A little help from Captain Suraj Rathod on The Front

May 15, 2016

I struck a great friendship with Captain Suraj Rathod who was stationed in Leh.

Captain Surah Rathod of the Indian Army !

He invited me for breakfast next day . After taking my sunrise shots I ventured into his office . “I love bollywood films Anuj .” he said nibbling at his Paratha .“Especially Shaurya the film with K.K Menon , he was excellent in that and of course their is Border with Sunny Deol.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzVU4p1Yj8o

We chatted for a while on Indian war film’s “ you see captain their was one film called LOC which was mad on the Kargil war , but it didn’t work because it had so many star’s in it , people could not identify them as normal soldiers . That is why it is important to have method actor’s like Randeep Hooda who is playing the role of Sarabjit Singh a soldier who was captured by the Pakistani’s and tortured in their jail’s.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgiwZy2dmXM

Captain Suraj sipped a warm cup of tea with lot’s of ginger and herb’s “ This region of Ladakh has produced many a brave Indian Army Soldiers , their have been 2 Param Vir Chakra’s and 27 veer Chakra’s awarded to soldiers who have served here . You know the temperature here fall’s to below 20 degrees in the winter’s , it becomes impossible to survive , the entire lake freezes and snow leopards from the mountain’s come out to play . Come let me show you some pictures of the mountain goat’s and migrating gull’s which can be seen here .”

I ventured out to the lake to take photo’s of the flying Gull’s , they fascinated me as this bird is a symbol of my Travelthon also . After a few shot’s from my camera , me and the captain bid each other good bye and promised to keep in touch . I for a moment thanked him for being their at the tough region and guarding our country. It is because of these brave men that we enjoy the freedom and liberty we so much take for granted .

Next day was a five hour drive from the lake down to the Leh Region through the Changla Pass I stopped over for a while to play with the snow that was gathered around and enjoy the little snow flakes falling from the sky .Like little feathers they caressed my cheek’s and floated past me. Mountain goat’s and wild camels whisked passed our jeep as we stopped over to take a peek at these beautiful animals.

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It was Back to Kidar my hotel in Leh . I rested in the evening and uploaded all my majestic photo’s on my blog . Next day was a cultural event organised by the hotel .Which comprised of dances from the Changla region of the valley and also included the traditional Ladhaki warrior dance.

https://www.facebook.com/anujtikku1974/videos/885395408253708/

By adminin others

The Mesmerising Pangong Lake & Happy Birthday to Me…

May 14, 2016

This was without a doubt the high point of my Leh and Ladakh visit. We drove six hours through a rough mountain terrain to reach this vantage point. In the middle of the journey I saw wild mountain goat’s whose fur was of the same colour as the mountain rock’s. They kind of camouflage themselves in the background so that they can hide from their prey .The journey was rocky and we passed few villages in between for a stop over of tea and Maggi .That’s all one gets in this region apart from moms home food and vegetable fried rice. Any way I was not complaining as the vistas were unreal!!

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From a distance I just saw blue colour and it’s as if the blue land had merged with the sky which was my first view of the great Pangong Lake. Pangong means high grassland lake. The locals see this as a holy lake which was sent down

https://www.facebook.com/anujtikku1974/videos/884814904978425/

from the heavens by the Gods. Thats it my first view of it’s breathtaking beauty and I was hooked . I took out my power lens and started clicking through my Canon Camera. One shot after the other, I could not keep the camera down I was that hooked .

I must have taken over a hundred shots of the lake from every conceivable angle . The Blue sky , brown dusty mountain’s and the lake with hue’s of blue all merging and emerging together. It was a dance of light and colour I had never experienced before. Then I caught a glimpse of a white dove which flew over me. Instantly I started taking pictures. It was amazing as the dove is also the symbol of my travelthon. A symbol of freedom, peace and the will to reach great heights. It was as if the GODs were cheering me on .It was an heaven sent omen to tell me that I was on the right track.

