Some days in Gujarat : Kankaria lakefront (Part 2)

Kamla Nehru Zoo being fully explored by us  with our bellies satisfied under the effect of Paani Puri and other snacks, we started continuing our stroll on the path . We passed by the toy train , which we had decided to explore in the last. Proper queue for taking tickets for this train made us happy and also highlighted the difference perhaps how a better civic sense combined with good governance can work wonders. We also passed by a separate entertainment area having video games, Desert Safari and hot air balloon. This area was also to be explored by us later on as we were heading towards the Butterfly park, stated to be a nice addition to this lakefront.

Saman hai suhana suhana

Some of te species at Butterfly park

Kids enjoying in the water

Tickets being bought, we entered the park, a glass structure welcomed us with two security guards duly stationed at the entrance. On the walls of this glass cabin were hundreds of models of butterflies (live models) duly fixed up along with the details of the various species like the area where it is to be found, life span, Zoological name and the flower name which is to be considered as pet  flower of a particular species.

A short chit-chat with the security Guard cum Tourist helper revealed that the park was only he second park in the world catering especially to Butterflies, first being in Singapore. I could not fathom the the verification details though. Exit gate of the glass cabin led us into the park in real with various species of flowers thrown in great abundance and small placards indicating to us that a particular flower catered to which particular species of Butterfly. As the weather was quite hot, we could not find the butterflies in a significant number though. The park was inaugurated by Honourable chief minister of Gujarat Sh. Narendra Modi in Dec. 2012. This addition to Kankaria lake is most welcome one though we were not so lucky to enjoy the company of these beautiful insects.

Now we had decided to visit the aquarium , on the one side of which, lay an open air theater. Savita, my wife had decided not to go to aquarium and had wanted to rest a while as she had visited Tarapore aquarium in Mumbai. But I wanted to take a shot at this place along with little Pavani and Bhakti. Aquarium is built in such a way that two floors of the building are exclusively devoted to these creatures belonging to the PISCES family.  There were many varieties of fish in the aquarium , the names of many were unheard by me. Little Pavani was mesmerized particularly by seeing the small golden fish and small silver fish encased in more than two glass cases. Overall I enjoyed my brief stint at the aquarium along with kids. After spending our time here we joined Savita, my wife who had taken ample rest by that time. Instead of going continuously on that stretch, we decided o take back turn now to take the ride in the toy train.

Entrance of the park

Inviting all to meet these creatures

Another look at the Butterfly

The route of the toy train was such as to cover the whole of the lakefront along its circumference. En route to the starting point of train, I asked for the ride time of hot air balloon which had fancied our imagination, We were saddened a bit when we came to know that on that particular day blowing wind was not viable for the balloon ride. When we reached the starting point of the toy train  , a heavy rush awaited us there. I positioned myself in the queue and also took stock of the situation which indicated to me that our turn would come after three rounds. Despite heavy rush there, I was witness to the scene of extreme discipline and calm in the queue not even a touch on the other fellow in the queue. Whether the discipline changes when one leaves North India or it was the effect of energetic and disciplined administrator of Gujarat, was very hard to judge by. On one side of the track were the fixed iron chairs for the waiting passengers. May Indian Railways take a cue from this arrangement……..and provide such facilities to the passengers. When our turn came for this enthralling ride, night had enveloped and stars along with the dancing lights all over provided an atmosphere to be seen in tourist places only, Ahmedabad though a bubbling city, does not fall under the category of  TOURIST CITY in a strict sense. During our ride in the train, I passed by the structure which was christened as Kids city. We wanted to explore this also but were quite tired so we thought to skip this place.

After the ride we were felling hungry again and satisfied ourselves with a good filing of Sandwiches and milk. The exit gate of the lakefront was also presenting a bubbly picture with small time vendors selling small toys, water pouches, Bhelpuri etc. thus contributing to their household income in a small way, On this trip Pavani was quite enthralled to see water being sold in small pouches, even myself had thought this type of selling quite amazing and a way of saving water as water is not wasted in this arrangement. A small pouch worth Rs. 1 is a good buy. I bought 10 pouches, one of the reasons for which was to contribute something to their economy. Myself , as a habit make it a point, to buy eatables or other thongs from small time vendors or Rehriwalas to somehow neutralize the spending in restaurants or hotels, per say.

Kya Sabak Sikha Us din:  We  living in the northern part of India is a way behind the people in western parts and even in Southern India(as I have heard), in the matters of discipline and civic sense.