Toll charge - Bangalore to Kanniyakumari/Nagercoil

Recently had to go to my hometown Valliyur from Bangalore. I took the NH7 that runs through Hosur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Dindigul, Thirumangalam, Virudhunagar, Sattur, Kovilpatti and Tirunelveli. 

This route has tolls. The toll charge I paid till I reached Valliyur is Rs 635 for my car. One has to pay the same toll charge for going Nagercoil or Kanniyakumari from Bangalore. Because there is no other tolls after Valliyur.

The total toll charges paid till I reached Salem is Rs. 230.

The total toll charges paid till I reached Thirumangalam is Rs. 451.

The total toll charges paid till I reached Valliyur is Rs. 636

Benjarong - A Thai Treat

Last friday went for a team outing to Benjarong (Thai Cuisine), Ulsoor, Bangalore. We were of 10 members - 5 non-vegetarians and 5 vegetarians. Since I was one among the vegetarians on that day, I am writing only about the veg part of our lunch.

First we are served with the complimentary appetizer Miang Kham. Making a bite from lettuce leaves, toasted shredded coconut, ginger, onion, roasted peanuts, red bird's eye chili, lime and sauce. I was tasting this for the first time and I found it very tasty.

We had soups - Tom som and Gaeng som phak. Among the two, my pick was Tom som which had tofu and mushroom. Gaeng som phak was little spicy. Then we had the appetizers - Phak bung tod gratiem prik tai, Med tohu tod namprik pow and Satay je. Phak bung tod gratiem prik tai was my favourite.

We had Bamee pahd namprik pow (noodles), Khao hom mali prik (thai fragrant rice) and Kaeng bamaa (curry) for the main course. All the three were very tasty.

We finished with thai desserts. We tried Sankhaya fakthong, Aitim tod, Tub tim grob, Lemon grass ice cream, Sakoo cantaloupe, Rambutans in syrup and Banana pancake with coconut ice cream. I liked Aitim tod and Banana pancake with coconut ice cream.

Food was very tasty, the ambience was good and the service was also good. But the food was very expensive. As we paid around Rs. 14500 for 10 persons.

One mention about the food menu for that day. In addition to the main menu, they provided us with a special menu for dishes. They said that the special menu was for some food festival happening there. 

Aarambam - Good Beginning

Today went to Aarambam movie. As I said in the title the movie had a good beginning. The film goes at a good pace till the interval.
The second half is ok. Not bad and not so good. But totally missing the logics. Though Ajith looks good all through the movie, it is little embarrassing seeing him in a song along with Rana.
Overall it's a good package.

Hotel Nellai Saravana Bhava, Tirunelveli

Yesterday had dinner at Nellai Saravana Bhava. I went there with one of my close friends.
The hotel is located in a very prominent location in Tirunelveli town.
Ordered for parotta kurma, pani pori, appam and dosa. Parotta is served half cooked. Got replaced after complaining. Overall the food was below average. But prices are high compared to the quality of food they serve.
A big disappointment for me who went inside having HSB (Hotel Saravana Bhavan) in mind.

Hotel Burma Kadai, Virudhunagar

We were on the way to my hometown from Bangalore. It was around 2:00 PM and we had crossed Madurai. When I was searching for some highway restaurant, my wife suggested me to get into Virudhunagar for the hotel Burma. She said that this hotel is good and famous in Virudhunagar. She had got to know about this hotel when she was doing her graduate there in Virudhunagar.
When I took the service lane for getting into Virudhunagar, we saw the hotel Burma Kadai right on the service lane of the Virudhunagar Bypass. And it is located exactly opposite to the 'VVV College for Women'.
Also I got confirmed with the security over there for it is the branch of the same Burma hotel which is inside Virudhunagar. We were happy for the time saved by not entering into the town.
My wife told that this hotel is famous for briyani. But by the time (2:20 PM) we ordered for it, it was over and we opted for other choices.
The ambience was very good. The service was excellent. The food we ordered tasted good. The price was also reasonable. Will visit again if I get a chance.

Hotel Sree Apoorva, Salem

Recently happened to take breakfast at hotel Sree Apoorva, Salem. This hotel is on the Salem bypass road. The hotel ambience is very ordinary. And service could have been better. The food was ok. But not worth for the price we paid.

Happy Diwali

Oil bath, new dresses, but without crackers.

Diwali Gift

The first gift for this diwali. Received camera ES99 from Samsung. :)