Visit to Shaybah

Official visit to ARAMCO Shaybah project site by ARAMCO private flight was different experience  , 1000 KM , 70 minutes , same day return via AlAhsa , 90 minute .Same place I traveled  last month by road, it took almost 10 hrs .Interesting part was  landing as airstrip surrounded by huge sand dunes , whole area is picturestic but difficult to live.

Visit to Shayabah , Saudi

Visited this strange , isolated place in Saudi for 2 days , Called Shaybah , where ARAMCO has their Oil/Gas processing plant.Located 1000 KM from Dammam , 400 KM from UAE border .No shops , No Gas station , No Hospital for 400 KM .Project site & camp accommodation is  surrounded by huge sand dunes ,I won't say mountain , as it is fine , red sand .At first glance whole area looks picturestic, scenic , but only for a day or two , Living there  is difficult .
Even-though there is huge amount of sand piled up , but it always stays on top, from one dune to another , even during sand storms .Due to  this particular phenomena , there is no accumulation of sand at ground level .

Visited Tabuk province , north west of Saudi , I reached at Tabuk airport at midnight and then drove to a village near Khayal , night time I was only able to see the mountain range and sea shore , the whole distance is about 150 KM took almost 4 hrs.
Place is on Jordon border (130 KM) and sometime Egypt lights are also visible on clear nights.
While returning I was amazed to see the beautiful road as after few Km from my place we drove along with the Gulf of Aqaba and Red Sea , clean water , as usual Saudis knows how to utilize sea shores or say Corniche , there are tents available on rent on the shore and Bar be Que facilities are available.
After crossing Sharmaa village nearly 45 KM , both sides were having mountain range with dark grey color like iron with almost no plants .After approx. 100 KM I was astonished to see flat wast terrain Red or say Jaipuri pink color and also mountain of same color , beautiful . Color of sand is like one can put in glass jar to keep same in living room.
Seen many big colourful tents near mountains, Saudis used to come on weekends with their family and spent time with the nature ,  day time temperature was around 23 Deg C only .wish to see the same place during evening , but I was short of time to catch the flight , Fir Kabhi...
Enjoyed the whole journey and such a visual delight , that also in a place like Saudi ! Gr8

Juhu to Pawana Lake , Lonavala by Seaplane

Family Trip to Pawana Lake , Lonavala from Juhu by Sea Plane , operated by Mehair , half n hour flight .Experienced bird eye view of Worli Sea Link , Pune Expressway , JNPT and lush green Lonavla , high peak mountains & of-course Pawana Lake n dam.Single engine 9 Seater small plane ride has also partially fulfilled my wish to charter a plane (see my wish list on blog's right side column) , as besides four of us , there was only a couple with us in the same flight.Take off was normal from Juhu AAI Airport which is used by ONGC & other private operators and personal Air craft /Helicopters owners , but landing on water & further sailing up to the jetty is life time experience , just awesommme !
From barge to boat club boat  also arranged by Mehair.
Pawana lake is beautiful, huge  ,surrounded by green mountains , spark clean blue water , unspoiled till now , as route from Lonavala is slightly odd , not many people are visiting the lake , There is a restaurant serving snacks n food , Water scooter , boat ride as well as horse ride also available.
Option is available for one side or both sides rides, soon they are going to start services to Arthur lake Bhandardara, Shirdi , Goa etc.

Manila Travelogue

Visit to Manila for 10 days was a relief from bored middle eastern trips , it's not as tourist destination like Malaysia , Singapore , still I enjoyed my stay there.
I find it's quite economical , prices are even less than any Indian city , Hotel, food , travel etc.City is green , so the whole region , some places are absolute clean , nice , some are not. Manila Bay road is picturestic , however  due to work load I did not seen much of the city .
City is like Bombay, feed everybody , provide shelter to all .culturally it's quite modern , working women every where , also entrepreneurs. I also managed to Find Indian hotel in Robinson Mall " New Bombay" , also Iranian hotel food was fantastic.

