Backpack trip take - I dunno :P
Informed my dad at the last moment that I wasn't going to be around for the long weekend as Hyderbabad was calling. Not
Booked bus tickets since the bus/ train journey wasn't substantial. Traveled by Orange Travels - good stuff man! Bus travelling has become super comfy EXCEPT for those pit stops - they still have a long way to go in providing excellent services (washroom/ meals) on the route.
So private bus operators aren't allowed in the city and the bus provider arranges for a mini bus/ van to ferry you to different main junctions. Unfortunately the spot where the main bus and the mini bus halted was at a no parking zone - so we spent a good 20 minutes sweating while the bus driver was greasing the policewalla's palms :P
Finally I got off at my spot after being warned by all and sundry - haggle with the rickshaws... I witnessed how much I had to haggle when the starting range for a 2km journey is -- wait for it -- 100 bucks! Whhhhaaaa??? I said no - I'll pay you 20 bucks since I was told to start from there and work my way up. Good thing I didn't listen to the autowalla offering to go by the metre - rigged to the core they are (he offered to eat his socks if it didn't touch at least 60 bucks if we went the metre route)
Finally settled for 50 bucks and we were off. My backseat rickshaw pics are becoming the norm now on every travel and I think that's also a great way to get a feel of the city, do a quick review of the streets and people, the crazy driving styles - I had to stuff my hand in my mouth for fear off screaming :P (wonder when this rickshaw paranoia will fade???)
When you compare Mumbai and Hyderabadi autos - here we have to beg the rickshawallas to take you, there they want to take you AND your wallet - for a ride!
CG came to pick me up and wow - it's been over a year and a half since I saw him. We were great phone buddies/ colleagues at work but I think we understand each other waaaaayyyyy better now and have taken the friendship to a much higher level - thanks to the kick ass conversations and great experiences touring the city as outsiders.
He's got a lovely pad - which reminds me, even though I love living off my parents, I need to move out and find my own crib soon. A quick shower didn't relive the lousy catch in the right leg and didn't get better until the following day, but nevertheless, we headed off to Salar Jung Museum.
You love art, history and culture? Then this is definitely the place to spend a good four-five hours. Comfy shoes are the norm along with a bottle of water (midway you might start feeling hungry too) but this place is brilliant for those who wish to experience history in all its glory, from intricate carvings made of elephant tusks to some crazy (at times creepy) walking sticks, from elegant furniture to elaborate wall clocks, from exquisite murals to some real neat sculptures... tons more! Do visit (:
After exiting the museum, we went to a lovely restaurant Shadab (since I was informed Paradise had lost its flavour and touch) and binged on some yummy kebabs and chicken curry and naan. My dodo CG asks the waiter - "Is this Shadab food better than the outlet next to XXXX Hills?" Clearly offended, the dude actually snatched away our menus and said - I will make you eat our specialty which is waaaayyy better than the other Shadab. Ouch.
Anyway once we were stomach full, we headed to Charminar (by then, a very minor migraine had become my companion)...
Now the road to Charminar I'm sure are paved with good intentions but WHAT THE HECK! - The fountain facing the monument - gutter water coming out (and I, like a fool, went close to it to get a long shot of the Minar) Guess who almost barfed - almost!
Mousambi wanted pearl earrings - so CG and me - clueless about anything remotely shiny, opal and round, went searching - and whatever we liked or thought was appropriate - we got messages back saying - Noooooooooo!!!!! Baaaaahhhh hum bug. But on the bright side, we got to sit in fancy AirCon shops so we were grateful for the minor reprieve from the sweltering heat.
Honestly, the Hyderabad heat frazzled me to the core - Gimme an AC room - and I'd have slept right until Christmas probably. I really dunno how one gets work done in this city. It was too hot and it's not even SUMMER! Lol.
Back to Charminar. Had some lovely sugarcane juice and we headed to conquer the Minar.
Seriously, sometimes I wonder how the heck did I run/ jog a 21K when I was feeling the ache by the time we reached the top. While the view of the entire city is worth the climb, the structure in itself is a disgrace. The entire architecture has been damaged and I believe it's beyond salvage at this point because the scribbings, the doodles and the Meena loves Amar scrawls have ruined its beauty. Felt really bad. Worse is, the security which is present now - is probably a little too late for comfort. Going down was a pain - plenty of people with vertigo - men especially!
