WOW.....ALLEPPEY.....

We woke up at 3.30 am in the morning and started to Alleppey by 5.00 am. We enjoyed the early morning long drive.

Break few minutes in MangalaPalam for Tea, it is well known for Kerala Special Nentharankkai Chips. On our way, we had our breakfast and passed Cochin, Aluva and atlast reached Alleppey. We parked our car in the Boat jetty office and boarded the boat by around 10.30 am in the morning.

I went to the deck immediately after boarding and sat there to have look at the other boats.

They gave us Pineapple Juice as welcome drink. The boat started by 11.30 am and we all sat in the deck to watch all the boats and see the distant houses, temples, boat jetties , town bus boats, police station, lake light just like street lights etc through binoculars. It was really an excellent experience. We chatted for hours enjoying nature, by sitting on the deck. Even after lunch, we prefered to stay back in the deck. The climate was good and breezy.

We relished tea & hot bajji at the deck. The cook who accompanied us is a great cook.

We have seen so many people residing on both the sides of the lake. I thought about the hamlets on our journey althrough. One thing that immediately striked my mind was "What is the need for these people to stay in this place... what are the sources of their living.... how do they earn.... ?"

Boat Transport for locals

Paatti is waiting for local boat transport

A Typical Habituation

A Typical Habituation

Chinna Neer Kaagam

Police Station with Street Light

We halted few yards after passing this bridge

By evening 6.00 pm, the boat came to a halt and tied to a tree. A small street with number of houses were there.

Just Opposite to this Church, we halted that night

Halted in front of a shop

Boats next to ours

People walking on the road

Slowly, one by one, the other boats were stopped near our boat and within half an hour, many number of boats were seen. The land area were covered with people walking here and there, children running and playing on the streets. We just had a small stroll and back to deck observing people... So many tamil people... One thing that made me furious was, people, even after they came for vacation, watch TV for hours with full volume... They don't know how to enjoy nature - THE GOD'S GIFT. For them, enjoyment without TV might be a sin.

We sat on the deck, chatted for hours. By 8.00 pm we came down for dinner. Chappati with dhal and rice, vegetables and curd. ACs were switched on only after 8.30 pm. I was damn tired, as I woke up very early in the morning. I slept immediately, after I got into the bed.

Next Morning (22nd May), I got up by 5.45 am, had our Tea, bathed and dressed up.

  

                                 

By 8.20 am the boatman started the boat. We had our breakfast on the move. It was puttu with kadalai curry. Awesome.

We reached boat jetty by 9.45 am. Ofcourse a bit early than we planned. I thought of telling appa to take me here again the next holiday.

REALLY ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF THE NATURE. MISS YOU HOUSEBOAT.

I DO WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE -- KERALA IS GOD'S OWN COUNTRY.

From Alappuzha, we started our journey to Kochi.

Holidays @ Anamalai

We came back to Pondy from Chennai on 15th May. On 17th Morning we started to Anamalai, as Appa's Resort Consultancy is going on in the foot hills of Top Slip. Our Company Guest house is in Anamalai. Its is a rented Guest House built in the middle of the Coconut Grooves & Orchards. The Orchard consists of Jack fruit Trees, Goose Berry Trees, Mango Trees, Plantain Trees, Jamun Trees ( Naaval Pazham), Chickoo Trees and so many other trees. Our guest house is nearly 100 feet from the main gate.  Its a farm house and has so many kinds of birds like different coloured love birds, hens, ducks, Chinese Hens, Chinese Cocks, Parrots, Pigeons, Turkeys, Speaking Colourful Parakeet, number of dogs, cows, buffaloes and so many colourful flowers. I like this farm guest house very much.

Guest House at Anamalai

Appa has to look after his resort work the next day, we both accompanied him.

Shady Way to the Site from the Guest House

I love that place, as its surrounded by mountains and full of greens.  Lovely place to live.... people there are so kind enough to move with & especially an elderly couple who look after the place is really very innocent & lovable. Whenever we go there, they immediately offer us farm fresh tender coconut, both raw & ripe mangoes, gooseberries etc. That thatha & patti is wow... where ever they are & whatever they do, they come to us & speak to us very well. Always at their best. Thanks watchman thatha & patti for all that you have done for us.

