Travel Bug

Much hair-splitting over the next picnic destination

Within two months of the Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani trip, the travel bug has begun to bite once again. And Shekhawat has already been bitten. Mercifully, it is a small bug this time. For, he is not talking of an extended, long-distance trip involving overnight stay but a short, day-long trip in the middle of the monsoon.
One destination suggested this morning was Lavasa – probably the same resort Jagmohan Papneja had taken a group to from the ‘other’ Garden last month. This would be virgin territory for our Club. But Bijoy Gupta and a few others have already been there on their own and were not too happy about the place.
The other suggestion came from Monthi Serrao – for a certain ‘wonderland park’ in Nerul. That too would be a one-day excursion with many games and rides, which should allow for members to take their grandkids along. Additionally, arrangements for packed food and refreshments would be made by Monthi’s sister, Priscilla who stays close by in Nerul.
Significantly, Priscilla Britto showed up at the Garden today. She filled us in with additional details about the wonderland park, thereby leaving Shekhawat in a dilemma he loves most:

Priscilla Britto

whether to head towards Nerul or to Lavasa.

Sheela Mirani is back

With newfound zeal, he mobilized his rank and file to work on the costing for both destinations. “Don’t forget to factor in the hiring cost of the bus,” he directed with the authority of a military general. Given that Shekhawat has started wearing his talismanic multi-pocket brown shorts, there is no reason why he will not see this trip through.
Meanwhile, Sheela Mirani presented a pleasant surprise by surfacing in the Garden after more than two months. Her old attendant had left her and today she was accompanied by a new lady. Besides, the lift in her building was out of order, leaving her stranded at home. But worse, she had suffered a severe bout of food poisoning that led to her hospitalization. The good part is that she is fine now. And she will resume her morning routine at the Garden.
Bihari Milwani:
Why not go to both places -- one this month and the other, next month?