What do I do? What do I get?
I scratch my head - and no ideas I get!
Roses - Red or white or yellow?
Oh that would make it so mellow.
A card - That would not do
For my love - their words would not do.
A dress or a cake?
Oh that will be a real fake
I scratched my head
For - an idea of a gift I could never get;
As my love is special
And no material could make it real!
For, I want to give the best
To this person who is the best!
I want to give my whole
For this person who means my world!
I pour my heart now
Which is filled with Love
For this special Valentine
Who made my life well refined
For my live without him
Would be far so dim
For my Valentine, my Love -
Is the best gift that God has ever shown!!
Love you my sweeet heart
Love you my Valentine!!
Love you my Raja maa
Love you forever & ever!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Cricket
The world cup fever is everywhere. Though I am not a religious cricket follower, I follow cricket vividly. I am more interested, not in the runs scored or the statistics. I am very much interested in the fever the game offers. The thrill! The excitment that comes with every game! And ofcourse the handsome players in all the teams. So I end up rigorously checking the schedules and planning on which day to bunk office.
This said, suddenly a bulb lighted in my head, asking me questions on how cricket was initially formed? I know its an English game and it came to rule Indians along with the British rule. And after watching Lagaan, I have some idea on how this game would have originated in India. Though, Lagaan was full of masala, there may be 1% of truth in it. But how did it get played in England and from when? Why was it called Cricket??
So, I went and dug. Found out that Cricket was started being played in the 16th Century. I understand that there is no clear documentation on how cricket was formed. But there are lots of references made as early as the 14th Century. Its origin is debated between South of England, Flemish, Dutch and French. Most references indicate that the game's name originates from Dutch connection from the word "Krick(-e)" which means crook or stick. References say that it might have even have been deried from the French word criquet meaning club or stick. Some say it has connection to the Church as well, as there is a Dutch name used "Krickstole" used to refer the stumps. This means the stool, which is used for kneeling in the churches. Since it resembles the three wooden sticks of the stumps, it is said to have connections with the Church.
Though there are no clear records as for who was the first player or which was the first team. There are references made for a club game - "Club striking the ball", being played in the early 1301 by the Prince Edward, Son of the Edward I. But no one is sure if this is actually the game of cricket as being played today. However, after this, a strong reference to this game has been made only in the 16th Century, around the year 1598, in a court case, about a team of young boys playing for the "The Royal Grammar school". This game was, at the time, referred to have been played only by children. The older people seem to have started playing this game only after the 1600's.
As early as 1624, a mortality case was also marked, due to this game. A player called Jasper Vinall is said to have died by being hit by the ball in the head. And did you know? Match fixing and huge money being used is not only the current affairs. The game was played for high stakes in the early 17th century. And first ever professional team or a proper match was recorded to have been played following the restoration in the year 1660.
The game's popularity and awareness grew in England in the 19th century with the laws of the game coming into force. The championship starting around the year 1839 with Sussex CCC. England became responsible for spreading this game to the countries like Australia, South Africa, North America, The Carribean and the New Zealand in the 19th Century and the first overseas game was played in 1859 between England & North America.
And slowly and this game reached the colonies of the UK and came to India along with the British rule. Now, Cricket is more popular in the colonies like that of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, than that of the UK itself. This games rules us today. Any youngster in India, be it a girl or a boy gives their first priority to Cricket. Even before academics.
If 50% of the population follow cricket as their religion, another 25%, people like me, follows the game for the fun it offers. Now with the IPL coming in, the game has entered the commercial market as well.
90% of the male population, especially the married men are glued to the cricket matches, watching the telecast again and again. Oh they wouldnt mind watching the same match repeatedly. These people show the same enthusiasm in watching the match for the 50th time as they would have showed watching it Live!!! Do they feel they would get a differnt verdict at the end of the game, everytime they watch it????
