Yes, there is no escaping it. The dog days are here again. The heat, dust, sweat and fatigue. It envelopes you in a bearhug however comfortable you may be palced. How one likes to get away from all this?

Imagine yourself in fabulous green courtyards, gracious manors, trimmed hedges and ornamental gardens. Such picture postcard vistas have long inspired poets and artistes into bursts of evocative imagery. Well, Hyderabad may not boast of such breathtaking scenery. But it can sure look to Necklace Road, the city's own Marine Drive. Come summer and it's time to chill out. It is not just baby's but families' day out.

As the day advances, people's misery rises along with the mercury. They crawl out of beat-up joints like ants out of woodwork and head straight to greener pastures. Of course, the sprawling Necklace Road is the favourite destination. The NTR Garden is an added attraction. Most families make a beeline to the Lumbini Park while many prefer to freak out at People's Plaza, the newest fun spot facing Hussainsagar.

There is no stopping the younger lot. They like to zoom away on fast boats, foul smell or not. What about the elderly and chicken-hearted? No need to despair. They, too, can savour the sylvan surroundings from the comfort of Purnima, the open-deck coach recently launched by the Tourism Department.

For some a stroll along the Tank Bund is most refreshing. While for some sampling the succulent kebabs, licking dollops of ice- cream or simply munching away the hot hot peanuts give the kick. Anything to beat the heat.

By J.S. Ifthekhar