Didn't get a chance to tell you all about how my VBM weekend went. While many of you were busy and excited about the upcoming VBM, I had to give it a pass as me, V and two of our frens had planned to go to Minneapolis, MN. V's cousin had recently come from India with her family and he wanted to meet her, while the rest of us tagged along. Another friend also came along till Milwaukee, Wisconsin which is halfway.
We rented a Chevy Trailblazer which is a pretty neat SUV and perfect for four people. The back seats could be folded to make a flat space to lie down. We had started from Columbus a bit late at 10:00pm. After dropping our friend off at her hubby's place at Milwaukee, we folded the back seats and the two friends slept cosily at the back while V drove and I navigated and gave him company. The entire journey is about 11 hrs drive and it took us above 12 hrs in all including all the stops we made. As the 'other' navigator was feeling too sleepy, I ended up giving company to both the drivers most of the journey. so, I got to sleep only during the last 2 hrs of the journey which made me kinda tired the next day.
It was raining when we reached Minneapolis the next morning. We were welcomed with garma garam Chicken Biryani. Almost the entire day we were at home, resting and watching Zee TV which was quite boring as all they showed were serials. We weren't much interested in roaming around since we had already visited the city in 2003. In the evening we went to first the St Paul's downtown. St Pauls and Minneapolis are known as the twin cities. They are both close to each other and is the capital of Minnesota state. While St Pauls is an old downtown with old and beautiful buildings, Minneapolis is a new one with high-rises and the downtown lined with discs and pubs. After seeing the Cathedral and the Capitol building and clicking pictures at St Pauls, we moved on to Minneapolis downtown. We had dinner at Bombay Bistro which is supposed to be the best Indian restaurant there. The food was quite good but not as good as I had expected.
Since we had a child with us, we returned back home right after dinner. The 4 of us had planned to go to a club later, but we felt sleep to be a better choice. After reaching home, we saw a bit of Dhoom and slept off. The next day, after a scrumptious breakfast of poha and wat nots, we bid goodbyes to V's cousin and family. We then went to another frens home for a short visit. From there we went to the Mall of America.
The Mall of America is the biggest mall in US. They say it takes minimum 7 days to see the entire mall. Apart from the numerous shops of literally all the brands, the mall also holds a worlds largest underground aquarium and also an entire amusement park. The last time I was there, I had a chance to see just a small portion of the 1st floor. This time we wanted to see the aquarium, so by the time we came out of the aquarium, it was late, so once again couldn't see much of the mall.
The aquarium is beautiful. The underground tunnel, I felt, was much much better than the one they had in Sea World, Orlando. The sharks with their deadly teeth swimming right above your head gives you the chills right through the bone. One of the most beautiful sight was a tank filled with luminous jelly fishes. Wow...they looked so lovely with their bluish glow. Right besides that they had a small tank similar to the Finding Nemo tank including the fishes! We saw Nemo, Dory, Gill etc. They looked so cute! Apart from these, they had many other sea creatures and we got to see the most ugliest looking star-fish and oddest-looking species of turtles.
We had to pull ourselves away from the mall. It was already 4:30pm by the time we left Minneapolis. Me and V slept at the back and I fell asleep almost immediately. The entire journey, we took turns and this time around, we made it to Columbus in record 10 hrs.
Once again a nice successful trip in our books. I love road trips...and it has been only a week and I already feel like going somewhere else again. Why cant we have 4 day weekends every week?
We rented a Chevy Trailblazer which is a pretty neat SUV and perfect for four people. The back seats could be folded to make a flat space to lie down. We had started from Columbus a bit late at 10:00pm. After dropping our friend off at her hubby's place at Milwaukee, we folded the back seats and the two friends slept cosily at the back while V drove and I navigated and gave him company. The entire journey is about 11 hrs drive and it took us above 12 hrs in all including all the stops we made. As the 'other' navigator was feeling too sleepy, I ended up giving company to both the drivers most of the journey. so, I got to sleep only during the last 2 hrs of the journey which made me kinda tired the next day.
It was raining when we reached Minneapolis the next morning. We were welcomed with garma garam Chicken Biryani. Almost the entire day we were at home, resting and watching Zee TV which was quite boring as all they showed were serials. We weren't much interested in roaming around since we had already visited the city in 2003. In the evening we went to first the St Paul's downtown. St Pauls and Minneapolis are known as the twin cities. They are both close to each other and is the capital of Minnesota state. While St Pauls is an old downtown with old and beautiful buildings, Minneapolis is a new one with high-rises and the downtown lined with discs and pubs. After seeing the Cathedral and the Capitol building and clicking pictures at St Pauls, we moved on to Minneapolis downtown. We had dinner at Bombay Bistro which is supposed to be the best Indian restaurant there. The food was quite good but not as good as I had expected.
