BE ON THE ROAD - Travel and Photography

A Ladakh Moment!

2012-02-15T00:31:00.001+05:30

Ladakh is a place where one can get stupefied by its beauty at every turn. Be it its people, its landscapes, its penchant for adventure, its rarefied atmosphere or its religious fervour. And I got to see this in plenty during my winter trip to this exotic Himalayan locale.

It was such a moment one fine evening at the Hemis Monastery. I had finished exploring the monastery and nearabouts and was heading back to my car when I saw this excellent reflection of the mighty Himalayas on the monastery window. The brightly coloured windows of Ladakh, in itself are quite a sight and to top it I got to see the colours of the setting sun on the Western Himalayas as a reflection in it. And the bare trees just added to the moment. In essence, a special Ladakh moment!!

Hemis Monastery: Ladakh’s richest monastery

2012-02-14T23:26:00.001+05:30

Ladakh is the land of monasteries. Once upon a time, the entire region of Ladakh used to revolve around these monasteries. In fact, most of their festivals are celebrated with a lot of fervour in these monasteries. While the ones at Lamayuru and Alchi are the oldest, the one tucked near the Hemis high altitude national park is the richest in the region.

The Hemis monastery, situated about 45 kms from Leh is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage. It is situated on the right side on the road that leads from Leh to Manali and is about 10 kms from Karo. The monastery and the rest of the Hemis town is unbelievably colder than the rest of the region owing to its higher altitude and the fact that it doesn’t get much sun in the winters.

While I was there this winter, the cold factor was so harsh that pressing the camera shutter even with a couple of gloves itself was a challenge. As the sun hardly hits this town, most of the town never warms up and the cold bites right through you.

But, keeping the weather aside, the monastery and the place is quite exquisite. This is where the annual Hemis festival honouring Padmasambhava is held every June. The views of the Western Himalayas from the top of monastery is spectacular. The murals inside the monastery are very ornate too. Even though this monastery began in the 11th century and then re-established in 1672, this monastery still exists in pristine condition.

In the summer and during the festival days, this place is completely happening, but if you can bear the chill factor, then even the winters can be enterprising with its calmness, its frozen streams, its spectacular views and serene atmosphere.

I would definitely recommend a visit to this place if you happen to visit Ladakh. A day trip would be ideal to explore this place and if you have more time, you can continue from here and continue towards the Hemis High Altitude National Park and spot some wildlife, especially the snow leopard. And if you are interested in trekking, you can go on the exciting Markha valley trek that begins from the Hemis High Altitude National Park and ends in the Zanskar region.

Wildlife Photography: Wild Water Buffalo crossing the jeep track

2012-02-10T00:18:00.001+05:30

It was late evening in the Western range of Kaziranga National park. I had just finished my evening elephant safari and was getting ready to head back to my camp for a hot cup of tea when I noticed this wild water buffalo crossing the jeep track.

He was quite far away and the light was pretty low. But, then I somehow managed to take this shot hand held. There is a slight shake in the frame, but I feel it gives a special effect. I like the way the jeep track meanders in the centre of the frame and the beginning of mist forming in the background. And amidst all this there is this wild water buffalo staring at me. It is such moments that fuel my passion for India’s wildlife.

Monochrome Landscapes of Ladakh

2012-02-07T01:33:00.001+05:30

Monochromes are a great way to portray a classic moment and it works wonders when applied to landscapes. Initially, I was not keen on taking landscapes in monochrome. Instead, I would take portraits and street photography in monochrome and landscapes in full colour. This went on till I happened to change a colour landscape picture to monochrome during post processing and ended up totally liking it.

Hence, this time when I was in the thin air of Ladakh, I consciously took a lot of photographs in monochrome and ended up liking them. I hope you do too. There is something about landscapes in monochrome that I never seem to understand. There seems to be some mystery around them that you end up watching them intently for long hours, especially if they are large size prints. Or at least it has that effect on me.

And what better place to join together landscapes and monochromes than Ladakh, where every sight is a Himalayan vista, the lighting nearly always fantastic and blues that no place can beat.

So whether your object is a mountain, a valley, a river, a lake or open skies, monochrome landscapes look stunning. It is difficult to pin point a favourite in monochrome landscapes, but I would think of wide open monochrome valleys.

Such valleys give a sense that it never ends. Something like monochrome shots of people or building structures or automobiles, wherein people call them classic or never to die.

Such expressions are difficult to get in landscapes, but monochromes seem to elicit such a response even in landscape photography.

Now, I am not sure if I like these monotones, because they are monochromes or because they are landscapes of Ladakh. Either ways, I am happy that I ended up living the moment and capturing it in treasurable monotones. I hope you too enjoy the treasure.

Guest Post: Bike Insurance Comparison Website to Enjoy Great Britain's Great Motorcycling Roads

2012-02-06T19:55:00.001+05:30

The Ministry for Transport requires all motorcyclists to obtain adequate insurance cover before they are allowed to ride their bikes on Britain’s roadways. The amount of insurance cover needed to meet this requirement varies because each motorcyclist has unique needs that vary based on your age, the type of motorbike you ride, and the place where you live.

