Pangkor Island. A holiday to remember.

One of the best holidays that I have had was at Pangkor Island, Malaysia. The drive from Kuala Lumpur to Marina Island Jetty is about 270 kms. It was my first international driving experience. As we left the city and the traffic jam it was such a joy to drive along the northwest coast to Lumut on the highway to the jetty from where we took a ferry to the island.

We were a group of seven. The ferry in itself was such a pleasure with amazing scenic beauty and very cheerful crowd on the boat and the warmth of the service staff. It is a magical feeling as if you leave all your worries and thoughts behind as the boat moves further away from the land.

The Pangkor Island beach resort is an island in itself. The sprawling grounds have all the facilities of sports and cycling on the land and a variety of water sports in the sea. The rooms are very well set and furnished and not too expensive.

The food is amazing and the spread was a joy for all of us including the kids and we felt brave to try our a few different culinary experiences. The staff were very cordial and helpful.

The beach is an amazing expanse of white sand and all over the island peacocks and hornbills grace your sight in plenty. We even had a peacock spread its feathers in all its glory and dance in front of us. What a sight it was. In the evenings the feeding ground for the hornbills was a major attraction as we found the birds in hundreds. There are so many other birds and even monkeys all over the island making it a fun trip for all of us as we had to watch out for the monkeys stealing snacks from the rooms.

The water sports was fun yet safe since we could venture out and walk into the low and calm sea for upto a kilometre. We cycled around the island and spent the afternoons on the water scooters speeding away on the small waves.

Two days passed by in the blink of an eye. But the moments will stay with us forever. I recommend this holiday to all of you who want to take a break away from this world. Go to paradise.

Fathers Day

Magical. Warm. Feeling good. Touched. Loved. Happy. Glowing...etc. These were some of the words I could use for how I felt yesterday.

It was father's day and it was just any other ordinary day, until 8 p.m and my daughter, Zahibaa and son, Zohrab dragged me upstairs on the terrace for a surprise dinner party.

Oh Lord, it was wonderful. Candles all around, Menu card painted, name plates for each speciality. I was served a chocolate ball with fresh juice and spinach rolls. Lemon tarts and katti rolls. The pudding was "wow".

What touched me was the efforts these guys and my wife, Nishana had gone to ensure that it was a surprise. It was ALL home made and these three had done it without me knowing what was happening.  Whenever I walked towards the kitchen, Zohrab would call me and act as though he is having a fight with his sister. Or Zahibaa would divert my attention by asking me to help with Frankie, our dog.

What team work. And planning.

I am touched, inspired and all geared to go ahead and put in my best efforts to be the best father ever.

A walk in the past

Amazing.

I am sitting in the car driving the wife and kids to my grandmothers ancestral place. I am smiling as I relive all the memories. The wife is telling the kids to have fun, but be on their best when they are let loose on the trees and the lake with their cousins. And the kids are thrilled as they plan dance and games.

I suddenly see a vision of me in the back seat as a 10 year old. My dad is driving, and my mother is advising us the same things. I am thrilled to be going on the vacation and seeing all of them.

Life is good. Not much change there.
Oh yes, maybe we need an ipod or two to set the music now.
And cannot exist without the internet and mobile signals.

But the fun...and the smiles...and the late night stories and gossip...is still very much the same.