पन्ने

कई डायरियाँ यूहीं भर गयीं
तुम्हे याद करते हुये
और भुलाने की कोशिश में ।

किसी पन्ने पर तुम खुद भी आ जाते
दो-चार शब्द तो साथ चलते ।

Trip to HK - the rest of it

"What time is it? I am hungry  :-| "

"2:20.....  AM !!!"

"Really? How long we've been sleeping? I don't think we'll get anything to eat at this time."

"Lets just have our carry-on snacks and try to sleep back. "

"Yeah."

----------

"Shopping will be the first thing in our to-do list. ok?"

"Do I have an option?" :P

Nope, I am not a shopaholic. Same is the case with my husband. Actually the set up of our Hotel was to set the guests up! It was interconnected to one of the most sought after shopping malls in HK.

However, we ended up doing just window shopping. Well.... most of the time!

We were there for a week. So, I will only do the highlights.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

##  In search of Indian food, we roamed around street markets. We came across small temporarily built shops, roadside set up, bargaining ladies, car stuck in a narrow road :P... almost everything that you will see in any small Indian town.

We even saw two elderly couples, probably retired, playing something like carom in one of the shops during off peak afternoon hours :-).
Well, life isn't all about money and machines!

##  My b'day was one of the highlights of course ;). It was in the middle of the week. Cake, dressing up and then candle light dinner. Yeah, getting outing-ready is actually a task for me. I am one of those ladies, who find face-cream + lip-balm enough for most of their outings. My make up kit opens up only on special occasions. Yeah, call me lazy! I am too much of that to even mind it :P.

A pleasant surprise was the door bell that afternoon. I opened the door and there was this guy(school going type) with a tray. Also, handed me a hand written b'day wishes card from the Manager. 

"Happy birthday Ma'am! This is from the Hotel. Enjoy your special day :-)"

"Hey wait, how did you know it was my birthday? I dont remember mentioning my DoB anywhere."

"We have our special secret ways, Ma'am". He said, smiling at my puzzled face.

"Sure, you do :-). Thanks a lot ."

It must be my passport. Wow, they actually go through those IDs we submit.

##  Next day was Diwali. Our own much cerebrated Hindu festival. This year it was only about having Indian food for a three course dinner.

##  Up next was visiting Tian Tan Buddha. I am not my religious self since quite some time now but Art is still in my list. The statue on the top of the hill and the way to reach there were fascinating enough to go.

We opted for crystal cable car, transparent thoroughly.The hint of acrophobia in me scared the both of us initially. But we held up. The ride was breathtakingly beautiful.

##  We also covered botanical garden which was equally zoological. Among many other species, red Flamingos were worth a click.

##  Next on list was tram to Victoria Peak, the highest point of Hong Kong.
So, this was a 20-25 mins angular tram ride through the city and dropped you at a place, whence you would go to the peak.
For me, that tram ride was an experience of another world. You just shouldn't  miss this thing while in HK. We were so thrilled that we realized afterwards there were no photos clicked from tram. Believe me, its that amazing!!

And, then came the day we left for airport.

Hong Kong is one beautiful place with beautiful people inside out..

विचरण

दिल की सतहों में रहते हो

मन की परतों में बसते हो

तुम दर्द से गहरे उतरे हो

नस नस में जैसे बहते हो

आँखों में हरदम मंज़र से

टापू के चहुँओर समंदर से

हर बात में तुम्ही निकलते हो

नस नस में जैसे बहते हो। 

यादें सारी उजली मैली 

रिश्तों की वो भाषा शैली

तुम अब भी मुझसे कहते हो

नस नस में जैसे बहते हो। 

स्पर्श तुम्हारा है मन पर

संघर्ष तुम्हारा जीवन पर

साँसों में दिए से जलते हो

नस नस में जैसे बहते हो। 

हर धूप छाँव के मौकों में 

हर वक्त हवा के झोंकों में 

आँगन में रोज़ विचरते हो

नस नस में जैसे बहते हो। 

Trip to HK - the arrival day

The trip continued to a couple of other destinations, hence a little gap in the next post.

Anyway, I am back now. :)

En route to hotel, we couldn't help notice the highly developed infrastructure of the Vertical City even with those sleepy eyes and heavy eyelids. The balance between men-made and natural beauty was really amazing.

We reached our hotel around 8:30 AM and the receptionist only disappointed us despite all the elegance and smiles she could pour!

" We are really sorry Sir. The guest in the room, booked for you from today, has not checked out yet. I am afraid, you will have to wait."

" How long is it gonna take?" - me and husband unanimously.

" The check out time is before 12:30 PM. So, whenever the guest leaves we will need another 1-2 hours to get the room ready for you.

You can spend the time in our lounge or recreational areas. We will give you a call once the room is ready. Really sorry about the wait, Sir."

" Its all right. Not your fault. Thanks."

"Come on, we all know the check- in/out standard timings. How could the travel agency do such a mistake. They knew the flight arrival time. Should have booked the room from yesterday!!" I blurted out in tired frustration. 

The tone was more like it was Kumar's fault. Well, you cant take a wife out of a lady around her husband!

He ignored or let it go and we started looking for something to eat. A fight well saved. :P

Hotchpotch aside, I cant miss the perks! Those musicians during breakfast, caring staff and a mesmerizing swimming pool area among other things helped us relax while we explored the surroundings.

We finally entered into our room around 2 PM. It was a harbor facing worth-the-wait deluxe room.
We were full from that melodious brunch so just took a much needed shower and slept like babies! :) 


to be continued ..