Surprising to find a year has gone and we stepped into 2013; but in 2012 there have been significant movements in life.. few brought cherish, more brought truama. Getting the sense of pressure to clinch the deal, challenge of convinving the capability to deliver, travelling across without knowing day/night passing by, family believing more me a guest rather a head to take them to next level of accomplishment. One thing that made me run and kept me stay fit is the 1 hr brisk walk every night that i stayed in bangalore. Of-course one of my close friend supported on the stay fit drive. While the discussions were more on work, work, work and the demanding family for time, leisure, while friends discussing about the destinations that would must go.. Yeah Bangkok, Mauritiaus, Male/Maldives, HongKong, Malaysia, and so on so forth... Why and Why people ran out to these places, we are started feeling the need of such run away places, but peeped into the wallet and found there is a big hole and it keept the aspiration miles away. Well Q3 pressures have gone to heads, learnt that things won't get change, whole professional cycle starts with Q3 strat planning with christmas & new year holidays, less work so as less days, Q4 is the unrest of keeping the position or what portofilio to add, no focus on orders, service delivery makes a run for revenue, Q1 comes with settling the new work, role and new targets, Q2 is the time when people get big ticket orders, Middle east goes for ramzan holidays, and hence no big deal... Whole the year goes in anticipating efforts in developing business will fruitful soon, soon and soon. How soon, its always a challenge. But, yes end year is the topic for discussion and then the frustration makes you think differently.
- Days....
Myself & friend walking on the Apt track and thinking about the year gone; and what promising things keep hunting us. Suddenly, discussion cornered around why not take an International discussion... Not dubai, not Bangakok, something affordable, something equally resembles to Year end party venue like Goa.. and hence talking about Colombo, the next door SAARC country equally challenged with fisccal deficits and civic unrest on north side... But the discussion drive to study room to carry out basic math and found the whole travel, stay, food, tickets, shopping won't make a deep pocket hole. Next day, yeah it was a weekend and my friend had a late night party, well he was high and insisted lets go... lets go... lets go.... just like in christmas we stay let it snow, let it snow... then no look back... Straight on the laptop, booked spicejet (throwing out jet being costly) ex-chennai, family got excited that they are going for their international vacation trip. How does it matter to them, they would just pack up, dress themselves and get ready with shopping list... But things are not so exciting for me as the list of things to be carried out to take families on a personal internation trip that to vacation. Now, i have my friends family who are making their first trip to international destination as well. Got myself ready with list of things... i)Apply e-visa ii) look for hotels and book one near to downtown iii) pre-book taxi for srilanka travel iv) get the forex for local currency v) local conveyance & things to do must for family travel. All is well things have fallen in place and time has come to make a trip out.
Day0....
Landed in Bangalore Airport to learnt that Spicejet fligt from BLR-MAS got cancelled, after discussing with the front desk manager, they assured that my tickets are getting changed to reflect the colombo flight from MAS-Colombo, as they are working on a Boeing to take the passengers from BLR-MAS, quite interesting to start-with. I only heard that new year vacations go sour due to flight cancellations, delay and overbooking.. Thank god spicejet is managing us to take colombo. Flight was re-scheduled to 9:30 PM and it's just 6 PM after all the discussions and our flight cancellation (scheduled at 6:10 PM). We had plenty of time, and suddnely everyone felt hungry. I did a smart thing in letting my wife to prepare Paratha and let her friend get the alu kasa, I got few readymade pickles and we had a feast. First time in Bangalore airport, had home made food and it was awesome. Stomach is full, ladies had gone for window shopping and we (myself & my friend) looked after the bags, kids have left us to play with the information kiosk. Around 8:10 PM, heard spicejet is offering delayed flight foods at Taste of India, didn't miss the opportunity grab on the fly.... Finally the flight took off at 9:30 PM and landed just after 10 PM in Chennai. Colombo flight was at 2 PM and hence we had plenty of time, and the airport is next door. But didn't get ourselves carried way and put the check-ins again and relaxed. After immigration & customs, looked for few liquor in duty free shopping and found the prices quite attractive, but decided to pick them in Colombo airport. Spicejet take off at 2 PM and landed us in Colombo airport around 3:10 AM. Changed the Forex and found the Taxi man waiting with placard to pick us. Got into a double conditioned Van and found it amazed at 4 AM driving from Katunayake Airport to Colombo city. Roads are nice, traffic signals are working and astonished to see that everyone is abiding the traffic law and quite disciplined with the traffic rules. Even though at early morning 4 AM, people are not crazy, none of the motor vehicles are moving beyond 50 kmph. Reached hotel at 5:15 AM after 30 KM drive, It's the Colombo City hotel, right opposite the World Trade Center, Hilton Hotel and Bank of Ceylon. Perfect place, very close to Galle face front, the beach side.