Hong Kong Airport

Visit to Manila & return via Hong Kong having 5 hour stopover was a great experience , specially visually .I am always fond of  Roads near seaside or also near any water body like River , Lake etc , and if it's  road along with Water I feel ecstatic and always would like to explore such locations , for the same reason I would like to explore Western Ghat sometime.
Airport is on an island, Hong Kong Landing runway is few  feet from the sea shore almost parallel .Also port is not very far  , Skypier at Airport provides speedy  Ferry's & Boats  services to Macau & mainland Hong Kong .Airport location is picturistic , I was more than happy to spent 5 hrs at the airport .Writing post only for the airport is not due to it's technological advance features , which many airports are having but mainly due to it's closeness with the  sea shore & surrounding mountains.

जुगनी मेल मेल के कूद फांद के चक्क चकौटे जावे : HIGHWAY

Splendid  ! Imtiyaz Ali has proved again , that his movies are worth waiting , I or We were eagerly waiting for his next movie after Rockstar , & we were sure that there must be something in it to look for , just amazed to see A journey called "HIGHWAY" ,a Signature I Ali movie with large Canvas ,it is about finding yourself , listen to your heart , there is something more beyond comfort of your home , Experience it , where destination is not known , companions are not known. No matter who you are , how strong you may be , but everyone is having a child within , keep him/her alive , listen to him .
Alia as Veera & Randeep as Mahavir power pack  performances make this an unforgettable journey , which will not let you sleep comfortably atleast for few dayz, as rightly said by Javed Akthar , I too had similar experience , movie is getting played over n over again in my sub conscious mind .Amazing.
Cinematography & music is gr8 . I did not find  folk song by a Rajasthani group in Mp3/CD, searching now.

My answer is also Pahad/Mountain , specially along with the River , as compared to the Sea.Shot beautifully .

I am now a hardcore fan of Irshad Kamil after Rockstar , Cocktail, YJHD ,LAK , JWM  etc. etc....Just read lyricists ( sourced from net) too complicated , but so sweet , Patakha Guddi is like essence of the whole movie and defined Alia's character & Soha Saha  did same for Mahavir , who keeps on reminiscing about  his mother , some good , also bad.


तू ले नाम रब का नाम साईं का, अली अली अली अली
नाम रब का नाम साईं का, अली अली अली अली (४)
 मिट्ठे पान की गिल्लोरी लट्ठा सूट का लाहोरी फट्टे मारती फिल्लौरी
जुगनी मेल मेल के कूद फंड के चक्क चकौड़े जावे
 मौला तेरा माली ओ हरियाली जंगले वाली तू दे हर गाली पे ताली
उसकी कदम कदम रखवाली ऐंवे लोक लाज की सोच सोच के
क्यूँ है आफत डाली तू ले नाम रब का नाम साईं का,
अली अली अली अली नाम रब का नाम साईं का,
अली अली अली अली शर्फ़ खुदा का ज़र्फ़ खुदा का,
अली अली अली अली शर्फ़ खुदा का ज़र्फ़ खुदा का,
अली अली अली अली अली हो अली आ अली
ओरे चली चली चली चली ओ अली अली तेरी गली वोह तोह चली
अली अली तेरी गली चली ओ ओ जुगनी हो पटाखा गुड्डी हो
नशे में उड़ जाए रे हाय रे सज्जे खब्बे धब्बे किल्ली हो पटाखा गुड्डी ओ
नशे में उड़ जाए रे हाय रे सज्जे खब्बे धब्बे
किल्ली हो कांच कंवारी शर्म उतारी चार पे भारी
लागे होके तेज़ कटारी आगे चली चली कांच कंवारी शर्म उतारी चार पे भारी
लगे जाए भाड़ में दुनिया दारी वोह तोह चली चली चली
अली ओ अली अली अली अली अली अली अली अली
अली अली अली अली अली अली अली अली ओ अली
अली ओ अली अली अली अली अली अली अली
 तू ले नाम रब का नाम साईं का, अली अली अली अली नाम रब का नाम साईं का,
अली अली अली अली (3) अली अली अली अली
 जुगनी रुख पीपल दा होई जिस नु पूजता हर कोई
जिसदी फसल किसी न बोई घर भी रख सके न कोई रास्ता नाप रही मरजानी
पट्ठी बारिश का है पानी जब नज़दीक जहां दे आनी जुगनी मैली सी हो जानी
 तू ले नाम रब का नाम साईं का,
अली अली अली अली नाम रब का नाम साईं का,
अली अली अली अली शर्फ़ खुदा का ज़र्फ़ खुदा का,
अली अली अली अली शर्फ़ खुदा का ज़र्फ़ खुदा का,
अली अली अली अली साईं रे
मेरे साइयां मैंने तोह तेरे तेरे उत्ते छ्ड्डियाँ छाद्दियाँ डोरियाँ
मैंने तोह तेरे तेरे उत्ते छ्ड्डियाँ डोरियाँ
मैंने तोह तेरे तेरे उत्ते छ्ड्डियाँ डोरियाँ
मैंने तोह तेरे तेरे उत्ते छ्ड्डियाँ डोरियाँ ओ ओ
 मैंने तोह तेरे तेरे उत्ते छ्ड्डियाँ डोरियाँ
मैंने तोह तेरे तेरे उत्ते छ्ड्डियाँ डोरियाँ