Next we headed to the Blue Mosque but weren't allowed in cause CG was in three fourths while I needed a scarf/ stole to enter. Dropped the plan and decided to head to Nimrah cafe for some Irani Tea and biscuits. All those visiting Hyderabad need to check out this place for the tea but more importantly for their kickass - Osmania biscuits. Priced at a delicious Rs 2 for 1, these mouth watering tea biscuits just melt in your mouth.
From there we decided to head back home, relax a little cause I was beat and figure out some evening plans. Talking, yapping, swapping stories and after a lovely guitar session - it was 9pm!
We dressed real quick and headed to a place called Cocos. Chilled out joint with a live band playing - spent a relaxed evening singing along to some much loved tunes. Thanks for reminding me about - Turn the Page! Respect :D
We next headed for ice cream but this was some fancy shwancy ice cream - Delicious! By the time we got back it was about 1am. Off to snooze!
Morning started late - 11am, I think - Learning how handy I was in the kitchen, CG made breakfast. Forever humiliated but don't really care. I snoozed again (He kept saying - how much you sleep) Dude! Seriously? The weather was making me drowsy!
Plan for the day was Golconda Fort - where once we reached, we were asked at the ticket counter to shell out Rs 150 each for being foreigners. CG obviously all hair ruffled - aare hum log idhar ke hi hain (in some shitty Hyderabadi dialect-cum-lingo-cum-accent). Me - I was laughing, I like playing foreigner.
We got fleeced royally, all thanks to me, by the guide (I had to ask for an English guide since the Hindi to English translation in my brain wasn't working :P). His English - priceless. "The King. Stay here. 360 wives. One room. One wife. All jump in water. Commit suicide when King die. Lot of Rani and Raja commit suicide today. So tourism close this area." CG and me look at each - grins all around!!!!
He did show us some real interesting things and told us a lot of facts and history - but I'm just going to read up more on it as I kind of doubt his version of the Fort. He said he picked up English from talking to people like us - I think we did a very poor job indeed. The Fort luckily is still standing, whatever Aurangzeb decided to not break down after laying siege it seems for about six months. We climbed over 750 stairs both ways.
The most annoying thing after we gave him Rs 600 (for which there was no receipt) he bothered us for a tip. We were going to give him a tip anyway but his brazen demands to give one which soon turned to begging really turned us off and we left the place soon, utterly disappointed that it came down to this.
Since we had a late brunch, we decided to order in Mutton Biryani from Shadab back home. SLLLUUURRRPPPP! Half a kg rice - we finished at least 80% with all the mutton over!
All tucked in, we started jamming again and this time I played my first Hindi song - will put it up on YouTube soon for all to see and die of giggles. :P
In the middle of the main lane, a mountain of cow dung was kept and lit to mark the Holi fire. We went down to take a couple of shots and see people trying to get some of the dung which they were putting in vessels. I dunno what that was about. Heading back up to change we realised we were a bit hungry again.
Left for Chutneys - which as the name suggests serves about 6-8 varieties of chutneys with your South Indian delicacy. I had a Steam Dosa which it is famous for while CG gobbled up a Masala Dosa. Once we got done, we were feeling extremely bloated and decided to do the 2km walk home. CG says - he always feels bloated after leaving Chutneys. Too much Sodium probably :/
We crashed again as Sir ji was kind enough to take a half day the following day (even though it was Holi but not a public holiday). Woke up late again and had sweet potatoes for breakfast, some yummy concoction of oats, yogurt, nuts, plums, etc... the recipe for which only CG knows. I went back to snooze - sue me - but we just found the AC remote (the AC was left by the previous tenant) and I was loving it!!!
Lunch was at this restaurant called Kritunga - This has to officially be one of the best BESTEST of the BEST meals I've had in forever.
