It's not funny, and there's no twist,

That morning of August, covered in hazy mist,

Ever since I've started this blog, I had wished to participate in contests arranged via BlogAdda. But due to my busy schedule (at least I thought so), was never successfully able to write a contest post in time.

One fine evening at work, I was browsing through the internet, when I came across a contest whose winners were to fly to Goa for a fun-filled weekend. I checked the end time, and it was midnight. That means I had only a few hours left to write a post, and not just write any post, I had to make it stand out in order to win. By 8 in the evening, I was home. After dinner, I started writing at 9. And successfully submitted this post by 10. Honestly speaking, I wasn't expecting to win since I thought I wrote in a hurry, and couldn't do justice with the post. But hope, that never dies!

Few days later, the team at BlogAdda announced the results. And I was one of the winners. It was a moment of sheer joy. Joy for not just winning, or visiting Goa for that matter, it was the joy of getting to meet various bloggers across the country. It had to be a lifetime experience; time to make new friends. A series of emails and phone calls from the team at BlogAdda got me going. I was prepared to rock the weekend. They also sent across the following custom-made banner:


Just a couple of days before we had to fly, I received the names of my team members. Jobo, Piyush, Ayan and yours truly were a team. We called ourselves #TeamPenDrive, courtesy Piyush.

I met Piyush and Jobo at the Bangalore airport itself. Our first task was to take snap of the boarding pass:

Here I come @blogadda @RenaultIndia #LiveLodgycal #TeamPenDrive pic.twitter.com/iBPbc3opW5

— Garg Ankit (@graciousgarg) June 19, 2015

At the Goa airport, buses were arranged to take us to our destination - the Leela Kempinski Hotel located in Cavelossim, Goa. We received a warm welcome by the staff there:

So a warm welcome at @TheLeelaHotels in @TourismGoa #LiveLodgycal #TeamPenDrive @blogadda @RenaultIndia #fb pic.twitter.com/7dBLfjTpk9

— Garg Ankit (@graciousgarg) June 19, 2015

We were then handed our room keys. Piyush was my room mate. After the tiresome journey, all I was craving for was some tea. The awesome team at BlogAdda had already anticipated that! Evening tea and snacks were waiting for us. After having those delicious samosas and tea, we were headed to our rooms to relax.

In the evening, there was a small meet-and-greet arranged at The Hampi - the conference hall in the premises. There we got to know that Archana was our host for the event. After all the introductions were done, there was a small treasure hunt game. Guess what, our team, won it and topped the leaderboards. That was the end of the first logical day.

Day 1 of #LiveLodgycal was interesting. Thanks to @blogadda @RenaultIndia n @Archanaapania Looking fwd to the drive tomorrow :)

— Garg Ankit (@graciousgarg) June 19, 2015

Next day, myself and Piyush got ready early and went to The Restaurant for breakfast. A mandatory selfie was clicked:

The morning selfie at The Restaurant #LiveLodgycal #TeamPenDrive @blogadda pic.twitter.com/7XricZxcYc

— Garg Ankit (@graciousgarg) June 20, 2015

After we were all done eating, it was time to drive. The Renault Lodgy was waiting for us:

The Lodgy waits for #TeamPenDrive @blogadda @RenaultIndia #LiveLodgycal pic.twitter.com/4hsgoiIJrX

— Jobo Kuruvilla (@jobokuruvilla) June 20, 2015

The amazing photography also made the above tweet the best tweet of the event. Well done Jobo :)

The drive began from the hotel premises. There were 10 teams with a total of 40 bloggers. Each team had a Renault Lodgy to drive. The idea was to drive all the way down to The Lalit Golf and Spa Resort located in Canacona, Goa. It was around 37 kms from our source. There were a lot of tasks which were to be done on the way. We clicked a lot of photos and also made a few videos with the car.

Watch our team's impromptu skits:


I was a part of the #LiveLodgycal Drive by BlogAdda.com in association with Renault India.

