Dubai, even Kerala

Srichand Arora

The Bangkok-Pattaya trip in mid-November is turning out to be a little ambitious. Sensing Shekhawat’s predicament, Srichand Arora today called him from Singapore just after the exercises to suggest that should the Thailand trip not work out for any reason, why not consider Dubai instead?
“Since people have made up their mind for a holiday, we must not disappoint them,” he urged. “Dubai is a good holiday destination, particularly for those keen on shopping. It would also work out cheaper than the Bangkok-Pattaya trip. Why, I would even recommend going to Kerala, so long as it fits into everyone’s budget. Once we have decided to go, we must go… wherever!”
The phone call proved to be a pep-up pill for Shekhawat, who has hitherto been in low spirits after our last tour operator backed out from the Thailand trip (see post of September 19).

Surprise treat from Geeta Sardana

Unable to identify a suitable substitute, he was fast losing hope of putting together a trip – even as negotiations are on with other agents for a good deal. Having already announced that a trip to Bangkok-Pattaya would cost around Rs25,000 per head, he is in no position to up the figure now. There lies the problem.
But now, with Arora’s call, he sees other options opening up and promptly gave instructions to check the financials. While on Dubai, he would prefer a tour package provided by a travel agency, on Kerala, he would rather do it on his own directly – to the extent of booking a rail bogie to Kochi, exclusively for the Club. “Unlike Dubai, we will not be saddled with passport and visa problems,” he explained.
He added he would make an announcement once some clarity emerges on the various options available.
Meanwhile, Geeta Sardana gave us a sweet surprise this morning by treating us to a box of luddoos. Her daughter who got married in 2011 (and to which many of us were invited) has been blessed with a baby. That makes Geeta a proud grandmother today. And the sweets were in celebration of this elevation in status and of course, her desire to share her happiness with all of us.
Kiran and Srichand Arora:
GEETA-JI, CONGRATULATIONS! SO YOU HAVE BECOME A PROUD NANI...
Jagmohan Papneja:
Geeta-ji, congratulations on becoming a grandma. May the new baby give you many happier moments.