As I was busy with my camera I was approached by an army man in uniform. This is after all the front I realised of a battle and the man said to me rather sternly but friendly “ Hi I am Captain Sandeep Singh of the Indian Army and you are not allowed to take photographs of the heli pad and army camps. Can I see your camera and we will have to remove some of your pictures.”

I looked at him and shook his hand “ I am Anuj Tikku and I am a bollywood actor from Bombay.” Immediately the captain’s suspicion turned into a deep set grin.” Yes yes i thought i had seen you somewhere “ tum waha hotey to gaand phat ke haath mein aah jaati “. You where the guy in the plane with Rani Mukherjee .” I smiled and said yup that was I.

That’s it and he took me under his wings and guided me for a tour around the lake. I told him I have come here for a location shoot and wanted to see all the beautiful sights around the lake which was not strictly true but well.” yes yes indeed I will take you around it will be my honour , why don’t you join us for breakfast tomorrow .” The deal was done and I had an officer from the Indian Army on my side now and exploring this heavenly place will now be even easier.

https://www.facebook.com/anujtikku1974/videos/884809728312276/

I reached the Blue water camp by late afternoon. The camp is a bunch of tent’s facing the lake and i will be spending two night’s here . Till then chalo and by the way it’s my Birthday today and I got the perfect birthday gift.

By adminin others

Leh by The Lake

May 12, 2016

The British Visa had been an episode that I’d wanted quickly to forget and I thought perhaps Leh it must be – that end of the world place to visit!

I had missed seeing this region of India when I was last blazing through the J&K Region two years back at the beginning of my Travelthon. But here now was my chance to blaze through that rugged terrain of Leh and Ladakh again to take my mind off that British Visa Rejection. My UK visa not going through was just the excuse I needed to visit this scenic wonderland. I took the morning Jet connect flight to Leh at 6:50 am in the morning. I booked myself into Hotel Kidar though booking.com for four night’s for Rs 14,000 – $ 210. Do remember though that when you book here it is with a 10% service tax extra that one has to pay over an above the booking price.

I could feel the nip in the air as we landed and it was 8 degree and the air was thin. All the tourist’s were asked to take it easy and acclimatise themselves in Leh for the first couple of days. Public service messages where blaring these messages out aloud everywhere and it felt surreal. I checked into my hotel, which was neat with wi fi , television and all the stated amenities. I was off course dog tired and the lack of oxygen was getting to me. So I decided to crash out only to wake up next morning. I realised I had done my 24 hrs sleep routine again.

A few days later I was meet by my guide and itinerary planner, a fellow Kashmiri Mr. Sandeep Ganju. He planned a 10 day tour around the region for me for around Rs 60,000, $900 which included an exclusive vehicle, all meals and night stays. It was a good bargain as I saw it.

Next day I was off to see the Buddhist Monasteries which are in abundance in this region. The people of Ladakh are a blend of Mongolian and Aryan blood. In the early day’s this use too be the silk route for trade to Afghanistan and Pakistan . The dialect they speak is called Balti. I also saw the Rancho School and Cafe, where the shooting of the Bollywood Film Three Idiots took place and meandered through Hemis and Thicksey Monastery for some peace and tranquility.

I then took a ride through the Khardung La Pass which is the highest motor able road in the world at about 18000 feet above sea level.

I danced in the snow and made snow balls which I admittedly gleefully threw at fellow travellers! It was all in good jest as the freezing wind’s hit me flush in the face .

https://www.facebook.com/anujtikku1974/posts/883861578407091

I explored the Diskit monastery in the Nubra Valley which housed a towering statue of Buddha under which I stood and felt like an ant in front of Buddha’s towering presence. The night I spent at the cold Desert Camp at Hundur , where I was put up in a tent room .

The place was all quite in the middle of nowhere. Their were a handful of families who had come to this remote camp to escape the maddening din of city life. There was a cultural dance show and mountain camel ride to keep us busy in the late evening. I danced away with the local crowd and danced with the Choksmo Ladhaki dance. I do confess i did miss a step here and their , but promise to get it right next time I am here .

