Winning and Not Winning

Its amazing how a win change your entire outlook to life. I am the kinda guy who's always managed to scrape through, not often do I win and hence the sub concious lack of confidence or the urge to win.

However this entirely changed Jan 29th, we had a match against QSG and we won. Not only did we not win, I was the man of the match. And that  feeling is sublime. Firstly I am not that good a player, however it was my day. Whatever I touched turned into gold.

68 runs in 52 balls is not something that I can digest easily. Every time I used watch a batsman score run and  I would be like that is soo difficult. However having achieved this tiny bit I am in the clouds. Couldn't have asked anything more from my stars.

And believe me I was lucky. They dropped me twice and I had a whole bunch of edges, bad shots, close lbw calls and what not. I ran ran like the wind, heehe and six to top it all off was unbelievable.  I firstly did not realise I was close to Fifty, only when Vikas came to me with water did he tell me I was at 41 and not to throw away my wicket.

I now can connect to the winning zeal that people have, I have never had that I used to relate to it in movies like Rocky, Remember the Titans. I can now see how motivating this feeling of winning can be.

Chapter 2 - The beaches of Phuket

Research, research and more research, that is the success to a good trip. God bless the internet and lonely planet, for it helped us locate and feel the place like no other.

From serene beaches to the "best pat thai" in the world we covered it all. All what better way to do it than on a bike, its amazing the geology of phuket. Its got hills and terrain and on the other side is this beautiful lush green beaches. Its amazing how a small turn can take you to the best of beaches. The best of locations.

Giving your original passport to a strange can be super nerve racking especially when the person you are giving it to does't understand a word of English. By the way its all actions and yes/no in Thailand, you better brush up on your sign language skills if you want the Thai to understand what you are saying. Having rented a white Honda pcx, small little bike kinda like the Activas here.

Kata beach was the first beach on our trip, crowded beach however super clean. We din't stay there but drove upto "hat nai harn". This is supposed to be one of the hidden not so popular beach.  And it was pristine, got ourselves an umbrella and voila Rupali out in here bikini flaunting the Indian skin ;)

The waves were ripping and the water blue. It felt amazing and no rupali did not come into the water just yet. She soaked in some sun and was enjoying the view from her umbrella.  I have to agree with Lonely planet this is one of the best beaches in Phuket. This beach is on Highway 4233 on your way to Laem Phromthep.

Next was Ao Sane beach, this is a little rocky but is tucked away in a small corner and has kind of a tree shade going which is why it found its name in Lonely planet.

Taking a short dip here, off we were to "After beach bar" for a late lunch. This is one of the most popular reggae bars in Phuket , its on the hill just after kata. This place has a 180 degree view of the Andaman. Its simply put breath taking.

Prawn wontons, papaya salad fo rupali and CHang beer for Santosh. ;) ... This is one place that you should not miss. Highly recommended for the food and a breaktaking view.

We were now headed to Laem Phromthep, which is the southern most view point of the island. I agree it was sunny and warm but we had come too far to do this in the evening. Having striked that off the list, we were back in kata looking for the best phad thai in the world. Lonely planet recommends the "pad thai shop" in kata. And without a doubt this place rocked, through out our trip we ate lots and lots of pad thai and this one was the best. For 50bath, it was out of the world.

Having gone to the room for sometime, we were fresh and back on the beach. However this time, RUPALI was daring and showing loads of skin. She walked from the hotel to the beach in that skimpy bikini and she loved it. For the first time in the day she decided to get into the water. Yes she did dare and we fell into the water and her spectacles got lost. It was absolutly not pleasant for me cuz she would dronwed me there for a moment. We had plans for dinner in Kata, you know one of those fancy places, but that was no longer open. Back to Dinner in the beach front restaurant in Woraburi.. Man what a day..

Day Three

Was a trip to Ko Phi Phi, and for some very strange reason we were the vip the guests on the tour. The islands we went to, the snorkeling, the kiwi life saver, the islands was all super fun. This however was one hell of a day and rupali had special plans for the evening. A full body treatment in the Hotel's spa, nothing like it aaye.

While she got herself pampered, I was on a food/drink/beer hunt.

1. Noodle wrapped fried prawns @ Sea Food Karon
2. Margarita and Garlic Bread @ Las Maragaritas
3. Long island iced tea @  Drinks on the beach

Having caught up to rupali, we were headed for dinner to Sea food Karon. And yes this is a Lonely planet recommended place which is right on the karon main road.
Some lovely green curry, prawns and chang to gulp it all down.

We were in bliss.

Day Four

Day four in Phuket was reserved for the Phang Na islands, aka james bond island. This tour also included a kayak ride in the caves. The kayak ride was awesome, I did some Kayaking too, it was great fun. Met a Pakistani family on this trip, they were fun.

On the island there were a few rocky structures and man-o-man do the chinese love the pose. They would all be making hearts kissing in front of the sun and what not. It was crazy..

Day five

Day five ended the awesome awesome awesome phuket stay. We would absolutely love to go there again and enjoy those beaches again. The food, the people... Phuket absolutely rocked for us and we loved everybit of it.