Resort Site - Foot Hills of Top Slip

Watchman Thatha Paatti

Gooseberries at the site

After the site work, we went to Monkey falls & Aliyar dam, as its very near by, just a 15 minutes drive. It was really wonderful. Appa & I went up the stairs to the dam & saw amma through binocular, who is sitting down in the park. Spent some time there.

From the dam

Later we headed to Pollachi to see Kalakalappu@Masala Cafe at Shanti Theatre. We dropped in Gowri Krishna pizza shop & had our lunch there. Interiors & ambience was too good there. We loved to spend sometime there but the film timings made us to eat fast. The movie was good.... as of story... nothing was there.... but a nice comedy film....

After the show, we headed to our guest house and had our evening tea in a tea shop just opposite to our guest house. This is a road side tea shop ( serves a good tea) under a big shady tamarind tree, with few moulded chairs & stools to sit. One man named Senthil is running that shop. Apart from tea & coffee, there are cookies, buns, small sweet buns, athirasam ( a sweet dish), chocolates etc. Normally by evening 5.30pm or 6.00pm, he finishes tea or coffee and used to clean the vessels. We enjoyed this tea time every day.

At nights, we used to eat in a small eat out, called Hotel Arun. The food will be too good and won't do any harm. Normally Amma used to cook, whenever we go for tours. But this time, appa told her not to bring any vessels or cooking items.

The next day morning, 19th May, we went to appa's site. After finishing his work there we went to Kovai Kuttralam in Coimbatore. We have done a 5Km Trekking and reached the falls. Wonderful Experience. Very less water in the falls. We should not put any plastic bags or snack bags in the forest area during trekking. On our way back, we bought farm fresh grapes from the grape farmer association's outlet. The grapes taste really sweet & superb.

We, then went to MY PLACE Restaurant, Coimbatore, for Lunch. It is one of the famous restaurants in CBE. The food was excellent and the service, the ambience, the crowd also were really very good. It is situated near the Lakshmi Mill Signal in Paappanaicken Palayam. AN EXCELLENT RESTAURANT....

We went to our family friend Abdulla Uncle's house, in Anamalai itself, for breakfast and lunch, on 20th May. They are wonderful people. Abdulla uncle, his mom, dad, his wife Sakeena Aunty, his sister & her family, his cousins were all lovable people. His sister's daughter Shalini, is of my age & class. She is so friendly & moves very well. We had a hearty meal.

We planned to start to Alleppey next morning, 21st May.

My Holidays.....

My Holidays..... WOW.... Superb... Wonderful one.... could never forget this.... enjoyed every bit of it.... never ever said my usual "ITS BORING MA".... in these days....

As I posted in my "Holiday Plans" few weeks back,

1. I have learnt basics in swimming,
2. Read R.K.N's Novels & Stories, 
3. Attended my Aunt's wedding in Chennai,
4. Spent a few days with my Little Sister Sathvi, and 
5. Also.... A TRIP TO ALLEPPEY,I made it.... It was Wonderful.... 
6. Also Made a TRIP TO COCHIN, AN ADVENTUROUS TRIP TO ATHIRAPPALLI, VAALPARAI, ALIYAR, GURUVAYUR. 

FEW DAYS WITH LITTLE DARLING


As Dad could not come along with us, Mom and I went to Chennai, by the first week of this month. Sathvi, Chithi & Chittappa gladly received us.

Sathvi has become toooooooooooo... naughty these days... crawling very fast..., fussy eating solids..., too choosy about foods.... but she is as usual a cuddly wuddly angel.... she give sounds.... tries to speak, tries to answer by making sounds, standing on her own and walking few steps with a support and immediately falling down.... Chithi could not give her food.... she is always in her move.... chithi has to go round.... picks or asks for all the things we have in our hands.... she even speaks in a mobile phone.... also  when she doesn't like our talks she would put the mobile in HOLD.... she mostly never allows chithi to speak in mobile... she needs chithi's attention always.... even she makes few sounds like HEY.... HMMM.... to turn our attention towards her....

