Welcome to the Wink

Hello Readers,
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the wink again ( ;) ;) ;) ) It has been raining and for some of us, it means clean vehicles, better looking rooftops and much greener trees. At the Wink, we've spent our time THINKING (now, isnt that productive?)
But here's something else we did - we wrote some nice columns (ahem) for you to read. Our regular columns - the Wine, Dine and Dance trying the copper chimney, the Wanderlust musing about Masinagudi and our Funny Side Up - where we're Joking again.
Thanks for writing to us. It keeps us motivated to write too. We look forward, as ever, to hear what you have to say. Send in a mail to welcometothewink@gmail.com with your comments.

Wine,Dine and Dance - Copper Chimney

When I went to Copper Chimney (and thats atop the Bangalore Central. If you don't know where that is, its near Garuda Mall. If you need directions to that, well,its best to ask someone) I half expected it to be a Chinese place. I blame it on intuition – and thats why people say, you mustn't trust intuition so much. (Or don't they say that?) Its quite a climb to that place (the elevator doesn't go all the way up). It is very chic. Sleek design of the place makes it look extremely “modern”. There is the balcony, where you can gaze down at Bangalore from. Its a view that one must definitely want to see – especially in the nights, when Bangalore glows. The food is very Indian, very niche though and not to mention, expensive. The Bar has the essentials and more. They also can rustle up lovely mocktails. It has all the ingredients for a relaxing meal – the right ambiance, the right music, lighting and food. The food can take some getting used to. They have Rotis in their Breads section of which I have never heard of (but that could also be attributed to my ignorance too) Some of them in the Rotis, were extremely different. Its definitely worth a try. If you have the taste for it, you might like it. I enjoyed the rich feel to the place. I liked the way the menu card looked. I liked the place, in general. Don't tell me I did not warn you, it makes your purse much lighter.

WanderLust - Misty Masinagudi

Wanderlust – Masinagudi

In the shadow of the Nilgiris, one could find Masinagudi – a home to resorts, forests and elephants. You could reach M from Bangalore, by going towards Mudumalai. I have always believed that if you see a place near the mountains, walk towards it. Go deeper towards the mountains and Masinagudi unfolds. Its numerous luxury resorts (each better than the other) and mist cast a spell (I spelt that right, didnt I?) Masinagudi attributes its name to a tiny little temple of “Masinamma” which is at the village. The village stretches for about two streets and phew, its pitch dark after six. The resorts are a little away from the village, more towards the mountains. And the taxis at the village would take you there for a Rs 50. Some resorts you could try are “Ombalan's” and “Bamboo Banks”. There are a lot of things you could do at Masinagudi – take a mountain walk and so on. The forests are very deceptive though and is very much real – with its tigers and elephants (Tuskers too) and bears. Masinagudi is a place to unwind with your latest buy from Crosswords. Its beautiful, mist-ical and very close to Ooty. You could take a look at close by places like Singara and so on. If you meet a tusker while you do so, convey my regards.

Funny Side Up - Just Joking!

I once told a joke aloud. Less than two people reacted to that and the reaction was a mild tilt of the upper lip and a polite nod. Born to a family of jokers (I mean, people with a good sense of humour) I was deeply offended. It shook my roots, which were in the funny pond. My great grandfather was a great story teller. I have heard stories about him, and I strongly believe thats what they are – “stories”. I hear that even today, in his village, when they think about his jokes, they laugh so loud that the others mistake it for another-loud-thing-thats-not-done-generally-by-most-sane-people. My father cracks me up with his funny questions (One common one being, “what do you intend to do the rest of your life? Watch television?”) My mother is even funnier. She says to him, “Of course not!” But I stand out. I said “I will work, of course” (Now, if that isn't a scream!) I always thought my brother was the funniest, he added, “Do as I did. Work hard”. Now, if that isnt our mantra!