Looking
Back...Looking Forward
I was very clear that I did not want to do the usual stuff -
Going out with friends to bring in the New Year. Like with everything else, I
wanted to do something different. So, New Year's Eve was spent at home with
scrumptious homemade food. The menu was different from the regular fare we eat
at home - Masala Pav, Pav Bhaji, Kheema Pav and Trifle Pudding. A neat and
simple affair!
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| Nail Art: Sanjana Kodical |
Nail Art
I also got some nail art
done. I had meant to stay awake, at least till 12 am but dozed off at 11.30 pm
only. I guess I was a little exhausted after all the cooking. Yes, I had singlehandedly
put together the 31st night dinner.
Lovely Start To The New Year
But I eagerly looked
forward to the 1st. Again, I wanted to break the norm and had planned a trip to
Sanjay Gandhi National Park. But my trekking partner Sanjana Kodical argued that
it would be too much to wake up early on the 1st morning. So instead, we
settled for a ride on the Mumbai Metro from Ghatkopar to Versova. I'd wanted to
do this ever since it became operational.
Mumbai Metro
The metro station looked very impressive, very
international. So did the train when it arrived. The special ladies coach is
very comfortable. But I admit that I was disappointed with the speed. I had
imagined that it would move like a bullet train. Instead, it moved almost at a snail's
pace. But nonetheless, it was covering the distance quickly. Before we knew it,
we had reached Versova, actually Seven Bungalows. This is where it terminates.
Eat And Be Merry
It was years since I had stepped into this part of the suburb,
thanks mainly to the crazy traffic. Next on the agenda was lunch. Our
restaurant for the day was Pop Tates. Again a place I was revisiting after more
than a decade. It was nice to see that it hadn't changed. It still looked warm
and cozy. We had a choice between the open air section down and the first floor
air-conditioned part on top. We settled for the latter. The Pepper Blast Chicken
starter, followed by Roast Chicken with Barbeque Sauce, and Chocolate Mousse
made for a very satisfying meal. And it cost only 800 bucks. Total Value for
Money.
Mumbai Local
Next - shopping. Lower Parel, Phoenix, it had to be! So the
Metro again, but this time only up to Andheri Station. Metro station to the
local train station. What a contrast! But for a hardcore Mumbaiite that I am,
it made me feel completely at home. Nothing can take away the charm of the Mumbai
local.
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| Pics: Sanjana Kodical |
Happy New Year
We had a blast at the sales previews and managed a few good
bargains. A day well spent. A rocking start indeed to the New Year! It may seem
a little childish sort of fun but what the heck! Who wants to grow up and feel
all adult like? It's good to enjoy the simple pleasures of life ever so often. I
strongly recommend this as one of the antidotes to aging. So that's it for now.
I'll be back soon! A Happy &Prosperous New Year to all of you. May you
have loads of fun. I'm planning to, with lots of interesting trips and outings.