Cheese and wine counter

Cocktails and beyond

Retail (market)

Salads

Live Chaat

Live Indian counter

Live egg counter

Live Asian Sushi counter

Desserts

I've already stated (and proved) in my previous post the importance of cricket in the life of an average Indian. With the last season of the world cup not ending so well for the national cricket team, people are eagerly waiting for the next one, with memories still fresh from our last win - the cup in 2011. But do you know what really happened on the night of 2nd April, 2011? Well, you are about to find out.

As you might be aware, India was playing Sri Lanka in the final match. It was being held in Mumbai, and hence, we had the home advantage. Both these countries had won the cup once before (India in 1983 and Sri Lanka in 1996), and so the stakes were equal for either side.

The match began with a controversy over the toss. The match referee couldn't hear the visiting side captain's call for the first time. There was a re-toss, which was won by the opposition. The fans from either side were unhappy, claiming that their team won it in the first go. One side was happy after the re-toss, while the other obviously wasn't. But the stakes were too high, and everybody got tensed. Winning a world cup is like a dream come true for a cricketer.

The match started with Sri Lanka batting first, and asking India to chase down a target of 275 runs. The response appeared quite shake, at least in the beginning. They had lost both their openers at a meager score of 31 runs. The dressing room was losing its charm, its energy to take on the opponents.

The next pair of batsmen tried their best to reduce the damage and get as close to the target as possible. By the time they were walking back to the pavilion, India had scored 223 runs, and required another 52 from as many balls to clinch the title. On the crease were captain cool and Yuvi. The pressure was on them now. They had to win. They had to do something, err everything, to win. The hopes were held high. But after all the toiling that they did in the field the whole day, they were exhausted and really low on energy. Twelfth man was seen carrying some energy drinks towards the pitch. Ironically, neither Urzza nor Red Bull came to their rescue.

But where there's a will, there's a way. And we Indians are well-known for our Jugaad concept. The team management noticed the falling energy level of their captain, reported it to their bosses at BCCI, and urged them to do something.

Unlike a spineless management, the President of BCCI decided to take things under his control. He was aware of the captain's fondness of music and dance, and he also knew who his favorites were.

The match was paused, and a stage was set up. Without much delay, it was occupied by none other than Allu Arjun and Anushka Manchanda. Now, you really have no idea how much money BCCI has got, do you?

The superstar hero danced his heart out on a few singles sung by the heartthrob singer. One of them included the song "Dance Basanti" from the film "Ungli". This was itself a little awkward, coz the Basanti there was singing, while a man was dancing! If you are thinking that this isn't possible since the movie was released in 2014, you really have no idea how much money BCCI has got! ;)

All this while MSD enjoyed the iconic dance moves coupled with a melodious voice, and was all pumped up after the fifteen minute show. Now was the time for another excellent show, one which the captain was going to put out. He hit a six off a pace bowler to complete the proceedings for the day. India had won the match, and the cup of course, with 10 balls to spare.

This is how the tensed and dull situation during the 2011 Cricket World Cup final changed because of the legendary dance moves and enchanting voice of the superstar duo.

...And this is how India won the Cricket World Cup.

P.S.: Dear Sri Lankan brothers, this is a piece of fiction. Do not cry foul like our brothers in Bangladesh did for that no ball.

I am blogging for #MaxFreshMove activity at BlogAdda.com. Are you?

Humans love humans. Humans love things as well. Other humans may not love you back, or worst, hurt you. But things, they don't do that. Despite of being life-less, they remain with you until they exist. That's the irony! Is it a bit too philosophical? Well, it's Friday evening, and I am not drunk! Then why am I acting all Socrates? That's because I realized how much I love my stuff, my precious life-less things that always stand by my side, no matter what. They mean the 'world' to me.

Now, won't you carry your 'world' with you wherever you go, more specifically on a road-trip? What if you were going to the trip in a Renault Lodgy? Well, I assumed I am, and hence came up with a list of following lovely things that I would carry along with me:

Audio books and music

Many of you might be unaware, but I am very fond of books. Though I haven't done any book reviews so far, I would love to do some. (Sorry to Abhijeeth Hiliyana, the author of Age of Apostasy, for not reviewing your book yet. I had my home robbed, and your book was gone with it. Sorry bro.)

