Rome Travelouge

Our Tren italia carrier entered into Roma Termini (Station) around 10:00 in the morning. We had a huge task in hand, having just around 48 hours to see Rome. As they say - Rome is not build in a day. So we assumed that it is not possible to see Rome in a single day. But let me tell you, 48 hours are enough. You must have already come across many travelogue, where it mentioned that you must need 3-5 days to see Rome alone. But people who travel from Asia and around, it is very hard to give that much time in a first world country. On the contrary, if you want to speak with the each stone in Rome, you might need 3-5 months and this article is not for you.

Let me start with how we covered Rome in just little less than 48 hours with spending adequate time where ever necessary.

Our hotel was near to Termini station. We reached hotel sometime around 10:30 AM after spending little time searching the route. Thanks to my wife, we had started pretty early for Rome. First things first. We decided to see Colosseum first and that itself is surrounded by some many other important tourist destinations.

Day:1

Roman Colosseum

You should always expect a queue in Roman Colosseum, but it is fast moving. There is a combined ticket for Colosseum+Roman Forum+ Palantine Hill which costs you 12 Euro. We waited for our turn and entered Colosseum. Rome reminds me many times about my history book. It is something like I am seeing my history book starts speaking. It is an amazing feeling.

Anyway, let me tell you, it is pretty simple inside. It is not Louvre museum, that you need a vast research before entering. You have to live much upon your imagination. Rome is all about that. We have to give kudos to those who had built this 2000 years ago with very limited infrastructure. There is enough video guide and text description available which will help to stimulate your imagination. It is 5 storied building. 3 floors above the ground and 2 floors under ground. Basically first under ground floor was for gladiator and second one for the animal. They used to be brought into the stage using elevator. You have enough evidence of that, elevator still exists. You just need to research that much before entering. It makes things more interesting. But what I found amazing, when you try to feel where you are roaming carelessly today, some has fought for his life against a wildest beast here and 50k people were shouting and cheering around. What you see today is not the earliest Colosseum. There had been enough alterations on that and many emperors used it for multiple reason. We have spent around 2.5 hours inside. I should say my wife is enough tolerate that she allowed me to read all the descriptions and spending so much time there. You can finish it off within an hour also.

Palantine Hill + Roman Forum

Again we came back to the Colosseum entrance . Just opposite side of the road within few meters you will see the entry for palatine hill. Word of caution. Before entering this you should have some food. Again you have to play a stretch of 2-3 hours. With empty stomach those ancient stones will also stop speaking with you. These are basically ruins of ancient Rome. It requires a minimum study to get feel of the place before entering, which I am living up to you. This is the origin of Rome and trace goes back up to BC. There is hardly few places on earth where you can witness such old evidence of human civilization. Every stone depicts the the new height roman civilization had achieved once. Most importantly, you should not miss 2 view points. 1. View of circus maximus 2. View of modern Rome from palatine hill. It is amazing in all sense. From the ruins of ancient Rome seeing the view new modern Rome. Time moves on :) .

 Now Roman Forum is not a different entity. It is attached to Palatine Hill. From Palantine Hill when you move further away to Colosseum end, you will end up in roman forum. Your history book must have the picture of this place in roman emperor chapter. This place has much has concrete evidence and few interesting monuments. Moving forward I will suggest you a much better way of seeing this place, in later part of the story.

Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II

Now we end our Roman Forum tour from Campidiglo end. Here you will be on Via del flori imperiali. One of most important road for the tourists. One side this road ends at Colosseum. We took the other side. We had two immediate tourist attractions, Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II and Campidiglo. We went to Rome on June. you have bright sun till 9:00 PM and it was only 4-5 PM . So we skipped Campidiglo for now, as we wanted to see the place in evening. Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II is on the main road itself. The Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II  is a monument to honour Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. It is a controversial monument in Rome. As it built much latter destroying certain part of medieval Rome.This monument is in the connection of Piazza Venezia, Central part of Rome.



Piazza Venezia
Pizza Venezia is one of the busiest part of Italy. we roamed around here to get the feel of the city. It's full with crowds and lots of shops and restaurants. Even that was the road to Pantheon also. We have taken the another important road on Rome Via Del corso. This the road leads towards Pantheon but you have to take left once leaving the via del corso.It was a amazing walk trail and once of the best place to get the feel of the city and give a break to your eyes from ancient ruins.


Pantheon and Fontana del Pantheon

 Pantheon is one of the oldest and best preserved roman monument. It was built in 126AD. Inside it you have tomb of artist Raphael. This monument is basically a Temple dedicated to all the God. But during 17th century some alteration was made to give christian touch. Most amazing part is the dome. Even today I think it is one of the largest radius dome and central part is open which allows direst sunlight to come. But let me add one myth bluster. As per the myth sunlight enter into the temple but not the rain water, which is a mere myth. In old days they used to have fire below the hole which used to prevent the rain water. So if it is raining don't experiment, having unconditinal faith to the ageold engineering wonder.

By now we were extremely happy with today's performance. We have mostly covered what we targeted for and well deserved a rest here. It's on of the central place in Rome. Local people exhibit their art and always crowded with tourist. I have no phobia with crowd and love to be a part of it. We spent some time here. One more important info here. If you want to refill your water bottle to save couple of euros, you can do it here. I have seen people were drinking from the tap. Even I found in Internet people are claiming these are perfectly safe.


Closing the Day 1
Now the most important part of the days starts which I love most. Roaming  around the city without having any proper destination, spending some time quality time with my wife cracking few useless jokes and laughing unnecessary. We started roaming around. By now we were far away from hotel and we decided to head back. We have seen few other tourist attractions also on the same day . Like Sant'Ignazio: a very old church. We came back to hotel around 10PM and it was just evening by then.



Day : 2


We have started our day pretty early on the next day also and prime focus was Vatican City. From any part of the roam tube rail connects Vatican city very well and we have also chosen tube rail as commute. Compared to few other cities in Europe, Rome is distinctively different. Tube rail was  heavily crowded, mostly reminded me of my hometown kolkata and always be careful about pickpocket.


Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel

Once you come out of the Vatican station, there would be many touts surrounded by you who will warn you about the very long queue in Vatican museum and they have a "skip the queue" pass which will allow you to enter without any queue. Now it is up to you and it is true that some time it takes more than hour to enter. People's frustration are well posted in Vatican wall. But somehow it took just about 30 mins for us to reach ticket counter. Entry fee was 15 Euro.

Vatican museum is quite huge. Mainly you have four important sections. 1. Painting 2. Greece and Italian Sculpture 3. Raphael Rooms 4. Egyptian Gallery. After seeing Louvre and Vatican museum I have serious doubt in mind . Is there anything left in Egypt ? What I liked most about Vatican museum is .. it is very hard to get lost there.

Sistine chapel is attached to Vatican museum. It is very hard to get the real feel of Sistine Chapel in crowded day, so be prepared about what you should not miss. Spend some time. It is one of the artistic marvels I have ever witnessed . Must be one of the best works of Michelangelo. But there is no guide text to help you which picture is where and what it's about. It is more like collage on a large canvas. This place has other importance. This is the place where Pope selection takes place.

St Peter's



Add caption

 This is the holiest place for catholic. You have dress code and violating that will result in throwing you away from the queue. I have seen real example and it is pointless to argue. Dress code is simple - off shoulder and open knees are not allowed. I have seen people are just wearing a jacket or slacks to avoid the hassle and removing after visiting the basilica. Only God can help their desperation to wear shorts.

Being a non catholic I was mostly interested in artistic part. You have many intresting artifacts to see inside. But once I enter , the size and innumerable artistic marvels automatically gained my respect. Few of the art works you should not miss like

1. The Pietà sculpted by Michelangelo

2. The tomb painted by Michelangelo

3. The bronze statue of Saint Peter and seriously there are many others...

Trevi fountain

We had our lunch at vatican city itself and when we left vatican it was almost 2 PM. We were not much bothered about the time also as you could see we have covered almost all must see. In the morning we had brought the transport pass for the entire day. So now the euqation was very easy. Again we took tube rail and came back to main city. Our first destination was Trevi fountain. When we reached there it was almost 3-4 PM . Let me tell you it was a narrow place and it looks much beatiful in wall paper than with nacked eyes.

