Dec 10-11: Heavenly and Mt Rose

We went to South Lake Tahoe for the weekend to kick off the skiing season. Having twisted my knee almost a year back, I was skeptical about how well I would be able to ski. But I had to try it to find out!!

The first day, Dec. 10, I went to Heavenly. My wife dropped me and I went up the Gunbarrel Express to try the first green slopes. After making sure I could ski on the greens, I decided to go up Powderbowl (where I got injured a year ago) for the first blue of the season. I fell down the second time coming down and bruised my elbow. But that dint deter me from continuing for the day. The next milestone was going up the Sky Express to 10040 ft., the highest one could get on the mountain. Coming down the Skyline trail, I crossed the CA border over to NV on skis and the view was truly breathtaking. On one side, was a view of the lake and on the other side, an envelope of clouds which was even more breathtaking.. something I have only seen from a plane.

Next day, went upto Mt Rose to teach my wife some skiing. After spending 90 mins teaching her, I left her to take the beginner lesson, and went on to the Lakeview lift and came down Ramsey's and Kit Traverse a few times. My knees were beginning to hurt and only after coming down did I realize that it was the ridged socks which caused burning. We left at around 3 oclock and reached home, in time for dinner.

Hawaii in Thanksgiving' 05

Since this was our first trip, we decided to goto Honolulu, Oahu. We stayed minutes from Waikiki Beach. The first day, we just hit the beach and relaxed in the blue and warm waters.

The next day, we went to Kualoa Ranch where we took an ATV ride to where Jurassic Park was shot, followed by a bus tour with one of the owners of Kualoa Ranch. We also bought a pearl, obtained live from a fresh water oyster. Driving an ATV was great fun, especially because it was muddy.

Next day morning, we went parasailing. We were cautioned that the waters were pretty rough that day and were given the option to cancel or re-schedule. But my wife and I decided that it would be a greater adventure. The warning proved to be true to its word and the waters were indeed choppy. The boat was bobbling in the water with the water splashing into the boat. We could see the color difference of the water.. greenish blue when shallow and dark blue when deep, boy, that was a sight to see. It was fun to parasail above the bay near Ala Moana blvd. The view was breathtaking, especially with airplanes flying just above the parasail.

In the afternoon, we hiked Diamond Head Crater near Waikiki. Was a short hike to the top. The top gave a great view of Waikiki, and the plateau behind.

Everyday, we used to go in the waters after each activity. I taught Anu how to float in the sea.

We also shopped a lot.. buying clothes to fit the look and feel of Hawaii. The icing on the cake was a voucher of $400 while coming back from Hawaiian Air, setting us up for a future trip.

Ice hockey at San Jose

We went for the company offsite to Logitech Ice. It was not only my first time ice hockeying, but also my first time skating. We wore the entire gear, and got a lesson. That was followed by a game between San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks. Unfortunately, we lost convincingly to the Canucks, but it was one game to watch.

Sep 29 - Oct 2 - Las Vegas and Grand Canyon West

As a part of the ongoing trip, I took my parents to Las Vegas and grand canyon west. Went to all big casinos; my parents were amazed to see the beauty of the interiors and wondered how man could make them. Wynn, Caesars Palace, Circus Circus (where we stayed), NY-NY, Venetian, Bellagio.. covered all of them.

The ranch on the pebbly road to Grand Canyon West has probably the best spring water you can drink. Great hospitality too...there was this typical western guitar playing man, who said that Baldev was his old time pal and he knew a lot about Indians. This is in the middle of nowhere (I'd be less surprised if he said he knew native Indians). We did not get a chance to gamble.. and in retrospect I dont regret it, coz I dont remember winning at gambling!!

LA, Hollywood, Santa Barbara

Took my parents to LA, Hollywood and Santa Barbara on Labor Day Weekend of 2005. Among the attractions covered were Universal Studios, Hollywood and Beverly Hills tour, LA downtown, Malibu Temple and Santa Barbara's sea lion cruise. Good times.

Rafting on South Fork American River.

We went to the South Fork American River on July 31. We camped the day before, since it was really dark and we could see a dense starry sky. Recommendation for the future to others (and myself) - south fork is doable in half a day (the first half hardly has rapids). Maybe we will do the middle fork this time.

Trip to LA and San Diego

Friends met up and made a trip to LA-SD. We went to San Diego zoo and beach. We also went to Universal Studios, City Walk, and Santa Monica beach. We ate at Monsoon in San Diego which has very spicy food.

Trip to Washington DC

We went for Kamla's wedding on the Memorial Day Weekend of 2005. Anu and I stayed in Days Inn. We went to Georgetown in the night and ate at an Ethiopian restaurant. Ate sumptuous food in Memsaab and attended the wedding in Murugan temple (day started at 4 a.m.). Not to mention drove the Sebring convertible for the first time.

Trip to Washington DC and Raleigh

Reached Raleigh on 23rd March for company business, met old friends as well as my thesis professor. Was back to NCSU after 18 months, good to be back.

Next I flew to Washington DC to meet Anu. First lets talk abt the good things abt the capital of USA. Really great monuments, the mere volume of it amazes me. We took a tour called DC ducks which shows u the main monuments followed by a 30 minute water run.

Many bad things about DC, haphazardly designed airports, streets are wild to a new comer... Indian food is outright bad compared to the bay area.

Trip to India - 07 Feb to 26 Feb

Got married.. nuff said.

Ski trip - Jan 20-21

Went to squaw on ski trip Jan 20-21.. had sprained my leg so could not do much.. except go upto high camp and enjoy the breathtaking views.

Muir Woods - Dec 31

Muir Woods is just north San Francisco. We took the 2 mile trail... nice place. Also stopped by Golden Gate. We spent the new year bowling, but that was preceded by great food at Suraj Indian Cuisine. The mango ice-cream was memorable.