An Amazing San Diego Trip

Last weekend of April was one of the fast ones when I, Shusmita and Ahyan went to a 3 day trip to San Diego. It was a great trip in all sense. We had a little more than one hour flight in United Airlines from San Francisco at 25th night. By the time I got a Toyota Avalon from Alamo and checked in Holiday Inn Quality Suites in San Diego it was almost 2 AM there. Here are some of the photos of the tour.

http://picasaweb.google.com/shusmita/SanDiegoTripApril25To28thPril2006

The first day (26th) we went to Sea World. We watched the Shamu show in the noon and again the late evening. I would not believe a Whale can show such kind of gymnastics with other whales and it's trainers if I would not see with my own eyes. We also saw the dolphin show, Elmo's 3D show and many other booths.

The second day we spent in San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park which are about 45 miles apart. As I had the 5 day unlimited entry ticket fro us, we didn't have to worry about the queue or any additional charges for bus tours etc. While the zoo was no suprise, I liked the Africa Safari in Wild Animal Park. Ahyan enjoyed the beasts watching so closely, specially the lions when we were no more than 20 feet far in open land separated only by a 10 feet deep trench. This kind if distance a man eater Royal Bengal Tiger can easily jump even taking hunts in their shoulder. But may be lions are not as string and clever as Royal Bengal Tigers and that's why even this 20 feet distance is safe enough. Jewel and Mumu came in our late in the evening and propose to go for a long drive to LA for dinner. We were in a mood to accept the wild idea and Jewel drove us to Swadesh in LA that took hours. By the time we were back it was around 3/4 in the early morning.

The 3rd day we went to Sea World again as we were convinced that it's the biggest attraction in our trip. We had dine with Samu for lunch where the whales were within our touching distance. We had to catch the late afternoon return flight to SFO to end what was one of our best trips ever.

Calling Generation Bangladesh

Today is one of the rare days when I am sad. I just heard that my younger brother Rasel's new car got damaged in an accident in Dhaka with truck last Friday. Fortunately, no one was injured. Rasel is already running on edge after returning from London to settle down on business and finish his MDS in BRAC University. He just bought the new car with extreme desire by 16.5 lakhs taka only couple of months back. He is now running in garages and insurance companies the whole days and nights leaving his semester final and business in this crucial time. This is definitely a major blow to him.

And now while I am reading the article below I am feeling better when I read: Generation Pakistan is near the exit. Generation Middle is still running the show. Generation Bangladesh is here and rising.

http://www.thedailystar.net/forum/2008/april/genaration.htm

Filed Tax Return for 2008

I filed tax return for 2008 last night in H&R Block. Although a little expensive, it didn't take much time and I will get some good (!) refund from both Federal and State this year as well. On top of it I should be getting some George Bush money as well in May like others. This money will be a good source for the staffs we are buying (LCD HDTV, Sofa, Bed etc) as a preparation for my parents visiting us in June. :-)