Champagne and cheesecake - birthday special!
This year, on my birthday, I didn't want a big party or a drinking session that lasted till wee hours in the morning.
I wanted a somewhat quieter version with the fun part intact. Side effects of getting older I guess.
And it so happened, a couple of days before my birthday, a dear friend sent a WhatsApp message with a very well thought through 7 pointer listicle on why this birthday I should pay her a visit in Pune.
Arushi, if you happen to be reading this, you should know that the pointers were totally full-proof :P So there I was 21st May morning, driving to Pune, for my 'quiet' birthday weekend.
What followed was far from quiet. 2 days of non-stop fun and food at an average of 27 degree Celsius ( a happy change from the 35 degrees in Bombay). Thanks to Pune for being such a charmer!
May 21, Sat, 10 AM: Hit the Bombay-Pune Highway:
May 21, Sat, 11:30 AM: Breakfast in Lonavala. The waiter offered a veg omelette and I had no freaking clue what he was talking about - till I learnt something called tomato omelette existed.
May 21, Sat, 1 PM: Reached friend's place in Wakad, Pune.
Arushi and Ayush got married early this year and shifted to Pune. I missed their wedding in Jaipur and a catch-up was long due. The 2 BHK flat they stay in is pretty to the core. And the view from the balcony is all it takes to switch off from the worldly worries.
May 21, Sat, 4 PM: Shaam ki chai in the balcony with gorgeous white clouds atop hills and far-away windmills for company
May 21, Sat, 7 PM: Ready and decked up for the Birthday eve dinner.
May 21, Sat, 9 PM: Checked into Post 91 rooftop restaurant. The breeze almost blew us away. Good food, great ambience - two thumbs up for this fine dining eatery.
May 22, Sun, 00:01 AM: Back home to a bottle of Champagne and Cheesecake and a crate of beer that we picked up on the way. Happy birthday to me!
May 22, Sun 3 AM: 1 crate beer + 1 champagne bottle + cheesecake + chicken tikka = time to crash.
May 22, Sun 11 AM: Waking up to Masala Chai and Cheese Maggi.
May 22, Sun 2 PM: Ready to visit Koregaon and check out parlours for my next tattoo. Here's my first -
May 22, Sun 3:30 PM: Lunch at German Bakery - Oh nom nom!!! Bumped into a colleague from work, who's from Pune. She got me the most amazing Blueberry muffin ever :)
May 22, Sun 5 PM: A walk down Koregaon. The sun peeped amidst branches and leaves making for a great post lunch stroll. We went till the Osho Garden gate but didn't get in. Bought 6 pairs of Osho Chappals instead and left :P
May 22, Sun 5:30 PM: Had a chat with Andy, the tattoo artist from Inkelaab about my next tattoo. Wanted a flying Swallow dedicated to Mom. Didn't like his suggestions though. Bumped into a friend, who did get her 2nd tattoo that day. A diamond. Pretty as hell.
So I walked out of Inkelab. Walked in to Sabby's Tattoo Store, a few stores away. Figured I needed to think about it a little more. Called it a day in the city.
May 22, Sun 6:30 PM: Stopped at Paradise Chat Shop on the way back home. Yeah, we love chaaat! Binged on some authentic pani puri, dahi puri and samose. The owner's a Rajasthani, Ayush says.
May 22, Sun 7 PM: Back in Wakad. The plan for the rest of the birthday evening was to just be....
May 22, Sun 9 PM: Ayush cooked the most amazing pahadi rajma chawal for dinner. The rajma, he said he had bought from Chopta during a visit earlier this year.
May 22, Sun 11 PM: It was full moon that night. Sky gazing from their beautiful balcony made for a serene late night plan. Oh! We also walked to the nearest B&R for some Belgian chocolate ice-cream. Long conversations kept the night alive.
Arushi/Ayush - thanks for all the fuss - the champagne, the cheesecake, the pahadi rajma and the lovely gifts. Started reading one of the books already.
I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.
And Pune, you have been more than what I had expected. Till we meet again. |
On our drive back.... loads of tunnels on the Bombay Pune Expressway. Makes for a great ride and photographs.
A special mention to my better half. He planned the weekend out to perfection. And his surprise turquoise Baggit bag made it straight to my heart.
I know you don't think much of my attempt at writing. But Bharat, if you are reading this, thanks for being you :)
Comments
Post a Comment