The title might sound like a pun in more than one sense. But this is going to be the crux of what I am going to narrate. Its a story of the places that formed a part of the honeymoon of a vegetarian couple; of how the emotions of the places themselves blended with the most memorable moments of my life; the constant conflict of personal joy and inner agony...
It all began even before I started on this journey. The day I left my sweet little island that I called home for a third of my life was Dec 26, three years from the fateful day when an unheralded wave sung an orchestra of its own, and made mankind sit up and take notice. I was travelling to the very place which was one of the first hit by the Tsunami, a japanese term that resounded across the Indian Ocean.
I know it was going to be a journey with a difference right from the start. Being greeted by a Scandinavian in Singlish was strange enough, and I laughed my way to the cabin when he started courting a Japanese stewardess. I know I was gonna see lot of this over the next five days - caucasian guys drooling over asian gals.
The plane was probably 90% caucasians. I did spot a couple of Indians, and a couple of Indonesian maids accompanying expats in Singapore, who hardly spoke a word or two in English. Before I realised, the plane landed, with the captain beaming "Welcome to Phuket!".
Once on the ground, the fun started. Thai on arrival visa guy was bewildered by guys forgetting two simple instructions in English on the airport counter. Have Baht, and ticket! Irate Indian guys shouting at the counter guy in Hindi as if that guy was at fault didnt help!
A bubbly girl with a charming smile was the tour agent, who took pains to explain the intricacies of travelling in Phuket, and trying to strike some tour-deals. Looking around the streets, it doesnt take long to realise whats driving this desolated hilly island into a vacation town. It did seem wise to shake hands with a person I knew, albeit for 30 mins. Having quickly arranged something for a day and half, I had blown away half the money I had! When your mind wants to scream, having your loving wife by your side helps :) After all, its my honeymoon!
Having had a nice dinner at a nearby Indian restaurant advertising hot curry, I was actually pleased I was only 750 baht lighter!
It was midnight, and I was in two minds whether to hazard a stroll by the beach. Hardly ten yards from my hotel was the shore, just across the road. The sky, rather than the beach, took my breath away! A hundred lanterns made of a simple plastic cover and some cotton threads made its way up into the night sky, and then more and more. I was touched by the people's gesture for the departed souls on the third anniversary.
Then I realised how the locals here had turned this day into a thriving business. Tens of them thronged me within a kilometer, making my heart sink deeper and deeper. The quotes ranged from 100 to 500 baht, giving me a sense of how much I could bargain on the Thai streets. Suddenly, I stopped. I noticed a boy about 6-7 yrs building a mini castle of sand right next to the waves, and lighted a dozen candles inside. He stood in silence, watching over the flickering lights and scanning the lights flying high above. Barely 100 feet away was a busy road jammed with vehicles and shops with bright lights, and partying people everywhere, so much that it was hard to believe it was 12.30am!
Today, amidst all the chaos called the world, I found humanity in a dark corner.
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Monday, December 31, 2007
New Year Resolution
To get back to my usual self.
I have bogged down my marital pressures and responsibilities for far too longer than I had initially expected, and tried to start and restart my social activities including blogging now and then, in vain.
Resolutions are meant to be broken, but I hope this one doesnt break as easily.
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The search has just begun !!!
I have bogged down my marital pressures and responsibilities for far too longer than I had initially expected, and tried to start and restart my social activities including blogging now and then, in vain.
Resolutions are meant to be broken, but I hope this one doesnt break as easily.
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The search has just begun !!!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
At the Altar
I was born on a day when the Finns got their independence, and were gleaming
While she made her entry when Cricket world cup victory was beaming.
Born on a cold winter morning, I like being cosy and warm
Coming down to earth in the summer heat, I wonder how she remains calm.
I savour the goodness of life, also known as sweet
While she favours the salt and sour as her ultimate treat.
Slow and steady wins the race, I praise
Variety is the spice in life, she says..
Beauty and brains dont go together
So I dont mind giving up my top floor to get her.