"A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. Among those who are unaware that the "three coins" of Three Coins in the Fountain were thrown by three different individuals, a reported current interpretation is that two coins will lead to a new romance and three will ensure either a marriage or divorce. Another reported version of this legend is that it is lucky to throw three coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain.

An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy. However, there are regular attempts to steal coins from the fountain"... Wiki

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del popolo was next in the list. Among many squares this one is most famous. An Egyptian obelisk of Ramesses II from Heliopolis stands in the centre of the Piazza. By this we were almost at the bottom of the the TO DO list.

Remember I promised you , we will cover Rome in less than 48 hours and it was just 5 PM by then. Next day we had our flight from Ciampino airport whcih is far away from main city. We need to find some airport transfer before the day ends. We knew Terravision is one of the most realiable option but needed to find the starting point. Let me tell you Rome is not a easy city to travel. People are diffrent from rest of the europian city. Definitely they are helpful but there is exception. Mostly it is hard to find a local people among the crowd of tourists. Rome is "famous" for unprcidented incident. Might be not because of the localaite but diverese immigrants. We came back to Roma Termini Station and seriously had to spend good amount of the time before finding the terravision counter. It is almost at the other end of the station. and costs you around 4 euro to tranfer you to Ciampino airport. First we make sure about our next days flight ararngement and went back to hotel for quick refreshment and then start preparing for our grand closing ceremony.

Closing Ceremony

I have always seen a quick refreshement works very well. Even if it is as less as 15 mins. Just quickly change you dress, have a quickbath, have some quick snacks it always brings you additional energy. Those 30 mins break are worth spending.

We have started with Colosseum again. We roamed carelessly around it and then chose the way to circus maximus. In ancient rome it was one of the central place for crowd gathering. It was famous for charoit race. Todays nothing is left except a large ground . Some extravagation is going on. What I found most interesting was few guys were playing cricket. Though it is the primitive form of the game still I left them on their own for normal process of evolution.

Then we started walking keeping palantine hill at the left. But soon we found the road is too much empty and it was foolish to roam around in those road in Rome. Luckily we got the bus stop and took a bus without knowing where it was going. We just wanted to avoid that place. Soon we found it was crossing Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. I have one more promise to keep. I told you we will cover campidiglo at evening time and it was the right time. Campidoglio or Capiltone hill is one of the seven hills in rome. It is just opposite to Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. It also has a museum or some other important monument but my intention was completely something else. This is the best place get the view of Roman Forum and in the evening there is mild light very aesthetically placed in important ruines of roman forum. It was mystic and breath taking. We had a good number company who also came for the similar reason.

 You should see roman forum once at time. Those stones literally tell their history in that mystic light. We were extremely contained and almost ready to drop curtain to our rome tour. We came via Colosseum again. Colosseum also looks amazing at night. We returned to our hotel around 11 PM .

  

Jamaican Farewell

It started with a personal letter to my friend. I was in Stockholm that time and it was almost end of my first (May be last) abroad stays. In childhood days my parents used to travel a lot. At least twice a year. That time while coming back I used to feel heavy hearted with almost having no intention to come back. In those days Kolkata meant school, studies and what I hate most (even today) ; daily routine. Then there was a long gap. Lately I started traveling again- this time with my wife. Now that feeling of coming back has changed. It is almost like a fun to come back also. A weekend trip, change of mood and then come back and start work, plan for next trip again.

But Stockholm was different. I never felt like coming back. I wish I could stay forever. I can echo what my US manager told while attending a call from Stockholm.”Chhandak, enjoy tour trip and I wish each second in your trip you spend like a hour. Have most out of it”. Anyways, that time passed so quickly and almost at the end day of travel I got my childhood feelings back. That time I wrote a letter to one of my very few close friends and still waiting for a reply. So this time it is for much bigger audience.

Have you ever listened to "Jamaica farewell" by Hary Bella Fonte. If not, just listen to it now. You have missed something great in your life. It is very simple song. Someone went to Kingston, Jamaica and now he is coming back to Mexico. But he doesn’t want to come back and is still missing someone in Jamaica. No big deal.. no dictionary cracking words. A simple song -

"But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town"



Now we have a Bengali version of it by Ranjan Prasad. You must have listened that couple of times. It is also a beautiful song. "KON SUDUR SE SWAPNOPUR". But the funny part is, though it is just a Bengali adaptation of original Jamaica Farewell, still the main essence of the song got changed. Here it is more like someone is missing his hometown and someone is waiting eagerly there for him. I always found it very funny. No hard feelings both are equally good and each has full right to have his own interpretation. But I always hunted by the question why he changed the essence. This lyrics is something like

"KON SUDUR SE SWAPNOPUR
MOR MON JE GAI GHARE PHERAR SUR
MOR PATH CHEYE AJO SEI MEYE
SWAPNO JAL BONE GAAN GEYE"



I have grown up with Mujtaba ALi's writing. Later on found some answer there. As per Ali Saheb, Rabindranath has seen snow fall at least 600 times in his life. But never wrote a single song or poem on Snowfall, whereas his songs are dominated by rain. Might be he didn't want to write something which common Bengali people have never witnessed. As per Ali Shaheb it is a calculative move. Now don’t chase me on this. Entire responsibility should be taken by Ali Saheb. Bengalis often feel less secure when someone brings slightest criticism about "Thakur". Though I feel it is not a criticism at all - A sheer observation. And I am the last person to talk about Rabindranath as I know him mostly through by School book or by Ali Saheb. But we have much bigger question here. Did Ranjan Prasad also chose the same line???? He put the song in way common Bengali people would like to appreciate???


Now already you should be enough offended and almost thinking of stop reading it (If not already stopped). What is the point I am trying to bring in ??

I have seen tons of movies where people are desperate to come back to their own nations. Most bollywood flims shot in abroad but never fail to add a hint of "deshprem" sentiment to it. Just remember Kajol’s character in "KKKG". I don't know how close to reality those are. I never had been to abroad for so long.

But this write-up is all about what I have seen when I was there in Stockholm. I have seen a good number of African populations, mostly came from Somalia. I think Sweden has a refugee law or something which allows people to come from those war devasted countries. One afternoon, while walking with my wife we have seen a family on the footpath. It definitely is a very rare picture in Stockholm. They had lots of baggage around. One aged lady was sitting in traditional African dress and young women arranging their stuffs, must be immigrated from some other place recently..just waiting to move local residence. There I have seen 2-3 kids were playing around. How happy they were. Their eyes were glowing. It was an awesome scene. I always believe, when you see other people happy their happiness gets transferred to you. I pray to god a happy peaceful bright future for them.

This is the story all about. If the movie Swadesh is just made on reality then this is the other part of it. Over the centuries people have crossed the boundary just for a better life. I am very weak in history but what I could remember thousands of people broke a wall for a better standard of living. Yes, the great Berlin Wall. You can’t stop people with boundaries. I believe one in every 5 Indian will leave their current obligations for a H1B . That is the hard reality. EU is skeptical about adding Turkey to Schengen VISA because they expect a huge number of migrations from there. Immigration is the biggest problem US and UK, both admit. But in 3% of world land how you can restrict 18% of world population (INDIA) to live. People will try to spread in.

Now-a-days more and more Bengalis are adding in Bangalore. Most of them are construction worker. I met one of them in bus. I just curiously asked “from Bengal ?” A minute of silence and then replied Bangladesh and stopped talking to me realizing he told something unofficial. But before talking to me he has happily chatting with someone over phone.

This write up is all about this happiness. The Happiness I have seen in the face of that African child and this Bangladeshi friend. Can someone translate the “Jamaican farewell” song in Bengali once again, keeping this happiness in mind.

Sunday Sentiment: Sunset

As I spent my early years in Kolkata, during my childhood I hardy got time and opportunity to witness sunset. Sun used to set behind some concrete unknowingly while I was busy in playing. But if I look back my life today there are few sunsets I remember when I spent quality time. Why sunset is special to me? Even I don’t know. Might be because of freedom, it always a come with sense of relief. So when I seriously started appreciating Sunset? I guess it is during my 11-12. I use to go for walk alone in evening. Might that be the time when I first started appreciating it. But in that time hardly I witnessed sunset. I use to walk around a lake alone and that lake was east facing. Thosewere crazy days. Alone walking by the lake had some hidden expectation of seeing someone special walking. So I truly can’t declare that as my first admiration for sunset.

