How to plan the post marriage vacation?

1. Define the budget:

a. Who contributes?

b. How you manage the funds?

c. What factors to consider?

d. Duration, season, activities etc.

2. Look up at your places to interest.

a. What does attract you both the most?

b. Is it beaches/mountains

c. Adventure sports/exotic destinations

d. Exploring wonders/chilled out packages

e. Unconventional places

3. Shortlist the places according to the budget and season:

a. National

b. International

c. winters/summers/rains

4. Finalize the place that suits both of you and agree upon:

a. no one shall kill the spirit of the place

b. don’t think it would be waste or no worthy

c. it’s once a lifetime trip, put in your energy and resources to make it beautiful

5. Book the flight tickets:

a. you can consider several options

b. check the flight rates on net/official website

c. check if you have enough mile points(click here)

d. ask friends if they want to have a deal

6. Put the tickets on hold and see your complete travel plan:

a. office holidays, duration

b. hotel bookings, where to go what to do

c. transit time and connecting flights

d. should be comfortable enough for international flights

e. airport transportation

7. Confirm the tickets and hotel bookings:

a. Be cautious while making an international payment.

b. Do NOT tell the card details on phone/email... try to work out an easier way(fax)

c. Let the airlines and hotels know that you are a honeymoon couple

8. Visa

a. Figure out the type of visa you need for the country of travel.

b. Any transit visa that you might need.

c. Required documents and duration to get the visa

d. Apply well before the travel dates because you don’t want any last minute troubles.

e. Contact an agent if you are too busy to apply or follow yourself, it’s definitely worth the money.

9. Hotel bookings:

a. Use sites like tripadviser.com, expedia.com to look at the good hotels.

b. Go for cheapest fare available; compare it with the official hotel site.

c. Try using deal sites like wotif.com; might end up with something decent.

d. Book along with breakfast where ever you want to have a lazy morning session spiced up morning.

e. Be very careful about the dates.

10. Figure out the visas you might need:

a. Transit

b. Tourist

c. Apply before hand, better to give it to an agent to avoid all hassles.

11. Plan out where to go and what to do:

a. Try to read as much as you can on the travel forums.

b. Figure out things to do/places to go.

c. Explore the places to eat and wine tasting etc.

d. Figure out the places if you have a passion for particular cuisine/sport/art etc.

12. Book the tours/travel arrangements:

a. Only if you are sure about the plan.

b. It’s better to leave time to explore the town itself.

c. Ask the hotel itself for the best things to be done, arrangements etc.

d. Leave some spare time for your hobby; yes carry your hobby along.

e. Book as many activities online, it reduces pressure and expense while traveling.

13. Explore about the weather and read about the place:

a. Read about the weather in detail.

b. Buy clothing accordingly, important one- you are on your honeymoon.

c. Do not make the luggage too heavy, consider the fact that you’ll be traveling with all of it along.

d. Leave space to buy stuff there as well, it could be interesting.

14. Try to talk to the people who are from the place itself:

a. It usually pays off to talk to the natives

b. You can have info on cheap deals, amazing places and deep insights.

c. Keep their contact for any further reference.

d. Ask for the tips, there are always lots of things missing on those forums.

Why do I close my eyes and think about her smile whenever I feel alone?
Why does her smile seem to be the only thing I want to cherish?
Why is none of my days ever completed without her smile?
Why does she smile and I forget all my pains?
Why do I so love to see her smiling?




May be that’s why I try to make her smile all those times.
Scientific research says it takes 17 muscles to smile. She uses those 17 muscles in the best possible way. When she smiles, it’s definitely more than a mere smile.

People are often complimented for ‘having a beautiful smile’. However, in her case, it isn’t just that her smile is beautiful. When she smiles, she is beautiful. She glows. When she smiles, everything seems alright with the universe. When she smiles, the world seems a better place to live in. When she smiles, people around her become happy.

There are a few things in the universe which are so well supplementary that it’s tough to name one without recalling the other. You talk about moon and moonlight comes along. You talk about sun and sunshine comes along. You miss the sunshine when it’s gone. You talk about moonlight on an eclipse night.

Here I am talking about something I am missing.

