Photo Traveller

Vertigo

2020-07-25T03:00:00.010-07:00

Jan2020

Kalavantindurg - is a sister pinnacle of Prabalgadh fort. Long time back in 2013 I had been to Prabalgadh with my office colleagues where we were totally unprepared in rains had manged to reach the khind (pass) - the base of ascent for Kalavantindurg and had rightly decided not to climb the steep stairs in rains.

Since then I had been looking for opportunity to find company to make this climb. So when one of my friend called in to do this, I immediately accepted.

We started early by 5am from Pune, but by the time we started from base village and to the khind it was already crowded (fortunately not so much).

It was a short and thrilling climb with narrow staircase with free fall into the valley.

And as they say - the descent is more!

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Mt Takau Temple

2020-07-24T02:26:00.000-07:00

Mar2019

On my return trail from Mt. Takau San I picked the scenic Waterfalls trail (#6). After crossing this temple,

It being a cloudy day and not many people on the trail provided a very eerie as well as exciting experience. On one hand a very raw foot trail path, thick forest, sound of running waterfall and on other hand it was unknown country, uncertain if path was right, cloudy & dark atmosphere and me alone. I enjoyed the experience.

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O-Jizo-Sama

2020-06-22T06:58:00.000-07:00

Mar2019

Towards the end of the waterfall trail on my return from Mt. Takau I noticed these statues. At the time it was just a pattern for a photographer, but later I researched on these statues and found very interesting significance behind it.

O-Jizo-Sama - are most venerated monks. They are ones who have attained enlightenment but still are spending time in this world as a guide for others. They are protectors of children who have passed before they were born and under their protection would safely get to other world. They are also guide to travelers who would stray their paths and by this virtue definitely are my favorite as well 🙏.

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Valley of Gods

2020-06-14T06:52:00.003-07:00

Oct2017

Har Ki Doon Campsite - One of the most beautiful treks. The last campsite on this 7 day trek offering variety of beautiful landscapes, colors and interior village life. We got good time on our own in the second half of the day, and I went for a easy climb to the hill behind our campsite. It is was also one of those my 8yr old daughter was independently doing the trek, interacting with trek leads and other team members with confidence.

The serrated mountains to the right are Swargarohini and it has a mythological story associated with it. During their last days Pandavas took their last journey towards heaven on this peak. During the journey Draupadi (wife of Pandavas) and all of the 4 Pandavas died on the way and only Youdhishtir - the truthful, managed to reach heaven's gate along with a faithful dog who followed him. At the doors the doorkeeper stop him asking to enter without the dog. However Youdhishtir declines to enter the gates without the faithful dog and turns back. The dog reveals that he is Dharmaraj - god of death himself and expresses his delight for ideals of Youdhishtir.

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In Midst of Giants

2020-06-12T09:00:00.003-07:00

Oct2016

Everest Base Camp - The 12th day of EBC trail, nearly exhausted and were to finally reach the furthest camp on this this trail at Gorakshep the path of which is in the Kumbhu glacial valley. A few kms before the camp, we get awesome view of big giants of the valley. From left it is Pumori, Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse and the right side range is of Mt Everest (not visible).

(ref: https://honeyguideapps.com/gorakshep.d8bc4410646f.everest-region; mountain finder section)

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Cycles and Canals

2020-06-07T06:59:00.001-07:00

Mar2017

Amsterdam - A high pressure work assignment and where does it land you - Amsterdam of all places with no time spare to lookaround. To top that this the time for 3-4 day visit in 2nd half of Mar just before spring time. So it is grey skies, drizzling and bit cold. Was totally impressed with the cycling culture with all sorts of cycles.

Huka Falls

2020-06-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

Feb2020

Huka Falls, NZ - 2 week trip to New Zealand and what else can you do on a weekend but to go outdoors. We took to Taupo for bungy jumping and on our way made a halt at Huka Falls. When we stopped at the car park it had started to drizzle so we waited for it to subside. After some 20mins as sky cleared we ran to the bridge and were awestruck with crystal clear waters.

We absorbed the beauty of the place with a walk upstream and down stream of the falls.

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Statue of Healing

2020-06-01T22:20:00.001-07:00

Mar2019

Bronze Buddha of Senso ji Temple - has a special significance, it is said to have healing powers. If you have any particular ailment, you can touch the relevant part of the statue and the ailment will be cured.

The Senso ji Temple itself is one of the ancient Buddhist and most significant temples in Tokyo and was founded in 645AD. I found some free-time during my lunch to visit the temple. It has a very lively atmosphere and is also known for the food street.

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Race for Survival

2020-06-01T00:42:00.000-07:00

Mar2019

Kids vacation break and landed up at Kelshi beach. One evening stroll we got to know that the beach was also one of the sites for Olive Ridley turtles conservation. So next morning we landed up at the site to watch the turtles frail hatchlings dragging themselves out of their nests under careful protection of Sahyadri Mitra conservation warriors. These were then taken closer to the sea and left to make the last mile into waters.

It was an awe-inspiring sight to the see the frail creatures racing to the waters making me wonder:

1. How do they know where to go?

2. How will they survive and how many will survive?

At the same time depressing to see that these needed protection to keep their species alive when we should have been sharing the earth together.

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The Wakeup Call

2020-05-31T00:18:00.000-07:00

Nov2019

The Sleeping Buddha from Sandakphu Trail - The last day of our stay on the Sandakphu trail after which we took diversion to Gorkhey. The earlier 4 days of trek was walking facing this view on and off and this was the closest point.

