Eurodash79 - Book review

 

EURODASH79: The Quest - Inspired and Relentless Search for the True Knowledge, Culture & Values by Akhil Pandey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just finished reading Akhil Pandey’s travelogue ‘Eurodash79’.
It is about seven colleagues riding to Europe from India in 1979 on four motorcycles, all Yezdis.
The book has been written after forty years of having Eurodashed!
A lot of details have been given regarding the planning of the road trip, right from deciding the route on paper maps, since GPS or Google maps was unheard of then, applying for visas, getting leave sanctioned, convincing family members, organising the finance, all of which makes it a good case study and used in some management classes.
Every chapter begins with a parable and sometimes a quote which sets the mood for the chapter and this would be a great read for readers interested in history as every place they visited has been described in detail not only geographically but also an in-depth historical background of the city.
At the end of the chapter there is a box which mentions the take away for the riders from the place visited.
Interestingly they did this trip on a shoestring budget of five US dollars per day per head as in those days foreign exchange was strictly regulated, which led to them sleeping on streets many a time to save precious scarce funds!
Overall, an interesting read and a must read for travellers who wish to learn how people travelled in the ‘good old days’.
This book is more by a traveller than a rider.

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A day trip to Brighton, England

Brighton, England is a vibrant seaside city located on the south coast of England, in the county of East Sussex. Known for its bohemian atmosphere, artistic culture, and diverse community, Brighton is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. 

Originally a small fishing village called Brighthelmstone, on the English Channel, it grew into a fashionable health resort in the Georgian era, attracting royal patronage and gaining fame for its sea bathing and lively atmosphere. It merged with nearby Hove in 1997 to form the City of Brighton and Hove which received official city status in 2000. 

Brighton is also home to the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton, giving it a youthful and progressive energy. Just an hour by train from London, it's a favorite escape from the capital, blending coastal charm with a cosmopolitan feel. 

We drove down from Coulsdon for a day trip to Brighton and had a wonderful day. 

The parking area is next to all the iconic sights and places to visit hence very tourist oriented. Park and play! 

Key attractions include the iconic Brighton Palace Pier, 

the Royal Pavilion—an exotic former royal residence with Indian and Chinese influences—and 

the Brighton i360, a tall, observation tower offering panoramic views of the coast. The city also boasts a lively beach, a bustling nightlife, and a strong LGBTQ+ scene. 

We spent some time on the seashore which incidentally is a pebble beach not a sandy beach. 

I thought it was unique. The children and adults enjoyed it immensely. The adults seated on the pebbles while the children enjoyed throwing pebbles into the sea. 

All the action made us hungry hence we trotted to Dishoom Permit Room for an Indian lunch in an Indian restaurant. The food was wholesome and the service excellent. 

Then it was time for the children to spend time at the Brighton pier arcade which had plenty of games to keep the children occupied for a couple of hours. 

There also is a sea aquarium but unfortunately it was shut by the time, 4 pm, that we reached there.  

That led us to the myriad souvenir shops lining the beach front for some retail therapy! 

Overall, a very satisfying day by the sea for the family! 

 

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Magical Mundane

 

Magical Mundane: My Reflections on Motherhood by Snehal Amembal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me at the outset state that this is a beautiful book of poetry and prose by my daughter and it makes me extremely proud to say so!
In this book she takes the reader on a magical journey of her motherhood that I had missed out due to the fact that she lived on a different continent from me but thanks to this book I had the beautiful experience of participating in the joys and fears and multiple emotions that a mother goes through while birthing and bringing up a child.
The book is highly visually and emotionally evocative and all in a matter of eighty nine pages you are on a roller coaster ride of smiles, laughter and tears!
This is a must read!

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Beer and waffles in Bruges, Belgium

We went on a day trip to Bruges from Ghent as it was just around fifty kilometres away that could be covered in an hour.

Bruges, often referred to as the "Venice of the North," is a picturesque city in Belgium known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and enchanting canals. 

Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features cobblestone streets, charming squares, and landmarks such as the Belfry of Bruges and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Bruges has a rich and complex history that dates back to the early medieval period. Originally a settlement of the Celtic tribe, it developed significantly during the 9th century as a trading post due to its strategic location near the North Sea.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bruges flourished as a major commercial hub in Europe, especially in the wool trade. The construction of canals facilitated trade, connecting the city to the sea and enabling it to become a vital port. This period saw the rise of powerful merchant guilds and the establishment of the Bruges Bourse, one of the first stock exchanges.

The city reached its peak in the 14th century, becoming a cultural and artistic center. Notable works from this time include the famous Flemish Primitives, such as Jan van Eyck. However, by the 15th century, Bruges began to decline due to silting in its harbor, which reduced its trading capacity.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Bruges faced further economic challenges but managed to retain its artistic heritage. The Industrial Revolution brought some revitalization, but the city transformed into a quiet, medieval town.

Today, Bruges is celebrated for its historical significance and beauty, attracting millions of visitors each year who come to experience its rich cultural legacy. Its preservation as a UNESCO World Heritage site underscores its importance as a medieval urban center.

Our first item on the ‘to-do’ list was a boat cruise down the canal as we would manage to see most of the city without breaking into a sweat.

The cruise was wonderful with a knowledgeable boat captain who kept pointing out the various sights on the way. He had a great sense of humour too!

Next on our list was to try out the various beers of Belgium followed by a quick snack. Not to forget the ‘French’ fries that originated in Belgium and of course to satiate our sweet tooth, the world famous Belgian waffles!

Before long it was evening and time to get back to Ghent after a lovely satisfying day in Bruges, ending it on a sweet note!

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Souvenirs across countries - Book review.

 

Miniaturised Travel Stories: Souvenirs Across Countries by INDRANI GHOSE
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A unique travel book which deals with the cultures of various places via the popular souvenirs sold and bought.
Indrani has detailed different souvenirs of different countries and their history.
Each chapter is dedicated to a souvenir from a particular country like the cow bell from Switzerland. She has cleverly interlinked the different souvenirs to similar Indian objects too.
The book, like normal travelogues does not deal with travel, food and monuments but what the souvenir of that particular country represents.
This is definitely not a book to be completed in a sitting but to enjoy and relish each and every chapter.
If you like to travel and collect souvenirs this book is a must buy as a handybook to refer to, to help you decide which souvenir would be the best and why.
I bought the Kindle edition and have no regrets!
The language and narration is also wonderful and entertainingly educative.

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Second chance - Book reviewed

Just finished reading ‘Second chance’ by Deepika Muthusamy. It was sent to me for a review.

It has a typical romantic storyline for a potboiler Hindi film. The editing is not up to the mark.

It has a hero, a heroine who are childhood family friends, get married, separated and given a second chance… Read the book if you wish to know how it ended. Of course there is a villain too who makes his appearance to spice up matters.

It has dealt with patriarchy, woman empowerment, and also how the children, despite getting married, still remain under the strong influence of their parents which does lead to some hilarious situations.

You will like it if old school romance is your cup of tea.

Soulful Serenade - Book reviewed

A short review of a short book (83 pages) of poems by Marina Gomes. I have known her as a blogger and we are friends in the virtual world. She requested me to review this book for her so here it is!

The book titled ‘Soulful Serenade’ is divided into five sections with each section containing eight poems each.

1)     Budding – All eight poems in this are visually evocative. Beautiful imagery.

2)     Sensual – Here the words are sensual and have a lovely flow.

3)     Confused – All are very descriptive, almost prosaic but make interesting reading.

4)     Despair – As the title suggests it’s all about despair.

5)     Hope – The book ends with eight poems filled with fond hopes.

 

A beautiful book overall which starts about budding love which goes on to become sensual leading to confusion followed by despair and finally with hopes for happy endings!