The trip to Wahabi Sands and Sur, Oman

Oct 23-25, 2006

A review of the pleasurable trip written by willing and unwilling(!) members:

That was a fabulous trip and three cheers to Chakri!

Manoj thanks for organizing the Eid lunch, I don’t know how you did it, but a big thanks for the lunch especially since it was still Ramadan in Oman.

Looking forward to many more velvet desert skies and 100 kms per hours on sand, cricket on 3 feet mat space, turtles (without the trampling), open air bedrooms, malabari chai's galore, kids having a blast, Cliffs, Chills, quizzes, antaksharis, games with Hindi mind blowers, Shakers from Oman, accountatainment …..convoys with the cowboys and a zillion other things.

Cheers!!!

Anil Kumar

Dear friends, Uncles and Auntys and Walnut,

I enjoyed myself very much with all my friends. A special thanks to Namita for bringing Walnut along. I was happy to make new friends like Jhillika and Rithvik. I enjoyed climbing the sand dunes with all my friends and I liked the view from the top. It was interesting to see the turtles from so close, especially the big ones and the 'small baby turtles'.

I look forward to many more fun times like this with my friends.

Love to all.

Amisha

Surfing the net idly one day, I came across this place where turtles reportedly congregate in the hundreds. Being in Oman, on the surface it seemed an easy task. Surely it would be easy to arrange a trip there. But it was to be 8 years before I was finally able to make it to Sur. Surpassing and surmounting innumerable difficulties, with a surge of hope and a surfeit of enthusiasm and without waiting for Jassem to recite his Eid Suras we set off. I cancelled my scheduled surgical procedure and which made my surgeon really surly. On the surmise that it’s all in the mind, I surrendered myself to enjoying the outing.
Surveying the beach that night, I realized the true meaning of the term, ‘survival of the fittest’. The scene was surreal and I wished I hadn’t come. The Omani surveillance of the beach left a lot to be desired. The surroundings should have been cordoned off and tight security maintained. There should be a heavy surtax on those who wish to enter. An Omani, with the surname of Mohammad and wearing an old-looking surplice-like outfit, surreptitiously took the ones who stayed back to view the scene in private. Marvelling at the wonders of nature, I surrendered myself to the moment. There is no surety that these turtles will continue to thrive here and I will be surprised if they last another two decades. At the gate there were a lot of the baby turtles who had wandered off in the wrong direction that had been carefully collected in a tub. I thought of adopting one, but the I decided not to be a surrogate mother. Anyway, the children had a ball, which has hopefully resulted in a surcease of their surplus energy.


Kamalini Jassem

The town in the valley was large and prosperous, and sure-footed shepherds drove their flocks through the surrounding mountains. During the harvest, the surplus food was stored in huge barns and part of it was given to the beggars to ensure their survival during the long winter lying ahead. Sometimes, surly men arrived at the village, surveying the land around it. One day the villagers got up to find a surprise waiting for them. A notice had been put up, saying that the kingdom of Surya wanted their land, as the surface was very fertile and that if the villagers didn’t surrender and pay tax to the kingdom, they would be eliminated. The villages decided to give in as to do otherwise would be a sure-fire way of dying. But after the Suryans arrived, they liked the sea across the town and made the town bigger and more corrupt and made it a surfing center. Excited surfies arrived at the town buying and selling surfboards. Fish restaurants opened across the town depicting sushi, surf ‘n’ turfs, and surgeonfish. Soon enough the town began to detest the Suryans.

The town in the valley was large and prosperous, and sure-footed shepherds drove their flocks through the surrounding mountains. During the harvest, the surplus food was stored in huge barns and part of it was given to the beggars to ensure their survival during the long winter lying ahead. Sometimes, surly men arrived at the village, surveying the land around it. One day the villagers got up to find a surprise waiting for them. A notice had been put up, saying that the kingdom of Surya wanted their land, as the surface was very fertile and that if the villagers didn’t surrender and pay tax to the kingdom, they would be eliminated. The villages decided to give in as to do otherwise would be a sure-fire way of dying. But after the Suryans arrived, they liked the sea across the town and made the town bigger and more corrupt and made it a surfing center. Excited surfies arrived at the town buying and selling surfboards. Fish restaurants opened across the town depicting sushi, surf ‘n’ turfs, and surgeonfish. Soon enough the town began to detest the Suryans.

