solitaire sojourn singapore

A day is nearing when I must bid adieu to Singapore. It is end of another roller coaster ride full of high & lows, thrills & lulls. Probably never had more love & hate relationship with any other city before. Life here is hallucination of Hyderabad. A city I called hell when landed first foot and called heaven when finally took off. Missed it for long time. A reason I loved Hyderabad was food. I still have few of my favorite restaurants in the city. And I think today after a yearlong sojourn I want to remember this island for food and drink.

real paradox of Munich trip

With my heart in my mouth; we boarded train to Nuremburg. It was late by twenty minutes. We got on bus to Opladen from office on time at 16:08 hrs. I saw my manager missing his bus back home. From Opladen we had to board a train to Cologne at 16:46. I am sure you are impatient while I am giving the account of each minute of this journey.

Believe me; I had jitters, goosebumps and all such feeling since I got on train to Cologne from Opladen. On Thursday I called up YMCA in Munich and I could book a twin room for €32.00 per night per person for two nights.

Once I knew I had place to spend night, I started looking for a cheap way to reach Munich. There was return flight for €200. But it was from Cologne airport and I had no clue on how to be there. Second option I thought was Thalys; but it does not travel between Cologne and Munich. Now the only option was to use ICE (InterCity Express); which will cost €178. It was okay; as this was the only option or we do not travel. It was expensive as next weekend we could have flew for €150.

The train to Cologne got delayed by long 45 minutes due to police inquiry in Cologne. We were to reach there by 05:05 pm, find a counter to buy a ticket to and from Munich. We reached at 15:45 hrs. We ran to counter to check if we can still board the train. Looking at long queue, we decided we will go to platform and see how the train looks like. And head back home with fool’s mug. Two minutes close to 17:53 hrs we were talking to station master about the status as there was no train on platform. At the back of my mind I was toying with idea; I have reservation; but I have not yet paid for ticket. Is it possible to pay on train?

Station master told me train is twenty minutes late. Immediate question was where to buy a ticket. He said on the train. Was there moment happier in near future? I doubled checked everything. A local guy helped me to have detailed conversation with station master. Now you must have understood why I was holding my breath.

Burscheid, life in Deutschland

It is being while I posted anything. Friends have asked and some have actually pushed me to update paradox. But honestly there is nothing much to write and talk about. I can still try.

Last two weeks spent in Burscheid were strange and a learning experience. Strange because this is first time I am in non-English speaking country. Burscheid is small village near city of Cologne and Frankfurt in Germany or Deutschland. Before I can introduce you to Burscheid I must tell you something about Cologne. Of course Frankfurt and Germany do need any introduction. Information on Cologne will help you to locate Burscheid on Google Map faster.

ramblings of unfocused mind and lost heart

Past few weeks have been very strange part of my stay here. I am enjoying life, I am not enjoying life. The work in office is completely opposite of what I want to do, and personal life is lot better. Week from Monday to Friday eve is like burden on donkey’s back. I desperately wait for that Friday evening to get lost and run away from office, my roommates, and my professional life.

Then come those happy Friday eves, Saturdays and Sundays when I meet my friends staying away from downtown. Sometime I feel why am I here? I am not adding any great value in office to my work. I just do it as there is not alternative. While working on the PC eyes always stare at the clock on the wall. I wait for 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30. Then all the people will be gone from client’s team and it will be okay to leave with all issues hanging. Run away home, and watch TV to forget that pain. Eat and sleep.

in Australia, outside Sydney

On Tuesday I was tensed due to work, I was certain that I will not be able to complete the work by Friday. Client did not want to me work after that. I had no clues what will happen and how will that happen. I did not even have sufficient time and energy to search best options for my trip. But finally we found the decent deal for coach and stay. Unfortunately this time we did not do much research on the destination’s local travel, attraction and how to get there. It is advisable in these countries to do initial research before you land, as you can optimize the time and make the most of your trip.