I moved to Bangalore in mid 2008. It was a complete new city. I started living alone for the first time in my life. Fortunately I got a room at top of a building which has extremely good view of west side. From that you clearly can witness all activities happening in Bangalore Old Airport. I can bet it has one the best sunset view. Even after I got married we have stayed there almost a year. Amenity wise that house was no way equipped for married couple but my wife never complained. With few amazing sunsets in background my girlfriend for 10 years turned into my wife. Again I got into my comfort zone, I was no longer alone and she started taking care of everything. Which she complained me about sometime after 2 years of marriage but still handling it.

When I was changing my house and searching for new one, my wife used to check all amenities to match requirements, mine responsibility was to check the terrace and top of the of the building. Somehow we managed house which has reasonably well view of sunset and a amazing view of sunrise which I have hardly ever witnessed

Somewhere I read and I never forget that the day might be as cloudy as possible but before sunset sun always uses to come behind those clouds, may be for few minutes only on top of some buildings sunlight uses to fall for first and last in that day. Believe me , I have observed this multiple times and that gives me a enormous joy inside. For me that is the hope for new day whatever may have happened today. Sun again will rise tomorrow may be I am in bed but normally what I heard it use to be ontime, like most of the cinema hall. If it is written 3 -0 clock mostly it is 3-0 clock.

I think I have crossed half of the sunsets of life . If not very close to that. Even today I spend some time alone during sunset. I feel an urge from inside to come as better person for next day. Often few faces come to my mind whom I lost by life or by my mistake. For all the wrong things I have done and all the wrong words I have uttered I silently pray to God/Nature to forgive and give me strength to come as better person tomorrow, whenever I get up that should not matter.

Mr Vir Sanghvi I am confused

I have written this article in mid of night almost out of desperation. After coming back home seeing everything around just to burst out frustration. But never posted this and almost forgot about it. Now I am again back to Bangalore sitting a comfortable weather and those frustration almost gone.

So why I am posting it now? There is small story.

In our office canteen. among many other I have seen one person serving us. From the first day, I am seeing he is the odd man out there. From his face anyone can make out that he is very disturbed. When he finally served, you will find you are highly obliged by him. Seeing this all, I used to think this guy should born in Kolkata not in Bangalore. Mainly here all canteen guys are localite. Might be seeing my ID card today, he started speaking in bengali today. It is just 2+2 for me now and reminds me of posting this.

Few years back, Vir Sanghvi has written an article on Puja and Bengali in The Hindustan Times. As many other Bengali I have read the same many times and finished with complacent. Now after one year when I came back somehow found this article bit out dated.

"But if you want a city with a soul: come to Calcutta." ..Vir Sanghvi

I am confused. Does this still hold true. I no way found a touch of soul in this city. Not arguing about what other Indian or global city have. What I pathetically observed, day by day Kolkata has grown up with a mentality where people likes other to suffer. Every other public service you avail, you get a treatment like you are being obliged. Other day I was traveling in a bus. Seeing a Puja pandal one small child wanted to see that pandal which was originally not in their itinerary. So that father was left with no choice but to request that conductor to stop the bus. Now the entire crowd started shouting that bus should stop only at regular stoppage. If you ever been in Kolkata you know here is nothing called bus stop . Where ever you stop that is a bus stop. In a city like this where value of time is almost zero, those shouting only represent their frustration, frustration about everything. This is only one small example. Day to day commuter here can put the same with much better picture.

Each shop you go here with almost ready to buy mentality, first you will be treated with humility. What makes me wonder how people are well seasoned with this, not even react to same and almost accept it as greeting. One of my Ex- colleague put the same in an excellent way. As per him " In Bangalore when you go to purchase some thing that salesman is desperate enough to make you buy from that shop. So he is ready to do anything for customer. Here in kolkata that shop keepers has a unique strategy. They will start insulting you, reminding you about the cost and many other thing. You will buy the product from his humiliation. " I am not sure which IIM is going accept this idea and request this shop keepers for a presentation in their campus. Anyway MR Sanghvi this is not touch of soul!!

"Because, finally, a city is more than bricks and mortars, street lights and tarred roads. A city is the sum of its people. " .....Vir Sanghvi

Kolkata has many problems and as Bengali I know many person to blame for this misery. But what all we have, just because we deserve the same. This city is sum of our common mentality. Here if some one wants to earn few thousands more, others will discourage him saying too much money minded. Eventually you will be admired when you wasting the same in gossip and glorifying it saying Adda the only benchmark which makes you Bangali. This apathy towards your jobs reflects everywhere in Kolkata this makes Kolkata special. Here everyone wants to be something else than what he is doing.

"In Bombay, a man with a relatively low income will salt some of it away for the day when he gets a stock market tip. In Calcutta, a man with exactly the same income will not know the difference between a debenture and a dividend. But he will spend his money on the things that matter. Each morning, he will read at least two newspapers and develop sharply etched views on the state of the world. Each evening, there will be fresh (ideally, fresh-water or river) fish on his table. His children will be encouraged to learn to dance or sing. His family will appreciate the power of poetry. And for him, religion and culture will be in inextricably bound together."..Vir Sanghvi

Exactly MR Sanghvi. I know how true each line is, unfortunately how dangerous it could be also. One popular joke about Bengali. Two elderly personal was discussing about there personal life. After few words one asked,
How are your daughters and how their husbands are doing?

One son in law is in job, nothing to worry about him. My all tension is about the other one. You know he just have only one factory. He is owner of that.

So where your other son in law is working?

He is working in the factory which my other son in law owns.

This story represents us very well. Once your Flight touch Netaji International Airport you are in land of Miracle. Here every one is proud about their culture. How less educated he is, never leaves a single opportunity to proud on the culture. Doing business is always considered of less educated status. Only you will be admitted to elite class when you start speaking about Drama Music Cinema. Everyone has sharp opinion on the same, how wrong it could be.

We only agreed to throw away communism when our so called intellectual class took the stand of other side. I am sincerely thankful to Sourav. At least he has given a different identity for us.

In Bengal everything end with sweets. So as bengali I am proud of many things. I am proud of Sourav Ganguly like any other Indian. I am proud of Pranab Mukherjee our finance minster. I am proud of durga puja. I do not know which other festival we can compare with this. The spirit of it is completely unmatchable. Again from where I started, the enthusiasm of that small child to see each beatuful pandal in hot humid hostile atmosphere gives me a sense of relief. I still see ray of hope. We will be able to maintain this great carnival with highest spirit.

So Mr Sanghvi, why don't you come this city once again?

Agumbe Travelogue

It is always special when you get your childhood memories back with a sweet experience. This is all about our Agumbe trip. Only a weekend, that’s all it needed for a cherishing memory to carry forever.

Let’s come to the point. Agumbe is especially famous for its sunset. You can see a wide view of Western Ghats from this place. But I am really not sure how many lucky people got chance to see a splendid sunset from there. Because Agumbe receives highest amount of rainfall in south India and second highest in India. Here I go. I have no doubt that it would be a unforgettable experience to see sunset from there but my interest was something else. Due to the year-long heavy rainfall it is a Rain Forest. I had already included “Visit Amazon” in my things to do before I die list. Without any extremely foolish comparison I was excited to see a rain forest in my own eyes for first time.

Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people.
- Randy Pausch

I also had Brick walls infront of me.

1. It is rainy season and yes, I forgot to mention Agumbe is also the Kingdom of King Cobra.
2. This place is well known for leeches and we planned to travel in the season when they are in pick form.
3. It's not a fun to go rain forest in rainy season
4. Agumbe is recently witnessing some naxalite activity

With these all in mind it is not at all advisable to go Agumbe in the month of August with your newly married wife. Thanks to her, ultimately we manage dto grab our sit in KSRCTC night bus service which goes directly upto Agumbe, via shimoga.

We reached Shimoga around 5 in morning, from there Tirthahalli and after that final laps towards Agumbe. If you watched “Malgudi Days”- the famous serial adopted from R.K.Narayan book, you can easily expect Swami will come with his big umbrella from anyone of this lane. Entire serial was filmed here and believe me, the place is hardly changed. After a night long journey in the bus, it was refreshing experience to walk along those misty rain drenched roads.

