Rattling Communicator

Madras Thorn - கொடுக்காபுளி

2013-05-10T09:40:00.001+08:00

When I saw this in Pallavaram market, I was a little more than excited...

கொடுக்காபுளி

But, the roadside peddler was at a ever busy junction and I'd to make a huge u turn just to buy this!

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!

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.

More than eating this odd tasting fruit, the thrill is in peeling the first layer of the black seeds!

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:(

Menara Lama Surau Tengkera

2013-03-01T09:10:00.000+08:00

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.

Oldest Mosque built in Melaka, 1728

Until I captured this, somehow I used to think that it was a light house, instead of mosque, as this area is known for land reclamation!

Wandering Alone @ Gole Bazar

2013-02-23T02:24:00.001+08:00

Again, I got a chance to wander alone! Well, this time it was in Kharagpur, West Bengal, which boasts longest railway platform in the world! On the first day, I was wandering within walkable distance from where we stayed. Later I was in for luck, and made friends with an inspiring personality. She suggested that I use rickshaws for exploring Gole Bazar, a place worth visiting to get a local feel of market and savour mishti (sweets in Bengali), from local's favorite shop.

Predominantly, the locals either spoke in Bengali or Hindi. English was hardly understood. Somehow, I managed to communicate with the rickshaw-wala (rickshaw-driver!) in my broken Hindi. The 5 KM ride cost me only Rs 60 (around RM 3.5!!!).

Shadow Shot Sunday

Though the ride was bumpy and slow, the open top helped me to capture life on the way to Gole Bazar.

Rickshaw wala was quite talkative. As we approached the bridge over Kharagpur railway station, he told that his son was working at the Eastern Railways garage. He added that 2 trains (with 20+ carriages each) can be parked back to back on this platform! Well, it could just be local lore, as I could not verify this information online.

Longest platform in the world - 1075m

My expectation of the bazar, was that of a crowded vibrant market, but When I reached Gole bazar around 11 AM, weather was a bit chilly and the bazar seemed to be lazy like this...

Gole Bazar

A push-cart with small earthen cups attracted me. He was just opening his business and I wanted to take a picture, but was not sure how the vendor would react, if I don't buy anything. So, I asked him for what that cup was used and if I could just buy 1 cup. He told that he sold tea in that cup for Rs 4. Surprised at that cheap rate, I asked again, if he was telling the rate of the cup or tea. He gave a weird look and told that the tea and cup together was Rs 4!!!

Matka Chai - Teh Tarik - Rs 4 or just around 20 sen per cup!

Then I understood that this cup was meant for one time use ONLY! What an environmental friendly disposable cup! I dared to take a sip, and fell in love with the tea as the flavor and fragrance was enhanced because of the earthenware:)

By now, slowly the market was coming alive and I bought a couple of duppattas.

When it was about time to leave, I stopped by the mithai (sweet) shop, which my friend recommended to.

Jamuns, rosgullas, sweet yogurt...

Later, I decided to take a 'share auto', as there was a lonely stretch on the way back. There I met two Midnapur university students (fellow passengers). I learned that one of them were married and continuing education! Well, marrying at young age is still prevalent, but at least education seems to have gained importance.

Altogether it was a lively experience.

Watery Reflections

2013-02-18T02:23:00.002+08:00

Reflections, be it in a photograph or in reality always intrigues me, because more than the original, some how they seem to add an element of surprise. If not how can the reflection of a simple building, that too on a dirty water body be beautiful?

On the banks of Vaigai river - Madurai, India - Smiling Sally

Yet another watery reflection of a old building...

Somewhere on Bombay High Road NH6 on the way to Kolkata, West Bengal - Weekend Reflections

In addition to reflection, when light plays, the image becomes exquisite!

Silhouette during sunset over a swimming pool @ Penang, Malaysia

Basking in the Sun

2013-01-11T12:23:00.002+08:00

Look at the way he enjoy's life!

For Skywatch and Camera Critters

Palace of The Golden Horses

2013-01-10T23:25:00.001+08:00

Be it in full polish or totally tarnished, one of my favorite statues in Selangor, Malaysia is the horse driven bronze cart placed in front of the luxury resort, Palace of the Golden Horses.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to get the detailed story behind this legendary looking beauty.

While I was trying to get a perfect shot, a Ferrari quickly entered my frame...

