India random pix

Stop and proceed: Speed breakers along National Highways in Kerala.


18 degrees -- temperature in my hometown now.


River Cauvery. Come monsoon, and the river will flow over the bridge at least thrice a season.


I love these sweet paans, more so after eating a spicy biriyani.


Mist, monsoon and Madikeri (my hometown)


What are the options when kebabs don't sell?

Parking space is reserved…but officially or…

Parking scene near National Bank of Oman in CBD at 8.30am.

Restaurant review: Tawa Magic

Tawa Magic is a veg-only restaurant recently launched in CBD area of Ruwi. The restaurant is housed in the first building on the right when you take the road towards CBD from Sheraton hotel. The feel of the place is quite modern with huge glass panels and colourful walls brightening up the space.

The menu is quite exhaustive with zillions of parathas being the highlight. Like our friend had suggested, we decided to try out parathas and ordered three types – aloo, green peas and methi. For starters, we tried the Tawa Magic Roast Papad. It was good, but a bit greasy. The parathas arrived one after another, neatly displayed in white, chic plates. The parathas were quite nice and went well with the sides – channa masala and raitha. I felt the methi paratha was the best, but others were equally good.

The menu has rotis, rice items, curries, tons of dosas and drinks as well. We were served complimentary samples of Chinese dosa, but they were quite awful. For god’s sake, let dosa be dosa, don’t give it a Chinese tinge and make it inedible.

The restaurant has an open hearth kitchen which is quite popular these days. When we landed at 9pm, there was hardly any crowd, but at 10pm, the ground floor was full. The service is pretty decent. Price of parathas range from 900Bz to RO 1.2 per plate. The only let down for the restaurant is the approach road. You have to walk across the road or if you are driving, take the bumpy and dusty road behind Camilia restaurant. The drive, I promise, would be like traveling on a camel. None the less, the restaurant is worth a try.

Black magic? Should be a heady drink.

Glossy mag, glossy price

RO 5.750: This is the cost of Oprah Winfrey’s O magazine at Centrepoint in Oman.

Khalli valli traffic rules

Regular scene at traffic signals in Ruwi despite having ‘do not enter until exit clear’ signboards all over.

Summer of 2009…

…is not for them!

(PS: This photo was clicked at 1.15pm in Qurum Heights)

How about an amphicoach for Oman?

The Amphicoach, which can carry up to 50 passengers, is a traditional coach until it reaches water, where the coach's wheels retract into a hull, made from marine-grade aluminium, allowing it to reach speeds of up to eight knots, powered by a jet-drive unit. The Amphicoach is equipped with a choice of two diesel engines along with two or four-wheel drive.

The Amphicoach is a fifty seat road coach, which is also a true amphibious vehicle which has been developed over six years under professional supervision. It can compete with any luxury standard road coach on the basis of performance, level of finish, passenger safety and comfort, ride comfort, stability and manoeuvrability. On the other hand its sailing capabilities are accepted by marine experts involved in the project as being astonishing. This feature consequently makes the vehicle suitable for extended water tours. Its stunning good looks also grant it the opportunity to operate tours from five star hotels whilst fitting in with the opulent surroundings. (more)

Tourists to Oman will love this concept. Imagine the coach getting into the sea at Qantab beach…it will be a thrilling experience for sure.

(Photos: Amphicoach.net)

Getting bolder day by day

Kinky lingerie on display at a mall in Qurum. Sign of changing times?

(Hat tip: Muscati)