All said and done, Cricket remains the main entertainment for all. Even if it is a tiff creater between husband & wife, no one would miss the World Cup. So counting the days for the World cup to start! Hoping India would take the Cup again! Long Live Cricket & Long Live Indian cricket Team...Long live my sweetheart Dhoni!!!
This said, suddenly a bulb lighted in my head, asking me questions on how cricket was initially formed? I know its an English game and it came to rule Indians along with the British rule. And after watching Lagaan, I have some idea on how this game would have originated in India. Though, Lagaan was full of masala, there may be 1% of truth in it. But how did it get played in England and from when? Why was it called Cricket??
So, I went and dug. Found out that Cricket was started being played in the 16th Century. I understand that there is no clear documentation on how cricket was formed. But there are lots of references made as early as the 14th Century. Its origin is debated between South of England, Flemish, Dutch and French. Most references indicate that the game's name originates from Dutch connection from the word "Krick(-e)" which means crook or stick. References say that it might have even have been deried from the French word criquet meaning club or stick. Some say it has connection to the Church as well, as there is a Dutch name used "Krickstole" used to refer the stumps. This means the stool, which is used for kneeling in the churches. Since it resembles the three wooden sticks of the stumps, it is said to have connections with the Church.
Though there are no clear records as for who was the first player or which was the first team. There are references made for a club game - "Club striking the ball", being played in the early 1301 by the Prince Edward, Son of the Edward I. But no one is sure if this is actually the game of cricket as being played today. However, after this, a strong reference to this game has been made only in the 16th Century, around the year 1598, in a court case, about a team of young boys playing for the "The Royal Grammar school". This game was, at the time, referred to have been played only by children. The older people seem to have started playing this game only after the 1600's.
As early as 1624, a mortality case was also marked, due to this game. A player called Jasper Vinall is said to have died by being hit by the ball in the head. And did you know? Match fixing and huge money being used is not only the current affairs. The game was played for high stakes in the early 17th century. And first ever professional team or a proper match was recorded to have been played following the restoration in the year 1660.
The game's popularity and awareness grew in England in the 19th century with the laws of the game coming into force. The championship starting around the year 1839 with Sussex CCC. England became responsible for spreading this game to the countries like Australia, South Africa, North America, The Carribean and the New Zealand in the 19th Century and the first overseas game was played in 1859 between England & North America.
And slowly and this game reached the colonies of the UK and came to India along with the British rule. Now, Cricket is more popular in the colonies like that of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, than that of the UK itself. This games rules us today. Any youngster in India, be it a girl or a boy gives their first priority to Cricket. Even before academics.
If 50% of the population follow cricket as their religion, another 25%, people like me, follows the game for the fun it offers. Now with the IPL coming in, the game has entered the commercial market as well.
90% of the male population, especially the married men are glued to the cricket matches, watching the telecast again and again. Oh they wouldnt mind watching the same match repeatedly. These people show the same enthusiasm in watching the match for the 50th time as they would have showed watching it Live!!! Do they feel they would get a differnt verdict at the end of the game, everytime they watch it????
All said and done, Cricket remains the main entertainment for all. Even if it is a tiff creater between husband & wife, no one would miss the World Cup. So counting the days for the World cup to start! Hoping India would take the Cup again! Long Live Cricket & Long Live Indian cricket Team...Long live my sweetheart Dhoni!!!
Birthday!!
One day...which I would never give up loving, is my Birthday. This day remains my all time favourite. No...its not for the gifts or for the wishes I get. Just the day which reminds me that I was born, is great and exciting enough for me. I have heard many people say that they do not wish to celebrate this day. But for me, even if I happen to live 100 yrs, go through many sufferings, this day would always remain the best!
I always visualise myself getting some honour. Getting the honour is not important for me. But the "Acceptance Speech" is sort of a dream. I have written it and re-written it a numerous time. Oh, all in my dream. I have never got a chance to do that in reality. However, I want to make this speech before I leave this lovely Earth. So, I am going to use my Birthday as a platform to render that speech. So get ready!! Just imagine that I have got an award and here I am, giving the speech.