To be continued…

By
Abhijit Jassem

Dear Sur Walnut (your surname passes me by); I would like to know how you surmounted the surreal surrender to the surly kids, including me. Honestly, I am surprised you survived, and the dignity with which you did it surpassed all my expectations! I am sure you will not miss the surplus supply of kids surrounding you. Each time I saw you and your surrogate mom Namita, on the sandy surrounds of the wahiba sands, and the surfeit sandy plains, I surmise that it surpasses the affection often referred to a mans best friend. In the next trip I will insist on kids surveillance and will survey the surging sure-fire swell of surrounding kids so you survive by my personal intensive survey and by surreptitiousness and careful surveillance of the surroundings before we set out. Surely yours....

Jhillika (inspired by the surfing capability provided by the Oxford dictionary, Dad and Mom)

Thanks everyone for making this trip so enjoyable.

A million cheers to Chakri for turning this logistical nightmare into a very well organised trip. Arranging good food all the time and on time in the not so easy circumstances is absolutely commendable – may be even the Mumbai Dabbawallas can take inspiration and improve upon their six sigma accuracy!

Thanks Kamilini for working out all the details before the trip and keeping the communication flowing. It is unbelievable that such a large group of families went through this trip without any hiccups.

Good work Bala for managing the economics of the trip. BTW it has turned out to be real "Paisa Vasooli". The wacky quizzes and games too were great fun.

Looking forward to many more such experiences. We just need a little more notice next time so that we can do a crash course in Tamil/Malyali lingo ….. that that man ….. that that car …. that that family J

Cheers

Sanjeev

Just a check to see if all have got back safely. The Barkha party got home by about 8 in the evening. The Nairs went on to Muscat and will be back tomorrow.

Undoubtedly, three cheers will not suffice for Chakri who has done a phenomenal job. Not knowing where to begin to thank him, I can just say ….THANKS A TON. From getting meals in a 'fast' country to answering a 1001 questions, it was certainly no picnic for him. I was no help to him as I was not feeling so well. I hope you will convey our thanks to ALEX for his efforts. A round of applause to Bala, the Financial Director, for the able and careful management of finance. Thanks also to Bala and Anu for their continued efforts to provide scintillating quizzes and games for the adults and children. They were really great and we need to go on another picnic to finish the ones we didn't have time for. Three squawks to Amrita and Fer..I mean.. Vinesh for their game.

I think the kids had a really great time, though I admit that Walnut was glad to be home and has been sleeping ever since!

To round off the trip, I thought we could have two quizzes. The first entries to reach me in each category will win. If there are no entries, I win.

Quiz 1:

The first column has the names of the ladies in the group.
Fill in the first blank column with the correct names of that that husband and the next column with their children. Those who hate my tables, please cut and paste.


Quiz 2:

Write a paragraph on any topic skilfully incorporating at least 10 words beginning with sur---- . Perhaps the children can also take part. More than one entry per family will be welcomed.


As I type, Jassem is compiling the photos; he has some great shots of some of you and some of the kids. It'll be great to share the photos. Will some techno savvy person, please offer their know-how on how this can be done easily? And as I prepare to send this email, I am willing to offer a prize to the person who compiles all the email addresses of all those who wish to receive the message in the group. I am still getting some complaints.

Kamlu

Surely we can't hope to compete

With the surfeit of surrealistic feat

That have surfaced like a veritable treat

Surmising the trip with words so sweet.

To surpass the feast of reason and flow of soul

Appears futile-so simply surrender and extol

The su(p)erb efforts of the gang whole

That surcharged the atmosphere like rock & roll

Surrounding us in the deserts of Oman

Enthusiasm surged since the trip began

Surmounting the dunes and darkness was unlike tien shan

And we survived, thrived and exclaimed "Oh Man!"

Thanks to all for a great trip.

Arvind

Hi Everybody!!!!!!
Nairs have just got back after an extended trip to Muscat.
Thanks a lot to the entire team, for making it memorable trip. Special thanks to Chakri for all your efforts and fantastic organization, You managed to keep the SUR & THAL of such a big group in perfect harmony from start to finish.
Thanks.
Cheenu Lakshmi & Pavi

It was a dark night in the Surinam area of Sur , Oman. Lurking somewhere behind the New Sur bank were the world's most wanted thieves. Their names were Suraj, Sur endra, Surpal and Surat. They were about to rob the bank. The New Sur bank had four zones which were monitored by surveillance cameras. The floor surface was criss-crossed by surreptitious infra-red beams. Just when the robbers managed to surmount the surfeit of security measures they were in for a surprise. They were surrounded by four surly looking officers. The thieves surrendered and were taken to jail. They were kept under tight surveillance. After one week when the robbers were to be shipped to an island called Surham; the officers were in for a shock. Sure enough the sure-footed robbers had escaped. The cops at the New Sur police station were baffled as to how the thieves got away when there was a surplus of policemen…….

