Deep Thoughts & Life Lessons

.

                                                                     My journey from:

“I cannot handle relationships anymore; I am done with it.”

To

“Thank you, life, for making me experience some of the best moments with my loved one” 

 

The motto of writing this post is to make people aware of emotional breakdown and how to handle it. Of course, I had a breakdown at one point in time and I know how painful it is but because of my hectic schedule, I could never make out time to write and publish this. Currently, I am holidaying in GOA and have time to pen down my thoughts. If in case tomorrow anyone reading my post gets benefits in dealing with emotional breakdown or depression, then my effort in writing this will be merited.

Since I am married and father to a girl child revealing my personal things will be a disregard to my current relationship, So I will start from the point when I was passing through a serious breakdown, which is one of the most painful times I have come across in life. For a person like me who is very enthusiastic, is into sports/travel/business and always made fun of people who were having breakdowns during my college days but who knew destiny had written my number one day.

To be honest it was the darkest phase of my life. Trust me, the relationship between love and pain goes like this, the more true the love is…the harder is the pain(breakdown). If it is not like that then, maybe you were in a use & throw relationship or not in a serious relationship. My experience of this was like, no one other than her looked me prettier nor made me attracted. She was the most beautiful one I can ever wish to have in my life <fat/ skinny/ dark/ fair makes no difference>.  

There are many ways to deal with breakups as mentioned in internet, but I will share my part.

Please note: For me, Love and physical intimacy are different things. Being physical without emotions is the same as masturbation, it has nothing to do with love. I have absolutely no problem if people engage in physical intimacy without any emotional connection coz it is a personal call.

My post is clearly intended towards love, which is as pure as your prayer < Zero adulteration >.

 

 

 

Don’ts

RULE 1: First and foremost be respectful to your X , as you were when you were in relationship and NEVER-EVER share anything to anyone that your partner would have shared with you in private. If you do so then this is the worst you can do to them.   

RULE 2: No matter how big the pain is, always remember your family loves you more than anyone else and they need your support in the future. Don’t even think of hurting yourself in any means during this time.

Rule 3: Don’t go into any kind of addiction, it will make the situation even worse.

Do’s

<MY WAY>:

RULE 1: Start meditating and make your mind stable. Start with just 10 min and slowly make it to 30min over a period of 30 days. It's damn difficult but you have to make it. Slowly infuse Anulom Vilom with this. You will see a great change in your energy level.

RULE 2: You will definitely have anxiety attacks but instead of thinking about what happened wrong rather cherish the good moments you shared together. Be grateful to life having blessed you with such moments, not everyone gets this. Feel happy that you had someone caring and loving person in your life.

RULE 3: Start watching life lessons in YouTube. Sharing some the videos that had worked for me. 

·     Start reading self-healing books. Sharing some of them that had worked for me. 

·       Meet with friends who understand you and share the problem with someone who has already been through this phase <your relatives can also be your counselor>.

·       Take a break, go out for a vacation. Think about your future activities of engagement.

·       Start working on a mission mode for a new project in any discipline as your wish. Set a target and try to achieve it. Make a list of long-term goals <quarterly and annually> and short-term goals <monthly>.

RULE 4: “Solution to one girl is another girl”. This is the most bakwass ("wrong" in adulterated connotation) or presumption anyone can have. You can never make true love to someone, it happens naturally.

RULE 5: Start feeling happy for your partner when they have good times in their life. Its absolutely normal to congratulate them on their small/big achievements. It can be very much possible that your partner will move on fast than you, accept it with gratitude coz if it was true love then he/she would have also passed through the same pain as you.

True love is seeking each other happiness and seeing both grow and do good in life (even if you are not together anymore).

 

FINAL NOTE

Since I have crossed this painful phase, I still wish my kids to experience true love in life. It is the best feeling one can ever have.

Currently, for me, love has transformed. I am experiencing the same emotions in the eyes of my daughter. No doubt why daughters are so dear to their fathers. For me she is the world to me.

I have encountered my second love eventually, the projects I am into, are my babies. I am taking care of them at the best of my capabilities.

It's rightly said you never fall in love once, there are many forms to it. GOD has given us one life and many emotional phases. Lets be grateful to all the good times we had and pray for many such good moments in future.

