PROCESS OF THE SALE OF "RUDOLPH COTTAGE" :-Thursday(24-9-2009): Mr G.Muni Reddy arrived along with the house broker Mrs Dora.D'sa at my residence at approx 1000 hrs and we discussed the documentation matter. Mr Reddy had consulted his lawyer and insisted on some ridiculous documentation for proof that i didn't have any "HIDDEN OR ILLEGITIMATE" heirs to my assets.I agreed to meet the lawyer and an appointment was set in the evening.Mrs D.D'sa and myself caught a rickshaw and made our way to the lawyers office which was close to our residence.The Lawyer, Mr M.Byregowda scrutinized all my original documents, cross-questioning me and finally came to the "Million dollar question", proof that some other sibling of mine is not in contention for my parent's assets.I explained him the ridiculous "Probate procedure" that i had to undergo in Mumbai , besides paying a enormous amount of "Revenue tax" since my mother had not made a will and many of my shares were in her name as i was sailing during those years and couldn't be in Mumbai for share certificate documentation before the arrival of "Internet" and "DEMAT ACCOUNTS" made share trading child's play with a little money.. To have an illegitinmate brother or sister would only indicate that either my dad had some hidden affairs, not uncommon or that i was an "Illegitimate child" having a different father ! By looks, i definitely don't resemble my father and so do lakhs of other kids ,since, genetical inheritance can be from any of the family descendants, right from great great grandparents! I wonder what made this lawyer ask me such stupid questions,the first time in my life that i have been asked this, luckily, he missed asking me to undergo a "DNA TEST" for "AUTHENTIC PROOF"! Anyhow this stupid matter was resolved and we came to some agreement finally deciding to make a agreement on Friday(25-9-2009) in which Rs 20,00,000 would be credited to my account in "Vijaya Bank". The final and ultimate payment would be on the tenants vacating the house , which would be latest by the 1st week of November 2009.
Friday(25-9-2009):- As usual after my early morning walk from my house, admiring the beautiful and cool climate of bangalore while walking through "Ring Road" periphery.Had a cup of tea at the local restaurant "Sagar Samrat" reminding me of my days in the "Off-Shore Industry" ,and strangely this restaurant is the oldest surviving restaurant in this locality where restaurants have either changed ownership or closed like musical chairs.Finally sat down on my tenant Baiju.Joseph's computer through which i have posted these "Sale process blogs" and my usual hobby of "Blogging", both, nonsense and sense.Honestly, i did pick up a bit of "internet usage" from Baiju.Joseph and and my camera video operations from Jatheesh.Nambiar, besides ,wathching them on computers was greek to me, as i am basically a "Blogger(Writer)" just using the "Internet" as a typewriter.Later had a shower, dressed up and proceeded to M.G road, as usual by bus, the only instance where i use a bus since purchasing my motorbike.Luckily, i got a express bus and the crowd was less with me managing seating accomodation.The bus ticket to "Shivaji Nagar" was 12 rupees and approximately 1/2 hr from Banaswadi.The distance from Banaswadi to MG Road is similar or less than Prabhadevi to Fountain in Mumbai, indicating the convenience and importance of Banaswadi to the main epicentre of commercial Bangalore.Caught a rickshaw from Shivaji Nagar and alighted at Mayo Hall building visiting "Vijaya Bank,Mayo hall branch".I thought that the Bank opened at 1000hrs as in Mumbai but was early since they open at 1030hrs.Inquired with the bank manager regarding the transaction faclilities of remittances and was surprised at the advancement in "Banking Technology".Applied for a "Multi-city cheque" facility and received the same within 1/2 hr, later strolling down Bangalore's famous down-town locality.The "Economic Apocalypse 2008-09" is very evident in Bangalore as the pubs offering 50% discount were empty and i felt embarrassed to be the only person drinking "draught beer" at 1100hrs, a real surprise, since normally these pubs are crowded with collegians enjoying cheap drinks and "pool", typical of the present generation. Took some photographs and a video for posterity as i doubt i would be a regular visitor to Bangalore after the sale of my residence, as there are numerous other city's in India that i have yet to visit on the "Solo Backpackers agenda".Had a snack at "Kentuicky Fried chicken" at Brigade road and later walked down to Shivaji Nagar. Caught the 300E bus to Banaswadi and again lucky to get a seat, as Bangalore's public transport is a nightmare compared to Mumbai.Usually, the rich and the middle-class have private transport and its only the poor and students that form the majority of bus passengers in Bangalore.The very big plus point about Bangalore is its excellent climatic conditions compared to humid Mumbai, even in the present condition of reckless housing commercialisation.Thanks to "Rudolph Cottage", i could tour entire South India besides making Bangalore my second home.
"I told you that horse would win syndrome":- Having spent donkeys years at the "Horse-racetracks' its common to have fellow punters and tipsters to say after a race that they had predicted that "Horse A" would win, with they themselves not wagering a "tenner"!After negotiating the house sale deed of "Rudolph Cottage" i have got numerous offers of inquiry from prospective buyers, a case of "Late news being stale news".
House broker Mrs D.D'sa finally arrived with the "Agreement of sale" document at about 2100 hrs as there was some delay in drafting the agreement. I did the "Proof reading" and noted the mistakes to Mrs D'sa, also adding a clause .Finally the "Sale of Rudolph cottage" was accomplished and i really felt sad, but then, in life, "Changes in life are normal and unavoidable, except once dead".
Saturday(26-9-2009):- House broker Mrs Dora.D'Sa told me in the morning that we would have to go to advocate M.Byregowda's office near Indira Nagar to sign the "sale of deed" agreement document. We left our residence at 0945 hrs, walking our way to buyer Mr G.Munni Reddy's residence, about 15 mins walk from Banaswadi.We then went to the lawyers office in Mr G.Munni Reddy's car with his son driving, reaching the office at approx 1045 hrs. the entire "Comedy of certificate examinations" began all over again with lawyer M.Byregowda's law partner questioning and examining my "House Documents". Later , convinced that "I RUDOLPH.A.FURTADO AM THE HEIR AND OWNER TO "RUDOLPH COTTAGE" they finally made the "AGREEMENT OF SALE" deed.The final "Agreement of sale deed" was signed on computerized stamp paper, a new innovation to me.Later at approx 1230 hrs we departed from the "Law Firm" and got a lift by Mr G.Munni.Reddy to Vijaya Bank's H.B Branch.