I venture beyond boundaries, feeding on creative pasture
She expands her intellectual horizon, while maintaining a silent posture.
Sports gets me passionate, with which she doesnt really resonate
And with words I go like a rocket, while her words would fill a locket.
Where she feels down, he is overconfident to the brim
Where he spends on her, she saves for him.
Opposites definitely attract each other, and I am just the one
Come and witness me tying the knot on the other half, a gal par none.
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The search has just begun !!! (for a wonderful life with a beautiful wife)
PS: For the finer points as to when and where, with whom and what not, just drop me an email.
While she made her entry when Cricket world cup victory was beaming.
Born on a cold winter morning, I like being cosy and warm
Coming down to earth in the summer heat, I wonder how she remains calm.
I savour the goodness of life, also known as sweet
While she favours the salt and sour as her ultimate treat.
Slow and steady wins the race, I praise
Variety is the spice in life, she says..
Beauty and brains dont go together
So I dont mind giving up my top floor to get her.
I venture beyond boundaries, feeding on creative pasture
She expands her intellectual horizon, while maintaining a silent posture.
Sports gets me passionate, with which she doesnt really resonate
And with words I go like a rocket, while her words would fill a locket.
Where she feels down, he is overconfident to the brim
Where he spends on her, she saves for him.
Opposites definitely attract each other, and I am just the one
Come and witness me tying the knot on the other half, a gal par none.
Random Access
The search has just begun !!! (for a wonderful life with a beautiful wife)
PS: For the finer points as to when and where, with whom and what not, just drop me an email.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wedding Invitation
Finally, here it is.. Never liked anything better than what I create myself, personally :)
If the words are not clear:
Come see the opposites attract each other on 19th August 2007!
For those who see this, get your tickets to Chennai now!
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The search has just begun !!!
If the words are not clear:
| He says | She says |
| I am born in December | I am born in June |
| I am a fire-sign | I am a water-sign |
| I like warm climate | I like cold climate |
| I like sweet dishes | I like salty dishes |
| I love melodious music | I love fast beats |
| My tastes remain the same | My tastes keep changing |
| I love being in a group | I love being alone |
| I am an extrovert | I am an introvert |
| I am passionate about games | I am not impressed by games |
| I never get tensed | I don’t admit getting tensed |
| I am over confident | I am under confident |
| I love relaxing | I love working |
| I spend money | I save money |
Come see the opposites attract each other on 19th August 2007!
For those who see this, get your tickets to Chennai now!
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The search has just begun !!!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Airline - On the Line
This is a bit of an outpouring of something that haunted my mind over the past few weeks, so it may not be as powerful as I feel.
I have flown almost every airline that offers a route, direct or indirect, between Singapore and Chennai. This will be a direct personal (maybe even brutally honest) opinion as to what I feel about each airline. I know some of them will be least bothered about customer feedback, but in the race to the line, I do hope they will start bothering.
I dont know what "Indian" tries to achieve by truncating the "Airlines". Maybe its honest enough to accept its not worth being called an Airlines. With the bright orange color, it can be easily located in the event of the aircraft landing on water :P Although I found excellent research articles (www.iegindia.org) on the incapacities in its ranks, and what it needs to focus on, ranging from resource utilisation to inflight service, the airlines itself does not seem to do anything about it. For a 4 hour flight, an average delay of 1 hr is inevitable. If there is one airline that can be assured to be delayed for half an hour, cos lone lazy passenger out of 300+ hasnt arrived yet, it is bound to be Indian. Dharma is doing the greatest good for the largest number, not in trying to please one lazy soul at the expense of so many others.