First I thought of deleting this imperfect shot, on second thoughts, it looked as if modern and ancient vehicles are in for a race!

Tambok Bugis and Perigi Portugis

2012-12-12T21:22:00.000+08:00

In yet another blind driving spree from Melaka towards Muar, we followed a new route through kampungs (villages) and came across quite a different view!

Larger than life sized bicycles mounted on poles!

From the sign board, we knew that we were in Tambok Bugis. The whole area was deserted hence we couldn't get the story behind this fascinating display. As it was a coastal area, we started looking for a jetty and turned in a small lorong (lane) and we ended up in front of this...

Edible Bird's Nests

Perhaps, this must be a cottage industry that specializes in selling bird's nests, which is used in preparing a popular local delicacy 'Bird's nest Soup'. After several attempts in finding the shop keeper or car taker, we gave up and moved on. That entire stretch looked like abandoned area.

Driving further towards Muar/Merlimau, the sign board 'Perigi Portugis' attracted us. Perigi in Malay is well/water spring, so we assumed that the Portuguese Well must have some historical significance and decided to check out that spot.

Entrance to Perigi Portugis and the inlaid picture is the long shot of the well

The description at the site claimed that this water hole was dug by the Portuguese army stationed there (Pengkalan Samak) while defending the Bugis community, who were well known sea warriors originally from Java and Sumatra. It should have been built in the early 16th century when the Portuguese invaded Melaka.

Close-up view of the well - Weekend Reflections

We wondered if we were warriors or explorers in previous births as often we were ending up in early settlements or war zones!

Labuan - Chimney and WW II Memorials

2012-10-18T22:49:00.000+08:00

When Airasia canceled their direct flights from Brunei to Kota Kinabalu (KK), (we had booked this flight about 6 months ago during promo), we were looking for other options to reach KK. It was a blessing in disguise! We decided to go to Labuan from Brunei by ferry Shuttle Hope, and then take MAS Wings to Kota Kinabalu.

Labuan is an union territory on Malaysia and is best known for its Japanese Surrender Point, which led to the end of 2nd World War and it is also a shoppers paradise because of duty free shopping.

As we arrived at the International Labuan Ferry Terminal, we noticed that the taxi stand was right in front. A local lady was kind enough to let us know that the island round would take less than 2 hours and recommended that we should bargain before getting into the cab. First cabbie demanded a flat RM100 for the sightseeing around the island, but when we spoke to the second, he said, if we booked for 2 hours, he could offer us RM 80! So we went with the 2nd cab offer and here is the virtual tour...

Coal mining started in Tanjong Kubong in 1844 and now only the chimney and some of the artifacts are preserved in The Chimney Museum at that location!

Locals call it 'punil'.

This is located by the sea side.

Inner wall of the chimney shows no sign of burning. so there is a belief that this tower must have been used as a light house or a bell tower to announce the arrival of a ship.

visit to Japanese Surrender Point, which is at Layang-layang beach (South China Sea) in Labuan.

Japanese Surrender Point

This is where the Japanese surrendered to the Australian Imperial forces, which led to the end of World War 2. In this garden, there is also an inscription in memory of all those who sacrificed their lives in land and sea in and around Borneo Islands during WW 2.

Peace Inscription

With a heavy heart we proceeded to the World War II memorial, which has about 3900 burials of Australian and Indian regiments, who either died in the battlefield or at the Japanese prisoners of war camp from all over Borneo.

Cross of Sacrifice

The graves are symmetrical and looks like rows of peaceful soldiers waiting for command.

Most of these dead souls buried here were unidentified because the records were destroyed in the war camps.

This pillar is in honor of the Indian Soldiers whose mortal remains were burned as per their religion

Terrible living conditions of the refuges in a ship from Poland described in Jeffery Archer's World War based Cane and Able flashed across when we were there. Reading the novel itself was disturbing, seeing in reality altogether was heart wrenching.

Moon and Lens

2012-09-30T23:09:00.002+08:00

Moon, to me, like cloud and water has always been an attraction:

Carefree childhood - when my grandfather used to enthrall us with mythological and religious stories.
Teen - gazing at the moon, especially full moon and dreaming, about anything and everything
Of late - my aim was to capture a nice macro of a full moon

But, with my Canon 550D and 18-55mm lens, I couldn't get a decent shot. Today, we went on a shopping spree looking for something, but ended up in buying stuff, that I'd been looking out for quite sometime. Yes, the best item was Sigma DX 70-300mm Macro lens and finally, I could capture full moon!

