South Africa Trip (February 2009)

It's been about 1 year already since my South Africa trip and I realized I never posted the pictures from that trip. Better late than never

The trip was at the beginning of  February 2009. Route was Mauritius – Johannesburg – Cape Town – London – San Francisco. I was in Johannesburg for only 1 day and in Cape Town for 3 days.

In Johannesburg, one of my high school friend, Dolesh Dosoruth, who now works in the Mauritian Embassy in South Africa came to pick me up at the airport. We spent the night in Johannesburg with some Mauritian diplomats and businessmen who were on a mission there. Did not do anything too eventful in Johannesburg as it's not the safest place on the planet :0

Next day caught a fly early morning to Cape Town. There, an elementary school friend, Nakkiran Sunnassee came to welcome me at the airport. I stayed at his place for the few days I'd be in Cape Town. He lives there with his girlfriend, Michele in Gordon's Bay, a beachy touristy part of Cape Town, South West of the city Center. Their condo is found in a marina, their balcony faces the water directly with boat access. Pretty neat views and sea breeze !

Nakkiran had to work during the week I was there. Michele was my tourist guide during the day. We went to do some sight seeing around the Cape Town downtown, Table Mountain, sugarloaf mountain and on the last day, we went to wine country (Stellenbosch, I think), where we had some South African Wine Tasting and at night, a nice outdoors dinner at the Wine Estate. It was a very interesting dinner menu with lots of Game Meat – Antelope, SpringBok etc.. all fresh from the day's hunting. Anyways, Was a short trip and got to have a nice little preview of Cape Town. Cape Town had the same feel as San Francisco in many ways.

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South Africa Trip (February 2009)

It's been about 1 year already since my South Africa trip and I realized I never posted the pictures from that trip. Better late than never

The trip was at the beginning of  February 2009. Route was Mauritius – Johannesburg – Cape Town – London – San Francisco. I was in Johannesburg for only 1 day and in Cape Town for 3 days.

In Johannesburg, one of my high school friend, Dolesh Dosoruth, who now works in the Mauritian Embassy in South Africa came to pick me up at the airport. We spent the night in Johannesburg with some Mauritian diplomats and businessmen who were on a mission there. Did not do anything too eventful in Johannesburg as it's not the safest place on the planet :0

Next day caught a fly early morning to Cape Town. There, an elementary school friend, Nakkiran Sunnassee came to welcome me at the airport. I stayed at his place for the few days I'd be in Cape Town. He lives there with his girlfriend, Michele in Gordon's Bay, a beachy touristy part of Cape Town, South West of the city Center. Their condo is found in a marina, their balcony faces the water directly with boat access. Pretty neat views and sea breeze !

Nakkiran had to work during the week I was there. Michele was my tourist guide during the day. We went to do some sight seeing around the Cape Town downtown, Table Mountain, sugarloaf mountain and on the last day, we went to wine country (Stellenbosch, I think), where we had some South African Wine Tasting and at night, a nice outdoors dinner at the Wine Estate. It was a very interesting dinner menu with lots of Game Meat – Antelope, SpringBok etc.. all fresh from the day's hunting. Anyways, Was a short trip and got to have a nice little preview of Cape Town. Cape Town had the same feel as San Francisco in many ways.

Thaipusam Cavadee in Mauritius

Yesterday was Thaipusam Cavadee in Mauritius. I was there last year while the festival happens. I thought I'd post some pictures I took there last year.

It is a very auspicious religious festival celebrated in Mauritius and other parts of the world as well, by mostly the Tamil community, but lately, more and more people of different faith and religions in Mauritius, as it brings salvation to many. The festival celebrates the birthday of Lord Muruga – son of Shiva, the tamil God of War.

Devotees and pilgrims for the procession, have to fast for weeks in advance to cleanse their bodies and mind and also pray a lot before the actual day of cavadee. On the day of cavadee, they have body piercings and carry altars made specially for that occasion to temples and rivers. I've copied an extract of what Wikipedia says about the piercings.

"The simplest kavadi is a semi circular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders, to the temple. In addition, some have a small spear through their tongue, or a spear through the cheeks. The spear pierced through his tongue or cheeks reminds him constantly of Lord Murugan. It also prevents him from speaking and gives great power of endurance. Other types of kavadi involve hooks stuck into the back and either pulled by another walking behind or being hung from a decorated bullock cart or more recently a tractor, with the point of incisions of the hooks varying the level of pain. The greater the pain the more god-earned merit."

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Castello di Amorosa, Winery tour in Calistoga, Napa Valley

I was at home working today, when I got a phone call from Cristina. She had the car of a friend and wanted to go on a road trip to Napa Valley and asked me to join her. I had never been to Napa even though I have been in the bay area for 5 years. I readily jumped on the opportunity to do this ad-hoc trip to Napa valley.

We went to the Castello di Amorosa winery which was further up in Calistoga – a replica of a medieval castle from Europe. It was great for pictures and the lighting was just perfect. The castle is an exact replica of its european counterpart castle with dungeon, torture chamber, chapel, drawbridge, towers, moat and all… it even had farm animals roaming about.. sheep, chicken etc..  But it's just the backdrop for one of Napa Valley wineries. We visited the castle, took lots of pictures and did some wine tasting.

We then went to Robert Mondavi wine estates for another round of tasting, but after Castello di Amorosa, the scenery and backdrop of the other wineries were just blah !

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Castello di Amarosa, Calistoga

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Enjoying Iphone apps showcase & networking with iPhone developers at the buzzworthy event at 111 minna. #fb

via tweetie

Topher and Serene’s Party…

After the Mauritian dinner in Sunnyvale, I went to another party in Sunnyvale too. I was getting my good dose of Sunnyvale. I had not been to Sunnyvale in months and Sunnyvale used to be my home when I first moved to the Bay Area. Good Memories ! Serene and Topher were celebrating being pregnant, and it was the same time, the occasion for Mitch's and Joel's Birthday. Was great to catch up with all the friends and have some good times. Check out the last 3 pictures.. it's from the automatic 3 shots picture I have no idea how i got from sitting down to being up in the air !!

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Bay Area Mauritian Dinner Party at Turmeric Indian Restaurant in Sunnyvale

As usual Caroline organized a dinner to celebrate the New Year for the Mauritian Community in the bay area. We had all voted for Indian Food in the South Bay and we picked Turmeric in Sunnyvale. It was a buffet and had great food. I loved their Goat Curry with bones, Malabar Fish Curry and all the other delicacies. They had so much food, that I did not even try it all out. We had a good turnout – about 30 Mauritians – this time though lots of kids ! It was great catching up with all the Mauritian folks !

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Ramen noodles and Gyoza at Bushi Tei Bistro in SF Japantown

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Shanghai Noodles and Pan Fried Ahi Tuna Fillet for dinner

Too cold to go out tonight. Decided to stay in and cook something
simple. Had some shangain noodles in the fridge. Stir fried the
noodles with some carrots, peas, eggs, sprinkled with some chinese
chives and pan fried an ahi tuna fillet.. great easy little dinner !