Spice up the journey

The best time to take this route, during the day, is NOW -- during the monsoons. A few thousands of centimetres of rain buckets down this route every year during this season. And a million shades of green cover every inch of the hilly terrain.

My journey started at Dadar station by the Mandvi Express (named after the Mandovi River that flows majestically past Panjim). The train was on time at 7.13 am. Yes, 7.13 on the dot.

I travelled Sleeper Class. It is cheaper. It lets in the crisp, clean Konkan air. And I can travel sitting at the door.

My coach was next to the pantry car; that ensured a regular supply of food -- from vada pavs to chicken lollypops. I would recommend you lace a Coke bottle with vodka or rum and take it along. Now you know what I meant when I said Goa starts in Dadar.

I set out on a working day. While millions were pouring into Mumbai, we were on our way out. Yippee! I reserved my spot by the door, next to the pantry car, for the rest of the journey.

A note of caution: Do not sit at the door wearing a cap until after you cross Panvel, especially when there's a local train travelling slowly on the next track.

As I discovered, much to my chagrin, knocking caps off people sitting or standing by the door is the favourite pastime of the daily commuters!