The Call of the Tiger

Staying in a luxury tent in Ranthambore, trying to spot the elusive tiger, will have us coming back for more. We took the morning safari as we had heard the chances of seeing a tiger are more then. Our guide said that it is easier to spot one in the evening.
We were allotted Zone 1 out of the five, and the others zones had a higher possibility of seeing a tiger. A tigress gave birth in Zone 3, when we had gone. Tough luck. We enjoyed the hilly terrain, tried to spot a leopard with our binoculars.
The many birds, peacocks, different kinds of deer and striking trees made it seem like Jurassic Park. We hurtled through in an open jeep. There were five vehicles at the watering hole, waiting for the tiger. Although we heard the call of potential prey a few times, signalling the tiger was on the move, we were disappointed.
Our zone was just ten kilometres, with two tigers. The park has 40 odd tigers, 10,000 deer, of which 2000 are sambar deer. Only eight vehicles can be in a zone at any time. The safari was two hours long.
It's easier to spot a tiger in summer apparently. Once you're on the chase, you're hooked until you do see one. It's awe inspiring to see animals in their natural habitat, not fenced in or at a Sentosa like place. So definitely seeing a tiger in such a setting will be memorable.
Our guide had the last word- "Tiger dulha ki tarah chalta hai aage aage aur hum sab baaraati uske peeche chalte hain." :)

Tripping on The City

Why does a trip appeal to us? A change of locale, a holiday from work, time to spend with family and friends…what’s not to like? A trip is also hard work. You need to get up early to catch that sunrise. Too much eating out can play havoc with your innards. When a trip is an extended one, it is even more fun.

 I was lucky to enough to call London my home for 2 and ½ months. That was enough time for it to grow on me, but not for me to tire of it. Initially, I would step out gingerly, burrowing in my coat for warmth. I kept my eyes open, so that I could soak in the sights. From red buses, telephone boxes, names of pubs, to yellow sunrises…everything fascinated me that first week.

I only dared to walk around near my apartment, taking care to follow the straight and narrow path, lest I get lost. Once I had covered all four directions, marveled at the graffiti in Shoreditch, reached King’s Cross Tube station on foot from the Old Street one, and checked out the Bank of England, I ventured on the Tube. It was surprisingly easy to use, not as crowded as I thought, and smaller than I had imagined. Multiple lines, maps, and signs made it tough for me to lose my way.

Christmas lights winked at us on shopping destinations like Oxford Circus. We bought London Passes, and took a whirlwind tour of the city over the New Year weekend. The first day we went to Westminster, which bowled us over with its intricate carvings. By the end of our trip of course, we had church fatigue, having seen as many there as there are mandirs in any Indian city.

We then took a river cruise to our next stop, the Tower of London. After marveling at the Kohinoor and ruing its absence from India, we dashed to Tower Bridge. We had a breathtaking view of the city from there, with the various bridges- London Bridge, Millennium Bridge, and Waterloo Bridge.

The next day we covered Windsor Castle, which was just like a castle should be, with a moat. A queen’s collection of dollhouses made her seem just like any other commoner.

Hampton Court Palace was nearby, so we walked in the acres of gardens there. A sudden downpour saw us rush back.

On the final day, we paid homage to Wimbledon. I’d like to come back to watch a match here. Even empty it was imposing. I could almost hear a volley or two. Strawberries and cream were out of season.

A chamber of horrors near London Bridge wasn’t very scary. Men popping out of nowhere shouting at you happens on an everyday basis back home. Shakespeare’s Globe theatre was imposing, and I would like to watch a play here, in the open air in summer, like the groundlings would have done in his time.

London’s beautiful buildings, historic shops like Harrod’s, Liberty, Fortnum and Mason’s are unique. I saw a bit of snow too while I stayed there. The tours at the museums and the art galleries gave me a greater understanding of treasures. Phantom of the Opera was a stunning musical. The 4 D film at Madame Tussaud’s was futuristic. We also did day trips to Oxford, Cambridge, and Bath, where this would have helped.

A delight for the senses, London took me to another world. One without dust, a melting pot of nationalities, cuisine, and cultures. A global city, not just a British one. “Are you alright?” was a phrase I often heard there. Before my visit I didn’t understand it fully, when I heard it in the movies. Now I do.

London

Fell in love with you before I met you
Through writings of authors, your hue
I knew before I traveled your roads
Whether by car, bus, foot, or under your belly
"Are you alright?" seemed familiar not just from the telly.

You blew hot sometimes, at other times cold
I'm glad I saw you in white, truth be told.
Westminster's grandeur has lasted long
Big Ben keeps chiming its tuneful song.

The Thames is your blood blue
Where I walked from Tower Bridge to Waterloo
The Tower of London's glitter and gore
Gave me a glimpse of days yore.

Our whirlwind tour then saw
Rocky Windsor castle. A draw
Of lots was won by Hampton Court Palace
Which had gardens that were full of grace.

