Not every pause https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tejas_Express carries the weight of significance; some merely cloak our tired spirits in a delicate veil, while the surrounding world remains blissfully unaware, viewing it as just another excuse to flee from the depths of our existence. So, welcome to “A Fast Train To Slow Living : A Tejas Journey That Began It All”.

There is something deeply human about wanting to disappear for a while without actually running away. To remain reachable, yet distant from everything that has been mentally overcrowding you.

To know the details of my first time experience in Vande Bharat express, click on Vande Bharat Express : A First Time Traveler – Wander, Feast & Thrive

A Tejas Journey That Began It All : a fast train to slow living

After three and a half years in Canada, this summer’s break let us plan a vacation to Thekkady, Kerala. With our stay booked and tickets reserved, excitement built before the journey began. Since the drive from Dindigul to Thekkady would take about three and a half hours with stops, we arrived at our in-laws’ place on Sunday afternoon for an easy morning departure.

Tuesday began early; we woke at 2 am, got ready by 4:15 am, and booked a cab to Chennai Egmore station. By 5 am, we were enjoying the rare stillness of early morning. Arriving at the station around 5:30 am, we found our platform and waited for the Tejas Express, marking our first experience on it, where its speed contrasted amusingly with our calm vacation.

Passengers stood near their coaches waiting for the doors to open as newspapers were distributed. The train doors opened a few minutes late, and we loaded our bags, settling into our seats facing inward. At 6:01 am, the train departed from Chennai Egmore, and soon after, staff distributed water, biscuits, and tea and coffee sachets, followed by hot water. I usually avoid milk tea due to its taste and opted to taste the biscuits while waiting for breakfast service.

breakfast arrived after sometime with three idlis : a tejas journey that began it all

Breakfast arrived after some time with three idlis, ven pongal, pineapple sweet, and tomato chutney. The pongal was decent, but I personally did not enjoy the chutney much. Somewhere after breakfast, sleep slowly took over and I dosed off for a while as the train continued its journey. The ride itself felt smooth, but the train gradually started running behind schedule. According to timing, we were supposed to reach Dindigul by 10.53 am, but the delay pushed our arrival to 11.29 am instead.

Once we reached Dindigul station, we got down with our luggage and walked out toward the entrance where we waited for our cab. After a few minutes, the cab finally arrived and by around 11.45 am, our road trip toward Thekkady officially began. The driver first stopped to fill gas, and from there, the feeling of vacation slowly settled into all of us. Unlike train journeys that move on fixed tracks and timings, road travel carried its own relaxed rhythm.

Our first stopover happened at Temple City Restaurant in Batlagundu for lunch. The break felt necessary after the early morning rush and train travel. After lunch, the cab again stopped briefly for gas before we continued further toward Kerala. On the way, we visited Grape Vine Farm as our first attraction stop during the trip. The greenery slowly started thickening around the roads, and the air itself began changing little by little as we moved closer toward the hills.

the real TRANSITION happened once we entered the kerala border : a fast train to slow living

The real transition happened once we entered the Kerala border and began climbing the ghat roads. The winding hairpin bends, misty surroundings, and layered mountain roads instantly changed the mood of the journey. The drive itself became part of the experience rather than just transportation toward a destination. By around 4.45 pm, we finally reached our resort, Spice Village https://www.cghearth.com/spice-village , a CGH Earth Experience property surrounded by greenery and earthy architecture.

The welcome at the resort immediately stood out. Staff greeted us warmly with garlands and served lime mint welcome drinks that felt refreshing after the long day of travel. They explained the activities happening inside the property and guided us toward our hut-style rooms. One pleasant surprise was discovering that both our rooms were internally connected, making movement between rooms easy without stepping outside.

The entire room design followed an earthy aesthetic — wooden interiors, natural textures, and eco-conscious detailing everywhere. Even the trash bins were separated carefully into paper, plastic, and biodegradable sections. From luggage stands to closet doors, wood and natural materials dominated the entire room setup, staying true to the Clean Green Healthy concept behind CGH Earth.

our luggage had already arrived by the time we settled : a tejas journey that began it all

Our luggage had already arrived by the time we settled into the rooms, and after a brief relaxation, we headed to the complimentary tea cart area. There, we enjoyed snacks and tasted pazhampori for the first time, which paired perfectly with the cool weather. Soon after, we changed into swimsuits and rushed to the pool, where spending time in the water felt refreshing after the long journey.

By evening, we dined at a nearby café, ordering dosas. The ghee roast was excellent, balancing the average plain dosa. We also booked a jeep safari for the next day to explore off-road viewpoints, forest scenery, and Mlamala Waterfalls. By the time we returned to our room, exhaustion had taken over after a long day that began at 2 am, filled with trains, roads, hills, food stops, and new experiences.

Our first journey on the Tejas Express was a pleasant experience, yet we couldn’t help but notice some areas where things could be better. Despite this, the ride was a beautiful start to a vacation that was already weaving itself with cherished memories, even before we completed our first day in the enchanting land of Kerala.