After leaving the jungle retreat, I have the pleasure of yet another train journey over to Chennai, and lucky for us it's time for the the second monsoon. The rain is literally torrential (no exaggeration), and we have to wade out of the train station in ankle deep water. I have a lasting image imprinted in my memory from that train station, of a huge electrical fuse box, being absolutely saturated by heaving rain, torrents of water cascading down over all the ...

Early the next morning, the group sets off for the toy train, a steam powered affair that winds through the mountains, it is a UNESCO heritage sited, and one of the first trains in the world apparently. We manage to shove our way into a crowded carriage, only for the power tripping conductor to chuck us all out, saying we don't have reservations. Luckily our tour leader manages to wheedle her way round the station master, and we end up in a comfortable reserve...