A Whales Tail

I think this would be an appropriate title considering my first-hand experience playing hide-and-seek with a Humpback Whale in the deep waters of Mauritius !!

I had been out on a catamaran cruise around the West coast of Mauritius with clients when our captain received a call that there had been a whale sighting just a little ahead of where we were cruising. Our catamaran sped through the waters and soon enough I managed to catch sight of the tail of the whale ....


I can't begin to even describe just how exhilarating it felt to be able to see .. I mean actually 'see' a live whale right before my eyes ... here was this mammoth size mammal that was at one point towards the brink of extinction that has since slightly recovered due to the introduction of a whaling moratoriums in 1996.

So here's this amazing mammal quite literally swimming circles around four catamarans and a speed boat ....until finally the whale has managed to surface in between the four catamarans giving all us wide-eyed passengers the ultimate photo opportunity !

"The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is an acrobatic animal, often breaching (throwing two thirds or more of their bodies out of the water and splashing down on their backs) and slapping the water."

Since it was my first ever whale sighting here are a few things I noticed about this whale ...this one probably wasn't a full grown whale (but then again - as if I would know this !!), it had a relatively stocky body, with very obvious whitish bumps near the head.

The curious creature that I am - I turned to the google for all my answers ... I just wanted to know everything there was to know about these mammals :) So the knobs which I saw are actually on the head and lower jaw and are known as 'tubercles', which are actually 'hair follicles' and are a characteristic of the species.

Consider this ... thanks to Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and National Geographic - we, as a population are increasingly aware of the various species of animals and marine life that are currently existent ... and I can bet that a relatively high percentage of those who watch these channels would want to actually 'see' these magnificent creatures up, close and personal.

Now most of us will at some time or the other, be able to take a land / jungle safari and therefore be able to perhaps do a 'walk with the big cats' or do a drive through and look at the other wildlife on land. However, to be amongst the larger marine mammals ... that's another story altogether ! Yes, we can experience the underwater world by snorkeling, and those more adventurous will go scuba diving ... and yet the fear of the unknown world of sharks and whales is enough to make even that percentile of the population think twice before taking a dive into the deep blue !

I feel honoured that I have had the opportunity to cruise alongside this gentle giant of the seas and watch it at it's playful best :)

Deepak Chopra feat Demi Moore - Desire

Anyone a Buddha Bar fan ? Have you heard 'Desire' by Deepak Chopra featuring Demi Moore ? Yes, Demi Moore as in the actress who was once married to Bruce Wilis and now married to Ashton Kutcher !

As usual, I went and got hold of the video and it didn't cease to amaze me !! The scenic imagery, the fire red & orange sunsets, and swells of waves, completely takes my breath away.

The lyrics and rhythms of this track are just immensely soothing and yet so deep – it lays a finger on my heart.

The lyrics are almost pure and yet so humble in their meaning … honest, open, soul baring. Demi Moore's voice just adds a touch of sensual mystique to this tune.

Do we love ourselves more than we love our lovers ? Can we truly love someone unconditionally without thought for ourselves ? To experience a love where you can find your strengths in someone else is quite intense !

Passion at its peak … where your senses hunger for a touch and taste of another … you can look but cannot touch … whereby a mere glance is enough to melt you and stir a flame within.

I quite like the depth behind the 2^nd last verse of the song … I am a water & air sign and love the calming effects that water brings about. The power of the ocean – in all its magnitude – is a reflection of how truly powerless we are in the face of it all. Does the ocean call out to you the way it does to me ?

Are you like the ocean – smooth on the surface, turbulence rampaging below ? Do you have the same intensity as the waters that beckon you to dare tread their surface ? Imagine being able to merge yourself as one with the ocean … to rise above the surface and engulf those around you and make them one with you ?

A lover knows only humility, he has no choice.
He steals into your alley at night, he has no choice.
He longs to kiss every lock of your hair, don't fret,
he has no choice.
In his frenzied love for you, he longs to break the chains of his imprisonment,
he has no choice.


A lover asked his beloved:
Do you love yourself more than you love me?
Beloved replied: I have died to myself and I live for you.
I've disappeared from myself and my attributes,
I am present only for you.
I've forgotten all my learnings,
but from knowing you I've become a scholar.
I've lost all my strength, but from your power I am able.

