Fun and Frolic

Zarina Khan (ext left) recounts her trip to the Andamans

The first of the survivors from Andaman, Zarina Khan reported to the Garden this morning. Of the other two from the club, Bhaswati Bose was still cooling her heels at home, taking rest for the second day. Nahid Khan returned to Mumbai by train from Chennai at 4:00 a.m. today and is expected for the exercises tomorrow.
They were part of a 16-member group that went on a six-day tour (starting December 6) to what has historically been referred to as Kala Pani. Mercifully they have returned with their life and limb intact.
From Zarina’s first information report, it appears that they have had a ball. Their travel, stay in various hotels and resorts, sight-seeing, food and recreational activities were “excellent”, leaving no room for any complaint. “My only regret was that we had to return so soon,” said Zarina wistfully. “If only we could have extended our stay by a couple of days.”

The Zarina we never knew... gamboling in the waters of Andaman Sea

Zarina recounted some of the high points of the tour such as the light ‘n’ sound show in Cellular Jail at Port Blair, a bumpy “private luxury cruise” to Havelock Island, water sports on Elephant Beach that included jet skiing, a banana boat ride, sailing on a glass-bottom boat, etc. and most important, a hugely memorable stay in a boutique hotel at Neil Island.
“I did not expect so much fun,” exulted Zarina, who nearly dropped out of the trip as it prevented her from seeing off her son return to the U.S. (ref post of December 2). “We enjoyed thoroughly… and why not? We had gone such a long distance only to enjoy ourselves. We took lots of pictures.”
Meanwhile, in the Garden, Shekhawat frolicked about to his heart’s content, making the most of his “last day of freedom” in Nahid Khan’s absence. She is apparently the only person he is scared of. So tomorrow, when she reports back for the exercises, he will be at his ‘best behaviour’ -- whatever that might eventually entail.

Shekhawat does a liitle jig

He is totally irrepressible...

till Razia Khan restrains him