We reached Agumbe around 7 in morning. There is nothing called bus stop. Simply in the field, bus will stop and that same bus will start from there in 8 clock in the night to back in Bangalore. Regarding accommodation, if you are a non-government employee, 2 options are there. Mallya Residency which is just opposite to the bus stand. Simply a shop owner turned his 2 storied building into a hotel which only provide basic minimum amenity. Or you can ask Kasturi Akka who runs a home stay there. We stayed in Kasturi akka's house as in internet we read some extremely good review about.

If at all any one of them is reading it, I will request you people to be careful while writing travelogue. For me travelogue is not all about your emotion, people use your information while they travel. Here is few true facts about Kasturi Akka’s great home stay.

• Hospitality-wise it was an excellent experience. You will feel like a part of her family. Unfortunately I dislike being feeling like home while I am traveling.
• She will pretend like everything is just for fun, be careful every thing is being charged.
• Accommodation they provide, I put bet never sunlight enters inside the room.
• No attached bathroom, even no bathrooms are there in your floor you have to go all the way down outside the house for that bathroom. Keep in mind, you are in King Kobra’s territory.
• Foods are South Indian only. No complain about it. Just to provide info. No non veg.
• You can not order your food, you have to eat what they are providing.
• But with all if you really like to see one ancestral house of Karnataka this is the perfect place.
• Rate wise pretty cheap
• But I would recommend go and stay in Mallya residency atleast they are bit more professional (costwise it will not differ more).

After getting rejuvenated in Kasturi akka’s house we got some breakfast there. During that we meet one Infosys lady. She has also come here alone. She was going for some trip and offered us to go along with her(Though Kasturi Akka charged Rs 500 for this trip which we never asked for). She was going with some of Kasturi Akka’s relative in Maruti Omini that the family owns.

Kundadri

First we went to Kundadri. This is basically a hill top having a very old Jain temple. The view from that hill top was amazing. Even that Jain temple has some great sculpture. As per they told us Mughal has destroyed every temple . But they could not find this temple in hill top. People have moved those sculpture from village below to save those from Mughals.


Jogi Gundi

Agumbe has many waterfalls nearby. This is the easiest one to reach. This is the first time we realy enter inside the rain forest. Trees are really different here. Long trees causing dawn like darkness inside. If you even don’t know it is a rain forest still you can make out some thing is different from other Jungle. Here we first met with our beloved friend, leeches. Man they really suck you and so much they love you. Though this is the easiest one to go, this rainy season has thrown great enough challenges for us. Even things got more complicated where tree falls on the narrow road to the falls. Falls is small one but worth going. Somehow I was very content to trek as that falls was inside a rain forest. It was a great experience to be there.

They also took us to some near by temple. That’s all Kasturi Akka’s great tour plan. It was around 1 PM. We had no intention to take lunch there, still hardly any other option was there and more over we felt bad to ignore Kasturi Akka’s request.

Sunset Platform

Sunset point is around 3 Km from Agumbe. We started around 3:30 PM. It was a pleasure walk. But all the way through the walk, you will find many buses going towards Udupi. Stop anyone of them, get a 5 rupee ticket and they will drop you at Sunset point. One more important thing, carry some I-card while going. gurd at check post will harass you without any I-Card only for some 20-50 rupee.

View from that place is breath taking. But that platform where you will stand to watch is too dirty. Thanks to tourist like us only. Why the hell common sense is so less common I don’t know. Even that place is not big enough, authority can have some arrangement to keep it clean. But they are more than satisfied with the performance after putting one signboard. “Agumbe:- World famous Sunset spot” .
If you are lucky and that day was not cloudy enough you will get a view of Arabian sea from here. Before reaching to that platform, there's one staircase going upwards. If you follow that you will find some alternative sitting arrangement with much better view.

Barkana falls

On the first day itself we lose our hope on Kasturi Akka. We went to Mallya residency. They arrange for some trekking to Barkana falls with very minimal rate. This is the best part of our travel. Rather I can say one of the best part of our all travel experiences. From Agumbe first you have to go upto Malandur. They has provided a car drop till that point. This way was itself a memorable journey. with deep forest on both the sides.

In Malandur, we met Krishnappa. It was raining sometime. But here rain was also fun. It heavily rains for 15 mins then stops for next 30 mins. From Malandur our journey of life time began. We go inside the forest. Deep forest all through and we had a trek for around 2.5 hours. After that we reached Barkana falls view point. I was little disappointed after reaching there. We thought like we would go upto the falls but it actually is first view point for Barkana falls. It was so much foggy that we could not even be able to see anything and our guide started telling you can't see anything more than that in this weather. I was disappointed. But we decided to stay a while to test the luck and it worked. After a 30 min wait, everything got clear up for a while. View was heavenly. I never saw a valley such greenary before. Even that falls view was too good. You would even get to see Sita Nadi falls from there (not very sure of the name as our guide didn't know anything else than kannada, what unfortunately we hardly make out)

Actually from there road was completely closed due to rainy season. Even if you want travel further you must have proper gear like tent. Because if you go further it is hard to come back on same day. From there we have to go towards Narshima parvata, stay there and from Narshima parvata go further upto Kigga village. From Kigga transport will be available to Sringeri. But due to Naxalite problem police authority normally doesn’t give permission to go further from Barkana falls view point. Whatsoever, I was more than satisfied with this trek and thanks to god for clearing those fog for 30 min. Then we came back along the same way but with some other route. During this trek you have to cross tunga river fore couple of times and no need to mention - leeches are eagerly waiting for you. So be prepared.


After returning back to Kasturi Akka’s house we took our lunch and it was time to take rest. In the evening took 8PM KSRTC bus for Bangalore. We got more than expected from a weekend tour to Agumbe that too in rainy season ...

Election

Oldest memory I could recall about election is something related to cinema. Those days only 2 TV channels were there and movies were rare commodity. But during election time they used to cancel all regular programs and in between the election news there were some Hindi movies.

I hardly opt to sleep at afternoon (till Now). One fine day, just after a afternoon nap, I have found somebody has painted a big beautiful hand just on the wall of the next flat in front of my house. I am always very poor on appreciating art but that was colourful, so colourful that my brain still reserves some disk space for it.

Once Rajiv Gandhi came to Kalindi and he came in a helicopter (I doubt about it. I am getting old. Not sure about helicopter). That rally was in the field (Plot -er Math) and roof of all the houses surrounding by were completely occupied. Me, father, mother and my grand ma all were there. The distance was too far and I have no memory that I had seen Rajiv gandhi in my own eyes. Might it be just because that time I did not recognise Rajiv Gandhi. Truly speaking today's children are 100% smarter than us. That time at least I hardly had any relation with politics or cinema star. We used to live in our small world.

This year Maggi celebrating 25th anniversary. I am 26+, almost reaching 27. But I push my memory hard to recall when for the first time I tasted Maggi. Now-a-days it is almost like bread in our house. Definitely a big fight is waiting in house if I find I am hungry and we don't have Maggi. But it took some time for Maggi to penetrate our mediocre life style. I feel there were some dramatic changes in our life style in India within a very short span. I could very clearly recall that day when we got land line for first time. Just after they installed everything there was power cut in our house. All on a certain that phone started ringing leaving me much surprised about how it is ringing in power cut. I had no clues it has got no dependency with electric signal. I have seen so many electronics goods after that, handled some of them. But somehow never got the same feelings of surprise when I headr that ring tone in complete dark room. Then we had cordless, after that my father's big Nokia cell. All on a certain changes came very frequently.

Election is always a scary thing in my mind. Election meant a holiday for my parents and I can not go out side the house on that day. We are truly democratic a country. A child can not play outside on election day because somebody may be awaiting with a Bomb for him. However good part of election was, my father used to collect enough stock of snaks and sweets for that day, anticipating there might be some problem on the polling day.

