Turquoise Chill

Cars for the Drag Track

2012-02-25T13:14:00.000+05:30

Hot Wheels
'97 CORVETTE
(5/10 95/244)
HEAT FLEET 11
Item Code: T9949

Hot Wheels
2009 CORVETTE STINGRAY CONCEPT
(8/10 148/244)
FASTER THAN EVER 11
Item Code: T9855

Hot Wheels
80 EL CAMINO
(13/15 63/244)
TREASURE HUNTS 11
Item Code: T9733

Hot Wheels
PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS
(36/50 36/244)
2011 HW PREMIERE
Item Code: T9993

Hot Wheels
CIRCLE TRUCKER
(46/50 46/244)
2011 HW PREMIERE
Item Code: T9991

Hot Wheels
FERRARI F333 SP
(4/6 220/244)
THRILL RACERS - RACEWAY 11
Item Code: T9927

Hot Wheels
FORD GT
(3/6 219/244)
THRILL RACERS - RACEWAY 11
Item Code: T9926

From Beaches to Jungles

2012-02-20T11:17:00.001+05:30

MATCHBOX
VOLSWAGEN SAEIRO CROSS
80 OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN 7/10
Item Code: T9000

MATCHBOX
ASTON MARTIN DBS VOLANTE
5 SPORTS CARS 5/13
Item Code: T8983

MATCHBOX
'57 GMC PICKUP
38 CONSTRUCTION 2/14
Item Code: R0464

MATCHBOX
LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110
100 JUNGLE EXPLORERS 6/6
Item Code: T8973

MATCHBOX
FORD F-100 PANEL DELIVERY
69 CITY ACTION 10/14
Item Code: T8938

MATCHBOX

BEACH RESCUE 5-PACK
HOVERCRAFT
FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC (1:69)
RAFT BOAT
DUNE BUGGY (1:61)
JEEP WRANGLER 1998 (1:58)

Item Code: W5185

MATCHBOX

JUNGLE ADVENTURE 5-PACK
ATV 6X6 (MB831)
LAND ROVER 90 (1:62 MB721)
DUNE DOG (MB818)
FORD BRONCO 4X4 - 1972 (1:57 MB720)
SWAMP RAIDER (MB757)

Item Code: W5180

Ken Block's Ford Fiesta and others

2012-02-20T11:03:00.004+05:30

Hot Wheels
69 DODGE CHARGER
(6/10 166/244)
HW MAIN STREET 11
Item Code: T9873

Hot Wheels
MINI CHALLENGE
(30/50 30/244)
2011 HW PREMIERE
Item Code: V0023

Hot Wheels
11 KEN BLOCK FORD FIESTA
(40/50 40/244)
2011 HW PREMIERE
Item Code: T9710

Hot Wheels
VOLKSWAGEN BRASILIA
(8/50 8/244)
2011 HW PREMIERE
Item Code: V0034

And This Too

2012-02-17T10:35:00.001+05:30

Hot Wheels
ASTON MARTIN ONE-77
(31/30 31/244)
2011 HW PREMIERE
Item Code: T9701

The Biggest Haul Ever

2012-02-17T10:34:00.004+05:30

MATCHBOX
5 PACK NO. 09 FIRE

2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA (1:71 MB689)
INTERNATIONAL WORKSTAR BRUSHFIRE TRUCK - 2007 (MB801)
FIRE ENGINE - 2006 (MB698)
UTILITY TRUCK - 2006 (MB695)
FORD E-350 AMBULANCE - 2009 (MB771)

Item Code: V0306

MATCHBOX
SWAT TRUCK
59/100
EMERGENCY RESPONSE 11/11
Item Code: T8996

MATCHBOX
COYOTE 500 (BLUE)
81/100
OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN 8/10
Item Code: T9001

MATCHBOX
COYOTE 500 (RED)
81/100
OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN 8/10
Item Code: V0285

MATCHBOX
ROAD TRIPPER
91/100
DESERT ENDURANCE 8/11
Item Code: T9003

MATCHBOX
HAZARD SQUAD
51/100
EMERGENCY RESPONSE 3/11
Item Code: T8942

MATCHBOX
GMC WRECKER
73/100
CITY ACTION 14/14
Item Code: T8941

MATCHBOX
PIERCE DASH FIRE TRUCK
56/100
EMERGENCY RESPONSE 6/8
Item Code: T1544

MATCHBOX
GARBAGE TRUCK
66/100
CITY ACTION 7/14
Item Code: T8937

MATCHBOX
YAMAHA RHINO
75/100
OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN 2/10
Item Code: T8999

MATCHBOX
'12 FISKER KARMA EVer
1/100
SPORTS CARS 1/13
Item Code: T8910

MATCHBOX
VOLKSWAGEN SAVEIRO CROSS
80/100
OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN 7/10
Item Code: V0289

MATCHBOX
DUNE DOG
92/100
DESERT ENDURANCE 9/11
Item Code: V0286

MATCHBOX
SKIDSTER
1/120
AIRPORT 1/10
Item Code: W4839

MATCHBOX
1963 CADILLAC AMBULANCE
11/120
BEACH 1/10
Item Code: W4833

MATCHBOX
ATV 6X6
71/120
ARCTIC 1/10
Item Code: W4846

MATCHBOX
AQUA KING
20/120
CITY 20/38
Item Code: W4806

MATCHBOX
INTERNATIONAL CXT
31/120
CONSTRUCTION 1/10
Item Code: W4845

New Real Working Rigs

2012-01-30T14:34:00.000+05:30

MATCHBOX
REAL WORKING RIGS
MBX ROAD GRADER
Item Code: T9090

MATCHBOX
REAL WORKING RIGS
TUCKER SNO-CAT
Item Code: T9088

Nissan Skyline

2012-01-26T14:31:00.000+05:30

Hot Wheels
NISSAN SKYLINE H/T 2000GT-X
(33/50 33/244) 2011 HW PREMIERE
Item Code: T9703

First of the New Matchbox Range

2012-01-22T15:52:00.000+05:30

MATCHBOX
82 ATV 6X6 9/10
OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN
ITEM CODE: V0288

MATCHBOX
37 CADILLAC CTS WAGON 6/6
VIP
ITEM CODE: T8988

MATCHBOX
49 FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR 1/11
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
ITEM CODE: T8993

MATCHBOX
51 JEEP WRANGLER SUPERLIFT 1/10
MOUNTAIN
ITEM CODE: W4903

MATCHBOX
30 NISSAN CUBE 5/6
METRO RIDES
ITEM CODE: T8986

MATCHBOX
45 PIT KING 8/11
CONSTRUCTION
ITEM CODE: V0284

MATCHBOX
41 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 4X4 1/10
DESERT
ITEM CODE: W4790

I'M GOING CAMPING

2011-12-09T14:47:00.000+05:30

MATCHBOX 5 PACK

CAMPING ADVENTURE NO. 07

ITEM CODE: V0311

BAJA BANDIT MB731

HONDA RIDGELINE 2007 MB705 1:69

TOYOTA 4RUNNER 1985

VOLKSWAGEN T2 BUS 1970 MB 734 1:59

TRAVEL TRAILER MB747

A Nice Couple of cars from London

2011-11-27T17:53:00.000+05:30

MATCHBOX
33/75 PORSCHE PANAMERA
Item Code: T9372

MATCHBOX

14/75 MIURA P400 S
Item Code: T9348

Big Haul of 10 Hot Wheels Cars

2011-11-06T23:55:00.000+05:30

Hot Wheels
'40 FORD PICKUP
(7/10 127/244) DRAGSTERZ 11
Item Code: T9834

Hot Wheels
'67 CHEVELLE SS 396
(1/10 151/244) HW RACING 11
Item Code: T9963

Hot Wheels
'70 FORD MUSTANG MACH 1
(9/10 169/244) HW MAIN STREET 11
Item Code: T9876

Hot Wheels
'92 FORD MUSTANG
(9/10 159/244) HW RACING 11
Item Code: V0041

Hot Wheels
BUICK GRAND NATIONAL
(9/10 139/244) HW PERFORMANCE 11
Item Code: T9846

Hot Wheels
CHEVY 1500
(13/15 78/244) TRACK STARS 11
Item Code: T9763

Hot Wheels
DODGE CHARGER DRIFT
(10/10 170/244) HW MAIN STREET 11
Item Code: T9877

Hot Wheels
HONDA CIVIC SI
(7/10 117/244) NIGHTBURNERZ 11
Item Code: T9824

Hot Wheels
LAMBORGHINI ESTOQUE
(48/50 48/244) 2011 HW PREMIERE
Item Code: T9718

Hot Wheels
STUDEBAKER AVANTI
(5/15 55/244) T-HUNT
Item Code: T9725

Adding to the Boeing Fleet

2011-11-06T16:43:00.000+05:30

DRAGON WINGS

Boeing 737-800

Malaysia Airlines

Scale: 1/400

Yes, its a Porsche!

