tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67186592731066555352024-03-06T05:32:20.306+08:00Rattling CommunicatorSeasoned traveller, with a penchant for authentic experience, besides oft-beaten tourist spots. Habitually I observe and admire various things around me, be it clouds, water bodies, landscapes, cuisine, culture et all. Here I express personal experience and two pence on anything that fancies me, mostly through the pictures I take!VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.comBlogger313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-38323240635156028922018-12-31T23:59:00.000+08:002019-01-01T03:21:49.659+08:00Ganges Darshan from Rishikesh and Haridwar <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ganges, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the life line of North India, starts at a humble origin from Gangotri glacier from the Dhouladhar range of the Himalayas! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mythology describes Ganga as the Consort of Lord Shiva and the epic Mahabharata says Ganga is the mother of Bhishma. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stories from the great epic Mahabharata stays evergreen for me, mainly because it brings back vivid memories of childhood, where my grandpa used to tell us stories in such a way that we could feel as if it was happening in real-time! It was no wonder that the first time I saw Ganges flowing majestically at the foothills of Rishikesh, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishikesh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">yoga capital of the world</a>, it was like dejavu. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsQMNbHFOLEtf9sC09J_it6YE0OQ6MgAWkcHaRvADfMxdNAtYUjIG6Pk0tu0dA27kuBgnH9QKgSASxRDox1APvgSIt0ss2Kk7YR9kiLtYGnKvwJBw1gLpiK1X2kyZPg1BI3SZILmpCzM/s1600/IMG_6612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsQMNbHFOLEtf9sC09J_it6YE0OQ6MgAWkcHaRvADfMxdNAtYUjIG6Pk0tu0dA27kuBgnH9QKgSASxRDox1APvgSIt0ss2Kk7YR9kiLtYGnKvwJBw1gLpiK1X2kyZPg1BI3SZILmpCzM/s400/IMG_6612.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ganges - from Rishikesh - Lakshman Jula bridge in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She leaves the mountain terrain and enters the Indo Gangetic Plains at Har Ka Pauri in Hardiwar, Uttrakhant and travels more than 2500 KM in India and merges in the Bay of Bengal. Unfortunately, the crystal clear water starts getting polluted as it flows down the mountains. But, At one end of the spectrum, people keep polluting and at the same time they offer tribute to her at several places twice a day. Ramblings apart, it was a great experience to see the tribute, popularly known as Ganga arathy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We planned to see the Ganga arathy at Har ka puri, Haridwar. There is also a temple for Ganga.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6G-V7zh92_EyLnG399ASX-wnpL3mvRO7SWRZ47kkQnjNOvnCwx-v0HAjrmW2fV5rukSiFqxXQq04qY9sGuVUrAyma6ldv1Tbour6j3MOpss-aUJhHCI9yvca6wLJalw6p69p5OqbiOWg/s1600/IMG_6682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="677" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6G-V7zh92_EyLnG399ASX-wnpL3mvRO7SWRZ47kkQnjNOvnCwx-v0HAjrmW2fV5rukSiFqxXQq04qY9sGuVUrAyma6ldv1Tbour6j3MOpss-aUJhHCI9yvca6wLJalw6p69p5OqbiOWg/s320/IMG_6682.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Though the ritual takes place in a canal of Ganga, she flows with great force. There were thousands of people waiting in both sides of the bank. We were on the side of the bank where the priests and the deity were. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qmITrgZVJ1is_XhWHg9RtwcKC3XJcyyVoALy5St274T3DwFskQByVq8uQ8Ffw-9NxpGs13duDQXaOWIX5zO1VlYygXHCyCw6O_8rD2ialiUtl6otZePzfcNKCNI1Xfv0WYkt2hRoPTc/s1600/IMG_6638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qmITrgZVJ1is_XhWHg9RtwcKC3XJcyyVoALy5St274T3DwFskQByVq8uQ8Ffw-9NxpGs13duDQXaOWIX5zO1VlYygXHCyCw6O_8rD2ialiUtl6otZePzfcNKCNI1Xfv0WYkt2hRoPTc/s400/IMG_6638.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="hasCaption" style="font-family: inherit;">Ganga canal @ Har ka Pauri, Haridwar</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the crowd was heavy, we were wondering how to get closer. At that time, we were approached by a local who was offering to take us nearer. Having traveled to several cities in this part of the country, obviously we knew that he was a tout who would be leading us to a local priest. So, we told him that we were not interested in any pooja, but he said that it is enough if we bought the lamp and flowers for Rs 10. Though we were aware that we may have to pay more once we get closer, we took a chance in the hope of watching up close. Well, the tout handed us over to a local priest, who said we can pay anything we wish to perform the pooja.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0AB6E8raeSFtamQYKWnySn5gys2D7PjRqDAG0r2rth2Km8cTF1Qgk4tF8CQcHttrVaVEginETui1ty9dqtfyEMm8UI3NQkWDU5FfZdeLNMybIWRijGME5XVQucCbnXpFhgKxzBAqgvs/s1600/IMG_6641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0AB6E8raeSFtamQYKWnySn5gys2D7PjRqDAG0r2rth2Km8cTF1Qgk4tF8CQcHttrVaVEginETui1ty9dqtfyEMm8UI3NQkWDU5FfZdeLNMybIWRijGME5XVQucCbnXpFhgKxzBAqgvs/s400/IMG_6641.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="hasCaption" style="font-family: inherit;">Pandits of Ganga Sabha chanting slokhas before Ganga Aarthi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Ganga arathy is performed twice a day, at sunrise and sunset by the priests of Ganga sabha. The timing differs during summer and winter. While the priests chant slokas in praise and thanking her, rituals happen in front of the idol of Goddess Ganga</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyNsvB3_Y1XiBy1wdDx8M3alNFyO88V8mZiG1rURjJnGkHcCNVILjSiKmoe15kpDye0ZK10ypa8TqX9-2njFf2Xqr7EqFc61BdQdIdTXP9acUjmqXQzdzUb48gwNTI4hMxe-GdbiTGNc/s1600/IMG_6650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyNsvB3_Y1XiBy1wdDx8M3alNFyO88V8mZiG1rURjJnGkHcCNVILjSiKmoe15kpDye0ZK10ypa8TqX9-2njFf2Xqr7EqFc61BdQdIdTXP9acUjmqXQzdzUb48gwNTI4hMxe-GdbiTGNc/s400/IMG_6650.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The whole ritual takes about an hour. As we attended the evening session during winter, it started and around 5.30 PM and after the chant, the priests offered auspicious things like haldi, milk, honey, sugar, curd, ghee and flowers in small quantities</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. At the same time, the local priest made us do sangalp and asked us to light and float the lamp. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdlXTPRM5ts21YykU5y0TVFQ7LUR_AFsgyNdAnA_CgV9Pc0PJuKLCr-3XLLZQVqWGxgYvt2sx8eCiBPZqwzfO9e8eSef1lolkcFz3dnEWQyIpfSPK9KBYqy_6Ax_YjGDZaAum6qyp3H8/s1600/IMG_6640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdlXTPRM5ts21YykU5y0TVFQ7LUR_AFsgyNdAnA_CgV9Pc0PJuKLCr-3XLLZQVqWGxgYvt2sx8eCiBPZqwzfO9e8eSef1lolkcFz3dnEWQyIpfSPK9KBYqy_6Ax_YjGDZaAum6qyp3H8/s400/IMG_6640.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now, the aarthy too started. The whole place looked divine and heavenly. The aarthy is performed few times, using tiered wick lamps.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMd-EdhWWL3n-WhZBaBR1xFZhHfXV9dfiTurGxHHCBfvYogUOG_pWnPGnfkUZKLnxiUo5oje3S17OIRM6-2IAC8YasZE0UYedIKXuVOswQFm5bZM7g1cMzq1229tVa5jN3aQ7ZbQnr_LQ/s1600/IMG_6654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMd-EdhWWL3n-WhZBaBR1xFZhHfXV9dfiTurGxHHCBfvYogUOG_pWnPGnfkUZKLnxiUo5oje3S17OIRM6-2IAC8YasZE0UYedIKXuVOswQFm5bZM7g1cMzq1229tVa5jN3aQ7ZbQnr_LQ/s400/IMG_6654.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First round of aarthy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5D_VQGBJyHTjounIS2Sumwc7otjvbc5SEl_gC1hHBA-wsT_8ITaoYXihhwIJfcy3fDUeQ0fgUpuKyaNgQNnwGuDrdoVblcJ9ON0z_2RjN2R7o8YiISIIAl7vCyROKnlLc5CQGolSNiQ/s1600/IMG_6662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5D_VQGBJyHTjounIS2Sumwc7otjvbc5SEl_gC1hHBA-wsT_8ITaoYXihhwIJfcy3fDUeQ0fgUpuKyaNgQNnwGuDrdoVblcJ9ON0z_2RjN2R7o8YiISIIAl7vCyROKnlLc5CQGolSNiQ/s400/IMG_6662.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maha aarthy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the ceremony was coming to an end, the local priest started demanding high fee and after haggling we ended up paying Rs 200. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even after the end of the ceremony, we could feel the positive vibes and lingered around the banks for a while. It was a spectacular experience. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="fbPhotoAlbumActions" style="align-items: center; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: flex; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 18px; text-align: center;">
<div class="fbPhotoAlbumActionList fsm fwn fcg" style="color: #90949c; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; max-height: none; max-width: 80%; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-24813352390957850302017-12-15T14:33:00.000+08:002017-12-15T14:33:17.651+08:00Mussoorie Musings <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I started exploring on places to visit in and around Haridwar I came across the term gharwali food. First, I thought that g</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">harwali food must be homemade food as 'g</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">harwali' means homemaker in Hindi. Then I stumbled upon Gharwal range of Himalayas! This intrigued me and further reading led me to Mussoorie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gharwal pronounced as ghaduwal refers to ethnic people who live in and around Gharwal or Mussoorie range of Himalayas in the </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Indian state of </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Uttarakhand. Mussoorie, locally pronounced as Masuri is a beautiful hill station nestled in the Gharwal range, which is part of Shiwalik range of Himalayas and the Doon valley.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Allured by these geological factors and tempted to try the new gastronomical delights, we decided to visit Mussoorie along with our Haridwar and Rishikesh trip. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mussoorie is just about 35 KM from the Uttarakand state capital Dheradun. Due to the rough terrain, the roads leading up are very narrow with some sharp hairpin bends and takes about 2 hours to reach the town. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The drive is through one of the best scenic routes in India, which covers </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">lush green </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">forests, valleys and endless mountain ranges. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTjRwlgVn6kthkYjr_5eY4cHMQqjBWVPiJdEEmSNZck6gccpmnFJae1KzUTZpyqHcLHJ_qxnN-gQGjilBSj_xINf2xQlhkaVFvKEb1TbxPXodWyeOF5zn1EuUrnoZk5m7jANBqeKQMR0/s1600/IMG_6548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTjRwlgVn6kthkYjr_5eY4cHMQqjBWVPiJdEEmSNZck6gccpmnFJae1KzUTZpyqHcLHJ_qxnN-gQGjilBSj_xINf2xQlhkaVFvKEb1TbxPXodWyeOF5zn1EuUrnoZk5m7jANBqeKQMR0/s640/IMG_6548.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Mussoorie </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mussoorie happens to be on the Indo Tibetan border and oversees the Doon valley and the altitude is about 6000+ ft., so the weather is cool throughout the year with chill winters. We reached Mussoorie around 3.00 PM and it was very cold with low visibility, still I was able to capture decent pictures of the beautiful Doon valley.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_yogGjAkuNItHMwHztnNsMBzw4LT5NrTs1KeXIObT5MBKev7nSo1XIDpmxZW50aM91LtiUtJN9r9vz8ClkUIg0q-2nAg69iAbOWe59nH5F8-BNY2zkAx05Q0IgHS9-csg-5cq0cu4SY/s1600/IMG_6540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_yogGjAkuNItHMwHztnNsMBzw4LT5NrTs1KeXIObT5MBKev7nSo1XIDpmxZW50aM91LtiUtJN9r9vz8ClkUIg0q-2nAg69iAbOWe59nH5F8-BNY2zkAx05Q0IgHS9-csg-5cq0cu4SY/s640/IMG_6540.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">There are few tourist spots, but we had planned just a day, so we were interested only in a couple of spots. Out of the two, first we went to the Mussoorie Lake, which turned out to be a big joke. About 5 minutes of trekking down through steep steps led us to a minuscule dirty pond with few ducks and pedal boats. Since morning, we had driven for more than 6 hrs., that too via poor roads. Therefore we decided to call it a day and relax. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDde4mW-ilnyCtHdHWJRGCBaR0xagRL1W_qtL7ExuCGjafcLMuVnTiumNxfofEg2ahGq4jVGxEVPQl_Pi6XaJOU9OFHrtyLgKXTomZrIQEzKXW3MdC4_Tr1Ayxwem5xCgTf-YkZ5mpppM/s1600/IMG_6484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDde4mW-ilnyCtHdHWJRGCBaR0xagRL1W_qtL7ExuCGjafcLMuVnTiumNxfofEg2ahGq4jVGxEVPQl_Pi6XaJOU9OFHrtyLgKXTomZrIQEzKXW3MdC4_Tr1Ayxwem5xCgTf-YkZ5mpppM/s640/IMG_6484.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mussoorie lake/pond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By 5.00 PM, it started getting dark and we headed to our resort, which was another 4 KM uphill. We followed the Google map towards the resort. To our dismay, we were stuck in the traffic. All the cars were trying to reverse due to a roadblock ahead. By then it was completely dark and our mobile signal was too weak and GPS refused to load the map. We were unable to locate the alternate road that the resort help desk told us. Finally, resort staff agreed to come down and get us. Our room was very cozy and had a great bay window, but we could not see anything, as it was pitch dark. We ordered Gharwali food, Phari Rajma and Phari fish. The food was too good, tangy and spicy. Next day, we woke up very early and while sipping hot tea, we watched a beautiful sunrise from our bay window. Slowly, the Gharwal Range came into view and it was a bliss! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdYi7xJ-QaMivv3uFtM-tSW69CNUkjJobko6d9w7bCQzb4azge6wFNhlfGBlq7DltJwc9dJss42nGAyIkeo5wl66nOZceJEDcqz3pXyLIIpODD-IpQNwoKH6gCgPe2I7kdrSAHhx7Na4/s1600/IMG_6557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdYi7xJ-QaMivv3uFtM-tSW69CNUkjJobko6d9w7bCQzb4azge6wFNhlfGBlq7DltJwc9dJss42nGAyIkeo5wl66nOZceJEDcqz3pXyLIIpODD-IpQNwoKH6gCgPe2I7kdrSAHhx7Na4/s640/IMG_6557.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gharwal Range view from the resort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Our plan was to go to Lal Tibba (red mountain) in Landour area, which was another 7 km uphill from Mussoorie. The roads were too steep and narrow. Twice we faced roadblocks and had to retrace the way up. It was all worth, because the views were breath taking!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Lal Tibba is the highest point in Mussoorie and it has the Indian military base station. At the viewpoint, military base has installed telescopes to view the majestic Himalayan peaks. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSrNsn4aKzXvvL3QPawAOM0w1lYk5GL4U15gm8Vce97ngsLWWQJyIrwVjfPMhvnwD_rBB-0nAr1v77yJfleX1IphzEujKi9rAjxnMrAugOHYkXYQT8UniBwMOm3bkc6oHE9VaWOIfPo8/s1600/IMG_6609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSrNsn4aKzXvvL3QPawAOM0w1lYk5GL4U15gm8Vce97ngsLWWQJyIrwVjfPMhvnwD_rBB-0nAr1v77yJfleX1IphzEujKi9rAjxnMrAugOHYkXYQT8UniBwMOm3bkc6oHE9VaWOIfPo8/s640/IMG_6609.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gharwal Range in the foreground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">A friendly volunteer helped us to identify the chaar dham (4 pilgrimage) in the snow-clad Dhouladhar Range! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4TYZ29Em6E1Enrwb52pToorARMLdtI6lK7xkXGioh_5PnhOPgTfPp7RrbEB5V3qhmuKP1YfMaLTYUYAe6pe09CfUa2b5bofB_QM6gReWJAOqtLyp9T_RTUy5rmklFc0K5s0SrVsUC6I/s1600/IMG_6590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4TYZ29Em6E1Enrwb52pToorARMLdtI6lK7xkXGioh_5PnhOPgTfPp7RrbEB5V3qhmuKP1YfMaLTYUYAe6pe09CfUa2b5bofB_QM6gReWJAOqtLyp9T_RTUy5rmklFc0K5s0SrVsUC6I/s640/IMG_6590.