The best way to meet these motorcycle insurance cover requirements is to visit our bike insurance comparison website. This is the case because we can help you find the right insurance cover to help you meet local and national requirements before you get caught in a bind whilst on the road.

It’s a good idea to use our bike insurance cover comparison website to find adequate bike insurance cover because it can help you explore some of Britain’s finest roads that are keen for bikers who want to explore all that the U.K. offers.

For example, we can help you explore the A6 road path that goes from Manchester to Bakewell. This route is suitable for beginners because it features few twists and tight turns that can be difficult for beginners to master.

Moreover, we can help you explore the A217 roadway path that leads from London’s New Kings Road to Wandsworth Bridge. This path is a lot of fun to explore because it takes your through many of London’s fun shopping districts and pretty residential neighbourhoods.

If you enjoy sightseeing, be sure to explore the interesting path that lays between Whitby to Malton via the A169 roadway. This path is ideal for sightseers because it features several shops, pubs and small villages that offer bikers a great selection of things to do all year round.

We can help more adventurous bikers explore the A64 and B1249 roadways that are located between Driffield and Staxton. These roads feature fewer stops and interesting changes in topography that will challenge your driving skills in a fun way.

Finally, we can also help you explore the A19 motorway that leads from Thirsk to York. This motorway is famous for its lush scenery, its biker-friendly terrain, and its quick path through Easingwold that is famous for its tour of the town’s market square.

As you can see, it’s important to use a bike insurance comparison website to help you find the best deals on motorbike insurance cover. This is the case because it can help you find the insurance cover you need to enjoy some of Britain’s finest motorcycle-friendly roads effortlessly.

As a result, be sure to use our handy bike insurance comparison portal today to save money on the insurance cover you need to explore Britain’s motorcycle-friendly roads effortlessly.

This guest post has been provided by comparethemarket.com.

Oriental Guest House: A Great Homestay at Leh

2012-02-05T20:18:00.001+05:30

Guest houses and hotels are aplenty in Leh, but finding a fully functional hotel or homestay for a winter visit is tough. Most of the hotels in Leh shut down in October with the onset of Winter and only re-open in March/April. This annual phenomenon can be attributed to the following reasons: low inflow of tourists in the winter months, difficulty to get running water as all pipelines freeze in the extremely cold weather, high expense to arrange heating facilities (government electricity is available only for 5 hours a day) backup diesel generators are expensive and kerosene or gas is not that safe) and one has to store a lot of vegetables for cooking food. But, amidst all these problems, the Oriental Guest House, situated at Upper Changspa in Leh remains open round the year and provides excellent service.

But, do not take this homestay for granted as even in the winter months, it runs near full occupancy. Such is their hospitality and service. And if it is the summer months, one needs to book at least 3 months in advance. The Oriental Guest House is a family run homestay that was started in 1987. It is located right below the Shanti Stupa and offers great access to Leh Market and Shanti Stupa. This guest house caters to the needs of different kinds of travellers through their 3 different building groups. Building ‘A’ with a common bathroom at Rs 200 per night is for backpackers and for those who are on a shoestring. Building ‘B’ with an attached bathroom at Rs 500-600 per night is for the budget traveller. Building ‘C’, with its large rooms, centralized heating and satellite television and at Rs 1800 per night/room is for the ones who wish to indulge in some luxury.

However, even the Oriental Guest House cannot afford to run all 3 buildings during the off season and hence only operate the Building ‘C’ during the winter months. Running water is not available in the winter months, but the guest house staff ensure that the rooms do not run out of water at any time. No room service is available throughout the year. Instead, food is served in a well designed dining hall. Breakfast and lunch is A la carte, while a buffet dinner is served. Food is mainly vegetarian, but upon request, they do dish out some good chicken, mutton and egg items. Food prices are very reasonable costing between Rs 120 and Rs 200 for a full meal.

The homestay comes with a well stocked library, an internet cafe, an international and local calling booth. They also offer laundry services. The Oriental Guest House also provides tour and travel services, which helps one arrange their permits, treks, rafting expeditions, sightseeing, car services, etc. This service is fairly useful and helps one avoid all the other not so great travel agents. The travels is part of the homestay and hence cannot afford to fool around.

I stayed here for more than a week during my recent winter backpacking trip to Ladakh and thoroughly loved this place. In fact, I liked this place so much that I have decided that whenever I go to Leh, I will always stay with them. The omnipresent smiles of the homestay family and their readiness to help you always is something that appealed to me a lot. If you wish to book your Leh stay here, you can call Dawa or Phunsuk at +91 – 1982 – 253153 or reach out through their website. Julley!

Aerial view of the Western Himalayas

2012-02-04T23:35:00.001+05:30

A trip to the Himalayas always seem to send an adrenalin rush through your body. And this adrenalin rush increases even before you set foot on the Himalayas. Personally, I have been many times to the Western Himalayas, but have always reached there by road. Hence, a new experience awaited me when I took the flight from Delhi to Jammu to Leh.