2011-10-29T16:37:00.000+05:30

MATCHBOX
16 VW-PORSCHE 914-6
3/12
HERITAGE CLASSICS
Item Code: T8901

Lunch at Burrp 2010 Award Winner: MOMO PLAZA

2011-10-09T21:40:00.000+05:30

With the weather going all gloomy on us and me having work in the central part of town, we decided it was a perfect day for Momos and Thupka. So off we went to Momo Plaza, just off Elgin Road. The clouds had burst as we got in the car and the mercury dipped a tad more. This was getting better.

Imagine our delight when the piping hot Mixed Thupka, and I just love that fried egg on the top, was served. We also ordered a plate each of steamed Pork Momos, Steam cum fried Pork momos, Chilli Pork and a couple of Thums Ups.

When I was done and was looking around that I saw the Certificate on the wall saying that Momo Plaza had been awarded the Best Tibetan Experience by Burrp! Better yet, it’s only then I realised this place was called MOMO PLAZA and all along for the past 5 years I kept calling it Momo Palace for some reason. Anyway I could make a mistake in name, but believe me I would make no mistake in telling you that this is the best place for the Tibetan Experience and that I can lead you here blindfolded.

Mixed Non-Veg Thupka

Steamed Pork Momos

Chilli Pork (Dry)

Steam and Fried Pork Momos

Momo Plaza

2A, Suburban Hospital Road,

Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani,

Kolkata

A Dash to Some Place Else

2011-10-08T01:41:00.000+05:30

Hip Pocket rocked.

Mainak "Bumpy" Nag Chowdhury

Bass and Vocals

Nondon Bagchi

Drums and Vocals

Sumith Ramachandran

Lead Guitar

Ben Westley

Vocals

A Dash of This and a Dash of That

2011-10-07T23:10:00.000+05:30

After the Durga Puja break, and back at work for just a day, before the weekend, it was only fair that we went on a night on the town with some friends. Since they had started partying at 6:30 pm and were pretty dug in, we decided to join them at DASH, City Center. The place has been around for the past couple of years but this was my first visit.

From the moment we stepped in, I kind of took a liking to it. Small (seat about 20 pax) and yet managed to fit in a small bar with a counter. The menu was interesting too and had a “Dash of this and a dash of that”.

We started with a couple of Tuborg beers and having seen the plates of Crab shells on the plates of Angshuman & Sagar being cleared, we got a fair idea, that this place really did a dash of some interesting food.

So as the Tuborg beers kept coming, we ordered a plate each of Szechuan Chicken, Chilli Chicken & Chicken Satay. The Satay was particularly interesting as I wouldn’t really bet my palate on whether it was authentic Thai, as the chef did manage to give it a dash of that Indian flavour! Interesting! The Szechuan Chicken was hot as promised and had the steam blow out of my ears.

As we wound up and deliberated on the plan ahead, we had the courteous staff eagerly waiting on us to leave as they could shut shop and head home. Did they complain, not one bit, even though we kept them waiting on us, half an hour after it was time for them to pull the shutters down.

It was a lovely experience with friends and some very friendly staff at Dash.

Then we made a dash for the Mecca of Live Music...Some Place Else.

DASH Restaurant & Bar

C-302, City Center,

Salt Lake, Kolkata

That's me in the mirror, shooting from the hip!

Szechuan Chicken

Chilli Chicken

Chicken Satay

Ride2Breathe with Calcutta Walks, discovering Heritage of Central Calcutta

2011-10-02T11:37:00.000+05:30

Outside Raj Bhawan, Government Place.

In front of the Standard Life Assurance Company Building. If you're ever in front of this place, check out the two statues engraved on either side of the arch, depicting LIFE & DEATH.

Riding past GPO.

That's me in front of the CS Class Steam Locomotive at the Eastern Railways HQ.

The Armenian Church. The entire church is surrounded by gravestones.

Inside the Armenian Church.

The Synagogue at Ezra Street.

Inside the Synagogue.

Inside the market which has encroached the Parsee Church.

The Parsee Church, in a dilapidated state. Roots of trees eating through the walls and pillars. I guess it won't stand for more than a couple of years at most.

A reflection of those occupying this sacred place.

Gautam cuts the Firefox Cake to celebrate his birthday + 1 year of the Firefox Bike Station in Kolkata.

Much Needed Visit to the Mecca of Live Music

2011-09-29T23:40:00.000+05:30

After a tough couple of weeks at work, the visit to Some Place Else was most refreshing and rejuvinating. Popped a couple of Kingfisher pints, caught up with some old friends and listened to so pulsating music.

SPAN performing live at Some Place Else.

Tram Ride to Kidderpore Dock and more

2011-09-25T22:15:00.000+05:30

Well after that awesome lunch and a lot of deliberation (due to the weather), we decided to get on with our plan of heading out. Just as we got in the car, the rain drops started filling up the windscreen, but since we were committed to our little adventure, we egged on, reassuring ourselves that it was just this side of town that was getting the rain.

Just before we reached the bridge before the ITC Sonar round-about, my wife couldn’t help taking a picture of this car. Incase you're wondering "SUPER SYCLONE"

And then while we were crossing Science City, the huge Dinosaur outside on the road.

Anyway once we reached our destination, we found a parking spot outside the Dalhousie Athletic Club, parked our car there and walked to Mayo Road. While waiting, we spotted a whole lot of Mounted Police headed towards Esplanade.

And the Towering Flood Lights of the Eden Gardens with these Mynahs fluttering about within a stone's throw.

The wait was bringing up more and more sights. A truck carrying the statue of Goddess Durga speeding away. Durga Puja is just a few days away and Kolkata is already coming to a near standstill.

Yippie! Trams headed our way from both directions. This was the plan. Get on a Tram and take a ride through the Maidan. So we took the one headed that way. Gosh these new trams are quite freaky.

Anyway the down side of the journey was that we thought the trams ran quite empty, but to our surprise, we took the journey to the last stop, the Kidderpore Tram Depot, standing.

Since we had come all this way, I convinced my wife to take a short walk to the bridge which I had been hoping to visit for a while now and give her a surprise. And surprised she was to see the Ships there nearly upon the road. Daylight was disappearing fast and while we walked to the centre of this bridge that parts and opens upwards I started clicking pictures of the ships that were docked here on either side of the bridge.

I needed one of me too and so my wife obliged. She’s good at taking photographs too. I’m actually envious of her steady hand.

After that we walked back to the tram depot, got on one and headed back to Mayo Road. I’ve got to say, the trams do get packed, even for a Sunday.

Once back in our car and pretty kicked about our little adventure on a tram to the docks, we headed to the Strand for a celebration.

Puchkas, Pav Bhaji and Soda Sikanji!

After that, we were done in and headed back to our Home, Sweet Home.

And now I'm calling it a night!

Biggest Prawns I’ve ever eaten

2011-09-25T15:58:00.002+05:30

Wondering what to do for lunch, we decided to go for Bengali Food and ordered from our usual place. We ordered the Thalis and then the guy on the phone kind of convinced me about the Jumbo Prawns. He kept telling me they weighed in at 250gms. So I ordered two.

