Hmm.. this was not a planned visit to STL; Arun was supposed to come home for Thanksgiving, but here we are, to take care of him during and after his second knee surgery, to fix the ACL. This time, with his own patella tendon.
Staying at SpringHill Suites on Hanley drive. This hotel is great - rooms are suite sized; showers in bathrooms (not bathtub), modern look, close to Walmart, eating and shopping, WashU and interstate 64. We chose a room on the ground floor (108!), with in house laundry next door. VERY CONVENIENT!
Eating out everyday - tried out Olive Garden, PF Changs, House of India, CPK, Jimmy John's, King and I, Dewey's Pizza, Twin Oak Wood fire fare, etc. Baklava's from The Vine. All good.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Parents Weekend, Saint Louis 10/21-23, 2011
It has been a fun weekend in Saint Louis, visiting Arun at WashU. Been 8 weeks since we dropped him off for college, back in August, 2011. Now he is the one giving driving directions to the local favorites.
Instead of doing the suggested tours, seminars around campus, Arun and I spent most of our time talking, eating out and shopping. When he was in class or getting work done in his dorm, I waited for him at my favorite spot on campus, Cafe Bergson at the Danforth Center. Deep comfortable cushioned chairs, ottomans, and the smell of coffee lend a perfect ambience for working, reading or just a quick nap!
Bay area chain restaurants having a presence in Saint Louis are Maggiano's, California Pizza Kitchen and we had dinner (Thursday) and Lunch (Friday). Arun was really craving some Indian food, so it was dinner (Friday) at House of India, on Delmar and 170. The mild paneer makhni, bhaigan bhartha, onion and garlic naans, and mango milkshake were slowly polished off our plates. Now, why didn't he ask for sambar and dosai?? Next door was Jilly's Cup Cakes and Cafe, the winner of third season of Food Network's Cup Cake wars! Sadly though, they were closed at 10pm!! Need to come back again.
No visit to WashU is complete without a trip to "The Loop", a collection of bars, eating places and furniture shops! We went to Ranoush for lunch (Saturday), and decided to check out Jilly's again. This time, we found the place bustling with folks having lunch, coffee or enjoying one of their jumbo cupcakes! Arun chose their "Pink velvet cake" (CAKE: Pink velvet, STUFFING: Caramel
TOPPING: Cream cheese, caramel buttercream and pecan praline), and I went for the "Space monkey" (CAKE: Banana-Toffee, STUFFING: Toffee Dulce de Leche, TOPPING: Caramel Cream Cheese Swirl & Chocolate Astronaut Ice Cream); both had filledcenters, layers of frosting and topped by pecan pralines or chocolate! Yum! Here are the links:
http://www.hoistl.com/
http://www.ranoush.com/
http://www.jillyscupcakebar.com/
Shopped at Bed Bath and Beyond, Macys for dorm storage, winter jackets and warm clothing. Saint Louis is in the grips of following their team the STL Cardinals, in the World Series, against the Texas Rangers, and many locals everywhere we sporting team jerseys and colors. We watched Game 3 at Shekar's home; Albert Pujols put on a mightly show with a record tying three homers to defeat the Rangers 16-7!!
I visited Shekar, Akila, Mama, Mami, Arjun and Arya at home Sat. morning. Both kids had a busy schedule, with soccer, violin, piano, tennis, birthday party. Arjun's last game of the season was fun to watch in the mildly cold Missouri morning! Arya was comfortable on my lap!!
Instead of doing the suggested tours, seminars around campus, Arun and I spent most of our time talking, eating out and shopping. When he was in class or getting work done in his dorm, I waited for him at my favorite spot on campus, Cafe Bergson at the Danforth Center. Deep comfortable cushioned chairs, ottomans, and the smell of coffee lend a perfect ambience for working, reading or just a quick nap!
Bay area chain restaurants having a presence in Saint Louis are Maggiano's, California Pizza Kitchen and we had dinner (Thursday) and Lunch (Friday). Arun was really craving some Indian food, so it was dinner (Friday) at House of India, on Delmar and 170. The mild paneer makhni, bhaigan bhartha, onion and garlic naans, and mango milkshake were slowly polished off our plates. Now, why didn't he ask for sambar and dosai?? Next door was Jilly's Cup Cakes and Cafe, the winner of third season of Food Network's Cup Cake wars! Sadly though, they were closed at 10pm!! Need to come back again.