"Life is short and the happy moments are shorter" Being given an oppurtunity to enjoy these moments, I feel blessed! Oh God! Thee Supreme Power! I bow to you for having honoured me with this! I salute you for giving a lovely pair of parents. Parents who loved me more than themselves. Valued me more than anything else. Admired and encouraged all through my difficult phases. Taught me how to smile when the time required me to cry. Taught me how to dance when the time required me to droop down.
Oh God!! I hug you for giving me such a lovely brother! While all protected their sisters, my sweetone taught me to be brave and face the world. While all went through the grassy path, he taught me to go through the path of thorn to reach the rose beds.
I am amazed at your excellence, Oh Lord, for the best teachers you gave me. Teachers who were friends. Teachers who didnt teach only academics but who made me glimpse through the right path in life.
Oh! I adore you Lord for giving me such wonderful friends. Friends indeed - For any need....there they will be! They wouldnt mind slapping me hard to bring me into sense at every wrong step I took.
Oh my Kadavule! You excel when you showed me how to love! Like a sculptor sculpting a Goddess out of a stone, you gave me a husband, who shaped me into a better person, using love as an hammer. Took me by my hands to experience the wilderness of this world.
If these people were responsible for shaping my personality, God! you have given a topping for this ice cream, by giving a wonderful family. A family, who loves the person, shaped by all the others.
Now you see the reason why I love this day! Who can refuse enjoying this day, Oh! Such a lovely day I was born in.....Oh my favourite day! The best day.........................HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!! LOVE MYSELF....THE PERSON CREATED BY MANY!!!!!
I always visualise myself getting some honour. Getting the honour is not important for me. But the "Acceptance Speech" is sort of a dream. I have written it and re-written it a numerous time. Oh, all in my dream. I have never got a chance to do that in reality. However, I want to make this speech before I leave this lovely Earth. So, I am going to use my Birthday as a platform to render that speech. So get ready!! Just imagine that I have got an award and here I am, giving the speech.
"Life is short and the happy moments are shorter" Being given an oppurtunity to enjoy these moments, I feel blessed! Oh God! Thee Supreme Power! I bow to you for having honoured me with this! I salute you for giving a lovely pair of parents. Parents who loved me more than themselves. Valued me more than anything else. Admired and encouraged all through my difficult phases. Taught me how to smile when the time required me to cry. Taught me how to dance when the time required me to droop down.
Oh God!! I hug you for giving me such a lovely brother! While all protected their sisters, my sweetone taught me to be brave and face the world. While all went through the grassy path, he taught me to go through the path of thorn to reach the rose beds.
I am amazed at your excellence, Oh Lord, for the best teachers you gave me. Teachers who were friends. Teachers who didnt teach only academics but who made me glimpse through the right path in life.
Oh! I adore you Lord for giving me such wonderful friends. Friends indeed - For any need....there they will be! They wouldnt mind slapping me hard to bring me into sense at every wrong step I took.
Oh my Kadavule! You excel when you showed me how to love! Like a sculptor sculpting a Goddess out of a stone, you gave me a husband, who shaped me into a better person, using love as an hammer. Took me by my hands to experience the wilderness of this world.
If these people were responsible for shaping my personality, God! you have given a topping for this ice cream, by giving a wonderful family. A family, who loves the person, shaped by all the others.
Now you see the reason why I love this day! Who can refuse enjoying this day, Oh! Such a lovely day I was born in.....Oh my favourite day! The best day.........................HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!! LOVE MYSELF....THE PERSON CREATED BY MANY!!!!!
Monday, February 7, 2011
My Loving Anna & Manni!
When will they come? Now?? Later?? Will they ever come? I always wondered in this line and then....they finally landed. My sweet bro & SIL. Was I excited? Is there a word that could best describe the feelings I went through? Fantabulous, Stupendous, these words are nothing compared to what I felt...It was a loooooooooooong time dream coming true!!