I love myself...I love you.
I love you...I love myself.

I am your lover, come to my side,
I will open the gate to your love.
Come settle with me, let us be neighbours to the stars.
You have been hiding so long, endlessly drifting in the sea of my love.
Even so, you have always been connected to me.
Concealed, revealed, in the unknown, in the un-manifest.
I am life itself.

You have been a prisoner of a little pond,
I am the ocean and its turbulent flood.
Come merge with me,
leave this world of ignorance.
Be with me, I will open the gate to your love.

I desire you more than food or drink
My body my senses my mind hunger for your taste
I can sense your presence in my heart
although you belong to all the world
I wait with silent passïon for one gesture one glance
from you.

David Guetta – The World Is Mine

David Guetta the pioneer of French house with Up & Way, a garage-style track with vocals by Robert Owens released in 1992 really made a name for himself in the mid-90s as one of the key catalysts of Parisian nightlife by promoting evenings at such renowned Paris hot spots as Folies Pigalle, Queen, Bataclan, Palace and Les Bains, where he invited DJ legends like Little Louie Vega, David Morales, DJ Pierre and Roger Sanchez to join him on the turntables. In 2001, however, he went back to his first love: making music.

The World Is Mine has been 'strongly influenced' by Depeche Mode, and indeed it's strikingly similar in sound and style to the 90’s synth pop pioneers. It has a fine beat, is melodious, and the dance floors have been going mad about it. David succeeds in tingeing his work with a slightly darker, more foreboding dimension, creating something that is both uplifting, yet strangely edgy at the same time. The commercial package also features a superb percussion-based remix from Deep Dish.

Developing progressively via synths, ominous riffs and a Dave Gahan style vocal chanting 'mine, the world is mine', the mix builds and builds before collapsing in a predictable but nonetheless fantastic breakdown before taking off for two more minutes of thumping electro-house action. C’est Fantastique!

This is not just one of my all-time favourite dance tunes but also the top tune for all my cousins !! There is no way that if this track is playing – that any of us would not be on the dance floor ! Every time I hear this tune, I’m elated. It is almost as if the beats become one with my heart beat, and the vocals are a part of the blood flow within me. The lyrics seem to just ease through my body, my veins as the lyrics go.

It is a MUST HAVE on any CD that I make for my listening pleasure – or a part of the playlists at any parties. Over the course of the last 24 hours, I have probably heard this song about a handful of times varying from my car, a house party, a night club, even as a ringtone on my friends’ phone ! I can completely lose myself to the stirring rhythms … the track is mixed to build-up a delirious range of emotions … sensual, edgy, sharp and it totally hits a spot :)

I don't know about your musical preferences but this track is a natural high !! I can close my eyes and completely lose myself in the vocals ... do you ever feel like the world is really just all yours ?

That rush one gets driving down an empty stretch of road ... no one there except for you ... you control the road, the environment around you .. euphoric achievement perhaps ? There is no fear ... just the bare feeling of being at one with the world and that the world is really all mine :)

I believe in the wonder
I believe this new life to gain
Like a God that I'm under
There's a drugs running through my veins

I believe in the wonder
I believe I can touch the flame
There's a spell that I'm under
Got to fly, I don't feel no shame

The world is mine
The world is mine
The world is mine

I've lost my fear to war and peace
I don't mind that (the world is mine)
You took the price and realize
That to your eyes (the world is mine)

Take a look what you've started
In the world flashing from your eyes
And you know that you've got it
From the thunder you feel inside

I believe in the feeling
All the pain that you left to die
Believe in believing
In the life that you give to try

The world is mine
The world is mine
The world is mine

I've lost my fear to what appears
I do my best(the world is mine)
You seem surprised and realize
That to your eyes (the world is mine)

The world is mine
I've lost my fear to what appears
I do my best(the world is mine)
You seem surprised and realize
That to your eyes (the world is mine)

I've lost my fear to what appears
I do my best (the world is mine)
You seem surprised and realize

That to your eyes (the world is mine)

What the hell is Dating ?

There are three possible parts to a date, of which at least two must be offered: entertainment, food, and affection. It is customary to begin a series of dates with a great deal of entertainment, a moderate amount of food, and the merest suggestion of affection.

As the amount of affection increases, the entertainment can be reduced proportionately. When the affection IS the entertainment, we no longer call it dating. Under no circumstances can the food be omitted.

