Good Bye

The seconds ticking away on the clock herald the coming of another promising year ahead and as we mull over party plans, places to visit and resolutions to keep, there seems to be hope on the horizon. The TE has come up with an unbeatable master plan to make it a rocking New Year’s Eve this time around. So if you are planning to do something different then just read on…

THE BEST PARTY PLACES AND IDEAS

With great plans for the year ahead, everybody's sure busy thinking how to welcome 2008 with that magical mix of music, masti and friends. Don't rack your brains anymore because TE comes to the rescue with the best party spots and ideas to ring in 2008. Just go and have a blast.

KAMAKAZI

Welcome to one of the most happening party places this part of the globe! With DJ's, models, all-night parties and the works, this promises to be one of the favourite party hang-outs this year.

SILVER STREAK

Silver Streak, the city's fi rst lounge bar, at the Hotel Brahmaputra Ashoka is a glitzy 2,100 square foot lounge bar and a favourite hangout of the party hoppers. A must for all those party animals!

REGAL CLUB, ROYAL REGENCY

This is the happening place with Northeast's first karaoke lounge bar and a wholesome entertainment spot to visit with the entire family.

CLOUD 9, SHILLONG

For those who really like to party hard, Cloud 9 in Shillong's Centre Point is the perfect option, with plenty on the cards.

DJ from Pune
Fire juggler
All night party
Unlimited food & drinks
Party till morning with champagne

TANTRA, THE PARK HOTEL, KOLKATA

This is the place where beanbags rub shoulders with Rajasthani chic as Go-Go dancers add more colour to the mélange of green and orange. Tantra has a large dance fl oor and is perfect for some wild partying. The Onyx Bar here offers a good selection of wine and beer, but the place to check out is the Bodhi Bar. A sure winner for New Year partying if you happen to be in Kolkata around this time.

FLY OFF TO GOA

We know that this sounds like a drag, but then Goa never ceases to amaze us. This evergreen party spot remains the favourite all through out the country year after year. So pick up your rucksacks and sleeping bags (you can be almost sure it will be hard to fi nd a place to put up) and head off to this party paradise and it will fulfil all your cravings... we mean it when we say all of your cravings!

SO YOU ARE A GASTRONAUT?

If food is your style of celebration, then we've got a few places lined up for you which offer a variety of palate-pleasing options. Go ahead, check them out and order to your heart's content. We haven't prescribed any medicines for bingers and over-eaters though!

YELLOW CHILLI

Check out the Indian, Continental and Chinese dishes that will be part the evening buffet, straight from the Khana Khazana recipes of master chef, Sanjeev Kapoor.

CONFUCIUS, GUWAHATI

A must visit for the entire family to have a fun time with authentic Chinese cuisine on the menu.

 

JB'S RESTAURANT, MG ROAD

JB's on MG Road has a decent bakery and a chaat corner, besides a veggie restaurant.

KHORIKAA

Don't miss out on the Khorikaa New Year specials by the way. Barbecued fish and meat, exclusive smoked food and the chef's special recipes by Atul Lahkar will keep you drooling this year end!

TANDOORI RESTAURANT, HOTEL DYNASTY

In Hotel Dynasty, is the worthwhile Tandoori restaurant. It offers scrumptious Mughlai dishes as well as kebab and tandoori fare.

THE WATERY AFFAIR

With the world's fourth largest river flowing by, an evening river cruise on the Brahmaputra is a must on this itinerary. Luxury cruise vessels like ‘ JOLPOREE', ‘ AL FRESCO' offer a dramatic evening cruising experience with the vermilion sun melting into the azure waters. You can also join the music troupe there with your favourite number and enjoy your moment of instant fame.

 

THE SOLITARY REAPER

So you are alone this year... like you were last year. But don't fret. Enjoy the divine independence offered to you and celebrate yourself. You can follow the tips given above, but there are some additions we picked which are always better done alone. You can boast about them to your friends provided you click pictures as proof. But make sure it is not your last solitary outing... the stress is on ‘last' and ‘outing'.

LONG DRIVES

If you have been planning to go for that elusive ‘long drive' away from the mundane city streets, now is the time to do it. The route from Chungthang to Gurudongmar Lake in northern Sikkim has been described to be the best long drive in India , and with ample reason. So pack your bags, get your camera and fl oor the gas pedal

WHERE TO START

Chungthang. Located 95 kilometres from the capital Gangtok, at an elevation of 1,700 meters (5,600 ft), Chungthang is the place where Lachen and Lachung rivers join together and also where the starting point of River Teesta, has emerged as a major sub division in North Sikkim . Chungthang is the nodal junction for two passes; they are Lachung (for Yumthang Valley ) and Lachen (for Gurudongmar Lake ).

TREKKING IN NAGALAND

Nagaland is a must for trekkers looking for the newest and most unusual destination. Walkers can embark on villageto- village trails through tropical and sub-tropical evergreen forests with the ever-magnetic backdrop of fantastic blue skies and numerous mountain caps. If the time and conditions prevail, you can hike all you want, wherever you want. Trekking in the unspoilt forest Satoi Range is breathtaking while crossing the narrow wooden bridge. You can take rest in the ancient caves or in the shades of huge rocks. The extreme greenery surrounding the valley is a special treat to eyes. It is ideally suited for trekking and scaling from November to March.