Manual Mode with Shutter Speed: 1/160, Aperture: F-11, ISO -200

In most of the cultures and religions moon has a special place. Worldwide, Muslims follow lunar calendar for observing religious practices. In Chinese tradition, Mid Autumn or Moon Cake festival is celebrated around September/October. As per Hindu belief full moon and new moon are considered as auspicious. In fact, there are several sentimental beliefs attached to the waxing and waning moon.

On a full moon day, my mom accidentally told me that it was a 'new moon' day. In a typical Hindu household, you would often hear from elders, 'cut your hair on a new moon and your hair will grow well, as the moon waxes'. Though it sounds silly, I tend to follow it as I've been hearing about this kinda sentiment since childhood. Instead of calling it as a belief, I'd rather label it a 'habit' and I did go and cut my hair on that evening. While parking my car, I saw a bright reflection on my hood and looked up, full moon was dazzling and I realized about my mom's 'lunar miscalculation':)

Seedlings

2012-09-20T23:59:00.001+08:00

Like watching the clouds, it gives immense pleasure to watch paddy fields, irrespective of the season. Here is a couple of shots that shows the early stages of rice planting...

Rice seedlings - planted randomly

Transplanting the seedlings

Exploring with a Friend @ Fraser Hills

2012-08-22T00:33:00.000+08:00

After initial hiccups in planning, we succeeded in going to Fraser Hills (Pahang, Malaysia) with a friend's family. This also happens to be my first experience in hill driving. I had to pull up my car seat to almost 90 degrees and sit straight to get a better view at the bends and drive at a terribly slow pace, otherwise it was quite smooth.

Just about 90 KM from Kuala Lumpur it is hard to believe that such a peaceful and beautiful hill station exists.

My crazy partner prefers to stay indoors instead of exploring new places. Therefore, I've always had misgivings when we travel, and wondered how good it would be to travel with someone with same interest and at the same time comfortable to talk to. I guess my wish has been so strong that this time, I was blessed with wonderful experience and do things without having to argue!

View from our suite

Chirpy visitor at daybreak

Never realized moths can be colorful!

Hill view reflection

In this trip, the men and kids decided to stay indoors, where as my good friend and myself decided to 'explore' using the map. Both of us were not good in reading the map, but the town is too small, so it was rather easy to find our way.

Golf Course

Compared to the KL Butterfly park, here the butterfly park looked small and uninviting. Then the water park too was closed, but the view through the gates was fantastic.

Allen's Water - disused reservoir

Though I enjoy walking in the jungle or plains, I do not look forward to climbing as I start sweating and loose my stamina quickly. However, when my friend urged to go on trekking, I agreed halfheartedly to take the shortest trail, but did not complete it:(

Ferns, berries, morning glory

After this disastrous attempt, we decided to drive further and see if there was anything interesting or you could just call it as 'wild goose chase'. And, we came across a viewing deck, so we pulled up to see. We saw the sign board to a waterfall and while we were considering to go there, we noticed a Caucasian stopping a car that was headed downhill and warn them of a landslide ahead.

Fish tailed palm

Watching us, a lady who was sitting nearby pointed at the Caucasian and told, 'my husband just walked to that waterfalls in the morning and he says that the roads are not good, but still the cars keep going!'. Now, I had to ask if he had taken any pictures. She assured that her husband would show us the pictures.

While taking out his camera, he told with a lighthearted banter that it took him 1 hour to go to the waterfall and 2 hrs to walk back! Soon, we learned that they were Australians and were on Malaysian roads for the past two weeks. Within few minutes we touched on various subjects such as Indian arranged marriages, waterfalls in Australia, 'grayed nomads' who cause traffic jams with their huge caravans, comparatively cheap Malaysian food price, peculiar habit of Malaysian bikers who wear the jackets as seen in the pic below (1st biker from right), lazy attitude of the staff at the resort where they were staying etc. It felt good to talk to strangers, without being stared at by my family.

Finally, we had to drag ourselves back to the resort, in the hope of coming back after a short break. But, later we were too tired and it was also rainy and getting dark, so we had to call it a day.

Since childhood, going to hill stations has always been fun. Cool weather, smell of fresh grass, chillness in the air, curvy roads or um...whatever I've always felt romantic about hill stations. But, after this trip I would certainly vouch that traveling with a like-minded and understanding friend to a hill station is substantially gratifying without any romantic inclinations!