I am always fascinated about the election results. It is almost like a thrilling game. Somebody is wining & some body is loosing. Those were the post Babri era. BJP was emerging in national politics though they had hardly any impact on westbengal. Then the era of high political instability started in Central. Election almost became like an annual event. The most important state political event we have witnessed might be birth of Trinuamul Congress. Obviously 2001 was the most interesting election results before 2009. I could clearly remember I have watched TV almost for 14 hours that day. But that time no regional channels are there to cover them, Is Etv is there that time? Confused!!!!!. I could remember the advertisement of Aaj tak on that election. "Kya Fireband Mamata 25 saal ki communist government ko hila payegi??????"

"History repeats himself. But only in history book". Again we are in a very interesting election phase. Great Indian political drama with 1.2 Billion people deciding the future of world largest democracy. A complete non political guy is still that much curious as he was to see Rajiv Gandhi. Still I am that illiterate in politics as I was by that time. Somehow that fascination is till there....

Rajasthan (In Bengali)

Howrah station first step felar somai khali, ekta kathai mathai aschhilo, "When I start I have no destination and now I have no reason to stop". 30 th Dec morning -e jakhon badi phirchhi tar thik 2 week ageo ami jantam naa , j ami berate jachhi.K din dhore khub plane fare check korchilam, Mumbai te didi thake, didir kachhe jabo bole. Plane fare, ei time -e khub high thake bole hochhilo naa, pray 11000 lagchhilo round the trip-e.
Hotat ek office -er bondhu Tatkal railway ticket -er katha bolo ,r sei theke amar berate jabar official kick off. J din bola (Thats was just 6 day before my journey date) , se din raatei , ek travel agent -er kachhe jaya. Sunday-er tatkal ticket, are available from Tuesday(Specifically only available for few minute of Tuesday , hardly 20 minute) . Ja hok sei travel agent bollo, se sure noi j Mumbai -er ticket hobe kina(Christmas time loke GOA berate jai).
Takhoni hotat Rajasthan tar katha mone porlo. Okhaneo amar masi thake. Mumbai cancel, Go Rajasthan
75 % of credit for my Rajasthan trip, goes to Senjuti. Oi porer din sokal bela Tatkal -e Rajdhani-er ticket kate. tao abar SaltLake Mayukh Bhabon thake.Jakhon o ticket ta kate, takhon r 4 ticket available chhilo from 130 tatkal quata.
Kintu khani te takhono twist chhilo, fear ticket ki hobe, k katbe , se sob onek suspense por , j din jorney date mane Sunday , se din Morning E -Ticket kata holo , agaain thanks to Senjuti , kintu mairi bolchhi ebar amio help korechhilam.
So when I rady to board to Rajdhani , I have Confirmed ticket for that journey and a Confirmed return ticket also. Can you bit it? I can't. Ei somai mane ei hot season -e esob bhaba jai naa.

23 Dec ---Circus on Rajdhani
-------------------------------
Amar train 2.10 PM -e chharar katha chhilo, as usual amar sobhab moto 1 Hr age station -e pouchhe gechhilam. takhon mone hochhilo, ki dorkar ei sob poya pakami korar. Sunday dupur, kothai badite lomba ghum debo naa "Delhi Cholo".
Amar middle birth chhilo. Samne ek soddo bibahito dompati jachhilo. ta Mahilar biborone r jabo naa, emni te tui enough boar hochhis , jene rakh se ek chhehara, ja bhola jai naa.
"Keno tumi mor Chhabi chao bara bare" >> Bachha k bhoi dekhabo bole.
Se tader 5-6 ta bishal bishal bag. R mahila sei gulo niye Circus dekha chhilen . Ek bar uppper bank k uthe jai, tar pori okhan theke lower bank ek jhap. ekta bag k left hand dhore , mukhe arek ta vanity bag chepe dhore , se darun balance-er khela.. R ami shala lakhshmi pujor din durga pandel-e jemon lakhshmi bose thake, se rom vablar moto bose achhi.pase ekta amar boyisi chhele r samne arek o bibahita mahila (tar somrke -o kichhu bolar nei). Se kora chokhe sob najar rakhchhilo.
Masti ta suru holo train chhara somai. Rajdhani-er window diye baire dekha jai , kintu emon Glass j baire theke bhetor dekha jai naa. Oi couple -k chharte bod hoi Bridget parade-e joto lok hoi, temon lok esechhilo, tader baire theke bhetor dkehar pranantokor chesta , se ek dekhar moto jinis.
Er por train chharar por mahila kandte laglen, r or bor chumu khete laglo mathai. oi matha obdhi-e thik achhe. Oi product niye, er beshi kichhu kora jai bole amar to mone hoi naa. Bor ta naki shala NRI. ei sob toder moto NRI der matha ta to agei kharap chhilo, ei dekhlam chokh tao kharap.
Er por r kichhu bolar nei. Ami Rajdhanir khabar niye over ambitious hoye porechhilam. tai ektu hotas hote holo. Emni te kharap naa. train er khabar hisabe khub bhalo.

24 Dec -- Delhi to Jaipur
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Porer din Rajdhani, Indian railway-er namer upor chun kali makhiye, Right time -e Delhi in korlo. 10:15 sharp.
Amake basically Bikaner House jete hoto. Okhan theke Rajasthan Tourism -er Bus chhare. ...Loke Delhi Auto k galagali dei.... amar first Auto-e amar theke 50 taka chailo. Which is in my knowledge lowest fare for New Delhi station yo Bikaner House.
Are Rajasthan tourism niye bahut khatchhe. Oder bus ticket -o computerized . Kintu problem holo , ticket katar lok gulo, basic of basic computer jane naa. Ek ek ta ticket kate, r mahabharot jetar moto celebrate kore 5 min dhore.
ta take bollam amar Window site sit dite, maal ta thik paser ta dilo.
Se window site na peye valoi hoyechhe. Bahut thanda lage. Gurgaon er pass diye gelam. Se ki bishal IT park re shala. Amader Sec V tar kachhe sishu-o hobe naa. New born baby hoye pare, tao abar delivery date-er age jonmano.
Rajasthan Tourism sob main route-er maje ekta kore restaurant baniyechhe. Tar naam Midway. Daam ektu beshi kintu valo. Maje okhane lunch korlam. Delhi to Jaipur -er rasta superb . basicaly jaipur holo Araballi mountain -er kole ekta sahaor .
beshir bhab pahar k , pahar na bole tila bola valo. chhoto chhoto. Oder main industry hochhe Cement. e chhara marbel . mane oi pahar gulo bhorsa. jabar somai prochur pathor katar karkhana pore.
R oder natun badi gulo obdhi, sei purono rajasthani style -e banano. se ja bai-e hok. even if a ATM both also.
Amra Rajasthan bolte ja buji, thats onlu a part of rajasthan. Rajasthan is not all about Marubhumi r Ut. Atleast Jaipur to khub sabuj. tobe pahar fulo beshir bhag nera. Prochur sorse chas hoi. mane literally chokhe sorse fool dekhlam.
Bus ta 12:05 -e chhre chhilo r 6:30 Jaipur pouchholo.

25 Dec Jaipur Trip (All well that's end well)
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City Palace
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Ekta Auto niye first -e City palace gelam. Camera somet entry free 75 taka (25 Ticket + 50 Camera). City Palace-er age paharer upor Amar fort -e palace chhilo, plane land -e thaka advantage bole pore City Palace banano hoi. Ekhane dekhar prochur kichhu achhe. Raja der Weapon , Furniture , Dress. Amake ei sob thik attract kore na. Tabu dekhlam. Weapon gallery-er baire lekha achhe "no tips to be given". Jara security tarai asole guide hoye kichhu upri kamai . Tader jonno bod hoi lekha. Hotat ki Hystory sekhar jokh chaplo , amio ekta k vara korlam . Se shala onek kichhu bojalo. modda katha 50 taka gochha. Tobe take niye jeta luv holo, se ekta Toroyal dekhalo seta Mansingh k Akbar diyechhilo. Akbar bod hoi Mansing er satti shala chhilo (Google dekhe nis). Se taroyal tai Ruby, Nila r Diamond lagano chhilo. Ei protom ami Nila dekhlam. Okhane chhabi tola jai naa.
Arek ta bodo kalsi achhe , bishal kalsi. Seta kon raja, ek bar bidesh jabar somai baniyechhilo. Ganga jal niye jabe bole. Seta bhalo dekhlam. Bishal rupor kalsi. R jeta bhalo laglo, saheb ra amader deshe ese mineral water khai haramjada. Eto problem hole asar ki dorkar.Ei raja ekta mukher moto jobab diyechhilo, ekhan theke jol niye giye.

