Weekend Getaway to Ranthambore

Last weekend, I visited Ranthambore, known for its National Park. We were a group of 23 people (all from my company). Took the Dehradoon Express from New Delhi Railway Station on Friday night. I suggest look for a better train if possible as it stopped at every station. We got down at Sawai Madhopur(nearest railway station for Ranthambore, just 10 kms) next morning. We got into the Canters (of our resort "Tiger Den") waiting for us and in just 20 mins, reached the resort. The canter was open (with no roof, no windows) and was really cold. Luckily there were blankets which saved us from the morning cold of Rajasthan.

After a heavy breakfast in the resort, we got together to play Cricket. Junta was very enthued for the game and we had a nice lush green ground waiting for us. We played some 5-6 games and enjoyed a lot. As it was grass all around, I didnot mind diving to stop the ball. Anyway that didnt helped much as I could not save lots of runs instead of my dives :) Lunch followed the match and after that we went to see Ranthambore Fort. The guide told all kinds of stories associated with the fort. I liked couple of views of the National Park from the fort. After the fort, we went ahead to see a nearby lake but were disappointed to see that the lake is all dried up. We cursed the organizer for taking us to a dry lake and that too in the cold in the open canter. Anyway after getting back to the resort in the evening, we played DumbC around a nicely lit bonfire. Though we started with Antakshari, I was successful in dumping Antakshari and getting people to play DumbC(I am bad at Antakshari). Dinner followed and then we were back to our rooms. We had to wake up early next morning for the Safari. Still some of us managed to stay awake till 12 and we discussed a lot about our company, work, people etc etc(stuff that generally happens when 5-6 people of same company get together).

It was tough waking up at 6 but we all managed and we were in the Canter by 6.45. We entered the forest area by 7.15 and the next 3 hrs was spent going around the forest. We watched different kinds of birds. I loved Kingfisher bird sitting on a tree in a small island of a lake. That was a fantastic site. We couldnot see the tiger but we saw couple of other animals like Neelgai, Sambhar, Deers, lots and lots of birds. It was fun, particularly the way the driver was trying to create an atmosphere that the tiger was around. Actually I think we were close to the tiger. Most probably it was hiding under a bush. There were some peacocks on a tree near the bush and they didnt move from their position for 1 hr. Most probably they were afraid of the tiger below them. Anyway we didnot see the tiger.

We were back in the resort by 11 am. Had a heavy breakfast and again played cricket for an hr. After lunch, couple of folks(ladies and their (poor) husbands) went for shopping. Rest (including me) relaxed by the pool side. Tambola was played in the evening. After some snacks(Pakoras and Tea), we left the resort by 8. Had some light dinner on a pathetic road side dhaba close to Sawai MadhoPur Railway Station.

It was a good trip, all of us enjoyed a lot. We were least bothered of not sighting the Tiger. All of us had a good time and why not, particularly when all expenses is paid by the company :)

Bangalore Trip...Courtesy Jyoti

So last weekend I was in banaglore to attend Jyoti's marriage. Marriage was on Monday(28th Nov). So i reached bangalore on friday night to spend the weekend with my friends.

Night1 (25th Nov): Took the Air Deccan Flight from Delhi to Bangalore. Manoj was at the airport to pick me up. Mrityu was also there and Patra went with Mrityu to his place. I got the first glimpse of Mrityu's fast receding hairline at the airport. He is going Anupam Kher's way in a pretty fast manner :) Called Archi from the Airport and to have some fun, told her that Manoj is getting married and thats the reason i am in bangalore(as a witness to the marriage in the court). Archi was furious and started cursing Manoj for not inviting. After some 10-15 mins of heated exchange, Manoj decided for ceasefire and the truth was spoken out(Not Manoj's marriage but it was Jyoti's marriage for which I am there). From the Airport, went to Manoj's home on his bike. As long as we were on pakka road, it was fine. Soon we entered a kaccha road and i got the first glimpse of Bang's infrastructure collapse. New houses built up with no approach roads. There was a truck on our way trapped in the mud. We changed the road and with some effort and Manoj great balancing act on the bike, we finally reached home. I must say Manoj's house was clean and well equiped(TV, kitchen etc etc) but only for one person. We fought for the only Razai. After updating each other( we met almost after a year), we slept.

Day1-Night2(26th Nov): Wake up early(8 is very early for me). Had the standard idly vada breakfast at a nearby *Sagar*(oh for a change it was not any Sukh Sagar, Shanti Sagar but was named Krishna Vaibhav). From there, we bought some TT balls and went to I2 campus. I proved my TT skills by beating Manoj 2-1 on his home ground. After a short workout by Manoj in I2 gym, we went back home. While in the gym, I met Manoj's friend Monalisa and soon we became friends. After a lunch at Dhabba , we went to CornerHouse(a new outlet called OutPost near Marathaali). Mona joined us there. She is from Bhubaneswar and then started a long n interesting (boring for Manoj) discussion about Orissa. After my fav Chocolate Mousse in CH, we went for movie "Deewane Hue Pagal" at Innovative but yes after a coffee break at Mona's house. Movie was ok kind but during the intermission, I was promised Oriya food for dinner and I was just waiting for the movie to get over. Mona prepared nice dinner(Dalma, Roti n been/alu bhaja). Thanks a lot Mona for the coffee, dinner and the breakfast next morning. I had a wonderful Saturday.

Day2-Night3(27th Nov): Shyamal picked me up from airport road(near DD) and i went to his house. We got the anons update(pilani wingmates) and also called up Sumit. From his home, I went to CSPN's home. Last time I was there it was a mess. This time everything was in place. hmmm marriage effect, indrani effect(cspn's wife). The Oriya gang( i guess everyone in bang) met for lunch at "Roomali with a view" on 100 ft Road. From then onwards, Swagat came to our rescue( he has a Santro) and became our official travel guy for the trip( thats my job in delhi). We went around bang(outer ring road, LalBag, Forum Mall, Koramangla Corner House) before coming back to Swagat's house to have a much required sleep.

28th Nov: The D-day for Jyoti, another stressful driving day for Swagat I guess. We left around 9 am and after 2 hours of suffocating ourselves with Banaglore traffic, we managed to reach the venue near Gandhi Market. I must appreciate the banaglore people for patiently helping us in reaching our venue. Whoever we asked for directions, helped us with lots of enthu.
The marriage went well. Good to see Jyoti n Sahana together(i know how much effort have gone for this day). We had 5-6 hrs between marriage and the reception in the evening. We had a car, 4 people without any work(all were on leave to attend the marriage) and we were close to Mysore Road. So decided to go to Mysore. But after some 1 hr drive on Mysore Road, we decided to call off our Mysore trip, took a u-turn, had a great lunch at Eagleton(excellent golf course view) and went back to forum for Jyoti's gift. We had some wonderful ideas for the gift but finally settled for no risk gifts(jackets for both). After the marriage, swagat dropped me near Manoj's house. Luckily it was Mona's bday on 29th and we celebrated her bday on 28th night with cake n cookies. I liked the wonderful candle Manoj has got for her.

29th: We had Air Deccan flight at 5.40 am. Reached airport at 5.25 and unfortunately the boarding counter was closed and we were refused to board :( So no other way that booking another ticket (Air Sahara) at 7.30 am.

Overally I had a wonderful extended weekend in bangalore. Thanks to all of you in bangalore(including Air Deccan to make it a memorable trip