Delhi to Jammu was fairly uneventful, but things took a ‘U’ turn when the plane left Jammu and made its way to Leh. The aircraft was flying at 21,000 feet, but the land was not more than 4,000 feet below as we were flying right above the mighty Himalayas.

It was a maze of white as we flew over the tall peaks and glaciers of the Western Himalayas. It felt like the aircraft had stopped and we were floating above this heavenly sight. These aerial views set the tone for the Himalayan visit and sends your heart racing. These views stay right on till you reach the Leh airport. One should definitely experience these views even if you do not get the opportunity to land in the Western Himalayas.

Wildlife Photography: 3 different generations

2012-02-02T00:06:00.001+05:30

I am sure a lot of you are aware of the tantrums that the pachyderms throw up in Assam, especially during the paddy harvest season and locals having to chase them off by bursting crackers. But, this is one side of the story. On the other side of the story is the peaceful living elephants of Kaziranga National Park. These massive mammals also look a bit weak and thin as they don’t get variety in their diet.

But, amidst the good and the bad, you can appreciate the aura of Indian Wildlife by seeing these elephants exist in total harmony in the Kaziranga National Park. And on top of this, if you see a special moment, you are totally transfixed. Such a special moment it was when I saw these 3 generations of Elephants during my jeep safari inside the central wildlife range of Kaziranga National Park.

An Iconic Kaziranga Moment

2012-02-01T23:29:00.001+05:30

The one-horned Rhinoceros is the main speciality here. In fact, no where in the world is it found in such large numbers. Here, at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, North East India, one is assured of a good sighting always. And this is irrespective of whether you are on the jeep on atop an elephant.

The Rhinos roam the swamps of Kaziranga in healthy numbers. Such is their strength that sometimes you think that they are like cows, available in such huge numbers and always grazing. But, having said that, do beware of the charging Rhino as it may topple your one plus tonne jeep unlike the docile cow.

Bird Photography: Indian Pitta from Yala National Park

2012-01-29T23:26:00.001+05:30

The ‘Indian Pitta’ is one of the more prettier and colourful small birds to be found in the Indian Subcontinent. This was the first time I laid my eyes on this beautiful bird and it was quite a sighting.

The sighting was not long in terms of time, but was quite eventful as I saw this small bird in two different forms. One, in the normal self and size and the second when it drew in air to get all fluffed up and bloated. It was quite an experience to see these forms of the same bird in less than 2 minutes. Both looked equally pretty though.

I saw this bird in some dense forest undergrowth at the Yala National Park in South Eastern Sri Lanka. This passerine bird, breeds in the Himalayas and migrates to South Peninsular India and Sri Lanka in the winters.

Street Photography: Faces of Ladakh

2012-01-27T01:02:00.000+05:30

Ladakh is special for many reasons…the Mighty Himalayas, the cold desert, the lack of oxygen, the remoteness, the Buddhist culture and its people. The people of Ladakh are very hospitable and have a smile on their faces even in the toughest climatic conditions. This winter, I spent 2 weeks in Ladakh and got to mingle with people from different regions of Ladakh – Leh, Zanskar Valley, Lamayuru, Changthang Cold Desert and Nubra Valley.

An elderly Buddhist with his prayer wheel

During these interactions, I saw them in different moods and engaging in different activities. Even though I mostly took landscape shots during these two cold weeks in Ladakh, I managed to take some street and portrait shots. The one above and the ones below are a selected few of the different faces of Ladakh.

Ladakhi women – old and young outside Lamayuru Monastery

A Zanskar Family

Road workers enjoy a game of cards

A happy Zanskar Kid

Zanskar Arts: Leh’s Prime Pashmina Shop

2012-01-26T20:56:00.001+05:30

Shopping in Ladakh is incomplete without purchase of the rare Pashmina shawls, the knotted silk Kashmiri carpets and the Buddhist religious artefacts. Though, it is very difficult to find a place that sells authentic forms of these goods. To give you an example, there are hundreds of shops in Leh that sell the Pashmina shawls and that even pass the 'ring test’ (where the entire Pashmina shawl passes through a finger ring without getting stuck), but they are clever copies of the original.

To check the authenticity of Pashmina material, either take a knowledgeable local with it while shopping or wear it and see how fast you get warm in it. If you feel very warm in less than 3 minutes, then it has more probability of being original Pashmina material. If you still have doubts, do check out Zanskar Arts on Leh’s main market. This shop sells original stuff, but can be a bit pricey. However, you can strike a good deal if you bargain hard. Me and my friends went to this place after our local friend recommended it to us. In fact, we got lucky and our local friend joined us when we went shopping here. Since our local friend joined us, we ended up getting a slightly better cost deal. While we were checking out the wares, the shop owner showed us both original Pashmina shawls and lookalike Pashmina shawls and how both of them pass the ‘ring test’ and weigh about the same. The original Pashmina shawl can cost anywhere between 2,500 rupees to 80,000 rupees depending on the handiwork in it.

