September 21, 2002, Mumbai – New Delhi {The Journey}
The twelve of us left by the Golden Temple Mail (10:20 pm, Mumbai Central). A group of climbers, attempting to scale the Kedar dome, were also on board. We intersected till Haridwar, where they took the high road.
September 22, 2002
The train journey took us through surprisingly verdant Rajasthan. Past Mathura, was fortunate enough to spot a pair of Sarus cranes (playing hookey from Bharatpur?), their maroon collars in sharp contrast to an otherwise grey plumage. The wire squatters – doves, rollers, drongos, etcetera, were visible throughout. As we neared Delhi, peacocks and peahens could be easily sighted.