Looking Back...Looking Forward

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! 

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.

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.