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By adminin others

The Snooty Poms and I

May 4, 2016

The day turned out to be a disaster for me. My application for a visa to the UK was rejected again this is the second time in a row now and that is always a damn bad feeling. It hurt especially since they claim I haven’t the money to sustain a 3 month stay at the UK and they suspect my access to means and my intentions once I got onto the British Isles. Some moron in the immigration department clearly did not see my bank statement’s and other details clearly stating my net worth. Since it came as a letter there was a no point shouting at them for this transgression.

The UK - not for me anytime soon ! — The UK – not for me anytime soon !

By head burst with the thought that I’d rather stay in their country and not return to where I live. I mean why – to get access to a National Health Service that is not even able to support their existing citizens. I mean hey – I did go to school there and yet came back to my own country to stay and live in. Damn and what if I did stay back, I am pretty certain I’d be an asset to the larger Dim Witted Cockney trash that hangs around in the UK. I took out and read my rejection letter again and again it’s been three years of trying and thousand’s down the tube a Visa Fees and consultant commission’s. Visiting the UK is a duel and not a very pleasant experience for me. I mean I had visas from 13 different countries one was from Australia for god sake. But no I was not deemed fit to enter this Wonderland of Fish and Chip’s and Ryan Giggs.

I ranted for a while and the intensity of my disgust was making me hungry. I popped into old favorite – Kake Da Dhaba for a butter chicken with Dahi Meat and crisp tandoori roti. All for Rs 450 and no wonder there that it is my favorite restaurant.

Butter Chicken Masala - chicken in spicy cream themed gravy — Butter Chicken Masala – chicken in spicy cream themed gravy

Dahi Meat - tender shanks of lamb in yogurt gravy — Dahi Meat – tender shanks of lamb in yogurt gravy

Tandoori Rotis - unleavened Indian bread baked in an open hearth, wood fired oven — Tandoori Rotis – unleavened Indian bread baked in an open hearth, wood fired oven

I headed back home and thought I’d go see Leh up in the mountains so high. I tried to book a return ticket to Leh from Delhi at the internet travel portal. My payment was accepted, debited from my card and yet the booking did not go through. I called up the service number and they told me I would get refunded in three days as it is a rare thing that the booking did not go through. I booked again and this time got a return ticket for Rs 20,000, $300. Man it has had been a taxing day for sure and I hope I get my refund as promised.

Leh - here I come to wander !! — Leh – here I come to wander !!

My bag’s are packed and I am charging my camera and computer, keeping everything in perfect place. The taxi has been booked for 4:00 am and so is my hotel though booking.com Rs 12000, $180 for four nights. I will plan the rest of the trip when I get there. I am beginning to get some rest and things look cool and the thought of travel and adventure make me restless to explore this wonderland and of course I will take a lot of pictures. Ciao for now and be back soon from the hills of Leh with love to all….

By adminin others

In Delhi’s Belly

April 30, 2016

I felt bright and alive in the morning or maybe I thought as I was waiting to catch the English movie 10 Cloverfield Lane. I had booked it through BookMyShow, a ticket booking portal and it cost me 604 points on my Citi Prestige credit card. I was in Connaught Place; now Rajiv Gandhi Chowk, in no time.

Delhi's Temperature Today! — Delhi’s Temperature Today!

It was hot in Delhi in the afternoon at 42 degree and it is important to keep hydrating oneself. I sipped cool lemon tea and large gulps of Sprite with ice as I strolled around the market place. The eateries like The Host, United Cafe House and Regency all of the landmark diners of CP, Connaught Place of yore had a new and improved look, new logo and brand new decor. But my favourite has always been the earthy Kake Da Dhaba, perhaps since I am resident, citizen as it were of this city! I sat down for the authentic punjabi taste of butter chicken and dahi meat with kebab’s. All this for less the Rs 500 about $8 and I always thought it is a steal. The place being earthy as it was, the only issues I have are the tight seating arrangement and the long wait at times. Apart from that the food is piping hot, the chicken is tender and the portion’s large with free butter and gravy toppings all this to be burped down by a large cola.

