THAI TRIP HAPPY!

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

-Dalai Lama

If I could take my family/friends to any place on the planet, I’d choose:

To take them to Thailand!

You might wonder- Why Thailand? I could have picked any other place on the planet! 

3 Reasons as simple as A-B-C:

A) Me-Too Wish-Fulfillment!- Ever since I won my one and only solo-trip to Bangkok, Thailand, in a Quiz three years ago, my friends & in-Laws (especially my Mother-In-Law) wish to visit Thailand! This is my opportunity to earn brownie-points!!! 

B) Location- Proximity of Thailand to the Eastern part of India where we reside means –

Lesser Travel-Time & Lower Travel-Costs with more affordable air-fares and smart package-tours.

C) Experience Counts- I have always fancied myself as a Tour-Guide! As I have already visited Bangkok, I feel I can plan better and make our Trip a happy and a memorable one for all!

Group-Tour Details:

Fellow-Travellers:  Family- In-Laws -

Total # of PAX- 20 (# of Adults- 14; # of Children- 6)

Ages- Adults- 18-66 Years; Children- 4-17 Years

Place: Thailand- Bangkok & Pattaya

Trip: 04 Nights / 05 Days

Motto: Enhancing my Group’s Happiness Quotient (GHQ) in Bangkok & Pattaya:

Well Planned & Organized, Safe & Secure Tour- Return Economy Class Airfare, Return-Airport-Transfers, Decent Accommodation, Buffet Breakfast, City-Tour, Return Transfers between Bangkok & Pattaya  etc… can make my Group feel tension-free, comfortable and happy.

People- Thai people are very friendly and make travellers feel at home and welcome! We’ll be happy to see smiling faces the moment we arrive at the Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport!

Sights & Attractions- Bangkok’s exciting landmarks like- The Royal Palace, The Temple of The Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), The Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit) (that has a 5.5 ton statue of the Buddha made from solid gold), The Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabopit) etc… promise a rewarding treat for the religious as well as the photography enthusiasts in my Group! The Chao Phraya River-Cruise will give us a great view of many attractions.

 

Leisure- Bangkok’s Safari World with Marine Park boasts of the Safari park, Bird Park, Games Corner and Macaw Island. My entire Group, especially the children of all ages, should be super-thrilled to interact with orangutans, dolphins and many other exotic birds and animals! 

Adventure- I can imagine the excitement when my Group goes on a tour of Pattaya’s Coral Island by a speed boat and gets to explore the coral reefs from a glass-bottomed boat! There is a choice of activities like- Swimming, Wind-Surfing, Scuba-diving, Snorkeling, Parasailing…or simply Sunbathing!

 

Natural Beauty & Nightlife- Pattaya’s sandy beaches and nightlife should calm everyone’s stressed minds and help them unwind! Attending the Alcazar show, a cabaret with bright costumes, acting and stage-design, should enhance my GHQ!

Shopping- Thailand is a Shopper’s paradise, offering affordable roadside-vendors & shopping-malls & sophisticated plazas too. As my In-Laws love Shopping, they can indulge in bargain-buys from a variety of Souvenirs, Handicrafts, Textiles, Ready Made-Clothes & Luxury items like Gems from the Gems Gallery.

Food- A variety of world-cuisines- Vegetarian as well as Non-Vegetarian dishes will cater to everyone’s food cravings. The youngsters will be pleased as they love Chinese and Thai dishes. Indian dishes are served and many Indian Restaurants are there too to keep my Mother-In-Law happy!

I will be creating happy travellers! 

My GHQ- Group's Happiness Quotient is sure to increase! 

And I really don’t need to be a Tour-Guide! 

Approximate Thailand Trip Cost: Rs 25,000 * 20 = Rs 5 Lakhs

Trip’s Happy Memories: Priceless!

What are you waiting for? Plan a Happy Trip today!

I have tried to answer- “If you could take your family or friends to any place on the planet, where would that be and how would you make your trip the happiest one ever? Tell us and you could win a grand international holiday!” 

Note- All images used in this post have been clicked by me and belong to me.

Please do post your comments below!

SHUDDH DESI

I bet the moment you saw the title of this post, the recently released movie- 'Shuddh Desi Romance' came to your mind!

