Trains!

Taking trains is a quintessential part of Indian travel. Given how much Miles is obsessed with trains, I felt like we need to make a few short train trips happen.

The Indian train network is incredibly well developed, and quite affordable. Aside from its ease, it just an awesome way to get a better sense of the landscape.

Train stations in India can be pretty eye-opening experiences. But so far, we've been moving through some very tranquil ones.

We took a train from Thiruvananthapuram (now that's a mouth full!), also known as Trivandrum, which is the capital of the state of Kerala to Allepey (and back). It's about a 3.5 hour trip each way, which is just about the limit for these little ones and their parents. I think we'll save the overnight train experience in India for when they're a tad bit older. That said, Miles seemed to have no problem falling asleep.

Riding the train provided an amazing chance to watch the beatufiul Keralan countryside pass by.

 

 

We saw incredible vistas of rice paddies (including this one with tractors plowing through flocks of birds), waterways, and small villages of mudbrick houses set amongst coconut groves.

It all moved by so fast, but provided a lovely setting for snuggling.

Annie, for one, really enjoyed riding in the upper bunk!

And also a great time for reading, and watching movies.

At the end, we were grateful for the help of the porters, who effortlessly (or at least seemingly so) carried our heavy bags on their heads to the taxi

After these two short trips, I'm incredibly glad that we decided to go by train. It was a great chance to see a little more of Kerala, and the kids have been asking when we will get a chance to ride another one.