The circular design of Connaught Place suit’s the easy walking style of tourist’s and shopper’s , no hurry here , as couples stroll hand in hand window shopping or just enjoying an ice cream . Almost all international clothing brands, fast food outlets and electronics showrooms are in this market. On the sidewalks sit the hawkers selling books, socks, calendars, art, smokes or just smuggled goods. Now of course the place is known as Rajeev Chowk and that is the name of the metro station. Long before the underground rail there existed the Palika Bazar which is as in a true sense of the terms an underground market. This is a market for common folks, with cheap clothes and cheap electronic’s abound they say you an get anything in this market for a steal. So if you want to fetch a good bargain and not very fussy about brands , you must try Palika Bazar. I grabbed a kakori kebab ( and boy those kababs have history!) from the near by Chacha Kebabs and strolled into the Oden Big Cinema where my platinum seat was awaiting . The movie 10 Clover field Lane seemed like a bit of the M. Night Shyamalan types. It had John Goodman as the central character, who has kept two people in his doomsday bunker and according to him helping them live .

Since the world has ended with an apocalyptic attack, the air has been contaminated and they have to be in the bunker for years. That is the subjugation and the chemistry between the characters who are caught up in this suffocating situation is what gives the movie it’s tempo. Sudden rush of blood scenes and fights give an added edge to the film. Over all a refreshing experience .

It was late in the afternoon and wanted my lunch so I went to the Taj Palace for a buffet brunch and used my Taj Inner Circle Gold card to settle the bill. I got a 50% discount instantly. I topped myself up with lot’s of lemonade and sherbet to keep myself going in the blistering heat.

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All in all another eventful day as I plan for a next league of adventures!

By adminin others

The Man Who Knew Infinity

April 29, 2016

The flight to Delhi from Srinagar was three and a half hour long with a stop at Jammu. I whisked into the comfort of an air conditioned Meru Cab as I exited the airport. I gave my home address to the driver and settled into the cab. An hour later I was in the comfort of my home. The heat, my lord it hit me and a quick flick of the air conditioner was what it took to get things to settle in.

Next day I decided to watch “ The Man Who Knew Infinity” a movie on the life of the South Indian Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujam. Dev Patel played the genius mathematician and the even more interesting character of Prof.Godfrey Harold (“G. H.“) Hardy played by Je remy Irons. It is Hardy who invited a little known Indian clerk from Madras to come to Trinity College in England . The movie moves into a love affair between the two men . Hardy an atheist and Ramanujam who say’s “ God speaks to me.” As both men grapple with their inner demon’s , one want’s his work to be published the other asking him for the proof’s of his mathematical formula’s and equations. Hardy wants Ramanujam to succeed but can’t understand how he does his mathematics and the source of his intuition and his genius. He takes a liking to the young Indian as both are bound to their work and their passion. We see a glimpse of Stephen Fry as the boss of Ramanujam at the beginning of the film.

The interlude between Ramanujam’s wife and mother also make for interesting viewing as both quarrel over one man but are also proud of his achievements’. As for Hardy, he fights hard for Ramanujam to get a Fellowship in the college. But the Indian’s failing health and his battle with Tuberculosis leads him to depart for India to be with his family. It was a touching film and show’s the unraveling of a genius and how it flourishes through this extraordinary bond the two leading characters share with each other.

A good movie after a long time followed with a chicken shawarma and pop corn and my day ended on a fine note.