Previously, 'Shuddh Desi' referred to Ghee! Like Shuddh Desi Ghee ke Laddoo or Paranthey!
But, now it's about the 'Romance' in a Hindi Movie! 

Okay, I have absolutely no qualms about this. But, my views may be considered prudish!
I loved the previous movie- 'Band Baja Baraat' of Maneesh Sharma, the Director of 'Shuddh Desi Romance'. 

His latest movie advertises itself as-
"52% conservative Indians may not be coming for this film.
For the rest, young at heart...
WE ARE AT A CINEMA NEAR YOU TODAY"

I belong to a 'conservative Indian' family.
Most in my family had an arranged marriage.
I am not comfortable with the idea of 'Live-In' Relationship*.

But, I am young at heart!
I am a great Hindi Movies Fan! 

Can do with some extra 'Romance' and 'Entertainment' Hindi Filmy-Style!
I love the acting of- Sushant Singh Rajput, Parineeti Chopra & even the newcomer, Vaani Kapoor (as I have seen from the Trailors)
I love the catchy songs and the youthful energy of the film.
I have a Movie-Ticket Voucher that I have to use before September 15th!

Still, I find myself debating- Should I go for 'Shuddh Desi Romance'?
Know that parents can't/mustn't take kids along for the movie.

*'Live-In' Relationship is prevalent these days in reel-life as well as real-life (in metros & yet to catch on in small-towns)

However, in 'Shuddh Desi Romance', the action is set in Jaipur.
The Hero is a tourist-guide who is in a 'Live-In' Relationship with Heroine#1. 
Hero & Heroine#1 sing, laugh, dance, frolic in every place...even the terrace!
All would have been fine had the Hero not had a roving-eye and zeroed in on Heroine#2.
Hero shares 27 kisses with Heroines 1 & 2!

(The above is my understanding of the Movie's plot from Trailors & Newspaper-Reports!)


Recently, the movies 'Ashiqui 2', 'Nautanki Saala', 'Murder 3'; 'I, Me, Aur Main', 'Bachna Aye Haseeno'... also dealt with 'Live-In' Relationship.

As I like the sanctity of marriage, in one of my early Blog-posts, I had wondered why did the character played by Sonakshi Sinha have a 'Live-In' Relationship with Akshay Kumar's character in the film, 'Joker' - http://www.anitaexplorer.blogspot.in/2012/09/joker-hindi-movie.html 

Do film-makers show this as it is 'cool' to be in such a relationship?
To be 'married' is boring?
Are they trying to show that the characters are independent and have a mind of their own?
That it is fine to rebel against your parents or worse, hide the truth about your 'Live-In' Relationship status...
And assert- 'I DON'T CARE what the Society thinks..'?

Some may argue that a Film i.e. Reel-Life shows what is already happening in Real-Life!
In reality, the Hero, Sushant Singh Rajput, is in a 'Live-In' Relationship with TV-actress, Ankita Lokhande, his long-time girl-friend.

But, Real-Life mirrors the Reel-Life too!
My Mom said that after the Super-hit Hindi Film 'Bobby' released, there were many newspaper-reports of young adults eloping from their homes, just like the protagonists- Dimple Kapadia & Rishi Kapoor had done on screen!
Am sure that 'Shuddh Desi Romance' should 'inspire' many of this generation!

Note- 'Live-In' Relationship is never 'Shuddh Desi'; rather a concept that's 'Videshi'! 
India has always had traditional values that are fast making way for such modern thinking and living.

True that Polygamy, Polyandry, Concubines...all have had their share in Indian History.
In the Ramayana, King Dasarath had four wives.
While his son, 'MaryaadaPurshottam'- Shri Ram Chandra had only one partner- Devi Sita...
For a vast majority of the population, a single-partner has been the norm.

I do not personally know of anyone indulging in 'Live-In' Relationship in my neighborhood or friends-circle!
Even if I did, I'd have been absolutely fine as it is their life and they have every right and freedom to decide how they wish to live! They are free to live as per their whims or wish!
Who am I to judge or be the 'Kebab Mein Haddi'? 
Just that with my traditional values and upbringing, I would never have gone for it nor will I ever!
They say- 'Never Say Never'. 
But, I am clear about what I want and how I wish to live, just like the people who decide to go for 'Live-In' Relationships are sure of what they want!

