Hi everyone,
We had a good trip (British airways). The boys were travelling first time in business class so it was a novelty - the VIP treatment, the food served on china, coca colas etc. The beds they found, thrilled them and thank God decided to try them out and slept almost all the four remaining hours after having spent the first two making life tough for the airhostess. Sonya too got a shut eye and I was not sleepy I kept banging away at my lap top fixing my daily programmes in Melbourne.
The flight was on time and as usual when Mercedes Benz knows I am arriving(the office people in India know)- there was this lovely gleaming black E class to take us to the hotel and remain at my service as long as I was there. The hotel that I had spoken about - The Marco Polo has gone through a lot of changes and looks great. Surprise ! they still knew my details and the room I loved. The check in was done in the room with one of the hosteses accompanying us. The room is a semi suite and has two bedrooms - so the boys are awake and playing around and EATING! They have polished off all the chips, chocolates,fruits and have asked for more. Sonya is fast asleep and I too am going to hit the sack in a bed I slept on almost seven years ago. What a feeling!
Its already morning - so a few hours will make me fresh and then we can go out. The boys have planned to get out of the hotel and walk around and see the city awaken. They did not ask for the car - so I guess they must be doing something around.
Will cut off here and hit the sack and will be back on the site from the Airport during the departure wait. Till then...
love you all.
Ananth

Happy landings sweetheart.

love liz

Hi Ananth

Glad to hear you had a good journey, and hope you have a safe trip. Keep us posted

Love
Dave & Sue

Hi Liz and two wonderful people- Dave and Sue,

Here I am sitting in the coffee shop doing nothing as I cannot eat or drink anything. I had some foo up in my room after I had a few hour of sleep. I am still tired -I think its more the jetlag more then anything else as one feels it more going east then the west.

John Lee, the sales executive from the Mercedes Benz dealership has been put in charge of us calls me time and again to find out if I am ok. Earlier I had told him that he need not spend all his time with us and just to call me or vice versa. He is a young lad, around 26 years old but is extremely confident about himself and his work (something I really liked about him). He now calls to tell me where everyone are. Sonya and the boys at temple street and the good old fashion street - where they ( the chinese) are really good at ripping one off. As John is with them it does not matter. I had told Sonya not to encash any money into HK$ and only use the credit cards.I wonder if I am broke now!!
I now realise how tired I am in reality and am finding it nicer to sit around and play with my laptop rather then go around the city. Sonya and the boys are full of energy and so I am alone here.I am keeping track of the time and hope John is doing the same.The bunch are expected back shortly and I will go to the Mercedes dealership to meet the MD and thank him for all his help. He need not have done anything for me as I am no longer with Merc. but am still given the same kind of respect that I received seven years ago. I am really grateful and feeling great that even after so many years they all still remember me and will do anything I ask of them as they would to any other visiting executive from the Company.I have dressd for the ocassion - a nice white shirt, black trousers, the Mercedes Benz special tie , black shoes and most importantly black socks!I think I will manage pretty ok for the time with the MD. I never had such long hair or an ear stud when I was working - I am not going to cut my hair or remove the stud.I have tied my hair into a neat ponytail and it stays tucked into my sirts collar. It looks good.I think I will also take a stroll around for some time and get back around the same time as the bunch.All our bags are still packed except one. The one we were going to use in HK - so packing will not be a problem. Our flight is on time.I am completely bored at the moment so shall log out and catch up with all sometime later with the details of the whacky experiences that happen only to me and the invasion on my credit card!.

Oh Dave and Sue, Congrats again for the promotion. Evereyone here must be proud of the achievement- at least I am. I wish you all the success and happines in the world. I also wish you you'll the very best to buy the car you want! I know your had a Merc.-so wont suggest it!!Do let me know when you have decided as I may be able to give you some tips to really rev up the same.
Ending here. With love to you three and all the rest who will read the post.or rather with all my love and hugs,
Ananth.
PS- I still get those glances from the opposite sex! , much to Sonyas dislike.

Greetings my friend
You are a brave man or maybe the drugs have finally got you. Letting a wife and 2 teenage boys loose in HK with fully stocked credit cards! Are you sure you're not really Mukesh Ambani? I'm sure we will all feel better when we can start travelling again. We get so wrapped up in the horrible things that are happening to our bodies that it's inevitable we should feel low at times. So your trip is an inspiration to me at least. I spent almost half my life in the Far East and hope to make my own journey in January.Take things easy and take care.
Love and best wishes
James.

I'm joining the great get away too in 4 weeks.Middle East for me to spend the so called festive season with my brother in Abu Dhabi.With all my anniversaries starting next week(Doctors visit ,hospital referral,Biopsy,Diagnosis,first surgery bloody awful Christmas)i am glad to be going somewhere that doesnt celebrate christmas,as the adverts on the telly are driving me into a permanent state of misery and flash backs,although i will miss my two scrumptious grandaughters.