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow-clad Dhouladhar Range in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The snout seen in the above picture is the Goumukh, the starting point of the holy Ganges from the Gangotri glacier. The peak on to the left is Yamunotri. We also watched Kedarnath and Badrinath. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was spell bound for quite some time after viewing these gorgeous beauties. Now, there is a yearning to do the chaar dham yatra. </span></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-60597077788526399322016-10-25T10:25:00.000+08:002016-10-26T14:03:54.125+08:00Marwari Havelies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://rattlingcommunicator.blogspot.in/2012/08/turtle-watch-kemaman-terengganu-malaysia.html" target="_blank">Road trips</a> are always close to my heart. They bring back <a href="http://rattlingcommunicator.blogspot.in/2012/08/exploring-with-friend-fraser-hills.html" target="_blank">beautiful memories</a>. Recently we had a chance to go on a road trip to Rajasthan, India. Three things are closely associated to this state - Thar Desert, Pink City and Marwaris!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Being born and bought up in Madurai, we have seen Marwari community flourish in wholesale businesses, which include cosmetic, fashion jewelry, gift items, electrical items and a lot more. Generally, they live in large joint families, wear colorful clothes, often include sweets in their meals and make lovely pan/bedas. Apart from this I had no idea about their lifestyle back in their native land.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we started off from Sikar to Bikaner, we heard that there are beautiful havelies on the way. Haveli, means town houses or mansions. After talking to a couple of locals on the way, we headed to Fatehpur in search of Havelis and went few kilometers into the village. At one point we saw beautiful dilapidated walls, wells and some old buildings. We were guided to drive further down a narrow lane to see a Haveli. As soon as we entered the lane, this is what we saw:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc2SO4pLdBG2T5JKMm31j3kH5jFqudUgK008SkoFP-p-bMYd1pCmsRiKiRv7GO6UODG6HbpoAxU4QaTVuFcCqA_GoZ9LaIes-TqsEC8Lch2_HVKkeFeaOSps-5Y51BfKnmQtMShzrxlE/s1600/1st+look+of+haveli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc2SO4pLdBG2T5JKMm31j3kH5jFqudUgK008SkoFP-p-bMYd1pCmsRiKiRv7GO6UODG6HbpoAxU4QaTVuFcCqA_GoZ9LaIes-TqsEC8Lch2_HVKkeFeaOSps-5Y51BfKnmQtMShzrxlE/s640/1st+look+of+haveli.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Contrast Havelis</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I fell in love with these contrast colored Havelis. As you can see, murals of the Haveli on the left is predominantly painted with white, black and green where as the Haveli on the right has beautiful murals in bright indigo, red in an yellow back ground. Attracted by the iconic elephant drawing, I walked towards the white haveli.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaCVrzQrvNpWRwW3cYzc7JhS7rvUz5K7rJQV0OrSH1MaDQ-mc62Ln0yCtHdPJqIo07Y0FERDwds79JZgZrQw3AMtWni0yrE2OdbO3fV0nZLD7LqApkORDZ6Ekkfil5jdFvLJ9z39mPd0/s1600/IMG_3086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaCVrzQrvNpWRwW3cYzc7JhS7rvUz5K7rJQV0OrSH1MaDQ-mc62Ln0yCtHdPJqIo07Y0FERDwds79JZgZrQw3AMtWni0yrE2OdbO3fV0nZLD7LqApkORDZ6Ekkfil5jdFvLJ9z39mPd0/s640/IMG_3086.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Linking this picture to Our World</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The whole area was deserted, and we started soaking in the beautiful paintings despite the scorching sun. The lovely paintings display the lifestyle of the rich trading community.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm-JAAqng1WTyHurdT8F5q-B2-ouk9lqbB-iDAVSD9xPPt6UvHYnNMt9CJTQhG-9kirMAHc6ESlUcfm7n-NJBtNcvXr8WbJnBkjYxmqqgxSs4br1HR_JnIvddhyphenhyphenPF7nct-rxQjmKIXtw/s1600/BnW--Shekavathi+-+Haveli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm-JAAqng1WTyHurdT8F5q-B2-ouk9lqbB-iDAVSD9xPPt6UvHYnNMt9CJTQhG-9kirMAHc6ESlUcfm7n-NJBtNcvXr8WbJnBkjYxmqqgxSs4br1HR_JnIvddhyphenhyphenPF7nct-rxQjmKIXtw/s640/BnW--Shekavathi+-+Haveli.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful archways, intricate windows and doors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were about to leave that lane wondering what could be inside this palatial mansion. Just in time, w</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e saw a lady coming out of a modern house opposite to this haveli.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This time around the language barrier was not there as our friend who was travelling with us could speak good Hindi! We learned from this lady that there was nothing inside this haveli but she told us that there were people living next door, which is also an ill-maintained old haveli. She suggested that we could request the people living there to get a glimpse of live haveli. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10AbvcAdhrptWo6lG9zIQNkystmvnKycEYMWlMummLGNN97MCs_FxowH1YNn1uN3dCVig9iaoV3ywLz2Sp91X1nToPl_tNQC3pI1b2J4_l4IBL00VycMVafu8gZlxi4HFwmNN4ud9RzQ/s1600/IMG_3116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10AbvcAdhrptWo6lG9zIQNkystmvnKycEYMWlMummLGNN97MCs_FxowH1YNn1uN3dCVig9iaoV3ywLz2Sp91X1nToPl_tNQC3pI1b2J4_l4IBL00VycMVafu8gZlxi4HFwmNN4ud9RzQ/s640/IMG_3116.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Haveli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This rambling beauty had traces of murals that stands as a testimony to it's glorious past. Motorcycles outside gave us hope that people living there are modernized and would be welcoming travellers. As I touched the small door it gave way showing something from a different era.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq02SlWRaE6BGXGTDpwLWndKt-OpqoZKVpCyeq3orQTt60fiX3OOloy0bwPb7BnjztH4_zD4EJGXPThD6Mcp6spLFJNQRTNnfkkR-oQSAFxAd6VlIKguN0ft63l-w9uCyaSdWpbeNatw/s1600/IMG_3118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq02SlWRaE6BGXGTDpwLWndKt-OpqoZKVpCyeq3orQTt60fiX3OOloy0bwPb7BnjztH4_zD4EJGXPThD6Mcp6spLFJNQRTNnfkkR-oQSAFxAd6VlIKguN0ft63l-w9uCyaSdWpbeNatw/s640/IMG_3118.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We asked this lady if we could come in and take pictures, she nodded her head and rushed inside. I took that 'nod' as yes and shot the picture above. Within seconds she came with another elderly lady who shooed us away and shut that door! What did I expect? A royal welcome? Of course not! It is their home and they didn't want curious travelers to invade their privacy. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The formidable doors stared at us and I felt that it was fiercely guarding it's secrets! With resentment we </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">started walking towards that yellow based indigo haveli, in the hope of getting better luck. Sure we were rewarded, yes we had reached the right place to learn the story of havelis. More details and colorful murals in the next post :)</span></div>
</div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-39324013295671512282016-07-25T02:13:00.001+08:002016-07-25T02:13:31.516+08:00Taj Mahal - Elusive Illusions <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taj Mahal, synonymous with the 7 wonders of the World and symbol of love, you can never appreciate it's charm and beauty until you see it in person. Seeing Taj Mahal in a picture or a video doesn't give you a clue of what it is in reality. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You need to walk in through the Royal Gates to experience and appreciate the sheer beauty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We hired a professional guide and a photographer too (so that we can get those classic couple shots, without attempting crude selfies). I carried my DSLR to capture my own angles. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">In this post</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> I have attempted to show how I saw the Taj through </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">my lens. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">From afar, through the arch of the Royal entrance, white marble arches of the Taj looked so close. Take a look at the collage to get an idea of what am trying to say.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWnv3LLdBK4pQswWnhLLejO08ocA-yQgnchwkc_hfO95PqFImHYWi9nU9pCMl7qm7csN1jg5CcJn51lhH2xABWzV42AvzCrReN70Cv2ajq9SRTschMmEO0jXdICkm3OrxERwT4sTwuRU/s1600/Taj+1st+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWnv3LLdBK4pQswWnhLLejO08ocA-yQgnchwkc_hfO95PqFImHYWi9nU9pCMl7qm7csN1jg5CcJn51lhH2xABWzV42AvzCrReN70Cv2ajq9SRTschMmEO0jXdICkm3OrxERwT4sTwuRU/s640/Taj+1st+view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Entrance on the left and first glimpse of Taj on the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But as we kept walking towards the Royal archway, we felt that the Taj Mahal was slowly receding. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It felt as if the Taj is taunting us to come closer to see her. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The minute we entered the arch, the elusive marble wonder came into full view. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4QNB1kYtxkXPEYRWqYhHvNPKNtro33t2Sn6NiTClTfo2mKPOAJfQF0CjR7QYALsF78JfNZnbXTZD6sG4sIa7BuCSJFkRxlRqaqyk_6U9swxygYvJVZmRaf_oLKZvYhWRrOYIeWz3yek/s1600/IMG_2843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4QNB1kYtxkXPEYRWqYhHvNPKNtro33t2Sn6NiTClTfo2mKPOAJfQF0CjR7QYALsF78JfNZnbXTZD6sG4sIa7BuCSJFkRxlRqaqyk_6U9swxygYvJVZmRaf_oLKZvYhWRrOYIeWz3yek/s640/IMG_2843.JPG" width="398" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was nothing like what I have seen in photos or in the movies. I was spellbound and I think I was holding my breath in awe and realized that I was blocking someones way, until my husband tapped on my shoulder and asked me to move along. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Multi tasking mind some how had stopped functioning and only my visual sense was working, in fact overtime! For the first few minutes, I was just gaping, without even taking any pictures. When I tried to focus my lens, something felt odd. Now, I noticed that the minarets were shrouded with </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">safety nets</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">construction ladder. Restoration work was going on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3rBPGCNqf99BgG_k17mmYnDCEkXZsNpKrorELgIMrJTMZlkdsP1a4_uxf-iGyUNNxAD_kyM3dXcnNKRpGG1G_xrEeZk08Aaqu1zLSA9MQ5RjBkcm3rs8Tj9sgUf3AoCpEw-InU4q1xc/s1600/IMG_2848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3rBPGCNqf99BgG_k17mmYnDCEkXZsNpKrorELgIMrJTMZlkdsP1a4_uxf-iGyUNNxAD_kyM3dXcnNKRpGG1G_xrEeZk08Aaqu1zLSA9MQ5RjBkcm3rs8Tj9sgUf3AoCpEw-InU4q1xc/s640/IMG_2848.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Our world</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">While walking towards the Taj, I was wondering how nice it would be to view Taj without any scaffolding around the minarets. The guide was quite informative and with great passion he told how the Taj looks at different times of the day and during different seasons of the year. He recommended that we should come during Jan to Mar, that too plan for the exclusive Full Moon night view. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Then the guide jovially said that, now Taj is getting a face scrub with a pack of multini mitti. It is true that the Taj is severely affected by acid rains and pollution, and the white marble is tainted. So, the archaeological department of India takes restoration initiatives once in few years by applying mud pack made of multani mitti, which is a popular Indian face pack! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">After wrapping our footwear with covers, we finally entered the Taj. The more you look at it the more you wonder how they would have made it without any modern machinery. The exquisite floral carvings and engraved marble inlaid with semi precious stones is a royal treat!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AIWAjagkCNL-7CNN6z3l1BUEy5KoUkbcTPHwiA0Ewo6DisO0yfafBgKkHwlVc0U8RhfunoAt6Gkpb4zqa8mSUcyJN2ksZB1tuXQf3-0BfWY5BiNZ_8BV_zIXNladWePfcnYYKLLrMD0/s1600/IMG_2905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AIWAjagkCNL-7CNN6z3l1BUEy5KoUkbcTPHwiA0Ewo6DisO0yfafBgKkHwlVc0U8RhfunoAt6Gkpb4zqa8mSUcyJN2ksZB1tuXQf3-0BfWY5BiNZ_8BV_zIXNladWePfcnYYKLLrMD0/s640/IMG_2905.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jali Work and Marble Inlay with semi-precious stones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-oJvsJ2vqMhtq9ihdCbRVqcEVNC0FJE6Ujaej2FnOYOgry5UTFGBGUh5LwW2yKlS5PMr6WJfAkh95EKD0llonxNpfo2YUptklAS7s5VvrpvGcZfIZhDOJZxD2zSj4bdh-4-oGAFfGmM/s1600/Taj+Canon4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-oJvsJ2vqMhtq9ihdCbRVqcEVNC0FJE6Ujaej2FnOYOgry5UTFGBGUh5LwW2yKlS5PMr6WJfAkh95EKD0llonxNpfo2YUptklAS7s5VvrpvGcZfIZhDOJZxD2zSj4bdh-4-oGAFfGmM/s640/Taj+Canon4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marble Engravings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHssA9bxVWqILRAsvtFvMqJ5OLD8QU5g1_Wz9TilSmRlKQu3QgKRRQYutwaNeM4CNgmhQHWcb9DspiC5PMqWhyphenhyphenpElbEOYSSY1KQvHiRF2gZYHFLuAYqGTQaScrKg1riXTZg40Kfi6guFQ/s1600/Taj+Canon5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHssA9bxVWqILRAsvtFvMqJ5OLD8QU5g1_Wz9TilSmRlKQu3QgKRRQYutwaNeM4CNgmhQHWcb9DspiC5PMqWhyphenhyphenpElbEOYSSY1KQvHiRF2gZYHFLuAYqGTQaScrKg1riXTZg40Kfi6guFQ/s640/Taj+Canon5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marble Inlay work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">The Taj is made of translucent white marbles from Makrana, Rajasthan. Seeing is believing. So, our guide promised us to show how it glows when light penetrates. We entered the mausoleum. It was dark. Our guide suggested that all we had to do was tip the volunteer, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">who was standing guard next to the restricted area,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> with just Rs 10. We agreed. The volunteer had a pen torch and he lit it against the marble wall. To our excitement, the wall was glowing like radium! He slowly moved the torch light around the walls and pillars, everywhere it was glowing! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Photography is not allowed inside the mausoleum, but no one is there to stop one from taking pictures. Encouraged by people clicking around, I too dared to capture the inner beauty.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj931gcEsYIp673ri9my3ckkJ8WA6wXY05TCYrMChzNgkrjE4sjhYGjy-B8JKu4JkD2dp_npMR3AITqt8MgXGkOsXCqIHuUpv5C_RIQ-5TMDo9NC25kPvAbsoMlpKh8RYFn2hPFAXAwdHA/s1600/IMG_2933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj931gcEsYIp673ri9my3ckkJ8WA6wXY05TCYrMChzNgkrjE4sjhYGjy-B8JKu4JkD2dp_npMR3AITqt8MgXGkOsXCqIHuUpv5C_RIQ-5TMDo9NC25kPvAbsoMlpKh8RYFn2hPFAXAwdHA/s640/IMG_2933.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jali Work made of single piece of marble!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">On the way out, our guide showed us the beauty of honeycomb structured wall. Take a look at the collage.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9dlVAfRyKw_SxIGoVLZ0b4cYI4A8oZdOH6fC9Mnst5x6UWqevvjGLkQQqOLb6bibbs9za1Uff6SRS6Tts71hGZvZzNpzfTqfX-kNFrJcA0NNbb2SMA0a9Ljf_9YLoemy1FNBQlFvMZ0/s1600/Taj+Mahal-Honeycomb-optical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9dlVAfRyKw_SxIGoVLZ0b4cYI4A8oZdOH6fC9Mnst5x6UWqevvjGLkQQqOLb6bibbs9za1Uff6SRS6Tts71hGZvZzNpzfTqfX-kNFrJcA0NNbb2SMA0a9Ljf_9YLoemy1FNBQlFvMZ0/s640/Taj+Mahal-Honeycomb-optical.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeycomb structure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">The top part of the collage shows the general view and when you peep in through a honeycomb, it acts like a wide angle lens and you get a beautiful view!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">After stepping out of the mausoleum, our guide asked me to count the sides of a pillar. I counted it o</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">bediently</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">and said 6. He denied, took me closer, oops it was a 3 sided pillar. I was caught off guard by yet another optical illusion. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aRPiP6eDdRgg4SmUo7FAThCpUM7NMqhCY1WiFS5OvxevNF3lqHUPDaWBRh-GsW1qeo3zJLT2y1DNm4mRSUFIgg5Ro33fPQBFrOM-4d1GzEkibEAiTa37QA1HMpf42RNHMUhcqZzVF8M/s1600/Taj+Canon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aRPiP6eDdRgg4SmUo7FAThCpUM7NMqhCY1WiFS5OvxevNF3lqHUPDaWBRh-GsW1qeo3zJLT2y1DNm4mRSUFIgg5Ro33fPQBFrOM-4d1GzEkibEAiTa37QA1HMpf42RNHMUhcqZzVF8M/s640/Taj+Canon1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Optical Illusion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">I guess I will be visiting the Taj several times in the next few years as we have relocated to this part of the world and pretty sure that I will discover something new every time. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-73709187366316599912016-04-01T00:03:00.000+08:002016-04-01T00:03:37.328+08:00Somana Kunitha - A Folk Dance Celebrating Spirits and Village Deity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Every time we drive past DakshinaChitra on ECR, Chennai, we used to think, one day we should go there. Over a long weekend, finally we made it and the experience was very rewarding. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nowadays, DakshinaChitra is also becoming a prime location for wedding photo shoots! However, this is a heritage museum. Those who wish to get a glimpse on art and architecture of southern states of India, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">DakshinaChitra, is </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a must go destination. Trust me you won't be disappointed. Check their <a href="http://dakshinachitra.net/programs#events" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">events calendar</a> when you plan for a visit. Usually over the weekends and public holidays they have live performances. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The museum is housed in 10 acres on ECR, facing the Bay of Bengal. We knew there was going to be a performance at 4 pm on that day. We were quite early, so we were exploring traditional houses of Kerala, which was near the performance ground. By 3.45 pm, we were exhausted and wanted to get a drink, so we were heading out of the ground and...suddenly we heard vibrant music from behind. We turned around to look. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KPONyFImNRgsMAgs2mkC6rayXpON0xZ3GErdD0lFuBPfn0H224uR0CwVq4I3FuIRHWHD7bo8nvYgj5mDveo6wKtQda-B1Qt2yGoYWPYNduP368npzoQ-P6kHgc1bFXt5ydltdjkQ9hw/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KPONyFImNRgsMAgs2mkC6rayXpON0xZ3GErdD0lFuBPfn0H224uR0CwVq4I3FuIRHWHD7bo8nvYgj5mDveo6wKtQda-B1Qt2yGoYWPYNduP368npzoQ-P6kHgc1bFXt5ydltdjkQ9hw/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were mesmerized by the huge colorful masks that were fast approaching towards the ground. That's it! We forgot about heat, thirst and just rushed back and found a perfect spot to watch the performance. At that time we didn't know about the name of that folk art. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The musicians filed towards the stage area. The artists who carried the mask on their head slipped it on their faces with deft moves. The one who looked like the leader was carrying a whip, he came center stage and announced that they were going to perform Somana Kunitha, a folk dance native of Tumkur, Karnataka. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToZ6iUk5uI8rwtqE9PUbq1lBQmQjdZZCUmTl0b07yMElwX_p0f0oG8sE58l5QDudD0YdgTSlpf0XlqBUpaZdnsj9yyg95sIbLfWPIdGwGT9Fku_y4GpuMLketex2ZVWZlSLeW_wrGfhs/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToZ6iUk5uI8rwtqE9PUbq1lBQmQjdZZCUmTl0b07yMElwX_p0f0oG8sE58l5QDudD0YdgTSlpf0XlqBUpaZdnsj9yyg95sIbLfWPIdGwGT9Fku_y4GpuMLketex2ZVWZlSLeW_wrGfhs/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the lead was narrating in Kannada, I had to do the guess work and all i could get was that the performance had something to do with Godess Chamundesweri. Let me share the visual treat:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOFn6-u5MkZjjED8dQXR01Ldz93ToCHr_ALbrJNFyNxWtlATqz0ME1XyT5by0lYn3j8Usw7WqvJ3TsvKg-8Jkjg-4b2tuBJk-z8L7rmJrtDkfLBhOQdQ-mcv3loE0FPvKjNqpiZksWHs/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOFn6-u5MkZjjED8dQXR01Ldz93ToCHr_ALbrJNFyNxWtlATqz0ME1XyT5by0lYn3j8Usw7WqvJ3TsvKg-8Jkjg-4b2tuBJk-z8L7rmJrtDkfLBhOQdQ-mcv3loE0FPvKjNqpiZksWHs/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7EqutiPL2b71HBpTxI2oC1TDGlKF-OqP4RC4SnlsK0mFrTsjr451-y2e0FOZu8Pu7oZoGAwGPnYnmotQNOzX8E41Ox2ZbscwFIU1Nq9M65YVnmEOggrdDWR6QDgbd8u5JQf662eDYq8/s1600/IMG_1722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7EqutiPL2b71HBpTxI2oC1TDGlKF-OqP4RC4SnlsK0mFrTsjr451-y2e0FOZu8Pu7oZoGAwGPnYnmotQNOzX8E41Ox2ZbscwFIU1Nq9M65YVnmEOggrdDWR6QDgbd8u5JQf662eDYq8/s1600/IMG_1722.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKgvJF_j6ckDc2qTr1qyCambcTps1mpc0C6QnbfLKzrBLI2ibVeCKKIv7kteBNaubUxcFM0-Xhs5k8fmn5Z-fcQKXLX0FWLqedCqjqPpbCqu6dxR6YYDp4mU7NyWWixb1btfkh-HVi2c/s1600/somana_kunitha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKgvJF_j6ckDc2qTr1qyCambcTps1mpc0C6QnbfLKzrBLI2ibVeCKKIv7kteBNaubUxcFM0-Xhs5k8fmn5Z-fcQKXLX0FWLqedCqjqPpbCqu6dxR6YYDp4mU7NyWWixb1btfkh-HVi2c/s1600/somana_kunitha.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After the performance, we approached the group and thanked them for the wonderful performance and had a chat with the lead. We learned that the dance was to celebrate victory of good spirit over the bad one. <b>Soma</b> means mask and <b>Kunitha</b> is dance. The red mask represented good and the yellow the bad. The lead was actually the priest who invokes Godess Chamundesweri to support the good spirit! Had a chance for these close ups too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLjmhf6zEZGgDn5lL8DaXRiBU0l_JbM9SeVa0iJHzoV5pg-aUebU-183jPFfedkfQHCC-AFSsyPI76lWPD8_oaRdIal6kNj8gZYoGbAMDFSBRDWGRWxacsfNH6NlMkOksDv4HePdlzmk/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLjmhf6zEZGgDn5lL8DaXRiBU0l_JbM9SeVa0iJHzoV5pg-aUebU-183jPFfedkfQHCC-AFSsyPI76lWPD8_oaRdIal6kNj8gZYoGbAMDFSBRDWGRWxacsfNH6NlMkOksDv4HePdlzmk/s320/IMG_1674.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHxfzBKV3Uq67TT-oEFErWcALKbE1lnuI6Jzm9M4-7xhxUAFfeUKJbzZBmZCNXPRNtxiKzIe08tW6B4nD6Jy7UC62l6CmfBA0naBTSoSF2BaNuk1uDuzYX3KTPMOyRuljehEoOTdYu-g/s1600/IMG_1683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHxfzBKV3Uq67TT-oEFErWcALKbE1lnuI6Jzm9M4-7xhxUAFfeUKJbzZBmZCNXPRNtxiKzIe08tW6B4nD6Jy7UC62l6CmfBA0naBTSoSF2BaNuk1uDuzYX3KTPMOyRuljehEoOTdYu-g/s320/IMG_1683.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacwDMDYfPM7vBqr_TsVORcsdOwLFEQd_-p4Wf9Pb68H8paegM9P-h1e_iuA0HzEQd8dofN47WF88KnbdwzySPqfTHin2Z1GSwoVgkGBQFA8vaeeBUw5HfBonWuVHTGuxVBfangLcnYHU/s1600/IMG_1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacwDMDYfPM7vBqr_TsVORcsdOwLFEQd_-p4Wf9Pb68H8paegM9P-h1e_iuA0HzEQd8dofN47WF88KnbdwzySPqfTHin2Z1GSwoVgkGBQFA8vaeeBUw5HfBonWuVHTGuxVBfangLcnYHU/s320/IMG_1677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wish DakshinaChitra can arrange for translators for all the performances, so that non-native speakers of that particular folk art too can get a better understanding!</span></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-70747386357612124432016-03-01T17:45:00.001+08:002016-03-01T17:46:52.300+08:00Thinking Out of the Box!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most
of us have out of the world ideas, right? Some of us dare to speak up,
while others don’t! Crazy ideas and quirky habits go hand in hand. See a
connection? No?<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well, <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">clouds have been </span></span>influenc<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ing</span> m<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e big t<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ime</span>. </span></span></span>They <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">are dynamic, they keep mo<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">v<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ing and chang<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ing</span> shapes<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. Instead of looking at<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> clouds as <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">meteorological phenomena, </span></span></span></span></span></span>I look at them for inspiration and believe that they are constan<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">tly trying to communicate with us! <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have been watching the<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">se majestic beings since childhood. </span></span></span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-MY</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">W</span>hen I was
growing up, I tried to talk with “real life
friends” about my passion or rather attachment towards clouds! All I received was
weird looks. Already, I was labeled as a naughty tomboy character. In fact I
was also called as ’Vaishnavan’…on top of all these, I was not keen in getting labeled
as cranky! So, I stopped sharing about my secret friends. Instead, I started to
take pictures and write about them.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gzTbJNPadtCNv-fgmrSpgXRFj9eU72THxIu4FHaqL47Het8-TOKK-lLOuSHK-GM9_283OWRwzGTlFoVM1_E_BImUEFtspyyMmW97J7kfeOf8fNBc6C9hPY7uYVbgGnbq4Kg2WWe8SFA/s1600/t_clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gzTbJNPadtCNv-fgmrSpgXRFj9eU72THxIu4FHaqL47Het8-TOKK-lLOuSHK-GM9_283OWRwzGTlFoVM1_E_BImUEFtspyyMmW97J7kfeOf8fNBc6C9hPY7uYVbgGnbq4Kg2WWe8SFA/s640/t_clouds.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Not just writing skills,
my secret friends were constantly shaping my thought process and guide me in
all walks of life! For example, often I’ve heard people saying ‘Every cloud has
a silver lining!’ to console the depressed. But, it was difficult for me to
comprehend the connection between dire situation and clouds with silver lining,
until I saw them with my own eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Once I was hurrying up
for meeting with a difficult client. The skies looked dark and ominous. I
already was apprehensive and thought that this impending thunderstorm would
worsen and the traffic would play on my nerves. When I was about to
get inside my car, I saw a dark heavy cloud traveling towards the way I was about
to drive. I was sure that it is going to pour down massively. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> But, I think my floating friends <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">decided to show me a magic and keep me level-headed. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">S</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">uddenly</span> the dark beauty it stopped moving, in the stillness I saw a fine white line along the
edges. Subtly, the line widened to a silver border and in minutes the dark
cloud was completely engulfed in the white light. Gone was the darkness!
Amazing isn’t it?! You don’t have to be depressed about adverse situations,
things will change! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Bunch of clouds gliding towards each
other remind me of friends rushing to greet. Colorful clouds, especially
during dawn and dusk say that nature is the greatest painter!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">See, with a crazy habit
of watching the skies I am gifted with secret friends, with whom I communicate
in my own terms. They keep coming to me at right times and add color to my life! </span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I flow along with the clouds and see how they shape up. Best ideas, solutions
come to me while I watch them. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Whenever I’m at crossroads, I look
up to my secret friends, clouds. They are there, as always! </span></span></div>
</span></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-76604616180779604442016-02-11T05:30:00.000+08:002016-02-11T05:30:17.963+08:00Adapting and Communicating in a Foreign Country<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<i>Distant pastures are always greener</i>, this is true in every walk of life. Once, I used to think that living abroad would be a great pleasure. How naive I was! Now after few yrs of being an expat, I have mixed feelings and am trying to gauge my thoughts...</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
At first, in Kuching (East Malaysia), I enjoyed the pleasant climate and good-natured people. I used to <i>communicate by sign language</i> with a neighbor, because both of us didn't know a common language.<br />
<br />
Later in Kuala Lumpur (West Malaysia), even though many spoke English, at first it was difficult to understand their accent and style. Others used to say the same thing about my accent as well. After being there for 5+ years, more or less I started to speak/communicate like locals.<br />
Now, here in UK, for the first few days it was like re-inventing the cycle, in terms of communicating with the locals. At a super market <i>till</i>, the cashier asked me something twice and I couldn't catch it. It sounded like this:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Chu nida bae?</i></div>
She had to repeat it for the third time and finally I understood that she was asking me:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>do you need a bag</i>? </div>
I was a bit embarrassed and lamented about this to a friend. Um, well, her experience gave me more confidence because she told that in her early days, she could never understand anything, even if the same thing was repeated several times! Nowadays, to overcome this situation, whenever I travel in public transport or be in a public area, I try to catch up with the conversation that goes on around me, but the intention is not eavesdropping:)<br />
<br />
So far, I have never heard <i>should</i>, <i>must</i> or for that matter they don't even use <i>can you</i>. They are always polite. Let me share an experience to show their politeness or rather use of language. When you travel by bus, besides regular stops, there are several <i>Request Stops</i>. If you happen to wait at this type of bus stop, you need to wave your hand, to signal the driver that you need to get in. Similarly, if you have to get down at these stops you need to press the red buzzer in the bus.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/SfbzeQx6SjI/AAAAAAAAC0o/WwmgsSHEDQ0/s1600-h/request+stop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/SfbzeQx6SjI/AAAAAAAAC0o/WwmgsSHEDQ0/s320/request+stop.JPG" /></a></div>
Say, if you were unable to reach the buzzer, you would be requesting someone nearer to help you, right? I would have probably said "excuse me, please press the buzzer". But, I overheard someone's request, which was:<i> Could you please ring the bell for me</i>? That too with a pleasant smile. After that, she was profusely thanking the other person.<br />
<br />
Saying <i>thanks</i> and sorry for even very small incidents is a part of the British culture. A friend, jokingly commented that these phrases are too natural and sometimes it looks like automated words without meaning, but so far, I have not had any negative experience in this area.<br />
<br />
In public, usually people are lighthearted. Once an old lady was finding difficult to get up from a par bench. Just then, I had an eye contact with her. Immediately she had a beautiful smile and quipped: <i>I need a pair of new legs</i>.</div>
</div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-11926869654141922792016-01-14T11:25:00.000+08:002016-11-12T01:17:58.886+08:00Ruins of Alampara Fort <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Exploring new places that
too without making any plans, rather like a nomad is the most exciting relaxation.
