My visit to Australia and New Zealand - II

The flight from Hyderabad to Singapore took about 3-1/2 hours and thereafter I had a halt for about 2 hours in Singapore airport before taking my connecting flight to Auckland. This was a 9-1/2 hour flight. I didn't expect such a long flight. Anyways, as luck would have it the flight was quite empty. I grabbed the opportunity and moved over to get a middle row of seats which were empty.

After a little while of the flight taking off I prepared myself to stretch and have a good nap. However, my nap was interrupted very early by a flight attendant asking if I wanted my meal. My request for serving my meal after a few hours was turned down with a answer that 'we cannot reserve the meals for so long'. I said what the heck, get me my meal right now. I scrolled on the menu options on the in-flight entertainment system and was happy to see the Hindi movie options. Me being me, I couldn't resist the urge of catching a Hindi movie and so postponed the nap by a little. The movie I saw was Dasvidaniya. I am glad that I did as it was truly a very nice movie. After that and my meal I did manage to get a nap. The cramped seats, seat belts and the partition handles didn't make my nap easy but it was certainly better than keeping myself seated on my single seat.

I manager to get a couple of hours rest and got up to realise that we had another 4-5 hours left. So it was movie time yet again. I watched Quantum of solace this time after which it was the Hindi movie EMI. I almost manager to finish this movie bu the flight attendant asked for the head sets prior to our landing. They even turned off the in-flight entertainment systems about 15mins.to landing. Wonder why the have to do such things. Can't we be entertained until we reach the gate after landing. I think it is Emirates that even takes the blankets away before landing. To hell with the cold!

Anyways, we touched down New Zealand soil pretty much on time. I was expecting a very posh looking airport but was surprised that it was a very ordinary looking simple airport. Guys coming from Auckland into Hyderabad would be expecting an ordinary airport and would be taken aback at the beauty of our airport. Well....getting back to New Zealand, the immigration was quick. However, there was a little delay in the customs as they wanted to check my sample box. This damn box always gets me delayed. Unfortunately, it is a must to carry this everywhere. I exited the airport in search of the hotel shuttle but found none and therefore took a taxi (with an Indian driver) and headed for my hotel.

My visit to Australia and New Zealand

Its travel time yet again !

Travel seems very exciting to many and for quite sometime it was for me too. However, those who travel for work would know what it really is after a while. I have been travelling for over 7 years and have had the privilege of visiting the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, UK, Greece, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia and China. However, I never got the opportunity to visit Australia and New Zealand. This trip of mine would fulfil my desire to visit these countries as well.

I am once again at the beautiful Hyderabad International Airport awaiting my departure call on Singapore Airlines (yes, once again !). I look forward to a fruitful trip work wise and also to enjoy the scenic countries. I had some difficulties with my camera and hope the same gets sorted out so I could take a lot of pictures as forever memories. I will obviously fill you in on my trip as and when I can. Until then.....CHEERS MAITE !

Promises are meant to be borken...at least in Indian Politics !

The tamasha has begun.

Every time the elections are announced each party tries to make bigger promises than the other with the sole objective to come to power. None really care of the consequence of such promises if they are actually elected. Unfortunately, it is the largely uneducated electorate that fall prey to such promises and elect such parties to power.

The last elections in our state had the Congress party offer free power to the agriculture sector. After coming to power the first thing the Chief Minister did was sign the free power scheme into affect. However, gradually the Govt.realised that this was a blunder and made amendments. Now its election time again and with it comes the promises galore. This time the main opposition to the Congress in the state, the TDP has promised cash compensation to all poor families, subsidised food grains, free electricity and hold your breath - color TVs ! Yes, you got that right - color TVs. Cheap food, money and TV (that too no charge for electricity) - the poor have nothing to work for!

From where will the Govt.get the money to offer such extravagant deals? It is obviously going to be from the tax collected off the people who work hard to feed themselves and their families with their own money. This is just one of the many unbelievable promises that are made by all political parties these days. The educated understand this and surely would not like to vote for such people. However, when one looks around, no one is different. Whom to vote for?

This election has brought a new face in the politics of our state in the form of actor Chiranjeevi. The actor has had a fabulous career in movies and shows potential to be a leader with a difference. Will he actually be any different, only time will tell.

LOL - Its Pink Panther 2 !

If laughter is the best medicine, Pink Panther 2 is one of the best among the medicines.

Inspector Jacques Clouseau, portrayed by the inimitable Steve Martin is a treat for movie goers. The movie has the usual plot - precious artifacts get stolen from different countries and inspector Clouseau is asked to lead an international dream team to crack the case. The journey of the team in cracking the case is the crux of the movie.

The 1 and a half hour movie is filled with laughs from the word go. Steve Martin's French accent itself is so funny that it makes a plain dialogue seem funny. There are many superb comic scenes all through. The scene with the Pope takes the cake though. I must warn you to take some pills for a stomach ache as this scene in particular and the whole movie in general is going to make you laugh real hard till your stomach pains. It is unbelievable. Steve Martin rocks.

The rest of the cast is wonderful as well. Among them is our own Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Unlike popular belief, she does have a good role, which she plays very well. She obviously looks gorgeous as well. I am sure we are going to see a lot more of her in Hollywood.

This is a MUST WATCH and deservedly gets 8.5/10.