Jantar Mantar
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Okhan theke Jantar Mantar hata path. hetei gelam. Bhaote Mansingh 5 ta bod hoi Jantar Mantar baniyechhilo. Jaipur, Lakhno , Delhi , Kanpur r jeno kothai. (for furthur information www.google.com). Jaipur ta sob cheye bodo. Ekho jaipur ta correct time dei. Astrology r Astronomy mishiye jantro gulo.
Exact time dekhar jantra, Rashi calculate korar jantra, Solar clock r local clock er modhe difference bar korar jantra. Exact latitude janar jantra. Prothom dike 2-4 porar chesta korechhilam . Tar por sokaler hystory dose tate, ambol hoye gechhilo, chhre dilam. Ekta Guide 150 -200 taka nei. Seta hoi to affort kora jeto, kintu amar holyday-te r esob bhalo lagchhilo naa.
Jantar mantar theke, paharer upor ekta fort dekha jai. Ami seta dekchhilam, mone hochhilo fort ta amake dakchhe.

Hawa Mahal
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Hawa mahal -er moja ta holo, hawa mahal-e inside kono ornamentation nei. Ja achhe baire. basically ekta 5 Storied bulding . Base ta sob cheye bodo , tar porer floar gulo ekta ekto kore chhoto hochhe. Sliding way. kono sirir jakki nei. Prochur balcony, rani ra naki ekhan theke gota sahor dekhto. amio dekhklam(Without any rani).
Ekhane ekta Mem Saheb dekhlam, dekhe bujlam, doll patul loke keno bole. Amaro dekhe doll patul bolte echhe korchhilo. Forsa tobe saheb der moto naa, gayer rong ta bolte paris onek ta gola butter jemon halud hoi serom. Besh kom jama kapor pora chhilo. Kintu amar kachhe matter korchhilo naa. Ami gurrently dite pari, realy eto sundor dekhte, tui-o mukh chhra kichhu dekhar time pabi naa.
Okan theo paharer upor fort ta dekha jachhilo. Ek jon bollo ota Jaigarh fort. Jjete echhe korchhilo, kintu takhon pray 3 baje.
Er por bokar moto jaipur-er rastai hante laglam. Ekta natun sohare hante bhalo lage. Kintu khub khide peyechhilam. R shala rastai kono cake piszza, cold drinks ei sob -er dokan nei. Heavy khisti dichhilanm.
Tar por ektra hotel e Rajasthani thali khelam . Mon bhore gelo. Kono din Rajasthan gele ekbar khas. Orom tripti onek din paini.Mone holo all well thats end well tai sedin -er tour ta ekhanei sesh kore dilam.

---------------------------------P:S R likhte echhe korchhe na ekhon. Tui eta por. Eta kahli tor jonne-e lekha. Jadi tor bhalo lage tober baki ta likhbo. Mithe katha bolis naa. Valo naa lagle chepe jabi, bekar valo bolbi naa. Ami abar gadhar moto likhbo.Onno karon time nei esob vaat porar.


26 Dec Puskar Trip (Morning shows the day)
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Amar basically echhe ta chhilo, ei din Mount Abu jabar. Mane plan ta chhilo, tar ager din rate , mane je din Hawa Mahal tahal dekhlam 25 dec ,se din raate bus dhorar. tahole 26 morning Mount Abu dekhtam, abar 26 Raat-e bus dhore 27 th morning Jaipur. But that was too much over ambitious plan. So ultimately stick to Puskar. Which is much nearer than Mount Abu , from Jaipur. Sokale Bus stand -e pouchhoi , 8:30 nagad. Takhoni ekta Bus Ajmer jachhilo. Basically ami jantam Puskar-er kono direct Bus nei. Sob somai Ajmer hoye-e jete hoi. But okhane bollo 1 hr pore Puskar-er direct bus achhe. Ami R 1 hr waste na kore Ajmer -er bus-e uthlam. Bus ta busstand chhere beronor 5 min er modhe ekta scooter -er sathe accident korlo. Dosh ta Bus-er naa (Just because I am in the Bus). ja hok scooter-er loktar khub ekta kichhu hoini. ete pray 30 Min waste holo. Sunechhilam Ajmer jete 2 Hr lage Jaipur theke. Practically it takes 3 Hr. Something like 11:30 te ami Ajmer gelam. Amar dada bar bar bolechhilo, Ajmer-e stay koris naa, khub khaja jaiga, But jadi stay naa kori, tahole toke r likhbo ki, r public -k bollo ta ki? Tai number of place visit -er Array length -k ektu lomba korar jonno vablam Darga Sarif ta dekhe asi.

Ajmer
----------

Ei khane R.T.D.C -er enquiry te ekta experience holo. Me >> Dada apnader kono Sight signs hoi Counter Person>> Naa Me>> Tahole ektu bolben , Ajmer -e dakhar ki achhe? Counter Person>> Kichhu Nei (R.T.D.C Mane holo Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation) Ja hok er poor ekta Rickshaw nilam, Dorga Sarif dekhte jabo bole. Se Rikshawalar ki odommo echha amake gota Ajmer dekhanor. Jaa hok Dorga Sarif jabar rasta ta describe kora khub chap. Tui kono din Park Circus -er vitore gechhis? jadi giye thakis, sei park circus-er vitorer rastai Kalighater entry take Super impose kora holo.Modda katha char dhare vorti lok.Rickshaw ta rastai kom, Manuser payer upor diye beshi cholchhe.. R sobai chechachhe. Amar dorga sarif dekhar echhe, tolani -te ese theke chhilo. Tarpor suni, dorga sarif-e juto pore jaya jabe naa. Bas Amar r ek phota, jabar echhe nei. Karon amar natun Reebok -er juto, ei pujote kena. Ekhane ekta katha achhe. Darga Sarif dekha vagger (Luck) katha, kapale naa thakle hoi naa. Amar kapale hoi to chhilo naa, ami sure naa. Paye (foot) -e chhilo naa ami sure. Ja hok ta baire theke dorga sarif dekhlam. Tate amar Rikshaw walar ki dukhho . Se to pray suicide kore. Tarpor jor kore se niye gelo Akbar Badshaw-er Museum-e. Basically Akbar eta baniyechhilo rest room hisabe. Mane jakhon Akbar dorga sarif asto (oviously amar moto noi) , takhon okhane rest nito. Amar rest -er kono dorkar chhilo naa , tabu gelam.Vitore pray kichhu-e nei, tabu Amar ebong camerar ticket kete vetore gelam. vitore chhabi tola bolte khali ekta bodo ghor. Baki char pase ekhon Museum, jar chhabi tola jai naa. Museum ta osadharon. Besh kichhu purono scupture achhe. Ami osob kichhu buji naa. Khali vabchhilam 12-13 Century te emon ki instrument diye era pathorer upor emon fine arts korechhe? Okhan kar collection ta basically Puskar theke paya. Jain collection r Hindu collection. Kalo pathorer upor kaj. Ekta bramhar murti chhilo . Amazing. But Khub kom lok musium tai jai. Specialy tara jai, jara amar moto r Akbar badshar moto, dorga saif dekhte tied hoye jai. Ajmer-e ekta Fort achhe , Taragarh fort. Paharer upore. Amar Rikshawala over ethusiastic , se bollo se hate tana rikshaw kore niye jabe. Mote 2 hr lagbe. Ta ami se plan cancel korte bollo Gadi achhe niye jabe Share basis-e jete hoi. Tarpor motamuti amake gota Ajmer ghuriye sei Gadi stand-e niye gelo. Ekta Gadi-te bose chhilam, but lok hochhilo naa bole lok ta bollo , jabe naa. Takhon abar onno gadi-er jonno wait korte laglam. But problem is that, I have to go Puskar on that day r se din kei Jaipur phirte hobe. Tai Taragargh-k suggestion kore abar Ajmer station-e phirlam. Using a share Auto which almost cover 80% of Ajmer only at Rs 5.