After almost a year in Chennai, we went on a 'wild goose chase', well a rather
calculated chase I'd say, because we already had a planned destination, but not
the route or stops. Moreover, this <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">was</span> my first off beat experience on Indian
roads. ECR (East Coast Road) reminded me of Kampung roads in and around Melaka,
Malaysia, where I used to drive along the beach! After few stops for
photo shoots, we chanced on an obscure board that directed to 'Amampara
Fort'. Curiosity got the better of us and we decided to traverse on the unknown
narrow road. And the reward was too good! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLxmve-wxtrgVorbdCxKEtm49SDZZ8aanx86xLIlGZRQFi4bZWTYRKhhPbGL5S6VEqbHqBgc1ZKKXDRenCFYFOXCszwx8oXpkUCUd30Oin36daudd61SSpUFlld_XG2Htr85IbYdktOc/s1600/IMG_2868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLxmve-wxtrgVorbdCxKEtm49SDZZ8aanx86xLIlGZRQFi4bZWTYRKhhPbGL5S6VEqbHqBgc1ZKKXDRenCFYFOXCszwx8oXpkUCUd30Oin36daudd61SSpUFlld_XG2Htr85IbYdktOc/s320/IMG_2868.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As you can see in the above picture, that place was deserted and I was reminded of the climax chasing/fighting scenes in Indian Movies, where the hero/heroine would end up in desolate places amongst the gangsters. But, the sheer beauty was enough for us to get closer and check out that rusty boards, which might be boasting its glorious past.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB6O-hSjDg-I1zd3I-2UBIEtH8a4zDFcJIFqKrCC05tL6kR_nYZBoQ7YC9cpFPY-zesQLwiTgqVBXKemriHDYgo5DVOCYaLyDFcYGw-nGAJdypfmQA2U8YUHxmsY-ITASgxFG_s9Q_-w/s1600/Alambara+Fort+n+On+d+way+temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB6O-hSjDg-I1zd3I-2UBIEtH8a4zDFcJIFqKrCC05tL6kR_nYZBoQ7YC9cpFPY-zesQLwiTgqVBXKemriHDYgo5DVOCYaLyDFcYGw-nGAJdypfmQA2U8YUHxmsY-ITASgxFG_s9Q_-w/s1600/Alambara+Fort+n+On+d+way+temple.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Built by the Mughals in the 18th Century CE and gifted to the French. But, the fort was captured by and partially destroyed by the British. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRyAVLQi0KkLGwnT_0MZnXqnyoY3OZRA6xGXHyQVw8ryfYCBWC0lidb0HmMkZ8PMSPOfnqyis7Bb5VbYvhfH06TVY_CzLDWuYmcd-vb31S7z7BraDChQk8lvaB7t5ku7JxTzjEeUHICM/s1600/Alambara+Fort+n+On+d+way+temple1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRyAVLQi0KkLGwnT_0MZnXqnyoY3OZRA6xGXHyQVw8ryfYCBWC0lidb0HmMkZ8PMSPOfnqyis7Bb5VbYvhfH06TVY_CzLDWuYmcd-vb31S7z7BraDChQk8lvaB7t5ku7JxTzjEeUHICM/s1600/Alambara+Fort+n+On+d+way+temple1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The most intriguing thing about this fort is that, it was a popular sea port in ancient India and was popularly known as Alamparai port. From here, silk, ghee and other exotic material were exported to distant lands. Come to think of it, the culture at that time was so advanced that this port had its own mint and the money was called as 'Alamparai kaasu/varahan'. Here is yet another view of this fort, which forms a mesmerizing silhouette.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-pOQzbyG9ZLFK9X1M1YtWXDlZT2gr3ba7KsycBSpNdwhTTza6j_IXqijExwrgzocuhvlx-gF0_85T5zq09Eo6k8tAstJGBETTAx67IBCeKOgvRnOagoQuuxuz-xojYauHRnRWgYKVZI/s1600/IMG_2864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-pOQzbyG9ZLFK9X1M1YtWXDlZT2gr3ba7KsycBSpNdwhTTza6j_IXqijExwrgzocuhvlx-gF0_85T5zq09Eo6k8tAstJGBETTAx67IBCeKOgvRnOagoQuuxuz-xojYauHRnRWgYKVZI/s1600/IMG_2864.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The creaky wretched board at the site claims that this fort is maintained by 'The State Archaeology Department'. Just wondering, if they know the meaning of 'maintain'. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is pathetic to see that these impressions of power and identity of the past are not well preserved.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62epbmwRfWpDUD03DOjZ83VLjlmLTpBP3K-XEEOTjLoxIKTRjgGXLXAzqCChv1Yh3hakEX8n38v1-xWZSU-gSt0upb904_L78UogF-wuuYYzLI6ypmbmyw3Wqaq-t_d8Yip4QniXdRFU/s1600/IMG_2876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62epbmwRfWpDUD03DOjZ83VLjlmLTpBP3K-XEEOTjLoxIKTRjgGXLXAzqCChv1Yh3hakEX8n38v1-xWZSU-gSt0upb904_L78UogF-wuuYYzLI6ypmbmyw3Wqaq-t_d8Yip4QniXdRFU/s1600/IMG_2876.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wish we take care and cherish our treasures, which might help us to understand our past and probably shed some light on things that would eventually guide us in shaping our future!</span></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-5023197962771584722015-10-13T01:06:00.001+08:002015-10-13T01:06:11.716+08:00Belief - Beyond Comprehension <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 24.3224315643311px;">Every visit to our farm house brings in new experience, as it is set in a remote village. The native villagers mostly live along with nature, may be that could be due to non-urbanization! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 24.3224px;">Look at what I was intrigued at this time!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMsbMxx4veGE0QALSxN1_vwYLyPcbm-Y93lJfo07RPj8vuRmPWaQX91jTbfrkkA2u4VK2r8jIVfQqXfEJsUd9JXDV0zPIKZUhGdu4c37zUJKGt_rS34iH9_urINaYE1g1kHW4jGd5k0Y/s1600/IMG_7575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMsbMxx4veGE0QALSxN1_vwYLyPcbm-Y93lJfo07RPj8vuRmPWaQX91jTbfrkkA2u4VK2r8jIVfQqXfEJsUd9JXDV0zPIKZUhGdu4c37zUJKGt_rS34iH9_urINaYE1g1kHW4jGd5k0Y/s400/IMG_7575.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 24.3224px;">These are plantain stems. First I thought these people were slicing the stem and drying it up to make crisps, but I have never heard of such a thing. Well, we normally add these in daal or finely chop and toss it up and use as a side dish along with rice based meal. Now, curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know what exactly it was, so started chatting up with the lady who was deftly making these stuff. She was equally excited to explain what she was doing!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 24.3224px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 24.3224px;">They were oil l</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 24.3224px;">amp wicks, which is used in Hindu special prayers and it was called as </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 24.3224px;">வாழைத்தண்டு திரி (Vazhaithandu </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 24.3224px;">Thiri)! Meticulously she showed me how to make it...here we go</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZS6LlPHMgICadf2zceHrZCS_OUcpryhImgFrJNPX7r1U3gnunzB5O8Ufyikak08xFnB1PbvScRS9bp91Di_hhC7eUmogLt5WGK4SLVKd4XZv8vFVaB6Cift3S_4paOenQHKDFyJrngHs/s1600/bondhe-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZS6LlPHMgICadf2zceHrZCS_OUcpryhImgFrJNPX7r1U3gnunzB5O8Ufyikak08xFnB1PbvScRS9bp91Di_hhC7eUmogLt5WGK4SLVKd4XZv8vFVaB6Cift3S_4paOenQHKDFyJrngHs/s640/bondhe-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 24.3224px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 24.3224px;">Slice the stem > pull out the fiber > wrap it > dry it. Roll the dried ones and make a wick, whenever you want to light the lamp. It is believed that lighting lamp with this wick will </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 24.3224px;">be relinquish any form of curse! </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZwZKVN2lBt_rpQzGKH2XlEUu9v944gJqURSVOn27A7sikYl4i9CLs3H1p4HgL8rHN7Mi3IHEMBGE1scWoG2nHUSIL0ViWSoJnF7Tuhed10TVGuOYMg5CvBO4j61PaaCwcxZk24gslEk/s1600/bondhe+diva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZwZKVN2lBt_rpQzGKH2XlEUu9v944gJqURSVOn27A7sikYl4i9CLs3H1p4HgL8rHN7Mi3IHEMBGE1scWoG2nHUSIL0ViWSoJnF7Tuhed10TVGuOYMg5CvBO4j61PaaCwcxZk24gslEk/s640/bondhe+diva.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 24.3224px;"><br /></span></span>
<br /></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-87311972666126468112015-06-30T19:37:00.001+08:002015-06-30T19:37:20.081+08:00Colorful Gooseberries n Folklore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gooseberry! admit it, mouth waters at the very thought of it and the second you take a bite, you have a pursed lips and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">screwed up eyes, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">because of the inherent sour taste! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we came across these colorful berries at the road side in Yelagiri (a laid back high-land in Tamil Nadu in India), </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">we just stopped by to try it out! To our pleasant surprise, we were told that these are local gooseberries (</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">நெல்லிக்காய்</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">)! Until then, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I h'v thought that the color of these berries are shades of pale green. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They used to sell gooseberries in front of school. All we had to do was shell out a small change and get a hand full of small sized அரெ-நெல்லிக்காய் or a big நெல்லிக்காய், of course with all the works including salt, chilli powder and blackish coarse mustard. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmbqBnCVjRzhm6drGpTv-3WXG87oK8SwGs_vMEWwiZmouj0feeEwOnQY28uKJIRUWKEn1hKKvrQWerJuFYE80RD1vXK2aeVWLkx_fi1d0tGZj2SVqSltyXBgmQEq_3PKxr4ffkePwhoE/s1600/IMG_9963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmbqBnCVjRzhm6drGpTv-3WXG87oK8SwGs_vMEWwiZmouj0feeEwOnQY28uKJIRUWKEn1hKKvrQWerJuFYE80RD1vXK2aeVWLkx_fi1d0tGZj2SVqSltyXBgmQEq_3PKxr4ffkePwhoE/s640/IMG_9963.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Our World</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you grew up learning Tamil, am pretty sure you have heard </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ovvaiyar (ஒவ்வையார்) and gooseberry (நெல்லிக்கனி/</span>நெல்லிக்காய்) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">at least</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> once! <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">folklore says that king Adiyamaan (</span></span></span></span><i>அதியமான் )</i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> once got a gooseberry which is supposed to increase his life span. The king after deep contemplation gave this to </span>ஒவ்வையார் <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">believing that increasing her lifespan means good to the society at large as she is not only a great poetess, but strives to bring peace among neighbouring rulers too! Such a noble hearted ruler! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Look at the ripe ones! They were not sweet, but certainly had a crispy tangy taste with a punch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ஒரு வேளை ஒவ்வையார் உண்ட நெல்லிக்கனி இப்படி இருந்திருக்குமோ?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtjeJqLTODvGgSzECPozM8SKwkaQqdGyGeHzLPjh0ROyxRiBSsZtXKzCBkKBQ_zyX49Gs7fF3LOjUjFsOkY1N4dDWQjiBgvhBifWCcw5wCG1G88ZVYN2e7TqvVdw_DmdcGZaaxBPStOU/s1600/IMG_9966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtjeJqLTODvGgSzECPozM8SKwkaQqdGyGeHzLPjh0ROyxRiBSsZtXKzCBkKBQ_zyX49Gs7fF3LOjUjFsOkY1N4dDWQjiBgvhBifWCcw5wCG1G88ZVYN2e7TqvVdw_DmdcGZaaxBPStOU/s640/IMG_9966.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-24314168347237772742015-03-09T01:33:00.000+08:002015-03-09T13:08:18.603+08:00Reality of Coming Home <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This is my Competent Communicator Level 2 speech script (CC2) @ Toastmasters!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How many of you have lived outside India or
out of your home town? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To me both the experience are more or less the
same – to have a smooth transition I would say that you need to keep 3
important aspects in mind:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pace & prepare</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Setting right expectation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Adaptation </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Like most of us, when I went to live
abroad, I was all excited. This excitement alone helped me to cope up the new
situation, in spite of not being prepared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N1ZdY3q9YCK7k3pGnsvJYsGoK8SQ2WNLwp-H4RKKMJPDGQjZEns8Oxb3sCd_tH7VsZtF2iYIOLSw-p6CxGn2LcvEEZrXlw3b4mAkWm7y0NetdVgjBdDIlaOviWL8xJTBmqcNqYkd8N0/s1600/KLtower6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N1ZdY3q9YCK7k3pGnsvJYsGoK8SQ2WNLwp-H4RKKMJPDGQjZEns8Oxb3sCd_tH7VsZtF2iYIOLSw-p6CxGn2LcvEEZrXlw3b4mAkWm7y0NetdVgjBdDIlaOviWL8xJTBmqcNqYkd8N0/s1600/KLtower6.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Our World Tuesday</a> <a href="http://smilingsally.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Blue</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But the scenario dramatically changed when
we came home as repatriates. We thought of giving ourselves some time to decide
if we really wanted to stay back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIDz1CnAj7ENPNiAUVCWHr62f0cFCl-bBvoHGWv-gMoojm3CIRkGzsNqiyj2gPIKd7fG9pWM_PsYFnZw9cl8ACAUwi__FbZl6iqwSdTNVh1qNQdQx1K0t5_K1hZ4mTrhHJ4ARqEb0dQs/s1600/20140426_122334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIDz1CnAj7ENPNiAUVCWHr62f0cFCl-bBvoHGWv-gMoojm3CIRkGzsNqiyj2gPIKd7fG9pWM_PsYFnZw9cl8ACAUwi__FbZl6iqwSdTNVh1qNQdQx1K0t5_K1hZ4mTrhHJ4ARqEb0dQs/s1600/20140426_122334.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While we were trying to figure out the right
school for my daughter, I took up this new full time job after being a
freelancer for more than 4 years. I was apprehensive about the work culture, in
terms of timing and commuting. Suddenly, everything seemed too much for me, and
the worst part is I was not prepared for what was in store for me, I just was
overwhelmed. Even to take an auto or bus was a challenge because the dust and
pollution was taking it’s toll on me. Some of you, R has seen my initial days
in SW. How I used to get rashes and cough constantly. This was mainly because I
was trying to rush things and get going. Instead of giving time, I thought that
self- driving would help me to overcome the situation, without realizing that I
would have road-rage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is all about expectations, I think I was
having very high expectations on my driving skills. I was trying to follow road
rules and be courteous on road, but I found everything on road was chaotic and couldn't believe that I used to ply the same roads without any difficulty! I was getting all worked up and swear that the road users had no civic sense. Basically,
my expectations were incorrect and I was unable to cope up. When I tried
discussing these issues with friends it was not well received. I was scorned
and criticized that I was behaving as if am living in Chennai for the first
time. If only I was more tolerant and set my driving expectations lower, I
could have easily avoided getting into this reverse culture shock!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once you know what to expect, adapting
should be easy. But, since I was not tuned to setting expectations, adapting
was also difficult. Usually, we do things habitually, so for anything and
everything, we try to draw parallels based on our past experience. During my initial
expat days, while shopping or be it vegetables or dresses, I used to convert Ringgit
or pounds to Rupees and used to wonder why it is so expensive. When I came back,
I had to re-learn in using rupees on a daily basis. I was getting all excited about
how cheap things are. But, this excitement was taken as snobbishness and any
casual remark was scorned. Finally, my mom did knock some sense in me by
reminding that there is nothing to be excited about, and now, we were earning
in Rupees and not in Ringgit! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See, everything boils down to preparing for
the situation, setting right kind of expectation and adapting to the situation.
