Part One of god knows how many! :p

So, we are back and all that jazz!! :D I really needn't tell you from where, since I have been talking about my Goa vacation forever! There i go again!

But it has to be forgiven this time 'coz the post is indeed about the much talked about and looked forward to trip! We plotted and planned for days together! Plotted to get the leave and planned to get tickets in place. We changed them so many times to best economise our time AND money. After lotsa haggling / discussion back and forth we decided to fly one way and take the train on return. Packing happened previous night 11pm onwards!

Last time we went to Kolhapur, Cubby jumping in and out of our suitcases was FUN! But this time it was sheer nuisance having him pull down all the clothes ironed and ready to be packed and then horror of horrors mop floor with them! Wonder where he got his cleanliness gene from! Plus he would keep trying to pull out already packed stuff and keep coming between our legs. So finally I took him on his favourite GaddaGadda to just play while M packed peacefully.

We had requested Amma to come early because it's impossible to get ready and do frantic last minute packing when Cubby gets into his clingy modes. For once she DID arrive on time albiet after a pleading phone call. She got Cubby ready and fed while we finished our work.

We decided to take the A/C Volvo to the airport since it's the most comfy and cheapest mode of transport to the new airport at just 150 bucks a person. Cubby also has never ridden on a bus, so it made most sense.

Amma with her precious package on her shoulders

Amma came to drop us to the bus-stop and I got stern warning saying "Amma, Kabir accha" at least 10 times in that short distance. Other warnings like "Amma, Kabir Bisleri paani, Goa paani beda!" (Give Kabir only Bisleri water, no Goa water for him) also followed. If you guys thought I didn't have to bear with MILs instructions, here she is! She does love him to bits and was actually sad at not seeing him for so many days rather than enjoying the unexpected chhutti she got! :)

Cubby made friends with the driver and conductor and the uncle sitting at the information booth! I loved the huge bus with its ample space to keep luggage, comfortable seats and sufficient A/C. It's a pity it still has not taken off in a really big way, though lot of regular travelers are now warming up to this mode rather than taking a private taxi every time. The staff is extremely courteous and helpful and the journey (i call it that because it takes over an hour and a half to get there from our place) totally satisfactory.

Cubby slept most of the way with a half eaten bourbon biscuit in his hand and looking utterly peaceful and cute sleeping with his torso on my lap and legs on his daddy's. I remembered how we used to sleep like this on our parents when we were kids and marveled at the fact that some things, thankfully, never change! :)

Mommy trying to hold on to Cub who wants to break free

Ofcourse all that sleep had Cubby totally recharged and he was raring to go like an energizer bunny. With walking efforts getting better by the day, the new found mobility was completely put to use by walking all over the huge airport. He would fall and get up again to some stranger's helping hands and give them his million dollar smile in return. Often, the smile led to being picked up by half the people at the airport! There were people who didn't smile back leading to much confusion, but he will have to learn that it takes all kinds to make this world.

Saala main toh Sahab ban gaya! Or maybe just Whheeeee!!

So while we enjoyed our coffee and sandwich Cubby realised he could go under the rope barricades. He actually bent down a bit as if he was tall enough to hit it if, he didn't. I was totally amused by this gesture because I have no idea where did he pick it up from or is it a natural instinct?! Cubby also found that revolving chairs are fun when a pretty girl ghumaoes it for you while you sit majestically in her chair, in her office! No wonder he cried while saying bye bye to the aunty...errr... didi perhaps! :)

Naughty? Et moi?! Just waiting for my coffee!

Everything done and good byes said to many people, we went on to board the flight. Cubby insisted on holding on to the supports in the bus while in Papa's godi as if he didn't trust him enough. WE got the seats right in the front and were quite thankful for that bit of extra space! Our neighbours were also people with kids (a girl and a boy) and both of them indulged Cubby totally making him listen to music by sharing their headphones and talking to him like a little adult. He kept walking from our end to theirs giving goofy smiles all along. He was even carried away by airhostesses for some time and his father wished he could swap places with the son! :D

He had juice nibbled a bit of yummy food Jet served and had a ball of time. I had a tough time getting him to sit quietly during take-off and landing though. Of course he is still thankfully small enough to be physically restrained, but he didn't create too much of a ruckus either.

When we were getting off a lady sitting behind us, blessed him and said "What a sweet child. He has been smiling throughout the flight!" My son ROCKS people! :D

Thus we reached Goa. Got our star sighting with Suniel Shetty waiting outside the tiny Dabolim airport as we headed to the taxi stand to reach my buddy Gauri's place! :)

Phew! I am tired with this much! So the actual Goa trip and return journey to be continued in next post! Please to bear with me. I actually didn't mean to bore you guys with every detail, but it's more for my memories sake that I am noting it all down out here! I wish I could capture the actual joie de vivre and excitement on Cubby's face in my words, but I had to try nonetheless! :)

P.s. Next post I will let just the photos do the talking! :P