Checked in and dumped myself to Bed.
Day1....
Got up around 9 AM to freshen up and for breakfast. Hotel offers B&B and it was continental with one asian dish. Breakfast on the rooftop with a good view of Galle face front beach, high rise WTC, Hilton hotel and the Port area and the zero km starting point. Awesome view.
Post breakfast, took another hr or more nap, and by 3 PM, we are on the road to Gangaramaya temple, Took a tuk-tuk (auto) and straight gone to Gem palace, to search for sapphires, pearls and so on, but didn't buy anything. 1 carat is 50 dollar and above. I am too poor to buy those things. Gangaramaya temple is the next point, it's very nice Buddha temple, monks are keeping the temple in good, nominal fee of person, it's just 150 SLR (Srilankan Rupees, conversion 1 INR = 2.3 SLR). From there, walked near to Seema Malakaya temple and then walk to childrens park. Took a tuk-tuk to Galle Face Green Pier, had snacks, chicken, tandoori roti and Ambarilla (a fruit looks alike avacado). It started raining and hence rushed back to hotel. After an hour, myself and my friend ventured out alone inside the Dutch Hospital (now it's a mall) and started towards Union Place for buying food for dinner. One thing I missed, while leaving the Colombo airport, we purchased a Red Level for evening booze. Had food and fixed the taxi pick-up for next day, as the next day seems to be a long day on travel and said good night...
Day 2...
Early to rise and quick breakfast and the Taxi already at hotel. Mr. Siri, a aged (60 years) gentlemen ready for taking us to Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla, Mitalli, Kandy, and return to Colombo. Boji's motion sickness started, driver (Siri), advised to pick some pineapples, wow those are tasty.. and mirinda (small narangis), equally sweet. Roads are country side, but those are national highway, srilanka as a country is completely litter free, on the yellow-line crossing, pedastrian's cross first and vehicles stop for them to cross, quite amazed, vechicles can't overtake unless there dividing strip is dash marked. None of the roads have divider, vechicles are going smoothly without crazy. It's a long 185 KM from Colombo to Sigiriya, in between we had Srilankan meal at P&S (Perrera & Sons), spicy and tasty. Pretty authentic country side food. Reached Sigiriya around 2 PM, found it's eighth World heritage site and foreigners are charged fee of 30 USD, fortunately for Indians it was 15 USD per person. Quickly grabed the tickets and started walking towards the Lion fortess. The Sigiriya rock is the fortress and it's being a long walk and steps of more than 900 steps completely made of iron steps to reach the peak. We have been sweating like anything, but reached safely, even though the route appears to be dangerous. Took some photos on the way and on the top and made our return trip after seeing the top. Everyone is tired of walking on the top, hence took a good nap on the way to Dambulla, Mittali, Kandy. The time we have reached Kandy, its getting dark. It's a hill station, just felt like in ooty. But, we quickly entered into Temple of Tooth, Kandy, where Buddha's tooth is placed. Again a UNESCO world heritage site, fortunately indian's are charged entry fee of 500 SLR per person, while foreigners are charged at 15 USD. Felt lucky again. Puja was going on and drums were beating. Enjoyed the sound and the saw tooth relic. Drove to a peak where we can see the Kandy city, and the river going by. It was night 9 PM and we need to return as it was 31st Dec night. On the way, picked some beer bottles, and on a takeaway joint biriyani (they call Buriyani), naan, chicken and continued our journey. Exchanged New year greeting on the drive itself, it's 30 mins still left to reach Colombo City Hotel and time has clocked 12 Midnight. Crackers are getting brusted and people are crazy on crackers. Reached hotel and walked down the Dutch Hospital to see the night life, people are dispersing after their live band show and we too decided to return to hotel and had Red Level and Beer to grace the new year. eyes are closing around 3 AM and finally dispersed and slept around 3:20 AM. Day end...
Day3....
