Jahaz Mahal Masjid

Just a picture in the early evening, on my way to Alok's (colleague from IDBI Fortis) wedding. Sunset seen from Dr. Annie Besant Road.

Graduation

Yesterday was Camila's Graduation. At a beautifully arranged event she received the High School Diploma of the American School of Bombay. Years of hard working, not so hard working, perseverance, many moves, tears and laughter are summarized in 20 seconds when they give you your diploma.

Of the many diploma's you will work for in your life, this is probably the most distinguishing. When you got to be such an international student as Camila finally is, you know that there are many, many people in the world without this opportunity. And many of the following diplomas have a lot to do with reaching this stage; after that, willingness and pleasure in what you are doing can bring you there - or as one of Camila's colleagues put it in his speech "the right combination of selfishness and selflessness". This marks also the moment that the next phase in your life starts, leaving home, much more dependent on yourself for problem resolution. No one ready to cook your dinner. And college will be a great time, with deeper friendships, intellectual challenges, and focus on what you love to do! And we wish you that with all our heart.

Ruas Portuguesas

Dutch spirit on a former Portuguese Island

Our rickshaw driver was a (very) big guy, almost filling up the whole rickshaw himself. And he is a great fan of Portugal, especially the Portuguese football. For that reason he had not only some nice pictures of Kareena Kapoor (don't forget to click on the link attached to the name). Furthermore the rickshaw was decorated with a Portuguese flag (with big letters PORTUGAL) and in good Roman Catholic tradition a crucifix hanging down in the center. And next to the steer of our driver there was a little statue of Lord Ganesha. When Mike asked him about his religion our very Portuguese driver answered without hesitation: "Hindu, but I'm going to Portugal to visit Fatima" and he made a cross. The same great Dutch spirit of tolerance we found later in the Jesuit St. George church ...

Fishing harbor of Diu

Diu has a nice fishing harbor. In the early morning the boats arrive and you can buy your fish directly from the fishermen. Most restaurants on the island will prepare the fish you have arranged yourself. In the harbor is shipyard as well, everywhere they are building and repairing boats. The atmosphere is friendly. Everyone wants to chat a few words, asks to take a picture, or just smiles and shows the catch of the day.

Great fortification

The fort of Diu was a great surprise. It is a very impressive, huge stronghold. Walking there you can imagine that no one dared to challenge the Portuguese from the seaside! It has many towers with spectacular views of the surrounding water (at 3 sides) and the city at the backside. In the sea, on a small island is the old prison (now during the night "illuminated" with some psychedelic lightning).

Far away a bit closer to home

This weekend we were with Elaine and Mike in Diu. Friday afternoon we left Mumbai on the (only) daily flight servicing Diu, and Sunday afternoon we came back. For more than four centuries Diu was Portuguese territory and it was with the Battle of Diu (1509) that the Portuguese established control over their trade routes to and from Asia, which they maintained for around a century (then the Dutch took over after the Dutch - Portuguese War between 1602-1661).

Diu is still full of Portuguese memories: houses, churches, schools, Portuguese speaking people, fishing boats looking like small caravelas, and a huge, very impressive fort. The city is not as nicely preserved as Macau, but has lots to see and we have spent quality time looking around, eating fresh fish, and drinking some Kingfishers!

Thin air

Since Tuesday I was at 7,200 ft (~2,200 m) in Chail - in the high mountains of India, close to China. High altitude, not yet as high as the mountains you could see far away. But, the highest cricket pitch in the world is here! I was here in a resort visiting the yearly conference of IDBI Fortis' Agency channel. Over the course of the days I walked to the Kali temple. The godess Kali was the wife of Shiva, visiting her temple helps you to get rid of all evilness you are carrying with you. You see her on the picture. I also visited briefly the Chail palace (now also a hotel), not spectacular as a building, but the maharadja choose a wonderful place to reside ...

Cold Tulips

Last weekend I was in Belgium and The Netherlands. Friday morning we arrived in Brussels and in the afternoon we had the board meeting (earlier postponed because of the Icelandic vulcano) in Brussels. And Saturday we went to the Keukenhof to see the tulips. Sunday we were almost stranded because of that same vulcano, after all we left with a few hours delay. It was very cold, around 10 degrees Celsius ... especially when you come from Mumbai weather that feels warmer than 40 degrees!

Relaxation after STRAIN

Some of the muscles got very soar (even a pulled groin muscle at the first match, hurts nicely ...), so: a good Sunday's rest became a relaxing visit to the beach (15 mins from where Melissa lives). Does look good, doesn't it? Well deserved, Melissa.

Semi-finals for Melissa

This weekend lots of success for the Dutch tennis girls living in Florida. Michaëlla Krajicek won the ITF-tournement of Charlottesville. And Melissa reached the semi-finals in the tournement at Nick Bollettieri's. Great, isn't it? Congratulations!

Maharashtra Day

This Saturday it was Maharashtra Day, it was 50 years ago that the current state Maharashtra was formed (a holiday and NO working Saturday!). Together with Elaine and Mike Wood we went up to the Kamala Nehru Park (on top of Malabar Hill, interesting article on Wikipedia with some old pictures!) from where you have a beautiful view over Chowpatty Beach and the Queen's Necklace. The whole beach was crowded with people to watch the celebrations, while the VIP area was almost empty ...

From the Nehru park we walked to the Hanging Gardens (also known as PMG, when you look at Google maps and zoom a bit in on the park, you see they used the letters P-M-G for the lanes). It was my first time up here and perhaps because of the high concentration of Parsis at Malabar Hill and being next to the Tower of Silence I had expectations like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, but actually it is rather flat and open.

From the top of Malabar Hill we went for dinner in the Breach Candy Club, to celebrate Ivone's membership (she got her card on Queen's Day).