Poetry in motion

Stories defined me, even when I was 7 years old. Ya! I must have been seven then, when my father presented me my first ever hard bound book.

Oh! love at first site it was. I turned and re-turned all of its pages, I marvelled at its glossy paper, I looked at the pictures forever, and then thru' the nights, I read it. Every single night, for god knows how many nights, I just read it. There came a time, when I knew every single word by-heart. Every night as I would open the book, I would be transported, straight from lanes and bylanes of Jodhpur where I lived then, to icy-snowy lands, where people lighted up fire-places to keep themselves warm, and sipped on brandy and ginger-ale and ate cheese and made merry by dancing to folk-tunes in a language which I was just learning then.

It  was a story-book called 'Heidi' and like a true-blood first love, it has stayed with me forever.  I was addicted and read many-many more books in the years to come by. I became a Victorian princess fainting at the drop of a hat, a superwoman (/man) on a mission to save the world, an explorer navigating on high-seas,  a spy trying to unearth mysteries, a queen in the evil clutches of a ruthless king, a mistress having a passionate affair with her secret lover, and so much more, courtesy my books.

Today as I watched 'Lootera', I felt as if someone has taken me back to those times, when books were my eyes and books were my language. It was as if someone was reading poetry to me on the screen -lyrically, slowly, gently- just as it should be. I was back in the land where Heidi resides. She was speaking in slow whispers and through stolen glances, over cups of teas, in green grasslands and then at snowy high-lands. She was loved and betrayed and broken and amazed. She laughed and smiled, she got ill and survived. It is just as it should be, it was like I had just read a beautiful book....

Thank you for taking me back to where I belong- between the pages.........   

Mumbai, monsoons and magic

Monsoons have wrecked havoc in Uttrakhand and I am extremely saddened at the extent of destruction.

We humans live in a bubble, always believing that we are superior to nature and continue to use and abuse it any way we deem fit. Nature, in turn, only needs to raise its ferocious head and show mankind it's place. Ahh! if only we could learn our lessons and tread caution and show some love to nature's bounty,  we would have a harmonious existence.

I love water and the rains. When the skies are overcast, I love nothing more than a drive-out. And Mumbai anyways has a love affair with the waters. All one needs to do on a Sunday in Mumbai is step out and drive and believe me, few hundred kilometres outside of the city in any direction, there is heaven awaiting.

Don't believe me. Well, here is the photologue-

And the dark skies are threatening to burst any time 

 

The Vashishti, flows on

The manicured gardens in their fresh, vibrant hues

 

The newness of life- in shades of green

The hanging fruits

 

The flowers sing their own songs

 

The clouds descend

 

 The lushness

 

 

The arrival of rain drops

For Alice

In another world
  in a different lifetime
    we would open the doors to see rabbits scurrying past
      we would fall from the holes to enter the magical cast
         enacting in plays which would forever last

In another world
  In a different lifetime
    We would eat cakes and drink magical potions
       Sit with Mad hatter across the table
         and worry about the impending trials
      
In another world
 In a different lifetime
   We'd all be just another pack of cards...


        

Mad-u-right : Madurai

Today is your day miss blog! I have been having a lot of work-load which meant little time for you, but, I am your at your service for today.

Ok! Ok! honesty is the best policy. I mean, yeah I was busy, but I was also not exactly inspired to talk to you. Happens, right? And then, while rummaging through my drawer, I came across an old pen-drive. And when I plugged it in, I came across some stunning photographs of certain places visited, some lands discovered, few people befriended, and lots of memories unloaded. And then I felt very inspired to talk to you.

Lets unlock this treasure trove straight away:

     The trees speak to me with their swinging leaves

and the pretty hued bird prances peacefully through the nature's weaves

@Taj Madurai 

Even though the city is far removed from my native place

in umpteen ways it reminds of my childhood

And do you see what I see?

The roots becoming one with the branches-

This oneoness is what 'growth' is about



 

The thing about Taj Madurai is that it practically has a jungle of it's own

and this city girl fell in love with the forest and the woods..

 

The grand entrance

 

 

 If I could, I would

hold your hands and take you through the array of sweets

and thrust a piece in your mouth, as you smell the delicious smells

 

 The mess culture of Madurai is its best feature,

I have tried several famed placed in Mumbai for that authentic south indian flavors,

but alas! nothing has ever come even remotely close

 

 

The massive pillars whisper stories

of centuries passed by

of rulers they outlived

and listen to what I have to say

just so that they can pass them on to who ever cares to listen

@Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal-



 

Emperors and their love for thrones

 

On those foliated arches, do you spot Pegasus?