It’s not until we opened the foil packing (they usually send in Tiffin carrier, but today they were having a busy delivery schedule) that we realised what he meant by when he kept telling me “they’re big”.

So I just had to take a pick of the yummiest and biggest prawn I’ve ever eaten.

1. Spl. Thali with Mutton

(includes Plain Rice, Dal, Sabji, Fish, Aloo Bhaja, Papad, Chutney) Rs. 130 x 1

2. Spl. Thali with Chicken

(includes Plain Rice, Dal, Sabji, Fish, Aloo Bhaja, Papad, Chutney) Rs. 130 x 1

3. Jumbo Prawns in Malai Curry Rs. 180 x 2

Bhuri Bhoj Restaurant

318, Madurdaha, Kalikapur,
Kolkata - 700107
Tel: +91 33 65176077

They delivery in a certain km radius and I’m glad we fall within that radius.

Two Faces: Naughty/Sweet

2011-09-24T15:05:00.000+05:30

These two cuties got inquisitive while I was standing outside Kafe Bindass, Golpark. The little girl politely asked if I could get her something to eat, while the little boy/girl (am not sure), brash and naughty got straight to the point; “gimme money”. A little later, he/she was like, take a picture of me with your camera, and that’s when I squatted and went clickety-click. The little one seemed like he/she had done this a lot before.

Anyway after I was done, I got them a couple of pastries which they happily took and went on their way, thrilled that they got their pictures taken too.

Chicken Alfredo is superb at BB's

2011-09-20T08:05:00.000+05:30

Last evening I went to meet an old friend of mine from Delhi and decided on BB's. Was pleasant catching up over a couple of drinks and snacks.

Later my wife joined us and ordered the Chicken Alfredo, which was the high point of the cuisine for the evening.

BB's Restaurant

DN-62, Millennium City,

Sector V, Salt Lake,

Kolkata - 700091

Tel: +91 (33) 50061999

Waffles, finally!

2011-09-18T23:44:00.000+05:30

Morphy Richards SM3006 TWG

Awesome Home Made Waffles! added some honey and chocolate syrup and yummy in my tummy!

Lunch at the Deli

2011-09-18T23:43:00.001+05:30

Deli

by The Conclave

216, A J C Bose Road,

Kolkata-700017

Wilderness Comes to Our Doorstep

2011-09-17T19:24:00.001+05:30

I was on my way to a photo shoot and left the house at around 12:45pm. I had to get to the location by 1:30pm and just as I made my way down the stairs to the landing, a gentleman stops me and points to what I realise is the tail of a snake making its way across the path. I immediately dove in form my camera, switched it on while running nimbly towards the undergrowth the snake had gone into. I fired off a couple of shots, before it went into the undergrowth, only to realise that I had kept the settings on Manual and low shutter speed from shooting last night.

Yikes! I think I missed an opportunity of a lifetime. Not that I was giving up. I decided to camp there for a while; the cold blooded beauty had to come out sooner or later. Meanwhile, squatting on my haunches, I adjusted the settings, with one eye on my weapon and the other on the bush. A 10 minute wait and voila, I see the head pop out upwards. I a split second, I managed to got a couple of shots off. Then I realised that the sound of the shutter, had an effect on the creature as it dived back down.

Another short wait and it made a dash for it and I got bolder and closer and followed it around firing off one shot after another. Gosh this was getting to be awesome, and by some twist of fate, I got a glance off at my wrist. The time on my watch read 1:10pm. What? I was going to have to leave this beautiful reptile in peace and probably chance upon it some other day. I so was looking forward to a full frontal shot of its head.

Anyway, below are some of the shots I did capture.

The Night Must Go On

2011-09-17T08:22:00.000+05:30

After the evening spent at The Tollygunge Club soaking up Jazz Music and several beers, there was no turning back. The night had to go on. The music needed to get funky and ofcourse, we needed the beer to flow freely.

There was only one place to go; the Mecca, Some Place Else here we come!

HIP POCKET

INSOMNIA

After a night of music and adda, we headed to Jai Hind Dhaba to grab some food. On the way, I couldn’t help but be mesmerised by the colours of the SOHO Signage.

Got home around 3:00 AM. What a Buzzing night! Though I miss those days when we used to get back at sunrise. When will the government reverse their statute of shutting places by 2:00 AM?

A Couple of French Guys Jazz it Up

2011-09-17T08:04:00.000+05:30

The French Duo: Le Chartier-Moqadem

Friday 16th September 2011, 8:00pm at The Tollygunge Club

For their first tour of India the French musician duo Eric Le Chartier on Trombone and Jamal Moqadem on Piano produced a soulful combination of Jazz and Western Classical enchanting a selct audience of music lovers at The Tollygunge Club.

2 New Sports Cars

2011-09-11T19:36:00.000+05:30

MATCHBOX
4 DODGE CHALLENGER
(4/15 SPORTS CARS)
Item Code: R4949

MATCHBOX
15 AUDI R8
(15/15 SPORTS CARS)
Item Code: R4971

Abhijeet Launches his First ever Rabindrasangeet Album

2011-09-07T23:25:00.000+05:30

And yet again, I'm at Starmark. That's the 2nd time this week. The last was a Book Launch and this time around it was for the Launch of renowned Bollywood Singer, Abhijeet's first ever Rabindrasangeet Album called Oi Asonotoler.

Nilanjana of Chaplin fame and one of the most popular Radio Jockeys from 91.9 Friends FM was present alongside Abhijeet to launch the Album. The shutterbugs had a field day, before they could let the Singer get on with some Q&A and sing some songs thereafter.

Amish Launches His 2nd Book at Starmark

2011-09-05T22:16:00.000+05:30

After a lot of contemplation and a complex day at work, I decided I need to get out and attend the book Launch at Starmark, South City Mall. This is the first time I have been to a book launch where an AV has been made from part of the book depicting scenes from within. It was like the trailer to a Hollywood Blockbuster.

The last time Amish was in town, I got to know him but in the comfort of our studio. The Best Selling author was as friendly, down to earth and amicable in front of a crowd. After a brief reading, he was eager to start the Q&A and fielding questions from both young and old, it was clearly evident that he was a well read person & had dwelled long on research.

Even when foxed by some questions by youngsters, his boyish smile was enough to disarm even the biggest guns pointed his way. Post the book launch, while signing books, he was always able to pop his head here and there to get in the frame with eager fans. The shutterbugs am sure had a field day. I'd have loved to be counted in as one of them, but the battery in my camera died even before Mr. Arindam Seal arrived to launch the Book "The Secret of the Nagas" which is the 2nd book of his SHIVA Trilogy. So these are the few captures of the Author "Amish Tripathi" that I managed to get.

Triumph with my first BMW

2011-09-05T22:02:00.000+05:30

Just in case you're wondering, yeah this is the first BMW model car that I have acquired. That goes for the Triumph as well. Finally got a Beemer in the net. But doesn't take away from the Classic Mustang or the Ferrari which was part of this haul.

Hot Wheels
10 BMW M3
2011 HW PREMIERE (26/50 26/244)
Item Code: T9980

Hot Wheels
FERRARI CALIFORNIA
FASTER THAN EVER 11 (5/10 145/244)
Item Code: T9852

Hot Wheels
FORD MUSTANG FASTBACK
STREET BEASTS (9/10 89/244)
Item Code: T9796

Hot Wheels
TRIUMPH TR6
FASTER THAN EVER 11 (3/10 129/244)
Item Code: T7556

VOLKSWAGENS

2011-09-03T20:52:00.000+05:30

MATCHBOX
5 PACK
VOLKSWAGEN CLASSICS NO. 08
CONCEPT 1 BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 1:61
TYPE 14 KARMANN GHIA CONV'T - 1969 1:59 MB760
VOLKSWAGEN TYPE 181 - 1974 1:59 MB738
'62 VW BEETLE 1:58
VW TRANSPORTER 1:58 MB390
ITEM CODE: V0316

Plane Spotting from a Rooftop in Rajarhat

2011-09-03T17:55:00.000+05:30

SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SPP "Rosemary" taking off from Dum Dum Airport, Kolkata.

SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SPP "Rosemary" after take off from Dum Dum Airport, Kolkata.

Indigo Airbus A320 after take off from Dum Dum Airport, Kolkata.

Kingfisher Airlines ATR 72-212A VT-KAA from Dum Dum Airport, Kolkata.

Flying over Kolkata, high up in the sky leaving a trail.

SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 VT-SGU

Spicejet Boeing 737-800

Air India ATR

The "Back To The Future"Car

2011-09-03T08:03:00.000+05:30

Among some of the cars that I've been on the lookout for, Micheal J. Fox's "Back to the Future" Time Machine has got to be up there. The other one is the Ghostbuster's Mobile. Imagine my luck, when I set eyes on the car from Back to The Future while sifting through rows of blister packs.

Hot Wheels
'63 STUDEBAKER CHAMP
2011 HW PREMIERE (29/50 29/244)
Item Code: T9699

Hot Wheels
BACK TO THE FUTURE TIME MACHINE
2011 HW PREMIERE (18/50 18/244)
Item Code: T9688

Hot Wheels
MEGANE TROPHY
2011 HW PREMIERE (16/50 16/244)
Item Code: T9956

ART IN LIFE 2011 Curtain Raiser at CIMA GALLERY

2011-08-31T10:20:00.000+05:30

I was so looking forward to visiting CIMA GALLERY for this event after visiting ART IN LIFE 2010. Last year when I first visited CIMA GALLERY, a lot of myths were broken. I, like most people, felt that Art Galleries are meant for the upper crust of society, and yet when I visited the gallery for ART IN LIFE 2010, I was shocked to see items as cheap as Rs. 50 too.

The ART IN LIFE Project is the brainchild of the curators of the Gallery who go to extreme lengths covering the length and breadth of the sub-continent scouring the art and artisans to bring their creations to us. It is their endeavour to keep these Arts alive and ensure that better commerce prevails to keep these artisans true to their art. Their belief is that if these artisans don’t get their livelihoods from these beautiful creations, they are forced into seeking opportunities in other fields and thus with them dies a legacy of our heritage and culture.

ART IN LIFE 2011 opened privately to a bevy of Celebrities and Socialites of Kolkata and it was a pure joy to see the likes of Rituparna Sengupta and Kiran Uttam Ghosh who went crazy shopping. Aparna Sen was the first to show up followed by Rituparno Ghosh and Anamika Khanna . The gorgeous Moon Moon Sen too floated in like a butterfly. Madhu Neotia just couldn’t get enough of the simple yet exquisite saris.

Aparna Sen

Rituparno Ghosh

Rituparna Sengupta

Moon Moon Sen

RJ Purbasha of 91.9 Friends FM

All I would say is that if you’re looking to buy some nice stuff for yourself or your home or better still as a gift for someone this Durga Puja, ART IN LIFE 2011 at CIMA GALLERY is the place from 02 September to 01 October 2011.

CIMA GALLERY

Sunny Towers (2nd Floor),

43, Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue,

Kolkata, India 700019

Date: 02 September to 01 October 2011

Hours: Daily: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Phone: +91 33 24858717

Website: http://www.cimaartindia.com/

Birla Mandir

2011-08-31T09:46:00.000+05:30

Every time I go past the Birla Mandir on Asutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Ballygunge (and believe me it's nearly every day and atleast twice a day), I keep thinking when I will capture this marvel of Architecture on my camera. Usually the traffic is just too heavy to pull to a side and shoot. Even so, the front view has been done too many times and I just feel there are too many distractions in front which take away the splendour of this beautiful structure.

So last evening I had gone to CIMA Gallery and while pottering around, I caught a glimpse of the temple through one of the windows. You can well imagine my excitment. I finally had a room with a view and a completely different angle to shoot this Marvel. Add to that, the high-rise being constructed in the background added some flavour to the sight.

Anyway, I finally got a shot of the Bilra Mandir.

Birds on the Tree across from our Balcony

2011-08-28T18:48:00.000+05:30

Spent the day taking pictures of these cute little birds that kept hopping around on the tree across from our balcony. The little fellows, kept going from one yello flower to the next, sucking out the nectar from them. The biggest challenge taking these pictures was a) the little fellows wouldn't stay still for even a second, b) add to that them blending in with the colour of the flowers and dry leaves.

All I could do was click away and hope for the best and below are some pictures from the hundreds that I clicked.

Visitor to our Balcony

2011-08-27T19:15:00.002+05:30

This afternoon, in the middle of our post lunch siesta, I heard the flurry of feathers and realised something had got our birds in the balcony all worked up. So i jumped up and looked out and behold, there's this magnificent creature perched on top of the cage holding our Budgies and looking down at the little Zebra Finches in the cage across.

I quickly shook my wife and woke her and when she woke up and saw the bird while I was dashing to get my Camera, she was bewildered and just knew that she had to capture the pictures. So as I chnged lenses on the Camera, she prepared herself for the challenge.

Well the pictures below say the rest.

We have no clue what bird this is. I'm guessing it's some kind of Hawk or Falcon. Comments most welcome.

Gearing up for Durga Puja 2011

2011-08-22T10:08:00.001+05:30

This morning I finally got around to photographing this line of motorised carts (called ‘Van’ by locals) transporting loads of bamboo. I have been noticing these lined up on the E.M.Bypass every morning for the past week or so as I leave for work. This morning, having left a bit earlier than usual, I had the time to hop off and click a few pictures.

All this bamboo is coming from the districts and is going to be used to make the skeletal frame of those fabulous Puja Pandals we see every year.

I am looking forward to Durga Puja 2011!

A Neat Little Book Shop on the Corner

2011-08-21T18:40:00.000+05:30

Last evening a friend of mine fulfilled a long cherished dream of his. Being in the book publishing and distribution business, he always wanted to open a book shop of his own and he finally did.

With some unique collection of books, this little book shop is worth a visit.

WORDS N PAGES
2/2, TOWNSHEND ROAD, 1ST FLOOR
(NEAR PURNA CINEMA HALL, OPP. BPCL PETROL PUMP)
KOLKATA - 700025

CONTACT: Mr. Biswa bandhu Mukherjee

KNOWLEDGESTORM PUBLICATION

Hello: 033-65002329
033-40656392

Some Place Else: Rocking at 17

2011-08-19T23:00:00.000+05:30

The Place started buzzing around 9:30pm. We were going there after such a long time, but SOME PLACE ELSE is like the Vortex of a Time Warp. The Usual Suspects trickled in; both audience and musicians alike. Saturday Night Blues Band was going to take the celebration forward and they whipped up quite a Blues Jam with the likes of other musicians like Nondon Bagchi, Bodhisattwa Ghosh, Rohit Nandi, Proshanto Mahato, Suyasha Rhea SenGupta and Dibyendu Mukherji. I think Mainak Bumpy Nag also got in on the action.

Gautam Singh was in the thick of things especially when it came to getting the lovely cake cut and pop several bottles of Champagne.

All I have to say is Some Place Else Rocked at 17 last night.

The Saturday Night Blues Band is:

Jayanta Dasgupta (vocals, guitar)

Arunima Dasgupta (vocals, percussion)

Stuart Munro (vocals, bass guitar)

Shaukat Ali (vocals, guitar)

Avinash Chordia (drums)

Celebrating World Photography Day

2011-08-19T19:08:00.001+05:30

I spent all day itching to shoot something. Imagine being an amateur photographer and not clicking on World Photography Day! Finally got around to take two quick pictures of the beautiful sky and this dangler at the end of a wind chime at the back exit of our office.

Ofcourse did get to shoot some more as I got called in to witness a cake cutting ceremony of one of our colleagues.

Happy Birthday Mainak!