Air India turned Air India Express without notice. As a Air India customer, I got a rude shock when I wanted to reconfirm my ticket. The worst was that my ticket got invalidated cos of overnight change of name dreamt of by some recent MBA grad minting millions in its top brass. Thank god I waited till the last few days to reconfirm my ticket! Worst is that there is hardly any change in price, though it was supposed to be "Budget" flying experience. That cool dude who thought of this pathetic idea could have tried it out on domestic flights first. But maybe he knew Singapore is as close to Chennai as Delhi, so why not... I was surprised when I was handed over a tray to eat something. Gracious me! I spent the next half an hour trying to open the packets, spending more energy than I would get by eating that. Being a true Indian, I did not want to waste this gift, and I ate the snacks they gave. I spent the next day spending Rs 600 for filling up two of my wisdom teeth. I sure did not deserve the "wisdom" tooth after eating that! One more surprise. Oh my! A film being screened on a budget airliner. Although it was the most pathetic movie, FREE!! FREE!! Again my Indian instincts took over. My dreams were interupted by shouts by cabin crew. Rewind 6 yrs. Air India. "Can I please have a glass of water?" met with "How dare you ask me for that, you moron?" kinda stare from a hugely built aunty, as if I was asking for my 11th bottle of beer. You would be frozen in your seats after that stare with your mouth shut. Fast Forward to present. "$2", "$2", "No sir, you cant hear the movie sounds until you rent this headset for $2". I would rather feel pity for that begger on Anna Salai. The entertainment on board is so immense with these characters that you dont realise you are running 30 mins late. Ofcourse, in Chennai, we were made waiting 1.5 hrs for luggage to arrive, making me think that maybe the flight has gone back to get our luggage from Singapore. The most surprising thing is that both the government owned airlines are usually ontime during night flights, while the delays are on day flights. "Just a few hours more" kinda attitude shown by these airlines are deplorable to say the least.
Jet Airways, given that its a desi airline, who compete on competitive prices to sustain their small fleet of aircraft, wasnt much of a consideration. However, given that its privately owned, I was thinking of giving it a try. Surprisingly, they are on time, almost always. "Desi" did you say? Although running with older aircraft, which invokes some pity, they are professionals. Good branding image, they have created in the recent past. Hope they continue and do a good job and make India proud. However, all's not well, with their inflight service being next to nothing. They have realised one key point. People value their time, and 4 hrs flight means 4 hrs. Good job.
Moving onto International ones, how do they fare? I am not really an anti-Indian, and those who know me will tell you I am the contrary, but I do think the international guys deserve the pat on the back, with not too much to seperate them.
Malaysian Airlines are good and cheap, although it entails a circuitous route through KL with a lot of waiting time. Good way to see the nice KL Airport. Boring flight though.
Singapore Airlines are very good, with good entertainment once inside. Games and movies galore, you wont know time flies. They land as smooth as silk, so nothing to complain, except that they dont go really "desi" for my taste, like latest Tamil movies and songs, south indian vegetarian meals and stuff... Ofcourse, the worst about them is their pricing. For an economy traveller like me, its a fair bit on the higher side.
Best comes last, and ahoy, here comes Srilankan Airlines. From the first time I flew it, I never wanted to fly anything else! That tells you much about their standards. Singapore Airlines style comfort and service with a smile, not to mention hot figs as air hostesses. Also, pakka desi style stuff, be it food or entertainment. Never mind a short stopover at Colombo, its a nice place and you can also get some Srilankan tea home! Beat them if you can. Professional crew, captains, flight make it a pleasure. Ayobowan!
Customer loyalty comes not out of loyalty programmes or from MBA masterminds, but out of the customer automatically.. if only...
Random Access
The search has just begun !!!
I have flown almost every airline that offers a route, direct or indirect, between Singapore and Chennai. This will be a direct personal (maybe even brutally honest) opinion as to what I feel about each airline. I know some of them will be least bothered about customer feedback, but in the race to the line, I do hope they will start bothering.
I dont know what "Indian" tries to achieve by truncating the "Airlines". Maybe its honest enough to accept its not worth being called an Airlines. With the bright orange color, it can be easily located in the event of the aircraft landing on water :P Although I found excellent research articles (www.iegindia.org) on the incapacities in its ranks, and what it needs to focus on, ranging from resource utilisation to inflight service, the airlines itself does not seem to do anything about it. For a 4 hour flight, an average delay of 1 hr is inevitable. If there is one airline that can be assured to be delayed for half an hour, cos lone lazy passenger out of 300+ hasnt arrived yet, it is bound to be Indian. Dharma is doing the greatest good for the largest number, not in trying to please one lazy soul at the expense of so many others.