CG's friend Mukund, who's passion is to eat anything and everything possible (dunno WTF he is doing in IT) knows the ins and outs of FOOD, FLAVOURS and FOOD JOINTS. He talks to you and mid sentence he gets side tracked if he sees a dish going to another table. Rofl! Very rarely do you get to meet someone interesting and an expert in something other than the usual career crap. The food he ordered for us was mind boggling! My first bite and I was sweating. After two glasses of coke, two glasses of water, I still wanted to eat more and I kept telling them - guys, my ass better not get on fire - I have to travel by fucking bus to Bombay!!! All they did was giggle, eat and sweat. Pigs.
We had the Nattukodi (Chicken Curry - Desi Chicken), Korameenu Fish, a Mutton Curry, and a freaking fantastic Andhra Chicken Biryani - I knew I'd died and gone to heaven after eating here. I want to go back to Hyderabad - ONLY TO EAT AT KRITUNGA!!!
We left and headed to Karachi Bakery to buy the usual for the usual suspects. went home and snoozed again, okay, fine, I snoozed again for an hour, packed my bags, and departed to the place where the mini bus would pick me up and transport me to the main bus.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself and hope to repay CG for his warmth, kindness and hospitality when he decides to head to Mumbai. Really appreciate you Jaaneman!
Now the funny thing about the main bus - so there I was waiting along with everyone else for the big bus to arrive and I notice how beautiful the full moon is with its orange tinge. I quickly remove the camera and take out a few pics, only to turn around and find, all the people who are to board my bus are nowhere in sight and I see a big bus going in the distance. I don't get cold anymore. I just stand stock still and go - Oh crap. No. Not again... I ask a guy standing close by - was that the bus to Bombay which just left - he said "oh no" (phew) "Your bus is parked a bit at the back and you need to go there."
So I quickly stuffed the camera in my backpack and ran. Reach my seat thanking my stars I didn't miss my transport (again) only to realise I'm a little light in terms of luggage. I had forgotten the sweets! So I just left my bag on the seat and ran back (I really need to start running again) - only to find my sweets are missing. Grrrrrrrr. The same gentleman came forward and handed my bag to me saying - he'd been searching for me to hand it over. Thank you my Sweet Saviour (:
Ran back to the bus, popped a pill and slept (again). Woke up in time to get off and walk home.
A 'Holi'-day well spent, indeed.
Informed my dad at the last moment that I wasn't going to be around for the long weekend as Hyderbabad was calling. Not
Booked bus tickets since the bus/ train journey wasn't substantial. Traveled by Orange Travels - good stuff man! Bus travelling has become super comfy EXCEPT for those pit stops - they still have a long way to go in providing excellent services (washroom/ meals) on the route.
So private bus operators aren't allowed in the city and the bus provider arranges for a mini bus/ van to ferry you to different main junctions. Unfortunately the spot where the main bus and the mini bus halted was at a no parking zone - so we spent a good 20 minutes sweating while the bus driver was greasing the policewalla's palms :PFinally I got off at my spot after being warned by all and sundry - haggle with the rickshaws... I witnessed how much I had to haggle when the starting range for a 2km journey is -- wait for it -- 100 bucks! Whhhhaaaa??? I said no - I'll pay you 20 bucks since I was told to start from there and work my way up. Good thing I didn't listen to the autowalla offering to go by the metre - rigged to the core they are (he offered to eat his socks if it didn't touch at least 60 bucks if we went the metre route)
Finally settled for 50 bucks and we were off. My backseat rickshaw pics are becoming the norm now on every travel and I think that's also a great way to get a feel of the city, do a quick review of the streets and people, the crazy driving styles - I had to stuff my hand in my mouth for fear off screaming :P (wonder when this rickshaw paranoia will fade???)
When you compare Mumbai and Hyderabadi autos - here we have to beg the rickshawallas to take you, there they want to take you AND your wallet - for a ride!CG came to pick me up and wow - it's been over a year and a half since I saw him. We were great phone buddies/ colleagues at work but I think we understand each other waaaaayyyyy better now and have taken the friendship to a much higher level - thanks to the kick ass conversations and great experiences touring the city as outsiders.
He's got a lovely pad - which reminds me, even though I love living off my parents, I need to move out and find my own crib soon. A quick shower didn't relive the lousy catch in the right leg and didn't get better until the following day, but nevertheless, we headed off to Salar Jung Museum.