Tokong Ular or Snake Temple - Penang, Malaysia

2012-08-15T23:32:00.002+08:00

Compared to the colorful Pagoda of Penang, Snake Temple, which is locally called as Tokong Ular in Malay, is quite small. But, it is significant because it is one of the two live snake temples in the World!

Legend says that the main deity Char Choo was a renowned 13th century Buddhist priest and healer, who used to give shelter to the snakes.

Main Alter

When this temple was built around 1850, the pit vipers from the nearby jungle moved in this temple.

Pit Vipers

Bronze figurines

Prayer candles

There is also a local belief that the venomous pit vipers in this temple become harmless due to the aroma of the incense sticks burned here. But, there is a sign board to warn us against this belief.

Now, this temple looks touristy with typical attraction where you could take a picture with a pit viper dangling around your neck.

Turtle Watch @ Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia

2012-08-13T13:15:00.000+08:00

It was an unplanned trip with short notice to Cherating, Pahang, Malaysia. Though i was aware of turtle watching in that area, I didn't know the details until I enquired @ Holiday Villa Resort, where we stayed.

Though we booked to watch the turtles, we were told that the ranger would call us if there is a turtle landing at Telok Mak Nik in Kemaman, Terengganu, which is about 20KM from Cherating. We were lucky and the ranger picked us up around 9.30 pm and drove us to the site with another family. We had to walk about 80 mts in the deserted sparse jungle by the beach.

In hushed silence, we watched a turtle doing its reproductive process in the open beach below a muddy slope. The ranger lit a torch, without distracting the turtle, on the freshly laid eggs for for us to see.

Turtle laying eggs - unable to capture clear shot

The ranger told that the whole process takes about 2 to 3 hours for the turtles, that includes selecting the nesting ground > digging the nest > laying about 70-140 eggs > closing the nest > go back to the sea!

As I was standing next to the ranger, I started talking to him and asked how do they scout for turtles. He told that there were 6 rangers working in that area, who are vigilant at nights on the look out for turtle landings. He walked us away from the crowd to show us the turtle mark on the beach.

Turtle mark

He said, 'today you are seeing a green turtle and looking at the size it should be around 30 years old'. Actually, the green turtle looked blackish gray in that dim torch light. He further added, that each turtle might come to the same location for 6 or 7 times in the same season to lay eggs.

Closing the nest using rear flipperes

Another interesting fact I learned was that the turtles' gender would be decided based on the temperature of the nest. What we saw was considered as 'open beach' where the the nest was quite shallow with comparatively warm temperature, so if left naturally, it would produce female turtles.

The rangers dug out all the eggs, without disturbing the poor turtle, which was busy closing its nest. When I asked the rangers, why would they disturb this natural process, he told that they would take all these eggs to the hatchery where it would be safely hatched in about 6 weeks, thus protecting the species from predators and poachers.

Egg - flexible soft shell, resembling a ping-pong ball

In the mean time, another ranger brought freshly hatched baby turtles from the sanctuary so that we could release all of them at the same time.

2 hours old babies!

The ranger showed us how to hold a baby...

When the turtle completed its job and started to move towards the sea, the spectators in-spite of warning, used flash to capture this action. As turtles use moon/star light to find their way to the sea, this turtle got confused with the flash and started to move uphill! So, the ranger had to raise his voice among the crowd and then gently guide the turtle back towards the sea.

Trying to move towards light

Mission accomplished

Everyone cheered as it touched water and started to swim.

Home!

Within seconds, the turtle was gone. It was an awesome, once in a life-time experience, which otherwise we get to see only in National Geographic or Discovery Channel!

By the shores of Tg Bungha - Penang

2012-07-30T18:40:00.000+08:00

Penang, the metro island in Malaysia, brings sweet memories and I used to long for another visit. Now, the second visit also proved to be magical as we stayed in Tanjung Bungha, by the beach. It was a good holiday and our days either started or ended with a beach walk.

After enjoying sunrise from our balcony with a cup of tea we went for a stroll and captured this awesome loner.

Gazing @ noisy friends

That day, Sun was too lazy and still trying to play hide and seek even at 7.50 AM!

Shoreline is packed with high-rises and gives a sort of Sigaporish feel, but still more spacious than the land of Lion!

