Travel room-mates Mr Dahyalal and self on the 'European Tour Coach".

Travel room-mates Mr Dahyalal and self on the 'European Tour Coach".
A "11 day Coach tour of Europe"(Saturday 15-5-2010 to Wednesday 26-5-2010)

"Leaning tower of Pisa" viewed at 2030 hrs in Italian Summer night.(Sunday 16-5-2010)

"Leaning tower of Pisa" viewed at 2030 hrs in Italian Summer night.(Sunday 16-5-2010)
Still Daylight at 2030 hrs:-"Leaning tower of Pisa" .(Sunday 16-5-2010)

At "Jungfraujoch peak"(Wednesday 19-5-2010)

At "Jungfraujoch peak"(Wednesday 19-5-2010)
"Jungfraujoch peak :-From 36*C in Mumbai to -10 to -15* c On "Jungfraujoch mountain.

At the "Lido Show" in Paris(Sunday .(23-5-2010)

At the "Lido Show" in Paris(Sunday .(23-5-2010)
At theParis Cabaret :- "Lido Show" in Paris(Sunday .(23-5-2010)

At "Louvre" with "Mona Lisa" in background.

At "Louvre" with "Mona Lisa" in background.
In the Louvre Museum in Paris with Leonardo De Vinci's "Mona Lisa".(Monday 24-5-2010).

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

"Tour-De-Coach" of "Europe on a Budget" with "Thomas Cook(I) Ltd".

"Coach EB8880Z" our tour bus through entire Europe beginning from Rome and terminating in London.


Decided to go a on a “European tour” in 2010 and finally confirmed the same during a visit to a “Travel Exhibition” on Saturday(29-1-2010) at “Bandra-Kurla complex grounds” organized by “Times of India Group of Newspapers”, my favourite ‘Adda’ for “Rock and pop concerts”. All the major travel companies of India had set up their stalls and after visiting numerous agencies finally decided with “Thomas Cook(India) Ltd” as the particular tour suited my modest “Travel budget”. This was my second "Group Tour" after the "Holy Land Tour" in 2008 with "Mosaic Holidays Pvt Ltd(Mumbai)". As a “Single traveler”, the major hurdle that I face is finding another “ Single traveler” to share accommodation, otherwise, “single Travel” is atrociously expensive in “Group Tours” since I would have to pay for an entire room, if staying alone. “Thomas Cook” agreed to find me a traveling companion as they are an “International travel network” in India and also the World, hence I did a token booking with them. A rebate was offered for booking a “Tour Itinerary” at the venue, the initial deposit being Rs 1000.
I was later contacted by “Thomas Cook" after approx 2 weeks and was told that I could be accommodated in their tour group as they had found another “Single Traveler” who could be accommodated into my hotel room on a “Twin Sharing basis”.
I next paid the second installment of the package tour at their office on the first floor in “Chandermukhi Building” at Nariman point, an amount of Rs 24,000 to Dynisia.Quadros (Customer Relation executive)and was later given a format for a “ U.K Visa application”.
Mr Ravi.Mulluk, the person in-charge of “Visa applications” at “Thomas Cook” guided me in the “British Visa application format”, a tedious and intrusive scrutiny of one's personal finances as well as solvency.
On Tuesday(9-3-2010) I went with my documents and “Visa application” to the “British Visa office ” office at “Apsara complex(Grant road)” formerly “Apsara theatre" where I did see a few Hindi films in my childhood.
Did meet a few co- visa tourist applicants from “Thomas Cook” and one of them, an elderly gentleman with whom I picked up a conversation was supposed to travel on the same tour itinerary as me, but on a different date along with his colleague.
After completing all the formalities which included “Computerized fingerprinting” and a "Biometric scan", departed home, having paid Rs 300 for delivery of the “Visa documents” to my residence after approval.
Received the “Visa” after approx a week and later submitted my passport to Mr Ravi.Mulluck for procurement of the “Shengan Visa”, a requirement for travel in the “European Union Country’s” of Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Germany.
At the end of March I was told that my original travel-mate had canceled his tour as he was traveling with his wife and was requested if I could travel in April which I refused, hence told to wait for another “Travel companion”.
In Mid-April was informed that another “Single Traveler” was willing to tour on a ‘Room Sharing basis” and hence the schedule of the tour itinerary was fixed at 15th May 2010.
My travel mate contacted me on phone and co-incidentally we had met before at the “British Visa application office”,hence Mr Dahyalal.Parghi was not a total stranger, besides having a similar look of noted yesteryear's film actor Pran.
I later paid the total “tour cost” of Rs 1,07,500 which included an extra Rs 5000 as “Deviation charges” since I would not return with the “Tour Group” on Wednesday (26/5/2010) but extend my stay in London, the typical “Backpacker” self exploration of the city’s tourist sites and history.
My passport, travel documents along with a “ Thomas cook logo portable wheel travel bag” were delivered to my residence by a “Thomas cook” courier employee on Tuesday(11-5-2010).We were just 2 tourists from Mumbai, my room partner Mr Dhayalal.Parghi and myself who were mentioned on the "Tourist List".This puzzled me since i thought that we would be a big group of tourists from Mumbai as this was only me secong "Package Foreign tour", having done mostly "Solo Backpacking tours" and "Ship port visits" when employed in the "Merchant Navy".
On Wednesday(12-5-2010) I did the necessary “Foreign exchange” purchase at the “Thomas Cook” office in “Kohinoor hotel Building ",close to my residence at Prabhadevi, prevailing exchange rates being 1 Euro@ Rs 60 & 1 GBP @ Rs 70.50p, .
In the afternoon, went to “Thomas cook office” at Nariman Point and collected my “E-Ticket” from Dynesia.Quadros and also made inquiries about the format of travel and the number of co-tourists in the group.
On my previous "Package Group Tour" with "Mosiac Tours Pvt Ltd", the entire batch of 20 pilgrims traveled directly from Mumbai airport to Cairo with the group tour manager Nicola.Phillips.That was a communal tour as the main places to be visited were the "Christian holy lands", with all the tourists being "Indian catholics",besides, all were from Mumbai.
The "Europe on a budget tour" seemed totally different as all tourists would meet our tour manager Mr Sandeep.Ganjoo in Rome ,at the airport, having arrived by different flights from different city's in India.
"VATICAN CITY" in Rome. The World's smallest country.

DEPARTURE MUMBAI:- On Saturday(15-5-2010) left my residence at approx 0030 hrs, caught a taxi and reached " Chattrapati Shivaji International airport" at approx 0115 hrs. After the normal custom formalities, boarded the the "Qatar Airways" flight QR201 from Mumbai airport at 0510 hrs to Rome with a transit stop at Doha(QR 87) , the rest of the tourists flying into Rome from various other destinations in India, something totally innovative to my nascent knowledge of "Group Tour package travels". Reached Doha at 0915 hrs(I.S.T) with a transit stay of approx 2 1/2 hrs, and window-shopped at the "Duty Free shops". Boarded the connecting flight to Rome at 0810 hrs, a wonderful in-flight journey with "Multiplex theatre system" for every passenger. Saw the movie "Shutter Island" and also listened to some excellent music on the long marathon jet travel of approx 6 hrs. Touched down at "Leonardo Da Vinci Airport" in Rome at 1400 hrs. Akin to Kuala Lumpur, Roma(Rome) has a shuttle service train that transfers passengers to the "Arrival Immigration lounge",but, language is a problem in Italy as most of the sign boards were in Italian, barring a few accompanying English language sign boards.
For a first World country and one of the World's busiest airport, the "Immigration" process was tedious to a foreigner, with long queues and total chaos in queue formation due to "Language difficulties".
After clearing my customs and immigration formalities later went to the "Baggage Collection" conveyor belt and after waiting for quite a time realized that i was at the wrong terminal, confusion due to "Language barrier", later going to "Conveyor belt No 9" and finally collecting my baggage.One of my portable bags was damaged, the "carry handle" broken on arrival.
Arrival at Rome Airport

A more horrible surprise was to await me as i approached the "Thomas Cook" tour representative at the airport, my name was missing from the "Tourist List" which was later clarified as a mistake by our group manager Mr Sandeep.Ganjoo. Mr Sandeep.Ganjoo had collected the "Tourists" of his group and departed before my arrival at the departure lounge as he thought that i was coming on a different flight. There were 2 groups of "Thomas Cook" tourists arriving on Saturday(15-5-2010) to Rome from different flights, including my room partner Mr Dahyalal.Parghi who was arriving via the Istanbul transit on a "Turkish airways flight"..
Finally, Mr Sandeep.Ganjoo arrived alone at the terminus and collected me, both of us making our way through the cold drizzle rain into the coach.14 tourists of the total of 44 were in the coach and we were driven to our hotel "Hotel palace", a large spacious hotel room in the suburbs of Rome. We were allotted room no 212 on the 2nd floor. The half hour journey to the hotel was pleasant in the drizzling rain and well paved roads. Rome has no multi-storeyed skyscraper buildings unlike Mumbai, most of the buildings being upto a maximum of 5 to 7 storeys, made of granite stone giving the city its ancient historic looks.In my house we have had an "Agip ashtray" since my childhood and it was only at the age of 50 in Rome that i realized "Agip" was a brand name for "Petrol Pump stations" in Rome. Travel, definitely broadens your cultural and social horizons.After a bath and changeover of clothing we boarded the bus and headed back to the airport to collect the next batch of tourists.We waited in the bus and finally the entire batch of tourists arrived at 2000 hrs including my room-mate Mr Dahyalal.Parghi and all 45 of us including tour manager Sandeep were driven to an Indian hotel for dinner. The entire day was wasted due to the late arrival of the second batch of tourists, besides, the rain also played spoiled sport. It was cold and chilly in the light drizzle with temps of 13 to 15*c, a total transformation from the hot climate of 36*C in Mumbai.
The restaurant "Gourmet India Roma" was located in downtown Rome and enroute we passed through the Collosium and to me Rome resembled Mumbai's "Ballard estate locality" with fewer people and absolutely clean streets.
After dinner made our way to the hotel and although i had only 4 hours of sleep didn't suffer from fatigue or "jet-Lag', thanks to the cool pleasant climate and a psychological anticipation of the tour.
The hotel was a "4 star hotel" with all the modern amenities and an "Old world charm" ,in the process educating me on the application of certain toilet and hotel appliances like taps , "Hand driers" and "sensor monitor applications".The bathroom was "western Style' with a "Jaccuzzi type" shower system, excellent hot water, as water is abundantly available in Europe.
Packed Street side cafe's  in Rome .