Sathvi loves to sing songs and also to listen songs.... she even puts Thalam on her lap.... That day Mom sings.... SAREGAMA.... she enjoyed that with thalams... then when amma slowly sings SA..... she replied with SA... with surprise we all asked amma to sing further.... then amma sang RE... she sang YE... For GA.... it was AA.... for MA.... again it was AA... then PA.... then when amma sang DA... she clearly sang with rhythm DA.... NE... SA.... she along with amma made a great KACHERI.... Chithi tried to  capture this in video, immediately she gets alerted and stopped singing and gave a naughty smile pose to the camera... REALLY REALLY LOVELY ANGEL....

She has so many dolls with nick names Pinky (Pig), Elly Belly (Elephant), Browny (Monkey), Yellowy (Ducky), Clown Uncle, Ducky Lucky, Froggy Joggy and so many other small handy dolls. The walls were carefully and colourfully decorated with strickers of Mickey Uncle, Little Mickey Uncle 1 & 2, Dog Family, Mini Zoo, Teddy Bear, Flower Cushions & many more.

I enjoyed every second with Sathvi. I don't want to come to Pondy. I want to spend all my holidays with my little sister. But as we have planned to go to Alleppey & Kerala Trip, I had to start to Pondy. I thought of spending few days with her atleast before the holiday ends. LOVE YOU SATHVI DEAR.

In The Swimming Pool

I have started learning swimming from Sunday, 15th April.

Day 1 - Sunday, the 15th April

It was fun to enter the swimming pool to make my long time dream come true... It is almost from 3 years of my age I am asking for swimming.... Both amma & appa were afraid, as I am prone to cold frequently & also had a  Myringotomy (a minor ear surgery) in my 2 1/2 years, to clear my ear infection. Doctor advised appa not to enter swimming pools till 5 years or 6 years.

I love to be in the pools earlier...
tried several times to swim on my own... but ended up sinking and drinking water...

Then an idea to use the float came into my mind.... I tried that too... but in vain...
Its high time I realised that I should learn swimming from a good coach. Now that my dream came true.

I could not believe that I AM LEARNING SWIMMING....

Coach came near me and asked my name & asked me take a dip in the pool. He then asked me to blow bubbles with my nose, under water with a closed  mouth. It was a bit hard for me initially but later with practice I did that and today's class was over with this.

Day 2 - Tuesday, the 17th April

As Monday was a holiday, today, is my second day.  

Today, Master asked me practice the bubble. I practiced it and he asked me to float, keeping my head under water, bubbling continuously.... He guided me to the other side of the pool. YUCK....... A big black dolphin picture is in the middle of the swimming pool... & seeing with my eyes wide open under water, it looks something very big and looks like a big whale.... I was really scared to have a second look at it and immediately came back to my usual pool corner. I know it is only the tiles ...but under water that too the black colour dolphin looks really really scary. 

Sir asked me not to get afraid and asked me walk through the dolphin for more than 10 times. At first I was scared to pass through the middle. Later I got used to it... and now a only a slight disgusting feeling is there. 

I started sneezing today. 

Day 3 - Wednesday, the 18th April

I started floating today, but only to a very short distance. I drank water while floating in the middle of the pool.... inhaled water through my mouth.... started heavy sneezing & running nose even before I was about to start home.

Back home.... I have severe cold & fever. Took rest the whole day.

Day ..... - Thursday, the 19th April

Today, I was very lazy to wake up early morning, might be due to cold & didn't go the swimming class.

I felt something very strange .... On seeing my face mom told me that I might have fever.... but by touching my body, one could not say I have fever... very chill.... also I don't feel feverish.... But I have cough today.... Despite my protests, mom kept the thermometer under my tongue.... yep.... I have fever more than 101 degrees F.

Mom gave me cold & fever medicine & told me to take rest, not to read any books today, as it would make my eyes tired. Slept in the afternoon.

I went to abacus class this evening, came back home as fresh as ever. still have low grade fever. But not tired.
Would go to swimming only by Saturday, as dad has some other work tomorrow.

Hope to learn swimming soon....

Holiday Plans

List of holiday plans...

1. First one is ... Swimming Class.... Today I have joined the swimming class... MY LONG TIME PASSION... I love swimming... Dad searched for a good coach... thought of Ananda Inn, Mass, Blue Star... & so many other swimming classes.... But finally ended up in Murungampakkam Swimming pool... I have classes from tomorrow morning 6.30 to 7.30.

