TULSI BAUG

The first impression of Tulsi Baug was one of a kaleidoscopic nature. Prisms of color burst forth from every corner. Sights and sounds hijack your senses and leave you completely enslaved. The hypnotic aroma of street chow entices you towards the food stalls lining the streets. You dither but for a moment before becoming an unequivocal convert to a totally new shopping experience.

A small side winding lane from the main arterial Laxmi road takes you to the lively world of Tulsi Baug. Here you are introduced to a quaint world full of intriguing and unusual characters. Where persuasion is power!

Lining the street sides were several stalls, selling rangoli powders in neatly arranged conical mounds of sunny yellows, fiery reds, turquoise blues and pretty pinks. A soft breeze sent a constant swirl of color into the air.

Inside a shallow reed basket perched precariously on the back of a cycle, were thick coils of jasmine flowers which reposed snake like on their bed of green peepal leaves. These particular flowers possessed a fragile beauty which was sadly lacking in the kitschy bouquets and mammoth garlands sold in some of the bigger shops nearby.

A watch repairer with an eye piece delicately examined the innards of an ancient timepiece with the care and adroitness of a heart surgeon. Time has literally stopped in this shop filled with antiquated timepieces whose hearts will never tick again.

The brass shops were huddled together along one corner. Here you came across the most exquisitely designed nutcrackers, lamps, statues and brass decorative pieces. Polished to perfection they had a beautiful golden patina.

Brightly painted food carts jostled for position under a shady banyan tree. Very soon a small crowd gathered around the carts to eat hot spicy pakoras and tangy bhel puris. These snacks are normally washed down with a spicy masala chai.

Tulsi Baug had many more hidden treasures waiting to be discovered and explored with each visit.

BEACHES OF UAE

Growing up in the UAE, I used to enjoy visiting the numerous beaches, gracing its coastline. Pristine white sands, whispering date palms, and azure blue seas provided the ideal background for a perfect getaway.

Most evenings, after returning from college, I would dash to the nearby Al Khan beach. This was a small, secluded semicircular strip of shoreline swarming with gulls, plovers and little else. At low tide the sand was littered with pretty shells, seaweed and driftwood. Walks along the seashore often threw up unexpected but exciting treasures like a rare shell or a conch.

A few decrepit fishermen’s cottages lined a portion of the beach while at the far end, stood an ancient fort. A tiny watchtower made of bamboo and woven palm fronds, offered unimpeded views of the horizon. From this excellent vantage point one could see the massive oil tankers dotting the high seas and the industrious little dhows sailing shore wards, after a long day of fishing.

Fridays, which is the official day off in the UAE, was often spent on Ajman beach. On this day, the otherwise quiet beach would throng with a steady stream of people representing almost every nationality.

The sunny weather all year round, also afforded the best conditions for barbequing. The latest BBQ machines to the humble coal spits in the sand, would give off the smell of roasted meat. Edging the beach, ice cream vans would line the road. A day on the beach would never be quite complete without a scoop of ice cream.

On long holidays, either during Eid or the National day, we would drive down to Khor Fakkan which is around 180kms from Dubai. After exploring the surrounding wadis (oasis), we would invariably be drawn to its pristine beaches.

Colorful jet-skis and surfboards would slice through the continuous breakers rolling in from the Indian Ocean. A quick bite at a shawarma stand, a camel ride and exploring the rugged coastline on a fishing boat were a must on these trips.

The memories of the lovely times I spent at the various beaches in UAE will remain etched in my heart forever.
pic courtesy : aff.bstatic.com