SUNDAY (16-5-2010):-As usual, woke up at 0400 hrs after a good nights sleep and thankfully my room partner Mr Dahyalal was also an early riser, later religiously saying his morning prayers while i updated my diary travel notes. A "Gideon's bible' was kept in the bed drawer an indication of Rome being a catholic country and the seat of the "Catholic Church' in the Vatican.Wonder if my travel and room partner Mr Dahyalal.Parghi was troubled by my agnostic attitude towards religion, since he never saw me praying during the entire tour, whereas, he religiously prayed for at least 10 to 15 mins every morning.The day would be hectic as indicated by tour manager Sandeep, having to compensate for the loss of a "sightseeing day" on Saturday.
Today we would be visiting the "Vatican City" in Rome with a local Italian tour guide, although a visit to the "Sistine chapel" would not be possible due to its public closure to tourists on Sundays.
It was drizzling in the early morning as Mr Dahyalal and myself went for a morning walk outside the hotel at 0600 hrs, a beautiful countryside, lush with green meadow fields.
After breakfast at 0800 hrs which consisted of bread/butter/honey/coffee or tea we boarded our tour bus and headed for our first day of sightseeing excursion, sad that the continuous drizzle could curtail our tour visits."Luck" plays an important factor in every walk of life, beginning from birth until death and luckily as we were about to shop for umbrella's(Cost 3 Euro's) the rain stopped and there was sunlight in the cloudy Italian skies. Vehicle parking is the biggest obstacle in European Country's and hence the bus coach had to park itself at quite a far walking distance from the "Vatican City", a definite hindrance to some of the elderly tourists in the group. Barring Dahyalal and myself, rest of the entire batch of tourists consisted of either couples or families with young children, majority being below the age of 50 and a few above retirement age of 60, including my travel-mate Mr Dahyalal.
We walked through the streets of Italy and headed towards the Vatican city,the smallest country in the World.Met our Vatican City tour guide Barbara, a young lady who explained us a brief history of the Vatican, useful to the non-christian tourist's as i was the only Christian in the entire tourist group of 44.
There was a huge gathering of tourists and pilgrims(1,50,000 B.B.C News) in the Vatican square, many of them arriving to lend support to the pope on allegations of "Child Molestation" against some clergymen in different dioceses of the "Catholic world", most notably U.S.A and Germany.The congregation in St Peters square were dancing to hymns and the entire Vatican courtyard was filled with people,besides, there was seating arrangements for some special ceremony or sermon. Entered the "Vatican Church", a church that has to be visited akin to the "Church of the Holy Sepulchre " and "Church of Nativity" in Israel and Palestine to experience its architectural splendour and holy sanctity.The Basilica of St Peters resembled a palace in its splendor and royalty.
All roads lead to Rome. On way to "Vatican City" in Rome.

Later, we were fortunate to hear Pope Benedict XVI address pilgrims and tourists at 1200 hrs from a room of the Vatican residence, the same being broadcast on  "Vatican radio" and "Television". A carpet was laid out from an open window and exactly at 1200 hrs Pope Benedict XVI arrived at the window and addressed the congregation gathered in St Peters Square. I made a video recording of the same. memories for posterity and real lucky to see the pope personally at the Vatican. Tour guide Mr Sandeep.Ganjoo who has conducted numerous guided tours to the Vatican admitted that it was the first time that he actually heard the Pope address a congregation of tourists and pilgrims, the fact of being at the right place at the right time.
We finally departed from the Vatican at 1230hrs after the pope's sermon which lasted only about 20 minutes, addressed in Italian and English languages.
Tour guide Barbara who accompanied us on the bus bacame our local Roman tour guide and pointed out some of the historic tour sites from the bus,including the "Collosium", something truly disappointing to a veteran "Backpacker solo tourist".I was hoping to enter the "Collosium" and view its historical ambiance but then as the saying goes, "In life, you win some, lose some". So also in "Budget Packaged Tours", its impossible to view all major "tourist attractions" of a city due to the "Time factor' and "Tour budget".
We stopped at the "Trevi Fountain" made famous in the film "Roman Holiday", a place bustling with tourists. Photography was the main indulgence of the tour and as usual went "camera crazy".Had a "Pizza snack(3 euro)" near a restaurant at Trevi fountain and as usual also purchased a souvenir , a statue of the "she-wolf" with baby's Romulus and Remus.Threw a few coins into the "Trevi Fountain", a tradition amongst visitors as a sign of "good luck". After a brief sightseeing excursion in which i observed "First world poverty" with a deformed lady begging near the fountain we finally boarded our bus and headed towards Pisa.It was a 4/5 hour drive to Pisa with our coach bus averaging 90/100Km per hour on the majestic highways akin to our "Mumba-Pune highway" in India .En-route, had a brief halt at a local "Bus rest mall" and got a glimpse of the average Italian Life and cost of living.Reached Pisa at approx 2030 hrs and quickly headed towards the World famous 'Leaning tower of Pisa".There was still sunlight and the entrance was about to close before we luckily made our way towards this historic freak of accidental architecture. The tower really looks grotesquely beautiful with its frightful tilt, almost on the verge of collapse. as usual, went "camera Crazy', although the fading sunlight didn't provide good photographs.
Had dinner at the "Di Manfredo" Indian restaurant situated at a walking distance from the "Leaning tower of Pisa Complex" where i also purchased a "Pisa memento glass".
Later headed towards our hotel "Holiday Inn" and we checked into Room No 203.
Later ,Paid the tour charges for further sightseeing excursions in advance to tour manage Mr Sandeep.Ganjoo in the hotel lobby.
1) Full Day Jungfraujoch and Interlaken tour with lunch (Switzerland).[120 Euro's]
2) Mt Titlis and Lucerne with lunch.(Switzerland). [75 Euros]
3)Lido show in Paris [95 Euro's]
4)24 Euro's were paid by each tourist as "Tips' to the "coach driver" ,a common custom in Europe.
Hence the Total additional tour costs amounted to Euro 314.
Hotel accommodation in Europe is expensive and the costs depicted at the "Holiday Inn" guests check-in counter were Euro 190/room(1 Euro= Rs 60 approx).
This room was small compared to the "Palace Hotel" in Rome, besides, Dahyalal and myself had to share the same "Double -bed".
Learnt to operate the T.V and tuned into the local channels as well as "B.B.C News" to keep in touch with current events, the only English language channel .
At "Statue of David" in Piazzale Michaelangelo in  Florence.

MONDAY(17-5-2010) :- Had breakfast at 0830 hrs which consisted of cheese/bread/boiled eggs/ butter/ jam/ juice(Continental type).Proceeded to the renaissance city of Florence by coach.Our bus first stopped at the Piazzale Michelangelo(Michelangelo Square) which gives a panoramic birds eye view of entire Florence. Strolled around the hill promenade crowded with tourists and a statue of David overlooking the promenade, busy photographing. Saw a street musician perform a beautiful instrumental version of John.Lennon's "Imagine" in "Piano form" on his guitar, something i witnessed for the first time.In Europe its common to see street musicians collect money by playing some instrument akin to street performers in India.Later we descended to Florence city by coach and were met by our Florentine guide Martina who took us on a walking tour of the World famous tourist sites of Florence. We began at the Piazza Del Duomo, the largest Basilica church also known as the Basilica Di Santa Maria Del Fiore.It was built in 1296 and completed in 1436, having one of the World's largest brick dome built by Brunelleschi an engineering marvel of the renaissance era. .There are 44 stained glass windows inside the church.Wanted to climb the campanile(Bell Tower) of the church but couldn't do the same due to lack of touring time.Was explained the significance of the "Baptistry Doors" the most famous being the "Paradise Door".The "Baptistry" is one of the oldest buildings (1059-1128) and has 3 sets of bronze doors. the original doors have been replaced by replica's and the same being kept in a museum.
"Piazza Della Signoria" an open air museum in Florence. 