Since previous evening, the winds were making the temperature much lower than what would have been. We had a very good evening sight the previous day and had woken up quite early to watch beautiful golden sunshine on the Kanchenjunga range.

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Dark and Deep

2020-05-30T00:46:00.003-07:00

Mar2019

Mount Takau - Inariyama Trail This one has one tragic memory - not of the place but the sequence of events under which which I did this trail. It was Mar2019 when I had opportunity to be in Tokyo, Japan for work. One friday I was talking to Vivek my colleague about work and at end of the call, he jokingly asked me "Which hill are you hiking this weekend?". I am notorous for my passion for hills. I was alone and no company to guide me around Tokyo, hence I was hesitant to move out of city. But then the remark gave me some courage to brave sunday drizzle and take a trip to Mount Takau. I picked the Inariyama trail to climb and was happy for taking the trip. Just an hour ride out of Tokyo I was in midst of forest and enjoyed the solitude, peace and culture of Japan. Unfortunately on same weekend we lost Vivek and I missed thanking him for poking me to take this trip

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Cauldron in the Sky

2020-05-25T00:21:00.001-07:00

Lohagad - My last trip to Lohagad was about 7-8 years back and impression in my mind was that the trek from Malavli railway station was quite long, boring and on a tar road which was not scenic or interesting, hence visit here was never again in my list of things to do. However unexpected calling came from my friendly neighbor who wanted to a half day outing for their guests. Due to Lohagad's proximity, connectivity by vehicle and also not so strenuous climb, I suggested this place and they ok'ed it. We drove right up to the base of the fort and climbed up the fort.

It turned out to be a very beautiful October day.

The view is of a pond at top of the fort "Ashtakon Talav" with clouds rising from below the fort hill.

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Coastal Morning

2020-05-24T00:54:00.001-07:00

Visited Gokarna after nearly 15years. Gokarna Beach had not changed much and the owner of hotel we stayed at said that the villagers had made sure to control the commercial exploitation on the main beach. One of the days, we did a beach hopping walk to Kudle and Om beach. The view captured is looking back at Gokarna Beach from Ramateertha Template at the south end of the beach.

Water Highway

2012-09-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

Same time as this one. The view is of the Aurlandsfjord along the scenic route. Narrow mountain walls hiding the water route gives a mysterious feel of what lies beyond. However a water level riding this highway will tell you how wide this highway and how rough the serene waters are!

Blue Waters and Snow Capped Mountains

2012-09-13T07:31:00.000-07:00

Images from Norway Trip. Driving a whole day will also not tire me in this country - drive, take a walk, drive, have a picnic, drive, enjoy sunset ... and you can just go on and on ...

The Ride

2012-07-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

Autumn in Woking was getting colder and colder for us and we were finding it difficult to go outdoors. It was depressing for us especially for my active daughter passing through her toddler years. Thus Carters Steam Fair provided us an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy some English fun.

The Sermon

2012-07-27T08:04:00.000-07:00

Preikestolen - Pulpit rock was the hike I was looking forward to. It was as planned on the second day of our trip. My only concern was the 7.6km return hike with my 3 year old daughter - we did not have baby carrier and we knew the distance would be too much for her. But she surprised us by not only coming to the top but managing the return save the last 1.5kms.
At the top, it seemed the mountains, the cliff and the fjord below were giving the Sermon and the viewer at the Pulpit was consuming the divine landscape.

Valley of Flowers

2012-07-24T18:35:00.003-07:00

All around us was orange color in Aurland. The spring-summer season was clearly making it mark in this region.

Gordale Scar

2012-07-23T07:59:00.003-07:00

The summer was ending and we were trying to make the maximum out of it. The weather one weekend seemed clear, so we took the opportunity to visit Gordale Scar and Malham Cove at Yorkshire Dales National park. The place turned out to be very nice. We camped at Gordale Scar from where this cove was just about 10mins walk.

The Last House

2012-07-22T08:49:00.002-07:00

We were taking an evening walk to Jostedalsbreen National Park Center which was close to our Cabin at Oppstryn. This lonely cabin and the long road caught my eye.

Midst of Mountains

2012-07-21T10:15:00.002-07:00

Home at foothills - we were in the on our way to Jostedalsbreen National park. The house was nested at the foothills and the scenery was just before the tunnel.

Good Bye

2012-07-20T07:24:00.001-07:00

Geiranger to Hellesylt Ferry ride - It was a ride out of this world - narrow fjord with steep mountain slopes on both sides and numerous waterfalls forming a veil on the mountain sides, calm blue-green waters - that is the image I carry from this region. Looking back and saying good-bye - just one thought was crossing my mind, if ever I will be able to visit this place again ...

Lonely House

2012-07-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

Route 13 towards Balestrand was like going into a Snow desert. Rarely we had any other vehicle to accompany or pass us. At places we could pass houses but all seemed deserted. All around the landscape was snow covered. Even the lakes were frozen - the only indication of it being a lake was flat snow as compared to undulating hills. These set of houses were besides Nystølsvatnet lake.

Road to the Mountains

2012-07-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

When we reached Flam at about 10am, we got a reservation in the 2:30pm train. We got it changed to 4:30pm and went on towards Aurland and further on route FV243. The narrow single lane route passed by the sides of Aurlandsfjord and then climbed up to give very beautiful views of the fjord below. This picture is at Stagestein viewpoint.

The Bridge

2012-07-14T22:42:00.000-07:00

One of the many bridges on E39 we took from Flesland to Stavanger. E39 is combination of Road, Tunnels, Bridges and Ferry routes.