Got up late at 9 AM, Taxi driver already waiting for us, got up ready and had breakfast and started by 10:30 AM towards Galle, it's another city like Colombo with full of beaches. Reached Hikkaduwa beach, did snorkeling, wow what an experience, saw different fishes, find it difficult with breathing with mouth. There are other beaches like Unawatuna, finally came to Galle Fort, What a fort, pretty old, you can see the city from the top, it's near to Galle Stadium. Had supper in an Indian restaurant and took the express way to Colombo city, It's an 85KM express way, but fee charged only 400 SLR. Quite cheap. When we hit the Colombo city, there is a big event going on (orchestra), and the road is completely choked and people (young / juveniles) dancing on the road, cops as well enjoying and hence we struck on the road for an hr. Thank god it's Srilanka, if it's Bangalore city, i believe it would have taken another year to clear the traffic. People would have celebrated 2014 there itself. Came to hotel around 11 PM and had another round of booze and gone to bed by 1 AM. Day Ended...
Day4...
It's the last day in Colombo, and we planned to keep that for shopping and relax ourselves. Got up late, late breakfast, it was a sunny day, sweating like hell. Paid the hotel charges with late-checkout fees included. 3 AM was the flight back to India, and we asked Driver to pick us at 11 PM for airport drop. By 2 PM, we have stated towards Main street, had lunch, ladies gone for shopping, walking around, got Dodol sweets, soveniors for near/dear ones. Couldn't realize it's almost 9 PM and we made a return through tuk-tuk. Found an Indian malayali restaurant, who gave chicken fried rice and kottu chicken. Nice meal felt with right spicy, taste and reasonable as well. All is well that ends well. Before leaving srilanka we had a good meal/dinner. Back in Colombo airport. My friend was limping, as he stepped over a coral skeleton stone, and bruished his feet. Checked-in, passed immigration, customs and boarded the flight for chennai. Early morning we landed in chennai, the baggage took significant time and we were worried about missing the connecting flight. Finally rushed to domestic airport and checked in before 40 mins to take-off. Just in time. Surprised to find that it's an ATR which will fly us to Bangalore. Quite scarry....
Day5: Landed in Bangalore and back at sweet home by 9:30 AM. An memorable trip.
Few of the ups/downs:
#. Flight cancelled and delayed, Had home cooked food in the airport just like we do at the railway station
#. Amazed with Srilanka being litter free, quite disciplined folks, abide the traffic, smile at tourist, don't cheat, really Aathi Devo Bhavo
#. Sigiriya rock climbing
#. Snorkeling
#. Narangi's taste...
I am sure, the nostalgic would stay for long...and will force me to make an attempt to plan for my next year vacation, if 2013 continued sluggish in closing orders and frustration built up in not getting variable. Its irony of the fact that, when we are running low on cash, furstration builds up and to ease, i took the travel. Otherwise, it should be the other way. I think, it's the nature of Job which makes such irrational decisions.
While US moderated the fiscal cliff and financial market cheered about it, the my beach hopping won't help much to my financial distress that I would go through if big ticket deals won't happen. With infy started the feel of re-trench, the new year started with bad news for India, and US/Europe markets are looking terribly sick.. God save what would happen in this year....
All the very best for the new year and God bless...
- Days....
Myself & friend walking on the Apt track and thinking about the year gone; and what promising things keep hunting us. Suddenly, discussion cornered around why not take an International discussion... Not dubai, not Bangakok, something affordable, something equally resembles to Year end party venue like Goa.. and hence talking about Colombo, the next door SAARC country equally challenged with fisccal deficits and civic unrest on north side... But the discussion drive to study room to carry out basic math and found the whole travel, stay, food, tickets, shopping won't make a deep pocket hole. Next day, yeah it was a weekend and my friend had a late night party, well he was high and insisted lets go... lets go... lets go.... just like in christmas we stay let it snow, let it snow... then no look back... Straight on the laptop, booked spicejet (throwing out jet being costly) ex-chennai, family got excited that they are going for their international vacation trip. How does it matter to them, they would just pack up, dress themselves and get ready with shopping list... But things are not so exciting for me as the list of things to be carried out to take families on a personal internation trip that to vacation. Now, i have my friends family who are making their first trip to international destination as well. Got myself ready with list of things... i)Apply e-visa ii) look for hotels and book one near to downtown iii) pre-book taxi for srilanka travel iv) get the forex for local currency v) local conveyance & things to do must for family travel. All is well things have fallen in place and time has come to make a trip out.
Day0....