"There is no friend as loyal as a book." - Ernest Hemingway

Now, reading a book while driving might not be a good idea, for obvious reasons. Thanks to technology, I can now listen to them! So, first thing I would carry are the audio versions of books/novels of my favorite writers. The loud speakers in the Lodgy will make sure that I hear the words correctly! That way, I will be in full control of the wheel, seemingly enjoying my favorite pastime at the same time. Same goes for music too.

Food

Every time I log into my Facebook account (it's deactivated now), I only have one answer to the infamous question, "What's on your mind?" That's food! But it would be lame to post it as Zuck is not the only one reading it. *I know I'm bad at jokes*.

But seriously, food is something I crave for. If I were to go on a road trip, I would carry lots-and-lots of food packets to last during the journey. After all, offering food makes you friends with fellow travellers too ;) The cup holders and flight tray available in the Lodgy will make storing and consuming food and beverages comfortable.

Having said that, I would like you to know that I attended a food event last week, and the review is coming soon. So stay tuned.

Gadgets

After food, I can only think of my freaky gadgets. They are a part of my daily routine. And the teacher says that missing habits isn't a good thing!

Just in case you are wondering, the list includes my two smartphones, a tablet and a laptop. I will definitely carry chargers for all of these devices, since Lodgy already has 12 V charging sockets for all the three rows.

Sports equipment and board games

I may not sound like an athlete kinda-guy, but I do enjoy playing games if people join me. Cricket and badminton are the ones I like playing outdoors, and cards and board games are my thing if we talk indoors.

To carry all this stuff, Lodgy has ample boot space. Talking about figures, the trunk has a dynamic storage of 207 litres, which is expandable up to 1861 litres.

First aid kit

Last but not the least, I will make sure to take my first aid kit along-with. The Lodgy has a smartly positioned storage area in the center of the dashboard. This place is ideal for carrying such necessary items.

I think I will forget my cushions and pillows at home. Renault Lodgy already has cushion pillows and belt cushions, increasing the comfort and convenience during the trip.

I’m participating in the #LiveLodgycal contest with Renault in association with BlogAdda to get a chance to be a part of the #LiveLodgycal Drive in Goa.

After winning the #BlogForZovi contest held by Zovi, I got this opportunity to guest blog for the brand. This post is the second guest post I am writing for them. You can read the first one here. In case you are unaware of what I'm talking about, read the winning post.
This blogpost is part of #BlogForZovi held by zovi.com.

In my country, cricket is a religion, with the number of followers far more greater than many other religions prevailing in the land. Having said that, the Cricket World Cup tournament, the biggest international event in the world of cricket, is the most watched and celebrated sports tournament in India. The fact that the 1987 Cricket World Cup was held in India and Pakistan (jointly), and it was the first time hosted outside England (the place where the game began), is enough to prove my point.

How are the hosts for this prestigious event selected?

Quoting Wikipedia,

The International Cricket Council's executive committee votes for the hosts of the tournament after examining the bids made by the nations keen to hold a Cricket World Cup.

Since the advent of the event, there have been 11 tournaments so far (including the one currently going on). Following is the breakdown of the events and their respective venues (including the proposed ones):

1.      1975    England
2.      1979    England
3.      1983    England & Wales
4.      1987    India & Pakistan
5.      1992    Australia & New Zealand
6.      1996    India, Pakistan & Sri Lanka
7.      1999    England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland & Netherlands
8.      2003    South Africa, Zimbabwe & Kenya
9.      2007    West Indies
10.    2011    India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh
11.    2015    Australia & New Zealand
12.    2019    England & Wales
13.    2023    India (Source)

Including that of 2023, India will become the second nation to host the event 4 times, first one being England. This again proves the importance of the game in an average Indian's life. Being an international event, it covers almost all the continents of the world.

