I wanted to give a short photo essay capturing the scenery out the window of the train. Trains connect almost every part of India and are an indispensable part of keeping this enormous territory and diverse peoples together. And they’re just one of the pleasures of traveling through India. Here are some shots taking you from West Bengal to Assam.
On the train again, this time in West Bengal. Out the window, tea fields in the foreground, Himalayas in the distance. Didn’t know there was so much tea planted in the plains of west Bengal.Low elevation tea plantations have given way to rice paddies; heading east, from West Bengal to Assam.Returning from the fields with oxen.Saw us approaching a rain storm. Hit it straight on; had to shut the windows quickly.Rain drenches the fields, but people remain working in the fields.The sky after the storm.Non-AC sleeper class seat was a blessing in disguise today–it wasn’t hot and the view was magnificent the whole way. (AC class has tinted windows, not good for catching the view or photographing.)
Crossing lots of rivers here in Assam. Lots of water flowing down from the Himalayas in Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. After dark, the train rattles across a long trestle bridge. Must be the Brahmaputra, no other river could be this long.
Stephen Bugno has been traveling the world and writing about it for the better part of 20 years. His articles and essays have appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Seattle Times, and Transitions Abroad magazine. He blogs at Bohemian Traveler and edits the independent travel magazine GoMadNomad.com. He most recently set up a tour company offering authentic, small group tours at Unquote Travel. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Epic views! This is a reminder of why I prefer taking the train over any other form of transportation.
Sitting on a train and gazing at the passing scenery was one of my favourite things when I was doing the Trans-Sib this summer!
Sounds awesome, Colleen. I only made it as far east as Tyumen on the Trans-Siberian. Would love to go all the way someday.
great pics! felt like I was there! what a brilliant idea for a post! keep them coming!