I wanted to show them everything around me. I wanted them to see what I lived through. Wanted to see them feel happy seeing around. Wanted to cook all their favourite things. Oh my list was never ending!!
Can a sight you see everyday look different just because of 2 people you love? Can everything around you suddenly look beautiful? And what amazing weather!!!!! Looked as if everything worked for us to be happy....the desert turned into a summertime Switzerland to welcome these 2!
As always...the good times do come to an end...and so is their visit to us :(. As the day comes closer and closer...I feel so sad. But the loving memories they have created with us will remain forever.
Raja & I loved every minute of our togetherness and Hope to have such fun again & again! Love those 2 lovely people!!
I wanted to show them everything around me. I wanted them to see what I lived through. Wanted to see them feel happy seeing around. Wanted to cook all their favourite things. Oh my list was never ending!!
Can a sight you see everyday look different just because of 2 people you love? Can everything around you suddenly look beautiful? And what amazing weather!!!!! Looked as if everything worked for us to be happy....the desert turned into a summertime Switzerland to welcome these 2!
As always...the good times do come to an end...and so is their visit to us :(. As the day comes closer and closer...I feel so sad. But the loving memories they have created with us will remain forever.
Raja & I loved every minute of our togetherness and Hope to have such fun again & again! Love those 2 lovely people!!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Anniversary
"I dont pretend what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what Love is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling safe and comfortable with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into the room and smile at you"
I read this quote and I immediately think of my parents. This is exactly what they shared. I cannot talk of their initial married life, as, being very young, I do not remember much. But, even after 37 yrs of marriage, after all the day to day struggles they went through, they both would just look at each other. 1 Single glance would be enough. There was no need for words, no need for any touch....that 1 glance would say it all.
This year marks 40 yrs of their marriage. Yeah, they are not alive to celebrate this. But that does not make this day less special. I always thought of giving them something special on this day....I give this in the form of this blog.... This is dedicated to this special couple....My loving parents.......
Once upon a time, there was a gardner who had a love for Banyan trees. He wanted to have one of his own. He went to the Horticulturist and learns the procedure to grow one. He learnt for a proper banyan tree, he required a huge space and planting it from the seed would take a long long time. Our gardner didnot want any other way to grow it. So he put in lots of effort to get the space and after much struggle, planted this seed.
After a patient wait, the seed finally buds. This did not bring an end to the gardner's struggle. Being in the cold region, he needed to take care that the cold weather did not lead to frost. Day in and day out, he would make sure that the weather did not affect the plant much. And he would fight, sweating, using all his strength and putting all the resources available to him, when such situation arose. He would not mind the cost, he would not mind any obstacles. He put in all his energies in saving the plant and make it a beautiful banyan tree.
After enduring all sacrifices, struggles and a wait for so many years, the gardner's efforts finally heaped the desired results. The small seed, finally grew into a beautiful banyan tree. The tree started producing roots and now, no longer required the support from this gardner.
The tree became very famous due to its size. It gave shade to many and its roots served as swing for many children. Everyday children from all the beighbourhood would meet under the Banyan tree to play games. Many people held birthday parties under this tree. Some even treated this tree worthy of worship.
The gardner aged now is unable to work anymore. He does not mind that as the tree has become independant. He is very happy to see people thronging the tree. He speaks proudly about the tree to everyone. He never used to mind that he had no direct connection with the tree now but he used to swell in happiness in just seeing the tree day in and day out. One fine day, he dies resting his head on the roots of this banyan tree.....
I see myself as the banyan tree and my parents as the lovely gardner. To those two lovely people.........."Happy anniversary"
I read this quote and I immediately think of my parents. This is exactly what they shared. I cannot talk of their initial married life, as, being very young, I do not remember much. But, even after 37 yrs of marriage, after all the day to day struggles they went through, they both would just look at each other. 1 Single glance would be enough. There was no need for words, no need for any touch....that 1 glance would say it all.
This year marks 40 yrs of their marriage. Yeah, they are not alive to celebrate this. But that does not make this day less special. I always thought of giving them something special on this day....I give this in the form of this blog.... This is dedicated to this special couple....My loving parents.......
