Reached Melbourne

Hi guys, I’m back. You may think that am getting off for more than 1 month and then posting a blog with an excuse. Actually, now I’m in Australia. I have been deputed for my project work. Though my supervisors were talking about my travel for more than one month, I got my stamping on 13th August, 2009 only. I invited my parents to Kolkata for the whole week. And till 14th August noon, I didn’t know that I’ve to travel on 15th Night. And then, they said it was possible to travel next day and asked me to start the travel process ASAP. Then, We (I and 2 more project mates) were hurried to get the clearance from all the departments. It was 4:30, when we started processing. Only by 7:00, we got my tickets in hand.

My flight is in Thai Airways from Kolkata to Melbourne via Bangkok around 2 AM that Sunday. It was very hectic till Bangkok. Unclean toilet, very bad hospitality and poor seatings were made unhappy. I can add more on this heap. We changed our flight at Bangkok. Then it was a pleasant experience (but not more than Jet Airways). We saw people from different culture and nationality. I watched only couple of movies and slept for long time. They have provided meals and juices. Being vegetarian, I requested for special Indian veg meal, and they provided the same.

We reached Melbourne on Sunday night around 9.30 PM. Fabulous Melbourne, wonderful buildings, neat roads and cool weather were pleasant to our eyes while travelling in a cab. Indian Taxi driver helped us to find out the apartment (that we booked from Kolkata). Alas! We forgot our dinner. Took Maggie and prepared within 20 Minutes . I should not forget poree (sweet parched rice) made by mom’s hand. This was our dinner.

Kambakkht Ishq

Viraj, a stunt actor, playing different stunt roles for most of the famous Hollywood actors. His interests are girls, parties and stunts but not marriage.

Simrita, a doctor, a part time model and a hardened feminist. Of course, she also not interested in marriage.

It’s a remake of a Tamil movie “Pambal K Sambandam” (PKS). PKS is a descent movie. Universal Star PadmaShree Dr. Kamal Hasan did an awesome role. Hats off to the team.

Go and watch with your friends only and not with your family. That’s my first suggestion. Don’t expect the same screen play as of PKS. According to me, it should be A rated. I didn’t expect an Indian film to be like this by exposing skin and worst dialogues.

Kareena and Amrita start acting and stop showing.

Because of Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone and Denise Richard, I rate this movie as 2 out 5

Show: 10:30 AM @ Big Cinemas

Boeing 737

I planned my vacation 7 weeks before, such that I would book my flight tickets in fewer amounts. I booked, 40 days prior to my departure, in Kingfisher Airlines (A320 Airbus) for Rs. 2,230/- to travel on 22nd June.

On 17th June, I had been informed that my flight has been cancelled. But being 5 star airlines, Kingfisher provided me an option to fly between Chennai and Kolkata at any date, any time and through any route in either Kingfisher or Jet Airways. Hats off to Kingfisher for their excellent customer service. I opted for Jet airways on the same day. The staffs helped me for the luggage clearance and to get boarding pass. Then, I waited for security check to my Boeing 737. While I was entering, it looked similar to Airbus from outside but highly elevated in its elegant look inside. I noticed reading lamp, spacious two-seater, while crossing Jet Airways – Premiere class.

Then I sat on 23 F with television in my front and watched flapped wings of Boeing through my window. To know more about Boeing 737, visit Wikipedia. I travelled in Boeing 737-800.

Did I catch the train?

12-June-2009

It was 2 PM, I was standing in the Howrah Station Platform No. 23 waiting for Coramandal Express. With scheduled departure at 2:40, the train arrived by 2:32. After a slight delay of 15 minutes, the entire station platform started moving. My coach is S1-70 near to the general compartment, which was flooded with several hundreds commuters. Hence, I find some of them started accommodating our compartments by taking our seats as well. I took Jeffrey Archers’ Prodigal Daughter in hand and moved up to berth and continued reading from the book mark.

Now, the clock strucked 7:30 PM and dinner had arrived to my berth. As similar to my every day lunch, it was having dal, rice and one subzi (Vegetable curry). I went to sleep after that de-li-ci-ous dinner. This became routine for the next 16 hours. The train reached Vijayawada around 4:15 PM next day running behind 4 hours delay.

I knew if it goes with the same speed, I can’t catch my Pandian Express, which would be leaving Chennai Egmore at 9:40 PM. But I felt the train speed touching 90-100 KMPH. I kept-in-contact with my friend named David Livingston, who invited to his house for refreshment. Then I need only to catch my next train nothing else. Then, it was 9:00 PM when my master mind chalked out a plan with out any pen and paper. My coach is S1, which is third from the last, and I planned to go to S12/ any AC coach which is near to Engine so that I could get down near to the entrance. But I succeeded till S11 only since workers are cleaning the Pantry Car. Thank God, it was not between S4 / S5. I checked my watch. It showed me 9:20 PM. I called up David and confirm with the platform.

Then, train entered to Chennai Central around 9:29 PM. David snatched the hand bag and ran towards the bike stand to take his 2 wheeler. We came out from Chennai Central and were moving very slowly with crowd. We watched Traffic Constables catching non-helmet wearers. Then, we got cleared with 2 green signals. When we reached the over-bridge, I saw my train standing the platform silently. “Thank God! Thank you very much”, I murmured. I got down from the bike and started running towards my coach. David was waiting in the queue to get his platform ticket. But, the engine started whistling and I stepped onto the train. I said “Good Bye” to David and started breathing.

I could remember “Jab We Met”.

Look Back May 2009

Hi everyone, every time you are waiting for nearly one month between the posts. Today, 31st March 2009 at 1:43 AM, I’m not getting words to curve it in my log.
My New Home , PG & friends
Now I’ve shifted my lodging from PG to a house in Newtown, where my friends are staying there. It’s a two bedroom flat with kitchen etc. For the last 3-4weeks, my Dosa guy went to his native place for vacation and I felt very bore with that PG but I won’t forget my days over there. We were 5 guys from different parts of India such as Tamil Nadu (I), Jammu & Kashmir (Rahul), Rajasthan (Shanky), Assam ( Anu) and Nepal (Raj). We had a very good time every day. Every night, we went for a long night walk, with kulfi or juice or ice cream in our hand and radio in our mouth, for about 40 minutes to 1 hour. Our non-stop FM radio talks on several topics rather we can say debated on several topics from poverty to politics, from terrorists to technology and every issue in the world. Now, I’m missing those days.

UPA

• Congratulation for the victory in the election
• I hope there will be smooth growth in industries, employment, education, etc.
• Let’s hope for the best

IPL

• 8th seeded Deccan Charges snatched IPL 2 Title
• All the best and hats off to Bangalore Royal Challengers
• Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders should come up in the IPL 3 Table
• Chenni Super Kings should improve their bowling and fielding

I’ve started my CAT preparation. This time, it’s online and hence IMS is providing us e-test series. It’s really hard for me to find time between my MBA preparations, my guitar and work. And today, I’ve started Chords (C & G7).

Ok. Take care. See you in next post