on a rainy day! :)

When Cyclone Nilam was ravaging Tamilnadu, Bangalore saw it's side effects with two days of incessant rains, crazy winds and sudden drop in temperature turning Bangalore into a veritable hill station all of a sudden. Considering there was hardly any rain during the entire rainy season, everyone welcomed these showers (atleast for the first day before the roads got worse, traffic turned for worst and damp clothes occupied every available surface in the house!;)


All said and done, the weather was gorgeous - the kind where you either cuddle under a razaai all day long or step out and enjoy the rains. We decided to do the later! We left thinking of having lunch at some new place in the city. But both the places we shortlisted were typically enclosed spaces and how does one enjoy the weather there, really?


So, we just turned the car around and decided to go to another new place we had just heard about called Cafe Buzzinga in Whitefield, Bangalore. Found the phone number, called and found exactly where it was and reached. It is lovely open space @ Lakeview Farms (which in itself is a private property - a part of which the owners have given for commercial purposes).


Cafe Buzzinga is as casual as it's name makes it sound. Run by two young partners, it is a simple place with daily fresh menu on a white board and comfortable cane chairs on pebbled ground. The kids felt at home instantly. Add to that the huge lawn (belonging to the owners) where they had a free run (till the owners came along) and indulgent service - we ended up having an absolutely fabulous afternoon!


What made the whole experience superlative was customer delight offered by the cafe! We absolutely LOVED the bacon in their all day breakfast combo. Since we wanted to have more of the said bacon, we asked them if they could make us a bacon/cheese sandwich which was not on the menu. There wasn't a moment of hesitation and a perfectly grilled sandwich was at our table soon enough! :)


Here are some pictures that should give you an idea! :)

On our way out! Cub holding Bub's hand to keep her under the umbrella, while Bub has plans of her own! ;)

In the middle of the huge lawn of Lakeview Farms! :)

Cub trying to channelize his inner Hulk! But he was too happy to get it right! :)

Arre Bhaiyya! Let me pose by myself! :)

Doing a round of the lawn while the food gets ready! :)

and Bub chose to take a walk with her Papa! :)

Time for some hot chocolate?! :) Served very thoughtfully in a little Espresso cup for a little girl! :)

Content smiles post a great meal and a good time! :)  

The lake and wet roads on our way back! 

the much awaited HAL museum darshan! :)

So, we finally made it to the HAL aerospace museum in Bangalore this weekend. It had been on our wishlist for the longest time and some how the plan would never pan out. This Saturday, M made sure we got ready and were out before the museum shuts its door to visitors.


It is a gorgeous place. Large open spaces, green and friendly folks around. The airplane models are mostly in open space around the buildings and are easily accessible for one to have a good look. The basic information about them is mentioned on the boards next to the aircraft.


The buildings have different engines and miniature models of some planes. It also has a lovely installation of a pilot having used the eject seat and come down with the help of a parachute. There is a flight simulator as well which is a little lame, but kids love it nonetheless. The souvenir shop has a supremely smooth talking sales guy and you will rarely walk out without making a purchase. The shop has lovely models as well as toy airplanes and helicopters in different sizes and prices.


The bathrooms too are thankfully clean. Only thing missing is a decent cafeteria / canteen. There is a small one, but all it sells is chips and soft drinks. I wish they would at least stock some sandwiches etc. But then again on a weekend the place hardly saw any crowd, so maybe it does not make sense for them to keep stuff that will go bad quick.


There is a little water body with an even smaller bridge going over it and different kinds of fish swimming by. Bub was supremely excited about seeing real "Feesh"! :) So was Cub actually, though he might have been more happy about the little bridge!



Folks in Bengaluru - GO! GO! GO! :) 


Here's a peek;

Cub and me posing at the entrance! :)

Ze Papa and the Ze Bacchas!

Cub posing with the fighter jets and such! :)

While Cub is listening to all the gyaan being shared by M...

The Bub is quite happy picking up twigs from one side and throwing them over the hedge to the other side! :)

The little bridge with not so little boy! :)

The seating area to have your khaana is clean and comfy. One could carry a picnic and chill even! :)

This photu is only here because a little girl came in and squealed "Look Mamma! A PINK helicopter! :p

and while Cub was deciding on which plane to buy Bub was happily making funny faces and having a ball! :)

another quick get-away!

and because the photos of this one are so darn cute, I need to get this post done before I get lazy yet again! :)

So it is Thursday night, more like midnight, and then suddenly M comes into the room after finishing his con-calls and asks me the ultimate question "Are you sleeping?!" Errrr...Now I am not! :) We are getting a great deal at Taj Kuteeram for this weekend, should I book it. And we do.

The day we are leaving our live-in nanny Lalita falls sick in the morning and Lalita and illness = PANIC! Anyway, doctor visit done, we waited till she felt better and finally left only a little behind our schedule.