There's a brand of Jeans named- 'Live-In'.
The closest I can get is to- try a pair of 'Live-In' Jeans for the ease and comfort, just like what the relationship of marriage offers!

Watching 'Shuddh Desi Romance' should be an enlightening experience!
Incredible India, You have come a long way truly!

Note- These are my personal views! I am like this only!
I respect your views and outlook.

Please feel free to share what you feel. Do comment in the 'Post a Comment' section below!
It'll be wonderful to hear from you!

CONTEST JUNKIE

Pretty Funny!
How Some People Can Be -
Oh-So-Crazy...
Mad like ME!

Yes, I Am A Contest Junkie!
Contests Make Me HAPPYYY!
Fill Me With So Much Ecstasy!
Contests Are My Fantasy!

When I See A New Contest,
I Wanna Give It My Best!
I'm Filled With Zest!
Don't Take Any Rest!
 
My Sleep Disappears!
I Forget All My Fears!
Even My Near & Dear!
Contests Fill Me With Cheer!
 
I Pay A Heavy Price...
No Time For Snacks like Chips/Fries!
Just Imagine Winning A Prize!
Result Is Shock or Surprise!

Still, I Am A Contest Junkie!
Love Contests Heartily!
Some Day, My Dream'll Be Reality-
Grand Prizes & Recognition For Me!

A SMELLIONAIRE’S TREASURE TROVE

‘Minds are like Parachutes; they only function when open.’

-Thomas Dewar

We never have to travel very far to find-

Some triggers easily launch the mind,

On a trip through labyrinthine lanes,

By gently opening doors & panes!

We revisit the sights, sounds, tastes & smells,

Our mind starts ringing the memory-bells!

The cathartic experience looks & smells good,

Like, in a drought, finding nourishing Soul-food…

The explorer in me found herself embarking on a voyage down the memory lane when the topic ‘Smelly To Smiley!’ was posed...

Tea- Made in a huge vessel in the palatial home of my Paternal Grandparents joint-family, the aromatic smell of Tea reached the Living-Room though the kitchen is nearly half a kilometre away! I used this as an example to explain the concept of Diffusion in Science to my kid! 

Grandma's Cupboards- with Ironed Clothes

Notice the Year of Manufacture- 1952!

Grandma - My Paternal Grandmother was extremely brand-loyal. She'd only use- Colgate Toothpaste, Rexona Soap, Emami Cream & Shringaar Kumkum. I loved the rich smell as she applied red Kumkum on her forehead as Bindi, the size of which was double the size of a present Rs 2 coin! Her Cupboards still have the smell of freshly-ironed-clothes. Just like my mind, they store her memories… 

Turmeric- Perks me up as I remember playing games in my Paternal Grandfather’s huge godown filled with sacks of Turmeric! We had to wash our yellow hands and feet after playing there!

Raghu's Dahibara Aludum, Cuttack

  Dahibara Aludum

Curd- My Maternal Grandfather would travel about a 100 kilometres just to get Dahibara-Aludum for us from Cuttack from a very famous vendor named Raghu. 

And also sweets and snacks from all the places he visited!

Granny - Her entire courtyard was filled with cut-fruits and vegetables that she had put in the sun to dry, to prepare varieties of Pickles. In the afternoon, when the elders had their siesta, it was fun-afternoon-party-time for me and my cousins as we gorged on the spicy treats…! We plucked and ate fresh Fruits directly from the trees- Mango, Guava, Jack-fruit, Custard-Apple... in her huge Orchard. We used to call all the hawkers passing by. We would be richer with oven-fresh Bakery products like buns, biscuits and cakes! 