 

And here's some local food served on a 'thela'

 

The 'busyness' of life

 

Colors, people, vehicles- exploding 

 

Chaotic, bursting to its seams, loud, Indian- Markets of Madurai

 

@Meenakshi temple

While I explore and think about deep meanings

my little one enjoy..





and just behind the back of religion

commerce thrives

 

@the buzzing markets behind the Meenakshi temple

Faith and religion

beauty and light

moments and eternity

all interwined, all here



 

Of Bucket list

Yesterday, me and the husband were returning back from a party late at night, when he posed  a question - What are the places you really wish to visit/ things you wish to do, if you had no constraints whatsoever.

I thought for a while, and here's the list that I drew up:

1) Go to Las Vegas with my best friends: Actually this came at the top, because I have already been planning this trip. My closest buddy lives in California and me and my bunch of girlfriends have planned a road trip from California to Las Vegas in an open-air convertible. We have also planned a lot of things once we reach Vegas, but that is a subject matter of another blog-post all together:)

Stuff dreams are made of: Las vegas, fast cars and best friends....

 













2. The magic of Buddhism and happy people in Bhutan:

I am fascinated by Buddhism. And I love mountains and the mountain people. If that was not sufficient to call me to this place, the fact that they measure 'Gross national happiness' kind of seals the deal for me. I just have to go to Bhutan.

Btw this love affair with the place began when I saw Batman begins. That sequence where Batman trains in Ninja-oh my gawd!!!

                                                      The happy place- Bhutan

.
3. Glacier climbing in New Zealand: This dream is actually going to be fulfilled pretty soon. My tickets for New Zealand are booked and I am quite soon going to see for myself if it was simply the magic of Peter Jackson or the place is seriously that beautiful

Glaciers and pristine lakes beckon-




4. Living bridges of Meghalaya:

So, I have heard that deep in the rainforests of Meghalaya (literally meaning the abode of clouds) roots of trees and ancient vines stretch horizontally across rivers and streams, creating a latticework structure, strong enough to function as bridges.

Don't y'll think that this is a sight worth seeing?                                  

Do tell miss blogs, about your bucket lists...

Thailand

So this is a post that's been pending for long. I have always been meaning to update you miss blogs, but I have not been able to pour into you, for a variety of reasons.

Actually I think I should tell you the key one (after all, between a girl and her blog, there are no secrets) - it is tough to recollect the memories of the sober times between all the drunken revelry.

But then I am sure there's enough material for this one post:)

So let me begin with telling you about the 3 cities that I went to - Phuket, Koh Samui and Bangkok.

Phuket: I was quite amazed by the number of Indians that live, run business or travel to this place. Now guilty I am, but I did not do any touristy/traveller thing in the city. I mostly lazed in the hotel - 'Amari Coral Resort', which is located on Patong beach. Given the number of people that inhabit this beach, the resort can be credited for being comparatively secluded. Also the beach front views are awesome.

While in Phuket, I did all things one should do in Phuket- well almost! I indulged in flea market shopping, sampled some weird and some not so weird cuisines,  attended pseudo-boxing matches, scoured through it's narrow lanes, traveled in tuk-tuk's with blaring music and 'dhinchak' lights, and indulged in heavenly massages at the various spas that dot the city's land scape.

The night-life in the city can get debaucherous and nothing is beyond bounds in the city if you are looking for it. I was quite intrigued by the lady-boy culture in the city and picked up a book "Ladyboys:The Secret World of Thailand's Third Gender" and the book did make for an interesting read.

Koh Samui: The city is far less crowded when compared with Phuket and also has a definite air of comparative exclusivity. We stayed at 'buri rasa' resort on Chaweng beach (the most popular beach in the city). As unassuming as the place is from outside, once you step in, it's a world of it's own. We had booked one of their deluxe garden court with a dip pool rooms and I for once did not feel the need to step out. It's exactly what I had imagined a tropical paradise to look like.  

The evenings were spent on the Chaweng beach with unending Mohijtos and divine music for company, at one of the beach shacks.

What I really enjoyed doing in Koh-Samui was beach-hopping on a Scooter. What a lovely way to see the city and it's unexplored roads. It was fun uninterrupted.

Bangkok: Bangkok shopping experience had been sold so much to me, that I had decided that I would do nothing but shop, when in the city. So we wanted to do a quick check-in at the Tower club, Lebua hotel and head straight for shopping. But, once inside Lebua, I quickly realised that shopping would have to wait. The view from the balcony of my 51st floor room mesmerized me and held me captive and for a very long time I was doing nothing but watching in awe, at the city.

