My Cup Cake

Date Night 2015-07-25

Deepa and I have been looking for ways to reclaim portions of our lives and mind space. The kids are more independent now, and seem to want their own space. This suits us just fine, though initially we had some resistance.

Saturday 25th July, a nice rainy day, we went for a long drive downtown.
We began our evening at the Gallery of Modern Art, exhibiting a range of Sketches and Watercolours, as well as a large range of Tempera on cloth by artist Jamini Roy.

We began our tour of the exhibition in all seriousness, and making good effort to try to appeciate the work and avoid any plebeian remarks, This went on for about 10 minutes and then we read the artist's bio. Turns out Jamini is a man ! I had to go back and relook at many of the exhibits with fresh eyes....

Frankly I dont know what the fuss was about, and why he is celebrated so. I found most of the work rather dull and uninspiring save a few.

This Christ with Cross on some sort of Wicker Mat was interesting.

This one titled "Shringar" I think, generated a lot of interest from Deepa, 

which I cannot go into here. 

And this is a sample of a typical piece of work.

Go figure.

After the Museum we went off to have some Pizza at Pizza By The Bay. A Pizzeria with a lovely view of the sea at Marine Drive.

We sat inside [ warm and humid outside ], and enjoyed the view and 

our overpriced food and coffee.

Sat by the sea side watching the waves, and feeling the spray as they smash against the breakers.

Some nice conversation and a sense of connection with the earth, sea, and humanity around us. 

Back to Rustom's for some Parsi made Fruit flavoured ice-cream, 

which Deepa enjoyed with some surprise.

It was a nice date. We must do this again sometime.

Deepa's Birthday at Chiplun

Since Deepa was beginning her 7th cycle of a 7 year cycle, we decided to do something different, and planned a family retreat to Chiplun for a time of reflection, togetherness and celebration. We left early morning at 0530 hrs on Saturday 11th July 2015. 

Kolad was on the way, so we stopped for a while 

and went Kayaking on the Kundalika river. 

The rest of the drive was beautiful, esp the last 100Km through the ghats. 

The hotel used to be run by the TAJ, so we were ceratin that they couldnt have gone too far wrong.

And this is what was waiting for us.

A quick look around, and Armaan was really keen on a swim, so we went off to the pool.

A nice swim followed by some hot snacks and coffee at the outdoor restaurant.

Then the cake cutting which we were all waiting for !

Yummy Belgian Chocolate cake, which we carried with us from Bombay.

A nice sit-out on the balcony for Deepa and I, with a glass of Rose and Barbecue Nachos. 

And some good conversation. 

The next morning we woke up early, Armaan wanted to have another swim in the pool.

After which we were off to the beach.

Yes, GUHAGAR beach is about 45 km from where were, and about a 75 minute drive.

One of the lesser known beaches along the Konkan coast. 

And something which we were all grateful we took the effort for.

Being Monsoon season though, we didnt get into the water, and left shortly after, 

with a nice 9 hour drive back to Bombay. 

Reached home tired, sleepy and happy by 1030 pm on Sunday 12th July 2015.

The Hike to Karnala

Saturday 04th July 2015


Having recovered from a bad bout of viral fever, I wanted to test my levels of stamina and strength so Armaan and I planned an easy trek up to Karnala fort.

Rustic villages as we approach the site. Always heartwarming.

About an hour and a half out of bombay is the small outpost atop a nice bird sanctuary which leads up to it. Medium dense forest with water-trails down rocks have carved a path up to the first ridge.

We started up the trail at 0800 hrs with some rain clouds looming, 

and with the sun coming up over the ridge.

I think I may have actually found the heart of the forest in this pic.

Throughout the climb these forest ferns had made 

pretty skirts below the rocky outcrops and root paths.

A view of the Fort through the canopy of the forest below. 

We wondered how we were going to complete the climb....

The light getting softened as it filters through the trees. Magical.

This was the first ridge, with a beautiful view of the valley below and the river in the distance.

No the image has NOT been stretched horizontally ! The tree has flattened out this way.

Wildflowers along the way that only a hinterland forest can produce !

A lot of interesting tree shapes as we went along.

Finally at the 3rd ridge, before the climb up the rocky face of the fort. 

Armaan got really energized here, and was excited to get there.

Finally at the entrance to the Fort.

It took us 2 hours to make the climb all the way up 

and another 2 hours back down.

As it turned out, we'd also finished the run-in period on the Skoda, and so decided to take it for a spin on the Pune Expressway, where we drove her up to 125 Kmph for the first time !

Back home, tired but happy and a nice hearty meal.