Wishing you all the very best in life.

Signing off.

Lankan Diaries

SRILANKA

Srilanka, a land blessed with history, culture, and nature in abundance. With cities hugging the coastlines, fascinating Buddhist temples and the best of the villas to stay, Srilanka was always in my mind. A must visit for nature and culture loving people. During our 9 day visit, it just felt like a big tropical green forest. There are a lot of things to do in Srilanka, which was really a tuff task to choose and making a bucket of must see places and must do items. So I would recommend choosing your liked list of places to visit and do not stress much to reach out to all the places.

Must do things before visiting Srilanka:

•      Check your visa requirements for your country, for Indian citizens visa on arrival is available but would suggest getting it done before traveling.
•           Take full clothes with you, this will be helpful for visiting the ancient temples.
•           Take mosquito repellents and some medicines for an emergency. 

Day 1 – Bangalore -> Colombo

Normally my trips are mostly budget friendly. So, to start with we reached Colombo late evening and our train to Sigiria was early morning the next day. So, to give a try we both decided to stay in a capsule hotel which was way cheaper than a hotel room and was located very close to the railway station.

As a background capsule hotel are a type of hotel where instead of getting a room, guests stay in small capsules. Small is the operative word here. These capsules measure roughly 2 meters in length and 1 meter in both width and height. Moreover, these metallic capsules are stacked on top of each other.

We had a pleasant stay for a night in the capsules. Next day early in the morning refreshed by a hot bath, we both started for our first train trip to Sigiriya.

Day 2 – Colombo -> Sigiria

If ancient ruins and temples are something you love to explore, then you will adore Srilanka. We spent an afternoon roaming around the place then my favorite was the hike up to the top of Sigiriya Rock, where the view from the top hills will take your breath away. The adventure started as we climbed some 50 steps, it was a real adrenaline test to reach to the top.

The evening we spent our time roaming around the café near the rock and had some good relaxed time at the local cafes. Post dinner we moved to our most loved place (tree house).  Staying at a tree house made us feel like flying through the forest and waking surrounded by the trees took our experience to a different level. The tree house was an ultimate hide way for us to get back to nature. A real calm place to just release your thoughts and switch off completely. Evening walk around this place made was disappear into the wilderness without any distraction – whether you walk around the main road or keep switching between the cafes, it does not matter as you will be literally in the middle of nature. 

Day 3 – Sigiriya -> Kandy

Next day post breakfast we arranged a vehicle to Kandy <Srilanks last Kingdom>. Kandy is centrally located to all the tourist destinations in Srilanka and is loaded with heritage. We arranged a car for our movement, it was 4 hr trip. For our stay, we had booked an Airbnb. It was located a bit outskirt of the township on a hilltop. The best way to explore Kandy is on a Tuk Tuk. Kandy temples, cultural show and spending time beside the natural pool is a kind of experience.

We had planned to travel in and around Kandy to put together a range of unique experiences to our list. To start with we visited the temple of the tooth, next to it is a beautiful natural pool. Where me and my wife settled down for a while enjoying the calmness and drenching ourselves with the beauty of nature over a cup of coffee. Next, to the temple of the tooth, there are a lot of eateries to sink your teeth into.

Evening there is a cultural show next to the temple of the tooth by the locals. The show is a stimulating Srilankas Art and Heritage show and is a must see for all the visitors.

                            

Day 4 – Kandy -> Colombo

Next day we were so much impressed by the walk around the lake club near the tooth temple that we again decided to go there and sit ideally for sometime before starting to Colombo. Post lunch we started to Colombo. This time the train journey was pleasant with all the facilities in the train intact.

That evening we decided to visit Independence Arcade. Personally, I love beautiful architecture. Independence arcade is a colonial style building housing a host of outlets and facilities for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Post our visit here it was time to spend some quality time on the beach. Colombo is an ideal beach town for sun and sea lovers. The beaches were neat and well maintained. You will love strolling on the marine lines.

 Day 5 – Colombo

       As a lover of good architecture, I have always wished to stay in  some of the good villas where ever I have visited. This time it was taru villa lake lodge which impressed my choice. The villa is centrally located to the township. Very close to Ganga Ramaya temple. You will really enjoy the architecture and the walk around the Ganga Ramaya Lake. If you are from India then you will love some of the best Indian restaurants located nearby. The villa is truly the city’s finest accredited villas in its range. The villa truly reflects the contemporary elegance and excellence of the architect.

