Back from Bangkok

Bihari Milwani (c) gets us rare chocolates 'Made in Bangkok'

The ‘Bangkok Gang’ is back. They returned yesterday actually. And it was this morning that 3 out of 20 of them showed up at the Garden to announce the success of their seven-day trip, beginning October 31-November 1. While Bihari Milwani celebrated with a box of Thai chocolates, Kajal Babani and Bhaswati Bose turned out empty-handed. But they were loaded with lots of stories…
From what we could gather from them, the trip had gone off well. For many in the group, it was a first-time experience travelling in a phoren airline (Bangkok Airways), going through the airport checks, splurging on duty-free goods

Leg Show: Some ladies got the Thai 'foot massage'

and then having to deal in foreign currency, being exposed to alien sights and sounds, trying out unfamiliar food… The group members survived these – no doubt, wiser and self-assured by it all – and now live to tell their tale.
Bhaswati presented a colorful overview of the trip, highlighting

Bhaswati Bose narrates the Bangkok experience

the places of visit, the many tourist attractions and shows, shopping expeditions, dinner cruise and so on. Kajal chipped in with her perspective and experience. No less significant were the hilarious asides on the peculiar quirks and foibles of some group members as well as the incidents, both pleasant and not-so-pleasant that should make the trip memorable.
But in the end, what emerged quite distinctly was that this was more of a shopping trip for the ladies than anything to do with Thai culture, custom or history. The abiding subject of discussion still veers around who bought how many shoes and bags, where the best bargain sales were on and how someone got ripped off or could make a killing on a certain purchase. It may all be in after-thought, but no doubt educative and enlightening.
More importantly the trip has emboldened them to explore new frontiers next time. The world is well within their grasp!

Banoo Apa on WhatsApp:
Hi 'phoren returned'! How are you? Welcome home.

Swapna Roy Chowdhury on WhatsApp:
Very refreshing trip. Enjoyed. Thanks to Bhaswati for the lovely time.

Kartikarani Mani on WhatsApp:
A very nice and memorable trip. Made lots of new friends. Thanks would not be enough for such a good experience. Can't help but thank you so much Bhaswati.

Mohammed Gulzar on WhatsApp:
Bahut bahut shukriya ek bahut achche trip ko organize karne ke liye. Bhaswati-ji, meri family apne dil ki gehraiyon se aapka shukria ada karte hain. Aapke sath meri family bahut secure feel karte hain.

Pramila Singhal on WhatsApp:
Thanks for arranging the lovely trip. You have been so kind and helpful. I love you very much.

Bihari Milwani:
We also had the unique experience of getting a refund of VAT in a foreign country.

Bhaswati Bose:
Thank you everyone for making this trip a success. We got to know some lovely people from outside the club -- the forever happy and smiling Rani, the mature and sober Pramila, sweet Krishna-di from Kolkata and above all, the most accommodating, adjusting and sporting Swapna-di. She was the real voice of reason in our group. We got a lot of positive energy from them. Thanks, once again.

Kiran Prakash:
It's difficult to believe that someone, who till two years ago, was just an ordinary member like most of us, has graduated to not only taking a keen interest in contributing to the Club's Annual Function but also practically, single-handedly and successfully organising domestic and overseas trips. Congratulations Bhaswati. God bless you.