Visited Cousin Sheela.D'Souza's residence on the other side of "Ring Road", an extension of "Vijaya Bank colony" approx 5 minutes walk from my residence and and had dinner over normal conversations with Sheela and her kids Sharon and Brandon.
Sunday(27-9-2009):- Visited Jayshree.D'Brass's residence just a few minutes walk from "Rudolph Cottage" also meeting mum's aged eldest sister, my aunt Urban.Ferts ,my cousin Maysee and Jayshree's daughter Jerusha .Family discussions and gossips were discussed over lunch and i finally departed to my residence.
Biju.Karian dropped at my residence in the evening and it was a few drinks at the swank garden open air restaurant "Bhagini" on "Outer Ring road". We later went to the swankiest eating place in Kamanahalli locality called "Casa Piccola" situated in "HRBR Layout" for a sumptuous dinner. Thanks to Biju, i got to know the "Eateries" and "Watering Holes" of Bangalore much better although some of the more "Bachelor establishment's" discovered by me remain a " SOLO BACHELOR TRADE SECRET" , one of the most infamous being "Brigade Gardens" before the ban on "Mujra Dance music". Monday(28-9-2009);- Visited Biju's residence in the morning and later came over to my place in his vehicle and took most of mum's old clothes to Mother Teresa's "Nirmala Shishu Bhavan" near Lingaraja Road for donation to the destitute.In Mumbai i normally donate to "Asha Dhaan" at Sankli Street near Byculla.Presented Biju with a " Brass moulded Crab Ashtray(Star sign for Cancer)" purchased in Maputo(1988),advising him to quit smoking and later keeping the crab astray as a memento.The massive "Turtle shell' that i had exhumed in Vadinar creek(Gujarat) in 2000 was given to him as he does collect articrafts and memento's akin to my own residence in Mumbai.This "Olive Ridley Turtle shell" would have been wasted as the "B.N.H.S" in Mumbai refused to take it as a collection in their archives, permitting me to keep the same. I had actually carted it all the way by plane from Vadinar to Mumbai to donate it to the "Bombay Natural History Society(B.N.H.S)" of which i am a life member.Later i again carted this "Turtle shell" from Mumbai to Bangalore by plane, hence this turtle which could be 100 years old when alive, navigated the seas and when dead its shell has travelled by air.I had discovered this entire turtle lying dead in the boggy marsh of Vadinar while on my regular evening "Bird-watching" walks after duty hours on the supply vessel, later taking its rotten shell to the tug and conducting my own 'Post Mortem". It was a tedious process "Curing " the stinking shell and i honestly dedicated a lot of my spare leisure time as a "taxidermist" on the "Turtle shell".
In the evening boarded a rickshaw to Bangalore Cantonment railway, boarding the "Udyan Express" with a few physical memories of "Rudolph Cottage" in my luggage. Friday(29-10-2009) My Last visit to "Rudolph Cottage" :- Left Mumbai for Bangalore by the "Udyan Express" (Coach S11 seat 23), the reason i remember this seat so vividly is because this could be my last normal journey to "Rudolph Cottage), my second home in Bangalore.Alighted as usual from the slow running train at "Channasandra Station" near Banaswadi on Saturday(31-10-2009) at approx 0745 hrs and trekked my way up the "Kutchaa terrain" to "Main Ring Road". As usual "Vodafone" didn't put me on roaming and hence had to inform them from Bangalore , a real pain in the ----.Had a lassi at "Thirumala refreshment shop" and its proprietor dialed "Vodafone" and instructed them to activate the "Roaming Connection". In the 21st century where even a common labouror requires a "Cellphone" i wonder the reasons for the "Vodafone Staff" failing to heed my requests in spite of personally visiting their new office in "Mamata Bldg(Mumbai)".Entered "Rudolph Cottage" and if "Weak Hearted" and not involved in the profession of "Stock Investment and Horse-racing Speculation" then would have been a candidate for a "Heart attack". "Byju .Joseph & I.T Professionals" had left my residence worse than a "Tabela", unfit for even the joy-ride pony's of Mumbai, utter disregard to cleanliness and professional ethics. Somehow sorted out my basic needs and arranged my residence also connecting the "FM Music Set" which the "Hi-Fi P.G's" had dumped along with clothes fit to fill a shop. Played my life-saving F.M.Music, Bangalore's most famous channel being "Radio-Indigo" and began to make sense out of the mess created by human chaos. Contacted Biju.J.Karian and Leonard Aarons for a get-together at my residence as i thought that the "House Sale deed" settlement would be done at the earliest and hence would have to vacate once "Rudolph Cottage" was sold to Mr G.Munni.Reddy. Later Real Estate agent Mrs Dora.D'sa came over to my residence and informed me about details regarding further developments on the sale of "Rudolph Cottage". A cycle "Raddiwala" happened to pass near our residence and i called him and cleared a part of the monumental clothing mess. Later went to "Akana", a "Dubai Ishtyle" restaurant near Banaswadi and had a "Mutton Biryani", as good as "Lucky's" at Bandra. Came home and relaxed with music. Later Mr G.Munni Reddy and his son Mr Venugopal Reddy came over to my residence and we discussed about the final sale and also various grievances from both sides. Mr Reddy said that he would cut the "Evergreen Mangrove tree" tomorrow morning and that the final sale deed would be done by end of the first week of November, a real time delay for a person like me, living all alone. Biju and Leonard came over to my residence at approx 1600 hrs and as usual it was "REMINISCENCE C.C.S Days" and "Shipping" along with Vodka. Later we drove to Kammanahalli and ordered some chicken kababs and came home, continuing our "Booze Session" amidst the house mess. After the departure of Biju & Leonard i later went to sleep, using the "Mosquito net" as a bedsheet but just couldn't sleep the entire night awaiting dawn with the company of "Indigo FM Radio(91.9FM)". Sunday(1/11/2009);- Got up and had a bathe later dressed and made my way to "Vincent Pallotti Church" for the 0800 hrs mass. Had my breakfast of "Idli/Wada" at a restaurant near the church before attending the mass. After the 0800 mass purchased some "Madras pappads and pickle" and later a newspaper and walked the 15 mins journey to "Rudolph Cottage". At "Rudolph Cottage" got hold of some labourors and got my entire house cleaned and re-arranged. Mr.G.Munni Reddy got his labourors and cut the beautiful evergreen tree but left the guava tree and as always happens, progress or change of ownership always has its consequences. I really felt sad at the demise of this beautiful evergreen tree, offering shade to the entire cottage and a landmark of that narrow road. But then, i am also a firm believer in the saying, "ITS BETTER TO HAVE LOVED AND LOST THAN NEVER TO HAVE LOVED AT ALL". Later had lunch at the new "Gokul Restaurant" situated on the opposite side of "Ring Road". Came home and had a siesta to the beautiful music of "Fm Radio Indigo".Later in the evening visited Jayshree.D'Brass's residence also meeting Aunt Ubba and normal family conversation .Later at 1900 hrs went to "Akana" for their "Chicken Roll" and after a "curd/ice-cream" drink at Thirumalla restaurant headed to the cybercafé near Banaswadi bus-stop from where i have typed this blog. Monday(2/11/2009):-Didn't sleep the entire night and woke up with "FM Indigo(91.9)" at 0500 hrs and had a bathe as usual.Dressed up and proceeded for my "Single Day Solo-Touring" of Mysore, something i have done upteen times during my stay at "Rudolph Cottage". Caught a bus at Banaswadi bus junction upto Shivaji Nagar depot(Rs 11), and from there a connecting bus to Majestik(Rs 10), making me realize that bus travel is quite expensive in Bangalore.Booked a train ticket to Mysore(Rs 42) and thanks to my physical fitness managed to jog and catch the train on platform No 5 at exactly 0700hrs, an "Usain Bolt Ishtyle sprint". I have done this train journey numerous times since 1995.Passed through "Ramanagram station" made famous as the shooting location for "Sholay" and its pristine rock hills can be visible from the train. Had a breakfast of massala dossa at Addur station and the train reached Mandya station at 0905 hrs , late, due to traffic signals. Alighted at Seringapatam station and caught a rickshaw to "Ranganathittu bird sanctuary"(Rs 50 fare).I was amazed at the topographical changes done at "Ranganathittu", absolute tourist mode, with a restaurant and car park inside the sanctuary premises at the same time preserving the serenity of this wonderful bird paradise.Went to the "Boat Ride" booking counter and found out that i was the only tourist with a minimum requirement being for 10 people, otherwise the boat can be hired privately at Rs 250! Waited and strolled around this familiar small exotic spot of natural wilderness finally coming across some professional media photographers on their way to board a boat for "Shooting" with "Zoom Camera's".I requested them for allowing me to join the photograph group and they agreed and hence it was a wonderful memorable rowing through the calm waters of the Cauvery river. The two photographers were busy "Shooting" with their "Nikon" and "Cannon" camera's while i did some video-taping of this unique site. The boat rower was himself well versed with the various birds and explained us the same, the new comers being the Pelicans. The Photographers had specially come to photograph the Pelicans for a news article titled "Return of the Pelicans". I have seen Pelicans as total "Dullards" in the Mumbai zoo( Childhood Adda)with their wings clipped and walking clumsily on land. The "Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary" proved to me the beauty of seeing nature in the Wild, absolutely indescribable and graceful. The pelicans were mostly huddled on a single tree and kept flying and squawking with their huge beaks aking a grotesque humanlike deep breathing sound.Saw some crocodiles swimming gracefully like "Floating logs", total camouflaged to the average human eye and "National Geographic's" images came flashing on memory. The Aquatic and migratory birds of "Ranganathittu" are used to humans and hence i was surprised when we approached a pair of River Terns sitting on a rock in the middle of a lake within 3 feet with the two photographers busy clicking as also our human presence and noise least effecting these birds.After approx 45 mins of rowing and "Shooting" we finally came ashore, one of my best "Bird Tours" on wild-life safari's. Left Ranganathittu at approx 1100 hrs and walked through the scenic road besides the Cauvery river onto the bus-stop. Caught a jam-packed local bus to Mysore at approx 1145 hrs, months since i last travelled on such a crowded bus, akin to Mumbai's local peak time trains finally reaching my destination near the zoo at 1240 hrs.Walked my way to the zoo and was surprised at the change in Mysore's skyline with new building constructions in progress and my old local restaurant demolished. Entered the zoo and also observed some changes as i am very familiar with the "Mysore Zoo" after Mumbai's "Byculla zoo".Made my way to meet "Old Friend, Timbu" and he seems to be hale and hearty as also his offspring, a grown male elephant who demonstrated te same by exposing his overlong penis to the public. Took some video's and then made my way out of the zoo as i had specifically come to see "Timbu".
Later had lunch at "Maheshwari Restaurant", excellent mutton Biryani and mutton head served on banana leaf and downed with "Indus Pride beer"(Rs 215).After a gluttonous meal walked to the railway station and booked a ticket to Bangalore(Rs 42). The train left Mysore at 1545 hrs reaching Bangalore at approx 1845 hrs. Lucky to get a bus immediately from Majestic but then i got a taste ogf Bangalore's notorious traffic jams and so a normal 45 mins journey elongated into 1hr 15 mins approx!