Later walked over to the Ponte Vechio bridge built over the river Amo, the only bridge that survived 2nd World war destruction.there were mostly jewelery shops and it seems that the term "Bankruptcy" originated from traders of this bridge. If a trader went insolvent his trading table was broken and hence the term bankruptcy originated.Viewed the bronze statue of a wild boar whom Florentine's had named "Cosimo" and akin to the "Trevi fountain" in Rome had a "Superstitious Belief" about its installation. Rubbing your hand over the boars nose and dropping a coin from its mouth, the same falling directly into the coin drain meant "Good Luck".Having been a "Air gun hunter" during my youth and later a active "wild-life conservationist campaigner" photographed myself with this famous boar of Florence city, also dropping a coin and rubbing its nose. Hope of a "Good luck Charm" although i relish "Pork products" as a source of food!
Later walked over to the Palazo Vecchio a beautiful square where renaissance statues are kept including a replica of "David' by Michael.Angelo which stood in the same spot originally, now in the 'Accademia Gallery".There were some horse carriages giving rides to tourists and the weather was pleasant and excellent. After the first day of "rain washout" on arrival in Rome on Saturday(15-5-2010), the rest of the entire tour was free of any bad weather as European climatic conditions are very unpredictable.
we were given a break of approx 3 hrs for individual shopping and sightseeing and i utilized the same by visiting the "Santa Croce church" which was a short walking distance from the Palazo Vechio square. Travelmate Mr Dhayalal accompanied me to the church museum but didn't enter, deciding to relax in the church square. Entrance to the "Santa Croce Church" was 5 euro's and after paying the same entered the historic church which has the tombstones of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Dante to name a few of the World's most important renaissance citizens.I couldn't understand the language and hence was totally lost without a guide, but, a few signboards were in English and hence i could view the tombstones of Michelangelo and Galileo besides reading about the great flood of 1966 that partly destroyed the crucifix now kept in the Museo dell'Opera di Santa Croce.
After strolling around the church between 1400 and 1430 hrs not understanding much due to language difficulties as well as lack of time i made my way out and we then headed to our coach.
Left for Padua at approx 1600 hrs with a new coach driver Mr Fernando as our previous driver Mr Mario had to be rested as the "Work Rules" in the "European Union" are very strict for drivers, they can't drive above a certain amount of stipulated hours.Fines for breaking the rules are exorbitant and strictly enforced, in fact, we couldn't visit certain places like the "Collosseum" in Rome as there was no "Parking Lots' for the bus, besides, with 45 tourists, its definitely difficult to alight or board a bus at a 'Non-Parking spot" during a temporary halt.
Reached Padua at approx 1900hrs , famous as the residence of "Romeo and Juliet" and had a early dinner at the "Gandhi Indian restaurant" named after Mahatma.Gandhi.The restaurant was "Chic Indian", extravagantly decorated with Indian art and Hindu God statues, most notable being the "Ganesh idol". The food was excellent, although i did remember reading an article about this particular restaurant in the Mumbai press regarding serving "Non-Vegetarian dishes".After dinner we were driven to our hotel "Campanile Padova" and were lodged in room no 515 on the 5th floor.Room was identical to the previous "Holiday inn hotel" and caught up with some World News. The "Icelandic Volcano" seemed to have re-surged and i was hoping that it wouldn't cause a back-stay on our return trip to India in one of the costliest city's in the World, London.
Forget life, nature itself has become totally unpredictable.
"BRIDGE OF SIGHS" in Venice.

TUESDAY(18-5-2010):- After a hearty breakfast at 0845 of Ham/Salami, bread, butter, cheese & juice left for Venice at 0930 hrs by coach.
i am almost accurately writing down the time schedule as all 'Packaged tours' operate strictly on pre-planned tourist sites visits based on the "time schedule". "LUCK" plays an important role and either a "Traffic jam' or a "Bus Breakdown" cpuld mean either missing a destined tourist attraction visit or worse, curtailing a part of the tour schedule.
Seperate "Entry Permit Tickets' are charged at the departure wharf to Venice and there were 2 cruise ships berthed at the pier, the larger being the "Ruby Princess", reminding me of my own sailing days in the deep oceans on "cargo ships', visiting exotic ports ,an incentive of sea-employment.
We boarded a launch which chugged across the "Grand Canal" at a very slow pace, the sea traffic being quite dense.The view of Venice from the boat was breathtaking, just beautiful and unbelievable.
Alighted at the pier in Venice and walked along the wharf towards St Marks square.The weather was bright and sunny, slightly warm as we all were wearing warm clothing proving the abrupt and unpredictable changes in weather conditions in Europe . Venice was thronging with tourists,this time of the year being the main tourist season. we first passed through the "Bridge of Sighs' built in 1602 and made of white limestone , a small unimposing structure in looks but of immense historical significance. In fact a "Mount Blanc" advertisement hoarding dominated the profile of the bridge, an excellent form of advertisement to the company as well as revenue to the city of Venice.The bridge connects the prisons to the Doge's interrogation Palace and the last view of Venice was from the bridge for the prisoner being taken to prison. The name "Bridge of Sighs' was given by the romantic poet Lord Byron in the 19th century. The Grand Canal is lined with over 170 buildings dating between 13th to 18 th century's.
SEE VENICE BEFORE YOU DIE ? On a "House-Bridge over a canal in Venice.

Made our way past the Doge's Palace into St Marks Square(Piazza San Marco) called the "Drawing room of Europe", large and offering a magnificent view of the Adriatic sea. The Piaza is dominated by the "Doge's Palace", the Basilica and the Basilica's campanile thronging with tourists, photographers and hawkers besides the famous pigeons.The Doge's Palace is preserved as a museum and there was a long queue for entrance, besides, we tourists had a time constraint hence couldn't visit the same.I did visit the basilica later, real ancient and entering it was akin to going into a time capsule into the past history of Venice.We were taken to the "Moreno Glass showroom", a must visit for every tourist to Venice and given a demonstration of "Exotic glass manufacture". A prancing "Ferrari logo horse" was constructed in our presence and we were later led to the showroom and introduced to exotic and costly 'Moreno glass exhibits". I purchased a swan(ugly duckling) for 10 Euro's as a souvenir of Venice.
Personally toured the narrow paths between the buildings of Venice near St Marks Square and most of these buildings, sunken in water, looked ancient and decaying on the verge of collapse to the normal tourist. A majority of the World's designer companies had their showrooms and shops in the buildings alongside St Marks Square, the main tourist centre.Saw some beautiful "Venetian carnival masks" sold in manny shops and also by the hawkers on St Marks piazza. Visited a "Ferrari sports shop" in which an actual "Ferrari race car model" was kept as an exhibit and photographed myself with it.
We finally departed from Venice at approx 1300 hrs, making our way to the pier and catching the launch to the wharf.Boarded our bus and headed towards Switzerland, a journey of approx 7 hrs, long and tedious, although scenic.Honestly, "Packaged Tours" are good for first time tourists or elderly people since they at least solve the desire of visiting exotic country's and city's at a nominal cost compared to touring individually. To a hardcore traveler like me "Packaged tours" is akin to sampling "Buffet food', tasting a little bit of everything, but, never having your favourite dish or dining in an exotic hotel!During our long grueling bus rides, tour manager Mr Sandeep.Ganjoo would organize some games or introductory skits or songs and a acting talent was discovered in co-tourist Mr Rajesh.Dutta, a excellent mimic and a Hindi film aficionado.
We finally reached Engelberg in Switzerland at approx 2100 hrs and were taken directly for dinner at the "Central Hotel". Engelberg resembled Ooty with all the tourists being Indians and entirely from the "Thomas cook Tour Groups". There were 2 groups of "Thomas Cook Tours" doing the same travel schedule dates, hence, we always clashed at dinner hours. Dinner, although Indian buffet, was akin to a factory mess room as there was a long queue for food, besides, getting seating accommodation was also a matter of first come first sitting. This was one of the main drawbacks of the "Thomas tour Europe tour", too many tourists in too small a restaurant making one feel like a "Gatecrasher" at a party.
After dinner, our luggage was transferred to "Edelweiss hotel" by a vehicle , about 10 mins walking distance from "Central hotel" but built on a hilltop. Engelberg town reminded me of Ooty(India), minus the snow covered surrounding mountains and lack of people on the streets.Our way to "Edeilweiss Hotel" was a 10 minutes walk through some cold tunnels which finally led to a lift which took us to the Edeilweiss hotel, akin to a "James Bond" movie.Edelweiss was a classic owner run hotel which was over a 100 years old being built in 1908 and the owner Mrs Suzanne.Kuhn herself welcomed us into the hall, which resembled a gigantic bungalow, complete with hunting artifacts and trophy's. we were allotted room No 307 on the third floor and after a initial misidentification of luggage , mine having been mistakenly interchanged with the "Mishra family luggage" we checked into our room. Switzerland is called "Heaven on Earth" and the reasons were very valid once we viewed the majestic mountains from our hotel room gallery.The scenery is too beautiful for description in words and adjectives, to be visited and experienced. Now i realize the reason for Switzerland being a favourite tourist spot amongst tourists, especially Indians,too beautiful and climatically excellent during summer.We both had to share the same bed, although a double-bed and huge , also caught on to the latest news.
Akin to their "Swiss Banking Technology" a World class success, it seems that even the Swiss bathrooms and toilets had camouflaged technology and i was really embarrassed in not being able to operate the bathroom tap for "Hot/cold water" modes.The land lady arrived and quietly turned the direction of the ""Tub Tap" in the "Hot water mode", explaining us the same, to my sheer embarrassment as a "Marine engineer" of 25 years sea-service! The "Changeover tap" was so precisely fused to the main piping that it resembled a single pipe piece to the naked eye, hence the confusion between myself and also my room mate Mr Dahyalal.
Had a "Sauna type bathe", excellent in cold climates and later went to sleep.
In "Engelberg" in front of classic "Edeilweiss Hotel;".

WEDNESDAY( 19-5-2010) :- Got up at 0400hrs and as usual 'jotted' into my diary notes and later went for breakfast. Breakfast was on the ground floor of the hotel in a separate hall next to the main hall. As previously mentioned, hotel Edeilweiss resembled a private residence, a palatial "Haveli" as it would have been known if in India.After breakfast we made our way to the coach except my room-mate Mr Dahyalal who opted out of the "Jungfraujoch" as well as the next day " Mt Titlis" tours for personal reasons. On the bus we were given chocolates by a young child Shruti as it was her birthday, the daughter of Mr Ramchandra who was travelling with his entire family from Madras. We reached the station of "Lauterbrunnen" after approx 2 hrs of bus ride and the station itself was scenic with a few small waterfalls gushing from the mountains, a result of melting of the snow glaciers.
The "Cog Wheel train" reminded me of the "Hongkong Peak train", small with just 2 long boggies.I had worn 2 sweaters and a jacket above the sweaters as also hand gloves since having been wiser after experiencing the bitter English winter cold of 1985/86 during my 5 months stay at South Shields for my "Class 2 Part B Marine Eng Exams".
The train journey was scenic and only after personally undergoing the same a person realizes the reasons for Switzerland being on every Indians tourist itinerary. As we finally approached the "Jungfraujoch mountain" , the glacier desert was stupendous, just an endless sheet of total whiteness upto the horizon, akin to sand in a desert. Finally reached Jungfraujoch train station" situated at 11,333 feet, the highest train station in Europe. In the main "Jungfraujoch train station" there were lifts to take tourists to various levels of the mountain having different facilities for tourists, akin to a building shopping mall. We were taken to "Jungfraujoch peak" by a lift where the ambient temps was -10*c to -15*c and i played in the snow like a small child.
Inside "ICE PALACE".

