Over the beautiful lakes of Kerala



 Had a wonderful time floating over the vast vembanattu lake near Alleppey-The Venice of the east, for a day and a half, enjoying the natural beauty of Kerala. Watching stars and sleeping peacefully in the houseboat at night. Mouth watering authentic Kerala dishes were served on the boat. The friendly crew entertained Achu and made us feel at home. All together a trip worth remembering.

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At Mac Ritchie on a Diwali Day!!

7 Nov 2008

Diwali is a day of victory of light over darkness, good over evil and everything positive over everything negative. So, its special, it should be celebrated with great zeal. For our small family, far away from near and dear ones back at home, celebrating each special day is spending time together in a way each of us enjoy to the core. So, what we all like is OUTING ...:)

This time destination is Mac Ritchie reservoir...We are on nature hunt and determined to see each nook and corner of the little red dot. I have heard from friends that its a great place to have a peaceful family day. So, we started early morning. Weather was good, no clouds and sun smiling all the time. Packed up our lunch, pav bhaji. After half an hour drive from home we are at Mac Ritchie, Singapore's first reservoir built in 1867-68. The forest around the reservoir was protected and it gives it the natural beauty. Car park was under renovation so we had to move around a bit to find a suitable place. People are jogging, exercising and few families have already occupied the banks of the reservoir, chit chatting, enjoying breakfast and playing with kids. The water is almost green in colour and there are fishes and tortoises in abundance inside. Strict reminder not to feed them are given to the visitors, reason being feeding them make them lazy and they wont look for their own food...yup it makes sense. But, still some kids are enjoying feeding them with tiny bread pieces. Ultimately this water reaches our household after several rounds of purification, so best is to preserve it the cleanest we can.

Achu was on her cycle and we walked around. There were lot of monkeys on the loose. Playing, grooming and jumping from one tree to the other. They were enjoying the freedom. None of them were afraid of human presence. We could watch them very close. Achu was ready to touch them and bring one of them home. We clicked lot of snaps and walked around. To all of our surprise Achu was hungry...one of the rarest occasions. We decided to settle for lunch...found a nice place. Spread the mat and had a nice lunch. It was yummy. While having fruit Achu entertained us by dancing to the music in my hand phone...People who walked by wished us happy Diwali...:) I should say song was a bit loud, but we were enjoying ;).


Back to the car and we were heading to the Tree Top walk. We need to travel by car a short distance get down and then start the trekking trough a rain forest. It was really sunny when we started the trekking. Achu was enjoying collecting all that she could hold in her little hand and the most important was a long stick. I was surprised to know that such a place existed in Singapore. Its resemblance to my hometown was amazing...The same plants the same weeds, the same kind of springs...it was a pleasant surprise. We walked around 2.4 km when Achu said her legs are paining. There was still 1 km plus to the tree top walk. We decided to stop and return for the time being. Sajeev went back to get the car and we waited in front of the Island Country club. Later the guard told us that only club members can bring car inside. So with his special permission Sajeev parked the car near the main gate and we walked down. The weather was changing and dark clouds were forming in the sky. We headed back home happy to have added a beautiful day to our lives!!

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At Hort Park on a Beautiful Day!!

2 Oct 2008
Weather prediction was that it’s a rainy day, that too with thunder and lightning. But that couldn’t discourage us. And this time we had Plan A and Plan B. Plan A an out door location—The Hort Park at Alexandra Road. Plan B an indoor location - The Museum. We left home at 10 o’ clock. Packed snacks, water and rain coat for Achu. We were hanging on to Plan A in spite of the cloudy weather and it took around half an hour to reach Hort Park. It started drizzling a bit, but we were determined. Car park was full and we had to wait a while. There is no entrance fee..its absolutely free. Achu was happy to get out of the car and walk through…Weather was just nice…there can’t be a more perfect weather for this. We started walking; it looked like an urban oasis in the middle of the concrete desert. The landscaping was perfect…enjoyed each bit of it. Wind was cool and people seemed to be very happy and enjoying…Lot of tropical plants and grass lands… It has glasshouses which grow plants in ideal condition and they were blooming like in heaven….especially daisies…one word to describe is awesome… There is a trekking path which leads to Kent Ridge Park. The Hort park is very picturesque and photography enthusiasts are seen everywhere clicking away nature's beauty. More info on the park can be seen from http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=17&Itemid=73