The Gardner and the Banyan Tree
Once upon a time, there was a gardner who had a love for Banyan trees. He wanted to have one of his own. He went to the Horticulturist and learns the procedure to grow one. He learnt for a proper banyan tree, he required a huge space and planting it from the seed would take a long long time. Our gardner didnot want any other way to grow it. So he put in lots of effort to get the space and after much struggle, planted this seed.
After a patient wait, the seed finally buds. This did not bring an end to the gardner's struggle. Being in the cold region, he needed to take care that the cold weather did not lead to frost. Day in and day out, he would make sure that the weather did not affect the plant much. And he would fight, sweating, using all his strength and putting all the resources available to him, when such situation arose. He would not mind the cost, he would not mind any obstacles. He put in all his energies in saving the plant and make it a beautiful banyan tree.
After enduring all sacrifices, struggles and a wait for so many years, the gardner's efforts finally heaped the desired results. The small seed, finally grew into a beautiful banyan tree. The tree started producing roots and now, no longer required the support from this gardner.
The tree became very famous due to its size. It gave shade to many and its roots served as swing for many children. Everyday children from all the beighbourhood would meet under the Banyan tree to play games. Many people held birthday parties under this tree. Some even treated this tree worthy of worship.
The gardner aged now is unable to work anymore. He does not mind that as the tree has become independant. He is very happy to see people thronging the tree. He speaks proudly about the tree to everyone. He never used to mind that he had no direct connection with the tree now but he used to swell in happiness in just seeing the tree day in and day out. One fine day, he dies resting his head on the roots of this banyan tree.....
I see myself as the banyan tree and my parents as the lovely gardner. To those two lovely people.........."Happy anniversary"
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The year that WAS
A New year again!!! Mixed feeling really!!! All the yearends, in the past few years have brought in the twists in my life. Most important things in my life have happend during the last few days of the year!! So with this thought in my mind.....I keep wondering what is ahead of me.
Looking back on the year 2010....Oh! what a dramatic one it was!! The year made me loose faith in GOD and at the same time gain faith in HIM. Made me loose someone I Love and at the same time made me get more closer to someone I love.
When there were lots to lose in this year, I cannot, at the same time, say I was unhappy! Confusing??? SO am I!! This year has been one such for me!
At a long glance, I should say, this year was really educating. Taught me how to lead life! How to be loving! How to control my emotions!! I wont say I have become a better person so soon. But definitely, this year has got me on to the route to become one!!
I hope the year to come makes me follow the same route. Though I do not want anything dramatic....I want it to be a good one. The one that makes me a good person!
Looking back on the year 2010....Oh! what a dramatic one it was!! The year made me loose faith in GOD and at the same time gain faith in HIM. Made me loose someone I Love and at the same time made me get more closer to someone I love.
When there were lots to lose in this year, I cannot, at the same time, say I was unhappy! Confusing??? SO am I!! This year has been one such for me!
At a long glance, I should say, this year was really educating. Taught me how to lead life! How to be loving! How to control my emotions!! I wont say I have become a better person so soon. But definitely, this year has got me on to the route to become one!!
I hope the year to come makes me follow the same route. Though I do not want anything dramatic....I want it to be a good one. The one that makes me a good person!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Mother Nature
Everyone and Everything created by HIM is beautiful. But there is always some partiallity shown, even by GOD!! I should'nt be calling it partiallity. Its more like special liking towards something or someone. I was given an oppurtunity to visit one such beauty! After this visit....I want to hug HIM and thank HIM for creating such a beauty.....OMAN
For people living in the gulf...especially in UAE, Oman happens to be the first stop for any small holiday. There are varied reasons, visiting friends, beaches etc., But for me Oman means scenic beauty. Mountains and beaches and a beautiful blend of both. It is said that this place was actually a place that emerged from the seas. Meaning, it was under water earlier. The mountains found there are all full of pebbles. I have a weakness for these mountains. I feel they keep inviting me to come to them.