The day was spent in the hotel lounge and the evening at the Sky bar. Incidentally, I happened to be at the hotel on the new year eve, and the party scene got really livened up at night. Enjoy- I did!

It was only very afternoon of the day next, that we ventured out, in the city. And then again, I fell to the charms of the 'Grand Palace' and 'Wat Arun'. The palace is magnificent and the artistry is par excellence. Wat Arun and the temple of sleeping buddha are also definite must-visits. Having done all that, in the end I did get to shop to my heart's content at the night market and the Siam Square malls.
What a girl wants is what a girl gets!

Bangla boxing at Phuket

 Beach shack at Koh-Samui with a sand-art sculpture

 Buri-Rasa

 Some more of Buri Rasa

The view from Tower Club, Lebua

 The Grand Palace

 The wall murals

 Wow!

My top 20 restaurants in Mumbai

It's a friday afternoon. I am supposed to be busy at work. Supposed- is the key word here. I am also fasting. And I don't ever fast. This is an exception I have made. I am also very hungry. I am daydreaming about food. So, while everyone is on a lunch break, I am quickly going to tell you about all my favourite places to eat - in Mumbai off course:

Here's my top 20 (and let me say this, I must have sampled almost all of Mumbai's restaurant  (at least the good ones))

PS:

- I am a vegetarian and so this list is for those restaurants that have good vegetarian cuisine


- It includes all sorts of cuisines at absolutely all price-points (anyways, what has price got to do with good food). So there are five stars to road side dhabas, all vying for their place in the sun...

- Some of these actually don't even qualify as restaurants .

So here it begins:

1) Hakkasan, Bandra: They are good. Really good. Coming from some one who does not even like Chinese cuisine..

2) Yuatcha, BKC: Again, total love affair

3) Oven fresh, Shivaji Park: Ok! their veg wok is to die for. And in-fact, almost all stuff on the menu is amazing. Hate the wait though. Btw they are quite economic too

4) Soam, Babulnath : For their super-interesting, economic and self-sufficient dishes and menu. The 'Pankis' are a must-try item

5) Shiro, Worli: For their ambiance. I am a fan..

6) The Golconda, Bandra: I actually love Hyderabadi cuisine, so may be that's the reason,  I like this place so much. Though the husband does not quite like this restaurant. So may be it's just me..

7)   Ellipsis, Colaba: Truth be told, whether the food turns out to be good or not depends on what you order, but I like hanging around here. Cool vibe..


8) O22, Trident, BKC- The buffet spread is so finger-licking good, it's a favourite with my 5 year old. Imagine! he already has favourites

9) Oh! Calcutta,Tardeo- Surprise, surprise! their veg menu is actually scrumdiddlyumptious. Anything with mustard sauce goes for me

10) Hangla's, Bandra- Another bengali place. This is a cute little place, which offers good food.

11) Moshe's- Now you can't go wrong with this one. When I really don't know what I wish to eat, this is where I head to. And nowadays they are almost everywhere.

12) Oye Punjabi, Kalyan- What would we not do for good food. We would find excuses to travel all the way to Kalyan and sneak out for this one. Unabashedly punjabi, fail-safe good

13) Neel on the turf, Mahalaxmi Racecourse- Limited menu, done not-so-surprisingly well. Btw, I did love 'Tote' (now, why oh why, did they have to close it)

14) Mainland China- Nobody believes me when I say that I dislike Chinese food. Actually, I love Italian cuisine. But, at Mainland china, they are good at what they do.

15) Out of Blue, Khar: Food- as good as it gets. Ambiance- So good, that I don't want to get up..

15)  Piccadily - What a sad looking place, but what food. Yummmm all the way. The veg lebanese platter is so so so good..

16) Bikaji, Malad- The Rajasthani in me roots for this one.You should just taste the jalebis, just once..

17) Eat around the corner- Why does this place remind me of Europe. May be, that's by design. The salads are a must have.


18) The Village - Loud, garish and totally over the top. Heck! I love it, specially when with the extended family. Bring it on..

20) Pritam the dhaba- The charpais are the sole reason I keep going here. Well! the food ain't bad either


Can I also tell you the ones which are over-hyped, but actually not so great:

1) Indigo Deli- I really really don't like the food there. Like ever! uhh!

2) Lake View restaurant, Renaissance- And what was that. I have given umpteen opportunities to several restaurants at Renaissance and always been disappointed

3) Basilico- I can't tell you why I don't like this. But I can tell you that I don't like it.

4) Suzzette- Aww..Spanish (or whatever cuisine that is) is so not for me

5) Some roof top restaurants (newly opened), Powai- There good luck- I can't remember the name. But, how bad was the food..