Bombay to Goa

The trip to Goa has become the 'big buzz' of the Club. Shekhawat has fixed its date for the Gudi Padwa week-end of March 23-25, 2012 and Kishor Babani has pegged the damages at Rs12,000 per head. According to Shekhawat, nobody finds this figure steep and as many as 13 members are eager to join the trip -- as of now.
Nobody has paid up though. And thereby hangs a tale.
The trip involves to-and-fro air travel (which accounts for nearly 50 per cent of the cost), a two-night stay in a beach resort and local sight-seeing. Food is part of the deal, but not booze. Shopping and other personal expenses are also excluded. All told, the burden per participant for the trip should be in the region of Rs15,000– something that does not make any sense, particularly when a return ticket to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Dubai… or even Kuala Lumpur can come for a comparable amount.
This is where opinions differ. Obviously, the devil in the deal is the airfare. Many are even asking if it is imperative to go by air – when it is just an overnight journey to Goa by rail or road. The counter-argument is that we save time and in any case, train tickets are not available. Kishor says that the bus is an option that may be considered if we are to slash costs by 50 per cent and turn the trip into a truly 'Club affair' with healthy participation of members. Shekhawat argues that buses don’t have toilets and so it is worth spending extra on air. Thus the debate continues.
Meanwhile, Khatoon Baig (left) has committed to be the first to put in her Rs12,000 on Monday. The rest would rather wait and watch.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "What on earth is he trying to explain? I don't want to ask the others and sound ignorant."
* "I am a teacher and what I say goes!"
Harish Babani:
I find the raag alaapna or pratah swar pose by Kishor-da more amusing than the Goa visit details! Goa will now be a good topic for people to talk, fight and shout about for some time now.
Harish Wadhwa:
Blog Monster, who is this Harish Babani? LOL