What a week. Humbled.

[El Presidente]

I met Manu Bhojwani 25 years ago. I was his property banker at the time in Australia and he was a Singaporean investor heading a Sing Multinational with his family company. 

As happens in life, we hit it off. I haven't met a more astute, humble, confident and successful ratbag in my life.  I resigned from banking the day my credit committee decided it was fair game to screw another client out of a couple of 100k on a project because they could.  Manu picked up the phone and hired me as a project manager/ negotiator for his Singapore group. He was instrumental in getting me into the Cuban cigar game. 

One of my best mates, a mentor, a role model. 

We have got up to many things together around the world in that 25 years. Many of them are not forum material..but all of them are lasting memories and we were in tears reminiscing over the past 5 days. 

Manu has seen my children grow into adulthood, I have watched his do the same. His daughter is one of the most striking, assured and astute women I know. I attended her wedding six years ago. His son Dinesh got married in Bangkok Saturday. It was four days of ridiculous events and partying. How they manage to do it it with a balance of fun and religious (Sindhi) reverence is an eye opener. 430 guests. I was one of the few non Indians invited. I am family and I am humbled. 

I could post a thousand photo's...but everything can be summed up in the Baraat procession immediately leading up to the wedding ceremony. 

The Baraat is a procession where we take the groom to the the family of the new wife (Deema....gorgeous). 

A Baraat is a cacophony of sound. Drummers, dancing, vodka stations and pours along the way. We all take turns in leading the procession. 

Di and I started by getting dolled up in traditional Indian style. I love a great Sari on a woman and a Sherwani on the man. 

 

The drummers call all the grooms family and friends to action.

 

it is a festival atmosphere....with the father of the groom (Manu) inciting the crowd

 

The procession goes for about 45 minutes....which means mobile vodka and beer stations are a necessity......remember this procession is immediately before the wedding ceremony.

It becomes a raucous event

 

 

 

When we deliver the groom to the door ...he ceremoniously waves us (friends and family) goodbye as he moves on to his new life. 

...hard to believe....we are at the wedding ceremony a half an hour  later. Most of us a little worse for wear. 

After the ceremony it is a change of clothes from Indian to formal for the reception. 

Di and I scrub up ok. 

 

The reception is .....well...astounding. Fantasy...Alice in wonderland stuff. It went until 6am.

 

To put it in perspective...that was one day of four days of specific functions.  I can tell you we are knackered 

Bangkok is a vibrant city. it has never been one of my favourites due to traffic but we did manage to get out and about for some cultural education. Stunning. 

 

 

 

We had plenty of great lunches and cigars but they pale into insignificance. 

The spirit of the week was simply the celebration of family, friends, love and life. 

I can buy into that. I am glad I am not forking out the bill.....there were some 1000 bottles of whisky (JW Black/Chivas 18) drunk alone. Same in Veuve. I can only guess the amount of other spirits, red wine, white wine etc.  The food was out of this world. 

I will certainly put the Kempinski hotel as one of the finest I have stayed in. Last night in the patio bar they stayed open until 4am as Manu and  a half dozen of us reminisced. The F&B  and hotel manager were drinking and eating with us. Nothing was too much trouble. What a fantastic vibe. That is what makes Bangkok special...you can still pull off these gala events without the red tape. 

So we have arrived home. Still on a buzz. Something we will remember for the rest of our lives. 

Life really is all about friendships and love. 

Cheers!

Rob

[Tex]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing such a special event.


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[Sunsmoke]

Awesome! Cheers for sharing!


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[Bohn007]

I love hearing about the traditions of other cultures. Thanks for the narrative. I always wants to go to the Far East. For you, it is not far but for a boy in Chicago, it's a journey that hopefully some day I will make but unfortunately not soon enough. 

[Saxman]

Fabulous. I've played many weddings like this as a musician and they are indeed an experience. Usually we are one of more than eight bands and DJs. A celebration of life indeed. Thanks for sharing.

[Drguano]

Nice!

[ayepatz]

What a great experience!

[anacostiakat]

Looks like a blast.  Great pictures! 

Well done!

[joeruby]

Sounds like an awesome time Rob, more importantly, what an awesome friend you have in Manu.

[Colt45]

[LordAnubis]

Great pics mate!

[Elvis]

Outstanding! Thanks for the pictures!

[Smallclub]

Rob you could play in Game of Throne, dressed in that sherwani!

Di's blue evening dress is magnificent.

[Akela3rd]

Spectacular. I've been to a few Indian birthday parties on this scale (2 day, not four - lightweights) and it's incredible and outrageous fun.
(That doesn't half look like my Uncle Dan back right in the selfie. Quite how he's got there from his farm in the Lake District I don't know...)

[OZCUBAN]

Great post Rob 

Glad you enjoyed your week away/wedding ,it sure seems a grandeous affair.

I met Manu 2 years ago as you know, thanks to you. And it became obvious to me pretty quickly all the traits that you described were there in abundance,he is an amazing guy and I can totally understand where your coming from in this respect 

its really a blessing when you can meet a person who can both nurture,inspire motivate and ultimately change the course of your life for the better.

it really is all about love and friendship the rest is all secondary .....

and we are lucky to have that in abundance here on F.O.H

Cheers Steve

[Warren]

You know I expect to see you wearing that fetching gold outfit for Friday cigars.

It certainly looks like an event to file away in the memory bank of life.

[Hurltim]

Simply fantastic! What a wonderful event! Love all the shots and beers prior to the ceremony. I could have used that at my own nuptials. 

Such a handsome couple! 

That Warrior Princess...she's a looker Rob.

Now wring out your liver and prepare for Perth. We Hurley's have a spare liver so I usually send one of mine out to a spa while I pollute the spare. 

Congrats to the Bride and Groom!

[Jeremy Festa]

Wow


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[Ethernut]

What a great experience!

[Philc2001]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing Prez! 

I'll be visiting those same sights in a couple of weeks, stopping in Bangkok for 6 days. Curious where you were able to smoke cigars. Can you smoke in public places?

 

[oliverdst]

I attended a wedding in India once. 4 days of party.

We had some issues with alcooholic beverages and meat (or their shortage) but absolutely remarkable event.

[habanolover]

WowSo great of you to share and thanks for the pics!

[tengel78]

Great pics. It looks like it was a blast!

[miurajus]

Thank you for sharing the experience with us.  It sounds like a fantastic time was had.  Moments that truly exude life's vibrancy in full.  Friendship, life, contemplation, memories shared, senses, company, ambience, the millions of things that go into a moment/s to make the magical, unique and special.

We're all stoked that you had such an amazing time!  

 

[Bartolomeo]

Thanks for sharing!