Landed in Bangalore Airport to learnt that Spicejet fligt from BLR-MAS got cancelled, after discussing with the front desk manager, they assured that my tickets are getting changed to reflect the colombo flight from MAS-Colombo, as they are working on a Boeing to take the passengers from BLR-MAS, quite interesting to start-with. I only heard that new year vacations go sour due to flight cancellations, delay and overbooking.. Thank god spicejet is managing us to take colombo. Flight was re-scheduled to 9:30 PM and it's just 6 PM after all the discussions and our flight cancellation (scheduled at 6:10 PM). We had plenty of time, and suddnely everyone felt hungry. I did a smart thing in letting my wife to prepare Paratha and let her friend get the alu kasa, I got few readymade pickles and we had a feast. First time in Bangalore airport, had home made food and it was awesome. Stomach is full, ladies had gone for window shopping and we (myself & my friend) looked after the bags, kids have left us to play with the information kiosk. Around 8:10 PM, heard spicejet is offering delayed flight foods at Taste of India, didn't miss the opportunity grab on the fly.... Finally the flight took off at 9:30 PM and landed just after 10 PM in Chennai. Colombo flight was at 2 PM and hence we had plenty of time, and the airport is next door. But didn't get ourselves carried way and put the check-ins again and relaxed. After immigration & customs, looked for few liquor in duty free shopping and found the prices quite attractive, but decided to pick them in Colombo airport. Spicejet take off at 2 PM and landed us in Colombo airport around 3:10 AM. Changed the Forex and found the Taxi man waiting with placard to pick us. Got into a double conditioned Van and found it amazed at 4 AM driving from Katunayake Airport to Colombo city. Roads are nice, traffic signals are working and astonished to see that everyone is abiding the traffic law and quite disciplined with the traffic rules. Even though at early morning 4 AM, people are not crazy, none of the motor vehicles are moving beyond 50 kmph. Reached hotel at 5:15 AM after 30 KM drive, It's the Colombo City hotel, right opposite the World Trade Center, Hilton Hotel and Bank of Ceylon. Perfect place, very close to Galle face front, the beach side.
Checked in and dumped myself to Bed.
Day1....
Got up around 9 AM to freshen up and for breakfast. Hotel offers B&B and it was continental with one asian dish. Breakfast on the rooftop with a good view of Galle face front beach, high rise WTC, Hilton hotel and the Port area and the zero km starting point. Awesome view.
Post breakfast, took another hr or more nap, and by 3 PM, we are on the road to Gangaramaya temple, Took a tuk-tuk (auto) and straight gone to Gem palace, to search for sapphires, pearls and so on, but didn't buy anything. 1 carat is 50 dollar and above. I am too poor to buy those things. Gangaramaya temple is the next point, it's very nice Buddha temple, monks are keeping the temple in good, nominal fee of person, it's just 150 SLR (Srilankan Rupees, conversion 1 INR = 2.3 SLR). From there, walked near to Seema Malakaya temple and then walk to childrens park. Took a tuk-tuk to Galle Face Green Pier, had snacks, chicken, tandoori roti and Ambarilla (a fruit looks alike avacado). It started raining and hence rushed back to hotel. After an hour, myself and my friend ventured out alone inside the Dutch Hospital (now it's a mall) and started towards Union Place for buying food for dinner. One thing I missed, while leaving the Colombo airport, we purchased a Red Level for evening booze. Had food and fixed the taxi pick-up for next day, as the next day seems to be a long day on travel and said good night...
Day 2...
Early to rise and quick breakfast and the Taxi already at hotel. Mr. Siri, a aged (60 years) gentlemen ready for taking us to Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla, Mitalli, Kandy, and return to Colombo. Boji's motion sickness started, driver (Siri), advised to pick some pineapples, wow those are tasty.. and mirinda (small narangis), equally sweet. Roads are country side, but those are national highway, srilanka as a country is completely litter free, on the yellow-line crossing, pedastrian's cross first and vehicles stop for them to cross, quite amazed, vechicles can't overtake unless there dividing strip is dash marked. None of the roads have divider, vechicles are going smoothly without crazy. It's a long 185 KM from Colombo to Sigiriya, in between we had Srilankan meal at P&S (Perrera & Sons), spicy and tasty. Pretty authentic country side food. Reached Sigiriya around 2 PM, found it's eighth World heritage site and foreigners are charged fee of 30 USD, fortunately for Indians it was 15 USD per person. Quickly grabed the tickets and started walking towards the Lion fortess. The Sigiriya rock is the fortress and it's being a long walk and steps of more than 900 steps completely made of iron steps to reach the peak. We have been sweating like anything, but reached safely, even though the route appears to be dangerous. Took some photos on the way and on the top and made our return trip after seeing the top. Everyone is tired of walking on the top, hence took a good nap on the way to Dambulla, Mittali, Kandy. The time we have reached Kandy, its getting dark. It's a hill station, just felt like in ooty. But, we quickly entered into Temple of Tooth, Kandy, where Buddha's tooth is placed. Again a UNESCO world heritage site, fortunately indian's are charged entry fee of 500 SLR per person, while foreigners are charged at 15 USD. Felt lucky again. Puja was going on and drums were beating. Enjoyed the sound and the saw tooth relic. Drove to a peak where we can see the Kandy city, and the river going by. It was night 9 PM and we need to return as it was 31st Dec night. On the way, picked some beer bottles, and on a takeaway joint biriyani (they call Buriyani), naan, chicken and continued our journey. Exchanged New year greeting on the drive itself, it's 30 mins still left to reach Colombo City Hotel and time has clocked 12 Midnight. Crackers are getting brusted and people are crazy on crackers. Reached hotel and walked down the Dutch Hospital to see the night life, people are dispersing after their live band show and we too decided to return to hotel and had Red Level and Beer to grace the new year. eyes are closing around 3 AM and finally dispersed and slept around 3:20 AM. Day end...
