New York 2026!!

A trip to the U.S East Coast after nearly a decade was happening unexpectedly! 

A family wedding – This would be another reunion this year in a span of less than six months in the States.

The city seemed less buzzing than it was a decade ago, articles of the city where things had moved  online was also true, the options in retail, the variety in designs and options were definitely more online than offline! 

The streets seemed less busy throughout the day, but the traffic was crazy in the evening! 

The subway’s were comfortable and the fastest way of travel! And easy to commute. This has been the first time, since our couple of visits to the city and state of New York, where we used the Subway frequently. 

Also, the first time we extensively walked through the city streets, in a Way our first time living the New Yorkers way! 

The city’s parks the Central Park seemed more crowded this time. Washington Park & Union Square were more enjoyable, as they were less crowded comparatively. 

The West Village neighbourhood was a beautiful surprise with cute little Resturant/Cafes all along, reminded me of Kala ghoda/Fort in Mumbai! 

Willamsburg, Brooklyn NY – A neighbourhood that seemed familiar with the series unorthodox popular on the streaming platform, had it’s on vibe. You only need to know the right lanes to visit! And in some ways reminds you of Bandra, Mumbai! 

Soho & Noho ( South & North of Houston Street) reminded a lot about the European streets with independent & established stores around with interesting coffee and food places. 

New York was done right, this time! Other times it has only been times Square, Browadway street or the 5th Avenue or the Madison Avenue. 

The food too, had some amazing tacos, Burgers, Cookies and Ice creams in the City. 

Oh! And last but not least, the visit to the Spotify office was an experience, with a workspace overlooking the city that has a cool & Fun atmosphere. 

Golfing!

The only time I got  closest to golf was I taking a golf cart from point A to point B. 

Playing the game was never on my mind. 

Yes! The only popular player from the Game I had heard about was Tiger Woods for the game and his controversies, while flipping the channels on the remote. 

So, during our visit to Goa, for a friends engagement. We had the opportunity to learn about the game from scratch and also play a few strokes. 

The first time we were handed over the clubs, the stance and the hold and swing were like cricket for me, but the instructor taught us it’s nothing like cricket, the holding of the clubs need to be done in a particular way, just like gripping the bat, but here the force and the strength needed is not that much compared to cricket. 

Here the challenge is to get the golf ball in the holes in minimum chances, which could be 3-5 strokes, strokes known as Par in the game of Golf.  

The whole experience during the hour of the game was fun, and here in Golf you learn you don’t need to be physically strong, but mentally have the patience to play the ball. 

Hawa-Hawaii 2026!

Hawaii, has been on the places to travel list for a while now.
It would only be a destination that you would visit for any reason you would get!
And what better than a wedding on the island?
A long journey to get to the island,
another few hours’ time difference from California and a total of 15 Hrs 30 min from India.
We just kept resetting our watches & Food Cycle and just when our sleep cycles were set in Hawaii, it was time to travel back.

The travel from India ( Mumbai to San Francisco) via Dubai, yes. We flew Emirates and the first surprise we received at the check-in counter, was an upgrade to Business class for the Mumbai- Dubai sector and what a journey.
The flat bed and the service were what made Emirates fly better and fly differently.
The Dubai airport was silent and quiet with no crowds at the airport, it took us less than 15 minutes to clear immigration, Security and reach the gates.
The United States after a decade felt so different yet nothing seemed to have changed.
The dollar exchange rate changed a lot, things definitely felt more expensive, fewer staff around at retail stores and in the hospitality sector,
The Waymo driverless experience was a highlight of the California stay.
Before we knew it, it was time to head to Aloha.
The week we were to go there. It was stormy and floods were forecast.
A couple of days, and there were no
Signs of Rain, only sunshine and sunset around until it poured one night and changed a few more plans.
Hawaii – The first reaction is like Thailand, Phuket, a little like the Maldives and a lot like Goa India. But cleaner, Bluer and less crowded with very good seafood & meat.
And while we walked and explored the place.
Aloha as a state is almost twice as expensive as New York & San Francisco.
A little history!
In 1810 Kamehameha became Hawaii’s first king. The islands continued to have royal rulers into the 1880s.
No wonder the Suite at Royal Hawaiian was named the Kamehameha, a spacious room
And a huge balcony to enjoy the sunrises and sunset and occasionally the local cultural show from the balcony itself.
The hospitality & the service in the States is something that they need to learn from India.

Did You Know?
Hawaii is an island that has 132 islands but only 7 have been inhabited
Hawaii the Names comes from the Hawai’i Loa, a legendary figure who is said to have first discovered the islands.

Many beaches are filled with white sand, but other Hawaiian shores are covered with green, red, pink, and even black sand.

Hawaii is the only U.S. state with two official languages: English and Hawaiian.

Barack Obama the 44th president of the United States was born in Honolulu Hawaii

Sugarcane, pineapples, coffee, macadamia nuts, and flowers are all important sources of income for the Aloha’s economy.

