Day 27 - 18th June,2012 : Baku to Tbilisi by train (Georgia)

I had made good friends here. Not only Nismi, but all of the hotel’s staff came to see me off from the hotel. Nismi got me a taxi for 5 manat and I bade goodbye to everyone. When I reached the platform, the train was already waiting and I boarded my compartment. I passed by an Englishman who was trying to negotiate the price of taking his cycle along. I even met a young man named Jalal who was studying in Bangalore and had converted into the Parsi religion. He told me that he had written a book on India and had presented it to the Indian Ambassador.  I thanked and further moved to compartments and saw 3-4 more travelers. The train was not yet full and I was the only one in my cabin. Even the other cabis were not full.

Train from Baku to Tbilisi

The train pulled out on time at 8.45 pm. The conductor gave us linen in a sealed packet. It was cold in the night and did not know that one had to ask for a blanket. At 2.30 a.m the train stopped at a station for long time.. There were some shops at the platform selling food items. While I was buying a packet of Biscuits I witnessed the conductor picking up a verbal fight with a large family over the breaking of a curtain rod. The Police and other senior conductors came and pacified both parties. It was good fun. Railway Station has good shopping area with mini Super Market and Food Court etc.