Later visited the "Ice-Palace", akin to a fridge "Deep Freezer".Artificially created  in the glacier and  had "Ice Carvings", something unimaginable to tourists from hot country's. Lunch was at the famous "Bollywood Restaurant",Indianised food with a glass of champagne which was on another floor of the glacier mountain.As an Indian and having tasted Indian food from all cultures and geographical locations of India, thanks to my "Merchant Navy employment", i normally avoid eating Indian food in foreign country's, always tasting their local cuisine. Honestly, the "Indian Food" that was provided in most of the posh restaurants, including "Bollywood" was not upto the "Asli Desi India khana" prepared back home in India.
Left Jungfraujoch at approx 1430 hrs by train, the journey requiring a change of 2 trains, same process as the arrival journey. The Swiss cottages with their tiled roofs are advertising poster for many food products all over the World, but, viewing them personally is altogether a different experience.The numerous waterfalls gushing from the glacier mountains leaves an unforgettable memory on the human mind. No wonder,author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle chose the Swiss mountain waterfalls as a location to end his "Sherlock Holmes Franchise novels " by getting the famous detective killed by his nemesis professor Moriarty, later, revised on popular "Public Demand".
Later visited the city of Interlaken and was given some touring time, a small picturesque city situated against the backdrop of the Swiss mountains.Strolled along the streets of the city and entered a casino complex situated at the foot of a huge mountain. Entrance to the "Kursaal casino" was 5 euro's and consisted of "Slot Machines" with serious "Casino gambling" like "Roulette" beginning after 1800 hrs. We were very early, otherwise i would have entered the casino just for curiosity, having visited some of the best in Macau in 2005. Strange but true, i didn't see a single large "SWISS BANK" like the up-teen various banks we see in every nook and corner of Mumbai city. I really began to ponder as to where is most of the World's wealth stored although never advertised as in all country's. THE SWISS ARE REALLY SECRETIVE IN THEIR BANKING.Left Interlaken at 1730hrs and directly made our way to "central Hotel" for dinner. The dinner at "Central Hotel" was the best in the entire tour according to my preference as they also served a "Fish Recipe" in the "non-Veg menu", otherwise, it was always "Chicken recipe" in the "Non-Veg Menu". Later went to the "Edeilweiss Hotel" a tourist attraction in its own right having been built in 1908! Took a tour of the hotels lobby, decorated with "Wild-life trophy's" collected over the years by the present owner Mr Peter. Kuhn's father , a "big-game hunter". After the "Bhuj Palace" in Gujarat(India), a former Maharajah's ancestral collection , the "Kuhn Wildlife trophy collection" was the largest i ever saw in a private collection. These "Wild-life Trophy's" might look vulgar and sinful in the 21st century with numerous animal species declining all over the World, yet, we should remember that the "Kuhn wildlife collection" was collected in an era when hunting was a normal activity for the privileged and wealthy.Even today, in 2010, legalized hunting of certain wildlife is allowed in Switzerland and most European country's as most of the forest land is preserved and a healthy wild-life population maintained.
Watched television and later went to sleep.
"SWISS COG-WHEEL MOUNTAIN TRAIN".

THURSDAY(20-5-2010) :- The weather in Italy and Switzerland is very erratic with sudden dark clouds, light drizzles or bright sunshine occurring intermittently within 24 hrs of any given day. Thankfully, the Weather , barring our first arrival day in Rome was always fair and sometimes bright sunshine.
After breakfast at 0700 hrs proceeded to our coach and headed to the Mount Titlis "cable-Car" station. Engelberg is situated at the foot of Mt Titlis and hence the "cable station" was just a 1/2 hr drive from the hotel.All of us inquired with tour manager Sandeep regarding the total absence of "SWISS BANKS" throughout our road journey in Switzerland and he finally managed to show us a tiny "non- branded Swiss Bank", a surprise to us tourists, fascinated with the word "SWISS BANK" back home in India. Seems, all the large Swiss Banks are located in Zurich,Geneva and Berne while small towns and city's like Interlaken and Lucerne are more famous for their "outdoor sports" tourism".Visited a cycle shop situated inside the "cable car station" and was aghast at the cost of some of these common "Mountain bikes". The costliest bike cost SF 7490(Approx Rs 3,37,000 @ 1 SF=Rs 45) while the average prices were SF200 and above. Later boarded the "cable car" and headed to "Mt Titlis" a steep climb, reminding me of the cable ride in Penang(Malaysia) in 2005.The heavily advertised "Rotor cable car" was an internally revolving disc platform on which the commuters stood, hence, getting a 360* view of the short journey to the peak. "Mt Titlis" was identical to "Jungfraujoch mountain" except that it was also used as a base for winter sports like skiing and also had a adventure ride called the "Ice Flyer" which was a great attraction amongst tourists.
The popularity of "Mount Titlis " with Indian tourists can be gauged by the fact that a card board cutting of Hindi actor Shahrukh.Khan and actress Kajal from the film "Dilwale Dulaniya le Jayenge(1995)" was permanently displayed at the peak in the open snow. As usual, i played like a child in the ankle deep snow, also volunteering to guide fellow tourists to the "Ice Flyer station" which was at the other end of the peak, a walk of approx 10 mins in blistering cold and almost zero visibility at times.Its on such occasions that one values the importance of "Physical fitness" and experience, thanks to my "Merchant Navy background". Later, visited the "Ice Caves", similar to "Jungfraujoch" with a "Pushbutton" mechanism to play the "National Anthem" of a few country's, including India.Later visited the luxury goods shops at Mt Titlis, inquiring the prices of watches and realising that the cheapest "omega watch" cost approx Rs 78,000 and the one that i was wearing was outdated, although a "collectors item".I misplaced my "Nokia cellphone" somewhere in one of these shops and was lucky to be returned the same by Mr Sandeep.Ganjoo who found it somewhere during his sightseeing."Mt Titlis" and "Mt Jugfraujoch" are similar, barring the modes of transport and glacier scenery.Departed from Mt Titlis at approx 1245 hrs and had lunch at a Indian restaurant.We were given some touring time and hence split off into individual sightseeing excursions.Thanks to my "Shipping-employment" and luxury of visiting exotic ports, i developed a habit of studying a port before arrival and hence explored it individually, the same habit later helping me in my "Solo backpacker tours", post "Shipping employment".Before departure for the "Europe on a budget tour" with "Thomas Cook(I) ltd" i had done my homework over the "Internet" regarding the importance and specialty of the places that we would visit on our tour, and hence, theoretically was well versed with all the city's.
Beautiful cemetery of "St Leodegar Church.

Visited the Kapell Brucke bridge(Chapel Bridge in German) situated over the Reuss river with beautiful swans swimming in its waters. Saw a large church steeple on the other end of the road and decided to visit it, a beautiful catholic church called St Leodegar Cathedral.This cathedral is a landmark in the city of Lucerne and can be seen from a distant due to its huge spires and beautiful architecture.Being a catholic i visited the church and its precincts, beautifully maintained, including the cemetry.In Switzerland, the common language spoken is "Swiss German" besides English and luckily this country was never effected by the destruction of World war-2 which engulfed entire Europe. As usual, later did some window shopping, viewing the most prized watches on sale and "Swiss Chocolates", a specialty and trade mark of Switzerland.
Returned to Engelberg at approx 1830hrs and explored this tiny "one horse town" on my own, having done my "Tour homework" through the "internet" at home. Visited the Engelberg Monastry, one of the oldest monastery's in Europe situated just 15 mins from "Central hotel". Its difficult to see people on the road in Engelberg and i was the only person on the monastery grounds, beautiful as are all parks and grounds in Switzerland.Later walked around the small town and realized that Engelberg was a thriving "Holiday resort", both in summer as well as winter.We had a maximum stay of 2 nights at Engelberg and did a lot of "Coach travel" hence got a better feel of the city and normal living conditions of Switzerland. Realize the reasons for Switzerland being called the second best country in the World to reside as well as having the third highest number of millionaires per capita of the population after Singapore and Hongkong.
RHINE FALLS

FRIDAY(21-5-2010):-Woke up at 0400 hrs as usual, sad to be leaving one of the most beautiful places,Switzerland.Had got acclimatized to the hectic tour schedule and time difference, the same having severely affected my normal “Bowel movements”.The abrupt “Time differential” change between Mumbai and Europe severely affected my sleep and bowel movements for the first few days akin to constipation although I was perfectly normal. After breakfast, departed to the “Rhine Falls” by bus from picturesque “Edeilweiss Hotel” and Engelberg village by our tour coach. The journey was akin to descending the “Khandala Ghats ” in Maharashtra , a steep gradual decline from the snow clad mountains of Switzerland onto the plains of Europe.At a particular stage in our descent, the visibility was almost zero due to a dense fog and I appreciated the driving skills of our coach driver,Fernando, a slight mistake could mean disaster to his passengers.After descending the mountains we arrived at the “Rhine Falls", the broadest waterfalls in Europe.On arrival we alighted from the bus and after instructions from tour manager Sandeep made our individual ways towards various sightseeing locales. Most of the tourists went on a boat ride to the base of the “Waterfall” from where one could climb a small hill situated in the middle of the broad waterfall to get a magnificent view of the “Rhine Falls” and its surrounding area. I made my way to the gardens situated on one side of the “Rhine Falls Estuary” and it was akin to being in a “Bird National Park” with wild ducks swimming in the river water.Viewed the method of “Electro-Hydraulic power generation” with a “water-paddle mill” rotating due to the downflow of the gushing river water in the garden water-paths. Consumed water from a fountain gushing with the “Rhine river water”. Made our way to the bus after about an hour of sightseeing and headed towards lake Titisee in Germany.Enroute we passed the “Black forest region”, so named because of the dense growth of conifers which from a distance look blackish green in colour, akin to artificial turf mat. The change in vegetation between Switzerland and Germany was strikingly different, lush fields of green and yellow replacing the tall snow clad mountains of Switzerland. Titisee lake was a picturesque lake with water sports and ducks frolicking in its waters situated in the midst of the Black forest region of Germany.After taking a few photographs at the lake we walked towards the famous "Black forest clock centre" of Drubba.Received a “Cuckoo Clock demonstration” at the “Drubba cuckoo handicraft shop”, later taking a photograph in front of this fatory.
"CUCKOO CLOCK" demonstration in Drubba.