Tuesday(3/1/20090:- Probably due to extreme tiredness of roaming the whole day, hence slept for the first time for at least 4 hrs since arrival at "Rudolph Cottage". As usual got up at 0530 hrs, had a fresh shower and went for the usual morning circular (Race-Track walk) around "Ring Road" with a "Chai" at "Sagar Samrat Restaurant".The Rock and pop music scene in Bangaloe seems "Thanda" compared to Mumbai as discussed by a casual acquaintance at the restaurant.This gentleman sporting a la "Michael Jackson Ponytail" is a regular tea drinker at "Sagar Samrat", a teacher at "Baldwin High School" and a part-time musician. Went home and later had "Puree-Bhajee" at "Gokul Restaurant" and later visiting cousin Sheela's residence to invite her for "RUDOLPH COTTAGE HOUSE CLOSING CEREMONY"! Ain't i good at inventing occassions for "Parties and Get-togethers"? Whilst returning from Sheila's residence i realized that i had forgotten my specs at her home, a forgetfulness that has cost me numerous "Umbrella's" and "Sunglasses" since school days. Luckily i had forgotten the specs at Sheela's residence and hence went back and collected it.Later visited cousin Jayshree's residence and informed them about "RUDOLPH COTTAGE HOUSE CLOSING CEREMONY" get-together of family relatives.Cooked some fried prawns(Rs 150 half Kilo) and had lunch washed down with vodka/sprite, a la Russian Ishtyle.Remember the carefree days at this cottage where i learnt cooking out of necessity and the miles of cycling around Bangalore.Mr.G.Munni .Reddy came home at approx 1430hrs along with his son Mr Venugopal.Reddy and informed me that the "Transfer of Residences and Registration" would be done on Thursday(5-11-2009). I decided to hold "RUDOLPH COTTAGE HOUSE CLOSING CEREMONY" on Wednesday(4-11-2009) and invited Aunt Ubba's children Jayshree and Sheela with their families and Uncle Godwins daughter Maisy.Later rang up Biju and inquired if he was coming home and he answered in the affirmative and as usual we met at my residence at approx 0630 hrs.We later went to Kamanahalli from where i booked my bus ticket(Rs 1100) by a "Volvo Bus" with "Geo tours and travel" sand returned with a few beers and some vegetarian dinner for Biju's kids.We both drove to my residence after dropping the dinner pack at Biju's residence and as usual "C.C.S and Mazdock nostalgia" discussed over Budweiser beers.Biju eft for home forgetting his specs and mobile phone at my house, duplicating my infamous "Sunglasses/umbrella" forgetfulness' rang his residence informing him of the same and later went to sleep with "Radio Indigo FM music".As usual didn't get an ounce of sleep and this is my 4 th sleepless night also indirectly helping me lose weight due to the burning of energy calories.
Wednesday(4-11-2009):- Waited for 0530 hrs and after a shower took a walk to Biju's residence and handed him his belongings.Came home and later Real Estate Broker Mrs Dora D'sa came home to inform me that Thursday was a bank holiday, hence "Registration of sale of "Rudolph Cottage" would not be possible unless done today. I lost my cool and told Mrs D'sa to inform buyer Mr G.Munni.Reddy that if he was not interested in purchasing the cottage than i would refund his Rs 20,00,000 part payment minus my personal expenses.Mrs D.Ds'a informed Mr M.Reddy and his lawyers about the discrepancy in fixing the "Sale Registration deed" and also my personal disenchantment with the entire "Rudolph Cottage Sale Drama".Finally Mrs D.D'sa rang me to inform that the registration schedule had been fixed for 1100hrs today at the "Banaswadi Registrars office".Real Estate broker Mrs D.D'sa and myself arrived at the "Registrars office of Banaswadi" at 1100hrs and met MrG.Muni.Reddy and his son Vennugopal.Reddy and after a long wait the two lawyers arrived and the rest was a quick signing of assorted papers."House sale and purchase registration" was done on a computer and for the first time in my life i had my photograph taken by "Webcam" and also "FINGERPRINTED" on the computer, a simple method of explaining the technological advace of "Vijaya Bank colony, Banaswadi" from village to "Technology era".Later Mr G.Munni.Redddy handed me two payment checks and since one of the checks was on "Canara Bank" we decided to encash the amount and put the entire payment transaction into my "Vijaya Bank account".We went to Canara Bank on scooters, myself and Venugopal.Reddy on one scooter while Mr G.Munni.Redy surprised me by riding a "Honda Scooter" at age 67, a la "Dev Anand".After withdrawing the cash from "Canara Bank" we came back to the "Registrars office" in Banaswadi and the final acknowledgement of payment deed was signed. Real Estate broker Mrs D.D'sa and myself then went to Vijaya Bank H.R.B.R branch and deposited the entire amount, same being acknowledged.I then paid Mrs D.D'sa her brokerage fees of Rs 88,000 @ 2% of the total sale amount. We finally came home and i had lunch at "Sagar Samrat", came home and rested.In the evening i went and purchased some beers for the family get-together in the evening. There was load shedding for approx 2 hrs, the first time i experienced it during my recent visits to Bangalore and later in the evening it rained heavily.I confirmed with cousin Jayshree regarding the dinner as the rain upset plans and my aunt Urban.Ferts couldn't make it , hence we were all cousins and their children , a mixture of youth and middle-age at the last get-together at "Rudolph Cottage".Cousin Sheila's daughter Sharon , cousin Maysie and Jayshree's daughter Jerusha decided the menu and ordered the same over mobile from a chineese take-away in Kamannahalli.The evening began with normal family discussions, eats, cold-drinks a glass of beer for the ladies and myself on "Teachers whisky".It was a very pleasant evening and excellent dinner at very moderate prices in comparison to Mumbai's chneese take-aways.Diner was finished with ice-creams and chocolates and i honestly felt sad as almost 19 years of constant visits to Bangalore would definitely come to an end.Staying in a hotel is a different experience compared to living in your own private residence, but, in life we all have to change with situations and circumstances. Thursday(5-11-2009):- Another sleepless night and i now understand late Michael.Jacksons addiction to "Sleep Drugs" since this was almost the 5th day of sleeplessness in "Rudolph Cottage", something that defies medical theories. "Radio Indigo Fm" was my companion till morning and after showering at 0530 hrs went for my usual "Race-course walk!".As usual met la Jackson ponytail Mr Vergheese at "Sagar Samrat" and "Gup-Chup" as usual , later returning home and packing most of my belongings, a huge load since i am carting back most of my "Memorablia" from "Rudolph Cottage" back to Mumbai .Ultimately, its memories that keep us sane, alive and fit, good or bad, that life.