Finally meet the N-Gauge Railroad Modeller

2011-08-14T12:31:00.004+05:30

Yesterday we finally met Kaustav, the prolific N-Gauge Railroad Modeller, and his wife who is equally involved in the project. For those who don’t know, N-Gauge is modelling in ratio of 1:160. We had to brave rain and floods, but were undeterred in our mission to see the Harbour layout he was building. Seeing pictures was one thing, but being a Railroad Modeller (I model in OO Gauge i.e. 1:76) myself, I had to see it in its entirety; scenery and trains above and the electrical wiring below. Oh and it was so worth it. What I had told my wife would be a brief visit turned out to be a long evening spent at his place.

Long discussions on whys and how’s and then running the trains on the layout was such an enriching experience. Finally before we left, I had to capture some photographs and so I did. I could have spent an eternity there shooting away. Well I’m not going to say much more and let you’ll have a look at what got me all excited.

Believe me, the photographs don't do justice to the actuall layout being built.

And Matchbox Cars

2011-08-14T11:14:00.002+05:30

MATCHBOX

5 PACK CITY ACTION NO. 11

ITEM CODE: R0605

MBX MOVING TRUCK
MBX STREET CLEANER MB776
GMC SCHOOL BUS
VOLKSWAGEN 1:62 MB741
ICE CREAM VAN MB778

I'm still into Helicopters

2011-08-14T01:08:00.000+05:30

NEW-RAY SKYPILOT

Gendarmerie

EUROCOPTER EC145

SCALE 1:100

ITEM CODE: 29737

NEW-RAY SKYPILOT

Sécurité Civile

EUROCOPTER EC145

SCALE 1:100

ITEM CODE: 29747

New Tools for Better Photography

2011-08-08T23:59:00.001+05:30

Been dying to get a tripod for my Canon EOS 1000D. There have been so many times that I've really felt the need to keep the camera absolutely still, especially in low light situations. The tripod is also going to help shooting my locomotives and railroad stuff this weekend. Got myself a SLIK F740 Tripod.

The Lens hood for my Canon EFS 55-250 I've been told will help with keeping unnecessry light reflections on the lens at bay. Lets see how it works. Its a Canon Lens Hood ET-60.

Biggest Matchbox Haul ever

2011-08-05T12:05:00.000+05:30

MATCHBOX

DETACHABLE CAB
DAF XF 105 & GENERATOR
Item Code: V2551

MATCHBOX

DETACHABLE CAB
DAF XF 105 & GENERATOR
Item Code: V2551

MATCHBOX

DETACHABLE CAB
DAF XF 105 & GENERATOR
Item Code: V2551

MATCHBOX

DETACHABLE CAB
INTERNATIONAL LONESTAR & BOX TRAILER
Item Code: V2549

MATCHBOX

SUPER CONVOY
INTERNATIONAL LONESTAR & SPOOL HAULER
Item Code: P4872

MATCHBOX

SUPER CONVOY
INTERNATIONAL LONESTAR & SPOOL HAULER
Item Code: P4872

MATCHBOX

DETACHABLE CAB
KENWORTH K100E & WATER TANK
Item Code: V2550

MATCHBOX

DETACHABLE CAB
MEGA TON FIRE TRUCK
Item Code: V2548

MATCHBOX

DETACHABLE CAB
MBX CAB & DRY BULK HAULER
Item Code: V6291

MATCHBOX

REAL WORKING RIGS

MBX CRANE TRUCK (WHITE)
RANEC
Item Code: N5310

MATCHBOX

REAL WORKING RIGS

MBX CRANE TRUCK (WHITE)
RANEC
Item Code: N5310

MATCHBOX

REAL WORKING RIGS

MBX CRANE TRUCK (YELLOW)
VAN DELITER CONSTRUCTION
Item Code: R0625

MATCHBOX

REAL WORKING RIGS

MBX BULLDOZER (GREEN)
Item Code: R0635

MATCHBOX

REAL WORKING RIGS

MEGA TRACTOR (BLUE)
Item Code: R0646

MATCHBOX

REAL WORKING RIGS

MEGA TRACTOR (BLUE)
Item Code: R0646

MATCHBOX

REAL WORKING RIGS

MEGA TRACTOR (GREEN)
Item Code: R0627

MATCHBOX

HITCH 'N HAUL

CONSTRUCTION KINGS

EXCAVATOR,

GROUND BREAKER,

TRAILER,

2 SAFETY CONES,

2 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

Item Code: M9615

MATCHBOX

HITCH 'N HAUL

CONSTRUCTION KINGS

EXCAVATOR,

GROUND BREAKER,

TRAILER,

2 SAFETY CONES,

2 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

Item Code: M9615

MATCHBOX

HITCH 'N HAUL

FLAME TAMERS

FLAME TAMERS FIRE TRUCK,

FIRE SUPPORT VEHICLE,

FIREFIGHTER,

"FLAME" BARREL

Item Code: M9614

MATCHBOX

HITCH 'N HAUL

FLAME TAMERS

FLAME TAMERS FIRE TRUCK,

FIRE SUPPORT VEHICLE,

FIREFIGHTER,

"FLAME" BARREL

Item Code: M9614

Railroad Station Build Update

2011-07-25T11:28:00.002+05:30

Over the weekend, I’ve been busy building the Railroad Station and as you can see, by now I have the basic platforms in place and ready to be finished. I think a couple of more days of work will go into this before the station is complete.

Also if you notice. the Arched wall in the background is also nearing completion.

(all buildings ets are built with Scalescenes kits)

Railroad Station Build in Progress

2011-07-23T18:29:00.002+05:30

Started Work on the Platforms last night, while getting some more (a Dozen more 20 footer Shipping Containers) stuff done. The Medium Station Building and other structures were built months ago. Finally things are beginning to take shape.

(all buildings are built with Scalescenes kits)

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

2011-07-16T02:07:00.001+05:30

A movie which kind of lost direction somewhere along the way. I mean its like, it starts nowhere and ends nowhere, except the fact that it gives you some poetic gyaan along the way. Farhan Akhtar is brilliant, Abhay Deol is his usual good self, Hritik Roshan brings his dashing looks, intensity and dance moves, Kalki & Katrina add the glam quotient and bit roles by Naseerudin Shah, Deepti Nawal and a special mention to Ad-man Suhel Seth who add to the overall ambience of a well shot and directed movie.

Worth a watch, maybe. Will I go back to watch it again, no.

Populating the Shipping Container Yard

2011-07-15T09:54:00.000+05:30

After spending the last couple of days on the workbench, another 18 Shipping Containers have been shipped to the Yard. This lot of 18 Containers are the 40 footers and the markings are as below:

Hamburg Süd 40ft
Maersk 40ft
Maersk 40ft refrigerated
Mediterranean Shipping Co. 40ft
P&O Nedlloyd 40ft refrigerated
Tex 40ft
Yang Ming 40ft
PO Shipping 40ft
Plain 40ft

(all containers are built with Scalescenes kits)

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

2011-07-13T17:51:00.003+05:30

Its been forever, or nearly, since I saw a nice Rainbow. Capturing this one from our office Stairwell Window was some good fortune.

The Shipping Containers Arrive

2011-07-12T10:02:00.001+05:30

The first consignment of Shipping Containers arrives at TinyTown. The dozen that arrived by train today consisted of the following:

Evergreen 20ft
Hamburg Süd 20ft
Hanjin 20ft refrigerated
Hapag-Lloyd 20ft
Maersk 20ft
Mediterranean Shipping Co. 20ft
NYK Logistics 20ft refrigerated
Triton 20ft
Yang Ming 20ft refrigerated
NYK Logistics 20ft
Cosco 20ft
Evergreen 20ft refrigerated

I am looking forward to the next consignment which will arrive very soon.

(all containers are built with Scalescenes kits)

Friends Flex being put to good use

2011-07-11T23:10:00.000+05:30

I was driving down towards Gariahat and just outside CC&FC a track which was several cars ahead of mine caught my eye. That Yellow Circular Print could only be one thing. So I zigzagged through traffic until I finally came up right behind this truck and sure enough there it was staring me in the face. The Smiley from our logo. This black Flex that was being used as a cover for the back of the truch was a print from one of our Outdoor Campaigns.