Day3....
Got up late at 9 AM, Taxi driver already waiting for us, got up ready and had breakfast and started by 10:30 AM towards Galle, it's another city like Colombo with full of beaches. Reached Hikkaduwa beach, did snorkeling, wow what an experience, saw different fishes, find it difficult with breathing with mouth. There are other beaches like Unawatuna, finally came to Galle Fort, What a fort, pretty old, you can see the city from the top, it's near to Galle Stadium. Had supper in an Indian restaurant and took the express way to Colombo city, It's an 85KM express way, but fee charged only 400 SLR. Quite cheap. When we hit the Colombo city, there is a big event going on (orchestra), and the road is completely choked and people (young / juveniles) dancing on the road, cops as well enjoying and hence we struck on the road for an hr. Thank god it's Srilanka, if it's Bangalore city, i believe it would have taken another year to clear the traffic. People would have celebrated 2014 there itself. Came to hotel around 11 PM and had another round of booze and gone to bed by 1 AM. Day Ended...
Day4...
It's the last day in Colombo, and we planned to keep that for shopping and relax ourselves. Got up late, late breakfast, it was a sunny day, sweating like hell. Paid the hotel charges with late-checkout fees included. 3 AM was the flight back to India, and we asked Driver to pick us at 11 PM for airport drop. By 2 PM, we have stated towards Main street, had lunch, ladies gone for shopping, walking around, got Dodol sweets, soveniors for near/dear ones. Couldn't realize it's almost 9 PM and we made a return through tuk-tuk. Found an Indian malayali restaurant, who gave chicken fried rice and kottu chicken. Nice meal felt with right spicy, taste and reasonable as well. All is well that ends well. Before leaving srilanka we had a good meal/dinner. Back in Colombo airport. My friend was limping, as he stepped over a coral skeleton stone, and bruished his feet. Checked-in, passed immigration, customs and boarded the flight for chennai. Early morning we landed in chennai, the baggage took significant time and we were worried about missing the connecting flight. Finally rushed to domestic airport and checked in before 40 mins to take-off. Just in time. Surprised to find that it's an ATR which will fly us to Bangalore. Quite scarry....
Day5: Landed in Bangalore and back at sweet home by 9:30 AM. An memorable trip.
Few of the ups/downs:
#. Flight cancelled and delayed, Had home cooked food in the airport just like we do at the railway station
#. Amazed with Srilanka being litter free, quite disciplined folks, abide the traffic, smile at tourist, don't cheat, really Aathi Devo Bhavo
#. Sigiriya rock climbing
#. Snorkeling
#. Narangi's taste...
I am sure, the nostalgic would stay for long...and will force me to make an attempt to plan for my next year vacation, if 2013 continued sluggish in closing orders and frustration built up in not getting variable. Its irony of the fact that, when we are running low on cash, furstration builds up and to ease, i took the travel. Otherwise, it should be the other way. I think, it's the nature of Job which makes such irrational decisions.
While US moderated the fiscal cliff and financial market cheered about it, the my beach hopping won't help much to my financial distress that I would go through if big ticket deals won't happen. With infy started the feel of re-trench, the new year started with bad news for India, and US/Europe markets are looking terribly sick.. God save what would happen in this year....
All the very best for the new year and God bless...
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