Basically, when you are in Rome be a Roman. You can easily escape typical jibes
of being labelled as ‘foreign returned’!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Note:
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>As
soon as I saw the green card for 5 min indication…I rushed to finish and
skipped to talk about this! So the speech had a tone as if am not happy to be
back home. Actually I meant to close by telling how it is not always necessary
to unlearn things that you have picked up as an expat!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then, it doesn’t mean that you need to unlearn whatever you have learnt
as an expat. For example, when a stranger smiles at me I used to turn back and
see to confirm if they were actually smiling at me. Because, normally here I
was not used to this simple act. But, now I still continue to smile at
strangers too, without a second thought as a good will. </span></span></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-4083242503256379692015-02-03T20:33:00.001+08:002015-02-03T20:35:52.599+08:00Batu Caves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">According to Hindu belief there is a saying that wherever there is a hill, lord Muruga resides. Batu Caves in Kula Lumpur is no exception to this belief. Early Hindu settlers of the 19th century made this beautiful natural limestone hills/caves as the abode of lord Muruga. Now, the 142 foot tall Golden Muruga stands majestically at the foot of the caves.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzNi-N6TZswN1Nu2AGsZMLpZQ14BE_gXpTU2biQ4_GT2lCjNOYEEBol1TPQyyL2vuHI2Fds7XQ5UWIk0xbUrTS6pyKMAI0Mlc81XNVycQAO5ISJscKcfoZJVNqcU5-2u-HSCXml1pXX4/s1600-h/tall+Muruga.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzNi-N6TZswN1Nu2AGsZMLpZQ14BE_gXpTU2biQ4_GT2lCjNOYEEBol1TPQyyL2vuHI2Fds7XQ5UWIk0xbUrTS6pyKMAI0Mlc81XNVycQAO5ISJscKcfoZJVNqcU5-2u-HSCXml1pXX4/s400/tall+Muruga.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309000261491471970" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This is a holy worship place. But, some of the locals (non-Hindus) were treating the place as an exercise spot...so the temple management has put up a notice board to stop this kind of practices.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1dJPFs4dI/AAAAAAAABro/H2zp0w0h-9k/s1600-h/no-exercise.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1dJPFs4dI/AAAAAAAABro/H2zp0w0h-9k/s400/no-exercise.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309001948990333394" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 234px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">You need to climb 282 steps to reach the first level of natural caves. And, while hiking up you might feel breathless. But, the cool breeze that welcomes you at this height is so refreshing that you forget the tiredness.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1dLizDgDI/AAAAAAAABrw/NstYdSB8nIU/s1600-h/1stlevel.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1dLizDgDI/AAAAAAAABrw/NstYdSB8nIU/s400/1stlevel.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309001988640571442" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Here, Moolavar or the main deity resides.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1eXKpvxnI/AAAAAAAABr4/HFDMdWb5Gzk/s1600-h/moolavar.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1eXKpvxnI/AAAAAAAABr4/HFDMdWb5Gzk/s400/moolavar.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309003287829137010" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Then the second level is an open cave, again Muruga graces here in a different posture.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1hrB-PP7I/AAAAAAAABsQ/WhqVNm21IZE/s1600-h/2ndlevel.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1hrB-PP7I/AAAAAAAABsQ/WhqVNm21IZE/s400/2ndlevel.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309006927631433650" style="display: block; height: 270px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Batu Caves - Our World</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Thai Pusam festival is celebrated annually in a large scale and it is declared as a public holiday! Even after a couple of weeks after this festival, the devotees throng to this place...</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1gWf2PUXI/AAAAAAAABsA/tWLn8kWIye4/s1600-h/post-thai-poosam-crwd.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1gWf2PUXI/AAAAAAAABsA/tWLn8kWIye4/s400/post-thai-poosam-crwd.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309005475362066802" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Look at the fantastic bird's eye view of Kuala Lumpur from the top of this hill.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1gW4aajrI/AAAAAAAABsI/zGaXnIFPctU/s1600-h/birdseye-1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/Sa1gW4aajrI/AAAAAAAABsI/zGaXnIFPctU/s400/birdseye-1.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309005481956249266" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Though going down the stairs is effortless, you need to be careful, as the steps are narrow and high. It is better to climb down in a zigzag fashion to make the descent easier.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-23678743986910241682015-02-02T21:03:00.002+08:002015-02-02T21:07:48.357+08:00Pen Thoughts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was love at first sight, for my husband, on a pen^^. The minute he set his eyes on this Alan Dlouis Pen, he had to have it. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/TH5k5w_GIUI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/ddvVOXbkLpw/s1600/Photo-0181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/TH5k5w_GIUI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/ddvVOXbkLpw/s320/Photo-0181.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Unlike Gen Y or nexters, ink pens were part of growing up for Gen X. We used to get a new pen, usually at the beginning of an academic year, along with other goodies like new school bag, pencil case & water bottle. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/TH5leY3aaZI/AAAAAAAAFoU/8bMAThBzvWA/s1600/Photo-0182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/TH5leY3aaZI/AAAAAAAAFoU/8bMAThBzvWA/s320/Photo-0182.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Come to think of it, besides the inconvenience of refilling ink every now and then, it does have an attraction or may be just I'm nostalgic. At times the pen would leak and there would be ink on fingers, notebooks and even on the school uniform. The best fun was trying to get few drops of ink from a friend's pen, because we have missed to fill it up. By doing that spill few drops, never had a care how to remove those stains! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We used to exchange our pen with friends as well, and at home we had to explain why we do this! </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/TH5lv8lKLJI/AAAAAAAAFoY/MecJBCfAHl0/s1600/Photo-0184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P32AfCI2gf4/TH5lv8lKLJI/AAAAAAAAFoY/MecJBCfAHl0/s320/Photo-0184.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our World</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is an adage often quoted in Indian movies, "Pen is mightier than the sword". Well, now "keyboard is the sword"! However, I recall ink-pens being used as swords by boys in fighting, and especially on 1st of April, they smear ink on friend's back and of course get reprimanded by teachers:) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Come to think of it, I'd say that now pens have lost it's significance, well NOT when we are in a meeting and trying to scribble something or doodle :D</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-6145007497290859852014-12-13T01:31:00.000+08:002014-12-17T00:27:04.485+08:00A Glimpse into My Journey <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Though am a confident writer by choice and profession, who is driven by passion, I'm not comfortable facing an audience! Recently, I have joined Toastmasters International (corporate member). Now, I have the motivation to challenge myself and outgrow my limitation. As a baby step, I had to prepare for my first speech called CC1 - Icebreaker(Competent and Communication). Since I prepared a script, I thought why not document it down as a blog too! Herez the script:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Born in a traditionally conventional Sourashtra family on 5th March...during raghu kaalam, whatever the implication might be. Well, I was brought up in an energetic environment and encouraged to do stuff my way. Dad is a business man and mom is an unusual home maker. Unusual, in the sense by the time she was just 18, she had me & my brother who is younger than me by 2 years! But, that didn't stop her from chasing her dream of higher studies. By the time I graduated with a BA in English Lit, my mom had completed a degree in Commerce (BCom), a degree in Sanskrit and Hindi Grammar too! All through my life I have seen that passion was the only driving force her. Speaking about my husband, he is a Metals doctor and because of him I have had the opportunity to travel and live outside India too, which has given me wonderful opportunities. We have a teenage daughter who is in AS levels in an international school, because it his her first time getting education in India.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I grew up with my cousins, and most of them were boys...I enjoyed typical boys activities like climbing walls & trees flying kites and basically I was a ‘tom boy’. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiawXRlaXJ2D2eyx719Wqh7h6sAIKIvQ00v8mr0mIXc8yEc4HSMlgf81sIn9kUV8AyfbBwSlF9WiN3R6oyMTdUXiWoKW_vwlPxHHpTWFZECvPjVSsKrxrlrukp8QiTKyTKpJB8pKdvO5k/s1600/tree-coz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiawXRlaXJ2D2eyx719Wqh7h6sAIKIvQ00v8mr0mIXc8yEc4HSMlgf81sIn9kUV8AyfbBwSlF9WiN3R6oyMTdUXiWoKW_vwlPxHHpTWFZECvPjVSsKrxrlrukp8QiTKyTKpJB8pKdvO5k/s1600/tree-coz.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Applied soft-focus - but you get an idea!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Besides that, I was named as ‘chatterbox’, because I always had a lot to talk, if I was asked to do something, I had to know why and if I was told NOT to do, then I had even more things to ask, why can’t I do and what if I do that! At home, I was banned from using razor blades to sharpen the pencils, so once at school, I think I was in year 3, one of my friends was using blade and he kept teasing me that I don't know how to use it, so I was trying to snatch from him and ended up with hurting myself...well, that gave me an identification mark for life!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Throughout my schooling I was a mediocre student, who loves chatting and being a back bencher, but the trouble was, I was never allowed to sit in the back bench because my teachers knew how naughty I could be. Any noise or distraction, first I would be singled out. This continued throughout my college life as well, so I will just say that I had a gala time for 3 years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, I have inherited my passion and interest from my mom. Whatever I do, I try to do it wholeheartedly and not just for the sake of doing it. My reading habit too has evolved from comics to philosophy and fiction to factual books. When I was a kid, I was attracted to pictures, so started off with comics like Muthu comics, Mayavi series and from school library I used to get Tin Tin, later moved on to Secret Seven, Famous Five, Treasure Island kind of books and during adolescent, I was more towards Mills & Boon & Silhouette series. During college days, I graduated to reading Ayn Rand, Sidney Sheldon, Harold Robbins, Jeffery archer and Robert Ludlum and I was introduced to Chandilyan and kalki too and till date I have a strong attachment to Cholas & Pallavas. Because of this passion, just at the drop of the hat, I drive to Mahabalipuruam just to see the caves & take photos. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismSLkwYK0AaSdcftyvegGbimmHI_j7-S0y9pQotiB465R0Sf-0NmUfSe-zcW8dKKjnwRGxDA4FEn64p73b4YPkDCVNstGt7eDm-YjQrWS45WAUDQyNnDf-IgVmWV-1OC9pr_6Q9yCijM/s1600/shore+temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismSLkwYK0AaSdcftyvegGbimmHI_j7-S0y9pQotiB465R0Sf-0NmUfSe-zcW8dKKjnwRGxDA4FEn64p73b4YPkDCVNstGt7eDm-YjQrWS45WAUDQyNnDf-IgVmWV-1OC9pr_6Q9yCijM/s1600/shore+temple.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shore Temple - Mahabalipuram - <a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Our World</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When you do anything, do it with passion, that will be the driving force. From my experience</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> be it my naughty tricks from childhood or preparing for this CC1, I do it with passion. Passion helps you to look forward to things in life and give you the confidence to pursue relentlessly. </span></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-57363761704516437952014-12-03T00:46:00.000+08:002020-09-15T00:38:01.302+08:00Kili Josiyam & Yeli Josiyam - Pick Your Tarot With Parrot or Guinea Pig<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">கிளி ஜோசியம் (Parrot Tarot card reading) never fails to fascinate. I've done it once long ago! Now, this kinda fortune telling has become a part of entertainment, be it family get together, birthday party or just in front of restaurants. But, when we went to the Southern Terrace @ ECR, Chennai, for the first time I came across எலி ஜோசியம் (Mountain Rat Tarot card reading)!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfj3HtlSiYlB2Rv1GqBacM5mkWOQ9ps1Oy3nKYEk50kMb98z7idP_vn1Ix5xsoneL7izrIL6nJMbC0Empgmrdl5Y31n8xxcIsghliWvm0zvy-WODd9Vejf4fU78ZPzl5gfKq3bHpBXf3A/s1600/20141012_160524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfj3HtlSiYlB2Rv1GqBacM5mkWOQ9ps1Oy3nKYEk50kMb98z7idP_vn1Ix5xsoneL7izrIL6nJMbC0Empgmrdl5Y31n8xxcIsghliWvm0zvy-WODd9Vejf4fU78ZPzl5gfKq3bHpBXf3A/s1600/20141012_160524.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mooshika (mouse) is the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Ganesha, so the fortune teller justifies that the mouse can righteously pick up tarot for men! The rodent came out of the cage, did a couple of peppy circles and started to pick the card one by one from the stack using it's mouth and drop them down. After few cards, the rodent held a card and looked at the owner. Now, the drama started, the owner questioned the rodent in a lilting way if he is sure about the card, and if yes, asked the rodent to go in front of the deity and pray for good fortune. Surprisingly, our எலி (pronounced as eli) went in front of the deity, bowed it's head and then passed on the card to the fortune teller!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFouweznEk1ZRvxaIVmvk020_qyKkxl8pMQ6M6nFnLJnfn-Fk5FhLT2WMJqDiG3qvgYonPXF8IXUFiJQ9FpSZRMwEGewVdr3zBHIHniuo9q58qLj5RkbH3aUofRbHxmsaXluDnwhEb-8/s1600/20141012_161223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFouweznEk1ZRvxaIVmvk020_qyKkxl8pMQ6M6nFnLJnfn-Fk5FhLT2WMJqDiG3qvgYonPXF8IXUFiJQ9FpSZRMwEGewVdr3zBHIHniuo9q58qLj5RkbH3aUofRbHxmsaXluDnwhEb-8/s1600/20141012_161223.