Puskar
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Puskar jabar ami kono luxary bus paini. Ekta odinary public bus-e gelam. Sekhane tor jonno pagri pora loker chhabi tulechhi. Dekhe thakbi bod hoi? Pukar basicaly ekta paharer upor lake. World-er ek matro Bramha temple okhane achhe. Mythology onu jayi Bramha ekta joggo korar jono oi lake ta banan.Ajmer to Puskar journey ta khub sundar. Paharer dhal ghese jete hoi. Jabar somai puro ajmer sahar ta dekha jai.Motamuti jete 30 min lage. Pukar lake -er charpase dhore ghinji city.Mane tui imagine kor, ekta lake tar char pase bazar.Basicaly oi lake ta dekhar.Bazar-er maje maje ghat-e jabar rasta. Bhol bhal jaiga. Ghate Shoe pore jete parbi naa. Athocho , kono juto rakhar arrangement nei. Again amar Reebok juto. Ghat-e prochur Paira , r tader dana debar dokan. Poriskar katha , paira k dana khayao , r tader kachhe shoe rakho. ora juto rakha take free service bole. Normaly I don't indulge my self on such activity . Because doing so, only thing that happen is, your wallet will be lighter and some Paira will be more heavier. amar kachhe r option chhilo naa. tai korte holo. But okhan kar paira gulo heavy sahosi. Hate dana gulo dhore rakhle, sekhan theke ese kheye jai. Amar besh masti lagchhilo. Jakhon paira gulo hate bose khachhilo. But amar poisai paira khele ki hobe, amar pete takhon suchor don. Bramha temple 3:00 khole. Basically 12:00 theke 3:00 bodho thake. Ghat theke beriye bramha temple -er dike egolam. abar sekhane jutor problem. At last 20 takar pujor jinis kine free service-e juto ta rakhlam. Bramha temple khulte ta-khono 15min baki chhilo. Char pase dekhar kichhu nei. Otibo sadharon ekta temple. World-er ek matro bramha temple hole ki hobe. Bramhar luck tai kharap.Ja hok hater prasad ta ekta bosar jaigai rakhe ghurchhilam. Ultimately jakhon khullo takhon heavy vir. Ami shala ekta chhabi tulte parchhi naa. Kothai lekha nei chhabi tola jabe naa, tabuo purohit ta bawal dichhilo. Arek to hole camera ta kere nito. Bhol bhal. Amar jaiga ta ektu-o r valo lagchhilo naa. this is my 3rd time in Rajasthan. There is bright chance for 4th time. But ami Ajmer r Puskar jibone jabo naa. Ta ja hok kono mote ekta chhabi tullam. Sabai purohit-er hate prosad dichhe r se pherot dichhe. Amar prasad ta nitye r sei formality tuku kora holo naa. Ota bosar sit-ei pore roilo,. Ja hok ultimately I get my shoe back. Takhoni Jaipur phire jete echhe korchhilo, dada bolechhilo Puskar-e sunset dekhte. Takhon 3:30 baje . Tarpor edik odik ghurte ghurte dum kore Sun Set poit tate pouchholam. Khali saheb sekhane. Takhon 4:00 baje. Bahut bore hochhilam. Okhan theke lake tar puro view paya jai. tai dekhlam. Tarpor basically kichhu korar chhilo Ja hok ultimately I get my shoe back. Takhoni Jaipur phire jete echhe korchhilo, dada bolechhilo Puskar-e sunset dekhte. Takhon 3:30 baje . Tarpor edik odik ghurte ghurte dum kore Sun Set poit tate pouchholam. Khali saheb sekhane. Takhon 4:00 baje. Bahut bore hochhilam. Okhan theke lake tar puro view paya jai. tai dekhlam. Tarpor basically kichhu korar naa. R Rajasthan-e sun set pray 6 ta nagad hoi. Ami vebechhilam 4:30 te kichhu dekhte pabo. se gure bali. 4:30 te chora rodh. R oi jaiga ta subidhar noi. Khali saheb r besh kichhu local chhele. Tader kono mote vodro lok bola jai naa. Sunset-er asha tag kore 5:00 nagad Ajmer -er Bus dhorlam. Se bus shala khuchro nei bole 6 takar jaigai 10 taka nilo. Ticket-er pichhone 4 taka baki likhe dilo. Jeno ami daily passenger. Ta khon 4 takar jonno noi. Sob miliye bahut irritation hochhilo. Ajmer-e pherar somai 1 min spend kori ni. Direct Jaipur-er Bus. 8:30 nagad jaipur ese porer din-er Jodhpur-er ticket katlam. Tarpor station-er baire garam dodh paya jachhilo. Tar pasei ekta moder dokan. Sei moder dokaner popularity down kore diyechhilo dodhwala. Pesta badam deya dodh heavy khete.

27 Dec Jaipur Trip (Amer Fort , Jaigargh Fort)
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Etai amar Jaipur -e last day chhilo. r amar Trip-er day before last day. Sokale ekta Auto niye Amer gechhilam. City Palace bannor age Amer Palace banano hoyechhilo.
Bapar ta kemon janis? paharer upor ekta fort (Jaigargh) r , paharer gaye arek ta( Amer). Ami je din Jaipur esechhilam, se din theke oi Jaigargh Fort ta khub interesting legechhilo. Besh ekta Fort Fort bhab achhe. Auto to amake amer -er talai nabiye dilo. Okhan theke Amer hete jaya jai. Kintu Jaigargh ta chap.
Autowala bolechhilo gari paya jabe. Ta ekta gadiwalar sathe katha bollam , se bole 1250/- lagbe. Bhai ami dollar-e kamai naa. Ekta hardly 3 hr er tour er jonno 1250. Too much. Asole 4-5 jon eksathe geleo 1250 , mane toke puro gadi vara korte hobe, takhon gaye lage naa. Katha holo ami ekhon 3-4 jon pabo kothai? Agotaa , mon kharap kore Amer dekhte gelam. Amer jabar pothe ekta local lok k jigges korlam tara ki bhabe jai. Amar basic IQ bolchhilo , tara 1250 taka diye jai naa. mota muti amar guess amake dhoka dei naa. Lok ta bollo, Amer-er pichhon diye ekta raasta achhe.
Bapar ta holo , j raasta ta Amer jachhe, seta left turn niyechhe. Soja Jaigargh jabar sloping raasta. Ami beshi naa bhebe left turn nilam.

Amer Fort
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Amer Fort-e jabar jonno elephant ride hoi. sob kata saheb. Ami jani naa, sadhin bharote , kalo chamrar lok der , hati chora baron kina. Moja ta holo , Saheb hati chepechhe mem-er sathe. R kichhu photographer tar chhabi tulchhe. Se saheb baluk baa naa baluk. Tar por jiggess korchhe, saheb kon hotel-e thake. Push sailing -er upor kono workshop hole, ami ei example ta debo.
R amar katha bhab. ekta saru sloping raasta . tate Dadu, hati r nati ek stathe. R shala hatir maa babar kono culture nei. Mimimum education nei hati gulor. Oi vir raastar modhhe hagchhe. Akash thke hatir hagu bristi hochhe.
Amar fort ta besh bhalo. Siling works gulo khub bhalo. Besh kichhu pathorer kaj achhe. bhalo. Ami to khali Amer theke Jaigargh Fort dekhchhilam. Se ja hok beshir bhag kaj white merbel -er upor. 3 te sepate part-e Fort ta. First part-e entry. Tarpor Rajader naach ganer ghar. Tarpor Andarmahal. Anda mahal ta beshir bhag faka. temon kichhu nei.
Amer -er ekta gurd-er kachhe. Jaigargh-er raasta ta verify kore niyechhilam.


