[mi2n]

Last year we had a very memorable Team-BHP winter meet on the second weekend of January. The turnout was huge and the fun and frolics were intense.



This time, with the chill really setting in and the official meet postponed to February and confined to a breakfast only affair, the itch to hitch hit some of us. A Whatsapp group was immediately created and it was decided to re-live last year's meet on the same weekend this year. Friend and BHPian Arav Jalan (AJ_got_BHP) is an ace organizer and was immediately called up. He gladly obliged and off we headed to the nearby beach-front at Mandarmoni.





We grouped up at Azad Hind Dhaba, Uluberia, NH-6 by 8:30 A.M. for breakfast.







We continued to help ourselves to the wide spread of items served for breakfast till the last member arrived. No further stops were necessitated and all of us rolled into the ADB Kanvas resort at Mandarmoni by 1 P.M.



A quick huddle and an animated parking sequence later, we checked in to our allotted rooms. The rooms were luxurious with all modern amenities and offered unhindered views of the sea.



Meanwhile AJ sent the elaborate list of food menu over Whatsapp



and we wasted no time presenting ourselves before the buffet



Post the sumptuous lunch, we gathered at the beachfront lawn to bask in the winter sun

BHPian Sayata laid claim to the recliner



BHPian Samba took interest in these ridiculously under-powered quad bikes



We decided to take a stroll to the confluence(mohona)



With the cars and motorized vans off the beach, the red crabs have reclaimed their territory



BHPian me_Sid was his usual self



We enjoyed a glorious sunset



with a topping of some family time



on our way back we stopped for hot tea at a beach shack

[mi2n]

We were informed that the evening party would start at 7 P.M. So we retreated to our rooms for a power nap.

I woke up to the thumping beats of the DJ



and rushed down to join the fun



we gathered comfortably around the campfire





and enjoyed the fireworks



The party continued till late night, punctuated with delicious snacks and beverages, good music and great conversations. After dinner, some retired to their rooms while we continued our revelry inside Room No.1101. At around 2 A.M. we craved for some ice cream and walked down to the restaurant and helped ourselves to a few scoops each before hitting the bed.

DAY 2

We woke up late but refreshed. After breakfast, we hit the beach again



BHPian gearhead_mait could not agree with the sun for some reason and left early



Soon, it was time for us to leave as well.











We lined up on the beach for a photo shoot











As planned, we stopped at Hotel Abhijit after crossing Kolaghat for a grand lunch and tutti-fruti.



We helped ourselves to some tasty delicacies





and topped it off with the Tutti-too-much-fruti



We finally managed to haul ourselves out of the restaurant at 5 P.M. after literally exhausting stocks of many items on the menu.

We posed for the parting shot, enthusiastic about the next episode



This short errand turned out to be great fun. We relaxed and enjoyed to the fullest and never needed to bother about the logistics. All was taken care with utmost diligence by Arav.

I would request the other attendees to share your experience here.

Pics courtesy respective owners.

Thanks for visiting!

[aah78]

Thread moved to the Travelogues section. Thanks for sharing!

[saket77]

Very crisp report of a great bunch who surely know how to have some fun! Some familiar faces in the group as well. Some great arrangements, the mouth watering dishes, the fun in atmosphere with the amazing group of people and cars - perfect recipe to a great meet!

Thanks for sharing!

Regards,
Saket

[Samba]

Woho, you are fast!

Great crisp narration and lovely pics which perfectly describes the essence of our trip.

You have covered all the points, so i have nothing to add on over here. Just updating the group members name & their rides-

The members-

Bhpian Soumyajit Maitra (Gearheadmait) with his wife - Hyundai Eon

Bhpian Mithun Bose (Mi2n) with wife and kid - Tuv300,100 Bhp!

Bhpian Souradeep Chaudhury (SouraC) tagged with Mr Rana Adhikari - Fiat Avventura

Bhpian Arav Jalan (AjgotBhp) with his friend and Bhpian Debojyoti (Blooming flower) - Ford Endeavour 4x4

Bhpian Sid Banerjee (Me_Sid) with wife and kid - Xuv5oo AWD

Bhpian Suneel Banerjee (Altimaed) - Swift Dzire (Automatic)

Bhpian Sayata Chatterjee (Sayata) - Honda Jazz

Bhpian Samba Sengupta with wife - Ford Figo

Mr Abhijeet Sinha Roy with his brother - Innova Crysta

Mr Saikat Bishnu with his wife and kid - Tata Safari Storme 4x4

Mr Sushil Panigrahi with his wife and kid - Maruti Esteem

Mr. Debojyoti Banerjee with his wife - Maruti Zen

& Mr Arav Jalan's close friends in a Mahindra Thar (Top less!)

Though the Car photography team went for a drive with Bhpian's, still cars pics are less this time!

The pics-

[navsjab]

Nice short yet elaborate blog on the weekend trip, superb pictures by you as usual.

Seems like you guys had a lot of fun. I was not very happy missing it when I got to know about the plans from AJ, but some important work was planned already. My miss.

Thanks for the sharing the list of members and their rides Samba.

[ARAY]

Meeting this Kolkata TeamBhp gang would be in my agenda when I do Hyderabad- WB next. Glad to always see so many known legends and their legendary drives on such meets.
While returning from Arunachal , I crossed Belda on NH16, roughly 80kms from Malda on 7th Jan . Maybe next time ...