Imaginary volleys at Wimbledon
Ghostly figures at Globe's kingdom
Leisurely strolls through Trafalgar Square
Led to Buckingham Palace, the Queen's lair.

The other way led to Piccadilly Circus
Which refers, methinks, to a roundabout, bas.
Where we met the Phantom of the Opera
Nearby, Fortnum & Mason- a culinary Shangri la

Oxford Circus on Boxing Day and otherwise
Our happy hunting grounds, shopper's paradise
A little ahead, Harrod's, marvellous opulence
We liked Liberty more, understated elegance.

Cirque de Soleil acrobatics at the Royal Albert Hall
Museums galore, science, natural history, you have them all.
Obliging signs took care of me, so I needed not
To scatter crumbs, which was Hansel & Gretel's lot.

Hot chocolate kept the chill at bay, as did a warm coat
Not to mention woolies, my trusty cap, a brolly in my tote.
A trip to Sheffield introduced the Yorkshire countryside
And one to Bath the delights of 10,000 years old water besides.

Oxford's quaintness, Cambridge's newness, a river runs there too
Being punted along, snuggling under blankets blue
Expansion of the mind, with all the tours I took
Of art galleries, from the Tate to National Gallery stuck.

Memories as photos and the additional kilo I've gained
Are all now that have remained.

Mountain Memories

From Rimbik, a plenitude of greenery on the way calmed my spirit. Rivers, mini waterfalls on the way, valleys and mountains all greeted us. The waterfall had water in a hurry, in contrast to the rest of the surroundings, which simply were.

Watercolors merged with blue, trees silhouetted against the sky. After lunch, another trek took us to Gurdum. UNO now also known as ENO and a local brew led to a merry evening. Saw orchids too.

Next morning, after a breathtaking sunrise, we started trekking to Sandakfu. The stillness and coolness of the jungle green was soothing. Panoramic clouds crept up on the hillside. Felt like pulling a particularly fluffy one down for a pillow.

It gave a feeling of achievement to see how far we had come in just half an hour. Seven hours later we were in Sandakfu. Most of us slept through the sunset. In the morning we saw the first rays of the sun hit Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest. The range looked like a sleeping Buddha.

Coming back we reached Gurdum by lunch and Srikhola by evening. In the morning we trekked to Rimbik by starlight and torchlight. The entire sky was glowing with stars. After a peach blushed sunrise on the way, we soon hit the plains.

I can still taste the memories though. Only need to close my eyes and I am back in the hills.

Singing Singapore's Praises

It started with a Singapore sling

Learnt, lived, loved the fling

With the city, the seminars, the speakers.

Neat and clean roads laid out, Sentosa stunned

In the habitat of fishes & dolphins plunged.

Veg sushi Vietnamese, dessert before second course

No space for the second dinner, अफसोस

We spiders wove our way through the agencies network

Tattooed, watched an MD dunked topless, smirked

Awards were glitzy, glammy, and afterwards

Purplehaired, we sat on the purple sofa

Rupee room, Clarky's beat a desi dil

Where we danced the wee hours till

Red carpet withdrawal syndrome struck

A world exposed to, I want to go back

To that time, place, people that's fading away

Not letting me be, when I see the snaps gay.

Where to stay in Khajuraho

Clark's Hotel Khajuraho is a good food option there- they serve Continental, if my memory serves me right. Most hotels in Khajuraho http://www.wutravel.com/hotels/india/khajuraho/?a_aid=fd90eed9 have a bird's eye view of the temples from the hotel itself- it's literally like living in a temple town, in days gone by. Also catch the Sound & Light show in the evening, the keychains with position 69:)
Meanwhile, I'm busy planning my next holiday, in the Independence Day long weekend:)

Hill Bill

Music in the hills
Wine at night spills
From the sunset deep purple
Pink Floyd, Hey Jude circle
Pleasuring our senses
Forgetting our tenses
We sing along charged by them
Ads remixed, resort repasts yen
To return to a new high
On the hills. Can't. Sigh.

Munsiyari

We drank in the hills
Savoured the green
Sipped yellow sunshine
Until our souls belched
Aahs of contentment.

Frozen waves of mountains
Stood silent.
Dark clouds circled
The cotton light.

We sleep when the world is
Woken up
Dark lightens in blue
Then froths in green white

As if we are in the ocean
Watching it arise, awake.

Peaks peek a booed sun
One by one
Like when we drew in school
The sun amid mountains.

Butter slicing across skies
Sun's rays like we sketched
Like a diamond ring in the sky
Lighting, blinding us

We shy away from the sun
The mountains stay put.


It was just us and
The peaks powdered with snow
meadows stretched below us
Silence around, bas
Goats, baaing sheep
Tortured horses
Locked eyes with the peaks
Golden streaks.

White flight

Clouds below billowed
Flecks of cotton flowed.

Back, Bang Bang

The air here is polluted. It is hotter too, after the descent. (Incidentally, that is also how a shaadi.com user spells decent.)