Rainbow on a beautiful day feels just perfect. You can see all those colors: red, yellow, violet and blue, the colors of life. When it’s up, the nature goes greener, weather goes better. It doesn’t need a lot.. just a little bit of sunshine and a little bit of drizzle. I compare her smile with a rainbow. It contains all those emotions: pleasure, significance, juvenescence and depth. When she smiles, the atmosphere goes lighter, mood goes cheerful. It’s doesn’t need a lot.. just a little bit of sense and a little bit of humor.


I do not know how much sense it makes. I do not care how much difference it causes to the world. It does not matter how many more smiles I can create. The only thing I know is whenever I witness your smile, I consider myself to be the luckiest person in the world… and I am on my way to make you smile :-)

Weekend Chills

Auli is snow and mountains but Goa is cool. Goa is beaches and party but Auli is romantic. Auli is skiing and nature but Goa is spiritual. Goa is water sports and sunsets but Auli is once a year. Auli is exclusive and white but Goa is green!!
I have booked tickets for Goa just to avoid anymore discussions. We are taking the flight from Delhi airport and only two of us are under-dressed to be at an airport early in the morning. But hey, we have paid for the tickets as well… and probably more than anyone else in the flight.
The plan takes off and Goa… here we come :-)
Our hotel is near to the beach and has a swimming pool. They provide us with free breakfast every day; it may sound amazing but soon we realize that they are trying to buy our sleep and our lives with that stupid breakfast. Nonetheless we have to have the breakfast loyally every morning. The hotel is a good hotel.



Day 1:
We have decided to take it easy and just walk down the beach. Beach is 500m from the hotel. Before we can reach the beach, we have already spent a substantial amount of currency on the way. We have done some shopping and a lot of bargain. May be less shopping and more bargain.
There are people around. Water sports, snacks, tattoos, accessories, sea food and lots of other interesting things. She is wearing a jeans yelling at me not to tell her before about the beach. ‘Tomorrow Sweetheart’ is all I can say.
They have put up earthen lamps and candles at the evening along the beach. This is romantic. A candle light dinner over a beach with light music behind, could anything be better than that?
Day 2:
We have taken an ‘activa’ and she has decided that only she’ll be driving it, I have to be at the back seat all the times. Okay with me!
After the breakfast and some swimming pool masti we came out all dressed up to kill. We go to Bagha and Anjuna beach. The experience at Anjuna beach was truly out of the world. Slow trans music to listen, perfectly flavored sheesha to smoke, a sunset to witness and her company to cherish.
We wanted to go to Agunda fort the same day but couldn’t make it. Night was beautiful exploring the beaches. She got a cute dolphin tattoo on her ankle. I bought a long waited superman T.


The night is getting intense, dark and beautiful with time. We can hear the traces of music coming from distance. There are very few people left on the beach. We decide to go back to the hotel. We sit near the pool in the hotel and talk about the life, it’s content and randomness. We talk about love, satisfaction and happiness. We talk about everything we ever hope to have. We talk about a lot of things that night.
Day: 3
Holi Hai !!
We have come all prepared for this day. We have colors and she has a cute pichkari. After the breakfast we took the double cycle from the hotel and started towards the beach. This cycle is the attraction of the day. Everyone is looking at us and atleast 5 guys have approached us to ask where to get it from. They have obviously been pushed by their female counterpart. It’s Okay. Only we have the cycle, all you looser can simple watch us and wish you can have it.
We reach the beach to see a great crowd. We touch to the sea almost running and start pouring color on one and everyone. People are watching us to realize it’s Holi today… start coming to us asking for color… well we don’t mind this time.. poor souls!
I see her laughing and playing. She is filling colors in life with her laughter. I want the time to stop here for a while so that I can tell her how much I love her. She is busy running around and throwing colors at the crowd, just as a butterfly would go around the garden to make it more beautiful, more graceful.
A kid in the hotel pool is asking for our pichkari. We give him the pichkari and leave towards the fort. She is driving the activa with all her skills. We have got some issues with our camera. We are using her 2mp cellphone to take the pictures. There should always be pictures.
After the sunset we are at the Bagha beach. The place looks different. People are telling us it’s a full moon night and high tides here. The sea has come till the shacks and people are sitting almost into the sea with half of their chairs covered with water and sand. The place is equally lively. People seem to enjoy the atmosphere even better. I have never seen such a spirit ever before.
We take a place at one of the shacks with loud music, chairs right in front of the sea. We start dancing on the beats of the music and others join us. Is that what good times all are about? Yes indeed!!
Day 4:
We want to do some water sports, manage to figure a cheapest deal. Not that we want to save money but bargain is a real fun. We have it all planned… banana boat, water scooter and paragliding. It was a short but great experience. We have the most colorful parachute around. We fly high on it.