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Our World</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our friend, the eli, was rewarded with few grains and sent back to the cage. The fortune teller opened the card, showed us the deity, and it was Lord Narayana with Lakshmi, which is auspicious and indicates wealth and general well being. But, the fortune teller opens his guide and rattled off his interpretation. His predictions on the past was generally true, am still wondering how this could be, because he gave some specific indicators which, he wouldn't have a chance to know by just seeing us! Well, it could be the trick of his trade. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9QGLDeKB4pLCz83FkJ-eGSiYWj07Q6MTgNFqzW4AyY43junQ3NNtTmGvP2AKzBgPqFXJ5ppThQiaHGWbtZHFKLXWn-fYEvvZupG5I5kR-DX724LxYfwadrtsLuPPt0-JSRRYvqNQ4k0/s1600/20141012_160530.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9QGLDeKB4pLCz83FkJ-eGSiYWj07Q6MTgNFqzW4AyY43junQ3NNtTmGvP2AKzBgPqFXJ5ppThQiaHGWbtZHFKLXWn-fYEvvZupG5I5kR-DX724LxYfwadrtsLuPPt0-JSRRYvqNQ4k0/s1600/20141012_160530.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now, it was my turn, so he invited the parrot to pick up the card. Again, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">கிளி</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> is Goddess Meenakshi's favorite, so ideal to pick up tarot for ladies</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. Same process was repeated, like eli's.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChPDD2GRNVxSPzKCKZY8dyrmBiqzlBtJVl_xDcH4vViSGIaR-8ZDhddLs4s8TKJ96CLY13W2pMbl3m2Ydj9IW0qT7_CwVbBJW9jEqIHoX6qF6y-C80w4fHgJGam0w21WyzTuVSoBu7Ng/s1600/kili-josiyam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChPDD2GRNVxSPzKCKZY8dyrmBiqzlBtJVl_xDcH4vViSGIaR-8ZDhddLs4s8TKJ96CLY13W2pMbl3m2Ydj9IW0qT7_CwVbBJW9jEqIHoX6qF6y-C80w4fHgJGam0w21WyzTuVSoBu7Ng/s1600/kili-josiyam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But, once the parrot decided on the card, instead of going in front of the deity, it just hopped towards the caged eli, and was asking for his consent!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScF0eM1JTUgZjQDySFaUp00SBvmx-cYmc4uMSbdoI4ktK0H-qujV9io0teIPJZxblGJsP_n5vPeCpYo2RQSNGUFaW_6VBuEQzEnAZ7T2KzwI8nTyrkwqyJoQ4h0RFKZBYww7CLHzNcns/s1600/20141012_160856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScF0eM1JTUgZjQDySFaUp00SBvmx-cYmc4uMSbdoI4ktK0H-qujV9io0teIPJZxblGJsP_n5vPeCpYo2RQSNGUFaW_6VBuEQzEnAZ7T2KzwI8nTyrkwqyJoQ4h0RFKZBYww7CLHzNcns/s1600/20141012_160856.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The owner prompted the parrot to whistle, utter few words, and the parrot too promptly whistled & spoke. What a training! I was also rewarded with good reading.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTigyXcymZSWdiVQy-1O9FwSiCCG-y2H2soSYMrP3QV_AO1o1A4rVzP5vAmEwUW5FJWbE-zRUm4uaUIbJqWThpPUrD6F7y245341_uzbFnwGxnVDqYlVlZOPjvaK2bZBV2n44UHp1QdZA/s1600/20141012_160933.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTigyXcymZSWdiVQy-1O9FwSiCCG-y2H2soSYMrP3QV_AO1o1A4rVzP5vAmEwUW5FJWbE-zRUm4uaUIbJqWThpPUrD6F7y245341_uzbFnwGxnVDqYlVlZOPjvaK2bZBV2n44UHp1QdZA/s1600/20141012_160933.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When it was time for us to move, we asked how much did we owe him, for which he said that we could tip him whatever we feel like, again that was quite unusual. Later when we spoke to the restaurant guys, we learned that this fortune teller gets paid by them, no wonder he accepts what ever we pay :) </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Overall, feel good factor was pretty high, unlike my earlier experience.</span></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-24454733099960035282014-09-30T23:47:00.003+08:002014-09-30T23:47:32.528+08:00Flights of fancy <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To do list:</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Archive and organize tons of pictures</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. Do a travel without a set date/destination</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. After every drive or a photo-shoot, write </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Learn to swim properly </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. At least 30 mins of outdoor everyday</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. Learn to stop the thought process @ will</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7. Try not to juggle few tasks</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See the list goes on...and am oredi multi-tasking, instead of focusing on the list, out of no-where I remembered this shot and started editing...so why not make this itself as a blog post!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlCJIrFDG7k4uk1ZnuSIS2jme8kiJxLKZIZM8nSId1By1fVWx_HM3eB4JFJpaRihm9TZCN4Y76NqPrR6CWED4Zt1RvN0WySWV_Hy0oiDw6W1tftmuDjuEfYkSTRlct2OAXtqsuuAfW9o/s1600/IMG_6377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlCJIrFDG7k4uk1ZnuSIS2jme8kiJxLKZIZM8nSId1By1fVWx_HM3eB4JFJpaRihm9TZCN4Y76NqPrR6CWED4Zt1RvN0WySWV_Hy0oiDw6W1tftmuDjuEfYkSTRlct2OAXtqsuuAfW9o/s1600/IMG_6377.JPG" height="488" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">பறவையை பார்த்தான் விமானம் படைத்தான் - <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Our World Tuesday</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-63869649277496907502014-06-13T13:31:00.000+08:002014-08-02T20:25:35.460+08:00Vow - Does God Ask For It?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At times when I see people doing things in the name of 'vow' to a 'God', I start wondering, 'does any God ask for a vow?' Some of the simple vows like fasting, or tonsuring is quite common, well, those things might not hurt much. This is like a small gesture of 'thanks giving' to whatever you believe in. But, when it comes to Kaavadi, where they pierce themselves with spears and hooks, I feel it is kind of violent, and looks like 'self-punishment' rather than a 'thanking gesture'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This time, when I visited my home-town, Madurai, India, I happened to see a procession, that was on its way to celebrate 'Veerakaliamman Kaavadi'. It was quite a disturbing experience and my heart was almost in my mouth, when I saw a motorized chariot, where two men were hooked up high on the poles which is usually meant for bullocks. The most scary part was, the hooked up men were dangling and the pole was moving constantly like a shadoof, meant for taking water from the well</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. T</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ake a look at these collages:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5jr5ug8h6I8mw_HOEgrQU_z85YXb1fhJZOsT6EInffhn3S3UKCAAocAdqufOa6jlU191OcIIj1LP2twe0KQJmG9T9y1nCTSBJmT3enUfGVczjolUDe34J4JRELoLLq71ZnmgGO9PZCQ/s1600/kaavadi1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5jr5ug8h6I8mw_HOEgrQU_z85YXb1fhJZOsT6EInffhn3S3UKCAAocAdqufOa6jlU191OcIIj1LP2twe0KQJmG9T9y1nCTSBJmT3enUfGVczjolUDe34J4JRELoLLq71ZnmgGO9PZCQ/s1600/kaavadi1.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Skywatch Friday</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Never thought that hanging men on hooks could be real, even as a vow! It was a queasy experience...seen only in movies like Dasavadharam. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLzZK3eomgAIthoXQDSgydCJw3i5-uorAErkNG8MKL29VgbPriKo1WvRUZ9qAacu9mjKPDHzILcsTHjAFcQYLkAlC4EfEHkJsobM-jKJABJynqwWwSE4YqebyjY8L2l7VzBTS40frttE/s1600/kaavadi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLzZK3eomgAIthoXQDSgydCJw3i5-uorAErkNG8MKL29VgbPriKo1WvRUZ9qAacu9mjKPDHzILcsTHjAFcQYLkAlC4EfEHkJsobM-jKJABJynqwWwSE4YqebyjY8L2l7VzBTS40frttE/s1600/kaavadi2.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The above picture shows people with several piercings on their cheek and tongue. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wondering, what would be the motivating factor for </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">performing this kind of harsh vows! </span></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-22826770533258782512014-01-12T01:08:00.000+08:002014-01-12T01:08:16.562+08:00Cheenavala - Chinese Fishing Nets, Kochi, India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Very little information is available about the origin of Cheenavala, except that it was brought in to Kochi, Kerala by Kublai Khan. The Cheenavala, meaning Chinese Fishing Nets in Malayalam, is the most spectacular attractions of this coastal region. I have not seen this type of nets anywhere in the Chinese fishing villages of Malaysia. As we entered the Fort Kochi beach area, this is the first sight that caught my attention, an idle cheenavala.</span><p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAv-mMoT2gC2QCPtrg115oN2oLq7pRVpoa0bA7yh21TpZnPbHqvsX8iCmDb3XKOAbF3vE4qZDIRz8uqk7c3X-TpFXjB3Ikuex-1uaZcMU4LPv7BlD2I23JIuJK-JvJEJLR880AgydVyA0/s1600/kochi-fishingnet-vaish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAv-mMoT2gC2QCPtrg115oN2oLq7pRVpoa0bA7yh21TpZnPbHqvsX8iCmDb3XKOAbF3vE4qZDIRz8uqk7c3X-TpFXjB3Ikuex-1uaZcMU4LPv7BlD2I23JIuJK-JvJEJLR880AgydVyA0/s400/kochi-fishingnet-vaish.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chinese Fishing Net - <a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Our World</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">There seemed to be commotion around a net and with great curiosity we moved towards that. As we neared the nets, the fisher men saw us with the camera, and asked us to get closer so that we could see how they operate the nets. While a group of men worked on the levers to lower the net, two of them came from behind us and deftly climbed the poles, see the picture below!</span><p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Cv95S4kMnStN0ZTEG1J-RV-DauLmUCg_AtGY-kRWMKTqTqu2YS-yJJupvmjljxaJbFyZPwPGw499OfqLPoooLdVqM-Nga83Jz4XY5mOosUlfJ_kqSbXIsE6IrxoCT_zZX51tLWoadFM/s1600/CN0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Cv95S4kMnStN0ZTEG1J-RV-DauLmUCg_AtGY-kRWMKTqTqu2YS-yJJupvmjljxaJbFyZPwPGw499OfqLPoooLdVqM-Nga83Jz4XY5mOosUlfJ_kqSbXIsE6IrxoCT_zZX51tLWoadFM/s320/CN0.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Quite an unusual method of fishing by the shore</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">After adjusting the nets, they came down and waited for a while. They spoke only the local language (Malayalam) and hardly spoke English. So, we decided to just hang around until they lift the nets. Here are the action sequence..</span><p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqP7LdU919fcYMBPKxiyOLKYS8BpYiXviD_fTyTWNy6eX30ekHpROsBkUwWcVQYc60CGaeYODW4pTHSpx623Tgkwy4EhDj5ohnOfdzGL5BTXLhueW4h7zFd2QBXm3OgGy2UABobUScbIY/s1600/CN2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqP7LdU919fcYMBPKxiyOLKYS8BpYiXviD_fTyTWNy6eX30ekHpROsBkUwWcVQYc60CGaeYODW4pTHSpx623Tgkwy4EhDj5ohnOfdzGL5BTXLhueW4h7zFd2QBXm3OgGy2UABobUScbIY/s400/CN2.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nets laid down</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0a2C4WBFi9Rcq-WbRKC20hp8qdWw3pTCCuTZui3chuyfs-a9AomUPZNcx_IrNd9fv4LOvywQCOX_3h-wgJpQ6n3418JPJud_BFzXY4o68GCZJXbhHOS9VILNMZO8IAS-XPWp-_fyry8/s1600/CN3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0a2C4WBFi9Rcq-WbRKC20hp8qdWw3pTCCuTZui3chuyfs-a9AomUPZNcx_IrNd9fv4LOvywQCOX_3h-wgJpQ6n3418JPJud_BFzXY4o68GCZJXbhHOS9VILNMZO8IAS-XPWp-_fyry8/s1600/CN3.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lifting the nets</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJDXvkNpZNkMsTskiQ4q8HeGq7zxA4WnqTPul4F2e2J4n3xLPzxzuT9ZayoKP3b5zUeFFSyOJWypjGhxZxw0Ct3s9FYK4wiLepiVsAepQQxwgJ8BI0cmldtMo66BEwuOqk_Tses7btww/s1600/CN4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJDXvkNpZNkMsTskiQ4q8HeGq7zxA4WnqTPul4F2e2J4n3xLPzxzuT9ZayoKP3b5zUeFFSyOJWypjGhxZxw0Ct3s9FYK4wiLepiVsAepQQxwgJ8BI0cmldtMo66BEwuOqk_Tses7btww/s1600/CN4.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Scooping the fresh catch</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When we were about to leave, one of the fishermen tried to stop us and ask $10 for taking pictures. Now, we knew why they were so eager in asking us to come over and watch...somehow we got out of that spot without paying them! This is the first time I had faced the 'tourist harassment' and felt awful about how locals try to exploit the tourists, especially if they carry DSLRs. Whatever, I was able to overcome this misgiving when I watched the spectacular sunset behind these lofty contraptions. It will never fail to bring out an awed sensation.</span><p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RmLz5cNWsMUYSL4ZdA4Z5RdpsEJnSRLXIHJ0S84Tehguf3_vxU85LLgCd3UqKzTjA1qyRXfEgfuOXWYHe8-jfndWJaYris9tIaH0I9F6WoQLB8VZbqiLUAqZD59YB8MmEVHeOlAxLEc/s1600/CN-sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RmLz5cNWsMUYSL4ZdA4Z5RdpsEJnSRLXIHJ0S84Tehguf3_vxU85LLgCd3UqKzTjA1qyRXfEgfuOXWYHe8-jfndWJaYris9tIaH0I9F6WoQLB8VZbqiLUAqZD59YB8MmEVHeOlAxLEc/s1600/CN-sunset.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Sky watch</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-79900629296509579932013-12-19T14:05:00.000+08:002013-12-19T14:05:18.402+08:00Photos of Paintings - Lifestyle of the Past<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As a passionate photographer, I enjoy capturing live moments and am equally interested in taking pictures of the paintings. Some of such shots ...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MPEe4MVfB9V-NdGBfBuPDz0N2lKSINxVQRb9F7TRJEVoIyjBvjcsCgA1Jj6mXdx0OEdWyReZ8QaabfA81BdndXd4SRQlPe-Wluxg96oLuw0weEw4-lNTEIQTMkelRmXq57SQ7Jnkj-w/s1600/IMG_1927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MPEe4MVfB9V-NdGBfBuPDz0N2lKSINxVQRb9F7TRJEVoIyjBvjcsCgA1Jj6mXdx0OEdWyReZ8QaabfA81BdndXd4SRQlPe-Wluxg96oLuw0weEw4-lNTEIQTMkelRmXq57SQ7Jnkj-w/s400/IMG_1927.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical houses on Kampung Air(Water Village in Malay)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I shot this pic at a friend's house and she said that it is a prized possession!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7tJ2TRM_sU/TbLoZSQIUlI/AAAAAAAAGa0/GkLWVu3Tw18/s1600/IMG_1947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7tJ2TRM_sU/TbLoZSQIUlI/AAAAAAAAGa0/GkLWVu3Tw18/s400/IMG_1947.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasar (Market in Malay) Scene</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vd5F1ir4vS8/TbLo7RWF9iI/AAAAAAAAGa8/vU_0XRcr4M8/s1600/IMG_1950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vd5F1ir4vS8/TbLo7RWF9iI/AAAAAAAAGa8/vU_0XRcr4M8/s400/IMG_1950.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Settlement?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's just my guess that this scene is of a Chinese settlement, mainly because, people are wearing typical cone shaped Chinese hats:)</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vN4atqzR06A/TbLoo9z3IEI/AAAAAAAAGa4/kileBVLowSs/s1600/IMG_1933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vN4atqzR06A/TbLoo9z3IEI/AAAAAAAAGa4/kileBVLowSs/s400/IMG_1933.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joint Family </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Unlike today's nuclear families, this scene shows the entire family under one roof...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnI-kWic_8w/TbLpGLTXdOI/AAAAAAAAGbA/7cJqz0EKVgw/s1600/IMG_1953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnI-kWic_8w/TbLpGLTXdOI/AAAAAAAAGbA/7cJqz0EKVgw/s400/IMG_1953.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chemist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Western styled chemist...