Chilling in Bangaland

29 - 2nd Jan 2008

Our last few days in Bangalore was ... what can i say ... enjoyable. We had our own driver, our own accommodation, wake up whenever we please, there was no chase for time, chilling at Caryn's balcony enjoying our Goan music and the cold breeze of winter end. It was pleasant, it was homey.

.You cannot possibly fathom how happy both my stomach and I were when i bite into my first Mcdonald burger and crunch those chips. No more indian food for me, wo pu yao!

.The worst food i've had in India is Maggi Masala. It is gross to the maximum. Gahhhhh.

.Products of our shopping - a cowboy and home-cooked food.

We were supposed to continue our south India journey to Chennai or Mysore, but you'd agree with Caryn if you saw our faces when we returned from north India. "Condemn" is how she termed us. We looked like we've just fought a war rather than been on a holiday.

.So we toured Bangalore.

.At Kemp Fort temple. Read more at my babe's.

.TGI Friday's - yummy ribs!.

.Leela Palace.


.New Year's Eve.
.Accenture office!.

There's a lil' stg that i'd like to share with you guys.
1. Do not be alarmed at the way people honk in India. It's considered a courtesy. They beg of you to "Please Sound Horn!"
2. Pack all sorts of medication with you, we were lucky we didnt need any, but you never know!
Dettol wipes are a MUST - you'll develop a tendency to wipe every single thing you touch cos they all look so dusty. Mosquitoes repellents are a MUST - them mozzies are kingkong size. Tissue papers are an absolute MUST - you dont wanna be using smelly water after your no.2.

3. Bring your own lighter if you're a smoker. It is close to IMPOSSIBLE to find a lighter in India. Or else, you can do what my buddy did, pocket as many matches as you can at your hotel.

When i look back at my India trip, i've had some really good and some chilling moments. But it all adds up to a wonderful experience that'll remain vivid in my memory for a long time. Thanks to my babe, that of all places had to be posted to Bangalore, hence making an improbable India happen for us. And I totally adore her tiny, sweet and charming driver Selvar!

Last Christmas and New Year was indeed different and adventurous!

To those who's been contemplating a visit to India, you should take up the challenge. It's worth it.

Greetings from India

The past few months has just been insane, so many has happened in such little time. Scubabum and I went to Bali for the weekend in November... did some insane stuff to feed our insane souls. Will photoblog soon.

Now, i've continued my journey to you-guess-where.. I.N.D.I.A! Everyone that knows i'm going to India gave me the wide-eyed, jaw dropping look.. throwing comments like "Why India??" "Crazy ahhh" "Why Xmas in India??" Actually i pity my poor little bunny KaRyn, who's stuck in Bangalore eating "Veg Combo Meal" everyday, that's why i'm here.. but who's to say, India might be a real adventure Muuhuuhuu..

I had to do a night stop at KL, meet up with some friends from my college time in Taylors. They took me to this fantastic restaurant called Alexis at Great Eastern Mall, Jalan Ampang. Food was great, wine was superb and Jamie Flynn who sang Michael Buble's song was utterly to-die-for. Although the highlight of the night isnt the food, the drinks, nor the pubs.. it was the live-action at 4am in the morning near Chinatown. While enjoying my supper, spoon halfway to my mouth, shuffles and screams started getting louder and nearer. I turned around, fighting to keep my eyeballs in, some guys were running down the street .. a few metres away from me .. armed with PARANGS '*$&%' chasing after some people. WTF! I nearly peed my pants.

The Loft

.With Meriza and Janice, the Taylors 98/16s. Ronald and Terrence sporting my favourite pose.

.The sat sat beh chio Cameron.

I touched down at 8.45pm Indian time, i.e. 2.5hrs behind Brunei... The minute i exit the Airport, Caryn was skipping towards me... finally a "Cina" face. Haha... I guess i can never imagine the happiness she is feeling. She has a friggin driver sporting a really smart uniform, opens the door and "Madamme, please get in". I feel like a queen already. Traffic is insane in Bangalore, they honk at every single thing that move... I've always wanted to honk at every crap driver in Brunei, i might actually like driving here. Huuhuu. 5 minutes down the road, there's an accident. Apparently it's a common sight here. "Madamme, they are fighting already".

.Tiny Selva, who thinks sleeping in the car is far more comfortable than sleeping at home.

.So loving oooh. .Wanna sit in the beat-up Auto ricksaw, apparently the most popular transportation in Bangalore. Ya right!.
.Caryn's "Marijuana" apartment. Huuhuu.

We went to this place called Unwind Island. It's absolutely gorgeous, hospitality is great, food and drinks are totally cheap. Unbelievable. Bangalore has way exceeded my expectation, but perhaps things doesnt look as bad during the night.

.Peace sisterrrr.

.Indian Beer. mMMmm.

Tomorrow, we're flying off to Goa, the state with the most beautiful beaches in India and renowned to be happening 365 days a year. I know i said i wont be diving anymore this year but i simply cannot say No when i heard this.. "Barracuda Diving India is planting a Christmas tree underwater on the 24th and dressing it with gift ribbons for the xmas divers and we managed to get ourselves a slot to join that dive! This Christmas is one christmas i've never imagined.

.Merry Xmas and Happy New Year everyone.

.Lots of love from Banga-to the-lore.