This bare tree with name-cards besides Paradise Resort caught our attention...

Add caption

It had names with dates and said 'In Paradise'. The duration was anywhere between 3 months to 6 years, so I was sure that it was like a memory mark or visitors dairy, like the ones typically seen in popular spots. Instead of assuming or just wondering, I chatted up with a cleaner (ignoring the killer stare from my crazy half!), he confirmed that the resort does this as a token of appreciation for their long-stay guests!

The beach is quite well maintained...

A beach walk is incomplete without collecting shells, right?

Fountain Pen - Engraving

2012-07-20T11:02:00.000+08:00

I thought that after initial fascination, the enthusiasm on ink pens would wane. I was wrong. After 2 years, the Alan d'louis started leaking and it was time for my crazy other half VJ, to scout for another fountain pen. This time he fell for a Sheaffer. At the shop they offered to engrave the pen for FREE!.

At first, VJ thought that engraving was old fashioned, but he was excited when he realized that they were engraving with a lathe machine. And, I was given a long lecture on this process:(

Fixing the letters to be engraved

This engraving machine is table mounted and has 2 levers with pointers.

Step 1 - Fix pen and lathe plate in the mountings.

Step 2 - Assemble the characters to be engraved on the lathe plate. See the above shot.

(They have a wide range of alphabets and characters in brass lathe blocks.)

Step 3 - Switch on the machine, hold the levers firmly.

Step 4 - Start moving the lever on the lathe block like how you would use a stencil! Now, simultaneously the other lever on the pen plate moves and engraves the characters!

Inlaid pic is the assembled lathe block characters

Here is the end product.

SSS2

I must admit that it is beautiful!

Clouds and Reflections

2012-07-13T06:09:00.001+08:00


Kite trying to reach the clouds!

Golden Reflection

Therez a New Sunrise...

2012-06-30T23:08:00.000+08:00

For some reason, the minute I captured this brilliant sunrise, I was reminded of the yesteryear advert of Indian Nescafe Sunrise, where the protagonist wakes up his wife with a cup of coffee and sings 'Therez a new sunrise in your life..."

Water - Shades and Textures

2012-06-17T21:21:00.001+08:00

Immediately after sunrise @ Pantai Klebang, Melaka

Lustrous sky and sea after daybreak

Breaking waves

Shades of water at Noon @ a jetty near Melaka Club

Gentle waves in the evening

Low tide @ Portuguese Jetty, Melaka

Port Supai

2012-05-31T22:37:00.000+08:00

Our plan was to take our friends from Singapore to Penglan Balak beach and then to Gadek Hot Spring. But, I missed to turn at a junction towards the destination.

As a long drive freak, I took it as a chance to explore that country side and ended up in Port Supai, somewhere near Kuala Linggi, which is about 50KM from Melaka!

Am not sure if the trees were submerged due to heavy rains. We just walked around the coastal guard house by the beach and saw this lovely bridge leading to a hilly jungle.

SOOC

As we neared the jungle, we realized that it was actually a rubber plantation.

Latex collector in a rubber tree!

Here is a beautiful view of the guard house from the plantation.

From here, a lone tree by the guard house caught my attention, so on the way back, I stopped and captured this!

Skywatch and SSS2

Pleasant things happen when you least expect it, and this was one such experience!

Gadek Hot Spring

2012-05-24T23:15:00.000+08:00

Air Panas (Hot Spring in Malay)Gadek is in Alor Gaja, which is about 40km from where I live in Melaka, Malaysia. We have been there few times but only during the 1st time I took some pics, which was before I bought my DSLR. However, the pic quality is sort of OK, so decided to dust this old post which has been siting in 'drafts' for almost 2 years!
After a fun filled tiring day at Pengkalan Balak beach, we headed towards the hot spring so that we could rejuvenate our tired feet.

SOOC

The atmosphere was warm and sticky because of the heat from the spring.

Shadow on Natural Spring! - SSS2

It had a pungent odor, because of the rich minerals oozing in that geothermal zone.

Natural Spring

Here is a close-up shot.

Close up - Natural Spring - Texture Thursday

First, this water is passed to a huge tunnel like tank for filtering caustic substance.

Purified thermal water from the natural springs

The purified water is still piping hot and is sent to several tanks.

Mini tanks - meant for dipping the feet

Relaxing

Large pool type tanks

In the large pools you can either soak yourself or for those who dare, you could even swim! This place is open 24 hours, but people come in droves after 9PM, that too on weekends.

