Fall

Fall

Fall

Thirunelli

Thought its a long time since I wrote. Decided to write about our Thirunelli trip before I forget.(sorry no photos this time. Have taken a few in my new camera, yet to learn how to transfer )

We-Venu , Malini & I, started from Uttara in an auto & a 7seater van was taken to Sharanya for all others.We reached the station on time to go to Kozhikode. Had taken sandwiches, coffee in 3 flasks, pazham & other snacks. Reached Kozhikode by 10.45 or so. Madhavan chettans brother had come there with a van & we went to his house.Enroute we realized that we forgot to take a packet of 5 umbrellas Meenu had taken with them. it was hung on a hook, nobody noticed it while getting down. Then Preeta said somebody had taken it with him!!!& we didnt realize it. Felt bad-dont know if someone actually took it or it was there only. Had our lunch at Aniyans house at about 11.30. Mini & aniyan joined us from there & we left for Thirunelli.We had booked 5 rooms in a hotel called Holiday Hill. It was neat & clean but about half an hours drive away from the temple. Then we all went to the temple.Had to climb a few steps to reach the temple. A small beautiful temple of Vishnu. We booked for the Shraddam -7 of us did it. Ramu Vinu & Aniyan for Madhavan  chettan; we three for our parents &others of our family & V ch for Machechi & others. Waited for Deeparadhana after which we had to pray as directed by the temple jeevanakkar-he will say something like moksham for all our Pithrukkal & forgive our samasthaparadham & we had to repeat with folded hands.We had our dinner in a hall in the temple itself- upma & pickle.Dinner was free. Venu couldnt come as he had 'Pula'(pela as we say).It had started raining & so couldnt take many photos. We have to get permission for taking photos by donating either for Anna danam or for renovation. I gave for Anna danam.

Went back to our rooms & most of us slept by 8.30!!! Got up early & started at 5 to go to temple without our bath & breakfast/ coffee. By the time the counter opened it was 6. Got the things for the "baliyidal"-darbha & a leaf 'potli' for each. Bali was to be done near the river Papanashini. We had to go down about 100 steps( heard a kid count upto 60+) then through rocky way. Thank God Ramu & Vinu were there to hold our hands.V ch had a fall also- when we were waiting for the bali samagri he went with Venu. Luckily nothing happened.

We had to take dip in the water & get out of the water & again walk a bit, get down to the river& Stand in the water with wet dress & perform the rites. The river is very narrow, water is very clean & freezing cold. But I didnt feel that cold while standing there. But while taking the dip I had to gasp for breath because of the cold.

Did a bit of shopping for cloves, honey & such things. We were not sure if we can go to temple in that wet dress after the kriya without taking bath, so didnt go.We wanted to change our wet dress & there was a room for that. Didnt go to that dingy room ( iruttu guha it looked like). There was no other place so all of us used the van as our changing room with mundu tied as screen.Someone noticed a leech in Vinus feet. Luckily it had not started his sucking of blood. Later we realized that Malini & I were also attacked by it-eeeeks.( this was the worst part of our otherwise nice trip) Mini had taken salt & with that got rid of it.

Went to the hotel & had our breakfast & started our journey back. Enroute there is a famous place( chaya kada type) where you get unniappam & we bought a few packets. It was really tasty( missed all those who couldnt have it). Went to Pazhassi Raja memorial Museum- nothing much to see. Wanted to go to a lake but it started raining & we couldnt wait  there. Reached the station & returned by the 4O'clock train. We had asked for the van to come & all of us managed to fit in that.Got our dinner packed from Oottupura, dropped Sharanya people & reached Uttara by 9.30 or so.Though tiring it was indeed a good trip. Sad we couldnt spend more time there.

Thailand part 2

 we started from Pattaya at 4.15 or so & reached Bangkok by 6.30.We were staying in Howard Square. There was an Indian at the reception desk & I was a bit relieved that we can communicate now . The rooms were good. As soon as we reached a bellboy came to get our luggage. They said dinner will be ready by 9 but by 9.45 they will close. I was a bit taken aback. We came down for dinner & waited for the waiter to come & take our order. There were buffet tables with veg written but no food.many people were waiting like us. All Indians only. Soon the waiter came & then we realised he is the bellboy cum waiter cum...may be cook also. The man in the reception also was serving food.Being Sunday they didnt have enough staff & to add to it there was some function happening in the top floor. It was total confusion after that. 