Since we had a child with us, we returned back home right after dinner. The 4 of us had planned to go to a club later, but we felt sleep to be a better choice. After reaching home, we saw a bit of Dhoom and slept off. The next day, after a scrumptious breakfast of poha and wat nots, we bid goodbyes to V's cousin and family. We then went to another frens home for a short visit. From there we went to the Mall of America.
The Mall of America is the biggest mall in US. They say it takes minimum 7 days to see the entire mall. Apart from the numerous shops of literally all the brands, the mall also holds a worlds largest underground aquarium and also an entire amusement park. The last time I was there, I had a chance to see just a small portion of the 1st floor. This time we wanted to see the aquarium, so by the time we came out of the aquarium, it was late, so once again couldn't see much of the mall.
The aquarium is beautiful. The underground tunnel, I felt, was much much better than the one they had in Sea World, Orlando. The sharks with their deadly teeth swimming right above your head gives you the chills right through the bone. One of the most beautiful sight was a tank filled with luminous jelly fishes. Wow...they looked so lovely with their bluish glow. Right besides that they had a small tank similar to the Finding Nemo tank including the fishes! We saw Nemo, Dory, Gill etc. They looked so cute! Apart from these, they had many other sea creatures and we got to see the most ugliest looking star-fish and oddest-looking species of turtles.
We had to pull ourselves away from the mall. It was already 4:30pm by the time we left Minneapolis. Me and V slept at the back and I fell asleep almost immediately. The entire journey, we took turns and this time around, we made it to Columbus in record 10 hrs.
Once again a nice successful trip in our books. I love road trips...and it has been only a week and I already feel like going somewhere else again. Why cant we have 4 day weekends every week?
9 comments:
Sounds lovely :). My travel nerve is itching now.
You had more fun then we did at VBM (Just kidding...he he). Wisconsin always remind me of the "70's show"..he he
Chevy Trailblazer...OMG yesterday only we were discussing how Americans ride on SUVs and pollute our enviornment with Princess and all...he he
You make really cool road-trips. Bechari ladki ko kisse ne sone nahin deeya.
Chicken Biryani...yumm yumm yummy, munh main paani aa gaya. Zee TV...he he, so you saw all Saas-Bahu serials.
Canada has the biggest mall in North America, West Edmonton Mall. I have been there and they have 10,000 shops, 1 amusement park, 1 water kingdom, 1 zoo, even a Chinatown, 1 Roller coaster and number of Hotels...:|
Aquarium sounds so kewl, especially since I saw Nemo now. By the way, I told you about "Work less Party" already in Canada, I will call you once they come in power, which will be like NEVER...he he
ur like me. i also love road trips- anytime anywhere, but without kids :) and all the description of the food-- yummm..and isnt a long weekend coming up for u again- memorial day?-RS
Hey Kaush...u take the cake :P
Orlando is lovely..best place to holiday...and Sea World is awesome. Had been there during x'mas and they had this special show of Shamu the whale...ended up watchin both the special and normal show..it was great!
:) thanks for liking my posts on my trips..i hope to go for more trips for ur reading pleasure :P
Ricky :) Not sure if I had more fun..VBM would have been great too! Haha and u reminded me of Ashton Kutcher :-) I would love to visit Canada too...its on my 'to visit' list...hopefully will get to go sometime soon! As for the 'work less party', they have my vote!
Hey RS..haha..the 'judwa' factor at work again? :P
Yeah, long weekend coming up...and am looking forward to a frens marriage in DC :) Havent met her since 3yrs+ now.
A project very close to my heart, today I have launched a new blog on Lata Mangeshkar, her songs, and her life. Hope you shall give its due patronage. Please click on the link to go to it. Sorry for intruding with this advt. With regards, Deepak
What is VBM ?
boomerang :->
Hi Colors, Me here finally; read it whole, and once again, envying you. The entire trip sounds hectic, but most interesting. Since I spent the VBM time at the airport waiting for the delayed Jet flight, sure u were much better off.
Hot chicken biryani ... wow! What a perfect way to welcome; saari neend udd jaaye.
Mall of America, hv heard of it, but didnt know it was this big. Seven days, phew! That is something indeed.
Since I am writing this today, May 19, IST 8 AM, so here we go:
MANY MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY
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