Gangaramaya temple is one of the most famous temples in Colombo. The place is a mix of modern architecture and culture essence.      Taru villa stay and Gangaramaya temple visit is truly a blissful holiday experience.

The evening was pleasant and we both some quality time in a coffee shop. If you are a tea lover then Srilanka is your place, Ceylon tea is famous for its varieties.

                       

      

  

Day 6 – Colombo -> Galle

Next day early in the morning we started to Galle, a city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It is famous for the forts, beautiful beach lines and some lovely architectures. Galle is the perfect picture of what almost everyone comes to Srilanka for, the three S's - Sun, Sand & Sea.  It has one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Sri Lanka and it's surprisingly un-crowded.  As a practice, we searched for some lovely villas and we ended up in a villa which was 30km away from the city. This is the best that could have happened to us. We had arranged a scooter on rent for a day and just loved driving it on the marine lines. Galle has some of the beautiful beaches with a lot of eateries around. The whole afternoon we just lied near the beach and in the evening enjoyed a bath in our hotel pool with a sea view. 

Next day early in the morning we started to Galle town. The Galle fort is an archaeological delight. An ancient building with a view of all local areas nearby showcasing how the city grew in and around that.

Then we headed to Japanese peace pagoda. This place is atop the Rumasalla hill, the best panoramic view of the ocean can be seen here. This place is an epitome of serenity and purity, ideal for those looking for inner peace. Driving through the hilly path is something not to be missed.

 

                     

                       

Day 7 Galle -> Bentota

After such an experience filled tour it was finally time to stay at a good hotel and cool off and what best can be other than a 5 start hotel in Bentota. This time we traveled from Galle to Bentota by train, it took some 3 hrs to reach Bentota. Cinnamon hotel in Bentota is in a triangular beach facing area. The best place to cool off is its large swimming pool and its beach area. Outside the hotel area, there are some lovely eateries. We had spent our entire time in the hotel premises, evenings are lovely here accompanied by light music and a platter of food.

          

Day 8 Bento -> Colombo ->Back home

Finally, it was time to get back home and say goodbye to all the good time this place has given us.

You need at least two weeks to explore Srilanka to the fullest. The best train ride was between Kandy to Colombo for me. Transport and infrastructure are still developing. The best train what people suggest is from Kandy to Ella <which we missed>. The beaches cannot be missed on the south coast and be sure to discover one to spend the day killing time on. The best which many locals were suggesting is the Trincomalee, it is all way on the northeast side of the country.  As a whole Srilanka is truly a nature adobe, a must recommendation for all nature loving people.

Singapore Diaries

Sometimes some experiences unfold itself as the most beautiful ones. Traveling on a cruise is one of them. Initially, when the journey was planned because of my hectic schedule I was not much involved but all thanks to my sister, a new friend cum brother Sundeep bhai who helped us out in planning the event so meticulous that we covered all the must-see places in Singapore.

It was a 6-day tour, 3 days on the cruise and 3 days in the city.  

Day 1: It all begins

The journey begins. With Air Asia, the convenience of traveling to Singapore is at all easy for Bhubaneswar people. Now direct flights are there between the two cities at just Rs.6000. One thing to note the Air Asia tickets don’t have luggage provision. You need to buy it as extra.  We arrived at Singapore airport and directly headed to the cruise starting location. It takes 2 hrs. to embark the cruise. Next 2 hours will be for a mock drill and reaching your room. Please note the ship is so huge it will literally take some time to understand it and figure out the directions.

Ok, let’s begin and allow me to explain what all we did coz this is not just anything, this is Royal Caribbean Cruise ship. I have never been on a ship before and I have to admit I was one of those who would have turned up his nose of being stuck at one place for 3 days. It is not the best introduction to the Explorer of the seas but fast forward a few hours and it is a different stay.