Biju rang me up to confirm the agenda for a visit to "Hard Rock Cafe(Bangalore)". Cousins Jayshree and Maysie came over to my residence in the evening at approx 1900hrs after i personally went to Jayshree's residence to inform her regarding my departure early next morning and hence to take away any valuable items before Mr G.Muni.Reddy took over the residence. They collected the bed , gas stove/ cylinder and some other items for their personal use or to be distributed to others carting the same on a rickshaw. In Mumbai "Hard Rock Cafe" at Lower Parel was an occasional "Adda" besides "Not just Jazz by the Bay" at Churchgate. Prominent local groups always attracted a crowd including myself who visited "Hard rock Cafe(Mumbai)" on such occasions as it is exorbitantly expensive although only cycling distance from my residence at Prabhadevi. Biju dropped in at my residence at "Rudolph cottage" and after a peg of "Teachers Whisky" we drove off to "Hard rock Cafe" at St Marks road in Bangalore."Thermal and a Quarter" the local Banglorean group was to perform for the evening, beginning at 2100hrs. They had supported "Jethro Tull" and "Deep Purple" during their tour of India, hence a must watched group on any itineraray. We reached "Hard Rock Cafe" at approx 2115 hrs and "Thermal and a quarter" were in full party gear, entrance tickets being Rs 250/Person. On entry we had a "Corona Beer(Rs315 each!)" a imported Mexican beer served with lime meant to be squeezed into the bottle, shaken and drunk. All hard rock cafe's worldwide have the same flavour and decor and if you have seen one than you have seen them all, be it Mumbai, Bangalore, Hollywood or Timbuktu. The music was excellent and it was a pleasant evening reminding Biju and myself of our hilarious college days in the 1970's where "Movie hopping" was the norm unlike "Pub-hopping" post personal wealth and status, either famous or infamous in our personal lives. The music wound up at 2300 hrs and we later drove to some classic Bangalore Food restaurants but all were closed as Bangalore's night-life has to end at 2300 hrs, otherwise its a law and order problem to the hotel proprietors. We managed to get some typical"Delhi Darbar type food" at the "Imperial hotel" at Residency road. After dinner we drove home and Biju dropped me en-route to his home with me spending another sleepless night at "Rudolph Cottage", a strange case of "Michael Jackson Syndrome". Friday(6-11-2009):- As usual had a shower at 0530 hrs and checked my packed luggage as also preparations for last minute packing of the "JVC 3/1 Radio set" that my elite P.G's had left behind as "Junk"! Cousin Sheela came over early and carted the steel bed and cane chair along with her maid to Jayshree's residence. Real estate agent Mrs Dora.D'sa came over at 0900 hrs as also Jayshree and Maysie to wish me a happy journey and a farewell after 20 years of continuous on/off visits to Bangalore, lots of memories, good and bad. Mr G.Muni Reddy came at 0915 hrs along with his son Mr Venugopal.Reddy and i formally handed him the charge and ownership of his new residence, also removing some photographs for posterity with cousin Maysie being the photographer.The huge Chevrolet taxi arrived punctually at 0930 hrs and after loading the luggage and wishing everyone goodbye and a last look at "Rudolph Cottage" we drove to Kalasipalaya tourist bus depot. It was over an hours drive in peak Bangalore traffic and finally on reaching "Sharma Bus Depot head office" at Sangeetha Bhawan and unloading the luggage had a breather with a newspaper and some snacks at a local restaurant. I was allotted seat No 20 and a boarding pass akin to airlines. "Suraj(KA-01-C-8552)" the Volvo bus was punctual and after loading our luggage it was a pleasant journey all the way to Mumbai in cool controlled airconditioned temperature, better than planes which sometimes become very chill due to excessive air-conditioned cooling. Saturday(7-11-2009):- Reached Sion in Mumbai at 0745 hrs,the fastest time by bus that i have either reached Mumbai from Bangalore or vice-versa . Amazing, had left Bangalore at 1230 hrs and reached Mumbai at 0745hrs.Ironically a junk taxi with just 2 years left for its "Demolition fate" took me home to Vaibhav apartments in Prabhadevi, bizarre experience of the old and the new technology co-existing in harmony. Reached home at 0815 hrs with the taxi fare being a paltry Rs150 compared to Rs500 that i paid for the luxurious Chevrolet in Bangalore. Unlike Mumbai, Bangalore doesn't have taxi's on hire on roads unlike rickshaws but the same have to be booked in advance, hence the exorbitant rates as also lack of choice for competitive rates. Backpacker Rudolph definitely is not a regular "Chevrolet man" akin to choosing motels compared to hotels as money saved is money spent on sightseeing and discovery not forgetting the costliest hobby of "Video shooting" and "photography".
THIS IS THE STORY OF THE MEMOIRS AND SALE OF RUDOLPH COTTEGE. |
| Our former home " Rudolph Cottage" now under a new name and new owner seems to have stood still with the passage of time in 2025. Mr G.Muni Reddy who purchased this Cottage has left it untouched just as I had vacated it in 2009.Bizzare but true and photographs never lie.Compare this photograph to the photograph I took in 2009.TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION.May the BULL be with you.This locality of eastern Bengaluru in 2025 has become the furniture capital of the city.A string of furniture shops in the vicinity of the main " Ring Road" . |
Bengaluru(Bangalore) revisited in January 2025 after a gap of 15 years.