You love art, history and culture? Then this is definitely the place to spend a good four-five hours. Comfy shoes are the norm along with a bottle of water (midway you might start feeling hungry too) but this place is brilliant for those who wish to experience history in all its glory, from intricate carvings made of elephant tusks to some crazy (at times creepy) walking sticks, from elegant furniture to elaborate wall clocks, from exquisite murals to some real neat sculptures... tons more! Do visit (:
After exiting the museum, we went to a lovely restaurant Shadab (since I was informed Paradise had lost its flavour and touch) and binged on some yummy kebabs and chicken curry and naan. My dodo CG asks the waiter - "Is this Shadab food better than the outlet next to XXXX Hills?" Clearly offended, the dude actually snatched away our menus and said - I will make you eat our specialty which is waaaayyy better than the other Shadab. Ouch.Anyway once we were stomach full, we headed to Charminar (by then, a very minor migraine had become my companion)...
Now the road to Charminar I'm sure are paved with good intentions but WHAT THE HECK! - The fountain facing the monument - gutter water coming out (and I, like a fool, went close to it to get a long shot of the Minar) Guess who almost barfed - almost!
Mousambi wanted pearl earrings - so CG and me - clueless about anything remotely shiny, opal and round, went searching - and whatever we liked or thought was appropriate - we got messages back saying - Noooooooooo!!!!! Baaaaahhhh hum bug. But on the bright side, we got to sit in fancy AirCon shops so we were grateful for the minor reprieve from the sweltering heat.
Honestly, the Hyderabad heat frazzled me to the core - Gimme an AC room - and I'd have slept right until Christmas probably. I really dunno how one gets work done in this city. It was too hot and it's not even SUMMER! Lol.Back to Charminar. Had some lovely sugarcane juice and we headed to conquer the Minar.
Seriously, sometimes I wonder how the heck did I run/ jog a 21K when I was feeling the ache by the time we reached the top. While the view of the entire city is worth the climb, the structure in itself is a disgrace. The entire architecture has been damaged and I believe it's beyond salvage at this point because the scribbings, the doodles and the Meena loves Amar scrawls have ruined its beauty. Felt really bad. Worse is, the security which is present now - is probably a little too late for comfort. Going down was a pain - plenty of people with vertigo - men especially!
Next we headed to the Blue Mosque but weren't allowed in cause CG was in three fourths while I needed a scarf/ stole to enter. Dropped the plan and decided to head to Nimrah cafe for some Irani Tea and biscuits. All those visiting Hyderabad need to check out this place for the tea but more importantly for their kickass - Osmania biscuits. Priced at a delicious Rs 2 for 1, these mouth watering tea biscuits just melt in your mouth.From there we decided to head back home, relax a little cause I was beat and figure out some evening plans. Talking, yapping, swapping stories and after a lovely guitar session - it was 9pm!
We dressed real quick and headed to a place called Cocos. Chilled out joint with a live band playing - spent a relaxed evening singing along to some much loved tunes. Thanks for reminding me about - Turn the Page! Respect :D
We next headed for ice cream but this was some fancy shwancy ice cream - Delicious! By the time we got back it was about 1am. Off to snooze!
Morning started late - 11am, I think - Learning how handy I was in the kitchen, CG made breakfast. Forever humiliated but don't really care. I snoozed again (He kept saying - how much you sleep) Dude! Seriously? The weather was making me drowsy!Plan for the day was Golconda Fort - where once we reached, we were asked at the ticket counter to shell out Rs 150 each for being foreigners. CG obviously all hair ruffled - aare hum log idhar ke hi hain (in some shitty Hyderabadi dialect-cum-lingo-cum-accent). Me - I was laughing, I like playing foreigner.
We got fleeced royally, all thanks to me, by the guide (I had to ask for an English guide since the Hindi to English translation in my brain wasn't working :P). His English - priceless. "The King. Stay here. 360 wives. One room. One wife. All jump in water. Commit suicide when King die. Lot of Rani and Raja commit suicide today. So tourism close this area." CG and me look at each - grins all around!!!!