Good luck on the next stage of your trip babe,and watch out for those young girls,they can probably run faster than you anyway.

xxxxxx liz

Hi all,
Suprised? We are still in Hong Kong! The flight we are booked on departs at elelven thiry local time and we get into Merlbourne around 2 am local time. I thought about screaming at the travel agent(unfortunately a friend of mine!) to have given the later flight but then decided against it.
Everyone seems to be really tired with all that walking to places where the car could not go or John did not want to take them in a Merc. there. I still have to siff through all the new possesions but before all that I decided to keep up with everyone.
James - Mukesh Ambani and I? There isno comparison. The guy has a grupmy look all the time and cannot decide if he the richest person or is it Mittal.I am nowhere even close to what I imagine one of their lowly staff memebers are paid.I am comfortably off and that means I can afford a few more things which one requires money for and is also required to keep a wife and two sons and more happy. I will be posting a long story on how we went from a very very middle income family to well as they term it a "well off"one.Every bit of the money has been earned working hard for it and a lot of lady luck. Most people in our clan say I was born with a golden spoon in my mouth and anything I touched turned to gold remind you of Midas?). I was the first male child to be born in my generation and then my brother who was the second and followed by girls,girls and girls.
I think it was the jet lag which made me hand over the credit card (actually Sonya has add ons to all my cards and the boys have theirs but theirs is very limted card).
I always thought travelling again on these hauls was going to be a misery but this turned out quite okay. My leg also moving pretty well and when I walk -it does not seem I have stepped on a mine! At least I do not have to drag it as its moving along with me!
Hong kong after seven long years - it has changed but one can still feel comfortable. The shopkeepers, hawkers and traders dont care too much for brown colored people and at times wont even tell you the price of a product. You take out your wallet and they turn all sugary and sweet and then its your turn to beat them down to such a level that you pick up the product almost free!

I had a good meeting with the MD of Mercedes Benz. He showed me around the new showroom and I also took a short drive in the brand new SLK. Oh- the looks I got when I put the hood down.All said and done the SLK is a car to be envied - she is original hot ,topless beauty!

My lunch etc was quite okay as the hotel staff were aware of my problem and they made my meals seperately to ensure I did not have problems pouring it down the peg.

The bunch as I call them are all napping and I am once again sitting, though in our room near the french window - looking around with the laptop open. I am going to have a cup of coffee and then have a nap too. We still have a little time to recoup to get to the airport.

So James, its not all that bad. I am sure you will enjoy your trip and will not face any problems at all.Cookey - you are the smart one to get away from the British weather at the right time. I agree it will be better for you as all the adverts etc. does get to one. You too keep posting and take lots of care. Say hi to your grandaughters ( I always say HI to daughters and granddaughters!!!! .
So until later,
with all my love(xxxs for you) and hugs to James -till my next post from the air.
Ananth

Ananth,

I must just say that I am really enjoying your posts and feel like I am travelling with you!

James and Liz we expect the same from both of you when you both go on your journeys.

Love from Lorraine

i just love reading your posts sounds like you are all having a great time and being spoilt into the bargain.lots of love shirl xxx

Great to read your posts Lorraine and Shirl. I opened my lap top just about five minutes ago and am still groggy. My body is not so tough anymore to shift and accept jet lags. We all slept through Sunday doing nothing. The boys and Sonya too were tired - I think all that running around in Hong Kong took its toll. The home has been mantained really well and everything is in working order.The only thing missing is a landline and that should be here later in the day.
Guess who I am going to meet today - Trev and Deb. They are here on a short holiday and I have promised Trev, I will start work only after a couple of days but not before we meet and have a good time.We were supposed to meet up yesterday - my mind and heart were willing but my body was not, so I had to call it off and think it was wise as Trev and Deb too had just about arrived and also must have been tired.Trev also felt it was a pretty good idea.

The flight from HK to Melbourne was quite uneventful as everyone preferred to sleep and ever since they introduced the beds - its great travelling. I did not take too much notice of the airhostesses and that shows how old I am getting!!!!. We arrived Melbourne on time and the Company car and chauffer were both there to take us home. The house has not been used in seven odd years but its been mantained by the office exceedingly well. The weather is nice and comfortable but I have told the boys to carry a jacket, however hot it may get as showers come and go without warnings!

I think I will be able to catch up with Trev and Deb only after spending a few hours at the office meeting everyone and the new people who have been hired.I feel all at the office expect it.Its going to be one work session as I will have to go through a mountain of papers, sit with the charterd accountants and get Sonya too on board.( I was thinkig of a blue eyed 36/24/36 blonde to bring on board as well but am sure Sonya will not be too happy).I have been given a new car from the company as the one which I had earlier was aging faster then I was and had to be junked or bined. Its going to take time for me to remember all the routes again after this long period.
I have warned the boys about walking bare feet on the beach or the side walks as its well known that you may just land up with a needle getting into you and we do not want and major problems.
Well - thats all for now -have not had any whacky things happening to me so far. So till later,
with all my love,xxx and hugs,
Ananth

Hi Ananth,

That's great that you will be able to meet up with Deb and Trev. Please say Hi to them from both of us and have a great time.

