My overnight train from Varanasi reached Gwalior 20 minutes early, and the hotel kindly let me check in four hours ahead of time. A 10-rupee rickshaw ride (about 14 cents) took me to Gwalior Fort, where I hired Shiva as driver and guide for an excellent four-hour tour of the fort, the Palace and three other monuments. Shiva then invited me home to share butter chicken with his parents. His father, a former elephant driver at the fort, had his leg saved by private treatment that the family sold their home to pay for. It was a humbling and memorable day..<\/p>\n

Full Story<\/span><\/p>\n

This was an interesting day. It started with the arrival of my overnight train from Varanasi into Gwalior. The train arrived 20 minutes early. I looked out of the train window to see Gwalior platform and it caught me on the hop. I had to scurry around to put on shoes and gather my belongings. Because the train was so long I was able to gather everything together, get out in the corridor and I still had to wait for the train to stop before I got off.<\/p>\n

When I exited the platform I was greeted by an array of Auto rickshaw drivers, the pushiest one came forward. I told him I wanted the Hotel MK Vivantia he asked for 100 rupees which i thought was reasonable so we struck a deal. I arrived at the hotel just at the time the train was due into Gwalior.<\/p>\n

Check-in was still over four hours away and so I was hoping I could leave my luggage and explore the town in the interim. To my surprise the receptionist said that I could have my room straight away. I was very, very, grateful as a shower and change of clothes was overdue. Once I was back in good shape I decided to go and explore the major attraction, the Gwalior fort.<\/p>\n

I waited outside the hotel to spot an empty Auto rickshaw. I thought I spotted one and hailed it. The rickshaw already had a lady in the back but the driver asked me where I wanted to go and so I said the fort, please. I asked the cost, he replied in Hindi something I could not understand. Naturally someone came up instantly and translated “10 rupee” so in I got and 15 minutes later we arrived at the fort. I should mention that the ride cost Aus 14 cents.<\/p>\n

I had decided to take the rickshaw rather than walk as I knew the fort covered a very large area. I walked in at the pedestrian gate and immediately a young fellow I later found out named Shiva asked me if I wanted a driver and guide. He explained that the fort was 11 kilometres from end to end. We agreed a price of 1,200 rupee down from the starting price of 1,800. The drive would take in the fort, the Palace and three other monuments. Shiva spoke very good English and we got on really well. The trip lasted almost four hours and he dropped me back at my hotel. Excellent value for Aus $4:50 an hour. I also gave him what I think was a generous tip.<\/p>\n

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During our conversations in the day he invited me for a meal of Butter Chicken at his home where he lived with his parents. His father cannot work now as he was an elephant driver in the fort and unfortunately an elephant stepped on his leg and broke it. There is no social care provided in India. At the Government Hospital the doctors wanted to cut off his father’s leg. Shiva collected enough money by selling their home and his mother’s jewels to allow his Father to get private treatment. His father’s leg was saved and he now is able to walk 2-3 kilometres a day.<\/p>\n

Their home consisted of spartan two rooms, little furniture and brick walls and floor. We had a really tasty butter chicken dish and an egg-based starter. The coriander they used was from the garden. We ate cross-legged on the floor; neither of Shiva\u2019s parents spoke English but with his translation and my hand gestures we communicated well enough. My children know how well I can communicate the wish for a large beer using hand gestures. It was a really great experience and I really appreciated the gesture of sharing a meal with Shiva and his parents.<\/p>\n

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\nIndia, a land of contradictions – Gwalior<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n
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Friday 13th Nov 2026<\/p>\n

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In my experience most of the road users in India do not observe the rules of the road. This is especially true with motor cyclists and auto rickshaw drivers.<\/p>\n

For example, both groups appear to think that traffic lights do not apply to them. I have firsthand experience of motor cyclists mounting the pavement when the traffic is at a standstill. They weave in and out of the pedestrians. All road users do not bother to use a roundabout properly. You would think that road rules would be observed for everyone’s safety but no.<\/p>\n

The same Laissez-faire does not apply to buying an eSim for the phone. I have been forced to use more phone data than I planned this trip, hotel Wi-Fi in a couple of cases has been non-existent. As a safety precaution I decided to buy a second data sim as a backup. I set off for the city office of Airtel. Google, in fantasy-land again, was no help, I did find it with help from a local.<\/p>\n

To buy a sim one has to provide a passport and visa, these I had. It took about 30 minutes to fill in the application form. It had normal questions like name, house number street etc. I left nearest landmark blank, I nearly entered Baringa Hospital. This was queried, I said there was not a landmark nearby.. The forms were submitted along with a photograph of me with a wall behind.<\/p>\n

The application was rejected as the visa was invalid. Never mind, that the visa number on my successful visa application matched the stamp on my passport. The second and third try were unsuccessful. Each try had a new photo of me attached. The fourth try was successful some 90 minutes after we started.<\/p>\n

Some rules do appear to be adhered to but all for an eSim worth $6.05<\/p>\n

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Contents Prior to take-off Preparation Mon 26 Oct To Kuala Lumpur Off I go Tue 27 Oct 2 Observations Up in the air Tue 27 Oct A day at leisure Kuala Lumpur Wed 28 Oct The National Museum An educational experience Thu 29 Oct Islamic Arts Museum The best of this culture’s art Fri 30 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10138"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10138\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10139,"href":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10138\/revisions\/10139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pinncomp.com.au\/Dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}