Under the Krabi Sky

Its unfair. How can one country have it all? Picture postcard beaches, amazing food and arguably the world’s best malls? And if that country is Thailand, when it beckons you just catch the next AirAsia flight and go. My last trip to this beautiful place was a whirlwind of palaces and malls. So when my friends suggested a week long relaxed beach holiday, I jumped at the chance.

When my travel research experts (D and N) zeroed in on three places for our holiday, I was expecting all three to be alike. I mean how different can three beach destinations in the same vicinity be? Oh boy was I wrong or what.

Koh Lanta – The Serene One
Have you met one of those people (most probably a woman in her thirties) who perpetually has a serene and calm aura? Lives life at her own pace and has a “the world can wait” attitude. If I had to describe this beautiful island, that would be it.
Koh Lanta is relatively unknown to mainstream tourists and I hope it remains that way. The sleepy island which is home to white sandy beaches and light blue waters is the perfect getaway from the hustle bustle of city life. We spent two and half relaxed days in this little haven when time does stand still.



On day one, we decided to do the touristy island hopping tour. The day long boat tour took us to four islands. It was during this trip that I discovered the awesomeness that was snorkeling. After some initial hiccups I got a hang of it and loved every bit of it. You float around soaking in the visual delight of watching fish of every possible color glide past you and the only thing you can hear is your own breathing. I wish I was good enough a writer to describe what a fantastic experience that was.Its amazing to think that under that serene blue surface, lies a whole different world.

After two stops for snorkeling, our third stop during the island tour was the emerald cave. I recommend this natural wonder to anyone who visits Thailand. The emerald cave is a hidden beach inside one of the rock formations in the middle of the ocean. It was apparently a favorite hideout for pirates back in the day. Our tour operator had all of us line up and hold on the life-jacket in front of while we swam through the narrow passage to get to the hidden beach. Which worked really well for non swimming claustrophobic beings (aka me). And our final stop was on this quaintlittle island for lunch. Unfortunately blogger does not seem to support my panorama pictures. So I have to make do with the regular ones.




Koi Phi Phi – The Chirpy One
If Ko Lanta had a calming effect on us, Koi Phi Phi woke us up with a jolt. This little bustling island reminds me of a bubbly girl next door. After a couple of relaxing days we hopped over to Koi Phi Phi which was actually just our stop over for our overnight camping trip at Maya Bay. We had half a day to kill and decided to make the most of it. Half the island is filled with beach-side pubs while the other half is filled with cobbled streets lined with little cafes and shops selling absolutely anything. Unlike the previous island, even the waters were more vibrant turquoise here. Something that struck me was how all islands are a riot of blues and greens but yet so uniquely picturesque in its own way.
We decided to check out the Phi Phi view point accessible only via a six hundred steep stairway trek. Which actually felt like 62,879 steps if you ask me. The long strenuous trek was a reality check on how terribly unfit we were, but the view from the top made everything totally worth it.



By afternoon we took the boat to Maya Bay for our overnight camping on the beach. I think that one crazy night spent there deserves a post of its own, so I will save my rambling for the next post.


Phuket – The Glitzy One
With its endless night clubs, high end malls and restaurants, Phuket was a far cry from our other destinations. Phuket was all about glitz, glamour and sadly sleaze. The rampant child prostitution in every nook of this city was a reminder that everything beautiful can also have an ugly side.
To be honest, we didn’t get to do too many beach-side activities here. In other words...we saw a mall, fell in love and lived happily ever after. Ahhhh those shoes and bags *dreamy eyes *. Unfortunately we had to learn the hard way that shopping at the malls was surprisingly more reasonable that road side shopping.

This post would be incomplete without mentioning the awesomely fantastic yummylicious food we had. It would be no exaggeration to say we finished all the Phad Thai and Green Curry in that country.

After two days in Phuket, our week long holiday drew to a close. We got back to India a little heavier both in terms of baggage and other wise, but happy none the less.




Travel means different things to different people. For some its an adrenaline rush while for some its just a break from routine. It makes people happy, ecstatic or just keeps some entertained. But I have come to realize that for me its much more than that. Travel for me is contentment.

And in Paradise I am

For the first time I have a guest post on my blog. Inaugurating affairs is my good old friend the "Bourbon Legend". He is many things - engineer , entertainer and Thalapakattu Briyani lover. But most of all a constant reminder that life is not meant to be taken seriously!
- Wanderlust

I sit with my head between my legs on the steps. The sun bores down and every time I blink, it seems my lids are too hot for my eyes. There is a pigeon on the ledge in front of me, eating vomit that is thankfully not mine, while another pigeon tries in vain to get up behind it and do the deed. It seems an apt metaphor for my life. Sweat continues to pour out of my body in a steady stream, while the fluids involved around the whole breathing part of me congealed further.

Class was going to be a bitch today

The attendant announces that it is time, longer and louder than he has any right to. And the great seething mass of dull young minds make their way to wherever they should be. I myself can’t face such a challenge right now, and head downstairs for a sly smoke.

I go to the basement and sit in my car, taking a moment to collect myself and light one up. Maybe it is the darkness or the steady flow of airconditioner exhaust, but right then, surrounded as I am by stale air and an intermittently blinking tubelight, I feel a moment of almost Zen like tranquality. It is no hard task for me just to lay my head on the wheel, and close my eyes forever.

My cell phone rings, an angry attendant signalling the end of registration rants on. I make my way back to the sunshine. Thankfully it has quieted down. I peer out, and make my way down the hall to sweet sweet freedom.