No visit to WashU is complete without a trip to "The Loop", a collection of bars, eating places and furniture shops! We went to Ranoush for lunch (Saturday), and decided to check out Jilly's again. This time, we found the place bustling with folks having lunch, coffee or enjoying one of their jumbo cupcakes! Arun chose their "Pink velvet cake" (CAKE: Pink velvet, STUFFING: Caramel
TOPPING: Cream cheese, caramel buttercream and pecan praline), and I went for the "Space monkey" (CAKE: Banana-Toffee, STUFFING: Toffee Dulce de Leche, TOPPING: Caramel Cream Cheese Swirl & Chocolate Astronaut Ice Cream); both had filledcenters, layers of frosting and topped by pecan pralines or chocolate! Yum! Here are the links:
http://www.hoistl.com/
http://www.ranoush.com/
http://www.jillyscupcakebar.com/
Shopped at Bed Bath and Beyond, Macys for dorm storage, winter jackets and warm clothing. Saint Louis is in the grips of following their team the STL Cardinals, in the World Series, against the Texas Rangers, and many locals everywhere we sporting team jerseys and colors. We watched Game 3 at Shekar's home; Albert Pujols put on a mightly show with a record tying three homers to defeat the Rangers 16-7!!
I visited Shekar, Akila, Mama, Mami, Arjun and Arya at home Sat. morning. Both kids had a busy schedule, with soccer, violin, piano, tennis, birthday party. Arjun's last game of the season was fun to watch in the mildly cold Missouri morning! Arya was comfortable on my lap!!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Hawaii memorable moments
FUST RANK! Murali acting all nerdy with fellow astronomers on Mauna Kea.
Watching the International Space Station flying overhead on top of Mauna Kea.
Trying to shop for sweatshirts in Walmart before our trip to Mauna Kea. And wrapping ourselves in beach towels to keep warm...
Waiting for sunset on Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Alii Drive, Coconut Island
Waiting for darkness on Mauna Loa to see the smoldering lava lake on Kilauea volcano's caldera
Celebrating 4th of July with parade and fireworks over Kailua Bay.
Shaved Ice with Icecream centers.
Swimming within 2 feet of giant sea turtles.
Walking inside a lava tube!
Arun trying to finish all the paneer sabji from Shivaliks Indian Restaurant
Priya throwing mudballs at Murali
Ziplining over a waterfall!
Parasailing triple style + dip
Going back to Boston Basil's, just because..
Murali moving the car while I was still trying to get in
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Dining in Kona, Waimea
Kona:
Breakfast, Brunch:
Lava Java - Fluffy omelettes, guava bread french toast, tofu & brown rice
Dinner:
Boston Basil's - great pizza, salads, italian food
Snacks:
Rosa's Cantina - nachos! Not dinner!!
Italian Ice- shaved ice
Scandinavian ice - shaved ice with icecream centers
Waimea (cattle / cowboy country)
Village Burger
Hilo
New Chiang Mai Thai restaurant
Farmer's market on Saturday - tender coconuts, summer rolls, mochi, masadolas
What's Shakin' - farm stand icecream, all fruit smoothies (no ice), fresh fruit
Breakfast, Brunch:
Lava Java - Fluffy omelettes, guava bread french toast, tofu & brown rice
Dinner:
Boston Basil's - great pizza, salads, italian food
Snacks:
Rosa's Cantina - nachos! Not dinner!!
Italian Ice- shaved ice
Scandinavian ice - shaved ice with icecream centers
Waimea (cattle / cowboy country)
Village Burger
Hilo
New Chiang Mai Thai restaurant
Farmer's market on Saturday - tender coconuts, summer rolls, mochi, masadolas
What's Shakin' - farm stand icecream, all fruit smoothies (no ice), fresh fruit
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Snorkeling in Kona - July 3rd and 4th, 2011
Unlike Maui, good snorkeling spots on the Big Island are few and far between. One of the better ones is very close to our condo - Kahalu'u Beach Park. The entry into the water is quite rocky but soon we were swimming in the midst of sea turtles; foot long fish in a variety of colors and designs - yellow, blue, white, spotted, striped; sea urchins and anemones...
This was Priya first foray into snorkeling - after a few gulps of salty sea water, she was comfortable, while tightly gripping my hands! She squealed when the sea turtle swam close to us. Arun and Murali went deeper into the ocean, up to the breakwaters, and saw lot more sea life. Arun got a little too adventurous and came back with some scrapes after an encounter with a shark (sea urchin, really!) One of the turtles was sunbathing very close to the shore - fun to watch up close!