Source Unknown

When was the last time you went out on a ‘real date’ ? You know the type that I’m talking about … where you make an effort to get ready and spray on that special perfume/cologne … When was the last time you made an effort to surprise your 'date' ?

Sometimes I feel as if the whole idea behind dating and what comprises of a date – is almost an alien thought to quite a few people.

Wikipedia describes ‘dating’ as ...

a social activity performed as a pair or even a group with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as their partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. The word refers to the act of agreeing on a time and "date" when a pair can meet and engage in some social activity.

In many cultural traditions, dates are arranged by a third party, who may be a family member, an acquaintance, or a dedicated matchmaker. Recently matchmaking services have become popular. Although dating rules in Western popular culture have become more relaxed during the 20th century, there is considerable variation between individuals' values.

For example, when the activity costs money, it has traditionally been the man's role to pay (which naturally causes a problem for same-sex couples on a date); in recent times the practice of "going Dutch" (splitting the expenses) has emerged. Traditional dating activities include sharing entertainment or a meal. In general, a person may date many different partners during the same time period in order to have the best chance of finding their most suitable available mate.

Whilst talking to a friend of mine online today – the topic of dating came up in the context of a completely different conversation (which deserves a post on itself) … I went on in my own words to describe a date as “possibly best defined as a preset arrangement between two people who are looking to get to know each other better .. Normally involving a pick-up from the residence, a meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner/coffee/dessert - any of them), but then again it could be as simple as going for a walk in the park and having a picnic”

So now you must be wondering – why on earth am I ranting about ‘dating’ .. it does appear that know what the definition of a date is .. so why the topic … reason being is that in the last one year I have not been on a single outing with a member of the opposite sex who does appear to be genuinely attracted to me which I can actually call ‘date-worthy’!!

Don't get me wrong - I've met some very nice guys over the past year - all of whom have shown substantial interest in me - and have gone about doing the right things in terms of how they act, and what they say, how they behave around your friends etc ... and yet when it comes to the crunch of actually putting into action the 'date' (which by the way - they persist on) ... it's just a complete flop show !

Typical scenario ...

Boy : I really enjoyed hanging out with you tonight - how does dinner mid-week sound ?

Girl : Yeah it was fun :) Dinner sounds great.

A few days later and the week is coming to an end .. you're wondering if the guy even remembers asking you to make plans for dinner

Or vice versa (see I'm not sexist - the concept of dating applies to both men & women) ... a friend of mine - a charming young man (and really he's a man) - met a girl a few weeks back; they exchanged numbers at a party after getting along pretty well and we all noticed her giving him the green signal !

So during the course of the week, this guy kept calling the girl to take her out for dinner - and what does she go and do ? Avoid / miss the calls; appears to be busy when she's speaking to him ... and yet stringing him along and saying that they'll meet for dinner etc ... That's just rubbish .. if you can't accept the dinner invitation - at least have the courtesy to tell the poor man that you're interested ! Instead of having him waste his time trying to find a time to meet with you !

Pathetic isn’t it ? What is so hard about the concept of going on a date ?

1. Pick up the phone and call a member of the opposite sex that you are attracted to and would like to get to know
2. Ask that person if they would like to go out for a meal / coffee / dessert or even a round of mini-fun golf ! But ask them to go out with you !
3. Once that’s done .. specify a time and day that you would like to meet up on
4. Turn up to pick the person up on the set day and time (arriving a little bit earlier never hurt anyone) ! Don’t make them come over to you (unless you really live on opposite sides of the city and transportation becomes a hassle)
5. Do not show up wearing your Sunday Scruffies … try to make some sort of effort in your appearance and you might find yourself in the good books
6. Always offer to drop the person home - you never know what's in store for you :)

Whilst a friend of mine was visiting the city - she went out on a 'real date' .... the type where the guy calls her up and makes a plan for an evening during the week; she got dressed up and wore one of her best outfits; the guy came over to pick her up (dressed very slick might I add) and had his driver for the night; took her to a great restaurant with lovely ambiance; then took her out dancing where they met up with some other friends; and dropped her back home.

Now THAT's what you call a real date ... where both parties have put in an effort to enjoy an evening together whereby they can get to know each other. It's not like you're meeting a 'buddy' for a drink !!!