[Sayata]

Beautiful travellogue. Mesmerizing description of the trip with excellent photographs. I am realy honoured to be a part of such weekend trip with so many like minded petrolheads. Team car photography kudos .

[AJ-got-BHP]

I am overwhelmed that everything went off well and that everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest at Mandarmani. For planning group trips, it is always better to rope in a professional and that is exactly what I did. Roped in Highway My Way who organize such trips/ outings.

A special vote of thanks to Mr. Abhijeet Sinha Roy who suggested the property to us and to the Hotel i.e.- ADB Kanvas for being such lovely hosts to a crazy gang.

Mi2n & Samba have already summed up the story pretty well. I would only let some pictures do some talking.

This picture explains the essence of the trip :

DAY 1

For me it was more than just a trip to Mandarmani !! I have recently bought a Pre-Worshiped 1st Generation Ford Endeavour 4x4 and wanted to road test it after it had gone through some mechanical restorations recently. What better opportunity than this drive to Mandarmani with like minded friends.

The Endy enroute Mandarmani :


Posing at Mandarmani :


The Resort awaited us :




And so was lunch :


The post lunch siesta before the beach :




Enjoy the greenery and the colours at the property :


Post lunch, everyone took off for a walk to the beach and it was very relaxing as it wasnot hot and the breeze was just de-stressing all of us. Sharing some pictures of the walk by the beach in no particular order :

















This boy was digging to get hold of a crab for us :


Sunset :


The Thar of Rion & Rehman parked at the entrance to the lobby :


An unwanted visitor :


The evening party by the beach with a bonfire & DJ setup :
















Day 2 to continue ...

[AJ-got-BHP]

Continued DAY 2

It was a very late night !! I remember that at 02:30am, a handful of us called for some Hot Gulab Jamuns in one of the rooms and again at 3:15am they were replenished. There was no way that anyone was waking up early.

Everyone woke up at leisure and headed for a sumptuous breakfast, post which some headed to the beach. But, apart from me and Debojyoti there was none that I could see who actually went into the waters.

Sharing some pictures of the morning :

Low tide and the extended sea bed :


BHPian Mi2n with the kiddos :


Susil (of MAD METAL) doing the La-La-La-La-La :


Sanchita & Sangita posing :


BHPian Samba at a distance :


Into the ocean with the Camera :




Handed over the camera to Susil who clicked a few snaps of me :




The Speed Boat parked :


The Hotel from a distance :


I was late, rather very late in reaching back to the Hotel from the Beach. Mostly everyone was ready and had checked out and were loading their belongings into their respective cars. I rushed, still I missed the Car Photography Session and sadly enough the cops did not let the cars be parked there for long. Thus, in the gambit of affairs everyone started off for Kolkata.

So, now we were 4 Cars, 10 Adults and a Kid left behind at Mandarmani and were thinking of what to do. Heading to Kolaghat for Lunch was never a option for us. We decided to do a late check out and searched for an appropriate beach shack to enjoy some local delicacies - the crab and the freshly caught fish for our Lunch. Sharing some snaps of the untold story for that day :

The Endy at the Hotel Entrance :




The Cars being photographed - a legendary snap :






This one was hiding behind us :


The Beach Shack :


The Crab (before) :


The Crab (after) :


Some takeaways for everyone - 1 per car :


A stop enroute :


A parting shot at Kolaghat after some lip smacking 'Chai & Samosas' :


It was lovely catching up with everyone and I hope we collectively could plan more such outings over just a day meet that happens every time

[SouraC]

This time I was pretty sure that I will miss the trip because of some unavoidable engagements, but luck is the only thing in our life which many a time gives us pleasant surprise.

Hence in the last moment I joined the team.

I must say, the arrangement and the Hotel Selection was excellent. The credit for this goes to Arav.

As there is nothing more to write about the experience we had, I am sharing some pictures I took with my mobile.











Nature's Creation on a Natural Canvas

[ALTIMAed]

I consider myself to be very lucky to be a part of Team BHP, more so the Kolkata Chapter as we all gang up for these wonderful drives / outing. It has been almost back to back - The Bandel Church Drive followed by the drive to Mondarmoni.

Many a thanks to Arav, shall be insufficient, keeping in mind the flawless planning and execution of the entire trip.

Mi2n has compiled the trip really well, be it in words or pictures. Add to that special comments from Samba and Arav made me relive the entire trip through this forum.

Looking forward to be a part of many such trips in the future.

Rated a well deserved 5*

[souvik25]

Missed this by a whisker due to my very recent association with TBHP..the pictures depicts the fun and frolic...ought to be a great outing...looking forward to join the next one..

[PapaBravo]

I don't like this TL. It tells me about how much fun I missed by not going on this trip. Last moment commitments kept me really busy.

Seems like you guys has great fun. AJ is a great organiser no doubt. Great pictures by everyone.

Regards,

Pawan

[navsjab]

Originally Posted by souvik25

Missed this by a whisker due to my very recent association with TBHP..the pictures depicts the fun and frolic...ought to be a great outing...looking forward to join the next one..

Check out this thread souvik25

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/team-b...-2018-a-2.html