The sand is salt and pepper in color, built up from all the volcanic activity over hundreds of years on this island. But clearly, a far cry from the snorkeling mecca of Maui.
This was Priya first foray into snorkeling - after a few gulps of salty sea water, she was comfortable, while tightly gripping my hands! She squealed when the sea turtle swam close to us. Arun and Murali went deeper into the ocean, up to the breakwaters, and saw lot more sea life. Arun got a little too adventurous and came back with some scrapes after an encounter with a shark (sea urchin, really!) One of the turtles was sunbathing very close to the shore - fun to watch up close!
The sand is salt and pepper in color, built up from all the volcanic activity over hundreds of years on this island. But clearly, a far cry from the snorkeling mecca of Maui.
4th of July, Kailua-Kona celebration
The fireworks display is a major event in this part of town. On the 4th of July, Alii Road gets shut down from the pier for a few miles, as the main Parade route. Rotary, Lions Club members and numerous volunteers ensure the family friendly event runs smoothly. Floats from Police, Fire, National Guard joined shiny trucks carrying notable citizens who have served in the military. Boy scouts, youth athletic clubs were represented as well. Stilt walkers and roller bladers gave quite a performance. The street curbside, restaurants, coffee houses and any available lawn space were taken over by residents and visitors who had staked out a good place to spend the evening. Around 8:30pm, the street lights are switched off, and the firework show began, out in the bay, coordinated by a crew in a barge!
This was the most spectacular 4th of July celebration I had seen in a long time! It lasted nearly 20 mins - watching it from the shore, listening to the lapping waves and feeling the gentle breeze, I felt so grateful that we could have such a memorable independence day celebration for us, Arun and Priya to savor.
This was the most spectacular 4th of July celebration I had seen in a long time! It lasted nearly 20 mins - watching it from the shore, listening to the lapping waves and feeling the gentle breeze, I felt so grateful that we could have such a memorable independence day celebration for us, Arun and Priya to savor.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Big Island!
Off to the Big Island! We have not visited this island in the Hawaiian chain - Kauai, Oahu, Maui, yes; but this will the first time to the Big One! Priya is very excited since she does not remember our previous visits, and Arun just wants to get away, far from Sunnyvale. Our plan is to spend a few days in Kona and a few more in Hilo, on the eastern side. Murali can't wait to spend some time at Mauna Kea, a marvelous gem for astronomy buffs!
We took United from SFO to Honolulu (Oahu) and realizing we had four hours before our connection to Kona, decided to go into the city for lunch. Arun quickly found an Italian restaurant in a mall on his iPhone and a short taxi ride took us there. Turned out to be pretty good italian food, made and served by non-italians..
The flight to Kona was awesome - the plane flew at a low altitude, and we saw the whole hawaiian island chain clearly all the way - Lanai, Maui, and other smaller ones. The airport at Kona is quaint and looks like a bunch of huts grouped together...with the baggage claim area in an outdoor setting!
Getting to Keauhou Swim and Racquet Club was a nice drive down the coast, Priya jutting her head out to soak in the island breeze. But getting through the main gate was a challenge, since the renters forgot to tell us about the code - managed to get in through the help of other renters and found our condo tucked away in a quiet garden setting...The patio has an interesting sign..
After a quick change, it a nice dinner overlooking the Pacific at Thai Rin.
We took United from SFO to Honolulu (Oahu) and realizing we had four hours before our connection to Kona, decided to go into the city for lunch. Arun quickly found an Italian restaurant in a mall on his iPhone and a short taxi ride took us there. Turned out to be pretty good italian food, made and served by non-italians..
The flight to Kona was awesome - the plane flew at a low altitude, and we saw the whole hawaiian island chain clearly all the way - Lanai, Maui, and other smaller ones. The airport at Kona is quaint and looks like a bunch of huts grouped together...with the baggage claim area in an outdoor setting!
Getting to Keauhou Swim and Racquet Club was a nice drive down the coast, Priya jutting her head out to soak in the island breeze. But getting through the main gate was a challenge, since the renters forgot to tell us about the code - managed to get in through the help of other renters and found our condo tucked away in a quiet garden setting...The patio has an interesting sign..
After a quick change, it a nice dinner overlooking the Pacific at Thai Rin.
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