In Search of Palash (Tesu) के फूल

Blooming season for this beautiful Jungle flower , in olden dayz palash petals were used to make natural colours used in Holi , now we can say organic colour.I  found this flame like flower at almost all areas en-route towards Dhudhani (UT).Somehow I luv this bright Orange flower for some reason , jungle flowers attracts me more than regular garden flowers .

Weekend visit with friends to Neertal Tourist complex Dudhani in Dadra Nagar Haveli (Union Territory) , was fantastic , enjoyed more than what I was expecting that too in dry season of Feb.

It took almost 4 hrs to reach Neertal Govt. guest House , Dudhani from Malad , 40 minutes were wasted at Fountain hotel junction due to repairing of bridge towards Ahmadabad exit . Route is via Silvasa & Khanvel to Dudhani ,total 140 KM , approx 10 KMS we can say is bad road due to rain , rest is average like any other roads other than highways.We reached there at 10 PM ,just before Govt. guest house these is van vihar observatory , it was full moon & Madhuban Dam or reservoir panoramic view was just awesome.

Place is having all water sports like boating , kayaking , water scooters , aqua biking etc. also a house boat. Government guest house is situated at the bank of reservoir , it has a beautiful scenic  view of jetty & island . Our rooms were on 1st floor , block is having twin bedrooms with large common living room .

It was drizzling on Saturday morning , now weather is unpredictable rain in Feb ? , it was quite cold there nearly 16 Degree C , As there was no kitchen in the guest house we had snacks at a private resort just 2 KM before guest house , resort has many rooms & swimming pool we had our cocktails near pool side & got our dinner packed , food was tasty , well prepared.Most of the village huts in UT area  were constructed from bamboo & mud , many were painted with Warli paintings .

There is also an Island , and a village on other side , hourly boat service is available ,including barge type ferry to carry car & small trucks , autos etc.Water & also  jetty was quite clean , happy sign ,otherwise polythene & garbage seems to be an integral part of any water fronts in India.

Darshan @ Sri Harmandir Sahib Amritsar ( The Golden Temple)

I wanted to visit Darbar Sahib since long time , Manu's wedding gave me this much desired golden opportunity .I like n respect the way Sikhs follow their religion , all Sikhs no matter where they are must have visited golden Temple at least once .I went straight to the Temple from Airport ,half hr travel , even on Monday morning it was crowded , weather was perfect 15 Degree , misty .
I waited for half n hr to reach central Harmandir Sahib ,I  found whole environment , architecture, Sarovar just awesome.Finally I had famous Kali Maa ki Daal at Guru Ka Langer ,food for  soul.