2. Mom has bought me R.K. Narayan's Classic Collections (4 books) through net order from Landmark, Chennai & ofcourse I have heard Malgudi Days & Swami & Friends from Elango Thatha. It was Elango Thatha who keeps on telling me to read R.K.Ns. Also plan to read Lord Chesterfield's Letter to his son. This book is with thatha. I have to read this one while making a trip to his place.

3. Planning a 10 days trip to Chennai to my Aunt's Wedding. I love to stay & play with my Little Sister Sathvi. She is such a cute little naughty darling... Love you Sathvi....


4. By May 1st week we plan a trip to Alleppey.... as Appa's Resort Consultancy is going on in foot hills of Top Slip, he has to visit there frequently... so by clubbing his work ... we may first go to Top Slip & then from there we might ahead to Alleppey. Yet to get a nod from Dad. 


5. Mom enquired about the French Class in Alliance Francaise... and  I am a bit lazy to go... yet to decide on this.

I have learnt basic cooking from Mom in March. Now I am making tea everyday for Mom & Dad. Also I have learnt to prepare dosa, Idly, Bread Toast, Veggie Sandwich, Maggi, Dhal, Rasam & very well know how to make a thick curd. For cooking, both my mom & My Chithi Nithu Bala (of  Nithu's Kitchen) are my inspirations. Both my mom & chithi cook from their school days... this makes me interested in cooking.

Initially amma was with me while making tea. Nowadays, she is very much confident that I could make a good tea without messing up things in the kitchen. Normally Appa hesitates to drink tea, as he used to take only Protein Drink. But he likes my tea & asks me to make one for him. I could make cardamom & ginger tea too, apart from ordinary one. I am planning to spend quality time in kitchen this summer.

Many might think... what is the necessity to learn cooking at this age...?....  I would definitely say... whether being a girl or a boy... one should know basics in cooking... that would help us to survive in any situation.

Here I remember trying one Chilled Banana Spaghetti some 4 months back... Appa liked it. Mom said it was a good try. I liked it.

So, by the end of this Summer holidays, hope to learn many many more recipes.

Summer Holidays..... ;-)

Now It's Summer Holidays....

Yeah.... Thats how I got time to blog afterrrrrrrrrrrrr  4 months....  yep... It has been hectic blogging regularly during school days... I thought of posting atleast once a week.... tried for few months... but the regularity slowly faded away... :-(... Lots & lots of reasons for not blogging frequently.... the first and the foremost reason is  I used to read a new novel or any other classic literature apart from Bailey School Kids, Young Scientists, Famous Five or any other Enid Blytons daily atleast for an hour and a half, apart from my regular school works & abacus.... oh....  very difficult to find time to sit & post...

But you know... I took resolutions this New Year to post something regularly.... yeah...of course Resolutions are Made Just to Break...is it not?... ha..ha..ha... just joking...

Today is Tamil New Year.... Hope to write something from today.... Hey... I really mean it...

HAPPY TAMIL NEW YEAR GUYS.... 

New Year Wishes

HAPPY NEW YEAR Dear all... a great year ahead...

Today is 10th Jan.. 10 days after New Year....Net connection revived only today... after Thane Cyclone. I made a resolution to post regularly...

I don't want to reason out for not writing once a week atleast...

We went to Ashram on 1st Jan. for Darshan. It was a sorrowful state of Pondy... Roads are full of green leaves.... trees... overhead tanks.... sign boards.... huge damage to all... even the OTS sheets.... oh GOD.... It was Thane Cyclone, who hit us 2 days back.... heavy loss... we were in Anamalai the day it struck.... 30th morning we heard about the cyclones and our friends kept on updating about the intensity of the cyclone... we immediately started to Pondy, despite the protests from amma & warnings from our relatives, friends and other well wishers...  The effect is seen from Ulundurpet and streets were full of trees and electrical posts... By evening we reached Pondy, with so many obstacles and risks althrough our journey.... with the blessings of Mother we reached home safely.

No electricity, no water, house full of rain water.... It took more than a day to make our house dry... By midnight, the power revived (just for Boulvard area)... also we were relieved as atleast we could have water.

LET US ALL PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE AFFECTED AND SPEEDY RECOVERY OF ALL THE AFFECTED AREAS...

LET THIS NEW YEAR BRING PEACE TO ALL.

HAVE A GREAT YEAR .