Rishabh

Thankyou all for a wonderful trip and making SURe that everyone had fun.. Three SURs to Chakri...

_____________________________

Sur, where is Sur? Surfing the net surfaced the details
Surplus of sun and beach, it said; sure promise of fun
Sure as day, we want to surface in Sur.

Surveys over, surfing over, came the D-day
Chakri's surety bound the SURteam
As the sun surgically painted out the Dubai night,
The Surteam surged ahead,
Surrendering to the surge of surfeit adrenaline

Wajaja, Barka, Waheba, we surmounted all on the way to Sur
Survived the surging pace, we surpassed all expectations
Surveyed the superb surroundings,
Surrendered to the surreal experiences
Surmising natures surfiet of surprises

Now onto Sur, where surly surfboard laden turtles awaited us
Surreptitiously we joined the turtle paparazzi
Surrounding and mounting surveillance on intimate turtle moments
Led by surplice clothed Sur wardens, it surpassed our surmises
Long live the survivor sur turtles and their surrogate guardians

Games, turtles, surfeit of fun, we want this to go on ..
Alas, all good things surely do have to come to a pause
Accounts done, surcharges paid, surpluses surrendered
We surveyed Sur one last time and started back
Sure in our minds Sur is only the start of many more surprises...


Cheers .. Manoj

Dear Everybody,

Fortunately the membership at the Sur Survivors Anonymous has been 100% with each one having crawled back to the safety of the Dubai traffic. It appeared that the road from the sea of turtles to the sea of traffic is by too good for us "Surtles", unlike for small baby turtles whose ratio is only "2 good in 1000.
It was thought to be a logistics nightmare to organize a picnic of this nature that too with a group this large, but great effort from every one and the spirit(s) ensured that it was a smooth ride all the way. It really has been a pleasure being involved in it. Thanks to each one of you for making it possible, cannot single out any one as each one chipped in whatever was called for (Example Manju and Cheenu working in the breakfast kitchen). We could not complete all those games that Amrita, Anu and Bala worked on due to shortage of time and less than desired lighting at nights. We will learn from this and plan for better stuff in future.
On answering 1001 questions, I redirected all of them to Alex, so it wasn’t any difficult answering them. FRQs (Fondly Remembered Questions) were Uncle! When are we going for Dune bashing, and Uncle do you know where is Walnut? Special thanks to Kamlu for putting a structure to the party and bringing the group together (without willfully omitting anyone from the email group), Manoj for the Biriyani and to Bala for the surprise return gifts.
Thanks once again to all of you for making it possible and for the fantastic time that you all had given to the party during the short (extremely !!!!) time that we were together.
(How about Surtles.com for an adventure website? Any takers to lead this?).
Best Regards

P.Chakradhar

A Day in the Life of an Expat in Dubai

"Dad", came the familiar refrain. It was my daughter, back from school on a cool, lazy afternoon. The cool, lazy afternoons are a rare commodity in Dubai, U.A.E. You see, I am one of those fortunate men who work what are termed 'straight shifts' As a result, I have the time and inclination to enjoy a cool, lazy afternoon. It is besides the point that a couple of energetic kids always returning from school interrupt what could possibly be such c.l.a's.

"I need your help to complete a project on Common Causes of Pollution of Environment by Humans ," she said looking at me hopefully. The prestigious school that she is enrolled in strongly believes in inculcating a sense of responsibility in its students and thus frequently entrust such onerous tasks disrupting peace on earth and goodwill towards men. Evidently, I had no hope of evading this one.

"Actually, we were given this topic last week & the last date of submission is tomorrow," she continued cheerily. "I'll leave all the things that you might need and then proceed for my swimming class," she concluded. My wife gave me an encouraging look, a cheery wave and vanished with daughter in hand.