In addition to having original Pashmina material like shawls, stoles and sweaters, Zanskar Arts also has a great collection of silk knotted and woven Kashmiri carpets. These carpets come in various sizes like 3 feet by 5 feet, 6 feet by 4 feet, 10 feet by 12 feet and others. The silk knotted carpets are more expensive than the woven ones. And if the knots are more per square inch, then the price increases. To give you an idea of the price, a higher knot silk carpet of size 3 feet by 5 feet can cost you upwards of 45,000 rupees. This shop has carpets ranging from 5,000 rupees to 5 lakh rupees. And the best part is they deliver these carpets free of cost to any location in India.

Apart from Pashmina shawls and Kashmiri carpets, Zanskar Arts also deals in jewellery, gem stones and Buddhist artefacts. Their jewellery collection is quite exhaustive with rings, chains, pendants in diamond, gold, silver, precious and semi precious stones. In terms of Buddhist artefacts, they have Prayer wheels, hand beaten and machine made prayer bowls, large size statues of Buddha, Buddhist trumpets and others.

Apart from having a shop in Leh’s main market, Zanskar Arts is also present in North Goa. If you are unable to find the place, you can call 91 97642 67948 and ask for directions. While shopping here, keep in mind that this is a Kashmiri shop who keeps hefty gross margins and hence remember to bargain hard. If you seek cheaper options or smart copies, then there are a lot of options you will find in the Leh Market especially in and around Moti market.

Peruvian Night Activities

2012-01-25T17:33:00.001+05:30

Visitors and locals alike in Peru can enjoy a wide range of night activities including the usual fare -- discos, clubs, concerts, and more -- as well as unique chances at reel deal slots to play in a Latin America Poker Tour event. Lima plays host to many of the best night activities in Peru, offering the chance to enjoy a bit of everything in a typical night out on the town, with something to cater to all tastes and preferences.

The three main areas of Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco are the main hubs for nightlife, with each offering a slightly different spin. Miraflores is the home of many live music bars, discos, and clubs, with Parque Kennedy and the Larcomar shopping mall primary destinations. San Isidro is more upscale and subdued, while Barranco is the standard destination for tourists and locals to head to when looking to enjoy a big night out on the town.

As far as tips for enjoying night activities in Lima and other cities in Peru, you should keep a few basics in mind. Many clubs and discos don’t start filling up until well after midnight, so plan accordingly and don’t head out too early. Most clubs charge a cover fee and many have a dress code, so don’t expect to get into the best clubs if you’re wearing shorts and flip flops. The club scene can be a fickle one with the “in” places to be falling out of favour in just a few weeks or months, so be sure to ask around as to the best clubs to go to and don’t just rely on travel guides that might be badly outdated.

If you’re not into the club scene there are still plenty of night activities to enjoy, a little subtle than living in Las Vegas and experiencing their casinos and clubs though, or enjoying a night at the theatre or at dance shows highlighting some of Peru’s top dance troupes. Numerous museums also host regular activities and opera houses can also be found throughout Peru, offering the chance to spend an enjoyable evening in many different ways in the country.

Hotel Ranmuthu–A good budget hotel on Colombo’s Marine Drive

2012-01-25T00:35:00.001+05:30

It is quite a tough job to find a decent budget hotel in any new city. Everybody seems to entice you to stay with them and most of the reviews on the internet seem to be cooked up. Some bloggers help you find good places, but for that we end up spending quite a bit of time on online research. I came across Hotel Ranmuthu during my last backpacking trip to Colombo. I had never heard of this hotel before and did not have any time for an online review as it was a last moment decision to travel to Sri Lanka.

It was my van driver who recommended this place when I landed at the Colombo airport in the wee hours of the morning. Even though it was quite late in the night/early in the morning, the reception was very cooperative in helping me check the various rooms and spoke English well. This meant two of my initial hurdles were overcome. The price for the rooms here is between 1000 and 4000 LKR depending on Single, Double or Triple occupancy and AC vs. Non AC. Again, this fitted into my budget. I opted for a single Non-AC room as I was promised that there were no mosquitoes. And true to their word, there were no mosquitoes. May be, it was the lean season for the mosquitoes. But, generally, Colombo is known for its mosquitoes and that’s why most tourists opt for AC rooms or lather themselves in mosquito repellent cream. By this time, the tiredness had got to me and I crashed with not even an inkling of an idea of the specialities of this property.

It is when I woke up that I realized that Hotel Ranmuthu is a sea facing property. In fact, my balcony on the 5th floor offered me great views of the Indian Ocean and the beach railway line. And when I walked outside of the hotel property, I found out that I was very close to the main business district of Colombo. All the large malls like the Crescat Boulevard, cinema complexes, five star hotels, the marine drive, the city’s best restaurants, the Fort railway station, Pettah and most of Colombo’s prime sites are a short walk away. And since it is on the Galle road, one can easily find buses and Tuk-Tuks (3 wheeler taxis) to move around. I stayed at this hotel for 3 days and 3 nights and thanks to its prime location, walked across most of Colombo’s prime areas and relaxed watching the open ocean while I was at the room.