Cheers! 91.9 Friends FM

Another Gift for my Collection

2011-07-04T23:55:00.001+05:30

And yet again, this time around from Hong Kong. Everytime Amrit travels abroad, he gets me a dinky car from there. An Ambulance each from Germany & Singapore. This time it's a Taxi from HONG KONG. I just love getting these little wonders from around the world. By now I'm sure you guys don't have to think too hard about what to get me when you'll ever do have to get me a gift!

Bhaag! Bhaag! Bhaag!

2011-07-04T14:30:00.002+05:30

Well that's what you need to do towards the nearest or farthest Cinema / Multiplex to catch this roller-coaster ride of a movie. Need I say more?

Anjan finally found Ranjana

2011-07-01T10:29:00.003+05:30

Last evening I went to Big Cinemas to watch the much hyped and talked about new film 'Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbo Na' by Singer/Writer/Actor/Director - Anjan Dutt. I really can't remember the last time I watch a Bengali film, and that too on big screen.

Anyway, the script was decent, acting was a also decent, with some high points here and there. Parno Mittra did a decent job, but has a long way to go on her acting skills, but still managed to pull off a believable performance. I'd have thought, being surrounded by legendary rockers like Lou, Amit & Nandan, her performance on stage as a rocker would have been better. She missed some of the finer nuances of being a singer/rocker on the stage scenes. But that said some of the emotional scenes between her and Anjan Dutt were very nicely done.

Anjan, well he was Anjan. I might be a bit biased in my opinion having dealt with the Anjan Da in real life, he was himself. Ofcourse I will add that he did put on a good performance on screen.

The characters I liked in terms of their performance as actors on screen were those of Ushasie Chakraborty, as a reporter with Star Ananda and Lew Hilt, the basist of Anjan's band and dear friend in the movie. Both of them played their parts really well.

The music in the movie was ok and very basic. I didn't think there was any song, well except the legendary opening song "Ranjana'.

Overall 'Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbo Na' was worth the money I spent.

Movie: Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbo Na [click for website]
Language: Bengali
Cast and Crew
Director: Anjan Dutt
Produced by: R Sarkar
Music By: Neel Dutt.
Cast : Anjan Dutt, Parno Mittra, Amyt Datta, Lew Hilt, Nondon Bagchi, Kanchan Mullick, Ushasie Chakraborty, Abir Chatterjee, Deborshi Barat, Kausik Ghosh, Suman Dey, Kabir Suman, Mamata Shankar.

Second Rack Assembled

2011-06-24T00:05:00.004+05:30

I assembled the second of the three racks I had bought for this Project.The assembly this time took less than 20 minutes. I guess this is what you call "Experience". I've bolted the legs of the two racks together and it seems stable enough now. Placing the second sheet of MDF Board, I extened the tarcks and ran two of my favourite Locos on the extension;

1. Hornby Class 92 020 EPS MILTON (Electric)
2. Hornby Class 37 042 EWS (Diesel)

To see if I could use this length of layout for a passenger train, I took out some Hornby MK1, MK2 & MK3 coaches to make up a train of about 6 coaches. I think it might work once I add the third rack section. I guess that will act as the fiddleyard.

I also tested them on some shunting with the two Hornby Seacow Hopper Wagons.

I guess that was an evening well spent.

Well that's me operating the two locos on the tracks. Since the point motors haven't been installed, had to change tracks manually. But it was fun shunting.

The Deluge in Kolkata

2011-06-18T14:13:00.001+05:30

Its been raining for two days straight now in Kolkata. A lot of Kolkata is now looking like this. Like I heard on a Radio Station on my way home last evening, comparisons are being drawn with Venice! Yeah I'm thinking I'll get myself a Gondola or house boat too.

Progress on Metro at Salt Lake

2011-06-15T23:49:00.007+05:30

My wife took pictures from here office terrace with her Nokia E63 and I used Panorama Composer to put this together. Towards the left is Kuranamoyee and right is Salt Lake City Center. As you can see the work is going on at lightening sped and on the left is a station being built. I'm guessing it's goign to be the Karunamoyee stop.

Raw & Real 'SHAITAN'

2011-06-15T23:49:00.001+05:30

Anurag Kashyap serves up a hot dish in SHAITAN, Raw, reeking of the senselessness of young urban rich spoilt brats caught up in a world they think is what should be real, rather than enjoy the luxuries that their rich parents have provided them with.

Amy, Dash, KC, Zubin & Tanya get sucked into a world of murder, drugs, and the mean streets of Mumbai due to a their going over the top on one late night joyride where they run over two people on a scooter. The corruption in the Police force drives them further on their path of destruction only to be chased down by one suspended from duty honest hot headed Inspector Mathur.

Man this movie is truly meant for urban audiences and gives you an insight into what's happening at various ends of the spectrum of modern day Urban Indian Society.

I’d like to add that Nikhil Chinnappa’s performance was very good and took me by surprise. I’m looking forward to him taking on bigger roles in the movies.

We watched Shaitan at Big Cinemas RDB Boulevard, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata.

Pizza Corner Finally in Kolkata!

2011-06-15T21:10:00.001+05:30

Ok so they finally decided to set up shop in Kolkata, and we finally visited the eatery. A warm and hospitable welcome by the manager who showed us to a table was quite surprising; Infact he even introduced the person who would be serving us. Wow! Menu’s in hand, we started going through quite an exhaustive list of items and finally decided what we would go for. We ordered a couple of dinks to start with and so a Mojito for me and a Guava Juice for my wife arrived while we waited for the meal; A Salad, a Pasta, a very interesting dish called a Conizza and a regular Pizza. The meal came in exactly the order we had placed it in.

Well about the food; well it was ok, but the Conizza was awesome. We ended the meal with some Ice Cream from Cream & Fudge Factory. All in all the food is complete VFM (Value For Money) and there are is a huge selection of “Indianised” Pizzas and stuff.

TinyTown Begins

2011-06-13T23:51:00.003+05:30

After months of research and numerous visits to carpenters, I realised that it was going to be impossible to get a rack made for my project. The options were either I learn carpentry, or then have a carpenter sitting in my house at my beck and call. Both seemed a bit illogical. Finally I came upon Steel Racks. Actually a visit into my office store room gave me the idea. I scouted around for some suppliers and finally got one to provide me with the frames and shelves as per my dimensions.

I decided that I would have to make this modular and easy to assemble and dismantle. The build had to happen in sections due to lack of space so each section is 4ft (L) x 2ft (W) x 3ft (H).

I got the racks on Monday evening and instantly got to the job of putting the first one together. The board had me wondering, but I found the perfect material for it; Plywood was too heavy and hard so I got 2 mm MDF board. It’ll be easier to put in the track pins and fix the point motors. Most importantly it will be easy to move around.

Anyway I spent Tuesday evening toying around with some of my locos. The Two sheds on the baseboard are built from Scalescenes kits.

Now I’m just waiting to get on with the design and layout.

Bakkhali Revisited: Day 2

2011-05-29T18:17:00.006+05:30

Bakkhali Revisited: Day 1

2011-05-28T23:15:00.006+05:30

Little Treasure from Chor Bazar

2011-05-26T23:31:00.007+05:30

I picked up this unique piece from Chor Bazar in Mumbai. Gosh that place is a treasure trove of antiquity; you can find anything under the sun in that market.