The completion of the project per se was not so daunting. The ubiquitious net for moral support would ensuretha I finish it in no time and yet complete that elusive nap. Armed with a pencil and paper, I began to conscientiously note what I thought were common causes to pollution of the environment. When it took shape, it read thus -

"Pollution caused by inhuman behaviour"

1. Use of Plastic Bags -

2. Using motorised transport for short distances

3. Smoking

Illustrating each of the above with support from the net was not exhausting. In the process, some long forgotten facts were refreshed. Various officical earth watch sites on the net reported that the three R principle of reduce, reuse and recycle was not being used by the world populace. This aspect is quite unheard of especially in Dubai leading to rampant use of bags given generously by the friendly supermarkets. The site also went on to inform that plastic waste blocks drains and gutters, stopping the flow of rain water and sewerage & causes overflow. This then becomes a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. However, due to the non existence of such reasonably well informed beings, plastic bags are often burnt as a means to dispose. The toxic smoke produced while burning plastic kills thousands each year.

Plastic bags that fly and land in agricultural land retard the growth of the crops by wrapping itself around the plants. One frequently sees wonderful buidlings, electric poles, fences decorated with various plastic bags. While most find them unsightly, many find the flapping an interesting sight.

The site warned that plastic waste that lying on the soil for long stop the passage of oxygen causing soil infertility.

Being technically qualified, I knew as a fact that emissions from cars are greatest when an engine is cold. This was supported by the Environmental Watch Agency that the first few minutes when one starts up and then drives, cars produce highest emissions because the emissions control equipment have not yet reached their optimal operating temperature. EWA also prophesied that on a cold day a petrol car may take up to 10km to warm up and operate at maximum efficiency. Other the benefits on personal health, walking as an alternative to such travels, reduces environmental travails.

The health hazards associated with smoking are too well knownto be further expounded. I learnt via A combination of what a smoker breathes out and the smoke that streams off from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar is now known to contain as many as 4,000 chemicals (including carbon monoxide, cyanide and ammonia), at least 40 of which are linked to cancer and many of them are strong irritants. The health hazards associated with smoking are too well known to be further expounded.

End...

Such journalistic pieces take its mental toll & engrossed as I was in it's composition, I had forgotten to replenish the groceries. It iwas time to earn a well deserved break. I stepped out into the cool air and into my macho 4x4 to the nearby grocery store which, incidentally is situated just about 1 km from my home. I pottered around the store and collected week's quota. At the counter, I overheard the woman ahead of me saying to her daughter, "Darling, no chocolates, they are bad for your teeth,". and proceeded to order cigarettes. Sharp that I was, the irony was not lost!

Lost at observing this encounter, I noticed that the counter clerk had packed all my items into a solitary bag. I berated him for being stupid & asked for each item to be segeregated and exited teh store with 11 different plastic bags. Having thus made my presence felt, I puffed contentedly at my well earned cigarette.

My trip to Bangkok with my father in law

I'm sure that there are a handful out there who have done a trip such as this. I'm also quite sure that the rest of you who have not undergone such an experience ought to seek opportunities to do so. My FIL is from the aviation background and quite modern in outlook. In fact, sometimes I feel that he is so modern that it might have been nice had he lived in 2050 - however that is neither here nor there. Coming to the res' it was such an exhilirating trip that I felt compelled to express myself in verse. So here it goes -

There we were in the good ole' city of Bangkok
Me and my close relative going for a walk
When we were met by dressy lady at 9 O' clock
Who straightaway put her hands in my companion's jock!

One had to admit that the man had composure
While dealing with such outrageous exposure
On my part I might have had a seizure
To give such secret desires disclosure.

However experienced man that he was
In spite of his obvious flaws
He showed that he was no Santa Claus
For which he deserves total applause.

He discreetly removed her hand
Indicating he had no permission from the High Command
He then glanced at me offhand
And advised me to exercise my prostrate gland.

So off I went to a nearby joint
And sat meself at a vantage point
To decide amongst all whom I should anoint
But Alas! the show did disappoint

All they had to offer with technical finesse
Were methods to introduce needles into their recess
Along with matchsticks and other things they possess
For which I have no desire I confess.

Me - I like my girl
With whom I like to curl
And let things naturally unfurl
Putting our minds in a whirl

For my companion though
I know not if he attended a floor show
I suspect he would had let go
As his preference is for Monroe!!

The worldly God

By Ram Ramnath

The setting is majestic. As He lords over (what else?) the seven hills, His vast army of devotees pours in for but a moment’s tryst with Him. Even a 24x7 regimen at the sanctum sanctorum is not quite enough, it appears, to salve the pilgrims’ restless ardour . Expressions such as ‘sea of humanity’ – a favourite with Indian journos , especially the politically aligned ones, to describe the turn-out at public rallies or at funerals of powerful politicos – are not quite adequate to describe the everyday scene at Tirumala. Perhaps, ‘river of humanity’ comes closer – a swollen, fast paced one with a particularly swift current in the sanctum sanctorum, as the river is urged on to the cries of ‘ jaragandi, jaragandi ‘ (move on) by well meaning volunteers. To put the numbers in perspective, the weekly turn-out at the shrine will put the entire armies of many nation states in the shade.