He did show us some real interesting things and told us a lot of facts and history - but I'm just going to read up more on it as I kind of doubt his version of the Fort. He said he picked up English from talking to people like us - I think we did a very poor job indeed. The Fort luckily is still standing, whatever Aurangzeb decided to not break down after laying siege it seems for about six months. We climbed over 750 stairs both ways.
The most annoying thing after we gave him Rs 600 (for which there was no receipt) he bothered us for a tip. We were going to give him a tip anyway but his brazen demands to give one which soon turned to begging really turned us off and we left the place soon, utterly disappointed that it came down to this.
Since we had a late brunch, we decided to order in Mutton Biryani from Shadab back home. SLLLUUURRRPPPP! Half a kg rice - we finished at least 80% with all the mutton over!All tucked in, we started jamming again and this time I played my first Hindi song - will put it up on YouTube soon for all to see and die of giggles. :P
In the middle of the main lane, a mountain of cow dung was kept and lit to mark the Holi fire. We went down to take a couple of shots and see people trying to get some of the dung which they were putting in vessels. I dunno what that was about. Heading back up to change we realised we were a bit hungry again.Left for Chutneys - which as the name suggests serves about 6-8 varieties of chutneys with your South Indian delicacy. I had a Steam Dosa which it is famous for while CG gobbled up a Masala Dosa. Once we got done, we were feeling extremely bloated and decided to do the 2km walk home. CG says - he always feels bloated after leaving Chutneys. Too much Sodium probably :/
We crashed again as Sir ji was kind enough to take a half day the following day (even though it was Holi but not a public holiday). Woke up late again and had sweet potatoes for breakfast, some yummy concoction of oats, yogurt, nuts, plums, etc... the recipe for which only CG knows. I went back to snooze - sue me - but we just found the AC remote (the AC was left by the previous tenant) and I was loving it!!!
CG's friend Mukund, who's passion is to eat anything and everything possible (dunno WTF he is doing in IT) knows the ins and outs of FOOD, FLAVOURS and FOOD JOINTS. He talks to you and mid sentence he gets side tracked if he sees a dish going to another table. Rofl! Very rarely do you get to meet someone interesting and an expert in something other than the usual career crap. The food he ordered for us was mind boggling! My first bite and I was sweating. After two glasses of coke, two glasses of water, I still wanted to eat more and I kept telling them - guys, my ass better not get on fire - I have to travel by fucking bus to Bombay!!! All they did was giggle, eat and sweat. Pigs.
We had the Nattukodi (Chicken Curry - Desi Chicken), Korameenu Fish, a Mutton Curry, and a freaking fantastic Andhra Chicken Biryani - I knew I'd died and gone to heaven after eating here. I want to go back to Hyderabad - ONLY TO EAT AT KRITUNGA!!!We left and headed to Karachi Bakery to buy the usual for the usual suspects. went home and snoozed again, okay, fine, I snoozed again for an hour, packed my bags, and departed to the place where the mini bus would pick me up and transport me to the main bus.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself and hope to repay CG for his warmth, kindness and hospitality when he decides to head to Mumbai. Really appreciate you Jaaneman!
Now the funny thing about the main bus - so there I was waiting along with everyone else for the big bus to arrive and I notice how beautiful the full moon is with its orange tinge. I quickly remove the camera and take out a few pics, only to turn around and find, all the people who are to board my bus are nowhere in sight and I see a big bus going in the distance. I don't get cold anymore. I just stand stock still and go - Oh crap. No. Not again... I ask a guy standing close by - was that the bus to Bombay which just left - he said "oh no" (phew) "Your bus is parked a bit at the back and you need to go there."
So I quickly stuffed the camera in my backpack and ran. Reach my seat thanking my stars I didn't miss my transport (again) only to realise I'm a little light in terms of luggage. I had forgotten the sweets! So I just left my bag on the seat and ran back (I really need to start running again) - only to find my sweets are missing. Grrrrrrrr. The same gentleman came forward and handed my bag to me saying - he'd been searching for me to hand it over. Thank you my Sweet Saviour (:
Ran back to the bus, popped a pill and slept (again). Woke up in time to get off and walk home.
A 'Holi'-day well spent, indeed.
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