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| Arrival at " Sir M.Visvasareya " train terminus at Bypanahalli in Bengaluru. Entrance of this railway station resembled a airport Arrival/ Departure Airport terminal. |
Had been on a tour of Madurai to observe and write a travelogue on the numero uno rural and controversial human - animal sport of Tamil Nadu called " Jallikattu ".Had visited the towns of Avaniyapuram ,Palemadu and Alanganallur in Madurai district to witness the sport and have documented the same. Read the link : -
On my return journey to Mumbai had decided to transit in Bengaluru for a one day stay in the city to do a nostalgic tour of my former residence at Banaswadi as well as meet my cousins and childhood friend Mr Biju.Karian.
On Friday(17/1/2025) boarded the train from Madurai to Bengaluru. Reached Sir M.Visvasareya train station at Bypanahalli at 0915 hrs.This station's external structure design resembled a plush airport, a 21st century train station of Bengaluru. I was amazed at the size and design of this modern train terminus.Boarded a autorickshaw on a rental of Rs 200 for transport to my cousin Mrs Jayshree D'Brass's residence " 241/ Bertha Cottage "in Vijaya Bank Colony in Dodda Banaswadi.Enroute stopped at " Sukhsagar" restaurant for breakfast of " Masala Dosa/ tea" costing only Rs 75.One thing was certain that the cost of living in Bengaluru was definitely much cheaper than Mumbai discounting the " Inflation Index" which hadn't changed since 2009 when I last visited the city.
Otherwise Bengaluru had caught up with Mumbai regarding traffic congestion, housing expansion and population explosion.I definitely found the city much more crowded than in 2009. Change is permanent. Also in 2009 there was no " Metro Railway" in Bengaluru and could see construction of the same approaching Banaswadi.Finally arrived at cousin Jayshree D'Brass's residence and as usual got into conversation and later it became a family gathering at Percy and Jayshree D' Brass's house.
Strolled around the once familiar locality of our former holiday home and was filled with nostalgia when I saw the old house under a new ownership exactly in the same condition as when I had vacated it in 2009.Was i on a film set of " Rudolph Cottage " ? As far as " Rudolph Cottage" was concerned " Change was not permanent " under its new ownership as the Cottage stood still in time while topographically Bengaluru had changed by leaps and bounds including the immediate vicinity of former " Rudolph Cottage". Truth is stranger than fiction.Later cousin Sheila.D'souza and her son Brandon.D'souza ,daughter Mrs Sharon.D'souza and her husband Mr Prince. Johnny arrived at Jayshree's residence. Brandon drove Sheela and myself to their house situated in New Banaswadi on the opposite side of Ring road highway,once just walking distance from "Rudolph Cottage" .
Now thanks to the highway and endless flow of speeding vehicles, crossing this highway was akin to committing suicide.
As has happened all over the suburbs there was a row of bungalow houses and small buildings in the vicinity. Brandon a cycling enthusiast like me showed me his collection of 3 cycles stored inside the bungalow.
After the arrival of Sheila's husband Mr Robert.D'souza we drove back again to Jayshree's residence and decided to go for lunch to" BYG BREWSKI BREWING COMPANY ". Brandon did all the bookings on-line and after hiring a taxi did a long 8 Km drive from Banaswadi through pockets of traffic congestion finally reaching " Byg Brewski Brewing Company".Excellent ambiance with a Japanese pond having Koi fish and excellent music.Was treated to a excellent lunch by my cousin's family and after returning home to Jayshree's residence hired a auto rickshaw and headed to Brigade road. Brigade Road was my favourite haunt in Bangalore and finally after a long drive through peak traffic reached " The Hosteller" building situated opposite Brigade Tower on Brigade road.After normal formalities at the reception was allotted dormitory " No 506" on the 5th floor. Excellent dormitory with A/C and 4 guests to a room with a spacious attached bathe. Had a hot jacuzzi style hot water shower and relaxed on the upper berth( Bed No 2) of the double bed.The guest occupying the lower bed was a young former employee of " The Hosteller".Being " Saturday Night" and situated in one of the hippest locality of Bengaluru the hostel was completely booked for the night.Bengaluru Rocks with its "I.T Industry" "HINI(High Income)" entrepreneurs in their 20's and early 30's painting the town red .I had now stayed in all the big three hostel franchisees in India.Rang up Mazagon Dock Marine batchmate Mr Vinoo. Sequeira and the nomad was finally at home away from home in " The Hosteller ".
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| A family get-together with my maternal cousins at " BYG BREWSKI BREWING COMPANY " in Hennur.Excellent ambiance and food . L-R :- Mr Robert.D'Souza, Mrs Jayshree D'Brass,Mrs Sheela D'Souza, Mr Prince Johnny ,Mrs Sharon.D'souza Johnny, Master Ashor Johnny, Mr Brandon D'Souza, Mr Percy D'brass, Rudolph Furtado. |
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| View of the road in 2025 next to our former home " Rudolph Cottage ".A small hotel has opened in the next building besides a large furniture building on the opposite side of the Cottage. |
On Friday(17/1/2025) boarded the train from Madurai to Bengaluru. Reached Sir M.Visvasareya train station at Bypanahalli at 0915 hrs.This station's external structure design resembled a plush airport, a 21st century train station of Bengaluru. I was amazed at the size and design of this modern train terminus.Boarded a autorickshaw on a rental of Rs 200 for transport to my cousin Mrs Jayshree D'Brass's residence " 241/ Bertha Cottage "in Vijaya Bank Colony in Dodda Banaswadi.Enroute stopped at " Sukhsagar" restaurant for breakfast of " Masala Dosa/ tea" costing only Rs 75.One thing was certain that the cost of living in Bengaluru was definitely much cheaper than Mumbai discounting the " Inflation Index" which hadn't changed since 2009 when I last visited the city.