Which is why it is not a bad thing at all for the TTD ( Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam) to accept a gift of sixty Plasma TV sets from a large hearted NRI, an eminence no less than the personal physician of George Bush. Does this mean that there will be live telecasts from the sanctum? And perhaps a few screens will also telecast the highlights of the day’s proceedings. The TTD will, no doubt, come up with several astutely positioned products ( TV Darshana, TV archana etc) to ease the pilgrim’s progress to the Lord himself. And why not? What may be the secret, I wondered as I trudged up to Tirumala , behind Balaji’s immense popularity? Lest someone accuse me of being a sinister free marketer, advocating competition between the Gods of Hinduism’s rich and abundant pantheon, I am just an ordinary pilgrim – but, let’s face it , which other temple has this kind of mass appeal, cutting across all levels of caste, creed and language divides?

As I climbed the hill, there was a fervently religious group ahead of me, forever chanting the Lord’s name while behind me , also trudging up to see Venkateswara , was a group of men heatedly discussing their latest bets in the Bombay matka circles. A small, if symbolic indicator, of His universal appeal. Another intriguing description of the Lord is quite revealing – ‘ Vaddi Kasulavada’ ( literally, the Lord who settles accounts) - could this be the reason that the vast laity can easily relate to Him?

Proceeding along these lines of thought, it is quite interesting to compare the two great Gods of the Hindu pantheon – Balaji or Vishnu, the preserver and Shiva, the destroyer. Shiva’s personality ( can someone supply me with a better word to describe a God’s character? The language of Christendom is woefully inadequate when it comes to Hinduism’s bewildering array of Gods and Godesses and all the different things they are capable of) is colourful, fanciful, capricious. Not only is His abode in Mt.Kailas somewhat inaccessible, He even discourages the persevering few who make it from disturbing His higher level thoughts. He is the originator of tune and beat, the ‘Nadbrahman’, the supreme artiste’. When not lost in meditation, he could be performing a cosmic dance of indescribable beauty. When not ‘locking up’ Ganga’s torrent, , He could be burning Kama to cinder. Not for Him the mundane day-to-day issues of negotiation, mediation ( the Devas usually went to Vishnu for mediation) or settling the accounts. Definitely artistic, somewhat elitist, devoted to the ‘higher’ pursuits. It is therefore not surprising that many of Shiva’s ardent devotees tend to be artistes and performers, classical musicians and dancers, poets and playwrights, sadhus and sanyasis who seem to draw their inspiration from this cosmic performer but who also , in a manner of speaking, keep their distance from the mainstream and mundane world of commerce and materialism.

Vishnu, on the other hand, is the preserver. His is the firm hand that keeps the show going, the mainstream running. Everyday problems to be addressed and resolved. Alliances and associations to be forged, rivals to be outwitted ( Devas to be united, Asuras to be vanquished) . Personal loans to be arranged ,including one from Kubera for his own marriage – who says retail banking is a modern phenomenon? Working groups to be formed, books to be balanced. Children to be raised and wives to be assuaged ( even if that means setting up residence downhill for Alamelu Manga). Any man of this world can tell you what a crucial role Vishnu has to play to keep this world order steady. It is no wonder then , that Balaji’s devotees range from the grocery shop owner round the corner to the man placing bets on the next cricket scores to the Birlas and Ambanis and almost everyone in between – for He is the God of this world, the worldly God.

Therefore, I ask, what is wrong if the TTD has a hundred different types of darshanas and if Tirumala is a place where power, prestige and money decide how soon you can get to the sanctum and the length of time you can spend there ? Let there be no doubt, this is the way of the world. Something tells me that Balaji will cast a benign eye on this new proposal to install TV sets to transmit the sanctum proceedings. Live coverage, greater reach, 24x7x365 viewership, advertising revenues, more funds for upkeep of the temple , enhanced pilgrim amenities and of course, greater devotee satisfaction. All that remains is for TTD to launch a satellite channel for global broadcast , launching the era of DTHDS – Direct to Home Darshana Seva.

Why not? It is the way of the world and the worldly God may have no reservations.