My first stop this time was at a place called The Sinking Hole. The folk lore behind this is that a meteorite hit at this point and the Earth has caved in because of this, leading to the water coming out from this. For someone hearing this, it might just be another hole with some water. But for people who have seen this, its something unexplicable. The place is such a beauty. The Omanis have built in steps to reach the water. Big steps that really take your breath out, however healthy you are!! Its real Bliss reaching down and touching down on the water. The water's colour is blackish blue. But its pure and transparent at the same time. There are lots of fishes which give you a free pedicure at all times!!
The way that leads to this place was another story by itself. One would be aware that Oman is a country of Mountains. The drive anywhere would be ups and downs and curvy. There was no exception to this as well. My words cannot, at its best, describe the beauty that held my eyes. The best thing that would give you a hindsight of what I enjoyed would be that, when we were coming down the mountains, we felt as if we are rushing to meet the ocean. And the best part was, it was one of the few unknown places. Which means...solitude.......No body around!!!!!! It was just the few of us who went along sitting by the oceans clicking shots and collecting pebbles. No street lights. No roads. No sand....you need to walk on the pebbles to reach the Arabian Sea. And looked like Mother Ocean was happy to see us....she kept us thrilled with her waves....she was so excited that she kept rushing to and fro. Looked as if we were having a tete a tete with Her. Though its sounds greedy, we were happy to have her all by ourselves!!!
Our next stop....Jebel Shams. We were actually planning to return on that day, but our freinds said this was a lovely place and not to miss it. So we stayed put. We thought it would be another mountain driving and lets enjoy it. Seriously, this was the mind set with which we started out. We set out in 3 cars. All Salons. You might be wondering why I mention the "Salon", just read on....you would see....
Racing around at 140 kmph (looks like this is the normal speed of all the people in Oman...everyone goes around in this speed here. And me doing it doesnt surprise them at all!!!!), we reached a place called Ibri. The starting point actually. We went on with the climb. There were amazing curves and hair pin bends. We enjoyed the drive thoroughly. We would have taken multiple tricky curves, which are similar to the roller coaster rides. We even had a point where we headed a steep and stopped, had to, because we could not actually see where we were heading, upon starting the desent we concurred that there was a curve there. Had we just descended blindly, we would have been kissing the Earth!!! After all this, the cars stopped. I opened the door and was greeted by CHILL wind. It was pricking cold!!! I really enjoyed that moment and went around thanking my friends who made us go for that lovely ride and experience the amazing weather. And to my shock, I was actually told "Cool down dear!!! We have just started!!" Oh then I thought, we are going to have a few more of the curves which we had already experienced.
But what turned out was nothing compared to what I have ever experienced. They were slopes at more than 85 deg. Our cars wear eating at it vvvvvery slowly. It would climb only in the second gear!! that too with great difficulty. That was not all.....the roads lead to proper mountains. You know the ones made of pebbles? Just a path that was made out on a mountain??? I actually mean that...And we were not riding a 4 wheel....and another thing was actually it was single lane road, where there was two way traffic! And on the right there was no barrier....one mistake.....we are history!!!!! That was what made the trip more worthwhile!!!! Amazing!! What a feeling it was to come out of the car at the end of the ride!!! And it was 12 deg there, when in Muscat, it was actually 38 deg at the time we left. The sun was setting at 4:30 p.m. It was pitch dard (at 6:30) when we started our descent. We unfortunately could not take many snaps here as our hands were shivering with the cold!!! There is a resort on top of this place, where get some hot teas to warm us up.
This is one such natural beauty which I enjoyed immensly thanks to our friends Bindu & Prakash and their friends Mani Yetta & fly.
I still feel these mountains calling me......Waiting for my next rendez-vous with them.