The only weak link about this place is the lack of an in-house restaurant. But, with so many restaurants a stone’s throw away, I never found it to be a problem. In summary, I would definitely recommend this place to a budget traveller. The rooms and attached bath and toilet are clean and I didn’t face a single problem. Only word of advice is don’t get offended by the old paint of the hotel exterior. The interiors are pretty decent. If you are interested to book your stay here, the contact numbers are 0094 11 2433986 and 0094 11 2433989. And the address is 112, Galle Road, Colombo – 3.

Guest Post: Europe’s best cities for a winter break

2012-01-19T16:26:00.001+05:30

European city breaks in winter differ dramatically from those in summer. If you’re looking to explore gardens, relax in street cafes or stroll along river banks, a city break in winter may not be for you. But if your ideal trip involves visiting museums, galleries, enjoying cultural events or sheltering from the weather in a spa then there really isn’t a better time to get out and explore some of the most stunning cities Europe has to offer.

Here are four favourite European cities for a winter break; some with the Euro and some without. Either way, before travelling it’s important to keep up to date with exchange rates when changing money at a bureau de change. With your money sorted all you need to consider is the sights you’ll see.

Berlin
Berlin is great for exploring. You can get out and see the historical past of the city by visiting sites such as the Berlin wall, Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate. If you’re looking for some winter partying, Berlin has it all. Renowned as one of the biggest and best party cities in the world, there are numerous buzzing clubs dotted all around the city. It’s certainly something not to be missed.

Rome
You may think Rome is more of a summer destination. But it shouldn’t just be the weather that’s the real draw for this historic city. In the summer months, visitors flock to the Vatican museums to see such sites as the Belvedere Courtyard, the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, but the number of visitors and the length of queues can have a negative impact. Visiting these sites in winter, they’ll be almost deserted and you can enjoy them in peace. The same can be said for the Colosseum and other famous sites of historical interest. Winter really can be the perfect time to visit Rome.

Edinburgh
A city break doesn’t necessarily mean heading out to continental Europe. Edinburgh is one of the most popular destinations in the world, so you’d be foolish to ignore it just because it’s close to home. In winter, visitors can see the sites of Edinburgh castle and the Royal Mile as well as partaking in the famous celebrations for Hogmanay.

Poprad
The city of Poprad in Slovakia may not be the first place that springs to mind when thinking of a European city break, but it’s the perfect place for those looking for a little relaxation and a break from it all. Visitors can sit outside in a thermal spa while gazing at the impressive snow capped High Tatras Mountain peaks. After you can move inside to one of the Aqua bars and sample warming liqueurs while you soak in the water.

Wildlife Photography: Mother and Young - Sri Lankan Grey Langur

2012-01-17T00:37:00.001+05:30

Wildlife photography is tough, but pays great dividends with fantastic wild moments. But, there are some moments that are priceless, like this one, where a young Sri Lankan Grey Langur is clinging on to its mother for safety and out of fear.

I saw these motions unravel in front of me during my safari in Yala National Park. Yala National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the south east coast of Sri Lanka.

It was an interesting passage of five minutes while I was watching the mother and the young watch us with rapt attention. Initially, the young one was scared and held onto its mother tightly, but once she realized that its mother is not worried, it went back to its normal suckling activity. At this point, you can see that both mother and the baby are visibly relaxed.

And luckily for me, all these events took place in decent light, at not so far distance and for a good time duration to help me understand the parental behaviour of the Grey Langurs. These variables also helped in getting some good photographs.

Such priceless moments: the inquisitive eyes of the young, it suckling on its mother are generally hard to get and one has to have lady luck on their side to capture such moments. I guess those were my lucky moments. These lucky moments are what primes me up as a wildlife photographer!!

Guest Post: Finding the best deals to Goa in 2012

2012-01-16T18:41:00.001+05:30

Getting out into the wild and exploring the beautiful beaches, lush creeks and fishing villages in India’s tourist state needn’t be a matter of “roughing it”. There are numerous resorts and resort-type towns that accommodate the high number of visitors who travel to the western region of the Konkan region to enjoy the rich wildlife and simple, holy temples of Goa. Some of the most successful resorts are based on or near Goa’s picturesque beaches:

Baga Beach is in the state located near the Calangute Village in the north of Goa. It’s warm, brown sands and bobbing fishing boats present an idyllic scene, while local tourism companies offer water sports such as skiing and diving. The wide, tidal estuary that empties into the Arabian Sea – known as Baga Creek – is a hotspot for tourists in the high summer seasons.

The largest beach in the state is Calangute Beach, also in the north of Goa, near the town of Candolim. This area attracts many visitors to enjoy local delights not restricted to the hotels, restaurants and adventure tours (such as dolphin viewing), but which involve the village’s ancient history. Candolim was one of the first villages to convert to Christianity during the Portuguese inquisition of Goa.