Jaigargh Fort
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Amer theke abar sei purono raastai beriye ,Jaigargh -er rasta dhorlam. But ekhon bolchhi jaigargh-er raasta, takhon bujte parini. ekta tourist spot-er raasta bolte tui ja bujis, tar kichhuu okhane nei. faka raasta. faka mane faka. Ami chhra r kota pahari gadha baa khachhor. R keu nei. Ekta sloping raasta uthe gechhe. Upore Jaigargh Fort dekha jachhe. Se onek upore, kintu tate kono lok dekhchhilam naa.
But upore ekta target achhe. Setai takhon ekta passion hoye gechhilo. Onek din bade, nijer jaa echhe hoi thik sei kaj korchhilam. Left side-e takhon puro jaipur dekha jachhe. Pichhone Amer fort ektu ektu kore chhoto hoye aschhe. Ekta wonderful experience . Likhe bojano jai naa. Ami hajar bar bhagonban- k thanks dichhilam, oi gadir babostha naa hobar jonno.
kintu lakh takar katha holo , path ta koto dour. takhon 11:30 moto baje.. Tai time niye chap chhilo naa. Tabuo. Sloping ta aste aste barchhilo. Mane jara raatsa baniyechhilo, tader energy , patience furiye esechhilo. Tai kaje faki r ki. Uthte besh kosto hochhilo. Tabu darun lagchhilo.
Ami sure chhilam, j upore kono ticket counter thakbe naa. Baa fort-e dhokar entry milbe naa. Tabu amar aapsosh chhilo naa. Because j Jaigargh Fort -k Jaipur entry-er din dekhechhilam , seta aste aste kachhe aschhilo.
Upore uthar por. Sob kemon ulto holo. Still kono Tourist nei. But ticket counter achhe. Tate mota daamer ticket achhe. Katlam . Bhabchhilam Ami ekai bod hoi fort dekhbo. Fort-e dhuke bhol bhanglo. Prochur lok,Gadi dokan sob achhe. Ekta Tourist spot bolte tui ja bujis, sob ache.
Asole loke gadir path ta use kore. Even if they r not using gadi. Ami ekta shortcut peyechhilam. Seta khub kom loke jane naki.
Jaa hok Fort ta khub bodo. 27 ta raja mile, different time-e pray 500 yr dhore baniyechhilo. Ar enthu chilo naa sob ghure dekhar. Ekta guide niye nilam tai.
Bhaloi korechhilam. Tui imagine korte paris, oi paharer upor ekta kaman bananor karkhana achhe. Tatei kaman tauri hoto. Drilling m/c-er size dekhle, amader workshop-er datal obdhi ghabare jabe.
amar kachhe main interest chhilo, Oi Fort theke Jaipur-er view, osadharon. Char pase chhoto chhoto pahar , tar maje sahor . Niche Amer fort dekha jachhilo. Sob miliye khub bhalo.
Oi Jaigargh fort-e world-er sob theke bodo kaman achhe. But -er fort-e kono Oil painting , baa pathorer kaj dekhlam naa.
se ja hok nijeke bahut satisfied lagchhilo


28 Dec Jodhpur Trip (Muje Ghar jana hain)
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Jodhpur pouchhe chhilam khub bhore. Tobe tar ager din raater katha naa bollei noi. Bus chhilo sondhe 8:30 PM..Bus othar pori amar tupi chhuri hoye jai. Ami ekta bhol seat -e bose chhilam. Uthe thik seat-e jabar somai, tupi ta phele jai, tar por tupi hawa. Bus ta Ajmer obdhi besh chollo. Tarpor , Ajmer chharar pori , dekhi samne ekta Udaipur-er bus accident korechhe. tader kichhu lok amader bus-e uthlo. Se to noi uthlo, tarpor bishal jam. amar abar por din sondhe 7:45 P.M train. Ei bus deri korle plan vundul hobar heavy chance. Ami chailei Jaipur theke ticket korte partam. Baa Delhi theke Rajdhani. Serf Jodhpur dekhar jonne ei plan. Bus r ek-phota chole naa. Bole naki samne 10 km jam. Kothai bodo accident hoyechhe . Ektu nore r theme jai . Er por amar tupi churi case-e, je amar main suspect, se driver k bollo se alternative route chene. Driver-er tar against -e question holo, sei rastai dakat (mane Lal Mahan babur Dacoit ) thake kina ? Se ja hok , Bus sei alternative path dhorlo. Samne arek ta bishal tanker-o jachhe . Faka raasta . Even rastai kono gadi jai naa , tar proof holo , gachher daal pala gulo sob raacta obdhi chole esechhe. Tar 2 din age purnima chhilo . Akash besh poriskar . Chari dike matir dhibi , r kichhu gulmo jater gachh . Bus ta ektu aste cholchhe . R route dekhachhe amar tupi chor (I have no proof). Amar LIC -er katha mone hochhilo. Ekhane mara gele , nominee . Raat takhon 2:00. Kichhu lok dekhi ; bus cholchhe ei anonde naak dakiye ghumochhe . Satti katha Knowledge is sorrow. Khali maje maje driver shukno golai bolchhe r koto durr . Hotat samner tankar ta soja chole gelo , r amader route guide bolle left. Cholo left. Sunlam odike naki Ambuja cemet -er karkhana achhe .Chhar paser scenario kono change nei, sei ek raasta . Hotat ekta badir samne lok ta bole amake nabiye din. Amar tupi chor nebe gelo . Tar ektu porei amra main road -e elam. Lok ta thik path dekhiyechhilo . Porer din sokal 5:00 Bus ta pouchholo. amader bus ta prothom pouchhoi raat 1:00 AM -er por kono bus aseni. Nebei prothom station gelam. Ami Retiring room nebo vebechhilam . As usual pelam naa . Sob booked. Tarpor luggage (mane ekta bag) clock room -e rekhe, Arek ta school bag-er moto bag kandhe niye berolam . tar age obosso , Waiting-room dress change korechhilam. Plan chhilo R.T.D.C -er sight signs korbo. Gelum office -e. Takhon 6 ta baje. Lok ta bollo bus hoi naa . Khali gari . 4 jon k nei . Per persion 100 taka . Kintu case ta holo ami eka. Kono jaigai 2 baa 3 hole amai nebe.r seta jana jabe 9 tar por. Motamuti dekhar ki achhe jantam , nije ekta Auto vara kore berolam. Sob dekhabe 225 taka nebe . 7 tai suro korlam .

Mandore
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Eta 12- 14/15 century obdhi raj dhani chhilo . Ekhon basically ekta bodo park. Sokal bela vison faka. Dukte ektu uneasy feel hochhio . K jon khali morning work korchhilo. Kintu amar khub fresh lagchhilo . Sokal bela. Besh koyek ta mandir achhe. dekhchhilam . Basically ambience ta bhalo lagchhio. Takhon surjya uthchhe . Aaj Internet-e dekhlam okhane ekta Hall of Hero bole jinis achhe . Ami gechhilam tar pass diye . Mon diye dekhi ni . Tar pase jorse mike bajchhilo . Amader jemon bhole baba par korega te baje. ja hok okhane Mayur dekhlam . emni bonno mayur . Mot katha khub bhalo lagchhilo .

Meherangarh Fort
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Jodhpur-er center of attraction. Khub sundar fort. Kurkure (Chips) -er advertisement ta ekhon okhane hoi. Mesh onek kichhu dekhar achhe . Specifically ekta naach mahal achhe . Khub sundar .

Jaswant Tawa
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After Meherangargh, amar r beshi kichhu dekhar echhe chhilo naa. Eta basicaly ekta Jain monument. dekhlam valo.

Udam Palace
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Ei palace ta very recently made. 1970 obdhi use hoto. Ami jakhon gechhilam, takhon khali museum obdhi jete dichhilo . R ekta video-te vetor ta dekhachhilo . Vetor ta khub sundar . Video dekhachhilo . Puro 7 star hotel-er moto.
R bhalo lagchhilo naa.Ghum pachhilo.Station phire gelam. Motamuti amake internet , Jodhpur-e jaja dekhte bolechhilo dekha hoye gechhilo.
Ami maximum jeta expect korechhilam ei tour tar theke , ami peye gechhi . Ami vison satisfied chhilam. Ebar khali " Muje ghar jana hai"
Kintu bollei to hobe naa. Station phirlam 12:00 nagad. tarpor theke pray 8 ghonta oi station-e . Last -er dike heavy frustu kheye gechhilam. Shala somai r kate naa. Train thik somai-e chharlo. Uthei amar uporer Bunk-e uthe giye tere ghum.
Ghum sokale jakhon bhanglo, Rajasthan takhon onek dour............................
Aschhe bochhor abar hobe :)
Patience is virtue.Thanks for your patience, Chhandak