Finally we reach there around lunch hour and kids go crazy.


In a good way!

They see all the open space and it is like a dam has broken. Cub is running all over and Bub is trying to catch up as fast as she can. We go to our room and kids are even more kicked. They love the bed. Bub is rubbing her cheek against the soft linen as often as she could! :) Then we open the back door. Yes! It is one of those cottages. There is beautiful little swing in there and all of us are trying to get a spot on it.

Rest of the day and half of next day goes in lazing around doing pretty much nothing. We watch a magic show arranged, get our hands a little dirty while pretending to work on the potter's wheel making small pots to bring home as souvenirs. Or memories actually.


Kids get to look at ducks swimming in the pond nearby, try avoiding the sprinkler from getting them wet head to toe and just enjoy listening to little birds sing. Cub was more open to climbing trees this time and kept trying his hand at it every now and then. He actually went up to the magician when called up on and told his name clearly which in itself is an awesome improvement. He was being super helpful pushing Bub's stroller all around and playing with her, making sure she does not hurt herself. he is one rock star brother. Touchwood!


Bub on the other hand was just soaking up all the new experiences. It was so much fun seeing her play in the sand, feel little pebbles, then the rough stone and the soft green grass. And she achieve a milestone there! Learned to climb steps! :) Of course she kept giving us the scares by trying to get down head first. Oh well!


Anyhoo, here's the photos that say it so much better than my words can!

Bub and me posing on the swing!

The father and the kids! didn't i say we kept taking turns?!

I just LOVE this photo. For some reason it makes me smile every time i see it!

Bub and me again!

First you pin me down!

Then I will pin you down

Bub obviously does not want to be left out of all the fun!

Because Cub is looking soooooooooo handsome! :)

So this is how sand with little pebbles feels! :)

And crawling on red stones feels like this, eh?! :)

Ze bed in ze room!

Fooling around! :)

He finished that big glass of milk in a jiffy just because he was on a different chair! Kids!

Some TV watching when there is nothing else to do!

:) man! my son is good looking! :)

On the magician's table! :)

Finally and the only family photu! 

Cub waiting for his turn at the wheel!

While Bub watches on. She made use of this time by eating small pebbles and mud around her!

He was giving sermon to the ducks from a height! ;)

Tree huger! :)

day 2 and still crazy about the swing!

Saying our good-byes by posing with the gorgeous wall! :)

One with ze Mumma!

Getting her last feed before leaving on the steps!

which she promptly went up once the eating was done!

And waved Ta-Ta! :)


Ps. It obvious how much Cub was enjoying himself because we rarely had a "no-picture" moment and we got some gorgeous photos of him! :)

Have you checked out this blog, btw? Howlarious to say the least!

http://crappypictures.typepad.com/

Hope you guys are enjoying the festive season! Haffun all of ya!

a quick getaway with grandparents!

I was just sifting through old blog posts to find a post I had written on our Masinagudi trip for JLT. I obviously meandered and realized there are so many things I have forgotten and the only record is my blog posts. I instantly felt terrible about not being as regular. There are hardly any Bub posts in here. And so many new things Cub keeps doing too have found no mention and are now lost forever! :(


So here's a catch up post of a short getaway we did to Jungle Lodge's, Bannerghatta National Park. Yes, right within the city and yet once you enter, it is like you have left it far behind. Much fun was had and you can read my official guide HERE for the more practical aspects! Thank you Art for the recco!


We loved pretty much everything about the place - the accommodation in the tents, the hammocks strung around everywhere, deer walking in unexpectedly and the open space. The food and the service were a tad disappointing, but nothing you cannot live with for one night.


Here are the photos! The kids were especially thrilled to have their Aaji-Ajoba around! :)

Cub trying to save the Bub from falling into the gap! :)

Getting the hang of the hammock! No pun intended! ;)

The Girl with the Red Umbrella! :)

The brother in green joins her! :)

I LOVED the tyre swing! what is there not to like, eh?! 

With the bada baby at the zoo! :p

The brats with the grandies! :)

everyone trying to save the food from Bub the Bhukkad! :p

Cub at the front of the Safari bus. The driver let him change the gears later. Holding his hand ofcos!

Near the Butterfly park! :)

The entrance to the Butterfly park. While the number of butterflies were few, its a gorgeous place. And do NOT miss the museum.

In the Butterfly park!

The Bub relaxing in the hammock!

Just sitting around enjoying the place! :)

i LOVE this photo! Just like that! :)

Hanging out together! :)

And we found some friends to kick the ball with! :)


We were back by next day lunch time. It was a short and sweet break and Cub was quite upset that we did not stay another night. All in all, much fun was had. Thank god for such mini-breaks, eh?! :)