Moving in the other direction, Cavelossim is on the southernmost tip of the state and hosts the large Salcette Beach. The town also once hosted the temple of Shri Shantadurga who is the form of the Goddess Durga - a goddess who is commonly worshipped in Goa owing to her patronage towards fisher folk. The temples were traditionally built over anthills, although many were destroyed by missionaries, and the Shanta Durga was shifted from Cavelossim to Kavalem in the early 18^th Century.

Not just renowned for its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife, Goa is packed with history and ancient architecture. Book cheap holidays for 2012, and explore the many facets of one of India’s most attractive states.

Ajith Safari Jeep Tours: Beware of this Wildlife Tour Operator

2012-01-15T23:42:00.001+05:30

Ajith Safari Jeep Tours is a travel agency focusing on arranging wildlife and camping tours around Yala National Park in Sri Lanka. This travel agency is run by Ajith Priyantha and can be seen on the website www.yalasafari.lk. Recently, me and my friends had a bitter experience with this agency while planning our wildlife tour inside Yala and we were put through a whole bunch of hassle and it was only with a lot of trouble that we managed to make things work for us.

The Ajith Safari Jeep Tours have decent jeeps and drivers, but they don’t have knowledgeable guides and most of his employees will break all jungle rules to make a quick buck. But, this is not the primary reason for my unhappiness. The owner of this travel agency is not a man of his words. He will promise you something and deliver you something else. That is precisely what happened with us and which left us totally stunned. Also, he charges quite a premium for his services. Be sure to bargain real hard if you go on a wildlife tour with him. In some cases, he has kept more than 100% profit margins, while the other agents keep 20-25%.

If you do end up going on a wildlife tour with this agency, do get all your plan completely chalked out and to the last detail lest you end up in a soup with basic facilities and a bad tour. To help fellow travellers get more details on this unethical travel agent, I have provided all the contact details below:

Name: Ajith Priyantha
Travel Agency Name: Ajith Safari Jeep Tours
Website: www.yalasafari.lk
Email: ajithpriyantha@yahoo.com
Office Phone: +94 47 2237557
Address: No. 418/A, Debarawewa, Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka

Personally, I would not recommend this tour operator to anyone. Such was my experience!

Glenfall Resort: Decent Budget Resort in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

2012-01-15T22:24:00.001+05:30

Backpackers and budget travellers searching for decent budget accommodation at Nuwara Eliya, the tea capital of Sri Lanka should give Glenfall Resort a try. The Glenfall resort property is located at about a 5 minute walk from the Nuwara Eliya main market and towards the Badulla road direction. The property is beautifully set amidst green surroundings and is a decently run place.

In terms of cost, this place is between 1500 LKR and 3500 LKR. A hard bargain should get you a good deal. Rates might be slightly higher during peak tourist season (Dec to Feb and Apr-May). In terms of facilities, the place has a library, helpful management and a restaurant that cooks pre-ordered meals. The rooms are very clean, offer quilts and running hot and cold water. Some rooms also have television in them.

Glenfall’s main asset is its proximity to the main market of Nuwara Eliya without the crowd and the noise. I stayed at this place during my recent backpacking trip and was very satisfied with my stay. Hence, would recommend it as a great budget accommodation option.

For those who wish to book accommodation at this place, please reach out to D G L Dasanayake, the owner of this place. The contact numbers are +94 522223182 and +94 522223364. The email id is glendid@sltnet.lk. And the complete address is No. 03, Glenfall road, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Open Talk on Travel for Darter Photography

2012-01-13T16:40:00.001+05:30

Last Sunday, I was invited by Darter Photography, a boutique photography tour operator to give a talk on my travel experiences to their customers on the occasion of Darter Photography’s first anniversary. The event, held at the Page Turner’s bookstore on MG Road, Bangalore got about 50-55 participants and was a great forum to meet fellow travellers and photographers. I was the non-Darter speaker and spoke about my travel experiences, especially my 26 month break from work. This was followed by macro and wildlife photography sessions by two of Darter’s participants and then closed by sessions by Arun Bhat and Shreeram M V, founders of Darter Photography. As the session came to an end, Darter shared their travel plans for 2012 and it was great to hear about their international tour plans especially Bhutan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Kenya. Darter seems to have gathered good popularity in their first year and I wish them all the very best in 2012 and the future.

My presentation, which is primarily a photo slideshow was well received both at the event and in the social network circles. Hence, thought it would be appropriate for me to post it on my blog. Hope you go through a whirlwind tour of India while scrolling through it. A copy of the presentation (PDF format) can be downloaded here. For those who do not wish to download, scroll through the rest of the post for the full presentation.

Bird Photography: Healthy Signs for Green Bee Eaters at Yala National Park

2012-01-12T00:04:00.001+05:30

The green bee eaters can typically be seen all over the Indian sub continent especially in and around the shrublands and woodlands. But, the highest density of these green bee eaters that I have seen is at the Yala National Park on the South East coast of Sri Lanka.

Not only are these birds seen in huge numbers here, but I guess they are possibly the most well fed here. Or at least that is my perception when I see their bright plumage and well fed tummies. And this is very good news for the Yala ecosystem, which is providing a healthy habitat for these green bee eaters.