Sajeev's college is just next door and we had a glimpse of that. Achu desperately wanted to see Acha's class. We proceeded to the tree-top walk (Nature walk) across the Alexandra Arch. It was just great. There were small railings and Achu hesitated to walk since she was able to see the ground from such a height through the railings. We boosted her morale saying that she is such a brave girl and it paid off and she was rewarded with a handshake after we finished the walk. She was excited :) We returned back and when we reached our Mitsu, Achu whispered to it "lets go to Suntech city. ok?" ... We went to Suntech to see the Motor show and took home wonderful memories of a beautiful day!!

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At Labrador Park on National Day!

18 Aug 2008
It was a long weekend...So as usual, we were planning to go out and have a nice family time. We have covered almost all part of Singapore. And there is a list of ‘don’t want to go often’ places. Keeping all those places apart, I was searching Internet thoroughly. There are certain conditions like, the place should not be crowded (Sajeev don’t like crowded places), Achu should enjoy being there. And then I should have a nice scenery to take lots and lots of photos…Internet listed a lot of places and a name struck my eye—Labrador park. Its unique. I was curious, then my search was focused on this park. It seemed to fit all our prerequisites and there we went.

It was a lovely day, August 9, 2008, National day of Singapore. We started off in our sporty Lancer Elegance!! We almost reached the park and the first thing I noticed is the lush greenery…nature has nourished the trees and plants so fabulously. Nature untouched, if I borrow one of my friend’s words, this can be compared to a virgin forest. The British have used this place to keep arms and ammunition. It s blessed with fantastic panoramic view of the sea from a platform .So, a strategic position for wars etc. Forget about those things…Lets enjoy nature. Walking along the trails is an awesome experience, and there are sign boards which read ‘beware of falling branches’…looks cool na? We walked and saw few remnants of guns and information boards on the way describing about the war etc.

Coming down the slop we reached the sea shore. The sea is deep and we could see ships anchored not far from the shore. So, there is a safety rail between the sea and the land. Achu was obviously not fascinated since she was dreaming of playing in the sand from the moment I started talking about this park. But she got a stick, which she carried along, playing all the while and even brought it home. Its still kept safely outside our home. Whenever she see it, she will ask my permission whether she can take it inside house, I say no. It continues till date.

As usual, I took a lot of snaps and we enjoyed the day!! We will definitely go back to enjoy the serene nature and its lush greenery far from the madding crowd!!

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8 June 2008

Mommy I love you

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Before your mind treads into the dark realm of oblivion,

Before the delicate web of relations get tangled in your memory,

Before time travels back and forth and dazzles your thoughts,

Before sleepless nights becomes a routine and dampen your cheeks with tears

Before you forget who I am to you…..

I want to be with you!!!!!!

I have grown in you, grown with you……

We have laughed together, cried together…….

You have taught me, you have punished me…

You have shown light in my way,

I laugh and smile, crying hard inside,

I feel the happiness in my life sinking away.

I love and take care, missing your love and care for me,

None will ever bestow such an unconditional love.

I can’t be a better mother,

I can’t be a better friend,

I can’t be anything better than you Mom, I love you…

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Dinner time

7 April 2008
Yesterday, Achu was having dinner and I was feeding her as usual. It was a usual a time of emotional rollercoaster-anger, frustration, happiness, sadness and you name it. I had kept some fresh grapes on the table to be taken after dinner. In the middle of her dinner she ran to the table to take it…I was fuming, and my blood pressure was shooting up and I was all set to scream…Then, she came running towards me, smiling, and told me ‘amma this is for you, open your mouth’…….Girl, only you could wither away my anger in such an innocent way!!

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Motherhood!!!

31 March 2008

So, today I felt like writing about being a mother. I would say that its that moment in which you become really selfless. Your mind leaves you and dwell on another small thing that means everything to you. You stop thinking about you completely. You will start crying with that little being, sleeping with it, getting sick together with that, and everything....its so precious for you!! It happened to me three and a half years before. And the feeling is growing everyday eating the little self that remains in me...I still remember the little eyes that never took its gaze away from me...I can see it now if I close my eyes for a while...There were sleepless nights, dark circles around the eyes...but nothing mattered...all that mattered is SHE.

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