“L !” comes a harsh grating voice.

I turn slowly, doomed.

“Yes Mr V?”

“Shouldn’t you be in class young man?”

Young man. I want to scoff, he was only 5 years older than me.

“I am…just on my way.” I said turning around.

“I'll meet you in my office after the class”

“I look forward to it already.” I fake a laugh and side step to safety before he can say another word.

I find the hateful door and open it. The room of course is filled with un-drawable blinds which let too much light in through windows that face the sun full on. All beams seem to converge on my desk. Taking a deep breath, I stride in and face the music, noting with bad humour today’s lesson plan.


“Ok class” I say, returning the sun's glare with one of my own “Today's topic - Coordinate Geometry.”

Between August and November

Between August and November I have

Shifted cities and realized a city is its people.
Gotten back to working after a year's break and realized its not too bad.
Finished my first level of French and suprised myself by truly enjoying studying.
Missed Madras. Missed Colombo. Missed Home.
Been glad that I will still continue to talk to some people no matter what.
Repeated mistakes.
Had more midnight coffees than I have ever had.
Finally moved to an apartment of my own.
Pondered deeply if the bus 331A really does exist.
Been super grateful that no matter where you are, some friends are just a gchat buzz away.

When you are supposed to be working but instead choose to..

This fun post was inspired by dee

- If I were a season, I would be Monsoons
- If I were a month, I would be December
- If I were a day of the week, I would be Saturday
- If I were a time of day, I would be night
- If I were a planet, I would be er Earth
- If I were a direction, I would be going East
- If I were a tree, I would be a temple tree
- If I were a flower, I would be an orchid
- If I were a fruit, I would be a dragon fruit
- If I were a land animal, I would be a Horse
- If I were a sea animal, I would be a jelly fish
- If I were a bird, I would be a sea gull
- If I were a piece of furniture, I would be an antique rocking chair
- If I were a liquid, I would be portello!
- If I were a stone, I would be a diamond
- If I were a kind of weather, I would be rainy
- If I were a musical instrument, I would be a piano
- If I were a color, I would be burgundy
- If I were a facial expression, I would be a grin
- If I were an emotion, I would be contentment
- If I were a sound, I would be the tinkling of windchimes
- If I were an element, I would oxygen
- If I were a car, I would be a er.. ok no idea actually
- If I were a food, I would gyros
- If I were a place, I would be NYC
- If I were a flavor, I would be butterscotch
- If I were a scent, I would be the smell of hot coffee on a cold day
- If I were an object, I would be a lava lamp
- If I were a body part, I would be a nape of the neck
- If I were a song, I would be "all the world " by Correatown

What about you?

Love and friendship

If you had to choose one over the other, which one would you pick?

The bag story

Tring ! Tring!


Friend: Ah hello. So I’m buying a bag for N. I need a second opinion. Let me describe it to you
Me: A guy describing a bag? O no!
Friend: its one foot by one foot.
Me: Can actually hear Louis Vuitton turn in his grave. Are you describing the bag???
Friend: Yes shut up and listen.
Me: Sigh ok
Friend: It’s burgundy
Me: Now I have new hope in my friend. Not many men even know burgundy is a colour.
Friend: It’s got a coaster like thing on it.
Me: Previously mentioned hopes come crashing down. Er
Friend: Which I think is made of bamboo AND wood.
Me: Wondering if this is the right time to point out bamboo is wood. Decides against it.
Friend: But the bag is kind of small.
Me: What kind of bag is it?
Friend: mumble mumble
Me: Ok is it like a formal bag that you would carry for a dinner or a play?
Friend: Deafening silence
Me: Er hello?
Friend: Who has separate bags for dinners and plays?
Me: The bag lover in me cringes Most women do.
Friend: What! (in a tone like i just told him Scarlet Johanssen used to be a he). I have a bag for a phase in my life. I cant believe you have bags for occasions.
Me: Bag lover in me is dying a slow and painful death.
Friend: Ah ok enough of this, let me send u a MMS and then let you let me know.

Phew, the world is beautiful again. Thank god for technology. Bag lover is me is resurrected from the dead.

p.s. The actual bag turned out to be nothing like the description. K if your reading this, its ok we still love you :D

Its that time of the year again

I woke up this morning and was disoriented for a bit with the extreme silence around me. I then realize the ten day feast at my church down the road has drawn to an end yesterday.

Every August, my church celebrates this grand and colourful feast. Since I live four doors from this church, I can hear the festive singing like the choir was in my living room. For ten days prayers and hymns are offered throughout the day. On the other 355 days of the year, my road is one of the sleepiest in the city. But during the feast, the whole road is lit up with fairy lights and hundred of stalls selling everything from egg bhajis to glass bangles pop up.

Ever since I moved out of my hometown for studies and work, I have not had a chance to experience the whole ten days. This time around, I was surprised when i realized I missed these festivities. Every day on my way back from the evening prayers, I browse through the stalls. Though I have no intention of buying pink plastic guns or glittery purple bangles, the riot of colors is fun to watch. I was amused to note that this year's hot selling item were neon lit horns that every other person from grown men to little girls had perched on their heads.

Apart from the fun and festivities it amazes me how some of the traditions associated with this feast have been carried for more than a hundred years. Simple things like this about my town never cease to amaze me.

I was super excited to be experiencing all this after a long long time and decided to enthrall my sister on the phone. As I rattled on, she dryly replied that I sounded like a wannabe booker prize writer. Ah well I am going to pretend she meant it as a compliment.