Okay Mum and Dad arrived back from Goa on the 14th February. They had both caught the sun and looked a lot more relaxed. I was working so after work I returned to the apartment and we caught up over a few beers before heading out to dinner at a restaurant called Earth. Now none of use had even given the date a second thought (14th February) but it soon became apparent when we arrived at the restaurant, as there were heart shaped balloons all over the place. We didn't have a reservation but the waiter said he would try and find us a table. We sat down at the bar and had a few drinks arriving at the conclusion that everywhere would be the same. Finally, about 22:00, we sat down for dinner. We were all starving and tired by the time the main course came, we just ate and then headed for home.

Friday was back to work for me and I also had to go to the ministry to re-register but after that I sent Karan back to the apartment to pick up Mum & Dad who then went off shopping. Friday night was the start of my first Duty Manager shift so Mum cooked at home (Home cooking). I eventually finished work at 04:30 Saturday morning. Mum and Dad had arranged for Karan to pick them up at 10:00 and they headed off to spend some more money. I woke up about 10:30 and resumed working. Mum cooked again and we had another evening in. About 04:30 my internet line stopped working and I was left working on my BlackBerry, eventually getting to bed about 05:30.

Sunday I still had no internet connectivity so went around to Laurence's where I camped until about midnight. Lucky things were going largely to plan and I finished about 01:30 Monday morning. I grabbed a few hours sleep and then Mum, Dad, and I headed off the Delhi, in particular the old part. We went straight to Karims for lunch before touring the narrow side streets, stopping off so Mum could buy ribbons and other handy craft bit's and pieces and so Dad could take a look around a Jain temple. We headed back towards the point we had agreed to call Karan from but he found us before we could get there. We headed back to the apartment for a shower and a change of clothes and then to Dine Estey for dinner. Tuesday morning Karan picked us all up at 11:00 and we headed to the City Center mall were we left Mum to have a Manicure and Pedicure. Dad and I headed to the gym, where Dad had a massage and we both had a Sauna. We then headed back to the City Center mall and met up with Mum at Ruby Tuesday's for lunch, before returning to the apartment for a sleep as Mum and Dad had an early morning flight. We woke up about 19:30 and headed to TGI Friday's for dinner.

Mum and Dad left at 03:00 Wednesday morning, and me, well I went back to bed. I woke up at 11:30 and opted for a lazy day, chilling out on the sofa. Thursday morning Karan picked me up at 11:00 and I opted for another me day. I headed to the City Center mall where I had my first every manicure and pedicure. I then headed to the gym where I had a Balinese massage, and a sauna, before returning home for an afternoon nap. I woke up about 18:00 and Laurence and I headed to Italiano for dinner and a bottle of wine.

This morning I had another lay-in (Something to do with the bottle of wine) and headed to the Metropolitan Mall to do some shopping. I have had my eye on a pair of Bose headphones for a while now and finally took the plunge. They weren't cheap, but I figured I was owed a treat. So now I am back at the apartment. Karan is due to pick me up at 16:30 so I can goto the gym and then tonight I am off out with my team leaders for our monthly offsite team dinner.

Not sure what the plan is for the weekend yet, but it's warming up here now (28 Degrees) so am contemplating sitting by the pool at one of the hotels, but then it depends largely on alcohol consumption this evening.

Tags: Family, Relaxing, Shopping, Food, Gym

Okay so it's been quiet this end, in more ways than one. To start with my Internet connection has been up and down since last weekend which has left me feeling like my hands have been cut off. I knew I shouldn't have asked for the phone to be moved.

It has been quiet socially to however. I think people are recovering from the Christmas / New Year hangover, but know a lot of people are also planning the next holiday. How do I know this? Well I am one of them.

Well let me start at the beginning, Monday Laurence arrived back and we had some catching up to do. We were both pretty knackered so settled on a local restaurant called Bar-B-Q-Nation, we had a good meal and a few beers and then headed home. Tuesday was a normal day, you know fireworks, several fire's, and the odd fallen comrade, but about 16:00 I developed a headache that i just couldn't shift. I got home about 19:00 and went straight to bed, by this time with a sore throat. I woke up Wednesday morning feeling *crap*. Sore throat, headache, and general "please take me now" sentiments. I settled on a day in bed and slept for about 14 hours, only waking for a drink of water and to see what the time was. Thursday morning I woke and still didn't feel great but headed for the office and limped through the day.

Friday I felt a lot better and Friday night I had my first Team Leader offsite meeting and headed to the MGF Mall for dinner and drinks with the team. We finished up about 22:00 and I called Laurence to see what he was up to. A few beers later (01:00) I headed for home, with that warm fuzzy feeling.

Saturday morning I had a nice long lay in and finally got up about 13:00. Sandra had emailed me earlier saying they were heading to the cinema and it seemed like a perfectly lazy thing to do on a Saturday afternoon so Laurence and I tagged along. We watched The Golden Compass which was good but I didn't particularly like the way it ended, mainly as I now know I have to watch the sequel. After the show we headed for TGIF for dinner.

Sunday I decided I needed to get back to the gym so about 15:00 left the apartment picking up laurence on the way, hoping Amit wasn't on duty (I knew I would get told off), he wasn't thankfully and I had a 45 minute workout (which hurt) and hit the sauna. After the workout we grabbed dinner and then headed for home.

This morning I woke, after having the best nights sleep in a while, and headed for work, committing to getting back in to the gym routine.

Tonight my Internet connection is working so I am catching up with email, and this (my blog), and preparing for my next holiday. Yes I said holiday!

So here is the plan. This weekend I am off heading towards Pune, Vikram's home town (or where his wife is currently living) so we are going to try and hook up. Then Mum and Dad are due on the 24th so I have booked the first week off to show them around, which will actually be cool as it will encourage me to get out and about and show them the sights i have seen and some I haven't. I have also booked the last week of there visit off to do some more sightseeing and spend some quality time with them. There are a number of tentative plans (these are the ones I need to firm up) to head off with Chris, Sandra, and Laurence during this period too.

Then at the beginning of March Chris, Sandra, Laurence, and myself are off to Goa via Mumbai (formally Bombay) for 4-5 days before I head back to the UK for a week or two.

Well as you can see I have a bit of planning to do, but if the Internet gods are on my side it should all be very interesting. I'll keep you posted on the plans as they develop or fall apart.

Tags: Beer, Family, Friends, Cinema, Gym, Sightseeing

Well I have been a bit slack with the blog for the last two weeks. It's been busy work wise but I have also been getting out and about a little more. Now I haven't been on any earth shattering trips, but have been taking advantage of the restaurants, bars, and general nightlife.

I have been trying to leave the office by 18:00/18:30 at the latest, and for the most part have been successful. If I haven't gone to the gym then I have gone out for dinner and a few beers. Last weekend was spent exploring the traditional markets and shopping centers so this weekend I thought I had better catch up with all those personal things that I have been neglecting, like my email and blog.

Otherwise the weather has cooled down quite a bit here now. When I arrived back in July it was 37 degrees, today its a more comfortable 18. It makes a big difference if you are traveling around and means I can now sleep without the hum of the air conditioning unit.

I have also confirmed two weeks leave starting the 19th November. I fly back to the UK on the 16th and look forward to catching up with everybody. Well I am off to tackle my inbox. Take care.

Tags: Beer, Food, Gym