Kawela Dam , Tadgaon , Pali : Bombay 90 KM

Eid holiday provided us much needed opportunity for an outing , no tuition classes for kids , right weather , as usual we packed our standard snacks , cold drinks , songs, mobile , camera charged , sid with his SLR and full tank n here we go.
After Khopoli exit from Mum-Pune Expressway we were driving towards Pali or Kolad , midway there is a petrol pump , we turned right and after few KM , we just amazed to see this Dam (Kawela)  . totally unaware , what a scenic panoramic view , clean water , virgin place , all green , background with beautiful mountains , mist , cloud , no nearby structure , except one Bungalow, I don't know who this lucky guy , may be some minister.
Next time we will plan to spent more time dere , to go across dam n will explore more.
Just 90 KM from Bombay! . 

Anjane Rishtey

Kai din, Hafte, Mahine ya Shayad Saal gujar Gaye ki raste chalte kisine pucha hii nahi #"Bhai Saab time kya hua hey"   Ye marey  Mobile ne muzhse mere anjane Rishtey bhi chheen liye.

Mein naraz hua to mene bhi logon se Raste puchne band kar diye, Ab mein navigation use karne laga hun,

Status;Travelling by Train,

Lonavala Trip

Short Trip to Lonavala , Chai , Bhutta , Scenery , Mist & Breathtaking view , Driving Ahaaa.
Dil Dhoondta Hey Wohi Fursat Ke Raat Din.....  

Rajasthan trip

All Pics by Chote

It was indeed a  pleasure trip , infact a bonus after 3 months hectic Kuwait trip, I wanted to be away , meet friends , drink , travel , n of course food.Finally I went to Rajasthan ,Met old pals , had drinks , also with family members visited Shekhavati Dhaba after almost 20 yrs , where we used to go during our late night driving trips , Chulha moti roties , special daal , churma, ghee ,not much variety but worth .
While on the way to dhaba ,Chote clicked these awesome colourful clicks of Banjaraas (Gypsies) Luhars , how colorful they are , all were looking quite happy even they were shifting their base to some other location may be heading towards some mela's, with all their belongings including live stock, no worries!
Walk down memory lane.

@Kuwait : Last few dayz

Sea side Café , eating joints facing sea side are very popular here ,  they have developed sea side roads , beaches beautifully.Driving along with Sea side is visual delight  , most of the middle east countries have similar roads , known as Corniche. Specially MNC chain Restaurants , Cafés are located at prime locations @Corniche .

Kuwait : Honesty

Incident happened last week, morning my driver told me his car got some minor damage , like  a colour mark/brush on the rear bumper corner , no dent , also he found one slip written in Arabic & a mobile No.Later on after translation ,message was decoded, it was request to call the person , a Kuwaiti school teacher , who then paid all the expenses of the repair , small amount only but his gesture worth million.
Honesty , an example.

Kuwait after 20 yrs.

Sea view fr my Window : Oil Vessel.