By adminin others

The Vivanta Experience

April 27, 2016

I checked out of the hotel at Raj Bagh, Srinagar. Had the morning tea and showered with an OYO branded soap and shampoo and thought that they – OYO has really gotten their act together when it came to branding. I took the local taxi which the hotel staff called for me and trudged on to Taj Vivanta elsewhere and where I had a night’s booking through my Taj Inner Circle Card. At Rs 20,000, $300 a night it was a bomb of an expense to have on your personal affront ! But the view from my cottage was amazing in the morning and it was worth the experience one could get a panoramic view of the lake the mountain top’s and the sun all merging into one.

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I enjoyed a hearty meal of Pasta and Truffles and went to sleep after I bathed in the splendour of the king’s shower and in a private jacuzzi, scrubbing my skin with oil , scents and other creams . This was indulgence to the hilt. I called up my grandmother and she said just be happy, you are alone I know but try to be happy. I was in a confused state but enjoyed the view for all it’s worth.

Then it was Kahwa time. This is the traditional Kashmiri tea which I sipped as I saw the sunset over the Dal Lake, a view to behold. Next morning was breakfast of paratha and curd and then a late checkout at 2:00 pm . The total bill Rs 26,000 about $390 and lot’s of Inner Circle points.

I moved into Al Zahoor for the rest of my stay in Srinagar in the evening I would stroll down the bridge to Lal Chowk for a meal in Ahdoos , or float away into the near by kebab shop to have boti kebab with roti’s. I walked into the local stores which were well stacked up and bought two jar’s of Kahwa (Kashmiri tea ) for my grandmother. There was a taxi and scooter strike in the city for two days and I usually walked my way through the town.

But the Taj experience top’s it all and I really enjoyed it. Next afternoon I was on board the Jet Flight to Delhi via Jammu it took three hours .The first thing that hit me was the Delhi heat but the journey had been worth it.

By adminin India, Kashmir, others

A Quick Head to the Hills!

April 23, 2016

The sweltering heat of Delhi was getting to me again and I yearned for cooler climes. It was sapping my energy and the house re decoration is still on and I was getting agitated. I had to head for the hill’s to escape the heat. I made up my mind in a few minutes and booked a ticket to Srinagar through my Jet Airway’s Loyalty Point Program again! A return ticket cost me 20000 Points and this was all Business Class. I was flying Jet Business Class for the first time. Jet Business Class was a good trip. I used the Priority Lounge while waiting for the flight and enjoyed a full Breakfast and Beverages all at no extra cost.

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I enjoyed the wide seat’s and leg rest , their was especial Business Class Menu also which i devoured with relish. I booked two night’s at the Al Zahoor Inn through OYO ROOMS at Rs 3800 for two nights . The service of the portal is fantastic and payment is online. I got a text message from OYO as I landed into Srinagar giving me contact detail’s of the staff and directions too. All paid and clear transaction . Rs 500 to the cabbie who dropped me to the Hotel. At Al Zahoor they were waiting for me and ushered me to the Premium Room. It was nice tidy and well lit up with all the facilities that OYO had listed. I was impressed.

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The valley was chilly and I bumped into a few fan’s of mine who had seen me in Mumbai. I drove around the city across the Dal Lake, sipping coffee and enjoying the nip in the air. At light it was off to my favourite restaurant AHDOOS in Lal Chowk .

https://www.facebook.com/anujtikku1974/photos/a.622495244543727.1073741828.622491291210789/871502629642986/

I finished a whole Thali of Kashmiri Wazwan all with Tabak Maas, Gushtaba, Mirchi Mass and saag with a large portion of rice all for Rs 700. It was delicious thumb’s up to Ahdoos , the restaurant was drowned in the flood.

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But it has re opened after some renovation. I salute the spirit of the Kashmiri People . Strolling down the lanes of Lal Chowk , i ventured back to the warm cozy comfort of my room

By adminin others

Under The Bodhi Tree

April 16, 2016

I have been travelling to escape from reality perhaps but reality is always round you. You can run but you know what, you cannot escape. I just got back from the Andamans and the scuba and I had to head to an important Hindu ritual just immediately. I had to put the souls of my ancestors to rest. While that sounds forbidding – it is but a passage. I headed to Bodh Gaya to do the Shradh – an act of paying homage to the souls of my parents and my recently deceased maternal grandfather Dr. J.N. Harkauli, who passed away at the age of 93 recently.

