20080622

High and Higher

Summer is here and just busy enjoying it after the dull winter. Two weeks back finally went again to Six Flags Great Adventure here in New Jersey with my cousins who were visiting me. Got a chance to ride this two year old ride Kingda Ka finally. It is currently the worlds fastest and tallest roller coaster ride.


This is a description of the ride from Wikipedia :
"Once the train is in position, the hydraulic launch mechanism rockets the train from 0 to 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds. At the end of the launch track, the train climbs the main tower, or top hat, twisting 90 degrees to the right before reaching a height of 456 feet (139.5 m). The train then descends 418 feet (127 m) straight down through a 270-degree spiral. Finally, the train climbs the second, 129 foot hill, producing a moment of weightlessness before being smoothly brought to a stop by the magnetic brakes. The ride lasts 28 seconds from the start of the launch to the end of the brake run."

Really dont know how to describe the experience in words...it was simply awesome. Shaken, hurled, pushed, thrown and exhilerated, it took sometime to get our bearings straight. There was a long wait, so had to sit on the second row. Will go back to ride it sitting in the first seat. That is the best way to experience any roller coaster with nothing in front of you.

That was a physical high and then yesterday evening was a kind of spiritual high.

Attended a live concert of Ustad Ghulam Ali and Munni Begum (both famous Pakistani ghazal singer) in New York. Again words fail to describe the moment in presence of such a legend.

Image courtesy - Wikipedia
Had never heard Munni Begum before. She started the show and had a very different voice from that of Indian singers that we are used to hearing. She ended her part of the concert with Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Sharabi - a Qawalli which I had only heard in the voice of Aziz Nazan before. (Here is the e-snips link of the Qawalli in his voice)

Then Ghulam Ali entralled the crown with his rendition of ghazals that included some of his most famous numbers namely - Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa, Chupke Chupke Raat Din and many others.

The crowning glory of the evening was the online booking goof up. Due multiple booking of the same seats from two websites, I had one of them and so got upgraded to 5th row from front right in front of the center stage.

I will retain this experience in my memory for ever.

77 comments:

Urv said...

Ceedy bhai! That would have been one hell of a ride :D The speed and the steepness are mind blowing..

broca's area said...

hope u enjoyed!!..:)....u dont get nausea while on such trips??

Anonymous said...

re: Ghulam Ali- found Dad's old cassettes when we were moving place recently- never really understood what it was that mesmerised the 'grown-ups' so much.
Not sure if and how far I get it now, but the cassettes have replaced the mp3 player in my ride.
Incidentally I threw away the VCR recordings of the programme 'Raat Gaey' from PTV- one of which had the ghazal you've put up on the site. Thanks for putting it up! Reminds me of good times..

re: the roller coaster- oh MAN!! I wish they had sth like that out here! AWESOME!

Friendly Stranger said...

Wow!
I want to experience Kingda ka!
I'm feeling jealous as you experienced Gulam Ali's show....Hope to see him in mumbai soon!

Ankur said...

about the train and the concert... i envy u!!! :(

i always want to attend one ghulam ali/jagjit singh concert!!! :(((((

dont know when i will be able to...

also i m always scared of such trains... but i love to do it!! :D

Prats said...

**Bows to you **

I can never be able to watch it from stable ground even....you're really brave. :(

Those songs are so soothing...I envy you now.

Cinderella said...

I hate roller-coasters, they make me nauseous, and all pukish and whirling head...ugh !!!!

And that one is a devil...man !! How didja even do it all ?!

:O

Cinderella said...

The concert sounds like good fun ! Glad you enjoyed.

gypsy said...

M scared of such rides... :(

Anonymous said...

i want to be back, i want to be back, i want to be back....any way i can bribe uscis to fix an early date ?

Mysterious Mia said...

hmm the rollercoaster must be amazing....something like freefall kinda inni when on the top....

n do u attend most of the concerts in US

KP said...

summers are always fun...:). its the winters that suck!!

Never been to Qawalli concert must different experience...:).

WritingsForLife said...

ahh looks like your summer is going well. I love listening to ghazals and these are notable names, I wish I had known.

How do you find out about such events? :-)

Anonymous said...

I LOVE ROLLER COASTERS!!! They were built for me! I am a thrill seeker! lol

I am glad you had a great time! I have to have my summer fix of them also!!

Happy Monday!

Solitaire said...