Family outing, Sheesha, Bar Be Que , at sea side

Not much change in the industrial areas , as it is , same , also people , however Gulf Road like Corniche , up to famous Kuwait Towers , Saalmiya etc. has been developed beautifully , Greenery , Eateries , sky scrappers , Malls etc.
What I like about all Arab states is their way of enjoyment on weekends , it's like Celebration of 2 , 2 1/2 days , they just go out with full family (Pic) , almost 6-10 persons , with mandatory Sheesha , Bar Be Que , Folding Chairs , Small carpet & of course Black Tea in liters , n food,.they just spend time together somewhere away from home , on beach , Garden , below tree as seen at Taif in Saudi , kids play up to wee hrs , not only man , females also enjoy Sheesha .All this relaxation , fun without TV ,Alcohol , amazing !! & for us Outing , get-together means drinks , male , females in separate groups which is not planned that way but normally comes out like this only in couples gathering as males are more busy with their alcohol & as usual wives complaint that they are getting bored in these gatherings.
I feel we Indians are basically confused ,we are not like Westerners who are staying separately from their parents , bro-sis , get together on some weekends , with full alcohol , wine enjoyed by all mean M/F , and Arabs as said above but we Neither enjoy Alcohol as just like part of food nor live without like Arabs.
Pics are Sea view fr my flat , oil vessel is seen , sunset etc.

History is getting repeated : Kuwait - Bharuch , Kuwait -Bharuch

Strange coincidence ,History is getting repeated .
1993-95 I was in Kuwait , then returned back to India , joined an EPC company for their project with IPCL at Bharuch, Gujarat.
Now after nearly 20 yrs ,back to Kuwait for 2 months only , that also staying  in same area , as planned will work again in the same IPCL ( now Reliance) project after 2 months, however will not stay there ,only short visits.Hope that  positive things only should get repeated .

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

Kala Ghoda Art Festival was held from 2-10 Feb 2013 at South Mumbai .We went there on last day , it was crowded  , I specially liked that being an art fest , it just not remained an exclusive arty affair , in fact it was attended by all walks of society , kids , young , old , all class ,we  mango people , amazing.found tooo many young photographers with their SLR's , a golden oppu for them may be mass media students or passouts. We were interested in Salim Merchant live show , held at Asiatic society steps , unfortunately being a small place or rather mis managed , it was barricaded , and entries were closed as it was already full ,we remained standing for more than 1 1/2 hrs , tiring.Anyways it was a good exp.
Special mention for the class pic The Godfather as our own Thakur , wo bhi ek carry bag mein , fantastic , creative.

Sula Wine n Music Fest 2013

Been to SULAFEST 2013 on Saturday 2^nd Feb.2013 , after 140 KM drive from Thane we reached there around 1:30 PM , entry fee was 1400 Rs , there was no welcome drink or anything , Bar at 1^st floor was crowded , it was like musical chair ,snacks were too expensive, I found BPO crowd only there , maybe I am now biased with NH7 Weekender , which was an unforgettable experience ,there were 10-12 food stalls just at the entrance, food was OK , also reasonable priced but open area seating  was quite uncomfortable as it was quite hot. After a session of wine , than Lunch we again went back to the bar as there was no choice either , had another round , finally at 5 Pm only we came down to see music programs , names not important as both the Indian bands were really bad , almost dead volume , no energy  , we decided to left the place which seems to be just getting warmed up  as more n more people seen coming, but found it boring. it was decided to go to nearby river side, clicked few sunset pics , that’s it. 

Quite disappointing experience , Expensive for the services offered , bad music.

Trip to Nagaon Beach with Hangout friends

Pic by MH

Well planned & executed hangout , 34 enthusiastic  travel enthus ,Gateway to Mandwa then Nagaon via Alibaug , It was too difficult for me to getup @4:30 AM to catch 5:30 Local to reach CST , I am happy that i was able to make it ,this trip comes out to be a memorable one , nice group , all professionals .
Ferry ride at 7 AM aha , nice chilly weather (16 degree) , ride was fantastic ,accompanied by  beautiful Seagles (pic)  , what a beautiful creature .Mandwa to Nagaon via Alibaugh by bus/rik .It was nice pleasant weather , the real fun was various rides specially flat inflated like bed , called Rockstar which is   hooked up with Jet ski by long rope , awesomeee man fully bumpy , fast yeah , Banana ride was also good due to flip at far off ( of course with life jackets ) from the beach.
Trip was ended with Beer session @ nrby Gateway with Roy & Mark  .