Minibus
AIR FRANCE
Scale: 1/87
Item No. 262

Awesome Acquisitions

2011-05-26T23:21:00.011+05:30

MATCHBOX REAL WORKING RIGS
JCB 726 ADT
Item Code: T9101 (WHITE/BLACK)

MATCHBOX REAL WORKING RIGS
OSHKOSH P-SERIES SNOW PLOW
Item Code: T9103 (RED)

Another Japanese Make Car

2011-05-11T10:34:00.000+05:30

MATCHBOX
9 INFINITI G37 COUPE
(9/13 SPORTS CARS)
Item Code: V0273

Road Safety is Mind Boggling

2011-05-05T10:50:00.003+05:30

Late afternoon yesterday I had this urge to have some tea from the street. So I headed down to the tea stall below the office and while sipping that hot “cha” from the “bhand” I noticed these chaps fixing the light bulb on a street lamp. So while one guy was up there changing the bulb and another holding on to this ladder which seemed to go up into heaven. But the most hilarious part of this entire operation was the third bloke. He was pulling on a rope which was tied to the top of the ladder which was propped up against the lamppost and had his head tilted over to his left should. I thought that maybe the pressure of having to pull down on that rope had him standing in this odd posture, till I figured out that he had a mobile phone placed between his should and ear and was busy chatting away.

Talk about Safety; firstly he was standing on a bustling Park Street with cars whizzing past him. Add to that the fact that someone’s life was in his hands and finally he was busy talking on the phone oblivious to the world around him. Could be the 3 Mistakes of his life, or rather the 3 mistakes of the man up there replacing the bulb, entrusting his life to the man on the phone. But then, this is India, right!

After yesterday’s scene, this made me wonder even more about how our administration thinks. I park my car on the opposite side of the road from our building and have to cross the road at this very Zebra Crossing every morning. There’s a Cop there with his Walkie Talkie every morning when I’m crossing and he blows on his whistle to stop on coming traffic to let the pedestrians cross the road.

This morning, I noticed something new as I was standing at the white stripes; a new sign had been painted on the left beside it which read “LOOK LEFT”. Yeah sure! Like all those poor guys on the street are going to understand what that sign means. Sure we were under the British Regime for many years, but they left over 60 years ago. So what’s the point of having signs in English, when the population doesn’t go to English Medium Schools? Anyway as I was readying to cross the road, I noticed that there was a “LOOK RIGHT” sign painted too.

I guess someone made a killing with taxpayer’s money painting these Road Signs.

A 5 PACK OF MODERN CARS

2011-05-01T23:16:00.002+05:30

MATCHBOX
5 PACK MODERN RIDES NO.04
Item Code: V0309

HOLDEN UTE SSV 2010 Item No. MB807 Scale: 1:67
FISKER KARMA 2011 Item No. MB803 Scale: 1:65
CADILLAC CTS WAGON 2010 Item No. MB806 Scale: 1:67
LOTUS 2008 Item No. MB750 Scale: 1:60
DODGE CHALLENGER Item No. MB759 Scale: 1:67

North-East Trip: Leaving Mawlynnong

2011-04-26T19:33:00.000+05:30

North-East Trip: A Day in God’s own Garden – Mawlynnong

2011-04-25T23:37:00.002+05:30

North-East Trip: Shillong to Mawlynnong

2011-04-25T23:30:00.002+05:30

North-East Trip: Sightseeing in and around Shillong

2011-04-24T13:11:00.000+05:30

North-East Trip: Kaziranga to Shillong

2011-04-23T23:00:00.002+05:30

When you’re travelling and making plans on the go, interesting things occur. While we were on the Safari yesterday, we got chatting to the manager of the hotel we were at and enquired about transportation to get us to Shillong. We had enquired about buses and he told us, we could just step out of the hotel and stand on the main highway and hail any passing bus and it would take us to Tezpur.

So just before dinner, he came in and told us that he had a driver, a friend of his, staying the night, on his way back to Guwahati. He had dropped some passengers to Jorhat and was going back to Guwahati empty. We could pay him the bus fare, which was around Rs. 500/- for both of us and he’d be happy to drop us to Guwahati. We sealed the deal.

After a hot cup of tea, compliments of our friendly Hotel Manager, we were back on the road in the comfort of an AC Tata Indica. Driving past Tea estates, on one side and the Kaziranga National Park on the other, we bid adieu to Rhino country.

We stopped midway for a hearty breakfast and befriended our driver as we drove on. As we headed down the new section of the 4 Lane National Highway being constructed to connect the north east to West India, we came upon a huge convoy of Military Trucks, most of them with a Howitzer in tow. It was difficult to see what type of field gun this was, but my guess would be they were 155mm Howitzers.

We finally crossed the convoy and our driver dropped us on the outskirts of Guwahati at the Meghalaya-Assam border from where there was a bus stand and shared taxi stand for Shillong. We immediately got ourselves seats in a TATA SUMO, our Vitalgear Peacekeeper Rucksacks were placed and tied down on the carrier and we were on our way to Shillong. The fare was Rs. 140 per person.

Halfway to Shillong we stopped at a place which was lined with shops on both sides and we had some fruit and bought I think a dozen bottles of pickle. This place is renowned for its bamboo pickle.

After we left the midway point, it took us a couple of hours to reach Shillong, and to my amazement, we got stuck in a traffic jam for an hour as we entered the city limits. I was even more bewildered by the sights and sounds of Shillong, quite disappointed too, if I may add. I had this picture in my head of a hill station tucked away in the midst of dense forested hills and here we were in a full fledged city. Anyway we went around the main circle in the middle of town which is the main shopping area and found our hotel and settled in. it was raining and we weren’t too happy with the hotel, but what the heck, we had a good run till now, so there had to be some place that wouldn’t meet up to expectations.

We put our stuff in the room and headed out to the market place to grab a bite.

North-East Trip: A Day in Kaziranga National Park

2011-04-22T22:29:00.000+05:30

North-East Trip: Dirang to Kaziranga National Park

2011-04-21T23:30:00.000+05:30

North-East Trip: Tawang to Dirang

2011-04-20T23:30:00.000+05:30

North-East Trip: A Day in Tawang

2011-04-19T23:40:00.006+05:30

North-East Trip: Bomdila to Tawang via Sela Pass

2011-04-18T23:49:00.005+05:30

Day 3 started on a bit of a panic mode. We had to find ourselves a vehicle to get us to Tawang and Rs. 4500/- for a one way trip was just not acceptable. So we made our way down to the market where the taxi stand was. After a asking around we finally managed to negotiate a Tata Sumo for Rs. 9000/- for 3 days. So we’d have the car with us to take us to Tawang, indulge in some local sight seeing the next day and then drop us to Dirang.

Negotiation done, we got into the vehicle and immediately started our local sight seeing. There were basically two Buddhist Monasteries to see in Bomdila, the smaller one near the market place and the much larger one which was on the road to Tawang. After seeing the first Monastery, we headed back to our hotel, got our Rucksacks, checked out and got on our way onwards and upwards.

The next Monastery was a bit unlike the traditional ones you see, with hints of more modern architecture, but it was big. Having seen it, we started our descent towards Dirang. As we crossed Dirang, we stopped at a Hot Water Spring just on its outskirts. From there we could see the apple orchards on the mountainside across the river.

Again it was upwards and this time towards the famous Sela Pass. On our way, we crossed several Army Convoys and many Army bases. The military presence had intensified the higher up we went. The BRO (Border Roads Organisation) work force carving our mountain sides and GREF (General Reserve Engineer Force) excavators, bulldozers and dumper trucks were present around every corner. Work I heard had started in 2000 on the two laning of this mountain road to Tawang. From the look of it, I would say it would take another decade before it would get done. Those Mountain sides seemed unforgiving.

Anyway, we could now see that we were heading up towards the snow capped mountains. Signs of vegetation and greenery were giving way to the black and grey rock faces. Needless to say the road seemed to getting more treacherous too, winding its way up the mountain side till we came upon the typical Oriental Type gate of Sela Pass. Fortunately it wasn’t windy and at 13,700 ft, with snow all over, it was cold. As we crossed the gate, the beautiful Sela Lake presented itself. We drove by the lake and stopped at the other end to take in the picturesque view before we descended into the valley beyond. This was the last point we could take pictures. As we descended the valley, it was one Military installation after another.

