Gatorland and Ferrari of Central Florida

Gatorland and Ferrari of Central Florida

South Orange Blossom Trail and I-4

Orlando, Florida

Monday, Dec 26, 2011

In the morning we woke up and had some coffee at the hotel but that was not very good. So we drove couple of blocks from South Orange Blossom Trail to South Orange Road to a Dunkin Donuts and had breakfast.

Since we were planning to leave today itself for home we checked out of the hotel (it was NOT good anyway) and headed to Gatorland. Since we were Florida residents and the Gatorland offered a good deal until Dec 31, 2011, we bought tickets that were 1/3 price of the regular tickets.

Even though the day was cloudy and in the seventies (Fahrenheit scale)  the gators were not interested in performing for Gator Jumaproo! So went ahead and looked at the leucistic gators (not albino gators) that have white skins with splotches of regular color but blue eyes. We saw several gators and some crocodiles, flamingos, South American parrots, cockatoos, Chester the big Gator, storks, pea cocks, pea hens and other farm animals. Then we participated in the Close Encounters show and returned back to Gator Jumparoo! This time the gators were biting.

Next we walked over to cages of other crocodilian species like Cuban crocodile, Nile crocodile, Spectacled caiman, and salt water crocodiles and occasionally witnessing the Gatorland Zip-line folks flying above us screaming. 

We then took the train ride and looked the turtles. On the way out we got VTS and TSs caricatures drawn by the artist Ron. 

Then we crawled in traffic for 20 minutes and reached the Ferrari and Maserati of Central Florida dealership at Interstate Park complex at Lake Destiny Drive. The sales person was very polite and extra nice and allowed us take some pictures and showed around their car collections. VTS was very happy to see all his favorite cars in one place.

Then by 4:30 PM we headed out for coffee and on our way home. We arrive home by 9:15 PM and went to bed.

Casselberry Hindu Temple

Casselberry Hindu Temple

Hindu Society of Central Florida

Casselberry, Florida

Christmas Day, Dec 25, 2011

We left around 10:30 AM from our home and started driving in I-10 East and after about 90 miles we stopped for the rest stop and soon joined the I-75 South and drove via Gainesville and Ocala. We decided to skip the Orlando Turnpike and instead drove through Leesberg and Apopka to reach Orange Blossom Drive in Orlando.


On the way stopped just past Leesburg for lunch. Since we were traveling during Christmas day most of the restaurants were closed and only very few fast-food places were open. One among them was Burger King chain. Vivek had some lunch and we ate what we brought from home.

Then around 3:45 PM we arrived at the Hindu Society of Central Florida temple in Lake Drive in Casselberry, Florida. There was very little crowd which was good. We offered a simple pooja and offered donations to the temple. We spent about an hour at the temple and went to the temple canteen. Since they were closing at 5 PM they had only vadai and coffeee. We took some pictures of the temple and left for Orlando.

While driving on I-4 West on our way to the hotel, VTS spotted the Ferrari and Maserati of Central Florida dealership. We got out of I-4 West at Exit 88 on Lees Road. With a help of a nearby homeowner we were to locate the dealership. Since it was Christmas Day it was closed. We looked around the parking and headed to our hotel. 

We checked into the Hotel by 6:30 PM and had dinner by 7:20 PM. We watched some TV and went to bed by 9:00 PM

Visit IISc Bangalore

Visit IISc Bangalore

Friday, August 05, 2011

Today morning I woke up at 2:30AM and had coffee. By 4 am we left for Bangalore via SH 58 via Valajapet and Kanchipuram (1 hr). After Kanchipuram we joined NH 46 and went through Vellore (1:45 hrs). We paid tolls: 40, 90, 90, 75, etc in the Walajabet-Krishnagiri Tollways. Driver Kanniyappan and Jayakumar came with me.

We arrived at Electronic City Toll ways around 9:15 AM (after leaving Zuzuvadi, Tamil Nadu and entering Athibele, Karnataka (border cities)). We took the long route of Outer-Ring Road and went via HBR layout, toward Hebbal. Finally we reached Hebbal and took a left turn and arrived at Mekri Circle (the only place that was remotely familiar to me). From there we took a right turn and reached the second gate and entered at the Biochemistry department of IISc entrance.