We had some snacks at the café and started exploring the ship. I was running around the ship and trying to look at everything from all different angle & waiving to unknown people.  My suggestion would be to spend the first day to explore the ship and understand what all amenities are there. Read the cruise compass very diligently to do a right time management. Dinner is early and ends at 20:00Hrs. There are many different dining rooms.  Food services vary from all types from different corners of the world. Post dinner we visited the top deck and enjoyed the cool soothing breeze. There was a Bollywood night DJ from 10 to 12pm. So we danced to our best with my family. Post this we were completely drained out and it was bedtime.

Day 2: Eating, eating & Eating

Normally mornings are early for me. So I woke up and had a coffee with the best view of life from my balcony. Clear blue sea and the slow breeze took my definition of rest and relaxation to all new level.  The ocean view was truly calming. I ended up with some hours at this place without realizing the time.

We headed to the breakfast counter. We choose the buffet and then we ate endlessly. The dining experience is pretty impressive. Had a fulsome breakfast and then strolled around. We choose to take up all activities this day. Kids had a great time playing games. I personally enjoyed the rock climbing and golf. There are several trivia events each day and they have a different theme. There are impressive collections of activities and no shortage of entertainment. Different venues across the ship have singers, comedians, cabaret artists and dancers all throughout the day and well into the night. It is impossible to see it all.  It was evening by now. We again had a great dinner and today it was Zumba musical night. We danced madly to the loud music and were completely drained out by the end. The best part late night was sleeping under the open sky on the top deck. Post evening I used the top deck rest area as a constant reference coz I was constantly there.   

 

Day3: Day without land

Royal Caribbean gives you a lot more experience than just transportation; it is a wholeness of joy, excitement contained within this metal hull. Today the ship was cruising into the deep sea. The day started normal and it was time to jump to the pool and hot tubs. Both pools and hot tubs were conveniently located on the top deck. Life on the ship is different to life on land. You lose perspective. You lose the sense of time and even sense of date.

The evening we planned to experience all the events on the ship. The magic show was really impressive. Post dinner there was a group dance on the common floor in the middle of the deck. Today it was cocktail dinner. So we all got dressed up in our formals. I really missed the ballet dance for couples post dinner. Finally what a pleasurable experience, as the journey ended we all were soaked with sights and memories.     

 

Day4: Pulled to the harbor

So finally we reached Singapore. All the immigration was done and we directly moved to our hotel. The adjective that any traveler will not miss to describe the city is “expensive”. We stayed in little India, for a moment I felt that it is actually a Chennai street. Soon we freshened up and head to the Singapore Zoo. This place is a must visit for any Indian traveling for the first time. The best thing to see is the animal show.  The flora and fauna of the place will surely be a traveler’s delight. Kids enjoyed the most. By then it was evening. We then headed to the gardens by the bay. The light and sound show is a must watch. I and my wife had some slow strolling around the lake and had some of the best romantic moments.  Soon after we moved to the top floor of Marina Bay Sands hotel, the best view of the city can be seen from here. 

 

 


Day 5: Sentosa Island

Today it was to Sentosa Island. We covered it in two days. First, we visited the aquarium and enjoyed the sports activities followed by laser show at evening. The best thing to do post evening is to chill by the sea and if interested can take a couple bath together.  Beaches are very clean and well maintained.  The best sport I enjoyed the most is the Luge. It is a small cart with which you will go downhill.

 

 

Day 6: Universal World

We again moved to Sentosa Island. This times the Universal studios. This is a movie theme park one of its kind. The best experience of what a true 7D is, followed by the Egypt kingdom, the lost world and then the Disney land. All together was a hell of an experience. I found the mummy ride to be most scary. The day was well spent and we were back to the city by evening.

The evening we decided only me and my wife to enjoy the nightlife of the city. We took a river cruise near the Clarke riverside. It’s a 40min ride around the city. By this time we both were tired and getting pumped by the loud music from the street side open pubs. The city’s nightlife can be best enjoyed by the Clarke walking street. My personal fondness lies in live music shows and to my surprise that’s what was exactly there. The music what I enjoyed the most was the one by the underpass where a poor gentleman was just performing without any audience, I and my wife just stood there and just silently enjoyed the musical vibes.

So the next day it was time to return back. We had our early morning flights. We reached our home and finally what a pleasurable experience. Gosh, I’m confused. Why did I enjoy the trip? Was it a great family time or a meticulously planned trip or the moments? Let the answer unfold itself with time.

There is a nice saying:

“Bonds don’t die as time flies”