Had a bit of a dharmic overdose- but otherwise I had a lot of fun- testing my limits, battling shoebite, trekking in torchlight..the works.

The first trek was easy- I was the first to complete it.

The Valley of Flowers was in another world, another time dimension altogether. the best part was no horses, so no horsedung. The flowers were in a majority, we were in a minority- just how nature intended things to be.

Hemkund Sahib was steep- the toughest trek I have attempted so far- so it felt good to complete it. i count completing a trek when we reach the ground, not the top- as the top is only half done.

The trek back was a breeze.

I liked the temple at Badrinath- a first. Silver. Also did a havan.

Bought wonderful woollens- handknit- from the source:)

A much needed holiday that refreshed me completely- also managed to lose some weight- so am planning to have fruits so as to not undo the good work done:)

Adventure Island

Loved the Flip Out ride at Adventure Island- being turned upside down really gets your adrenalin flowing:) Also liked Side winder, bumping bars, jhoola, splash down.

Goan Sunset

Sun streaked sand

Liquid gold drops of sun

Drip down the throat rills of sands

Sun butter spreads on

Octaves of waves.

Beachcombing

Bangalore bus rides

Goa pool sides

Beer feni waves wallop

Spring rolls scallop

Paragliding jetskiing

Banana riding upturning

Sunset squelched sand

Deaf to work demands

Blissful dissipation

Divine recreation.

Fancy flights

There is something about the womb of an airplane, the tribal attendants, the atmosphere which lets us enjoy soaring, staring as sun yolks trickle through blues.

Albinoesques

Socials

Upping the ante

Teen patti players

Gulli danda hitters

Still to visit LML

College shootouts

Lyons of Punjabis

What's our reach

If not to exceed our grasp

Heaven?

On the classy Class of 1997, La Martiniere, Kolkata

Senior sisters taught us
In free periods zabardast

When we went to Mumbhai
For Bournvita Quiz Contessa
Mona Lisa smiled @ her colts
Brother's hot, said Vandana Scolt.

Dead Antara Mukhada & me
Scored the highest ever on BQC
Shortest quizzers ever, IIT Powai
Eventual winners, Campion Mumbai.

Anand, M.M. aunt & Stanford alum
Watched over quizmasters elan
Miss Maskhari & Miss Brat foxed
Teachers on their day, Hilda Peacock

Throned preened as merry Jerry
Vented spleen as Maggi Baggy
Sought help from students on Prodigy
Current Affairs: Akhion move Jaipuri

Quilted, kilted silted Dehri-on-Sone
Damodar Valley, J.C.T., Giridih shone
Flaming Mustards teary eyed Roshan
Ara, Noorjahan Mehta we asked for time

Anu Roman, now concubine no more consort
V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N: a last Pondicherried resort.
97 Neha, Patto, Nature Clubbers, trekked to
Sandakfu, Nidhi shot peak climber, sister

Rescued muah from falling off Heathcliff.
Vishal burnt my toes, as we sipped Thumba
Domesticated scientific engineered rhumba
Sportsmanship taught us, Modern High

Schooled twins, monitored principals Chulbulis
Question asked, answer found in avuncularities
Crisscross linecrossers croissants etc Young & R
handycams scanners, Radhika's a graduate err

Feynman, Schrodinger's cat, Prisoner's Dilemma
Horned randy brandy goats in our alma mater
Rabbit babysitters, ICSE takers, topped Chater
Founder's Bonfire Dinner Dancers salsa Akhila

Ranganathan, Soraya Husainsagar lake awaked
Agni, Barkha, Shruti Modi Todi, Kanupriyad
Didwania, Aditi Saraogi, Shayoni Mitra Priyamvadad
Oindrila Mukherjee, Ranjini Dasgupta presided

Over weekly meetings in the Nursery of Quiz City
Clubbers advised by Churiwala, rocked Kolkata
Limca Book of Records Quiz, Class then nined
The Big C, Baryscaped Antara Datta rhymed.

Let's make things better, Orko. Phillipenes
Great, better than thou is Doctor Strait
Gibraltar, Shan Chauhan sang distrait
While I timekept Bed of Roses, whined

If I overshoot let it go. 45 seconds wrote off
As a bad penny debtor hostage to face/off
Beat Gregorian chants, Old Spiced Axeland
Kar aunty psyched us out while Chattersand

Choker Bali, monkey troubled snake caged
There's still something about Maria's Huan
Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Stanley David Argused
Dalhousie Instituted Open Quizzes, Sohag Lahiri

Sunil Anil Vaswani, Nilanjan Mitra Sidhangshu
Manovikas Kendra, tendered resignations kyu
Ki Saas kabhi mumkin nahi hai. Yeh ladka mere
Samne mera dil le gaya. Ab kya karen?

Yeh kaisi mushkil hai hai hi (sigh)

:)

XX.

nati binodini.

Sop Arriya Girl

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