When you look at these pictures and by looking at their size, you might say that these are not little green bee eaters, but some other bee eater that is bigger in size. But, then common sense prevails once you look at their tail, their beak and other colour patterns.

I saw innumerable little green eaters during my safaris at Yala and I was lucky enough to take good photographs of them. If I remember right, one of them was not more than 10 feet away, a very bold distance for a small bird such as the little green bee eater.

A look at the spectacular deserts around the world

2012-01-11T23:27:00.001+05:30

As vast, empty spaces devoid of much habitation, the world's deserts are perceived as being lonely places, but ones that have the ability to fascinate and mesmerise for their sheer expanse.

One thing most deserts have in common is their uncompromising and often hostile environment, which can prove a serious barrier to human habitation. Hot temperatures can soar unexpectedly and water is usually in very short supply.

Unprepared adventurers can quickly dehydrate or suffer from heatstroke and that's in addition to the risks posed by desert creatures and events such as sandstorms. A common misconception is that all deserts are hot, but some are in fact very cold and this brings risk of frostbite and hypothermia.

To compile a list of the top ten deserts in the world is a matter of opinion, but by pinpointing some of the largest and most documented examples, we begin to form an insight into these amazing places and their unique character.

Despite the difficulties, human life has continued across most deserts for hundreds of years, particularly the culture of nomadic tribes and groups of indigenous people who are well-equipped at supporting themselves through a combination of life skills and a survival instinct.

Sahara Desert
One of the most well-known deserts is, of course, the Sahara, a huge subtropical space occupying 3,629,360 sq miles across parts of Egypt, Algeria, Chad, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and other locations. Known for its dramatic sand dunes, craggy valleys and extremely hot climate, the Sahara sees little vegetation thrive in its harsh conditions, yet lizards, snakes, foxes, birds and other animals carve out an existence here.

Arabian Desert
With around 2,300,000 sq miles of barren land, The Arabian desert is not far behind and is also a haunting wilderness, but one which differs from the Sahara due to its areas of red dunes and dangerous quick sand, making its terrain especially difficult to negotiate. Spreading from from Yemen to the Persian Gulf and Oman to Jordan and Iraq, this desert sees many adapted species, including sand cats, gazelles and lizards surviving here, where the blistering summer temperatures reach 54 °C.

Gobi Desert
Another prime example of a huge desert region is Gobi in Asia, which covers parts of China and Mongolia. This area sees colder temperatures, but also more variation, with examples ranging from -40°C in winter to +50°C in summer. A site of much fossil discovery, dinosaur eggs have been found here, hinting at its long history of sustaining life. With many plateaus, basins, mountain ranges and a changing landscape, the Gobi desert is a varied and unpredictable place that adapts to the climate at the time.

Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert is a large, sandy area in Southern Africa covering 350,000 sq miles, including much of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. The name Kalahari is a derivation of the Tswana term "Kgala", which means "the great thirst", together with "Kgalagadi", "Khalagari" or "Kalagare", which relate to "a waterless place". Despite its name, the Kalahari is actually rich in plants and animals. A small amount of yearly rainfall creates watering holes, supporting animals such as leopards and cheetahs. Trees and grasses manage to thrive, including some local fruit varieties, making it less barren than many other deserts.

Patagonian Desert
The Patagonian Desert is another example of a harsh climate that still supports a reasonable amount of animal and plant life. As the 7th largest desert in the world, occupying 260,000 sq miles, this barren Argentinian landscape is home to owls, pumas, weasels and iguanas and also to typical desert plants such as tuft grasses and shrubs. Although sparsely populated today, there was much settlement in the past and this has been evidenced through cave paintings and records dating to the 18th century.

Great Victoria Desert
With a degree of colour and diversity when compared to some other deserts, Great Victoria in Southern Australia is awash with shades of brown and red and also features grasslands, pebbled areas and salt lakes. Existing across 163,900 sq miles, the desert sees temperatures of between 32 to 40 °C in summer, while in winter, this falls to 18 to 23 °C. British explorer Ernest Giles was the first European to cross this vast space in 1875 and in recognition; he named it after Queen Victoria.

Great Basin Desert
Great Basin Desert is a cold area across Nevada and parts of California and Utah, in the United States. Incorporating the Great Basin National Park, this region is 39,505 sq miles in size and owes its very existence to the rain shadow effect of the Sierra Nevada desert to the west. It has a typical desert landscape and is a good example of a colder area.

Chihuahuan Desert
Bordering parts of the United States and Mexico, the Chihuahuan Desert is based in an area of 139,769 sq miles, making it the second largest desert in North America, after the Great Basin Desert. The tricky terrain consists mostly of basins interspersed with a number of small mountain ranges. The World Wide Fund for Nature has said that the Chihuahuan Desert may be the most biologically diverse desert in the world, whether it is measured by diversity in species or by endemism. However, many native species having been taken over by the aggressive Creosote Bush which thrives here.