You know I was born to ride roller coasters. That is the sole aim of my life. I am proud to say that I have ridden at least half of the world's top ten coasters. If you like coasters, you should definitely visit Cedar Point in Ohio. It is the best park I have ever been to (and trust me I have been to most of them in the United States and abroad). Will definitely have to ride this one in Jersey soon!!

Nirmal said...

heheh even i have fun in roller coasters....its frightening but fun...

ghazals..i really dont follow them..

nice to hear that u had fun..

imperfect said...

Being on a roller coaster and Musical Concerts are the best things any person can experience. Try a roller coaster with headphones on some time, its even better.

BTW if you remember me, Im back blogging,just the name has changed from perfectionismkills.blogspot to anomaliesoflife

Satish Bolla said...

bhai, hope u enjoyed it. now, I WANT TO RIDE THIS ONE.... :(
last weekend, we went to a water park. it was fun, if not exciting. had a great time there with frnds.
regarding the concert thing, we already discussed it on chat. so no need to comment on that

Jaya said...

I live close to Six Flags and have yet to visit it !! You are brave. I don't think I would be able to survive such a roller coaster. I might get dizzy just by looking at it. I have never heard Munni Begum but will try to hear her album online......

Anonymous said...

on such roller coaster rides... i remember those ads and movies..in which they vomit...and i feel God! if the person wud do that... it wud be so yuck :-/


but u enjoyed... :D

i like rides... if ever i be there.. i m sure.. i will try it out :D


You have been enjoying :))

chalo thats good :)

A said...

I too love life concerts...

ceedy said...

@urv
it was awesome but too quick.....

ceedy said...

@brocasarea
no I actually love it....i love speed...

ceedy said...

@abreysham
Cool....purani yaadein tazaa ki...
out where?...ab to muh khol....it was awesome.

ceedy said...

@friendly stranger

cool...then come over here..and experience it..

ceedy said...

@ankur
it will happen. just keep looking for their ads.
and this is no means a train :P....

ceedy said...

@prats
heheh
thanks...its not that big of a deal once you are on

and the songs well ghazals are soothing - just wish i understood urdu more

ceedy said...

@cinderella
well dunno how to explain. I just love heights and speed and the thrill.

and the concert was fun all the way...thanks

ceedy said...

@d sinner
:(

ceedy said...

@ashu
well when the time comes you will make the move, till then you have to wait just like I am for USCIS to get things straight.

ceedy said...

@princess mia
yeah...it was freefall when on top but wish I could sit on the first seat. Maybe next time.

I attend most concerts of people that I like and are in NY. Have two more I am attending in July.

ceedy said...

@kp!
Yes summers are fun. Looking forward to meeting you.
and this is Ghazal concert but yes Qawalli is also fun.

ceedy said...

@cinder-single
Nice! If you like them read Solitaire's comment - she too beleives in the same. You should experience this one and the Batman Robin in the same park.

ceedy said...

@solitaire
Cool to know you love them and have experienced so many around the world. I have heard of Cedar Point - will make it a trip someday soon. This one for me was too short but exciting- just wish next time can sit on the first seat.

ceedy said...

@nirmal

thanks...yeah coasters are fun.

ceedy said...

@imperfect
hahah next time I am going to try headphones and coaster...well glad to know you exist - will check out your blog soon

ceedy said...

@satish bolla
come on over - we will go again
any pics of the water park?
and yes concert ka discussion ho gaya...

ceedy said...

@joy
Are then you should goto Six Flags this weekend. You will survive I did.

Well did not find much stuff on Munni Begum - if you do let me know.

ceedy said...

@yaeecks veens is here
Dont even say that....damn now I will always be scared of puke falling on me.

you should try it for sure - they are fun.

I am enjoying and you are too....;)

ceedy said...

@anjuli
Nice! have you seen any lately.

Rho Tau GWIS said...

Gosh, roller coasters scare the shit out of me!! I loved them when I was a kid, but as I grew older, I got more and more scared!!!

Have you been on 'The Beast' and 'Son of the Beast' at Kings Island? I hear they are a trip!!

Scribblers Inc said...

brilliant stuff...had read about the ride in some forwarded mailer...looks like its supposed to...exhilarating!!:)

Scribblers Inc.

broca's area said...

"speed thrills but kills"...a saying near my house on the road side!:D

ceedy said...

@raaji

I find out about these events from poster in indian stores here or on sat morn we get 3 hours of TV-Asia and other programs that advertise such events...

it was a great concert...

ceedy said...

@carolinagal

yeah i guess it happens ;)
have not heard about them but checked it...maybe will try it out sometime

ceedy said...

