Year 2014 was bitter sweet memory for me and my family. It started with a bang with memorable experience of Murray river cruise, visit to Adelaide Zoo, New Years Fireworks at Elder Park adjacent to Adelaide Oval and it ended with visit to Monato Safari Park, Mounty Lofty Fountains and Gleneg beach New Year’s fireworks.
In between had memorable last month of Afghanistan works at Ministry of Mines, very anxious few moths pre and post open heart surgery of my dearest wife Rozy, Asian Security Summit at Colombo, sweet memories of Kuala Lumpur visit, Memorable Time at Bali Indonesia, relentless efforts for working on a Australian Government grant to Monash University and RMIT for capacity building of Bangladeshi officials.
We had to manage a hurriedly arranged Wedding Reception of my son Shahriar and his bride Rizwana at Dhaka. I had a short stint at Tanzania for conducting USAID arranged Workshop on Gas Regulation. In November-December in Bangladesh had wonderful opportunity for renewing networks with my Freedom Fighter friends, sports mates and sports writers. Wrote regular columns on sports (FIFA World Cup, Cricket, Infrastructure Projects, Tour Diary) at banglanew24 and on Energy and Power at www.ep-bd.com. I also participated in a few TV talk shows, radio programs and delivered power point presentations in some seminars. I also enjoyed some cricket and soccer matches at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Bangabandhu Stadium, MGG and Adelaide Oval. Last few days we spent with family at Adelaide. When we look back in retrospect we can remember 2014 as a very memorable never to be forgotten year of joy and sorrow, hopes and despair. I am very fortunate to be overwhelmed with love, respect and affection from all of my friends, relatives and well-wishers.
New Years Eve and New Year:
I had to rush back from Dhaka on December 24th to join the prearranged year end and New Year annual program of my family. On 26 December, we were at Iconic MCG for the annual Boxing Day test event. This year my daughter in law Rizwana Jesmin also joined us. She was thrilled in watching live cricket for the first time and that too in one of most sought after cricket venue of the world. We were watching the India Australia third test seating in the family zone adjacent to Australian dressing room. Shuvro’s friend Mahabubub and Kolli joined us flying from Sydney. Shuvro organized a mini-van for accommodating six of us three families.
We set off for Adelaide by mid-day on 28 December 2014 .The nine hours’ drive to Adelaide from Melbourne was really wonderful. We stopped at Kryal Castle at Bendigo on the way for rest, prayer and some photographs, stopped at few more hill resorts and lakes on the way for lunch and tea and finally reached our pre-arranged apartment at Adelaide at around 10 PM. The three bed room apartment had all arrangements for comfortable living. The occupant who used it before us left behind lot of food and other stuff which possibly they could not consume. We still purchased food stuff on the morning of 29 December and the girls spent time in cooking.
The afternoon of 29 December we spent at picturesque Mounty Lofty from where entire Adelaide City had dream view in the evening. We also visited seven fountains of Mount Lofty. We spent the evening at a sea beach beside Adelaide Airport. On 30 December, we went to Lake Alexandria, Lake Albert. The fascinating views of the lakes and road side vineyards were treating to eyes. The girls enjoyed picking grapes from vines and taking pictures along lake sides. In the afternoon we visited Adelaide Oval.
We programmed 31 December for visiting Safari Park and Gleneg Beach. The two hour long Safari drive was really a memorable experience. We saw American Bison, Zebra, Giraffe, African Horses, Lions, Kangaroo, Coala Beer and many other animals. In the afternoon we had to reach Gleneg beach a bit early to find parking. We had wonderful swimming experience at Southern Ocean. Saw the last sun set of year 2016 from the beach. Later we witnessed a fascinating fireworks biding good bye to year 2014 and welcoming year 2015.
Nothing remains forever in the mortal world. Everything that starts have to end. Year 2015 will also end on due course. So many things will happen. Some will bring joy, some sorrows. Very eventful year 2014 has left so many bitter sweet difficult to forget for me and family. At age 62 cannot guarantee that I will another opportunity for sharing joy and sorrow of year 2015 with all of you. If not please remember me as a very ordinary Bangladeshi who wanted to see a very happy and prosperous Bangladesh.
BDST: 1011 HRS, JAN 01, 2015