RIVER RAFTING AT AP

The river cascades from the high mountains to the foothills in a series of rapids. The entire stretch from Gelling, at the McMohan line to Pasighat is suitable for rafting. The adventurous may organize a rafting expedition covering the entire course of the river in Arunachal Pradesh. The lesser die-hards may enjoy a shorter rafting trip from Rengging in which the rapids provide adequate thrill but less risk.

RUKMINI ISLAND

This river island near Dibrugarh is a nature lover's exclusive retreat with a beautiful view of the outer Himalayas .

Beautiful migratory birds descend on the shimmering water and endangered dolphins pop out to greet you here. Just leave your worries behind and enjoy country-boating, water-scootering, hack ride, kayaking, parasailing, ski boarding, water skiing and angling here.

CHANDUBI LAKE

Explore the mysterious beauty of Chandubi Lake and its banks strewn with old relics, on a boat cruise. You can even fish for your dinner. The dilapidated cliffs and forests make the beautiful natural lagoon a favourite picnicking spot of the city-chafed local. The place is 64 kms from Guwahati, on the way to Goalpara. The best season to visit is from November to April.

THE FAMILY MAN

If that's what your favourite movie is called, then we can't help it, can we? Anyway, what we can do is suggest some ideas that might make the new year celebrations with your family and friends more fun rather than sitting in front of the TV, watching some lousy loud-mouth. So here goes...

CAMP AT YOUR PLACE

In case you are bored with the idea of going to the wild party places in town for the New Year's, there's an old remedy. Just bring the party home! Invite your friends and family over and set up a backyard camp party to ring in the New Year. In such parties the action centres around a large tent set up in the yard. And even if it isn't a sleepover party, everyone is guaranteed to sleep over!

A simple tent pitched in the backyard (or even the family room) is all you need. Have ample food and drinks and of course, a roaring campfi re in the company of friends. Do remember to drag in someone who strums on that quintessential guitar just for the effect. Defi nitely a party that you would always fondly remember!

RI KYNJAI – SERENITY BY THE LAKE

A new resort near Shillong called Ri- Kynjai is a must visit, with your family or friends before the year runs out! It's guaranteed to charge you up for 2008.

WHERE

Located at a distance of 100 km from the Guwahati airport and 16 km from Shillong, which is known as the Scotland of the East, Ri-Kynjai must surely be one of the best locations to escape to in Asia. This resort, presiding over the picturesque Umiam Lake, is aptly named “Ri Kynjai - Serenity by the Lake”. The architecture is inspired and derived from the original Khasi thatched huts, and the world's rainiest area, lies on these slopes. Being aerodynamically friendly, these upturned boat roofs were best suited to withstand the squalls and storms of the region. The most exciting experience at the resort is a walk through the Alpine Groves along the waterfront.

ROCK THE NIGHT

Set up your house to be the Madison Square Gardens for the Christmas or New Year's Eve. Get a couple of microphones and some guitars with amps and rock on! Invite your friends and indulge in some good ol' rock n roll or if Sawaariya is your choice, so be it. Go slow on the alcohol and make sure you break one of the guitars when the clock strikes midnight.

BOX OFFICE

Get a screen and a digital projector. Connect it with you PC or laptop. Get the whole thing set up on your terrace and voila! You have a outdoor theatre right at your home. Gather up some latest flicks, a couple of classics or some bollywood hits and you are all set to entertain your family and friends. Add to that food and cocktail, and do we need to say anything more.

TIP :

If the party is going to be more inhabited by friends than family, then tell everybody to dump the booze they brought into one single container and whoever wants a drink, has to take swig from that. Now that should really make the party swing!!!

GREAT RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR (THAT YOU CAN'T KEEP) 

I won't make a new resolution. I will abide by all those I have been making for the last ten years. I'm sure I'll find them lying here and there in my house or maybe I can check my old fl at or my dustbin. (Or did I leave them at home last time I went there for vacations?)

I will be more planned and organized in what I do in future. I won't waste time yelling at my help that she doesn't keep things in place and end up crying because I couldn't find my lucky pair of earrings for my important presentation before my international clients.

I won't succumb to emotional eating. I'll only eat when I feel hungry and not because I want to keep munching as it relieves my desire to munch my next cubicle colleague's head who swears at me all day. Nor will I resort to eating just because I saw my ex-boyfriend with his new girlfriend. She must be just as stupid as him.

I won't make a late night. That'll keep me from fretting that the guy next to me at the pub was getting fresher by the evening or from having to watch my best friend puke on the dress that I gave her last birthday.

I won't drink beer anymore. My beer belly is already getting me looks from my next door gossipy neighbour!

I will not lose my temper easily. I won't swear again; doesn't suit my age nor my personality! Unless it is

a genuine reason like my assignment not getting ready on time… Excuse me, I CAN get angry on myself!

I will save money for future. I won't splurge it on nail breaking attempts to grab the latest design to be at par with my fashionable boss!

If I'm not able to follow any one of these I've written above, I'll make a new resolution chart next year. This

can always be done, because I grew up reading ‘Try Try Try again' by rote and ‘B+' is my blood group.

So there you go, we have given you enough tips to last 365 days. Go out and have fun. Enjoy the new year. Go all out, but do so responsibly. After all we do not want our readers and fans to have a nasty after-taste. Have a great season's end and keep reading TE for more fun and information. Cheers!

Related Articles