                                                           This factory is built in the form of the giant "Hofgut Sternen Cuckoo Clock" with a clock movement built in 1890 and is showing the exact local time on Friday(21-5-2010) in the photograph.Strolled around the spotlessly clean town square and visited a local eatery which served both, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.Most of the non-veg products were made of Pork and the ultra long sausages on display tempted my “diet control” fitness programme and for the first time I ate the longest sausage in my life along with bread, excellent at Euro’s 2.2(approx Rs 132. This sausage reminded me of my visit to the Argentinian Port of "Bahia Blanca" as a "Junior Marine Eng(5/Eng)" in 1983 on board the ship "M.V.Karnataka" and ordering the largest "Beef steak" in a restaurant while visiting the city. Till today, i cannot forget the size of this piece of "Steak Meat", which resembled a large "Massala Dosa" and i just couldn't consume it entirely, later purchasing a "Painted Plate" as a memento of "Bahia Blanca". Well, memories get refreshed on certain occasions, especially of "Foreign city tours". Mr Dahyalal being a vegetarian had a veg sandwich and I assessed the average cost of food products sold in the eatery and realized that “Beef Products” are a luxury while pork , chicken and lamb are comparatively cheap.The price of 2 steak pieces(beef) cost 12 Euro’s(Rs 720 approx). After a leisurely stroll in the town Square purchased a curio for 1 euro, a clay “toothpick” holder  molded in the shape of a cow. My house is overfilled with curio’s and articrafts from various parts of the globe, yet, the addiction of purchasing a memento from a new country or place visited persists. Later boarded the bus and drove towards the historic German city of Heidelberg, encountering a highway traffic jam for the first time during our entire road tour through Europe. Our bus averaged between 90 to 100 Km/Hr , without bumps or congested traffic on the European highways , some of the best highways in the World. Due to the traffic congestion we reached Heidelberg late and hence had to do a typical, “Been here, seen that” sightseeing of the city. Heidelberg is an aristocratically built city with beautiful houses and the scenic Neckar river flowing through it. Observed the sport of “water Canoeing” in progress on the river and had a stroll along the “Alstadt”, typical ancient cobble stone streets with open air restaurants in the main town square. Photographed a “Bloodhound dog” taking a stroll with its owner near the Alstaadt Market square, the first time I had seen this particular breed, although a frequent visitor to dog shows in India, having myself owned a prize winning dachshund "Lucky".Walked u the town square upto the water-fountain of Hercules surrounded by the ruins of the majestic Heidelberg castle situated high up on the distant Konigstuhi mountains. Departed from Heidelberg at approx 1915 hrs and reached our hotel “Park Inn” in Heppenheim at approx 2015 hrs. We were allotted room 137, a comfortable room with 2 separate beds akin to Palace hotel in Rome.
A Cruise on the River Rhine in Germany.

SATURDAY(22-5-2010):-Woke up at approx 0400 hrs , jotted into my diary and later turned onn the television. The news was a disastrous plane crash in Mangalore in India. There was a single English language channel, “C.N.N Channel”, rest all in German, with “C.N.N” repeatedly reporting about the “Air India” plane crash in Mangalore. Incidentally, both my parents were born in villages in Mangalore and I regularly visited my parents ancestral homes in Barkur and Mabukal, remote villages in Mangalore. India is a diverse country with numerous religions,castes and sub-castes besides the largest number of languages spoken within a single country.The diversity and cultural differences of India could be experienced in our "Thomas Cook (i) Ltd Tour Group" itself, tourists from different regions speaking different languages. The “Air-India” flight from Dubai had crashed at the airport while descending on the run-way, bizarre news as Dahyalal was a former “Air-India Employee” while I was of “Mangalorean origin”.During our entire tour, the news about India was a little on the “Emerging Economic giant” and nothing else, not even the infamous "B.C.C.I  V/S Lalit Modi " I.P.L Cricket scandal that was the prime time television news on all Indian channels at home in Mumbai. Suddenly, this “Headline News” of a disaster plane crash in India was on all "Foreign Channels" with Mangalore becoming a common name in the European Media.Today was also the “U.E.F.A” cup finals in Madrid and I hoped to watch the match live on television in our next hotel in Brussels.
After breakfast, we left the hotel at about 0800 hrs towards the banks of the “Rhine river” for the “Rhine Cruise”. This part of Germany was scenic with small castles on some hills, the weather, cold and pleasant. .At the Rhine river cruise ferry pier labelled "Cologne-Dusseldorf" there was a beautiful garden and lots of local Germans were in a holiday mood. Met a elderly couple who alighted from their car, assembled their cycles which they had carried on their cars and finally rode away for a trek in the countryside. I inquired with a young German couple as to the reasons for most of the “castles” remaining intact despite the destruction of Germany during World War-2 and it seems most of the villages were spared during allied bombing raids.
The cruise on the river Rhine exposed us to the beautiful German countryside,the legendary Loreley rock and a few castles in the distant hills, most of them converted into hotels or private residences with “Grape cultivation” the common crop on the slopes of these hills. The “Grape Cultivation” was akin to “Tea plantations” on the cool hills of Ooty in India. Readers, excuse me for comparisons to different city’s or country’s since I am a genuine “City Name Dropper”, having toured all the continents, barring Arctic and Antartica, a incentive of my ‘Marine engineering Employment” on board Ocean ships as well as own personal private travels after retiring from “Active Sailing”.
After the cruise,which was from one point of the river to another point,we alighted at "St Goar ferry terminal" boarded our coach and made our way to the city of Cologne.
Arrived at the Cologne cathedral in the afternoon, a real majestic cathedral that resembled some ancient ruins externally, with its towering steeples. As it was a Saturday weekend, the entire Cologne cathedral and the streets were crowded with shoppers and human “Statue performing artists” akin to "Madame Tussauds waxworks" outside the cathedral entrance. The “Statue Performing Artists” were something totally new to me, having visited European ports in the 1980’s and 1990’s, a innovative and bizarre gimmick of collecting money from public road viewers a form of “ First World Begging”. The Economic apocalypse “2008-2009” seems to have severely affected certain segments of European Country’s and hence this form of “First World begging” by some of the economically downtrodden citizens. Visited the “Cologne Cathedral” , a 515 tall gothic monument,which took 6oo years to complete besides surviving modern ravages of World war-2.A Church choir was in practice when i entered ,the cathedral crowded with tourists and worshippers. Honestly, after visiting the “Vatican Basilica ”, the “St Marks Basilica in Venice” and the Basilica in Florence , magnificent religious edifices built at the zenith of Christianity during the middle-ages made me personally understand the history of Christianity and the power of the clergy.
After visiting the church made my way towards the main shopping arcade of Cologne, situated adjacent to the magnificient cathedral. The entire street was jam packed with shoppers and tourists. There were also some street singer performers and it was a absolutely lively afternoon of free street music and window shopping. Purchased a “Sail ship” memento , my usual addiction for collector memorablia from the country’s or city’s I visit. Later, boarded the bus and heard the devastating news that a tourist from the other tour bus of “Thomas Cook(I) Ltd” had been robbed of her valuables in a café in Cologne.Thieves thrive in any Country,city or locality, irrespective of colour, creed or nationality and hence our tour manager had always warned us to be careful of our belongings.Pity the tourist as a excellent holiday must have got ruined as she was robbed off over a lakh of rupees in foreign currency.
We drove to Brussels and there was a drastic difference between Brussels and the rest of the European city’s we visited, Brussels seemed a little dirtier. The roads of Brussels did have some litter, besides, the city had a lot many people walking on the streets.Reached Brussels city at approx 1830 hrs and made our way to the “Atomium”. The atomium built of giant balls of steel seemed like an “U.F.O” from a close distance. Since photography at the “Atomium” is prohibited for “Internet postings” as it is “Copyrighted” I didn’t take any photo’s. My travel and room mate Mr Dahyalal.Parghe was familiar with Brussels having been posted here during his employment with “Air-India”.
After the “Atomium” we then proceeded to the “Grand Place” of Brussels., having to walk a short distance to the “Grand Place” as our coach couldn’t be parked in its near vicinity.. The Grand place, called the “Drawing room” of Europe was true to its name, a picturesque town square, filled with tourists and locals , encircled with historic buildings.
Strolled around the Grand place, met some “Greyhound dog activists”, a group based in Belgium campaigning against the euthanization of “Racing greyhounds” post retirement or injury from racing. Also saw a French Mastiff, a gentle giant of a dog akin to a Great Dane, but slightly smaller and heavier..Strolled round the narrow streets near the Grand place square, later visiting the “Mannekin Pis” statue, a memento which I already possessed, the same purchased by my co-batchmate Mr Rajan.Vardhan sometime in 1984 or 1985 when our ship had visited either Antwerp or Ghent. It was a common practice during my generation of “Sea-farers” to organize excursions in batches if our ship happened to visit an exotic port. Mr Rajan.Vardhan and myself were 5th engineers on board the ship “Lok Vinay” and hence one of us could go out on a “Full day excursion” normally organized by the ships chandler in consultation with the Captain and chief Engineer. I opted out of the tour but told Rajan to get me a memento and hence the “Mannekin Pis” formed a collection of my travels memorabilia. This time, on a personal visit, I was wondering as to the reasons for the statue of a child urinating being a World-wide recognition of this city, the origins being part history part local fable.
"GRAND PLACE" in Brussels.