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfyoL_l1kpI/TbLpLQKuBkI/AAAAAAAAGbE/nX2614FpAsw/s1600/IMG_1954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfyoL_l1kpI/TbLpLQKuBkI/AAAAAAAAGbE/nX2614FpAsw/s400/IMG_1954.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grocery Shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All these Scenes have a couple of things in common,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- it shows lifestyle of the past!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- taken at a friend's house in Melaka!!!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-24207369952714362172013-11-11T12:30:00.003+08:002013-11-12T09:31:30.294+08:00Tea Estates of Cameron Highlands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After the long drive in Indian roads, that too between Chennai & Madurai during Diwali, my longing for long drives that I used to have in Malaysia has become intense...o</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ne thought leading to other, I was going through the pics that I'd taken in Sungai Palas Tea plantation in</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At that time the fresh dew, fragrant air and the pleasant weather was compelling and I was lost in its sheer beauty.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-jFeNRr9x4ZNp1WlVI3a-kd6UPF5NShX3a8XQV4J0hSeKKbm_Rw4-2NF3iibJXHpAL6j0CRysNZpudohvukPOXLeC3aGoybjz_BkmCMZ6lFG9N2R4bRe6JWVk4ffVck53XzB-s10Fho/s1600/IMG_7829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-jFeNRr9x4ZNp1WlVI3a-kd6UPF5NShX3a8XQV4J0hSeKKbm_Rw4-2NF3iibJXHpAL6j0CRysNZpudohvukPOXLeC3aGoybjz_BkmCMZ6lFG9N2R4bRe6JWVk4ffVck53XzB-s10Fho/s400/IMG_7829.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it was a pleasure to be in that place. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-zBhjWZ_EHmO-6be0MjkA1vZHNPuFU_xCIE6hlx875ZJs9vKgPuEYt41svtzAAWvAhemYBD_sZ64__svv-dMklojuv93zLL1Yp5F_HuaaJKQR3m_FdzExUxObjiVtxctJc0-yAAmZwI/s1600/IMG_7861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-zBhjWZ_EHmO-6be0MjkA1vZHNPuFU_xCIE6hlx875ZJs9vKgPuEYt41svtzAAWvAhemYBD_sZ64__svv-dMklojuv93zLL1Yp5F_HuaaJKQR3m_FdzExUxObjiVtxctJc0-yAAmZwI/s400/IMG_7861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After a short trek, you reach the tea shop... </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp2rtRjtE2cLSNHEkDWQ240cyG72AD4bDrfJz8-FRzqqEbaUXVoR7fljFFU6bSzfCUDO5KbjOzq0CsoNGOxQpNj2FFfkTYgl4rRcmhttDFfxmRdIwpreRxuO9P1B7r6MabZxkuFVyvGk/s400/IMG_7867.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Our World</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The view from the tea shop deck is breathtaking!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0l1EgPfXYovQkitgB99g6IvV6rXrsqZ03p5uv9zhJeeDnmdG7X7yhOwrk4LovlxUxxcGYPrSvNZEB6PJAmKwpSdxf34xuEP_PqRvygwdxBvSwAydueOHsWL2ITXCB4YnhlMkgoubIf5Y/s1600/IMG_7889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0l1EgPfXYovQkitgB99g6IvV6rXrsqZ03p5uv9zhJeeDnmdG7X7yhOwrk4LovlxUxxcGYPrSvNZEB6PJAmKwpSdxf34xuEP_PqRvygwdxBvSwAydueOHsWL2ITXCB4YnhlMkgoubIf5Y/s400/IMG_7889.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The fresh air, emerald blanketed natural surrounding & noise free atmosphere is a blessing for city dwellers like me. </span></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-43270317034518067242013-09-15T22:04:00.000+08:002013-09-15T22:16:01.703+08:00Heeren Street<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Heeren Street, is synonymous with museums and rich Malaccan heritage. To, me it is one of the most attractive haunts in Melaka, as I've spent time with friends for photoshoot and just lazing around. It has never failed to bring a sense of calm awesomeness.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y_U9JlJZnJMeVj1gTWHAiKOHRnx6H8vhWPZ941ouxBfPGuh8FoFKL6ZUmiv3y2s3gNvrSS63xcohZKoFvq7HOF2lh0bW1610ylvNITGqfR6s7DoCA4UgouqJKSgt4C1IqryJVf9IjKQ/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y_U9JlJZnJMeVj1gTWHAiKOHRnx6H8vhWPZ941ouxBfPGuh8FoFKL6ZUmiv3y2s3gNvrSS63xcohZKoFvq7HOF2lh0bW1610ylvNITGqfR6s7DoCA4UgouqJKSgt4C1IqryJVf9IjKQ/s400/IMG_1892.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Model of yesteryear Heeren street - <a href="http://shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">SSS</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This street boasts archaic double-story buildings, which predominantly was built on Dutch influenced architecture! Malaqa Musem is a good place to go and explore the fine details and view yesteryear arts and artifacts.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2ij7ondBYlQjs7WRDjc2CABvWpd7j0lvY1cdH3V7ksBkaJ8o4zmexoaJDvvMD2DsXEQEHtp5AuLQpSa_ebHNEVsaNDDvT2J4Bsq2SrQyGpGyL2SKRGOMeAmeovCAv7pHhtwXaQMOLss/s1600/Jonker+Walk-23Mar2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2ij7ondBYlQjs7WRDjc2CABvWpd7j0lvY1cdH3V7ksBkaJ8o4zmexoaJDvvMD2DsXEQEHtp5AuLQpSa_ebHNEVsaNDDvT2J4Bsq2SrQyGpGyL2SKRGOMeAmeovCAv7pHhtwXaQMOLss/s640/Jonker+Walk-23Mar2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Malaqa House</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jP_KXvM2pL112NHSBNxPAm8XGDC0AkCgXQu_4-7z7qTj6JjJscZmf26kK7-jhuyjG4p2Qq0AqQGhoafsL4GhTMcGpjaODQS8AwOlCGnRginO5cnb9SMPgHXHiZwEAgOZIB6JY5XXKhQ/s1600/IMG_1923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jP_KXvM2pL112NHSBNxPAm8XGDC0AkCgXQu_4-7z7qTj6JjJscZmf26kK7-jhuyjG4p2Qq0AqQGhoafsL4GhTMcGpjaODQS8AwOlCGnRginO5cnb9SMPgHXHiZwEAgOZIB6JY5XXKhQ/s400/IMG_1923.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Baboon House is another must place in Heeren street. They serve juicy burgers and nonya delights. Its not just their food, the archaic ambience, its unique garden and the love for arts is a heady mixture in which one could soak up and laze around unwind with friends. Here are some shots of this paradise...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUnxxSMQ8OJndosHHT666x6MaK0wi-aU3Tyir7pXweG9gn-FbK5t3953zTtNqrW7uEMNJQB-PPgVNdLRkINhhFL97HGirkoocB9Lwei4GXcDBYbIfb2FNzirESWQCVO0uurotwjaZ1YU/s1600/Baboon-interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUnxxSMQ8OJndosHHT666x6MaK0wi-aU3Tyir7pXweG9gn-FbK5t3953zTtNqrW7uEMNJQB-PPgVNdLRkINhhFL97HGirkoocB9Lwei4GXcDBYbIfb2FNzirESWQCVO0uurotwjaZ1YU/s640/Baboon-interior.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Artistic Interior</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The garden is, how to say, am lost for words...</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even if you are alone there is something for you at Baboon House</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvJsSKYsV-p5Epl8OKq7sLeb7nBbgiT4HNVPej9P8zFx7Bshg3RJYKASXmhoZr9N6pZl4WWrEYijdOW6BSdWxnyggqZSxW9dKiNLnuE2C1WULGarrmoVbA3UIhcvYkD7thB9WKpNC0g0/s1600/IMG_1963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvJsSKYsV-p5Epl8OKq7sLeb7nBbgiT4HNVPej9P8zFx7Bshg3RJYKASXmhoZr9N6pZl4WWrEYijdOW6BSdWxnyggqZSxW9dKiNLnuE2C1WULGarrmoVbA3UIhcvYkD7thB9WKpNC0g0/s400/IMG_1963.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Enter the Garden</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qen0fJzwlWMHfc4i0808DNdUzv1dEjB741FRrJcRaUP4I61TZxL7RUOF0xcTo0rTw0ZtXSBVZsdwdaNXB2-_rqZ71d2cD79Jxvcck1yJldJTAmugMm4LQHfHuT0NIHTS43mQ485Zi1o/s1600/baboon-garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qen0fJzwlWMHfc4i0808DNdUzv1dEjB741FRrJcRaUP4I61TZxL7RUOF0xcTo0rTw0ZtXSBVZsdwdaNXB2-_rqZ71d2cD79Jxvcck1yJldJTAmugMm4LQHfHuT0NIHTS43mQ485Zi1o/s640/baboon-garden.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Baboon Paradise!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then there are bird houses, which I didn't get a chance to visit...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDK3QHJgU0Cr_C03p6L0DNgDUdEEN6CL_cK_kEkk2JoP1fTV-IQ9XnmyvdJlEf_ilo_mxacQc2ID21Yqr99hVTEULpprTp54smE_7hD9MsZLt0jpWcL-fyJaNQxcePiaNv2lXLIFZ0g9A/s400/IMG_1843.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bird House</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One cannot miss to notice the circular opening that separates the buildings...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMsjHD0XIF1iCk7chMebx0F-plUyHLmvId6oGQELriqSA6IlBP4WAsNEfQnLUC2YME89KpPcvSXNCrL66ODFwtRuXXEYoewovKV_4TGfISVY-dD_9Bvl89KPnNkUZy-90aZf9Db3hbcI/s1600/heerun+circle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMsjHD0XIF1iCk7chMebx0F-plUyHLmvId6oGQELriqSA6IlBP4WAsNEfQnLUC2YME89KpPcvSXNCrL66ODFwtRuXXEYoewovKV_4TGfISVY-dD_9Bvl89KPnNkUZy-90aZf9Db3hbcI/s320/heerun+circle.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In short Heeruen street subtly boasts the rich past!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-31168090071334817182013-07-15T02:00:00.001+08:002013-07-15T02:00:20.343+08:00Scenes on Road - Cameron Highlands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Drive to <a href="http://rattlingcommunicator.blogspot.in/2012/08/exploring-with-friend-fraser-hills.html" target="_blank">Fraser Hills</a> in Malaysia, encouraged me to plan for Cameron Highlands, which was farther away and higher in altitude. In the last trip, I didn't get a chance to stop on the road to take pictures, and this time round, I wanted to fulfill that wish. When I drive, my better half constantly drives me crazy by acting as a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">back seat driver! And, he would never let me stop on lonely roads. So, my daughter and I tricked him into sitting in the backseat, as soon as we touched the hill road. See our first stop!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pSCPWYKkgR6dOKeej_X4xay4doNiNHraFFaubpuzB1cSZ2644FAZTBkCM2WQ3ogYgjsB4ye0aw6JY_bTxth1qZx4MAIE0J1KluKrLMtxoVZfmx4WsyfmIQXkV8Zs0EIYI42aoaXtp3Y/s1600/IMG_7754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pSCPWYKkgR6dOKeej_X4xay4doNiNHraFFaubpuzB1cSZ2644FAZTBkCM2WQ3ogYgjsB4ye0aw6JY_bTxth1qZx4MAIE0J1KluKrLMtxoVZfmx4WsyfmIQXkV8Zs0EIYI42aoaXtp3Y/s640/IMG_7754.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pleasant weather and mist covered hills and lonely road was divine. At the first and next stops my partner was upset because we were taking risks by stopping at lonely spots, but then he gave up on us:D </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KXD9WxduDQc87zuFLHR8ytSyyVZkY75aCPB-YAiCSUpnmY-sCqB-zVQC1uXh3_gsH7Z9zXr8jcqKUEbpkQkBRItyjQQBud4EF_zoMgUuVFAqtP6pLXOW2eDZaqAcx9EHeqq9CyPHGbQ/s1600/IMG_7752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KXD9WxduDQc87zuFLHR8ytSyyVZkY75aCPB-YAiCSUpnmY-sCqB-zVQC1uXh3_gsH7Z9zXr8jcqKUEbpkQkBRItyjQQBud4EF_zoMgUuVFAqtP6pLXOW2eDZaqAcx9EHeqq9CyPHGbQ/s640/IMG_7752.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdtEvJ8_8xHCdPVpkle8QUZDIWWzxXPSXo29xglPvAL9J8JoAFQ0kcvE2K2RzFUqVOOsxQkH-PAT8bHxEo3si37bcuYYpIzk7OX8YNwWA_s2Zhvu3tGNwj0YHhDjim1HtD3R_I7esfUo/s1600/IMG_7765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdtEvJ8_8xHCdPVpkle8QUZDIWWzxXPSXo29xglPvAL9J8JoAFQ0kcvE2K2RzFUqVOOsxQkH-PAT8bHxEo3si37bcuYYpIzk7OX8YNwWA_s2Zhvu3tGNwj0YHhDjim1HtD3R_I7esfUo/s640/IMG_7765.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha1La_gC14LDAzEVvO5vevgJJO0ibor6t1TpI5I3bCSFx-m1kEF7R1hfXIvyq0PK4zJ0tI89_r5VYO6U6iSO7mP5F3VmNi8QWnhaqss7Lbxdt1_7vjkivBcLdBAmLEDkVCxHcS49wNO4/s1600/IMG_7772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjha1La_gC14LDAzEVvO5vevgJJO0ibor6t1TpI5I3bCSFx-m1kEF7R1hfXIvyq0PK4zJ0tI89_r5VYO6U6iSO7mP5F3VmNi8QWnhaqss7Lbxdt1_7vjkivBcLdBAmLEDkVCxHcS49wNO4/s640/IMG_7772.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Though the above muddy track was very much inviting, we controlled our urge as we didn't want to push my partner's red button.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPqAwG7hBgXPJlAs6AcscQlLT48NValh3jWJhu8Ynq0Ff4hXpvgIkcdlhGgZ3F3F_HRYv1_pPzjxO-PFOvh3dMlNl8z_xnIUsLw7pm062I1goCa-XOt12N2XaD-8ef112Wqz65MDOId4/s1600/IMG_8005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPqAwG7hBgXPJlAs6AcscQlLT48NValh3jWJhu8Ynq0Ff4hXpvgIkcdlhGgZ3F3F_HRYv1_pPzjxO-PFOvh3dMlNl8z_xnIUsLw7pm062I1goCa-XOt12N2XaD-8ef112Wqz65MDOId4/s640/IMG_8005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vegetable plantations</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No one was around these plantations and the entrance was locked, so we could not get in and check out.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xBtJ2cFc80XWnPp8JDYadyl2Wmoh15p67WBS8OBhQ5P1PdL4RAmvca_vSJ10ARMR4PxJNJP087WH9ED9-9AtKNtXBLQDt4cyV2r8OvQP2Ypkec2js5qFmENYIwKjKtvWM5Qh5bsFPxQ/s1600/IMG_8007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xBtJ2cFc80XWnPp8JDYadyl2Wmoh15p67WBS8OBhQ5P1PdL4RAmvca_vSJ10ARMR4PxJNJP087WH9ED9-9AtKNtXBLQDt4cyV2r8OvQP2Ypkec2js5qFmENYIwKjKtvWM5Qh5bsFPxQ/s640/IMG_8007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_slNLN6_RmZSyWawjOH_oNy-NkVzy1YQF9tnRdNvfMsyK-V9kLD68hmkkBwTd7qScN34mZIlAdJH-zhHBqr6yGEQFEPgwJPOuzuTdhqSWn-lux6GldDDHyFTlylTcmzI5e7n2yw4PvJI/s1600/IMG_7824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_slNLN6_RmZSyWawjOH_oNy-NkVzy1YQF9tnRdNvfMsyK-V9kLD68hmkkBwTd7qScN34mZIlAdJH-zhHBqr6yGEQFEPgwJPOuzuTdhqSWn-lux6GldDDHyFTlylTcmzI5e7n2yw4PvJI/s640/IMG_7824.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsohMvvOO6m9AcakKh96jHNMmOrV5A_SJIFrr7JWsZkLWJQJSaSQE3u2SLhtPS-fpp-FnHCh3nZ_6q-Lecg8jp6xDalT3FPxWwdhvUx7lfqppYflvoKuGVGqw5K0eHc6nCp3MzzH4fQ5M/s1600/IMG_7825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsohMvvOO6m9AcakKh96jHNMmOrV5A_SJIFrr7JWsZkLWJQJSaSQE3u2SLhtPS-fpp-FnHCh3nZ_6q-Lecg8jp6xDalT3FPxWwdhvUx7lfqppYflvoKuGVGqw5K0eHc6nCp3MzzH4fQ5M/s640/IMG_7825.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It looked like a balance, suspended in a pulley that was connected across a gorge. My assumption is that, it should be used in carrying things! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgDOaM6H6vMMUt9V0VzQuhx0dKQ64Ra_AUD_VwmE1TQ6xra-4Z3ZqWPnGRNuDt74f_v8NRu4RSZRLORc5lBySOOINj1buZ2h8RvOXQaMd14Pz6WdHNzOZK6DKu6L5r3gc437eihrGDVw/s1600/IMG_7978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgDOaM6H6vMMUt9V0VzQuhx0dKQ64Ra_AUD_VwmE1TQ6xra-4Z3ZqWPnGRNuDt74f_v8NRu4RSZRLORc5lBySOOINj1buZ2h8RvOXQaMd14Pz6WdHNzOZK6DKu6L5r3gc437eihrGDVw/s640/IMG_7978.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Strawberry and tea plantations are the signature attractions of Cameron highlands. Bharat Plantation was on the way to Tanah Rata. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgfUZSmobfg1eLmLbzksrdBof1mznOzd7E-ejrpeF0g5u6S6g0s-GhrDqKaZLVEN3DjzWlqUI3KdNtVYnivft_hRMlSE0hLqoQLAEI8KtaDhN4PMkRjOlQr_t8v5DWXeBuB4fQtbyKaQ/s1600/IMG_7987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgfUZSmobfg1eLmLbzksrdBof1mznOzd7E-ejrpeF0g5u6S6g0s-GhrDqKaZLVEN3DjzWlqUI3KdNtVYnivft_hRMlSE0hLqoQLAEI8KtaDhN4PMkRjOlQr_t8v5DWXeBuB4fQtbyKaQ/s640/IMG_7987.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The green blanketed tea estates</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVfYFYTUv-B3Bagu5xl7pGq59hQi6TdguAkXOoBV3IP0LHa8lTxn_tnxBU2xcS5dBTrjFPbhauay_t3-MsLc46v4VfI7XEbJAyh5aGbaq2cZtDRmWS3LsCHSLqoE85zPmt3qxQyUIdEM/s1600/IMG_7923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVfYFYTUv-B3Bagu5xl7pGq59hQi6TdguAkXOoBV3IP0LHa8lTxn_tnxBU2xcS5dBTrjFPbhauay_t3-MsLc46v4VfI7XEbJAyh5aGbaq2cZtDRmWS3LsCHSLqoE85zPmt3qxQyUIdEM/s640/IMG_7923.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tanah Rata - largest town in Cameron </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cameron Highlands has three towns, the lowest being Ringlet, followed by Thana Ratha, which is the largest (where we planned to stay) and Brinchang being the highest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The golf course on the way to Brinchang is a site to cherish.