Thai Curtain Raiser

Discussions on the Bangkok-Pattaya tour programme

Jayanto Majhi, the tour operator from Eezeego Travels today dropped by on our invitation and made a presentation on the upcoming Bangkok-Pattaya tour. The China Hut was packed to capacity with many non-members also taking part in the proceedings in order to decide whether to join the trip. On his part, Shekhawat committed rustling together a 20-member group -- which could even hit 30, subject to some passports coming through.
By and large, the concerns were surprisingly, not so much about comfort or personal security during the travel, but on food. Majhi conceded to the general demand of including dinner (along with breakfast) in hotel stay. Geeta Sardana was hugely relieved when told she would be served special “Jain food” without garlic and onion – even if she were to be the only one for whom such a meal is to be prepared. Khatoon Baig was game for any food, so long as it was Indian and served inside the hotel.

Jayanto Majhi

Yusuf Rassiwala suggested that ideally we should be located close to Indian restaurants which would work out more economical than ordering from a hotel kitchen.
Shopping was another area of concern. Everyone wanted to know what items can be got cheap – be it T-shirts, mobile phones, electronic gadgets… Majhi wasn’t very helpful on this count, except for the assurance that shopaholics will not be disappointed. On Jagmohan Papneja’s request, he promised to produce a detailed programme on the 'city tours', both for Bangkok and Pattaya on Tuesday.

Celebrating another 'premature' birth

By then, he would also be ready with a firm figure on the travel budget.
And on Monday, September 30, Shekhawat would give him a complete list of members traveling and a token advance.
The issue now is to finalise all bookings at the earliest because air tickets and hotel tariff tend to shoot up as the journey date approaches. But Majhi cleared one major worry about visa and insurance for travelers aged 70-plus. He said it was a “minor problem”, but it can be “managed” with additional documentation. This sets to rest a niggling doubt in some about the chances of visa refusal (without insurance) on health grounds at the last moment.
A side-show of the morning was Bose Babu celebrating his birthday (falling tomorrow, a holiday) with a box of aflatoon and tea. This is the third birthday in succession, after Monthi Serrao’s and Harish Wadhwa’s, which was to be celebrated in advance. Ramila Mistry described it aptly as “yet another premature birth”!
Jagmohan Papneja:
You are really a unique personality, Mr Bose. You have proved that blog writing can be a fun and pleasing
experience. Wishing you a happy birthday and long life.
Bihari Milwani:
Many, many happy returns of the day.
Srichand Arora:
We all from Singapore wish you a very happy birthday. Why should all my good friends have their birthdays in October when I am away from them? Also BADMAASH COMPANY ka janam din Gandhi-ji ke mahine main?
P.S.: I don't know what went wrong with me. September is presumed October. Happy Birthday once again my dear!