Lorraine & Robert

Hi all,
This is the Indian Spaniard from Down under.(Makes sense?),
Its been three days since we landed up in Melbourne and I have been trying so hard to meet Deb and Trev - but some major problems that have got in the way have not given me the opportunity. I was very keen on taking all out for dinner but due to "problem", I had to put it off. I will try and meet both tomorrow as they have said they would come to meet me.
I have been actually very busy between the office and the"problem" and cannot avid either. The chartered accountants, legal etc. all want my time and I have to give it to them as I do not want to remain here longer then required.
The boys are doing their own thing and really do not need us for having fun. They have a car and a chauafer at their disposal and have been really moving around.
In the last three days only sunday was a day when we all relaxed and then from monday afternoon all hell broke loose, with Sonya's brother and family turning up. He is married and has two very small kids and I really cannot hurt them in anyway - whatever said or done they are like my own kids and deserve to live well. So youll can imagine what the "problem" is.
I have been in touch with Deb and Trev everyday on the phone but with all my plans of taking things easy for the first few days and spend time them with them has just blown apart and I am really feeling miserable. Sonya too is not in the best frame of mind - so controling the entire gang is a major headache for me. I then also have my mother in law calling from India trying to convince me to do things which are against my principals. I do not blame her for her outlook but she must face reality.I have also hardly been sleeping trying to do all the work I came to do when all is quiet as during the days it has become impossible. I am sure though we will get a chance to meet Trev and Deb as coming all this distance and not even seeing each other will be one of the worst things that can happen to me.
I have not been out anywhere except monday morning which I spent in the office which was more a "must" then anything else. I dont want to hold meetings at home and so the quicker I end the home front 'problem' the quicker I will be able to finish all my work. Sonya is wishing she had not come at all and I do not blame her as she knows what is happening is wrong but cannot do anything about it for emotional reasons.
I thought I was over the jet lag but with the way things are going I think I will never get over it and when I do, it 'll be time for me to leave Australia. Luckily my younger brother too is here from Sydney and has com with his wife and two gorgeous daughters. He is a guy with a lot of brain power and does not work on impulse like I do and so I have to sit and hear him out for hours.
Will check in again later with the next episode of life down under!,

All my love and hugs,
Ananth

Hello everyone,
Not a very happy Ananth today. Ever since we landed here in Melbourne it has been almost like arrivingin hell. The problems that came my way had to be sorted out some way or the other. The first option to divide the business amomng all the people who run the business or sell it off totally and give all the proceedings to my mother in law to do as she pleases or to give to anyone she pleases. I prefer the first option as I will not be too happy to see all these people who have worked with us so long feel cheated.
I feel equally miserable that I could not meeet Trev and Deb as much as I wanted.I spoke with them till tuesday and after that things began to get worse and reached a stage where I decided to shut off totally from everyone and start thinking.Its not that the problem was one I could just wish away and I will never ever be sure till I am around that things will get back to being okay - as they will def. not get back to normal.
My brother came down from Sydney to give me some support and it was good having him with me as two heads are better then one - be it family and especially ones own.Both my nieces also came down and the boys and the two lovely girls had and are having a good time. He has to leave tomorrow and also the girls. Well, he gave me a lot of support and now what has to be done will be decided by me and to a point Sonya. If Sonya decides never to return to Australia we have have it easy but if she feels otherwise the problem continues.
However, all headaches and problems should get over in another ten days and then its time to spend one week more in Melbourne with the boys and then I leave for Barcelona; with Sonya and the boys going on their cruise.to the far east. I have to arrive Barcelona around the 15th. under any circumstances and remain there till well after new years. Barcelona is where home is and though I have been living in India because of Sonyas insistance this will always be home - the place I am most happy and at peace.If there was some way of not returning to India, I would gladly have liked to stay here. But then....
I see if I can get in touch with Trev and Deb once again and if need be try and drive across to meet them. As this will be my last trip down under, its going to be tough to say good bye to my partners and friends and especially when we have been through so much.
Well, thats all for now - hope I can post a happy, laughable post the next time around.
With love to all,
Ananth

Families can be lifes greatest blessing but unfortunately they can also be its greatest curse,particularly the aquired extended members.
Ananth this is not the way to spend your most precious time,and will not be doing your health any good at all.
Take that drive Ananth.Go and see Trev chill out,take some time,and regroup.This is your time,and you will never have it back.

love and kisses Liz

Hi Ananth. I agree with Liz. Do some stuff for yourself. I'm sure you'll be back with your happy posts soon. Hagg.