Inquired about the purchase of a “silver Chain” at “Gautam Jewels”shop situated in Grand place.The shop dealt only in diamonds and semi-precious stones and hence could not replace my broken silver chain with my lucky “birthstone, aquamarine”. Some of the wealthiest “N.R.I Indians” are the “diamond Czars” of Belgium, although their shops look deceptively commonplace akin to not seeing “Swiss Banks” in Switzerland. We finally boarded our coach and headed towards our hotel for dinner. Reached out dinner hotel “Au Palais des Indes” at approx 2015 hrs hrs and headed directly for dinner, akin to “illegal dinner gatecrashers”. “Thomas Cook(I) Ltd” had 3 differet tour groups operating on the same European tour itinerary, hence we usually all clashed at some restaurant or the other at dinner or breakfast. After dinner at this fancy Indian restaurant we later made our way to the “Thon Hotel”.. We were allotted room Nos 311 on the second floor. Strange, as the “hotel room Nos” normally co-incides with the floor.Switched onn the television and while browsing for “U.F.A Soccer” was surprised to view a bit of “Hard core Pornography” which was on a “Pay Channel”. “Paid Channels” are allotted in all hotels in Europe and our tour manager had instructed the hotels to block these channels for our group stay in case some tourists accidentally switched onn these channels and were later billed by the hotel. Another reason according to my speculation for “Blocking paid channels” could be the fact that they broadcast pure unadulterated “Blue Films", which is definitely a big “No-No” for an Indian tour group. Finally found the local sports channel and watched the the “InterMilan V/s Bayern Munich match”. although not in the English language. “Inter Milan” won the match 2-0 and witnessed the second goal being scored, Mr Jose.Mourinho being my favourite soccer manager for his style of functioning and “Bindaas attitude”.
The “Cannon” camera corporate office was just next to our hotel reminding me of my passion for photography, irrespective of its exorbitant costs, especially during the era of “Paper print photo copy’s”. After my expenditure on “Horse-racing”, the hobby of “Photography” must have consumed most of my earnings.
"LOUVRE  MUSEUM " in Paris.

SUNDAY (23-5-2010) :- After breakfast at 0700 hrs which considted of ham,cheese, bread and juice we boarded our coach and headed towards Paris. During our bus journeys which were of longer duration, tour manager sandeep either conducted some "Antarakshi competitions(Song contests)" or a movie was played on the video. As mentioned, we were 44 tourists from different parts of India, speaking the local languages of the corresponding state, demonstrating the multicultural nature of India.As usual, Hindi and English were the common link languages amongst all the tourists from various parts of the country.Some tourists were multi-lingual speaking a variety of Indian languages like my room and travel partner Mr Dahyanand.Parghi, a Gujarati.
We finally reached Paris at approx 1315 hrs. We directly alighted the bus near the "Louvre Museum" and were taken to a "Cosmetic Shop" by tour manager Sandeep for shopping and were told to meet later outside the same shop. We had a time limit of approx 45 mins to sightsee the lacality around our meeting place to later board the bus, typical of any "Packaged tour" or "Guided Tour". As i had done my "Tour sightseeing homework" through the "Internet", quickly made my way into the "Louvre Complex" and was surprised by its size, the largest museum in the World. Later walked around the main street outside the Louvre museum campus which was crowded with tourists and local Parisians.There was an open air restaurant nearby crowded with people and Paris is famous for its casual eateries since it is also considered a 'Gourmet capital". I was also surprised to note the popularity of cycles amongst tourists and local Parisians.There was a "Cycle taxi stand" near the Louvre, with cycles for hire and according to me "cycling" was the best mode to sightsee Paris at leisure.Our French guide Elizabeth later met us at 1400 hrs outside the cosmetic shop and we proceeded to our coach for a drive -by tour of Paris city.It was a hot and sunny day in Paris. Most of the major tourist attractions of Paris are within "Cycling" distance from the "Louvre Museum" and hence the reason for cycles being so common on the streets.After viewing all the important landmarks of Paris by coach our guide left  us at the "Seine river cruise terminal". We later boarded the "Seine Cruise ferry" for a cruise down the river one of the most educative tours that i encountered on my tour.The cruise was for an hour from 1630 to 1730 hrs and was packed to capacity. as the ferry boat meandered its way along the river we were explained the importance of monuments, buildings and bridges over individual "Internal translator telephones". Providence played a role in us getting a tour on this ferry as we wanted to skip this since we were getting late for the scheduled booking time of 1730 for the "Eiffel Tower" elevator ride to the 2nd level. We had already purchased "Boat ride tickets" and were in the serpentine queue for boarding the boat and hence couldn't depart from the same.Hence the exotic and informative "Seine Cruise boat" ride was forced upon us, a blessing in disguise. We later hurried to the Eiffel tower base and were lucky to get a 'elevator booking", thus managing our entire sight-seeing schedule.One of the main handicaps of "Packaged Tours" is that although they are definitely economical compared to individual touring,they do occasionally miss out on important tourist attractions due to time constraints or weather conditions.The sight of Paris city from the 2nd level of the Eiffel Tower was excellent, besides, the tower platform was crowded with tourists.
We finally departed from downtown Paris at approx 1915 hrs and drove directly to "Bhojan 111" Indian restaurant for dinner. After dinner we proceeded to our hotel "Forest Hill" situated in a distant suburb of Paris.We were accommodated in room nos 325 on the third floor, a pigeon hole of a room with "Paid T.V" and a "Cold bar", the usual amenities in all 3 to 4 star hotels in European City's.
After a brief shower and a quick "diary jotting" got ready for the famed 'Lido show".Not all the tourists had opted for the "Lido show" and youngsters as usual were kept away.Left our hotel by coach at approx 2230 hrs reaching the Champs Elysee's locality at approximately 2315 hrs.We alighted our bus and walked a short distance along the World famous Champs Elysees to the "Lido theatre". The Champs Elysees defines Paris, a city of lights, always awake with the streets crowded even at midnight.While waiting in the queue to enter the "Lido" i noticed a pair of local French boys taking a pair of "pitbull pups" on a walk. I inquired if it was legal to breed "pit-bull dogs" in France to which they replied in the negative, willing to sell me a dog for an exorbitant price. The "Lido show" started at exactly midnight and although i had done my homework  didn't realize that it was a "Topless show" of cabaret music.Have seen the movie "Moulin Rougue" and hence was under the impression that even the "Lido" was of the same dance style pattern, hence surprised to view some of the most beautiful feminine breasts exhibited in classic dance and songs.There were also male performers amongst the ladies, but, nothing like the "Topless girls", never vulgar, just aesthetic human poetry.The famous Lido "Blue bell girls" and "Lido boy dancers" displayed their skills, something they have been doing repeatedly since 1946. The present "New Lido" was renovated with an extended seating capacity of 1150 people and opened in 1977. We were all given a glass of champagne during the show which lasted approx one hour and forty five minutes.
After the show we walked to our coach and reached the hotel at approx 0245 hrs.
Was woken up at 0530 hrs by the " T.V alarm" set by the previous occupant ruining my minuscule sleeping hours.Throughout the entire tour schedule, beginning from my unearthly flight departure from Mumbai i had averaged less than 4 hrs of sleep in 24 hrs! Now i understand the terminology, "Living from a suitcase"!
A rare day of a  "Farmers Market"  protest on Champs Elysees street in front of  "ARC DE TRIOMPHE".

MONDAY(24-5-2010):- Today, part of the tour group would be visiting the "Paris Disney world" with tour group manager Mr Sandeep.Ganjoo, the rest of us free to roam at leisure, a day of "Solo Backpacking".I had opted out of the same having seen the "Hongkong Disneyworld" in 2005,besides, being "franchisees", all the "Disney world's" were identical in format, akin to seeing the same movie in a different theatre. I had decided to visit downtown Paris, most importantly the "louvre" and world famous "Mona Lisa". visiting Paris and not viewing the "Mona Lisa" is as sacrilegious as Dan Browns book ,"The Da Vinci code". A few of the touring families also wanted to undergo a "solo tour" to the city and "Louvre".Hence we few decided to travel by public transport together.Travel educates and i was surprised about the gossip that the French refuse to speak the English language to foreigners. In fact i came across more English speaking Frenchmen than in either Italy,Belgium or Germany! Mr Manna & Fly(calctta) and Mr Mishra & Fly(Bhubhaneshwar) agreed to accompany me on the individual tour to Paris city.
i made inquiries with the local hotel receptionist and was guided regarding travelling by local bus and tube railway.It was a bright and hot day . akin to Mumbai weather and hence i had worn an ordinary sports shirt compared to the sweaters and jackets throughout our trip.
After breakfast at 0800 hrs , the two families and myself walked our way towards the Nos 179 bus stop. On the way i inquired for directions with a local Frenchman who happened to be a Canadian settled in France and spoke excellent English.He was extremely helpful in guiding us on our journey as he was also travelling on the same route. the bus fare was 1.80 euro and the train fare was approx 3 Euro's for a "return ticket".In fact 2 train tickets were wasted as we were a total of 8 passengers but booking a bulk of 10 tickets was cheaper than buying individual train tickets.This incident educated me on the advantages of "Packaged tour group bookings".We had to change a tube train at "Franklin Roosevelt station" in order to reach the "Louvre Station". The "Paris Underground" is not as clean as the roads and not crowded since Monday was a public holiday in France.Entrance to the Louvre was 9.5 euro's and free for children below 18, also totally free for European union students.We all went our individual ways from the museum, a real massive exhibition centre of some of the World's priceless and costliest art treasures.A guide map of the entire museum was given on purchase of the tickets, the museum being divided into 3 wings, A) The Sully wing to the east which contains the "Cour Carre" and the oldest parts of the Louvre,B)The Richelieu wing to the north and C) the Dennon wing which borders the seine river to the South. Viewed the "Mona Lisa" and "Venus De Milo" besides other master paintings and sculptors.Roamed around all the 3 wings of the "Louvre" for approximately 3 hours, viewing at a glance most of the exhibits, an actual sightseeing akin to the "Egyptian Museum" in Cairo might require months of study.From the Louvre museum made my way towards the Ritz Hotel at 15 Place Vendome,popularly known as Vendome Square, asking for directions from locals as well as the help of my tourist map.Finally reached the World famous "Paris Ritz Hotel" and was utterly surprised at the total external simplicity of one of the World's most famous Hotels.Unlike the "Taj Mahal Hotel" of Mumbai or "Raffles Hotel" of Singapore, the "Paris Ritz" has no colorful external decoration to announce its presence and i had to actually be pointed out this World famous edifice by a local passerby although standing in the Place Vendome Square itself !The sight of a Maserati car parked outside the hotel entrance and the hotel door guard were the only indications of the entrance to one of the World's most famous and historical hotels. Having seen the hotels "Revolving doors" numerous times on television after the abrupt accidental death of Princess Diana and Dodi.Fayed i decided to enter the hotel and see its interior decor, a la Sherlock.Holmes analytic inquisitiveness.I entered the famous "Revolving door" and was met by a tall negro guard who didn't stop or question me,hence i presume i resemble "Money Royalty"! The interior was typical "5-Star" with plush dark blue floor carpeting, my favourite colour. I finally turned back to the exit after asking the guard if there were any coffee restaurants, which there obviously had to be and after thanking him, walked out of this historic luxurious edifice. I shudder at the thought of having a coffee at the "Paris Ritz" on "Backpackers Budget",although Sherlock Holmes would have admired my bravery for at least stepping into the hotel. Just a joke,i did have money, but spending it unnecessarily on a "5-star hotel" in a foreign country would have been poor tour money management on my part. In Mumbai, "The Starboard " restaurant at the Taj Mahal hotel was quite a regular haunt for me for its "Live English Music".
Blast from the past "THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTREDAME" !. At the "Notre Dame Cathedral" in Paris.