@scribbler's inc

yeah it was really exhilerating

and welcome here

ceedy said...

@brocasarea

yeah - i agree but thats cause others are involved...in this case its you and you luck and just the machine :)

Stupidosaur said...

when I just opened the page with the title High and Higher and the picture below it, my first flash thought was that designing such a thing is your next project, since you are an architect.

Must say the post turned out to be bit low and lower than my flash expectation.

Me and my Stupid flash thoughts!

Friendly Stranger said...

Hi Buddy!
Check out the new flick on my blog!

Gunjan Aylawadi said...

u always always make me jealous!!

Lakshmi said...

wow..you are high on life right now

RADhika said...

oh.. so much exciting and thrilling experiences! :))

oh and yes, you've been tagged!again!!

Hiren said...

ur ride has got me interested .. next time i visit US; this one will be on my radar right from the first weekend :)

I like ghazals, listening Ghulam Ali live must have been exhiliriating for sure :) ... and about live performance... I had a mesmerising experience during A R Rahman performance in Chicago last year. It was just out of the world feeling ...

and btw bhai, your I-tag has been executed ... check it out

Anonymous said...

enjoy the summers yo & have fun:)
its kinda surprising for me to know someone who is still into listening ghazals of Ghulam Ali & Munni Begam..infact the latter surprised me even more..i love Ghulam Ali's ghazals & i am glad to know that you're into them as well:)

ceedy said...

@stupidosaur

well I am busy so this is all I could write...

and as long as its flash "thoughts" and not hot "flashes" it fine...

and architects dont get to design such things....we design the park - to desing this you have to be a specialist.

ceedy said...

@friendly stranger

hi,

I will check everything on Sunday. Am tied up with stuff...

thanks!

ceedy said...

@gunj

ohohoh....just wait for your time to come it will COME!

I was also jealous of many at your age...just work towards it....it will happen

ceedy said...

@lakshmi

I am always high on life - no matter what...

ceedy said...

@radhika

ok now I will do this tag which I have also been tagged by ankur...this sunday

ceedy said...

@hiren

cool, you come often to US...work or travel?

Yeah I like live performances..have been to many.

Also saw AR Rahman here two yrs back....it was awesome..

My favorite till date has been Zakir Hussain and Yo Yo Ma (he is a celloist - check youtube)

And also cant forget to mention Jagjit - will go anytime he is here :)

I checked the tag, will comment later...thanks!

ceedy said...

@an illusion

Oh..well I listen to all kinds of music and ghazals too...

Munni Begum was a surprise for me too as I had never heard of her....

the only problem is that I am not well versed with Urdu so some of it goes bonkers but hey so does spanish and chinese....

Am In Trance said...

Whooooo...!! Thats One Giantly Giant RollerCoaster....
n' Ghulam Ali.... Wow...
Nice Time U R Havin' Dude...

Anonymous said...

*opens mouth
Aaaaaaaaaaah!

Jaggu said...

blog updated!!!

rantravereflect/ jane said...

whoaaaa man!!!! i mean two higs at one go...
six flags grt adventure.... mannn i realllly wish i were there on that ride.. it looks soooo superliceously exciting n nauseating at the same time!!

n well, online booking goof-up.. many a time, sucjh things dun end up well.. but i guess, it worked well in ya case... i wunder y indians in india, liek me dun appreciate indian concerts in india!! duhh:)

Anonymous said...

wow..... i did not eave read about the singers..( id di thts why i know u wrote about singers lol)...but the irde is awesum..plz invite me over

ceedy said...

@am in trance

thank you...yes it was a great time...

ceedy said...

@abreysham

you have some cavities you need to take care off!

ceedy said...

@jaggu

I will check it asap...

ceedy said...

@rantravereflect/jane

yes..it worked to my advantage....

and y is it that indian artists are not respected in india?

ceedy said...

@samby

you are welcome anytime....

Anonymous said...

aw man!
no wonder my molar is in agony everytime I so much as THINK of some chocolate!

Satish Bolla said...

bhai, kaisa hain? bahut din ho gaye chat karke. sab teekh hain kyaa?

ceedy said...

@abreysham

See I can see your PAIN....:P (me the enlightened one!)

ceedy said...

@satish

email kiya maine...catch you soon

Aarti said...

Whoa... i wanna go on that Roller coaster~~~ been ages since i went to a theme park...hmmm

Sameera Ansari said...

Wow is all that comes to mind on reading about this ride!Hope I get the chance to visit this place someday.