Aug 24, 2012 04:52 PM
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I booked my Goa trip well in advance through Redbus. Seabird tourists suited our timings,so I booked two tickets for the round trip,Bangalore-Goa-Bangalore.Little I knew what's in store for us!
On 18th August,our journey started from Madiwala at the scheduled time,8:30pm. Pickup van was provided,we got into it and after 45 minutes we realized with a shock that they have brought us back to the exact pickup point at Madiwala! Then what was the use of packing us inside at the first place? Well,we thought there is some sort of arrangement. But after another one hour also the van was still in Bangalore,it was actually giving us a free tour of Bangalore! From Madiwala to Koramangala,then again back to Madiwala.....Then again towards Koramangala,then left turn towards BTM,then Tilaknagar, Jayanagar 4th stage,then towards Lalbagh,then...........finally we reached Gandhinagar Seabird office around 10:15 pm. After asking them,we understood that the bus is coming from Chennai and when it reaches here within 15 minutes,we are about to board! Well,when it's coming from Chennai through Hosur Road only,then why we were not allowed to board from Electronic City or Madiwala itself? Why showing nose in such complicated way? No use of such logical questions,that's the POLICY! We sat down inside the waiting hall,another great chaos was going on there. Other buses were late as well,the passengers were very much angry about it. But the receptionists looked quite indifferent. One lady was particularly disturbed,in every 15 minutes she was asking for her bus,but it arrived very late. Finally,when our bus came and we boarded,it was 11. The bus took some more time to start. Bus condition was good,we booked semi sleeper 2+2 volvo. Seats were comfortable,blankets and shades looked clean. The driver didn't stop in between,we got our next halt only on next morning around 8 after crossing Ankola. The halt point was a good one,we had our breakfast here. From Karwar,the journey was quite comfortable. Some video was being play to which we didn't pay much attention. It reached Margao around 11am. We got down here at Margao Market.
While returning on 21st August, our journey was booked in Sleeper coach 2+1. We had taken 2 upper berths. The bus was late as usual,for 15 minutes. It started raining when the bus arrived. It stopped for a real brief period. Soon the bus gathered speed,and I started feeling uncomfortable. By the time it reached the check-post,I was not able to stand also. I needed to puke,but the driver kept the door closed and went somewhere leaving the bus. When I told I can't hold it any more,either he opens the door or I am planning to do it on the steering wheel.......the driver appeared from somewhere and opened the door. The control was on the driving panel itself! No proper wash room was available,boys got themselves relieved on the roadside.... the language they were using to curse the driver is not in my dictionary,sorry! We girls have to suffer a lot,isn't it?
The night stop was not so good,in a moth infested hotel where very less choices were available for dinner. I couldn't sleep well at night,as the AC was too much for me. The blanket seemed very thin,Thank god I was carrying some extra bedsheets.
The real disco started next morning. We were asked to get down at Anand Rao Circle around 6:45 am. Our ticket was booked till Madiwala and the bus was also going the same way. Asking WHY is a big sin,it met the same indifference.Finally after pestering a lot we were told that another bus leaves around 8,that will take us to Madiwala. Again killing time for one hour,and when the bus came,nobody cared to inform us also. We asked in the reception and were told that the bus is about to leave! We rushed and just in front of the bus we were stopped. The driver asked our destination,and told "Auto mein Chale Jao!" Yes,that's the response we got! Finally after bringing the office boy there,we were able to board. Where we were to reach Madiwala by 6 am,we reached at 9........just mere 3 hours later. I missed my classes because of this delay,but who has time to listen? People are too busy,or Indifferent!
In future I have no intention to travel through Seabird..........they suit best near the sea only,not on the road. Enough experience for one trip,I don't want to repeat the pain!