Air India turned Air India Express without notice. As a Air India customer, I got a rude shock when I wanted to reconfirm my ticket. The worst was that my ticket got invalidated cos of overnight change of name dreamt of by some recent MBA grad minting millions in its top brass. Thank god I waited till the last few days to reconfirm my ticket! Worst is that there is hardly any change in price, though it was supposed to be "Budget" flying experience. That cool dude who thought of this pathetic idea could have tried it out on domestic flights first. But maybe he knew Singapore is as close to Chennai as Delhi, so why not... I was surprised when I was handed over a tray to eat something. Gracious me! I spent the next half an hour trying to open the packets, spending more energy than I would get by eating that. Being a true Indian, I did not want to waste this gift, and I ate the snacks they gave. I spent the next day spending Rs 600 for filling up two of my wisdom teeth. I sure did not deserve the "wisdom" tooth after eating that! One more surprise. Oh my! A film being screened on a budget airliner. Although it was the most pathetic movie, FREE!! FREE!! Again my Indian instincts took over. My dreams were interupted by shouts by cabin crew. Rewind 6 yrs. Air India. "Can I please have a glass of water?" met with "How dare you ask me for that, you moron?" kinda stare from a hugely built aunty, as if I was asking for my 11th bottle of beer. You would be frozen in your seats after that stare with your mouth shut. Fast Forward to present. "$2", "$2", "No sir, you cant hear the movie sounds until you rent this headset for $2". I would rather feel pity for that begger on Anna Salai. The entertainment on board is so immense with these characters that you dont realise you are running 30 mins late. Ofcourse, in Chennai, we were made waiting 1.5 hrs for luggage to arrive, making me think that maybe the flight has gone back to get our luggage from Singapore. The most surprising thing is that both the government owned airlines are usually ontime during night flights, while the delays are on day flights. "Just a few hours more" kinda attitude shown by these airlines are deplorable to say the least.
Jet Airways, given that its a desi airline, who compete on competitive prices to sustain their small fleet of aircraft, wasnt much of a consideration. However, given that its privately owned, I was thinking of giving it a try. Surprisingly, they are on time, almost always. "Desi" did you say? Although running with older aircraft, which invokes some pity, they are professionals. Good branding image, they have created in the recent past. Hope they continue and do a good job and make India proud. However, all's not well, with their inflight service being next to nothing. They have realised one key point. People value their time, and 4 hrs flight means 4 hrs. Good job.
Moving onto International ones, how do they fare? I am not really an anti-Indian, and those who know me will tell you I am the contrary, but I do think the international guys deserve the pat on the back, with not too much to seperate them.
Malaysian Airlines are good and cheap, although it entails a circuitous route through KL with a lot of waiting time. Good way to see the nice KL Airport. Boring flight though.
Singapore Airlines are very good, with good entertainment once inside. Games and movies galore, you wont know time flies. They land as smooth as silk, so nothing to complain, except that they dont go really "desi" for my taste, like latest Tamil movies and songs, south indian vegetarian meals and stuff... Ofcourse, the worst about them is their pricing. For an economy traveller like me, its a fair bit on the higher side.
Best comes last, and ahoy, here comes Srilankan Airlines. From the first time I flew it, I never wanted to fly anything else! That tells you much about their standards. Singapore Airlines style comfort and service with a smile, not to mention hot figs as air hostesses. Also, pakka desi style stuff, be it food or entertainment. Never mind a short stopover at Colombo, its a nice place and you can also get some Srilankan tea home! Beat them if you can. Professional crew, captains, flight make it a pleasure. Ayobowan!
Customer loyalty comes not out of loyalty programmes or from MBA masterminds, but out of the customer automatically.. if only...
Random Access
The search has just begun !!!
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