From the "Paris Ritz Hotel" walked slowly towards the "Paris Opera", as usual "Camera Crazy". The "Phantom of the Opera", a classic opera has always baffled me, hence a visit to the "Paris Opera", although only an external view was on the "Must see List".The largest departmental store in Paris, "The Galeries Lafayette" was next on my sightseeing list, a must visit as it was through its sponsored "Paris guided Map" that i was discovering the city on a solo one day tour.The Paris one day solo tour was my longest marathon walk in recent years as i later walked from "Galeries Lafayette" to the Cathedral of Notre Dame situated on the opposite side of the Seine river. I almost saved myself from an attempted "Mugging" when a person dropped something on the ground and asked me if it was my ring, i walked ahead , totally ignoring to go to the location and bend down to have a look, saying a big "NO". In hindsight, i later realised that he could have hit me or snatched my "brief bag" since the entire stretch of road was almost empty with pedestrains.This was my first experience in a foreign city of an "ATTEMPTED ROBBERY", that too, in a "First world Country".This is one of the disadvantages of "Solo Backpacking or touring alone ", the chances of being "mugged" or "Robbed", unlike in a "Group Tour" or with more than one travel companion , the chances of being robbed are less.Paris is quite notorious for its crimes as it is for its bohemian cosmopolitan life,and luckily i was not on its list of "Tourist victims" on on a bright pleasant Monday afternoon.On the "Paris tourist Guide Map" the distance didn't seem much, but, practically walking the distance was akin to a pilgrimage of penance for sins never committed !On the way to the Notre Dame purchased a "Sausage roll" on a street side shop and finally reached my destination after asking directions with numerous strangers, including an American who gave me the right directions. Paris is really cosmopolitan and i never felt the handicap of not knowing "French", practically realizing, that "hearsay" and excess tabloid media gossip can be detrimental in making pre-conceived judgments of a city or its people. As a tourist, Paris is a very friendly city, the problems of "foreigner and language status" could arise for immigrants and job-seekers and is common to most country's in the present era of "Economic Apocalypse-2008-09", slightly better than the "Great Depression of 1929" as is crime.Entered the Notre Dame cathedral made famous by Victor.Hugo in the "Hunchback of Notre Dame".Purchased a souvenir coin of the cathedral and after leaving the church made my way to the Champs Elysees. The walk was along the Seine river on one of the warmest days in Paris, a fact that i was wearing a ordinary "T-Shirt" compared to woolen sweaters or a coat throughout my trip until today in Paris.I was sweating profusely, also extremely thirsty, finally buying a can of beer at a garden stall and drinking the same on the park bench. A one litre water bottle cost 3 Euro's the same as a can of beer, hence i opted for a beer to quench my thirst.After a brief rest began my marathon walk to the champs Elysees. The main Champs Elysee's street was blocked by a farmers agitation,for creating a public awareness of the decline of farm products and farming. The Jeunes Agriculteurs(Young Farmers Union) representing some 55,000 French farmers under the age of 35 had installed a mini-field with plants, vegetables and trees in portable boxes lined along a Km stretch of the street to create "Agricultural Awareness" amongst Parisians over the falling prices of "Agricultural produce".The event cost 4.2 million Euros and depicted everything, from "Sheep breeding" to "Crop Growing".Some 150,000 plants were installed including 650 fully grown trees representing vegetation grown in entire France. Normally the "Champs Elysees street" is open to traffic with its most famous views for Worldwide television audiences being being during the "Tour-De-France" culmination of the cycle race and its "Prize Presentation" and the "Bastille Day military parade", the largest military parade in Europe.
It is very rare to find the Champs Elysees road completely closed, temporarily converted into a street garden for 2 days, with vegetables and trees in pots coinciding with our 2 day stay in Paris(23/24-5-2010),a very rare phenomenon in Paris city, last occurring some 20 years ago.Hence we tourists were lucky to experience a unique vegetation exhibition on one of the Worlds most famous road, the Champs Elysees.
The plants and trees grown in pots reminded me of my own "gallery gardening" back at home in Mumbai, travel is a great educator.Loafed around the Champs Elysees pavements, window-shopping through some of the costliest retail shops in the World. You name the "Branded Fashion or utility product' and it was available at some shop situated on Champs Elysee's. It is the most expensive strip of "Real estate" in entire Europe.Champs Elysees is really as beautiful as described in photographs and the television media, lined with cinema's , cafe's, theatres and least of all , "Boutique shops" and bustling with tourists and locals
Observed some "Street Theatre" on the pavement of the Champs Elysees, common at most tourist sites in European city's, some of the performances i personally witnessed being worthy of presentation in any respectable night club in Mumbai city. The show i witnessed on the "Champs Elysees" by a group of young actors was excellent, a combination of dance, mimicry. music and satire with some exceptional World class dance gymnastic performances. This particular dance and acrobatic troupe had also produced their own "Video CD" which they were selling to bystanders gathered to watch their "Free pavement musical show".After the show a plate was passed around to collect voluntary money from the public, akin to "Street shows" in Mumbai city, commonly depicted in Hindi films.The high level of Western pop, rap, rock and instrumental music in European City's can be gauged from the fact that talented musicians and acrobat artists were reduced to "Street Theatre performers" to earn a living, hence, its no surprise that local "Indian Western Groups" of English music find it difficult to perform beyond the "Club circuit".India has yet to produce a totally indigenous "Rock Group" or "Solo Artist" in the English language although Indians as a group comprise of one of the largest English speaking population in the World, an advantage reflected in the "World Shipping Industry" and lately in the "Information Technology World" where Indians and people of Indian origin are a dominant class of the labour force as well as entrepreneurs.Late "Queen" frontman Freddy.Mercury and now Singer Norah.Jones and her half-sister Anoushka.Shankar although of "Indian Origin" are not "Indian Citizens", having made their debut from their country's of "Naturalized Citizenship", hence can't be bracketed as India's contribution to western and classical English music.As i said,"Travel educates" and after seeing the performance of some "Common street singers and musicians" in European City's i realized the reasons for English pop and rock music not rising beyond being a "Part-Time vocation" in Indian city's.
"CYCLING", a passion in Paris.

Spent the entire day lazily loafing the street of Champs Elysees and its neighbouring by-streets, savoring the common Paris street life.A bookstall in a by-lane on the main Champs Elysees that advertised "Discounted Books" akin to former "Churchgate footpath booksellers" of Mumbai  attracted my attention, being a total "Book worm" before the "Internet Revolution " made library visits a rarity. A stark naked woman's photographic picture from a thick book that was kept open instantly caught my attention, akin to a Pablo.Picasso or M.F.Hussain nude portrait. Browsing through this book of  aesthetic nude women which was  more intimidating than "Playboy Magazine" exposed me to the works of Photographer/Fashion designer Late Helmut.Newton. Helmut.Newton,Who? A reference check on "Internet" after returning to Mumbai made me realize that i had viewed in Paris, the masterpiece photographs from a World acclaimed photographer and fashion designer. Now i realize the reasons for Paris always being considered the city of artists and fashion experimentation as sexual taboos and inhibitions are at their lowest in the city of Paris."Nude Art" was never ogled at in the bookstore, just browsed through and purchased if to the persons art taste.
Later had dinner at a "Fast Food shop" on Champs Elysees consisting of Coke/Burgers costing 5 Euro's, the cheapest food available in any European city, besides, i was on a self controlled "Diet". The "Franklin Roosevelt" tube station was situated on the main Champs Elysees walkway and hence made my way into the station and caught the direct local tube to "Pont De Sever" station. Alighted the tube and made my way to the Nos 179 bus terminal. The bus arrived after approx 10 minutes and purchased a ticket to "De Lattre de Tassigny" stop near the hotel. Finally, reached my hotel room in "Forest Hills hotel", a hectic day of self-exploration of Paris and "solo Trekking".One strange fact that i observed about all the European city's that we toured was the exorbitant price of "Bottled mineral Water" although water is freely available in hotels as also the system of "Pay-To-Use Toilets" despite a minuscule population compared to most Asian city's.My classmate of Christ Church School ,Mr Anil.Abhimanyu.Sharma has settled in Paris, a television chef by profession as per his blogs on "Facebook social website", through which we came into contact after over 3 decades since leaving school in 1977.Didn't meet nor contact him as he also didn't reciprocate the same since i had mentioned on "Facebook" that i would be visiting Europe on a short tour, including my "London Phone Nos".Western Society is different from Asian culture in the sense that in Europe a person visits a friend or aquaintaince only through 'Appointment" and never drops in unexpectedly as is the common case in India. Tn India "Post Economic liberalisation-1992", the concept of "appointment meetings" within friends or aquaintances is also gaining ground amongst certain sections of the "Middle classes" akin to First World Country's.I remember a memorable quote by Anil.A.Sharma on "Facebook", quote, "You come into this World with a birth-certificate and depart this World with a "Death Certificate",photographs reminding us of our presence on Earth". Anil.A.Sharma who comes from a "Hindi filmy background" was a successful professional model and photographer in India during the early 1980's,an excellent athlete during school days , later having photographed at "Wimbledon " for "Mid-day publications" of India, a very successful career in India. Hope Paris has really offered him Avante Garde opportunities in his professional life.The Paris trip was memorable for the simple reason that we covered the entire city's tourist sites, besides exploring the city individually at one's own leisure and convenience.
The " ENGLISH CHANNEL CROSSING" check-post.