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| Commercial shops and buildings have sprouted in the neighbourhood of once upon a time " Rudolph Cottage ( 1995- 2009) in 2025.I sold it for Rs 38,00,000 in 2009 and in 2025 it was worth Rs 1,50,00,000.Excellent appreciation and have no regrets as I also appreciated my net worth through other investments and so far so good . |
Otherwise Bengaluru had caught up with Mumbai regarding traffic congestion, housing expansion and population explosion.I definitely found the city much more crowded than in 2009. Change is permanent. Also in 2009 there was no " Metro Railway" in Bengaluru and could see construction of the same approaching Banaswadi.Finally arrived at cousin Jayshree D'Brass's residence and as usual got into conversation and later it became a family gathering at Percy and Jayshree D' Brass's house.
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| View of " Byg Brewski Brewing Company " palatial area with its natural landscaping. |
Strolled around the once familiar locality of our former holiday home and was filled with nostalgia when I saw the old house under a new ownership exactly in the same condition as when I had vacated it in 2009.Was i on a film set of " Rudolph Cottage " ? As far as " Rudolph Cottage" was concerned " Change was not permanent " under its new ownership as the Cottage stood still in time while topographically Bengaluru had changed by leaps and bounds including the immediate vicinity of former " Rudolph Cottage". Truth is stranger than fiction.Later cousin Sheila.D'souza and her son Brandon.D'souza ,daughter Mrs Sharon.D'souza and her husband Mr Prince. Johnny arrived at Jayshree's residence. Brandon drove Sheela and myself to their house situated in New Banaswadi on the opposite side of Ring road highway,once just walking distance from "Rudolph Cottage" .
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| After lunch a family photo of my maternal cousins and children in classic "Byg Breweski Brewing Company". L-R (Standing) :- Mrs Sheels.D'Souza, Mr Robert. D'Souza,Mr Rudolph Furtado,Mr Percy.D'Brass, Mrs Jayshree D'Brass Seated :- Mr Brandon. D'souza, Mr Prince .Johnny, Master Ashor.Johnny and Mrs Sharon D'souza. Johnny. |
Now thanks to the highway and endless flow of speeding vehicles, crossing this highway was akin to committing suicide.
As has happened all over the suburbs there was a row of bungalow houses and small buildings in the vicinity. Brandon a cycling enthusiast like me showed me his collection of 3 cycles stored inside the bungalow.
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| " Hosteller ",my 1 night residence at Brigade Road in the heart of the city. at Brigade Road |
After the arrival of Sheila's husband Mr Robert.D'souza we drove back again to Jayshree's residence and decided to go for lunch to" BYG BREWSKI BREWING COMPANY ". Brandon did all the bookings on-line and after hiring a taxi did a long 8 Km drive from Banaswadi through pockets of traffic congestion finally reaching " Byg Brewski Brewing Company".Excellent ambiance with a Japanese pond having Koi fish and excellent music.Was treated to a excellent lunch by my cousin's family and after returning home to Jayshree's residence hired a auto rickshaw and headed to Brigade road. Brigade Road was my favourite haunt in Bangalore and finally after a long drive through peak traffic reached " The Hosteller" building situated opposite Brigade Tower on Brigade road.After normal formalities at the reception was allotted dormitory " No 506" on the 5th floor. Excellent dormitory with A/C and 4 guests to a room with a spacious attached bathe. Had a hot jacuzzi style hot water shower and relaxed on the upper berth( Bed No 2) of the double bed.The guest occupying the lower bed was a young former employee of " The Hosteller".Being " Saturday Night" and situated in one of the hippest locality of Bengaluru the hostel was completely booked for the night.Bengaluru Rocks with its "I.T Industry" "HINI(High Income)" entrepreneurs in their 20's and early 30's painting the town red .I had now stayed in all the big three hostel franchisees in India.Rang up Mazagon Dock Marine batchmate Mr Vinoo. Sequeira and the nomad was finally at home away from home in " The Hosteller ".
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| Had last walked down once familiar " MG Road ( Mahatma Gandhi Road)" in 2009 and today in 2025 on a rainy Sunday morning holding a " Hosteller" umbrella standing in front of " M.G METRO STATION" and the landmark dominant newspaper office of Bengaluru " The Deccan Herald". |
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| On my Sunday morning stroll on Brigade Road came across this well fed well cared St Bernard dog. |
Sunday (19/1/2025)Departure Bengaluru :- Excellent 3 hrs sleep in the cool air condition environment of 19*c of my hostel room.Only handicap of this hostel was the inaccessibility to " Hostel free wifi " inside the hostel room.Got dressed and ready for a stroll in the vicinity.To my bad luck it was drizzling heavily and after a cup of tea at next door restaurant " Varaha Cafe" just whiled away my time at the hostels reception centre browsing through some novels.Later the hotel receptionist Mr Amal.Jose, a Tourism management graduate picked up a conversation with me and provided me with a hostel umbrella.A strange feeling walking around early morning on the streets of Bangalore with a umbrella in the month of January.Today also happened to be the 20th running of " Mumbai Marathon" back home in Mumbai, a event I always photographed and videotaped as the elite and common marathoner ran through our locality of Prabhadevi. Hoped it was not raining in Mumbai.May the bull be with you ! Walked along " Museum Road" passing alongside " Catholic Club" and further down the road " St Patrick's Cathedral". This locality of Bengaluru was unchanged since I last visited in 2009.Further walking led me to the one and only " Brigade Road" my " Adda" during the Bangalore years of holidaying in the city.Brigade Road was also unchanged and finally from Brigade Road entering onto Mahatma Gandhi road noticed the change of the metro train service of Bengaluru. Passed alongside " Mahatma Gandhi Metro Station" a landmark on Mahatma Gandhi road.