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My dear friend from school Welham Boys, Anurag Kumar had made all the arrangement’s for me even before I set foot in the city. Bless his soul I think, it has been friends and family that has made my journeys worthwhile. The tickets cost me Rs 10,000, $150 for a return trip. I booked myself into the Royal Residency Hotel for just Rs. 3200, $ 48 a night. It was a painful journey by Air India, my country’s flag carrier late by half an hour and not unusual. I caught a bus for another hour to get off the ground. The airline food was worse than usual and I may be being a tad unreceptive here when I note that the chicken curry had pieces of Paneer in it. Perhaps I was a being picky but yet I feel it is safe to say that Air India is the worst airline in the world followed ore competing closely with Nigeria Airways .The staff was obnoxious and looked like they were doing us a favour by flying us to our destination. I reached Gaya airport in one and a half hour. A delectable Mahindra Bolero jeep was waiting for me at the airport and I was guided to the hotel a million and more thanks to Anurag and his brother Avinash who were my hosts in the city .

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I started the next morning sipping tea with two pandits, priests who had been sent to do the shradh ceremony at the Vishnupadh temple. I was taken to the dadi wale baba for his blessing’s before the shradh and he said rather pontifically “you see Anuj, shradh had to be performed with the right ritual’s it,s like making a phone call to your ancestor’s and trying to please them if you dial the wrong number you might get a cross connection, that is why I need the right names and gotras of all your ancestor’s .” stroking his beard and mixing metaphors from modern telephony and ancient arcane wisdom! I could not help but retort “ you mean it’s like in the film PK in which Amir khan is an Alien and he say’s that we human’s are dialling the wrong number to reach GOD , no wonder he can’t hear us.” with a less than respectful chuckle . The baba looked at me as if he was going to rebuke me rather angrily and then I gave him his dakshina which may have made some commercial sense to him and we ventured into the Vishnupadh Temple all enlightened.

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After a cold glass of Malai Lassi with badam for Rs 20, about 30 American cents, we ventured into the temple. The Puja Saamagri, the worship essentials as part of Indian Hindu culture, were lain out and the priest’s started chanting the mantras. There were Pind’s created from pan (betel) leaves, flowers , and sattu. I kept offering water to my ancestor’s and chanted the mantra’s that I was asked to repeat by the priests. The ritual was 3 hours long and I kept taking photo breaks in the middle to attempt to capture the essence of the puja, the worship. At the end of the worship we let afloat all the puja saamagri into the river near by . Then we trekked off to the nearest bhojnalaya, restaurant to have a meal. I fed 11 brahmins who thanked and blessed me and is a part of the ritual .

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I have always been one for seeing the future not that I believed any of it and I wanted to show my palms (palmistry anyone ?) to the temple priests. “ Pandit ji tell me my future you are a good palmist I am told.” This pandit amazed me when he got four things about me bang on. One, he said I have mole on the side of my stomach – now hoe in heaven’s name could he have known that or was it pure co incidence? Damn you I looked and it was spot on!! . He the mentioned that I had a head injury when I was very young. True again! I had memories of when I had fallen from the balcony of my house when I was all of three. The third he said was that I’ve had a divorce since my wife was having an affair with someone. Oh man this gets crazy by the minute or what since it was so spot on! True again and then he said you have a chakra sign on your left foot, I looked and some thing did seem true again. It was then he said that no one can kill you no matter how hard they try. Ummm – been there done that and true, spot on or so it seems in retrospect!!