For people living in the gulf...especially in UAE, Oman happens to be the first stop for any small holiday. There are varied reasons, visiting friends, beaches etc., But for me Oman means scenic beauty. Mountains and beaches and a beautiful blend of both. It is said that this place was actually a place that emerged from the seas. Meaning, it was under water earlier. The mountains found there are all full of pebbles. I have a weakness for these mountains. I feel they keep inviting me to come to them.
My first stop this time was at a place called The Sinking Hole. The folk lore behind this is that a meteorite hit at this point and the Earth has caved in because of this, leading to the water coming out from this. For someone hearing this, it might just be another hole with some water. But for people who have seen this, its something unexplicable. The place is such a beauty. The Omanis have built in steps to reach the water. Big steps that really take your breath out, however healthy you are!! Its real Bliss reaching down and touching down on the water. The water's colour is blackish blue. But its pure and transparent at the same time. There are lots of fishes which give you a free pedicure at all times!!
The way that leads to this place was another story by itself. One would be aware that Oman is a country of Mountains. The drive anywhere would be ups and downs and curvy. There was no exception to this as well. My words cannot, at its best, describe the beauty that held my eyes. The best thing that would give you a hindsight of what I enjoyed would be that, when we were coming down the mountains, we felt as if we are rushing to meet the ocean. And the best part was, it was one of the few unknown places. Which means...solitude.......No body around!!!!!! It was just the few of us who went along sitting by the oceans clicking shots and collecting pebbles. No street lights. No roads. No sand....you need to walk on the pebbles to reach the Arabian Sea. And looked like Mother Ocean was happy to see us....she kept us thrilled with her waves....she was so excited that she kept rushing to and fro. Looked as if we were having a tete a tete with Her. Though its sounds greedy, we were happy to have her all by ourselves!!!
Our next stop....Jebel Shams. We were actually planning to return on that day, but our freinds said this was a lovely place and not to miss it. So we stayed put. We thought it would be another mountain driving and lets enjoy it. Seriously, this was the mind set with which we started out. We set out in 3 cars. All Salons. You might be wondering why I mention the "Salon", just read on....you would see....
Racing around at 140 kmph (looks like this is the normal speed of all the people in Oman...everyone goes around in this speed here. And me doing it doesnt surprise them at all!!!!), we reached a place called Ibri. The starting point actually. We went on with the climb. There were amazing curves and hair pin bends. We enjoyed the drive thoroughly. We would have taken multiple tricky curves, which are similar to the roller coaster rides. We even had a point where we headed a steep and stopped, had to, because we could not actually see where we were heading, upon starting the desent we concurred that there was a curve there. Had we just descended blindly, we would have been kissing the Earth!!! After all this, the cars stopped. I opened the door and was greeted by CHILL wind. It was pricking cold!!! I really enjoyed that moment and went around thanking my friends who made us go for that lovely ride and experience the amazing weather. And to my shock, I was actually told "Cool down dear!!! We have just started!!" Oh then I thought, we are going to have a few more of the curves which we had already experienced.
But what turned out was nothing compared to what I have ever experienced. They were slopes at more than 85 deg. Our cars wear eating at it vvvvvery slowly. It would climb only in the second gear!! that too with great difficulty. That was not all.....the roads lead to proper mountains. You know the ones made of pebbles? Just a path that was made out on a mountain??? I actually mean that...And we were not riding a 4 wheel....and another thing was actually it was single lane road, where there was two way traffic! And on the right there was no barrier....one mistake.....we are history!!!!! That was what made the trip more worthwhile!!!! Amazing!! What a feeling it was to come out of the car at the end of the ride!!! And it was 12 deg there, when in Muscat, it was actually 38 deg at the time we left. The sun was setting at 4:30 p.m. It was pitch dard (at 6:30) when we started our descent. We unfortunately could not take many snaps here as our hands were shivering with the cold!!! There is a resort on top of this place, where get some hot teas to warm us up.
This is one such natural beauty which I enjoyed immensly thanks to our friends Bindu & Prakash and their friends Mani Yetta & fly.
I still feel these mountains calling me......Waiting for my next rendez-vous with them.
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