Remember I told you the Alcazar show was free for us. Vimala had read reviews about this hotel & she wanted it to be changed as she was not happy after reading. So the agents said there is no rooms available else where & gave us the show free. Also included Marine park visit  into our schedule

Back to dinner- they said we can order whatever we want.When we were ordering they said dal chaval, subzi is available. If we order roti it will take a long time So we decided to have whatever is available. We ordered 4 plates of rice, & dal & subji 1-2 plates. No curd or raita. we got our items. There were a group of Tamilians & they lost their patience waiting. One man from that group started shouting & talking in Tamil.He walked out of the hotel etc. After a lot of tamasha their food came & we doubt they brought our order the second time. Not that they have a variety but the quantity didn't seem enough for them.

We have a feeling that the representative of Make my trip there is a partner of that hotel:-P

Next day we started at 9.45after breakfast. BF was better compared to the dinner.1st they took us to The Reclining Buddha temple. It was beautiful. Then Gems gallery.All beyond our pockets.That day we had to have our own lunch. They dropped us at Paragon mall(hope the name is correct) where we were to visit Siam Ocean world. Decided to have lunch at the food court. only Subway had any veg stuff so V ch, Tanchu & I had from there. Vimala opted for some Thai stuff . Appu also had some rice & chicken.

All of us enjoyed Siam Ocean world( aquarium actually). Vimala is seeing an aquarium for the 1st time it seems. or she has forgotten. From there went to Madame Tussauds. Got busy clicking with the wax models. From there went to MBK mall. All these are walking distance only. My friend Sindhu told me that we can get many art & craft items in Thailand so I was a bit careful in spending there as i wanted money to buy lots of hobby material.Got back to the hotel in a taxi.

 After reaching room I felt I should have bought something more.

We had some snacks from Mcdonalds so was not hungry. Still 3 of us had a bit of the standard menu of dal chawal.Appu was asleep by then so V ch opted to baby sit while we had our dinner.

Next day we were taken by 8.30 & took us to safari world(zoo). Its driving through the zoo. Took us to Marine park after that which is at the end of the safari world itself.  There were 4 shows there. 1st Orang utan show, next was sea lion show & the 3rd was Elephant/cowboy stunt. We opted for elephant show while some went for cowboy . Last was dolphin show. The whole of Marine park area was full of trees & where there are no trees water was sprinkled from tubes above. I was remembering the zoo here, with no trees or any facilities like this. We were given lunch there, again Indian food. The area where they served food was a huge hall- looked like sathram or sarvani sadya.

The coach dropped us in Indra square( shopping area). There also we couldnt see any hobby material.Talked to Lata-Shailas cousin Gopan. Both days we were so tired that we didn't have the energy to meet them.Took a taxi back to hotel. Again had same dal chawal. They had ice cream also but same chocolate flavour on both days:-( V ch was so tired he fell asleep without dinner. His hand was sprained also - don't know how.He got a wrist band for support the previous day.

Next day we were taken to the airport in their coach at 8 & thus ended our holidays.

Minus the food issue in the hotel the trip was nice. We had a good laugh at their service so compensated for the lack.Sindhu told us to try Mango with sticky rice & 2 of their fruits( one was star apple & forgot the other one). But we couldnt locate any of these items.

All got worried a bit hearing about the trouble there but as I told someone it was more peaceful than the peaceful days in India. On our way to Pattaya I slept in the coacjh & when I opened my eyes I felt we have come to Kerala. The coconut trees, vazha & the houses with tiled roof all looked like Kerala except that the roads were wider & cleaner.

After reaching back Vimala & I feel that we should have shopped more. I said we will go again & she is saying she doesn't mind shifting to that place. 

It was a nice, sweet short holiday. I think their tourism thrives on Indians. All places had  almost 99% Indian tourists.

That is all for now.

Thailand

We started on the Thailand trip on Saturday morning.It happened so sudden that the fact sunk in only on Friday I think. We have been planning a trip with Vimala & family from Nov I think.We almost decided the middle east trip in Jan when Tanchu had winter hols. Then PV got ill & we postponed it to Mach.To cut it short that too didnt happen.

Before Tanchu's vacation began Vimala kept saying we should go somewhere. She wanted to go abroad. Ashish's passport was about to expire & he didnt renew it, so we thought Bhutan( where we may not require passport-not sure). But V ch was not keen. Then we thought Sikkim(I am the only one who has not gone there, others liked the place). She searched" Make my trip" site & the places they were taking were the same place that they went last time. So she started searching for a 4- 5 day trip they have( PV could take only 3 days off). Then she saw the Thailand package. After that it was  hectic with calling them up every now & then to book, get all documents etc . She spent her birthday like that. Ashish couldnt come because of the passport issue.