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My death he insisted would be natural and peaceful. He said I would be travelling abroad extensively from now on (my travelthon has well and truly begun or so I was sure). He did ask me to be cautious about my drinking and take care about my sexual appetite especially the type of woman I consorted with. Good advice any day and this advice resonated with the palmist at the Mah Mo temple at Hong Kong also! He said I would be married soon and also have children!! Hmm – well ok I really want that ! Money will never be a problem for me (praise the lord now as I see poverty all around) and I would always give to people and would never have reason to ever to ask for money from people! He predicted unprecedented gains and fame from now onwards and that I was on the right track and the progress in my life would be fast. Totally totalled – I could not but give him a fat Dakshina.The whole ceremony cost me Rs 15,000, $225, a fair amount but somehow it seemed all inclusive!

https://www.facebook.com/anujtikku1974/photos/a.622495244543727.1073741828.622491291210789/867777513348831/?type=3&theater

Late evening I ventured back into the Bodhi temple and meditated there under the famous Bodhi Tree and took a few pictures but was soon whisked away to my hotel in the evening!

By adminin others

The Black Waters

April 14, 2016

It is nearly the middle of the year now and I have some far reaching travels planned. South America is on the agenda as are more places. But in between I thought I want to go catch some scuba diving. It had been a year since my last sojourn deep sea diving in the Maldives and I was looking for a place to dive deep. There I was then all booked for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A return ticket set me back me about Rs 22,000 – $330 and I booked it on my Jet Airway’s reward points program. The journey was Delhi – Calcutta to Port Blair. I boarded the evening flight from Delhi to Calcutta and then took the connecting flight to Port Blair in the morning. I couldn’t wait to dive into the cool waters of the sea in the scuba gear . I had already booked a hotel at Havelock Island where I was scheduled to do my diving .

I reached Port Blair and took a Ferry to Havelock Island cost me Rs 1200, $18 for the ride. My a/c room at the Pellicon Resort was waiting for me for Rs 5000, $75 a night. It was the Maharajah Room with air conditioning and a double bed. I did feel like a bit of a Maharajah then but I was tired by now and just crashed out. When I woke up I realized I had slept for over two days. No rush thought I, we do have time after all if naught else! The cleaning lady knocked at the door she said “ Sahib do you know you have been sleeping for over two day’s. Why don’t you go out and talk to people , explore the place .” She was right I guess. The problem with travelling solo is that you don’t have anyone to share your experiences, no one to share your joy and excitement. I only had my blog to which I could share my thoughts and emotion’s with. A electronic interface not much, but I guess having been at the receiving end of human beings all my life, I quite prefer sharing my emotion’s with my blog!

https://www.facebook.com/anuj.tikku/videos/10153897030947911/

I walked up to the scuba diving center to take a few dives at a total cost Rs 5500, $82 for two. The water here is muddy and the quality of the fish is bad not as colorful as the Maldives .The instructor started panicking when i took off my regulator from my mouth and started blowing bubbles underwater. I was just trying to show him some of my skill’s. I came back to my room after a meal of fresh fish curry and rice . Was tired and crashed out when i woke up I realized I had been sleeping again for over a day. I guess the heat was making me lazy and not that I was the most energetic people around anyway. I was getting a bit agitated also and I popped out my Arpizol 10 pill which was to calm my mind down. My negative thoughts where now subsiding. The Andamans have a large Bengali population and the T.V mostly plays Bengali channels. That did not interest me too much and I went back to writing.

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I realized four day’s had since passed and it was time to head to Port Blair . The ferry back was fun and I was chatting to the couple sitting next to me when the song “Haule Haule “ from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi started playing on T.V and there I was with Shah Rukh Khan dancing to the rhythm of the song. I jumped up and pointed to the screen and said hey that’s me. Their was a huge clap from my fellow passengers. I felt proud and happy at last.Talk about lucky co incidences.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo8-fywaO8o

My last day in Port Blair was spent meandering through the cellular jail, which is near the ship yard at the heart of the city. I took the usual photographs and headed back to the hotel for a meal of Chicken Rice Bangla style . Now on my way to the airport for a five hour journey back to Delhi .