I met Vasanthacharya and he took me to see BV Varma at MRC. We proceeded to SSCU and met KJRao, JG and all the office staff. I met Kannan, Jayaram, Thammaiah, Venkatesh, Kannan, and Saroja. Then Kannan, Vasant, two drivers, and I went to Faculty Club and had lunch. Then we went to Vasant’s residence and strolled around the campus. I met Arunan. We took pictures and left around 3 PM to SIL's place.

They were at GR Lavenya in L&T South City in Bannergatta Road in South West Bangalore. We located it and arrived there by 6 PM. The children came then so did BIL. We had dinner and slept. By next morning 3 AM we left for Chengalpattu.

Visit Pachaiyappa's College

Visit Pachaiyappa's College
Chennai 600 030
Wednesday, August 03, 2011

This morning I went to Shenoy Nagar and from there headed toward the Poompuhar Shop at Anna Salai. On the way I stopped at Pachaiyappa’s college took some video, photos of the college, Chemistry department and hostel. I spoke to couple of current MSc Chemistry students and other faculty.

Then we went and parked at Spencer plaza had lunch and went shopping at music world. Then we went to Poompuhar purchasing. We left city around 2 Pm and headed to Chengalpattu. The smoke and city congestion was very bad and I had severe cough. I arrived at TTR house by 4 apm. Had shower, took Rx and slept for an hour.

Thangassery Lighthouse & Kollam Back water Boating

Thangassery Lighthouse &

Kollam Backwater Boat Tour

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Kollam (Quillon), Kerala

Today morning Bhanu and Usha went to two temples in the neighborhood. Then all of us had breakfast. The plan for today was to go for boating in the morning and visit the beach in the evening.

Then I went to see the Thangassery Lighthouse located at Thangassery (near Mount Carmel School). Unfortunately, the visiting time was between 3 and 5 PM so I spent sometime in the Thangassery beach.

Then in the afternoon we all took an auto to the Kollam Bus Station Boat Jetty. Our plan originally was to take the transport boat and go around. But since it took too long for the transport boat to arrive at jetty, we changed our plans. Meanwhile, one of the Backwater Boat Operators approached us and offered take us (five) for one hour for Rs 550. This offer looked good and we all climbed aboard and after short problem with the motor we traveled through the Kollam back ward canals for about an hour 3:30 to 4:30 PM.

We enjoyed the ride. After the boat ride we went to the Supreme Bakery had coffee and cake and bought some knickknacks and went home for dinner.

Kollam Beach Trip

Kollam Beach Trip

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Kollam (Quillon), Kerala

Since we had traveled a lot yesterday, we took it light today. We all took naps. Then in the afternoon we went to Jos Alukkas and bought some cloths. Usha and I rode the TVS 50 while others took the auto both ways. We came home and had coffee.

Then we took one auto (5 people 50 Rs) and went to Kollam Beach. Today was Aaddi Ammavasya and therefore the tides were strong and no one went into the water. There were police warning people not to go into the water. We spent about an hour there then took another auto and came to Annapurna restaurant and had dinner (north Indian style; Rs380) and walked home. We spent another hour before we went to sleep at 9:30 PM

Visit Kanyakumari

Travel to Kanyakumari
Tamil Nadu, India

Friday, July 29, 2011

We arrived at Chennai airport in the morning. We all had breakfast and coffee. We took Kingfisher flight IT-2882 to Trivandrum with a flight time of about 2 hours (turbo prop ATR 72-500).

Usha and Karan had brought an SUV and we boarded it traveled toward Kanyakumari via National Highway 47 (NH47). On the way we stopped and bought some honey and had lunch near a roadside stop. Due to the delayed flight we arrived at Kanyakumari around 4 PM and proceeded to take the boat ride to Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue. We met our friend who helped us proceed faster. We spent about 1 1/2 at these memorials and arrived shore.

We then headed to the Gandhi Memorial while the kids played at the park. Soon we wet our feet at the beach where three seas mingle: Bay of Bengal from the East, Indian Ocean from the South, and Arabian sea on the West. We also paid visit to the Kanya Kumari Amman Temple.

Then we headed back to Quillon (Kollam). On the way stopped at the Suchindram Temple ( தாணுமாலயன் திருக்கோவில்) where all three gods are present: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.