Sunset and Dusk

2012-05-11T23:48:00.002+08:00

Panorama @ Pantai Klebang, Malaysia - SOOC

Sky Watch

Chitra Poornima - Brightest Full Moon of the Year

2012-05-05T23:22:00.000+08:00

View from my corridor in Melaka, Malaysia - SOOC

Chitra Poornima - As per Hinduism, this is the day sacred to Chitra Gupta, the Keeper of Deeds. It is considered the most important full moon of the year as it provides us the opportunity to erase karmic mistakes from the eternal record book created and maintained by Lord Chitra Gupta.

Another myth specific to my home town (Madurai, India) is that Lord Indra, the King of Lords had sinned and as a penance, he was asked to go to Earth and worship Lord Shiva in Kadamba Vana (Ancient name for Madurai). There Indra finds Lord Shiva in the form of Linga and he builds a temple for Him. Also Indra builds a Shakthi (Consort of Shiva) temple next to Shiva's temple. Indra wanted to use flowers for worship and finds a Golden lotus pond near by. The day Indra did his prayers to cleanse his sins was on Chitra Poornima, the full moon that comes in the Hindu Month of Chitra!

Down the centuries, the Shiva, Shakthi temples and Golden Lotus pond (supposed to be built by Indra) was united by various Hindu rulers and now it is Meenakshi Amman temple. Here is a file shot of Golden Lotus pond on high religious day!

Golden Lotus Pond, Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, India. SSS2

Magical Moments - Pre-Dawn

2012-04-27T07:25:00.001+08:00

SOOC

Skywatch

Wild Goose Chase - Random Search

2012-04-21T11:35:00.006+08:00

My all time favorite activity - wild goose chase, this time did it with my daughter. In fact she was the one who proposed it, after an unsatisfied lunch outing. Her first question was, 'you don't have the GPS with you now, anyways do you think we could go for a long drive to somewhere new?' for which I said, 'thatz the fun part, letz go'. Without target, started our trip on a road that I have seldom driven and after say 20KM, saw a signboard, 'Anjung Jetty'. I've been there once to check out the boat timings to Pualau Besar, but by then I had used GPS. I thought, I might be able to find the route, but we ended up in a small fishermen jetty instead!

Unknown Jetty in a small fishing village near Melaka

Few young chaps were lazing around, and we were uncomfortable to get down and ask for directions...better to be safe than regrets, right? So, we just made an u-turn from there and within few mts, we saw this...

Monkey pet!?

It was a very narrow road and I didn't realize that I was blocking the way until, an old man slowed down in front of us and tried to cross us. It gave me a chance to wind down the car window and ask for directions. We were in for luck, he told that we were about 1 KM away from Anjung jetty, if we took that unkempt road ahead of us. He added that he was on the way to that place and we could just follow him.

After driving for about a minute, the road was getting worst, but the scenery was breath taking, no-mans land on one side and beautiful sea on the other side. I couldn't enjoy the view, I was a bit apprehensive and wondered if I had made the right decision by following a stranger. What if something terrible happens, like a flat tire or someone stops us midway with a knife etc..My daughter too voiced out similar concerns. But then, we calmed ourselves by telling that we would NOT open the door or STOP the car until we reached civilization.

That 5 mins of nerve-wracking drive felt like we were driving forever. We reached the jetty safely and parked the car to get down for some fresh air and clicked these shots...

SOOC and Shadow Shot Sunday2

Scenic Sunday

Going on an unplanned long drive is always fun and at times a bit of tension as well, but that adds up the thrill!

Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain

2012-04-19T22:51:00.000+08:00

Princess Diana Memorial Fountain is in the banks of the beautiful Serpentine lake, in Hyde Park.

Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park, London Sky Watch

When I first heard about this memorial, I was expecting a fancy jet type fountain that rhythmically dances, something like musical fountains.

View of the fountain from the entrance

I was a bit disappointed to see this flat flowing fountain. On second thoughts, I was convinced that this quite affair is a befitting memorial for the graceful princess and suitable place for peaceful relaxation. The signboard also declared this memorial as a place for 'quite enjoyment'.

Kids and adults were happily dipping their feet in that granite fountain!

We had good time, but one part of me was constantly thinking of that sweet Lady, who captured millions of hearts, and the tragic accident.