We again started upwards towards Jaswant Garh, a war memorial in honour of the brave soldiers who lost their lives at the Battle of Nuranang during the Indo-China War of 1962. Its truly is a place where one feels inspired reading about the battle and how the soldiers laid down their lives to defend the country. A battle they lost, but a legacy of bravery and honour left behind. The site also has graves of the Chinese Soldiers who lost their lives in the battle. In my mind I thought, after being up in these mountains for the past couple of days, how they performed their duties, defending what to me looked like worthless pieces of rocks. Over the past two days, it seemed to me, that the region had nothing. No vegetation, no natural resources, no nothing and yet two countries went to war over this land. Anyway a cup of tea here while chatting with one of the Jawans was an eye opening insight into their lives and the three years they spend up in these mountains during their tour of duty. They truly deserve a Salute.

Now it was the last surge to Tawang, a steep descent down to Jung and then it was a steep upward journey to Tawang. On the way we stopped at mesmerizing Jung Waterfall; millions of litres of white water plunging down a sheer rock face of several hundred feet, it was a sight to behold. By early evening we made it into Tawang. And check into our hotel. We did go out for a stroll in the evening as darkness fell, but didn’t get very far with the heavy downpour which brought us back indoors.

We’d have to leave the sight seeing for the following day. I mean, we had already seen a lot on our way here and were quite content.

The Gentse Gaden Rabgyel Ling Monastery, Upper Gompa, Bomdila was started by the 12th reincarnate of Tsona Gontse Rimpoche in 1965 - 66. The Gompa is a replica of Tsona Gontse Monastery at Tsona in South Tibet, established during 15th century.

The 12th reincarnate was born in the Morshing, Kalaktang Circle of West Kameng. He constructed this modest Gompa before his demise in the year 1966. The present Rimpoche, the 13th Tsona Gontse Rimpoche commenced the construction of the main prayer hall, which was consecrated by His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama on 13th October 1997.

North-East Trip: Onwards to Bomdila

2011-04-17T23:53:00.004+05:30

Day 2 of our adventure saw us up and about before the crack of dawn and on our way to the Guwahati ISBT. In retrospect, I think we should have just taken the foot over bridge at Guwahati Railway Station and got a ride from Paltan Bazar. But the adventure of getting an auto (who I’m guessing ripped us off) and getting to the ISBT was something else. It seemed like we had gone half way to Tezpur in that auto. Anyway at the Bus Terminus we got a Buss that was going to Tezpur and finally got on our way.

Unfortunately it was a local bus and kept stopping for passengers on the way. We finally made it to Tezpur just before noon. We were lucky to find a Sumo that hadn’t yet made it’s quorum of 10 Passengers and was waiting to leave. Usually the Vehicles leave in two batches: 5:30 AM and 11:30 AM. Anyway we finally got on the move by 1:30 PM or so.

The road is the worst possible to say the least. Did I say road, sorry dirt track would better describe it. Construction seems to be on to make the road a 4 Lane Expressway and then a 2 Lane Highway all the way up to Tawang. Well packed in like sardines in the last row of the 2x4x4 Passengers configuration was going to make this journey less pleasurable. Add to that, the owner of the Tata Sumo was driving at a snails pace added to our woes. Had it been a driver, he’d have stepped on it. Then again, it could have been a bumpier ride in that situation.

Just before we reached the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh Border, we were stopped by tribal men and women who were dancing and collecting money from passer-by’s to celebrate “Bihu” which is their New Year. By early evening we reached Bhalukpong, Arunachal Pradesh Border and our driver took our Entry Permits to get them verified by the authorities and we entered Arunachal Pradesh. Our ascent into the treacherous mountains also started from this point. The military presence also started to show as we went further up.

Anyway we finally did reach Bomdila by 9:00 PM. The streets were desolate and the hotel staffs were glad to see us. They seemed worried that hadn’t shown up till that late and I can understand why after traversing those treacherous mountain roads for the past 8 odd hours.

Having reached Bomdila and completely sapped, we were glad that the hotel room was very nice. We immediately inquired about transport for our next leg up to Tawang and at Rs. 4,500/- for the trip, it seemed like Mountain Top Robbery. There was only one Tata Sumo in Bomdila and that’s the rate he’d charge as there were no more passengers making the trip.

Too tired we decided that we would take our chances the next morning and find our way to Tawang. After a quick dinner we called it a night, knowing that the next leg was going to be even tougher.

North-East Trip: Kamakhya Temple

2011-04-16T23:36:00.003+05:30

The Kamakhya Temple is a Shakti Temple situated on the Nilachal Hill in the western part of Guwahati city in Assam, India. It is an important pilgrimage destination for general Hindu and Tantric worshipers. This was our next destination, so we hopped on a local bus and made our way to the base of the hill from where we took a shared Tata Sumo up to the Temple. After alighting from the vehicle, the final walk up to the temple on a stepped street which is lined with shops, selling not only items used for worship, but other trinkets too. On your way up we encountered a couple of tantric babas, several priests, lines of beggars with bowls and quite a few goats too.

Once inside the temple complex, we were amazed to see the throngs of worshippers queued up to enter the inner sanctum of the temple to offer their prayers. It is a place of pilgrimage and people from all over the country come here to offer prayers. We were just glad to see the madness from the outside and made our way back on a bus into the city.

We got off at the banks of the river Brahmaputra where there were several make shift bamboo jetties and watched the boat ferry service transporting people on their way back from work as the sun was setting.

Our Guwahati sight seeing was done. We had an early start to Tezpur and Bomdila the next day.

North-East Trip: Guwahti Zoo

2011-04-16T22:03:00.005+05:30

Once we got to Guwahati and checked into our Hotel, we headed out to the Guwahati Zoo. We did have half a day to kill in Guwahati and decided since we were here, we might as well check out some places that we had researched and were worth seeing here. Our love for animals also made this a must see. Once at the Guwahati Zoo, we were amazed to see how wonderfully it had been made; it was less zoo and more like a sanctuary. The zoo is built on a hill side and basically the animals get a natural habitat with just a wall or moat around them. Even the Birds had cages that were reaching the sky with huge trees inside.

It took us a couple of hours to get around and we didn’t even see the entire Zoo, but the sign on the way out says it all.

Packed and Ready

2011-04-16T07:53:00.000+05:30

So we got our PEACE KEEPER Rucksacks from VITAL GEAR earlier this week. And now that they're packed and ready, just waiting to get going. Guwahati here we come!

8 Hotwheels Super Cars

2011-04-13T02:07:00.022+05:30

Hot Wheels
63 MUSTANG II CONCEPT
2011 HW PREMIERE (14/50 14/244)
Item Code: T9684

Hot Wheels
CALLAWAY C7
HOT AUCTION (6/10 162/214)
Item Code: R7589

Hot Wheels
FERRARI 308 GTS
HOT WHEELS STARS (10/10 128/240)
Item Code: R7553

Hot Wheels
FERRARI 330 P4
HW GARAGE (8/10 84/214)
Item Code: R7501

Hot Wheels
FERRARI 458 ITALIA
2010 HW PREMIERE (39/52 39/214)
Item Code: R0954

Hot Wheels
FERRARI F430 SPIDER
THRILL RACERS - HIGHWAY (4/6 180/244)
Item Code: T9897

Hot Wheels
NISSAN 350Z
NIGHTBURNERZ (2/10 112/244)
Item Code: T9819

Hot Wheels
PORSCHE 911 GT2
2010 HW PREMIERE (15/52 15/214)
Item Code: R0930

3 Matchbox Vehicles

2011-04-13T02:06:00.002+05:30

MATCHBOX
29 '08 HONDA CIVIC TYPE R
5/6 METRO RIDES
Item Code: R4965

MATCHBOX
51 HAZARD SQUAD
(1/8 EMERGENCY RESPONSE)
Item Code: T1551

MATCHBOX
59 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT TAXI
2/15 CITY ACTION
Item Code: T1552

Tuesday Night Back to Back Movies

2011-04-13T02:02:00.008+05:30

RIO in 3D. Cute movie. Kids will love it.

JUST GO WITH IT

Starring Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler and the Super Hot Brooklyn Decker. A cute Romcom.