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| Attended 0845 hrs English mass at St Patrick's Cathedral just w walking distance from " Hosteller ". |
Unlike Mumbai all the Eateries were closed as today was a Sunday and private establishments opened late.Inquring with a local was guided onto Residency street and breakfast was " Medhu vada/ coffee" at " Sri Udupi Park" that had a few Caucasian foreigner's and locals as customers early in the morning.The only breakfast restaurant open in the entire vicinity at 0730 hrs.Later returned back towards Brigade Road and entered St Patrick's Cathedral. Attended the 0845 hrs English service mass and later walked the short distance to landmark " The Hosteller " building.At 1100 hrs Biju. Karian along with his son Yohan arrived at " The Hosteller" and we drove to house in Horamavu- Banaswadi locality .Most roads in Bengaluru were undergoing repairs or rebuilding to accomodate the Metro train service.Finally reached Biju's palatial bungalow " Darshana"  situated on " 13, 2nd Cross, Horamavu Road, Dodda Banasawadi, Anjanappa Layout. Entrance to the bungalow had a beautiful rainforest garden and Biju was a pet parent of 3 dogs, two dachshund and a Labrador.The interior decor of his palatial residence was identical to 15 years ago in 2009 when I last visited his house and both his kids Darshana and Yohan were school going children.In 2025 Darshana was to get married and Yohan had grown into a young highly qualified engineering executive.As for Biju who doesnt like publicity was still active in the shipping Industry as a " Technical Director" on cruise ships having visited over 100 countries thanks to exotic ports on the "Cruise Circuit". Biju is one of the few Mariners who is a real life model for the quote "JOIN THE MERCHANT NAVY AND TRAVEL THE WORLD".All the over 100 countries Biju visited was during his employment on sailing ships .As for me i visited only 32 countries during Marine employment while the rest 68 countries i visited at my own expense after quitting the "Merchant Navy" in 2006 .Relaxed in the drawing room and later Dr Jeeva. Karian and daughter Darshana arrived having attended mass.
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| "Darshana", the exotic bungalow of Mr Biju.Karian and Dr Mrs Jeeva .Biju.Karian.The rainforest landscaped garden and internal decor of the bungalow is proof that it is not only "Celebrities" that can own and showcase homes in "Lifestyle and Living" magazines. |
Congratulated Darshana, a law professor by profession on her future wedding also presenting her with a wedding gift as I would not be able to attend the reception and hence one of the reasons for the stopover in Bengaluru.
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| Biju.Karian who is publicity shy agreed for a photo-shoot with his favourite bike " Honda Africa Twins Enduro 750" The factory bike of this model has won the "Dakar Rally" 4 times in a row. |
Later Biju invited me to his " Bar/ Recreation" room on the first floor of the Bungalow.After a few pegs of Vodka and long discussions finally at 1430 hrs we decided to head out for lunch.Driving along HRBR and Hennur Banaswadi layout was amazed on seeing a mini- Bengaluru in this suburb of Bengaluru. Plush buildings. restaurants,hospitals , but, traffic congestion bottlenecks as the roads can't keep pace with the number of cars and 2- wheeler ownership.Our first stop for lunch at 1500 hrs was at hotel " Fish Restaurant " which was crowded to capacity ,considered one of the best seafood restaurants in HRBR Layout.Sadly as we were late and the food over and restaurant had closed shop for the afternoon .Biju next drove to the second best seafood hotel in the vicinity and lunch at 1530 hrs was at " Coastal Lounge " restaurant.Sea food thali with fried pomfret and " Lady fish( Kane Fried)" was our heavy lunch for the day.After lunch Biju took me on a sightseeing tour of the once upon a time distant suburbs of Bangalore now Bengaluru which were open barren fields and today in 2025 miniature townships with apartment buildings including a skyscraper gated community building in which Biju did have a apartment, kin to me investing in "Indian Stock Market" Biju was into real estate investments.We drove to Kalkere where way back in June 2001 I took school classmates Biju and Late Leonard Aaron's to watch illegal " Cockfights". In 2001 when we visited almost entire Kalkere was a distant Bengaluru village with barren fields and few scattered rural houses.
Today in 2025 this same Kalkere village was a bustling mini- township with small buildings and bungalow houses. I had to rub my eyes to believe what I was seeing.Change is permanent. We returned back to Biju's bungalow " Darshana".Biju is a collector of expensive high powered motorcycles and he showed me his stable of 4 motorcycles , one of which was sealed in a box.
The motorcycles are 1) Honda Africa Twins Enduro 750 of "Dakar Rally" fame 2) Harley Davidson Super low 883 CC and 3) Harley Davidson Super glide 1585CC, a real ultra heavy weight bike.Forget purchasing cost of these bikes as they would cost a fortune in normal maintenance rounds to a high skilled mechanic. Here Biju demonstrates the power of his bikes .
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| Strictly "FISH MENU" at "Coastal Lounge" restaurant in HRBR layout. |
Relaxed for a while in the house and at 1900 hrs Yohan drove Biju and myself to Bengaluru's Cantonment railway station. It was a long tedious drive filled with suspense as there were numerous diversions and road blocks due to the ongoing Metro Railway construction project.Yohan was not familiar with all these diversion routes and thanks to Biju's direction that we finally reached Bengaluru Cantonment railway station. Instead of being late we were very much early and whiled away our time on the railway platform.Finally at 2050 hrs the " 11302/ Udyan Express " arrived and bid Biju and Yohan goodbye and made my way to " S7" compartment onto " Seat 20". " Udyan Express " was our regular train from Mumbai to Bengaluru and vice versa from 1990's upto 2009 during our ownership of " Rudolph Cottage ".Thankfully due to my wise investment in the Rs 100 inflatable travel pillow as well as travel fatigue that I did get my usual 3 hrs sleep .On Monday(20/1/2025) it was a usual second class train journey but thankfully the toilets were clean.Lunch was the usual bland " Chicken Biryani" served at Solapur railway station.A large entire Muslim family with kids creating havoc were in our part of the compartment.Having travelled the length and breadth of India by rail and road transport under various social and cleanliness conditions akin to a Chameleon have learnt to adjust to circumstances and situations.You have to learn to adjust to situations away from your normal comfort zone if a Nomadic Solo Traveller otherwise always stay at home.Finally the train reached Dadar Station at 2000 hrs,on time with the train timetable.After exiting Dadar train station getting a taxi was a problem and finally with great difficulty got a taxi that reached me home with the taxi fare amounting to Rs 50.