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0thWXNAlIimN53jQMWvITC6RACHzppa_QBuDIiunBJrXy9HvA1f5P2xdMaG1E5NbeXV9rZ2k__edgJO7rUUalmuR7C-oGTwDZsjcASWYU_jNGcyD7C9jsrqIZfFDKiOQr3idtvoAfnY/s1600/Cameron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0thWXNAlIimN53jQMWvITC6RACHzppa_QBuDIiunBJrXy9HvA1f5P2xdMaG1E5NbeXV9rZ2k__edgJO7rUUalmuR7C-oGTwDZsjcASWYU_jNGcyD7C9jsrqIZfFDKiOQr3idtvoAfnY/s640/Cameron.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are many strawberry farms on the way to Brinchang and most of them allow visitors to hand pick the berries. But, this monument in between Ringlet and Tanah Rata is a sight that should not be missed.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SCUsEyxeOMs-b0iQvzwrZKo6hWYDFFGzWn3M0IHuwTSFHG-bNoXqQ17f4_mkGjdym8W1tKE_iLVhl9cn01MiDOAqfj7uMOr7_TPog5MkR3FmgsBr3175BuJnSAVyO4DWhnpj7CDPD3A/s1600/IMG_7781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SCUsEyxeOMs-b0iQvzwrZKo6hWYDFFGzWn3M0IHuwTSFHG-bNoXqQ17f4_mkGjdym8W1tKE_iLVhl9cn01MiDOAqfj7uMOr7_TPog5MkR3FmgsBr3175BuJnSAVyO4DWhnpj7CDPD3A/s640/IMG_7781.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-71194001413183872972013-07-04T23:20:00.001+08:002016-11-12T01:41:00.180+08:00Biking - Back to Nature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cycling was the most cherished outdoor activity of my childhood. Outdoor, literally means out of the house door and on the road, but not in a natural surrounding! Those were the carefree days when I used to roam around the streets of my hometown during afternoons, that too without my dad's knowledge. The minute he finds out that am on roads, I would be grounded :(</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Of late, the most enjoyable activity, was driving and exploring offbeat beaches and villages. But, during my last visit to Melaka my friends suggested that I could borrow a friend's cycle and join them for a ride in the neighborhood kampung (village in Malay). At that time I never knew what exactly was a bike ride. But, the passion to explore the unknown urged me to accept the offer, and I agreed to join them. When my friend commented that we take the simple route, it still didn't give me clue as to the distance or nature of the ride. I was in for a world of new and exciting experience.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlJdqGfgKiKWtLdukhSmyaDHOQ34MdlHQqVhhcFwJ3WcsPu6hiK5VJ_SBtGBjbKTIAtTFiaXciludPM4BrelBWJRd6ZZ0xAcL15keHGRS8y47BadaxaxP8kyRu63FCImQaJfMtsuZStA/s1600/20130531_081004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlJdqGfgKiKWtLdukhSmyaDHOQ34MdlHQqVhhcFwJ3WcsPu6hiK5VJ_SBtGBjbKTIAtTFiaXciludPM4BrelBWJRd6ZZ0xAcL15keHGRS8y47BadaxaxP8kyRu63FCImQaJfMtsuZStA/s400/20130531_081004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Loaded for the ride! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With great enthusiasm I packed my DSLR and the additional 70-300 mm lens too and assumed that the weight of the camera wouldn't matter, how naive of me!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiri4-0zI3aBF8N8Dnab8r-n1wBrC-Hft4-taJuKKqc4MKjdjU5_la5NufLhWS_U40SWyCFRywmZFedMoGQB3A8z-bptUpxcg4AUgXPj1Fnp0cpIOLFxZVe0PmWQ8hMYYNULJes2SHD1R4/s800/0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiri4-0zI3aBF8N8Dnab8r-n1wBrC-Hft4-taJuKKqc4MKjdjU5_la5NufLhWS_U40SWyCFRywmZFedMoGQB3A8z-bptUpxcg4AUgXPj1Fnp0cpIOLFxZVe0PmWQ8hMYYNULJes2SHD1R4/s400/0.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After less than a KM in the kampung, we were trying to find the right direction to reach the river side and then frog farm, but we were lost in the fields.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJLAz6F5gHqxrq1_cIGjPDUn8hWHD9Wry44RXkfIX2zjdQsLd7NBkZgDEOJMbbtCOWHEuOhuPBpW6Z3T1Ay3bJFn-RgQwK3xb22Vyj2tbiBZR0ny1GPNpneD78msn979MBXUuVdt8cS8/s800/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJLAz6F5gHqxrq1_cIGjPDUn8hWHD9Wry44RXkfIX2zjdQsLd7NBkZgDEOJMbbtCOWHEuOhuPBpW6Z3T1Ay3bJFn-RgQwK3xb22Vyj2tbiBZR0ny1GPNpneD78msn979MBXUuVdt8cS8/s400/5.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Sky Watch</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So we stopped by a traditional wooden Rumah Melayu (Malay house) to ask for directions.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7ORMw6UpwUDFxeFahXE0ciy8rbL7rCGvSJfxW2XL709WvP4s2D_rmqdhOyqmpR_f-aSy1UXzJibG0qU9FPFpMG8Fi09mvCF8lv7eho4rCBj8CiIwICjDqG0pUlp6ekK4qiUzKjX2O-M/s800/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7ORMw6UpwUDFxeFahXE0ciy8rbL7rCGvSJfxW2XL709WvP4s2D_rmqdhOyqmpR_f-aSy1UXzJibG0qU9FPFpMG8Fi09mvCF8lv7eho4rCBj8CiIwICjDqG0pUlp6ekK4qiUzKjX2O-M/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we went deeper, there was no road, we were riding in muddy paths and came by a river side and we were in for luck to see a stock of Storks!</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQSlVPL9_z80XthBpf2vtduFiKZc0dQEk3I4pNtN9hRvlHdSBGIPDfic5NW-xBti362nQ2lSJ-aFuGJoKymgzve5hI9wN1w1e7-RtuQH9hkueyHCJRzrrK00Map4E3nZWXt6orjT-D1Y/s800/IMG_9871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQSlVPL9_z80XthBpf2vtduFiKZc0dQEk3I4pNtN9hRvlHdSBGIPDfic5NW-xBti362nQ2lSJ-aFuGJoKymgzve5hI9wN1w1e7-RtuQH9hkueyHCJRzrrK00Map4E3nZWXt6orjT-D1Y/s640/IMG_9871.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Migratory Storks </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in transit!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Before I could think loud, my friend suggested that she clap so that I could catch them in flight!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVEwvmGw34rTAhsP8xIUZ-05irzslOhWG6Ic_SEpBo-QfMvdSNHnHveHNbJHz4EXSxpg87AD7xxdG7tgEacX_JFBasuWXtj_OZtOlJe7pSlj7L5qH6KP668oYSPgB5H-KWbI1R1ySirw/s800/IMG_9875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVEwvmGw34rTAhsP8xIUZ-05irzslOhWG6Ic_SEpBo-QfMvdSNHnHveHNbJHz4EXSxpg87AD7xxdG7tgEacX_JFBasuWXtj_OZtOlJe7pSlj7L5qH6KP668oYSPgB5H-KWbI1R1ySirw/s640/IMG_9875.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By now, I started feeling the weight of my camera and requested my friend to carry it for me. After this, we came across a fenced building in the middle of nowhere...</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fWvB3E7K6BFEynxiljbXYk0KEHIVwRwGWCdVxyzxB9i7Ln_abVgN_NA7FfFn_1ZBS95Qepl9OaXvYjeRjR3pMnH-qHYqrEQTGj0_DSm7uJnws1uyfh1n5y9Y4HWniQj5Xb7jXFnIX9A/s800/IMG_9940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fWvB3E7K6BFEynxiljbXYk0KEHIVwRwGWCdVxyzxB9i7Ln_abVgN_NA7FfFn_1ZBS95Qepl9OaXvYjeRjR3pMnH-qHYqrEQTGj0_DSm7uJnws1uyfh1n5y9Y4HWniQj5Xb7jXFnIX9A/s400/IMG_9940.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bird house</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And we heard loud recorded chirps! I was told that this place was meant for birds to nest and that music was to attract them!!! Bird's nest is an expensive delicacy in Chinese cuisine. I can't begin to imagine why would people want to even destroy the nests:(</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Within few meters was the frog farm, they are reared for food. Yes, frog is another Cantonese delicacy and frog leg soup is quiet popular! Well seeing them in large number in various stages of growth was something new and it was a feast for my camera:D</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FMGsmg6oYUKVivgzzH_XWTL9Nmt3HMqQdtlvwBlpuUrxlLsnDbkL1B-LJnplbRioFqx2by-lZhJR6HDYBgnoXTbiNJisMKnZBHHtYC-thX4mTI3T7PaC0-wxmKeB41tlX-ITp9lstFA/s800/IMG_9903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FMGsmg6oYUKVivgzzH_XWTL9Nmt3HMqQdtlvwBlpuUrxlLsnDbkL1B-LJnplbRioFqx2by-lZhJR6HDYBgnoXTbiNJisMKnZBHHtYC-thX4mTI3T7PaC0-wxmKeB41tlX-ITp9lstFA/s400/IMG_9903.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tadpoles</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mq8NUHYgwxUlahRAj1dN5YU5j_mT3TNmQLOhP_jzZW00Ym6SwO8TpxJpgwvphuGX74rk73G-qjjswV9Z1fXgGtRnruA5J8EkMtkFn3KjDRSClik5DoE_Dmzk0sSHDpzLppaTPLWCdsg/s800/IMG_9907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mq8NUHYgwxUlahRAj1dN5YU5j_mT3TNmQLOhP_jzZW00Ym6SwO8TpxJpgwvphuGX74rk73G-qjjswV9Z1fXgGtRnruA5J8EkMtkFn3KjDRSClik5DoE_Dmzk0sSHDpzLppaTPLWCdsg/s640/IMG_9907.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfway from Tadpole to frog!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWp4rAU9Qt66rHKhkwETGeu5wG7AJuByCuclaiNEHiNA0-82DaCbWb-uGXQKcCdNBhOoSGJQxn6J8f25PUlh7LjbqNRq-IyhplUW_Jz8M15GT3YwTOSP7v4cRhP9B9LxnoyR8SzDTmZfw/s800/IMG_9889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWp4rAU9Qt66rHKhkwETGeu5wG7AJuByCuclaiNEHiNA0-82DaCbWb-uGXQKcCdNBhOoSGJQxn6J8f25PUlh7LjbqNRq-IyhplUW_Jz8M15GT3YwTOSP7v4cRhP9B9LxnoyR8SzDTmZfw/s400/IMG_9889.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Babies (<a href="http://shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Shadow Shot Sunday</a>)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblnwoWdBmLbLzSHgndtnzfCerv1hbsGvaO4UrHEWovHhOzifuNhc6o0G3bUCGz7C298P3hLxnJe6cknTkpdgQrgDppJ2lYkJf8NmIY7HYDnC5LclKt2MYF55RidjwZEmrQ65X7O5MzDo/s800/IMG_9898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblnwoWdBmLbLzSHgndtnzfCerv1hbsGvaO4UrHEWovHhOzifuNhc6o0G3bUCGz7C298P3hLxnJe6cknTkpdgQrgDppJ2lYkJf8NmIY7HYDnC5LclKt2MYF55RidjwZEmrQ65X7O5MzDo/s400/IMG_9898.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Matured</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaW0CopzHNHtMLRO4rHMILekBtZ26P6_YP-5jDTTVEEqLOada6DKtPv0K2W-0zqTdjZtij-cRKxPpz1Fhz1vTgYTKLvlyZKggLsTOMCMtMsv9pyIex56hSKZObbxXQARwTiVZUPaZ1EM/s800/IMG_9932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaW0CopzHNHtMLRO4rHMILekBtZ26P6_YP-5jDTTVEEqLOada6DKtPv0K2W-0zqTdjZtij-cRKxPpz1Fhz1vTgYTKLvlyZKggLsTOMCMtMsv9pyIex56hSKZObbxXQARwTiVZUPaZ1EM/s640/IMG_9932.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Until I captured the above closeup, I never considered a frog to be a beauty!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After this, we headed deeper in the woods and stopped by a moderate hill. Now, my friend told that I could take my time and walk up the hill, while they ride up! I tried to test my limits..tripped and fell off the bike. But, I was giggling instead of getting shocked, I was totally carried away with the adventure. Well, except for minor bruises I was fine, so we went further to Pineapple farm and then rode through oil palm plantations...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAMW1AbjDC1UW7MhyXoCv0pBMxH-b7R8tkaSO8zJLbosmpYPcqgX5CTMJ5grnlsn_nDsq3KeDaky2t88LhWquDPHa3gFIWxS4mTdp-ppuhvGEqUAbLWBe77wayanm4Ok2cMswHZIgWe0/s800/IMG_9945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAMW1AbjDC1UW7MhyXoCv0pBMxH-b7R8tkaSO8zJLbosmpYPcqgX5CTMJ5grnlsn_nDsq3KeDaky2t88LhWquDPHa3gFIWxS4mTdp-ppuhvGEqUAbLWBe77wayanm4Ok2cMswHZIgWe0/s400/IMG_9945.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pineapple</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ROIPDG4z7P9tIsOdpWt2xVpMOXmRVXjqSTI8x2rPNW6z2BV_dSSWvwxuQb7YAkz8e5KSUMgYRs9myUu0ANzfsZ6OMzkT_Hzbuam5C-aU7wDhp8WOZHUXJTV6wY56VbU02WESbdwuTFw/s800/IMG_1705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ROIPDG4z7P9tIsOdpWt2xVpMOXmRVXjqSTI8x2rPNW6z2BV_dSSWvwxuQb7YAkz8e5KSUMgYRs9myUu0ANzfsZ6OMzkT_Hzbuam5C-aU7wDhp8WOZHUXJTV6wY56VbU02WESbdwuTFw/s400/IMG_1705.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oil-palm plantation <a href="http://straightoutofthecamerasunday.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">(SOOC)</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the way, we ran out of water supply, so we drove through village and stopped at a petty shop. Oh boy, I was so glad to see 100plus and just gulped it with greed. When we finished our ride, my friend checked her speed indicator and announced that we just completed 19KM ride and almost my jaw dropped at that!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If I was told about the distance before the ride, I'd have chickened out. Thank my lucky stars, and friends' patience, I did it!!! In fact, throughout the journey I had a silly grin like a child on a treasure hunt! Certainly, it is one of the most memorable trips.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-23111811534275405592013-05-10T09:40:00.001+08:002013-05-10T09:40:08.991+08:00Madras Thorn - கொடுக்காபுளி<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I saw this in Pallavaram market, I was a little more than excited...</span><p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeOB7I4avFeoqUwDu75E3p3_MZbYx9q3-11Ku8_diI2o6AwFd_9vsns3IF9FETXASEiIihy-2mSgmnkSuj4O8bLEo2xPpfSZFbzYOzFMIfF6mSchZaqfz31-2ZqCi7hoMxKeG9Pvy05E/s1600/20130421_142457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeOB7I4avFeoqUwDu75E3p3_MZbYx9q3-11Ku8_diI2o6AwFd_9vsns3IF9FETXASEiIihy-2mSgmnkSuj4O8bLEo2xPpfSZFbzYOzFMIfF6mSchZaqfz31-2ZqCi7hoMxKeG9Pvy05E/s400/20130421_142457.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">கொடுக்காபுளி</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But, the roadside peddler was at a ever busy junction and I'd to make a huge u turn just to buy this!</span><p>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">கொடுக்காபுளி, until this day I didn't know the English name, thanks to google for informing the botanical and common names - Pithecellobium dulce/Madras Thorn!</span><p>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is a seasonal fruit (well, how else can I call it?!), available for a very short time in the height of summer. Taste - bitter sweet to sweet, you can't judge the taste by the color of the skin...at times the green ones are sweet too and the pink ones are bitter.</span><p>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">More than eating this odd tasting fruit, the thrill is in peeling the first layer of the black seeds!</span><p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCOGYKQ7YAsApyzCPesYUfefoGjsgiC2m2h5JD3DfrOwn4mbKIVudsGV0llcdsStFWmeHDHL0Qlshv970w03w0ROF-VRMX16POsxJUwOfGQQqa8HXctj5ReDIIY4kGcew9vjFxV9Aj9A/s1600/20130421_182027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCOGYKQ7YAsApyzCPesYUfefoGjsgiC2m2h5JD3DfrOwn4mbKIVudsGV0llcdsStFWmeHDHL0Qlshv970w03w0ROF-VRMX16POsxJUwOfGQQqa8HXctj5ReDIIY4kGcew9vjFxV9Aj9A/s400/20130421_182027.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These seeds are inedible and has a double layer. The outer thick black one, followed by skinny brown layer. The minute you start peeing with nails, both layers come off. So peeling that tough layer without scratching the next layer used to be our challenge in those days. Even now, I couldn't get it off:(</span></div>VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718659273106655535.post-48600595696683975592013-03-01T09:10:00.000+08:002013-03-01T09:10:41.394+08:00Menara Lama Surau Tengkera<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Several times I have driven through this minaret in Tengkera, Melaka. Once, when I had my camera in my car, I bothered to pull up and take a good shot.</span><p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TD2rakb_I_ZWABs2zdfxFK4QcItEaNGjxi6FW7VkN8ZhtZDId1cNcBLliSJPgIYvhf0BF17EHfWSOmLa2VCxb0j08jCpgcAWRtSKoOQ-Upz807jSx1KWQD7giy7EK0DpCfSEFRotcjw/s1600/IMG_8015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TD2rakb_I_ZWABs2zdfxFK4QcItEaNGjxi6FW7VkN8ZhtZDId1cNcBLliSJPgIYvhf0BF17EHfWSOmLa2VCxb0j08jCpgcAWRtSKoOQ-Upz807jSx1KWQD7giy7EK0DpCfSEFRotcjw/s400/IMG_8015.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oldest Mosque built in Melaka, 1728</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until I captured this, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">somehow </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I used to think that it was a light house, instead of mosque, as this area is known for land reclamation!</span></div>VaishVijayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05243978055747228752noreply@blogger.com4