It’s the time to get back. We do not want to leave but all good things have to come at an end. Once again at the airport we are under-dressed. Our clothes are covered with the sand as if we want to carry the bits of those calm beaches along. Our minds are occupied with the thoughts as if we want to carry the memories of those fun times along. Our bags are filled with the local merchandise as if we want to start some sort of business back there.
We sure are a rock star couple and this trip sure went the way she wanted it to be- ‘I should have stories to tell when I get back!’ I know you do have things to cherish about our first Goa trip :-)

Love Birds They Are, They Still Are!

First Valentine! We are miles apart, huge world. But it is not big enough to stop the feelings of an Akshay from reaching all the way to an Aanchal. We have decided not to think about it anymore. Now I have to send a special gift. I’ll send a gift. I am thinking about a gift all the time. Flowers, chocolates, jewelry, perfumes… that’s what everyone is sending. Flowers are good for a day. Chocolates she’ll give to all her buddies. Jewelry shall all go to the wardrobe and perfumes, what’s the meaning when she already holds the best fragrance naturally! I have to send a special gift. It has always been tough for me… have never sent received or heard of people sending gifts. I want to be innovative.
I will gift a pair of cutest love birds. I tell her about this and she says no. I’ll still gift her those cute little things because I remember the look in her eyes when she saw them once in Jaipur.
I’ve only seen their pictures. They are tiny and most definitely made for each other. We have to name them now. People are coming up with different names. Some funny some cute some romantic and some typical. I know one of them is anyways going to be an Apple. She suggests Pie. Apple- Pie they are!
She is curious to know them and make friends but they are shy. They won’t let anyone come near and simply move away. They would talk only when no one else is around, as if they don’t want anyone to hear them. They would play only when they are left alone, as if they don’t want to share the tricks. They sure have something cooking between them. They are love birds after all!
Soon she discovers that Apple is way too active and naughty. He would make sounds and play all the time with their ‘Jhoola’. Pie is kind of a chilled out person. She would eat a lot and sometimes sleep even while people around. When I hear this, I thought how perfect could that be… one is naughty another wants to sleep all the time!
She calls me all disturbed, says Pie has come out and she is struggling to put her back in. She eventually manages to get it done. We have decided to move them to my place. I cover them up, buy them both a train ticket and it’s a whole new world for them.
People are curious, kids are happy. Everyone is talking about the new couple in the town. They have new friends now; the birds from nearby trees would come sit and talk to them. Kids in the colony have a mission in their lives; coming, ringing the bell and ask us to let them play with Apple Pie. Maa always has excuses… Beta they are sleeping now, they are eating, taking a bath, making love, studying and what not! Everyone seems to like this new set up.
I wake up and found Apple all alone. Mysteriously quite and scared; figured out Pie is not there. She is sitting on a nearby branch with her local friends. As I try to grab her, she flies away to the park in front. After all the efforts when we bring Apple to the park and make Pie locate him, she comes back and gets in like a good girl that she is supposed to be. The whole operation took almost 3 hours and substantial phone calls around the country. This is when we located one of the broken wires which gave her space to have a trip around. She is, after the trip, not very happy though.
Another such morning maa wakes me up. She is screaming. Pie is missing yet again; this time not near the branch and not anywhere else. We spend couple of hours looking for her but seems like she has gone never to come back again. People say she will come back but then, she doesn’t know the way. We hope she is happy wherever she is. World has a lot to offer.