On 16th night they came here to sleep as our flight was at 5,30am on 17th. We left the house at around 2 am.By the time we had our security check I was hungry & had iddlies from the airport. We went by Indigo flight.

Reached Bangkok at 9.20.A lady from Make my trip was there to receive us.Had to wait for the coach for some time. (The entire tour was done in the coach- about 10 could be seated).Unlike the Thomas cook tour people were in different packages & staying in different hotels so couldnt make friends.

They took us to their office & we had lunch  there- Indian food.

Then we were taken to Pattaya. We reached at around 4 pm- local time.They had booked in Citin Garden resort for us.Got a welcome drink.The hotel was good. Only problem was language. Devika's fwd" thanguberrymutt" was helpful.That day they were taking us for Alcazar show. We had to be ready by 8.15 so decided to have an early dinner.Their menu had a few Indian items in veg so I opted for samosa( missing the icons of whatsapp). They had some thai curry with rice.

The show started at 9.30 dot. I was afraid if it will be like the Lido show in Paris for which we had to pay extra & i slept most of the time.( Found that boring). This we all enjoyed. They danced to the Hindi song Nachle....nachle mere yaar tu  nachle also. this show was free( about that later).

The package had breakfast included & they said lunch & dinner we will have to have on our own. But on all days except one they gave us lunch too.

On 18th we started at 8.15 to go to coral island. We had to go in boats & they anchor them a little away. We had to wade through knee length water to reach the boat. They had told us to wear shorts & since i didn't want to try it out they said wear salwar kameez. It was fun wading through the water. We had to wait for the boat in the water as the 1st one got full. When our turn came I just couldnt climb on to the boat as the step was too high for me. All of them got inside & I thought I will stay back. Somehow they all( other tourists including) pulled & pushed me inside.In the bargain my slippers came off & somebody caught hold of it from the water The ride was fun .

1 st they took us to an island where we could do para sailing  & do under water walk. Tanchu wanted to try para sailing but backed out as she felt she may feel like coming back midway:-) Then there was underwater walk & she wanted to do that. Vimala also wanted to try as coming all the way should try something. She had to buy a swimming costume as they had not instructed us properly. Both had it in their bags in the hotel. They went for that & took all others to coral island. there we relaxed under the beach umbrellas in easy chairs. Appu was happy as he got coke & chips from muthachan.I had some lovely ripe mangoes . They cut & sell in plastic packets with salt & red chillies. The mangoes were ripe & good so I didnt use the salt. It tasted like our Priyur.Then took appu to have fun in the beach. PV was relaxing in the chair.

After sometime Vimala & tanchu joined us. It seems Tanchu got scared when she went under water & so she came up & sat in the boat. Vimala walked a bit but then she also felt its enough, more so as tanchu was alone( no family member with her I mean).

They then took us to Veeda an Indian restaurant. We had bouffet lunch( Indian food ) there.

After lunch they took us to Bangkok. We reached bangkok by 4.30 or so. They had booked in Howard square for us.

On the whole it was a good holiday. the group was nice. there were about 50 people including kids. The youngest was 4 yrs old & may be we were the oldest.There was a honeymooning couple also. We went via Helsinki to Rome, others  via Doha. from Rome till Paris we had a Coach with a Poland guy Jack as the driver. Our tour manager was Aswin Kamath -Manglorean born & brought up in Mumbai. He was very good.We had Indian food in almost all places for lunch & Dinner. Some places we could opt for local food & we both tried them out.Got upma also along with continental  on 2-3 days for Bfast!!! 

We went by Euro star( train ) from Paris to London. In London our Driver was an Indian but we all liked Jack more. He was more friendly . Aswin had to go to Switzerland in an emergency & had another Indian-Iqbal in his place. He was also not so good as Aswin. 

All are asking which place i liked more -am not able to figure out as it is like an Avial( as aptly said by Malini) now. In London spoke to both Suchitras, Kichu & Deepti. There was no time to meet any of them.

They had arranged our stay in good hotels like Sheraton, Raddisson, Renaissance, Novotel etc.Local Indian cooks provided the dinner in the hotels.Lunch used to be in Indian Restaurants.

The places visited are Italy(Rome, Venice, Florance), Vatican, Austria,Switzerland, Germany,Brussels, Netherlands, Paris &London.