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This might turn out to be a longish review as it is from my heart, and hence you may edit and abridge it as per your needs:
Subject: an honest review of my foreign trip with you
Dear Ashookji and Nishittaji,
I traveled with your company ‘Sunn tourism’ from 23rd December 2009 to 4th Jan 2010, to Colombo, Singapore, Malaysia (Genting Highlands and Kaula Lumpur) and Thailand (Bangkok and Pattaya).
Let me tell you that I had heard about a lot of high-profile travel companies before, but when I saw your advt. in a newspaper it just clicked. There was a rare sincerity about it and not just professionalism (I’ll deal with the former aspect a little later).
First let me tell you that it was the peak season…an International holiday, and hence the tourist rush from all over the world was unbelievable. Yet, despite this the way you and the three lady tour leaders (in 3 different countries) managed us was simply unbelievable. We were somehow always pushed up to the top of the queue and that too in a legal/decent way. I could clearly see that you were using your influence with the authorities to accomplish this. Great show, Ashookji—that was your professionalism at your best. Credit should also be given to the lady tour leaders in all three countries who did an exceptional job despite the great hardships (due to the year-end rush) they faced. You indeed picked the best local guides and congrats for that.
Despite the tremendous rush, we never missed one show and had the best seats. Kudos, again to you. I had never thought that a new Travel company could be so efficient.
But beyond your professionalism what really touched me was your Heart. Usually, professional businessmen/women are just that—professional. But I saw a quality in you throughout the 13 day trip that deeply touched me—your HEART. Together with thorough professionalism you also dealt with all of us with your soul…genuinely caring for us in every way; genuinely feeling for our (very rare) discomforts. Of course, there was very little discomfort throughout the 13 days…only genuine pleasure.
What impressed me most was how you had become one of us (and not just a professional tour leader) and enjoyed with us. Sometimes, when we were a bit low, you took the initiative and got us back into top mood. I can't forget how you initiated the song and dance celebrations on the New Year night cruise, when most of us were feeling shy. All credit to you, my friend. You livened up the proceedings, not just during this cruise but throughout the 13 day trip. I know for sure, that no other experienced travel company tour guide would do such a thing. Their concern would only be to somehow show you the sights and be done with it. There would be no soul in it, like the one you showed throughout.
The hotels were the best. And among them I loved the one at Genting Highland. In fact, someday in the future I’d just like to go all alone (FIT tour) just to Genting, and stay in the hotel leisurely and explore the forests around. For that of course, I’d contact you. In any case I’ve decided that wherever I go in the world (except for South Africa…which is my home as my younger brother is a citizen there and lives there) I’d travel with you alone. I might not always come with you in a group tour, but a FIT tour arranged by you.
Now for the food: IT WAS EXCELLENT everywhere. The variety was so much, the quality so good, it was a sensory overload. But how much can one NORMAL person eat? You arranged for us Every type of Indian food. My favorite of course was the chilled watermelon (my favorite fruit of all time) and let me tell you, isme hee saab paise vasool ho gaya!
The travel buses were excellent—very comfortable.
Now about you personally:
Ashook Malliek has to be the best tour leader in the country (this is not to say Nishitta Ghaatge must be any less…but I have so far only experienced Ashookji). The things you’ve gone through to please everyone—no one could have done it, brother. 38 people and 38 different personalities. How can one person manage all these weirdoes? Of course, many were very decent people, but some were plain crazy. And yet, you, managed them all, while still keeping a smiling face and a humorous demeanor. Despite hundred warnings every day, some people insisted on being late every time and for no fault of yours you had to take the brunt from the rest of the group. It was very unfair on you and yet you managed to keep a smiling face. A great feat for a young, robust JAT, I must say. Three cheers to you. Unlike other tours, you didn’t act harshly with anyone…didn’t leave anyone out when they were late, although you could have, like other tours do. That shows your good intentions, (mixed with perfect professionalism). How do you manage it? Doesn’t your blood pressure go up every time? I fear that one day you’ll get a heart attack this way. You are a hundred times better than any tour leader of any high profile travel company—that I can tell you from the bottom of my heart. In your place I would have killed at least half the group in frustration (LOL). Your patience is legendary and hats off to you. Even though I’m supposed to be in the service industry (fitness) if anyone annoys me even a little I kick them out of the gym at the end of the month. I may appear quiet, but when I lose it, I really lose it and the only way I can react is with my hands (having been a boxer, body-builder and a 2 dan kung-fu black belt). That’s why I always try to be very docile so that a mistake doesn’t happen and I end up in jail after killing someone). But you…WOW! Salute, sir! You are the real BIG BOSS. What control you have!
To sum it up: this trip was the best I’ve experienced and the joy was as much in the sight-seeing, the food, the comforts, the hotels, and above all in your excellent company. Be sure I’ll always travel with you, or through your company. I must have missed out on saying many things, but I’ve already said too much. When my heart flows, it just flows and I need to express myself. Thanks you a lot, Ashookji and remember, this is just the start. Will be seeing a lot of you in the future.
One suggestion though: Next time please charge us a little more and cut off the Colombo leg of the tour. It is too tedious. Let the Sri Lanka tour be a separate tour in itself. Please have a Bombay—Singapore/Bangkok direct flight, instead of a detour Colobo flight. And same while returning (Bangkok-Bombay flight).
But I had also told you, if you remember, that Rita was the first to tell everyone that Sunn tourism and Ashookji is the best. That has now been proved: not only she, but 3 of her friends are going with you to Dubai, barely a month after this South-Asia trip. Thanks and take care,
Mr.Roy.
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