Hawaii’s nickname, the Aloha State, is no mystery: Aloha is a Hawaiian way to say hello and goodbye.

No Texting While Crossing Street
Looking at your cell phone while crossing a crosswalk is prohibited. If you commit a breach, you will be fined $ 15-99. In addition, crossing at other than the pedestrian crossing is prohibited and punishable by a fine of $ 130 for violations.

The Waymo Experience!

Beginning of the trip! I was looking forward to the ride, but wasn’t sure if San Jose or Palo

Alto had the Waymo service or not. 

Within seconds, I checked and we could ride in the Waymo! 

Once the car arrived! The questions were how do I signal the driver, it’s me, Akhil! This is me! Who has requested the ride?

After a few seconds, the car parked itself! 

How do I open the door? 

The message popped up! Unlock the vehicle. 

The doors opened and we approached to be seated. 

We did not close our doors, until we were seated, what if the car leaves one of us behind? Once seated, another message popped up! Unlock to Start your Ride. 

And then the car sped through the lanes, slowing down when vehicles crossed the other lanes, and turns came by. 

Once we arrived at our destination, the car stopped, Another message popped up unlock

To open the doors. And this was our Waymo experience. 

The driverless experience was a thrill. 

Is this the future we are looking at around the world ( US, UK, EU, Australia) 

Could it work in countries like Africa, India and other asian countries like Thailand and Hong Kong? 

What happens to drivers who ride on the other apps? Should they be worried about losing their jobs with this one Skill that has AI taken over?

The Egypt Trip!

The visit to Egypt this year has an interesting story. Initially, I was supposed to have worked on the wedding taking place in January this year! But, a few weeks later after I blocked the dates on the project, I received a saved date along with my sister to attend the wedding. 

And so, we would rather attend the wedding. 

A couple of weeks ago, before we could travel to Egypt. We received another invite for a family wedding in Africa, Kenya.

Both of these countries were new to us and both of the weddings we wanted to experience. 

So, we travelled to Kenya first and then just before the reception function, flew to Egypt for the English wedding. 

Egypt as a country needs you to be attentive and wary of scams! The history of the country is too much to absorb right from the numerous pyramids and temples around the country to learning about The Mummy and the process of mummification. 

The detailing and sculpting in the temples were worth travelling to Egypt for. 

The weather was beautiful and pleasant. 

The cruise Amwaj from Luxor to Aswan was another cruise experience with meals and views from the cabins making our 2nd cruise experience another beautiful one. 

The 4-night 5 Day cruise was travelling across cities and temples, and staying overnight in cities to enjoy coffee and local experiences. 

Egypt was affordable too, being a hub and manufacturer for Giza and Egyptian cotton. The Coats and Clothes were well priced. 

The Egypt trip was smooth and well planned with inputs from a local travel agent Egypt Pro, recommended by a friend who has already been to Egypt a couple of times. 

Egypt should be visited at least once.

The only ancient wonder still standing strong and still the highlight for an Egyptian visit to the Pyramids.

The Grand Egyptian Museum( GEM) was so well-made and executed with all

Miniatures and actual replicas of ornaments& Statues. 

The technology too was utilised well

With the projection of the complete history of the different periods of Egyptian rule & development.  

Stay: 

Steignberger Tahir 

Le Meridien Airport 

Cafes: Cairo 

  • Brown Nose*
  • Groppi Garden- Chocolate*
  • Eish & Malh**
  • Walum * 
  • Granita*
  • Almeria cafe*
  • Cafe Riche*- oldest Cafe
  • Naguib Mahfouz cafe*
  • 30 North:*
  • Zooba: recently made its debut on the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
  • Social Speciality Cafe:( Zamalek) 
  • Vasko:
  • Sufi Cafe & Bookstore *
  • Lokali
  • Koffee Culture :
  • Mandarine koueider sweets 

Sightseeing in Cairo: 

  1. Islamic Cairo Museum 
  2. Gayer-Anderson Museum
  3. Pyramid of Giza
  4. The sphinx
  5. Cairo Tower 
  6. Manial Palace Museum
  7. Abdeen Palace
  8. The Coptic/ Mogamaa Al-Adyan Museum 
  9. The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities

Luxor: 

  • Stay: Steinberger Nile 

Eat: Luxor

  • El Tarboush – Steinberger Nile Palace hotel
  • Sofra Restaurant & Cafe

Coffee: Luxor 

  • 911 Cafe
  • Rmallah Cafe 

Sightseeing in Luxor:

  • Hatsenshut temple 
  • Valley of the Kings 
  • Karnak Temple 
  • Luxor Temple

Sightseeing in Edfu: 

  • The Temple of Horus in Edfu
  • Komombo Temple 

Sightseeing in Aswan: 

  • Abu Simbel Temple 
  • Phele Temple 

Cafe: Aswan

  • Rustika
  • Makhani 

Travel: Egyptair direct flights from BOM-Cairo and return.