TUESDAY(25-5-2010):- Woke up early as usual, the last day of our "Coach Tour" to London.We were supposed to leave the hotel early at 0645 hrs and hence were given a "Packet Breakfast".Boarded the coach as per the scheduled time and bid au revoir to beautiful Paris, making our way towards Calais, the French side of the "English Channel" crossing. Enroute, we stopped at a drive-by cafe and consumed our "Packet Breakfast". Reached the "Calais border checkpoint" at approx 1100 hrs and after the formalities our coach was loaded into the "Shuttle train", akin to a "Ro-Ro Ship" and carted across the channel.It was very claustrophobic in the coach which was enclosed inside the completely 'Sealed Train", akin to being in a "Tunnel", the entire journey lasting approx 45 minutes.
On reaching Folkestone,the English side of the channel, we had to alight from the coach and undergo the necessary 'Customs and Immigration" formalities. Our coach headed towards London city, a drive through meadows and cottages , typical English countryside.A group of tourists from Hyderabad, Mr Srinivas, his wife and sister-in-law alighted the bus mid-way, making their own destination to Mr Srinivasan's sister-in-laws residence near London, she being a British resident citizen. On approaching London city i had inserted the "Matrix simcard" purchased in Mumbai into my Nokia phone and spoke to my house care-taker Sabina.Dias.Our Coach finally reached Hyde Park in London at approx 1400 hrs and as usual the typical "been here-seen that" type of hurried sightseeing and window shopping on Oxford Street. Visited "Selfridges", voted the best departmental store in the World ,also "Marks and Spencers", prices astronomical compared to purchasing power of the Indian rupee.Travel and room-mate Mr Dahyalal purchased a vegetarian snack and we gradually walked towards Hyde Park.Memories of my arrival at London's 'Heathrow Airport" on 17th November 1985 with Marine Engineering batch-mate Mr Sanjay.G.Sawant flashed through my memory.We had come to England to study for our "Marine Engineers (Clas 2 Part B)exam" at "South Shields college of Marine Engineering" at South Shields in North East England and had a brief stopover at London,collected at the airport by a gentleman named Mr Sharad an acquaintance of Sanjays relatives who took us over to his house, providing us overnight accommodation, before proceeding by coach to South Shields the next day.I had stayed in South Shields along with other marine engineers for almost 5 months, returning to Mumbai on 10th April 1986.The freezing winter cold of "South Shields" is still vivid in my memory and after that bitter experience of being "under-clothed" and unprepared for freezing temps i later stocked my closet with a variety of "Winter sweaters" and "jackets" which proved very useful during my later sea-career as well as private solo travels after quitting sea-sailing in the 1990's.Although have never ever used "Wollens" or "Jackets" in my native Mumbai, i always store them comfortably, realizing their importance on my tours.I was engrossed in my "Marine Exam study " ,besides ,living on a frugal "foreign Exchange" , thanks to my maternal  uncle Mr Wilfred.M.Gonsalves who sponsored my stay and expenditure in U.K, during an era when travelling overseas or seeking a "Foreign degree or education" outside India was difficult due to the strict "Foreign Exchange" regulations in India.Although , later in Mumbai, i repayed my uncle the entire amount of money spent on financing my stay in England, it was definitely a big favour on his part to fund me from his own personal income. Hence i didn't want to tax his personal budget by asking for more foreign exchange.During my entire 5 months stay in South Shields in England  never ever visited any sightseeing locale  besides a brief single day visit to Newcastle by train with Mazagon Dock Mariner mate Mr Vinoo.P.Sequeira . which was the only sightseeing that i had done during my entire stay 5 month stay  in England !
During this visit in 2010 i intended touring the historic locales of London as also its art galleries, zoo and gardens.I had my own personal bank balance and was  my own boss, win or lose at the "Stock Market".
After a brief stop-over at Hyde Park, Mr Dahyalal and myself made our way towards our bus as did other tourists of the group. Our local British guide met us at the bus and after boarding the coach we were given a brief visit of some tourist sites around Hyde Park and Westminster locality of London. We were shown the costliest residential building in the World under construction near St James's Park, besides some of the World's priciest localities. The guide also showed us a few abandoned churches being converted into either apartments or into some other business ventures, a result of the declining population of church congregation amongst the British population within the various Christian sects ,something unthinkable in India. Our coach stopped neat Parliament house and we alighted and made a visit to the gates of Buckingham palace also viewing Westminster Abbey and "Big Ben". After this short sightseeing tour, we bid aduei to our guide and made our way by coach to Wembley, a distant suburb in London.Arrived at "Quality Wembley Hotel" situated near the World famous "Wembley stadium".We were allotted room no 306 on the third floor of the hotel, a large spacious room with an excellent view of the "Wembley stadium". Dinner was at a restaurant about 5 mins walking distance from the hotel, the "Blue room", an Asian run restaurant.Another "Thomas Cook Tour group" had also arrived along with us on the other coach and hence a slight rush for dinner, although more comfortable than on previous occasions. Dinner was excellent, relishing the same with a large mug of "Cobra beer(3 pounds)", a popular brand in the U.K. My next worry was finding my own "Budget backpacker accommodation" in one of the World's costliest city's and hence made inquiries in a local grocer shop, typical shops that are common in English suburbs ,normally "Asian origin owned".Wembley area of London consisted mostly of Asian origin residents and shops.Most of the British residents are of "Indian Origin" with the World's largest Hindu temple outside India, "The Swaminarayan Mandir" located within walking distance from Wembley.
"Mecca of Football:- "Wembley Stadium" photographed from  "Quality Wembley Hotel".

Finally rang up "Piccadilly Backpackers" and inquired of accommodation availability which was in the affirmative , upto Saturday(29-5-2010), I told them to reserve a "Dormitory booking" as i would be checking into their hostel on Wednesday(26-5-2010).Watched television in the hotel room, mostly "Sky TV" the popular local "U.K.channel".After decades saw a "Cat food" advertisement on television, normally, its always "Dog Food" back home in Mumbai. The "Pet Industry" in Europe and U.S.A is a billion dollar Industry and cat ownership is very popular in Britain.
Checking into " PICCADILLY BACKPACKERS" in Central London. Beginning of my "LONDON SOLO TOUR".

WEDNESDAY(26-5-2010):- As usual, woke up early, the last day of the 11 day "Europe on a budget Tour" with "Thomas cook (I) Ltd" and updated my diary. After a continental breakfast in the hotel dining hall wished rest of the tour group departing to India goodbye,including my room-mate Mr Dahyalal.Parghe.
The entire group left the hotel at approx 0900 hrs in 2 coach's, including "Tour Group 2" which had done a parallel tour with us ,hence "dinner time" congestion in some city's, some to Heathrow others to Gatwick.After the group departed i went to my hotel room, feeling a bit lonely after the sudden absence of a crowd as we were all together for the last 10 days.Packed my luggage and checked out of the hotel at about 1000 hrs dragging my portable wheel bags towards "Wembley Station", asking directions from locals.On reaching the station , inquired with the "Station Ticket Master" the train to "Piccadilly Station" and was guided courteously, using my  "Oyster prepaid card" to enter the "Wembley Tube Station". Boarded the train and inquired with a fellow traveller who guided me the shortest route to "Piccadilly Circus Station" by alighting at "Baker Street station" and catching a train on the "Bakerloo line" to Piccadilly station.One thing i observed was the sense of "Terrorist security" precautions at all the stations with public announcements for passengers advising them to not leave their bags behind or to report any unclaimed baggage's lying at railway stations.
Although it was peak "Office hours" the "Tube Trains" were not crowded, and comfortable "standing space" was available.Strange but true, in Mumbai, its been months since i ever traveled by "Public Transport", normally using my motorcycle or cycle and here i was in a totally foreign country using the "Tube railway" like a local Britisher!
Finally reached "Piccadilly Circus' station and after inquiries found the World famous "Piccadilly Backpackers hostel", very inconspicuous externally, but, a massive 7 storey circular building internally, akin to a hotel.
Was allotted accommodation in a "6-bed Dormitory" upto Saturday(29-5-2010), paying 70 pounds for the same. I had to "Check-out" from the hotel on Saturday(29-5-2010) as it was fully booked in advance. The "weekend" being "party days" in London, besides, "Piccadilly Backpackers" was in the heart of London's throbbing nightlife district of "Soho" and "West End theatres". "WEST END" locality of London is the costliest "Office Real estate" in the World ! After confirming my reservation i put my luggage in the "Luggage room" on the 4th floor as 'Check-in time" was 1300 hrs and made my way towards the beginning of my "Solo Backpackers Tours" of London city.


P.S:- .All views and opinions expressed on this "Tour Blog" are of my own personal opinion and thought, along with practical experiences. Hope this blog is helpful for future tourists or backpackers intending to tour "European Capital city's"on a modest budget :- Seafarer/Blogger/Backpacker Mr Rudolph.A.Furtado.