goggly

While in India, I had heard about him, about his oratory skills, his grip on the subjects of history and religion but never had chance to hear him. I think, he even visited Walchand and made audience spellbound but I missed his lecture. Today, when I read about Prof Shivajirao Bhosale's passing away, i tried hard to listen to his speeches on You Tube but on e snip I managed to hear him talk about Vivekanand , Chatrapati Shivaji and Arbindo .

Three week away from Singapore and I feel like being away for almost over few months. Travel by air, road, power boat, subway train, tram, ferry and even a toy car. Meeting people from different continents and nations. Savouring cuisine from Cuba, Brazil, china to India along with sipping Tequila and her variants every other day. Reaching for glimpse of far away galaxies and witnessing dazzling display of birth and death of stars through Hubble telescope. Meeting lazy Indian lions at Gir Forest in Florida . Being with Disney characters and seeing joy on the face Akshta. Playing three set match TT match with Gautam and realizing that skills learnt at early years stay good. Experiencing staying in the spacious home in America, sipping tea on the green lawn and consoling oneself that Singapore modest apartment is more expensive than American big home. Appreciate the efficiency and safety of Singapore after constant reminder of words like being mugging, cops and downtown scare. What it is...

Today is a national day holiday. Russia became a separate entity from USSR. No banks are open and we are in fix to get our Roubles. We met yesterday's gal at b'fast . She helped us with the map to locate Bolshoi Theater, Kremlin and Moscow river. Luckily multiple currency dispensing ATM at the hotel lobby solved the problem of getting rouble. B'fast was sumptuous and the day was sunny. Looks like we would have a great day, but we must get out, Room is getting stuffy. This is the problem with hotels equipped with heater but no ac. In peak summer months, there is no ventilation. We left hotel in search of a nearest metro station ' Leninsky Prospekt . We saw five Indian ladies walking hand in hand . They and another English person directed us to the Metro. Later another Russian woman with a kid little older than Akshta came at our rescue at the ticket counter and took us to Tatranaya and made sure that we take correct exit for Red Square . Reached out of th...

As the plane descends from the stream of cloud, Moscow looked very European city. Greenery all over, small cars following each other on the winding gray roads flanked by tall trees. Weather even at 3 pm was foggy and cloudy with no sign of sunshine. However, as we touched the Russian soil and pass through customs, immigration and baggage handling, it became evident that Russia would be different in many ways from western Europe. Almost all planes are Russian make, with engine sitting on the top of aircraft body. Robust males look ashen , have lips protruded inside and cheeks puffed up in a manner that would make them look like KGB detectives. A faint smile though appeared on the face of immigration officer after seeing Akshta's a week old photo on her passport. Airport old, unfriendly. One cubicle that was an exchange counter, another one a gift shop, Building hall had just three baggage belts and fourth belt was on another hall. If all flights were to land, it would jus...

I would never forget J K Boulevard or whatever the exit that has been named before you head for Bush International Airport, Houston. I may have taken that exit by mistake but sure it made me tense as we struggled to reach the international airport. The road took me everywhere else except the airport. Green point mall, Green point road, bell vest east, back again to Sam Houston south and go round and round and round. The lady voice on my GPS also stopped talking making me wonder if she was unhappy with her companion of ten days. We crossed every hotel, Sheraton, Ramada and Quinta inn yet airport evaded us. After few rounds, we even spotted George Bush airport sign board but it was besides the road on the opposite side, I took U turn hoping to hit the road but Sam Houston again beckoned us with threat of toll fees. Frustration kept on building as time ticked past 215pm, a deadline to return rent a car. I went back and forth along Kris Kris of various underpass hoping that I do...

When SQ staff announced my name on gate D12 at Houston Airport, I thought my wife panicked of my not coming in time from the duty free shop. Instead, I was called to give me a free upgrade from business to first class. What enchanted me was the personal attention that the crew provides. Here they just don't offer you choicest wines and champagnes but interact with you in very charming manner. You do really enjoy the chat and the pampering of being an important guest. With my wife and Akshta travelling in economy, I had two options. Give my seat to the neighbour in the economy or shuttle and swap the places giving Akshta a company and protection in the economy. I chose later. I would travel with the same crew from Moscow - Singapore and I am sure would enjoy that ride too albeit not in First but Business class. The best soup of my life : it’s elegant, aromatic and tasted yummy. Two medium sized Prawns, rings of white onions sprinkled with dash of green spring onions, strips of ro...

We arrived a month later after President Obama made a visit to this place. He came by Airforce 1 while we came by Red Impala We began our a day tour with two IMAX movies , one on Hubble telescope and other on ' walking on moon' followed by visit to a model of ' Explorer' , a walk around the gallery of space exhibits and then a bus tour. Akshta had no interest in any of this. Holding to her 3D glasses was nuisance for her. She was more keen to role her chair back and squeeze her leg inside. Moon, Rocket and Astronaut meant nothing . What excited her most was a jumping sparrow and ice cubes in the cold drinks container. A big box of popcorn kept her quiet but my spilling her Sprite in a bus tour made her very upset ! I remember the day , when Neil Armstrong , Aldrin and Collins visited Mumbai , I stood on the edge western express highway hoping to get glimpse of them as they rode into the city and left. Today, our tour guide told us Aldrin was there at a cer...