Asthamudi

Asthamudi is a huge lake near quilon. The lake is connected to the Arabian Sea by waterways and canals. It also has connections with the backwaters criss-crossing the region between Kollam and Kochi.

The eponymous Club Mahindra property where I stayed is a long stretch of palm-lined flat land on the banks of the lake. From my room, which has a nice sit out, I could see the waters of the lake glistening in the early morning sun. Small wavelets surge and subside on the surface of the lake which stretchews out in all directions right up to the distant horizon.

It was literally like spending a few days in paradise. The weather was cool with occasional heat. I spent the time catching up with my reading while sprawling on one of the hammocks lining the waterfronmt! Sometimes we went for boat rides out to the Arabian sea or on the canals and waterways running through the villages.

Sky Walking

18.04.2010

Visited the AMPA SKYWALK Mall with my family. The Mall is truly a sky walk experience with a bridge hanging from the ceiling leading to PVR Cinemas and escalators criss-crossing everywhere. But, I dio wish the Air-conditioning would work.

The food court is spacious but due to lack of cooling it was stuffy. The food is reasonably pricedand tasty. There is a lot of variety in the cuisine right from Kerala Thattukada to Italian Pasta! They have a system of Food Card. You have to deposit multiples of Rs. 100 and top up a card that can be swiped at any of the counters. This, obviously saves time on cgiving change and the stall owners spend more time dealing wioth customers.

Outside, in the shopping area, the prices are too high. Easily one and half times Spencers or Fountain Plaza. The Star Bazaar in the basement is alright. But, it is not as good as the ambience and convenience of Big Bazaar or even Spencers.

Parking goes up to Nine levels. It is very convenient and user friendly.

On the whole, it was a pleasant evening.

Elevators- Up or Down?

07.02.2010

I spent a leisurely morning with my Family. Around One, we went out for lunch at Ashvitha a new multi-cuisine restaurant. Located in a huge renovated bungalow on a lane off Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, the restaurant has a unique ambience. The tables placed on the verandah around the main house are comfortable and surrounded by greenery and flowering plants. (Whether this will work in high summer?)

A fountain tinkles nearby and adds to the general calmness of the place. The building houses more air conditioned rooms and displays of books, jewellery and soft furnishing for the discerning and extremely tasteful guest.

They serve five different platters with unlimited helpings. The food was good and filling.

While we were eating, my son related this story:

The man who invented and manufactured elevators for the first time ever, found that they were too slow. People simply did not want to use them. Even after improving speeds, elevators were not popular. He was incurring heavy losses. Suddenly he had a brain wave and did something that not only made elevators extremely popular but also resulted in people thinking that that they were too fast! Do you know what he did/

Well, he simply fixed full length mirrors on the walls of the elevator. People were so busy looking at themselves that they thought they had reached their floor too early!

The man, of course was Otis!

This tale is a classic example of perseverance, creativity as well as lateral thinking in problem solving. But, there is also a lesson here about the human proclivity for Narcissistic behavior.

Lodge Family Day

17.01.2010

My Masonic Lodge Celebrated its Family Day at t he Madras Boat Club today. This is a photo capturing me along with RajTilak a senior member of the Lodge in a relaxed mood in the balcony abutting the Stroke Side Hall. Behind us is the panorama of the Adyar river flowing towards the creek.

Pongal -- Long Weekend

Today is the Tamilian Harvest festival of Pongal. With an intervening Saturday off, Tamilians have Four whole days to celebrate! So we are heading for a long weekend!

Well Kudi Makkal can now go on a binge and have fun. I am sure the city will be a nightmare on Saturday which is Kaanum Pongal when the citizenry don their finery and infest the beaches, parks and other public places.

Well...Happy Pongal and all that I suppose...!

Stiff Upper Lip Man...Grin and Bear it!

A Day of Ease

And on on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the Seventh day from all his work...
And God blessed the Seventh day and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work...

(Genesis 2: 2 & 3)

Sleep a little late;
Leisurely cup of tea;
Painting and sketching till heart's content!
Hot bath, then
a hot home cooked meal
with family; tubers, those dangerous foodstuffs
today, can be relished,
on this day of ease!
Chatting with spouse and children,
remembering the highlights of a week gone by;
Planning (with prayer) for the week to come.
A pleasurable outing in the evening
The beach, cool breeze, bright sun
People and fun;
Dinner at a favorite place
home to bed!