Apple is missing his soul mate. He is not eating or saying a word. Seems like he is waiting with hope in his eyes; that’s why he is not sleeping. We are trying to get him a new mate but couldn’t find it in the town. We decide to keep him for couple of days if Pie comes back else just let him go.
As decided we made him fly and let him figure his way out. He won’t go anywhere. He is sitting at the tree in front and waiting for someone to come and bring him back to his home. How can you let such a cute thing go out of your life?
He does not stay in the cage anymore. Apple is as free as Pie. He is friendly obedient neat and fun… everything you want your pet to be. And yes, he is a love bird. You can’t help but fall in love with him the moment you see him. His mere presence keeps everyone so stress free and happy. People have something to talk about. He is the essential part of every conversation.



Sometimes I think how such small things can affect the life significantly. It’s a whole spectrum of emotions that comes along. Little Apple and Pie made the world so happening. There are moments of curiosity, laughter, fun, frustration, attachment and even tears involved. Ultimately it’s love that you give and get back. And it’s always there, no matter which part of the universe you are!

We Depart to Meet again

4565 miles, 28 flight hours, tons of emotions and a journey to start.

Dec 9^th, 2000

Kota

I receive my travel plan. I am supposed to fly on Dec 11^th, 6am from Jaipur. Maa says we have only 1 day to prepare, how will we manage everything?

I am smiling, I have different plans.

She knows me well, she knows my craziness well. She says you can not do that, don’t even think about it, it’s not possible, it’s not feasible. I am still smiling. She is feeling down. She knows, once again, I am going to do what I have planned.

I call her to inform about the travel I have to do in next 2 days. She is feeling excited. She says come down; she wants to see me before I leave. I have to see her, I have promised.

Dec 9^th, 2300

Kota

Maa is pissed off. She is going to sleep. She can not understand why I have to go that night itself. She wants to stop me. She wants to make those laddu and mathri for me. She says she would not help me with packing. Anyways she starts telling me what all important things I’ll have to carry.

I want to stay back but I’ll have to go!

Dec 10^th, 0130

Kota

I am starting for railway station. Maa wakes up to see me off. She is still saying that I should not go. I ask the auto wala to start. Train to Delhi leaves at 0230.

I am at railway station to realise that I have forgotten dollars back at home. It is already 0200 now. I know I can not go with no dollars in my pocket. I have to go back to home, now shall I come back to railway station or I am staying back at home? I guess I am staying back. I call maa to tell her that I have forgotten the dollars and I can’t go like that. She tells me she can come with Akshit to hand me the dollars. Damn!! They do not have to do that at this hour of the night. But she is still sure that I am leaving. Why am I not sure than? Well, I am going to make it… no matter what!!

I ask the auto wala if it is possible to make a round trip within next 30mins. He thinks for a while and gives me a smile. We get back to home and I collect dollars.

We come back and I see the train leaving right in front of my eyes. Nope… the train can’t leave without me in it!! I run behind, put my bag in it and get my way in. Just at that time I think if this is the train I want to get in? I ask a guy for the destination and damn… it doesn’t go Delhi!!

I asked the guy if it is possible to jump from the train, he says throw your bag first and then jump. I do not give it a second thought; this is the only option I have. I jump and hit the ground hard on my ass. I stand up, grab my bag and start walking back towards the railway station.

The ‘train’ is about to leave. I find a place and settle down. I start thinking about what has just happened, and then I think about her. Everything is fair in love and war they say!!

Dec 10^th, 1130

Ggn

She opens the door and gives me a hug.

She is off from her office. She wants to spend that last day with me. She wants to talk to me about a lot many things. I just want to sit and watch her the whole day. I know it is going to be tough but she doesn’t realise it now.

Good for you my love!!

Dec 10^th, 2000
Mocha, Ggn

We want to stay together but there is no more sand left in the hourglass. I am making smoke rings and she is playing with them. We are talking about innocent aspects of the life while I know I have to leave within an hour. I do not want to leave. She looks at me and says she doesn’t want me to leave.

Well!! Perfect… isn’t it?

I call the airline office if I can skip the Jaipur- Delhi flight and check in directly from Delhi? They want to confirm with their officials. They are saying yes, and I am staying back.

We manage to create some more sand. I wish this sand never gets over or never drops down… I wish the gravity to go zero or sand to go weightless… I wish we never depart and I can see her smiling forever!!