BIRDS OF BAGDOGRA

Bagdogra is popularly known as 'Gateway to the East'. This place is supposedly a central point to go to various tourist places like Darjeeling, Mirik, Gangtok, Kalimpong and many more.

We haven't explored these places as yet, but Bagdogra by itself is turning out to be a paradise - a paradise of feathered beauties. Yes, the birds I have seen here are amazing. Haven't really been a bird-watcher till now, but I am really turning out to be one!

Couple of months back when we moved here(yes, bag and baggage and trunks!), I thought the trees here looked different. They are huge, tall and kind of mossy(it was raining during the first month of our arrival). Soon, I noticed these tall trees attracted quite a few birds.

One day, from far I saw a black vase placed on a compound wall surrounding a park.I thought I hadn't seen it before and wondered who the crazy person was who had placed it there! Then, as I walked closer, I realized that the vase had wings! Yes, the big vase flew showcasing its beautiful black and white feathers, as I stood gaping at it. As I knew he hadn't gone far, I walked along with my daughter to the place where we might find him. Stealthily we moved, both on tip toes, whispering excitedly and desperately hoping to find him. Then we saw them! Not one, but two great birds sitting on a plank under a low roof. They both eyed us as we eyed them. That's when I noticed how big they were. Black and white coloured with huge yellow beaks, they looked awesome. Those few seconds they looked at us will remain in my memory forever. Since then I have started walking with my eyes mostly looking up searching and longing for a sight among the trees or in the sky!

Later, googling, we found out that they could be either Malabar Pied Hornbills or the Oriental Pied Hornbills- still haven't figured out the right name.

Apart from these huge ones visiting now and then, there are plenty more beauties to write about. One at a time.

A Diary Entry of 08 Feb 2009

Copied here for posterity! The whole of it right from line 1 is from the diary.

I cannot possibly continue without first mentioning a great moment in Rhea's golfing days...

She made a great 'par' on the 12th hole in MEPTA(Mauribgh Environment Park and Training Area) Golf Course day before yesterday, ie on 6th February 2009. It was her first par, but I know there'll be plenty more of those in the coming months.

I hope she'll continue to enjoy golf in the years to come.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I made my first 'bogey' on the same day on the 14th hole! That's the closest I have come to!

Sarva's game is ofcourse improving leaps and bounds. Soon I am sure he'll break 100. I am breaking 70...but sadly, it's only for 9 holes!

Back again!

Hi all,
What got me here after such a long time, I really can't place my finger on. However, it is great to be typing in my diary again!
Been at Bangalore for the last one week to spend Diwali holidays. It was also combined with my daughter's golf lessons. It got over today, 1 hr class with her coach Tarun Sardesai on 3 consequtive days. He has worked on her long game and other aspects and given her a few tips, which I hope she will remember.
The golf lessons were held at KGA. I wish I get a chance to play on that golf course some day as I hear that it is one of the best golf courses in India.It is beautiful and also a difficult course I heard. Rhea has played a couple of 9hole tournaments here, but she is yet to play the whole course.
I had an interesting episode day before. From KGA,Rhea and I went to Royal Orchid(a 5star hotel very close to KGA), for Coffee. To have a cup of coffee in KGA is a long process! You need to get a debit card with a deposit amount and and an extra spending amount.Then you order for your coffee or whatever else,pay for those items with your debit card and then return the debit card and get the balance cash! This procedure has to be done on the same day - the debit card cannot be used for a couple of days or three days. It was all too much of work, it seemed, for just a cup of coffee, hence we drove into Royal Orchid.
It was around 11am and when I walked into the restaurant there, I realised that they have had a buffet breakfast that morning. But it was empty when we reached there and they were just about clearing up. I asked whether I will get a cup of coffee and they said 'yes', but Rhea's eyes by then had scanned the dessert section and the bright red apples tempted her. It was part of the buffet which cost around Rs.600. Now we weren't there for breakfast, definitely not for such an expensive breakfast and I would have had to be nuts to pay that amount for a single apple. But my daughter wasn't going to understand all these and her facial expressions longed only for that apple and her eyes were holding back the flow within! Seeing all these, the steward there came forward and said she may have it for normal amount. I wasn't sure how costly 'the normal amount' will be, but at that instant I had no choice but to agree as we were the only ones there and I didn't feel like walking out.
Happily, Rhea went and picked up a few pieces of papaya and one big apple! My cup of coffee came soon after and in my mind I thought it would be close to cafe coffee day price. So, I put the bill down to Rs.200 for the coffee, fruits and taxes and I was preparing myself to put on a smiling face when I had to pay the bill. But the biggest of surprises came after I finished my last sip of coffee and asked for the bill! The steward came to close to me and whispered, "ma'am, I will take care of it!"
A few seconds passed before I fully realised what was happening! He continued, "ma'am, Diwali greetings, keep it as a free offer." I was dumb struck! Never did I imagine I could walk into a 5star hotel and walk away without paying for the food! I ofcourse insisted on leaving a tip just to satisfy myself, but it was such a great gesture and something I really couldn't believe!

SOME GOLF RELATED SHOTS OF MY LI'L ONE

The snaps above were taken in MEPTA(Mauribagh Environmental Park and Training Area), Lucknow sometime beginning of this year, ie 2009.

The ones below were taken during her second GolfRite US Kids Tournament held at LGC(Lucknow Golf Club), on 27 Dec 2008.

She did pretty okay in the local tours. But, if anyone does have some suggestions to keep her interest from fading, I will be more than happy to recieve them. Thanks.

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This snap below was taken after she played a tournament in Kolkata(Calcutta) on 3 Jan 09. Saurav Ganguly was the chief guest. Somehow, I managed to get a snap of my daughter with him. No, truthfully he readily agreed when I requested. Thanks to him.

At that particular moment she didn't know about Ganguly much , now she knows a little, but I am sure she is going to cherish this photograph later on in life.

FUN IN WATER

In October 2007, I went with my daughter to Coimbatore and Ooty. While in Coimbatore, all our family members went to a place popularly known as the 'Maharaja World'. It is a water entertainment park. The kids freaked out and so did the adults! Though we could spend just a short time there, it was all worth it.

DOG SHOW - LUCKNOW - Aug-Sep 2007

Some basic pictures taken at the dog show sometime during the later part of 2007. That's my daughter in most of them posing with different breed of dogs. Both of us adore dogs but we have none at home as we keep moving every 2-3 yrs. It is very difficult to own and care for pets when one doesn't settle down in one particular place, yet, I feel I'm depriving her in some way. Maybe I should give in and see how it turns out!

On a rainy day, but after the rain - Lucknow