From the country of the fathers of the game, the Cricket World Cup is spreading its reach to more nations who participate as Associate Teams. Best example being Sri Lanka, who hosted the event for the first time in 1996 (and also won it)! Other good examples are Zimbabwe, Kenya, Bangladesh - to name a few. If the trend continues, we may see countries like Bermuda, UAE and Afghanistan hosting the Cup one day.

Given the vast presence of the tournament, it is like a heaven for travel enthusiasts - lets them cover most of the world if they just follow this event. Below I list down a few must-visit cricket destinations in the history of Cricket World Cup:

1. London, England

The city of London is home to two of the oldest grounds in the history of cricket - The Kia Oval (aka The Oval) and Lord's (aka the Mecca of Cricket). If you are a cricket lover, you get to visit the MCC Museum (the oldest sports museum in the world) and the MCC Library.

Apart from cricket, you have numerous places to visit while you are in London. London Eye, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tate Modern, Madame Tussads, Tower Bridge and Big Ben are the not-to-be-missed attractions. Well, given the fact that I haven't visited London (yet), you must visit the top ten attractions of the city. Also, if experts are to be believed, you must avoid these eight places!

2. Mumbai, India

Being a cricket-loving nation, India has a lot of grounds which host all kinds of cricket games, viz. first-class, List A, Test, ODI and Twenty20. All these pitches are spread all around the country. But, I prefer Mumbai as the cricket travel destination. Firstly, it is home to the God of cricket (aka The Legend aka Master Blaster). Secondly, the city boasts three international ODI grounds - Wankhede Stadium (hosted 1987 Cricket World cup semi-final, and 2011 Cricket World Cup final), Brabourne Stadium, and DY Patil Stadium (This venue has not conducted any international ODI matches so far. The 7th India vs Australia ODI during Australia's 2009 tour of India was supposed to be the first international cricket match to take place here but was cancelled due to heavy rain). Thirdly, Mumbai has Bollywood (one of the largest centres of film production in the world).

Mumbai has a lot to offer to its tourists. Gateway of India, Siddhivinayak Temple, Essel World, Chowpatty, Haji Ali Dargah, Elephanta Caves, Aksa Beach - the city has something for all age groups. Nothing can beat the Vada Pav you get there. Here is a list of the ten places you must visit while you are there.

3. Melbourne, Australia

The city of Melbourne is the second most populous city in the country. It has been ranked the most livable city in the world since 2011. Travelers beware, it is also the fourth most expensive city in the world. The legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is part of this city itself. It is the thirteenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia. It also has the highest light towers at any sporting venue! It is also one of the world's most famous cricket venues. Do you still wonder why I chose Melbourne to be in this list?

On the tourism front, Melbourne is not back at all! Eureka Tower, Royal Botanic Gardens, Yarra Valley, Shrine of Remembrance, National Sports Museum, one can just go on-and-on-and-on. If you are in Melbourne, do these ten things.

4. Colombo, Sri Lanka

Colombo is home to the three best grounds of the country - the R. Premadasa Stadium, the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (aka the Lord's of Sri Lanka), and the P. Sara Oval (aka the Colombo Oval). It is also the capital city, and the largest city of Sri Lanka.

Cricket legend Ian Botham shares his travel experience in Sri Lanka. Mount Lavinia, Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, Viharamahadevi Park, National Museum, and St. Thomas Chapel are a few places worth seeing. If you plan to visit, do these twelve things.

5. Johannesburg, South Africa

The city of Johannesburg boasts three international cricket grounds - the Ellis Park Stadium, Old Wanderers, and the New Wanderers Stadium. It is the largest city in South Africa. It is also one of the  fifty largest agglomerations in the world. It is also the world's largest city not situated on the banks of a river body! Did you know? I bet you didn't ;)

Apartheid Museum, Cradle of Humankind, Lion Park, and Hector Pieterson Museum are the must visit places in the city. Go there and do these things.

Have you already visited any (or more) of these places? If yes, do care to share your experiences via comments below. If not, when are you packing your bags?

This post is part of Blogger Dream Team (#BloggerDreamTeam).