Mom- Miss my Mom’s Maachha Besara (Odia* Dish- Fried fish in Mustard Oil & Mustard paste gravy). Also the warm-Mustard Oil-with-Garlic-massage to heal my cold! The smell of Coconut Oil reminds me of the hours she spent oiling and plaiting my hair… Sandalwood, Incense, Camphor, Ghee, Talcum Powder and Fragrant Soaps all remind me of my Mom, who loved these. My Mom was an angel who looked radiant & smelled fresh at all times of the day. God loved her and took her away last year so that she could spread her radiance and fragrance in His Home…

Books, Newspapers and Magazines- Mountains of subscribed copies ready to cast their wisdom spells & smells! Papa is all set to burn the midnight oil when he returns from his frequent business trips. In his CA firm, there are piles of files and a huge library of books. There's another big library at home too! Each New Year, Papa gifts us new Calendar and Diaries- their smells ring in new hopes, aspirations and easy-to-make-but-hard-to-maintain-resolutions!

Ganesh Puja & Rangoli

Ink- Smelling the half-filled bottle of ink on my study-table fills me with instant bliss…!

I climbed the education-ladder armed with a gold-nibbed fountain-pen fuelled by Ink;

I won praise (and extra-marks!) for my neat and nice hand-writing! 

I love the smell of Success & Confidence that I get to experience whenever I smell my Achievements- Certificates, Medals & Trophies of different sizes & shapes…! 

Kid- Receiving my kid’s Certificates and Prizes, I smell pride! My kid still uses Johnson’s Baby products & smells so cool! Festivals & Rangoli’s rich smells makes me feel enriched with many celebrations and memories like this one in the pic- My kid loves to compete in creating Rangoli!

Paint- The can of leftover paint in my home reminds me of the litres of paint I personally bought to get our new flat painted! My hubby was away abroad, while I was juggling my office, kid and home! As I had never purchased paint before, the smell of paint signifies my giant leap- charting new territories and exploring the unknown like crossing seas! 

Writing about  smells has made me hungry. I decide to have a snack- ‘Ah! I can have the Jagannath Temple’s Gaja’ (a sweet)! As I open the air-tight container where it is stored, the Gaja’s smell takes me on a free trip to the - Lord JagannathTemple, Puri, Odisha!

Khaja

Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri 

What’s more, I recollect the other associated memories!

Having the Khaja now makes me feel blessed.

Nothing can beat the taste and smell of the divine Mahaprasad (called Abhada) served there that unites people It is said that Goddess MahaLakshmi (the wife of Lord Jagannath) herself cooks there- in the largest kitchen in the world.

Abhada

Mahaprasad, Lord Jagannath Temple

Perfumes- The fragrance of my large collection makes me fall in love with my husband a little more everyday! Over the years, he has gifted me my enviable Perfume-collection! Each bottle tells a story, associating itself with a country or trip...

Boiled Milk

Milk- Odia* sweet-dishes like- Rabidi*, Rasmalai*, Rasabali* etc. come to my mind when I smell boiled milk!

On a few occasions, I have even left the milk boiling and forgotten all about it!

Litres of burnt milk and other burnt foods can make our home Smelly indeed! 

Lesson- ‘Don’t cry over burnt milk/Food!’.

Rather, Smile by adopting the simple ‘Smelly to Smiley!’ Mantra!

I love all the smells in all my homes! They make me feel at home! 

I am tempted to change the words of a Shloka from the Rig Veda-

‘Let Noble Thoughts Come To Us From all Sides’ to- ‘Let Good Smells Come To Us From All Sides!’ 

Now that’s what should make us ‘Smellionaires’ (i.e. ‘Smell’-Mill‘ionaires’!) 

With good smells one feels mentally rich as though one has millions!

I feel like a Smellionaire already with so many good smells for company!

Eureka! The Déjà vu, the Tryst with my Soul-food makes me HAPPY!

P.S- All the photographs are self-clicked, except the Ambi Pur & Lord Jagannath Temple's pictures that I have taken from Google Images.

Note- I also shared some more of my Nostalgic Memories here- OLFACTORY ABRACADABRA

* - Some Terms-

Odia – Belonging to the State of Odisha

Rabidi- Thickened Milk

Rasmalai- Chhenna (a form of cottage cheese) in thickened, sweetened milk

Rasabali- Flattened disks of ricotta cheese soaked in sweetened condensed milk

Please do post your comments below & I 'll have a SMILEY face!