Reason to Smile :)

Reason to Smile: After having the reactions I have faced from people on the "Budgets" and Leonardo DiCaprio winning the Oscars for the first time, its time I settle down to write on something very minuscule and not that makes "news" to others but me :P Surely, while DiCaprio doesn't want to take the planet for granted, the alcoholic gang with me took it for granted that they get some nice place to chill out on a Sunday evening without any special damages  :P Sula Vineyards -  A beautiful, secluded place at Nasik and about 150 km away from Mumbai had springs of grapes stomping sessions that are used to make fine wines. A drive way through the curvy roads to Sula, we ended up reaching 2 hrs before from the estimated time of about 3-4 hrs early morning. We all reached (Me, Nitin, Dhara and Aayushi) and we were expected to wait for Alok who was excited to visit Sula and had to join us from Pune. He had started early too and was expected in 4 hrs too. Since we re...

Reason to Smile: It is obviously the love in the air that you begin to see around much before the valentine's day. Love posts on facebook, the music and the songs on the radio tuning it all to love; the programs on TV has relationships advises by the celebrity couples; the so called ordinary couples making plans knowing the 'love day' falls on a weekend; and the singles literally enjoying them :D ;) I am surely no exception to the 'single' part of the enjoyment :P While we are just longing to have one person by our side, imagine six more coming to you; lifting you up and pushing you to have fun with them !! :D Such are moments of real pleasure and such are the friends for true love :) One such incident happened with me when one evening I was beginning to think about my 'single' weekend plan and there I see my 'gang' :P They came, they conquered.. (eh actually kidnapped), put me in the car and drove me from Churchgate to Borivali for.... ???? Eh.. ...

Reason to Smile: The KalaGhoda Art Festival 2016 as exciting as it may seem always has its own charm with immense creativity and ideas on introspection in abundance. The festival also features some events that has several interests of creative minds flowing in for its display for free. Plays, Concerts, Reading, Movie screenings and what not ! Some friends obviously scattered in different groups decided to check the science fiction art thats always there for the display for 9 days clubbing the two weekends of February every year. The entire event is sponsored by Hindustan Times paying a tribute to various situations and concerns one comes across in this bustling city of Mumbai. Whether its child abuse, or traffic jams, or public transport in the city; or the masks people wear around us; its all out there in the form of creativity for our perspective to recap on what we may have missed. Its surely a wonderful effort for the layman to take a peak inside the city that offers not on...

  Reason to Smile: A 4 day trip to Kutch made it impossible for me to come out of the charm that it presented to me. The hangover that still continues to haunt, it was the weekend that I wanted to arise with something new :P All thanks to some travel enthusiast like me, I never knew there was a hill top even the busts of our very own money making city - Mumbai ! Yes, Andheri has Gilbert Hill located pretty much at the heart of that suburb. Gilbert Hill has about 200 steps now being cemented with a Hindu Temple on top to its display. It was serene, peaceful and looks like not many people know about it :) At the height of about 1100 ft, the temple looks beautiful and the area offers scenic beauty of the 'maximum city' :) An hour or two at such a hill top in the middle of the city thats full of noise makes it even more surprising and blissful :) Back to the hustle bustle life, I caught up with my very own 'foody' gang for the global award winning 'misal paav'...

Reason to Smile: There are people who have a life and they are trying to live it. Then there are people who are trying to figure out where their life is. For  me, I created it ! :) When friends are a boon in your living, your life is a roller coaster ride. And for sure I have all the crazy ones out there in mine ;) :P  I have not led a very ambitious life but I have created one to live it peacefully - even in difficult times. People call it bad days, I call them 'adventure' ;) :P All thanks to the 'idiots' who make it so beautiful and simple :)  The trip to Kutch with those kinda friends made each day count - Literally ! While I enjoyed the trip to the fullest with crazy wanderers - Sangeeta, Manan, Tauseef and Rohan; this is what I thought I gained back from the trip for myself in those moments of bliss and tranquility - - Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.   - Talk...

Reason to Smile: Baan Ganga Temple, also known as Walkeshwar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located near Malabar Hill.  It is situated at the highest point of the city,   and close to the temple, lies the  Banganga Tank .  The name is etymologically derived from the  Sanskrit  word for an idol made of sand --  Valuka Iswar , an  Avatar  of  Shiva .  As the story of Ram - Sita - Ravana in the Ramayana progresses, later when Ram was thirsty, as there was no fresh water readily available (only sea water), he shot an arrow and brought  Ganges  over here. Hence  Bana  (arrow in Sanskrit)  Ganges . The water that feeds the tank stems from an underground spring at that spot, despite its proximity to the sea. A few friends made it to this beautiful temple. An assurance of peace and tranquility that it preserved, it was indeed fascinating to see that people worship the very many faces of god even today....

Reason to Smile: With all the places that I have been to, Malshej Ghats has been one of the most popular one in my list :) I have always enjoyed the curvaceous roads, the scenic beauty that it offers and the chilling climate especially on an unplanned road trip ! Not that this was not planned, but it failed before we took off.. But then again Ritu rose up to this plan and convinced all that we should just pack our bags and leave :P Who would say 'no' from the gang who are always waiting for such plans :P So as usual - up and running we are - Ritu, Jeanette, Mehul, Thomas, Rohan, Rajjo and me. Though it was an impromptu plan, we really did not have to worry much. Ritu managed the accessories for food, Thomas and Rajjo managed the tents, Mehul managed the sleeping bag, Needless to mention Rohan managed some food :P and Me and Jeanette just managed to reach on time :P  And then we hit the roads to Malshej !! The ride begins.. !! :D We started at about 4 pm and were just thi...