But with some routine hiccups I finally finished my work on Friday evening with some minor changes to be done to the project, which we decided to complete on Monday. Hmnn.. I was set to travel on Saturday early morning. Theses days packing is the easiest thing I can do. I know most globe trotters can do better job, but with my limited budgets I have more restrictions. I have spent most of this year with suitcase. I had this picture on Orkut profile in which I am carrying a back sack, a friend told me to keep it down as I may get tired. (Don’t worry if you did not understand the joke; it happens with all.) Actually I just enjoy this part of my life. There is nothing much in the office and work which can keep me going. Work has become more monotonous then morning chores. It is called Nityakarm /Nityakaam in Hindi. Very sophisticated word huh..!!

I promise I will come back

Sydney is very beautiful city to live. Especially for young hearts and couples!! One of the best places to be with your soul mate. I am sure you will love it. It can also be great for aged people, if you still have ice cubes of love in your heart and mischievousness still bubbles in your mind.

I was asked by a friend to write my experience here, I also wanted to do that, but kept failing to put my thoughts on paper. Today I have made up my mind to do it. There is this fear of bad post, as I am not feeling elated to write. Let me start, I will modify later as my mood swing.

Other day I wrote a post, and criticized Sydney tower, a friend told me that I am good detractor, and I must learn to adore and revere good things with analogous zeal and passion. It is really not easy, to kill the natural instincts, and go against of it. Please do not feel that I am trying to praise this place to prove that I am aficionado. I really liked the place, and I am very much honest with each and every word which I am going to write.

Sydney Tower + Oz Trek + Skywalk

Sydney Tower is claimed to be highest point of Sydney; it gives 360-degree view of city. Prize you pay for this is AUD 24, which includes entry to the tower and Oz Trek. I already saw the tower. Oz Trek is some sort of a 3D movie cum virtual venture ride of Australia. I have not seen the trek yet, just back from tower and waiting for it to start. There is third option Skywalk, separated fees is levied for it.

Sydney has got really beautiful aerial view. But let me tell you that the way this tower is placed; it really does not give you great view. If you want to see the earth, I guess best place would be moon, to get real outer 360-degree view. And if you want to see Sydney, I think we must choose the helicopter ride. This tower is hopeless, waste of time and money. After spending dramatic Friday night and Saturday morning, this is worst thing I chose to spend Sunday evening.

Chicago and NY look beautiful from Sears/John Hancock and Empire State building respectively. They look even better in the night. But Sydney does not really look great in the night. It is very happening inside but not beautiful from outside. Chicago is almost sleepy in the night but it creates vistas for eyes and shutterbugs.

I spent an evening in Botanical Garden to shoot Opera House from there in the evening. It was cold, winter had just ended and spring was still to spring. But experience was awesome. I was sitting on rock, placed my camera on tiny tripod, and capturing different shades of Opera House for almost 2 hours. Changing shutter speed, aperture of lens, color of the sky and lights of Opera House filled my heart with joy. Outcome was almost perfect; most of my friends liked the picture. I was delighted, so were my friends. I took only 2/3 pictures here in tower, just to feel that I was here and took snaps. Don’t know if I would share this with my friends. My apartment looks better, far, far, far better.

I think Skywalk should be tried; it is walk around Sydney tower in open gallery. It must be definitely thrilling. But it is too expensive. I mean almost AUD 90 for it. But do it only in a day, if at all you want to. Sydney looks beautiful in a day.

Enough of sulking for 24 dollars; Oz Trek will start in next few minutes. Let us console the soul that I did something on the weekend. I actually wanted to go to Bondi Beach. But change of apartment took lot of time, and it was too late to go to beach. So just came here sooth my soul. Feels like it is more bruised. It is not the money which matter, just that I did not had the overwhelming feel, which I wanted.

[I will write about trek later, it is 2 in the night. I need to get up at six to go to Bondi Beach. ] [Here I am to complete the post, yes I got up at six to write these for you guys. ]

Hmnnn… so I had the trek too. It was mix of 3D movie and virtual ride as I said earlier about Australia; it’s history, natural landscapes. To be very honest it was advertisement by Australian tourism board for which we have to pay. It tells you about places to see, how, when and where. It also tells you about the lifestyle, special events of the year, like operas and NFL. Also about several activities you can do in Australia, like scuba diving, skydiving, surfing, etc.

It is split it into 2 parts, first where you see very short 3D sort of movie. It tells you more about lifestyle, and ancient Australian tribe. It was not useful, as it was too short. Then you have part II where you are taken hall with 3 screens. Here the chairs are of kind which I first time saw in Universal Studio. They move, shake, and vibrate with scenes on the screen to give you more realistic effect. Yeah, the show again was about places to visit in Australia.

I think for this they should not have charged, they could give it for free with tower entry fees. After all it was promotion of tourism in country. Already tower is so atrociously charged for no extra facilities other then lift to go up and down. These guys are really smart, they have observatory of the tower split into 3 levels. First where they allow us to have free walk, another layer is for Skywalk, and third is café. And you get the best view obviously from café and Skywalk. So what you paid and saw in normal entry of tower and Oz Trek was more of a trailer.

To be honest light and sound show back in Hyderabad’s Golconda fort was more interesting with narration from Amitabh Bachchan and ghazals from Jaghjit Singh. Coming to experience it was no way near to those rides and shows in Universal Studio. I must say that at least Americans are better then Australians in terms of giving value of money to it’s tourist.

For lonely soul in Sydney City camera & tours can only give some joy.

[Okay, now I must take the shower and get going to Bondi Beach. I don't want to waste another day. Thankfully this beach is free, I just need to pay for travel by bus. ]

It is really easy … !!!

After those nightmares in early days of my stay in Sydney; life is getting better now. The weekend was fulfilling for the mind and soul. I visited Darling Harbour on Friday and Opera House plus Botanical Garden on Saturday. I spent Sunday with the friends of my cousin. The connection is strange but, they were really warm and I was really welcomed.

Friday, after office I rushed home to get in my jeans and T, and took a camera then left to Darling Harbour. It is really wonderful place to be with friends and even better with soul mate. It reminded me of Eat Street in Hyderabad near Hussainsagar Lake, Bandra Band Stand in Mumbai and Navy Pier in Chicago. Plenty of couples young and old were strolling on the pedestrian strips along side harbour. Water taxis were parked and some were ready to take off. The beauty of Sydney and Chicago is that cove is very large and it forms harbour. So u have city landscape spread around water unlike Mumbai where water is spread across island.   

being alone ! ! !

While walking on the streets of Sydney I told you that I would tell why it is really easy being alone and why it is really hard.

Yesterday I went in search of Indian food. My cousin in India gave me a reference of his friend in Sydney. He suggested me to go to Cleveland Street to have Indian food. I thought that is really great, I will survive for next weeks. But I was fool to go too late, I left at 8:30 in the evening; I was told that place is on 10-15 mins walk. I walked for more then 25 mins and reached Cleveland St, it was very quite then, I was scared now. I knew that in Australia you should be careful after dark.  

walking on the streets of Sydney . . . . . .!!!

scribbled on September 12, 2006 19:28 Hrs.

At 6:00 pm I left office today, was walking on the Bathurst St, where foundation for this post was laid. Writing blog was never so easy, actually I am alone here, and no other option but to write to kill time and talk to self. What better way then writing blog?

The streets of Sydney are like any roads in Chicago except that Chicago is stacked with too many multi story buildings. Traffic is nicely organized; people follow the traffic light, hundreds of models and variations, and bla bla bla. But I was all alone in the midst of this jungle. It is really not easy being alone, or it is not really tough being alone. I will explain why and how part of it later.

Heineken tastes very different from Foster and Kingfisher. This is first time in life I bought 6 packs. I actually wanted to have red wine, but could not find so compromised with beer. It is chilled like hell here, and I know I will have extra inches on my tummy when I reach India. But am I left with any other option?  

Smoky Mountains, my first trip in US

Here is the link (Smokie) to the albumn of my first trip in US. The photographs are really cool, but let me tell you I have not captured single of them. They belong to friend and fortunately there was no copyright over them. So we all can enjoy the beauty free of cost.

Check some samples to be tempted to visit the place.

Smoky mountains are located between Tennessee and North Carolina. The best time to visit is spring or summer. As the name says… these mountains are covered by lots of fog. But we will be surprised at first as why smoky and not foggy? Actually the color which appears due to combination of moutnains, green trees and fog is blue. So they look like smoke…. The place is known as Smoky or Smokie. This was one of ancestarial den of Native Americans.