Great Sandy Desert
Another immense desert is the Great Sandy Desert, located in Western Australia, incorporating the southern Kimberley and Pilbara areas. Second only to the Great Victoria Desert, the Great Sandy Desert encompasses an area of 110,036 sq miles. The main populations consist of Indigenous Australian people and Centre's for mining, although the area is still sparsely populated. Temperatures are among the hottest in Australia, with summer highs of 38 °C.

Karakum Desert
The Karakum Desert takes its name from the words Gara Gum and Kara-Kum which mean 'black sand' and is a desert in Central Asia. Occupying around 70% of the area of Turkmenistan, the area is very dry and arid, with rainfall occurring around once every ten years. Where this desert differs to others is through the addition of the world's second largest irrigation canal, the Kara Kum Canal, which has transported large quantities of water since its beginnings in 1954. The desert is also famous for some human remains found here that archaeologists have dated back to the Stone Age.

Although there's no denying the flat and often featureless landscapes, deserts can also be very beautiful, melancholy places subject to outstanding lighting, eerie silences and unusual life forms. There's no doubt that despite their prominence, much of the terrain remains largely unexplored by the masses for a number of reasons. This relative undiscovered helps to retain the deserts' unique and arresting sense of beauty, mystery and intrigue.

Note: All the pictures in this post have been borrowed from commons.wikipedia.org.

Changeable Hawk Eagle from Yala National Park

2012-01-10T20:02:00.001+05:30

Bird photography is very tough as it requires a lot of patience, luck and good photography gear – binoculars, telephoto lenses and great eye sight. But, if you do get good sightings and some good moments for your lens, then all the patience and wait is totally worth it.

The joy of such moments exponentially increase when that bird in question is a ‘raptor’ as getting good time with these birds is very difficult. Such a moment was this when I saw this Changeable Hawk Eagle on my way to the Yala Beach inside the Yala National Park in South Eastern Sri Lanka.

Me and my friends had finished our morning safari and were headed to the remote beach of Yala for a packed lunch session when we spotted this raptor sitting on the tree branch just near the jeep track. The eyes of the Changeable Hawk Eagle stand out. At times they look threatening, but I guess it is their eyes that lend character to these birds.

Upcoming Travel: Backpacking to Icy Cold Ladakh

2011-12-21T15:11:00.001+05:30

I have been eagerly waiting for this trip for close to six months now. Planning began in late May, ticket bookings took place in July and gear purchases were made from Aug through December. Joining me on this trip are three other close friends and fellow travellers. All four of us leave for Delhi today and are headed into Leh tomorrow early morning. The next 2 weeks will be spent exploring the Ladakh region.

We do have an itinerary in mind, which involves 2 days of acclimatization at Leh, a 5 day trek in the Zanskar range and 5 days of exploring the scenic locations around Leh, namely, Pangong Tso Lake, Hemis High Altitude National Park, the Changthang belt (Tso Moriri Lake, Tso Kar Lake), Nubra Valley, Khardungla, Lamayuru and the city of Leh.

I am sure that we will not be able to visit all of these places, but we will pick n choose depending on weather and road conditions. Weather plays an instrumental role in Ladakh especially during winters as temperatures drop to as low as minus 40 degree Celsius in some places. Wind Chill is also quite severe here especially in the night and early mornings and this can lower the ‘Real Feel’ temperatures even further down. Ice sheets cover most of the terrain and most of the lakes, rivers and other water bodies freeze.

To tackle this tough weather, we have with us the following gear: ‘800 down’ sleeping bags, ‘800 down’ jackets, thermal wear, backpacking boots, moisture wicking alpine socks, woollen socks, fleece balaclavas, alpine skull caps, woollen mittens, gaiters and others. And we plan to take crampons, ice axes and ropes as need be on hire from Leh. But, I am sure that we will face the ladakhi icy chill in spite of all this. And that is part of the adventure we are going for.

On most of my previous travel trips, my followers and readers have complained that I don’t post updates while I am travelling. Hence, this time around, I will consciously attempt to post pictures and updates on my facebook profile page while I am exploring. Hopefully, I will have get some cell phone connectivity and my phone battery lasts a while in those low temperatures.

I am hoping this will be a great trip. My adrenalin levels have already risen, my heart is pumping wildly and my pulse is racing. I am really excited. Let’s see how it goes…

Wildlife Photography: Sri Lankan Leopard

2011-12-21T14:12:00.001+05:30

This summer when I was at Yala National Park in South East Sri Lanka, I had a good wildlife experience, but the leopard (known as diviya in Sinhala; don’t get misled by locals referring to it as Kotiya, which is Sinhala for tiger) eluded me. When I went there again post the monsoons, my luck changed. I was at Yala for an entire day and got treated to two leopard sightings.

The first one I saw was a young one perched on a tree in the early hours of the morning. I got to see him playing with twigs, climbing up different tree branches and glaring at us intruders. It was a wonderful experience to see this young leopard playing his antics.

The second one was an adult male that was sitting on the jeep track in the late afternoon. Jungle safari jeeps had surrounded the Sri Lankan leopard on both sides of the road and all the tourists were going clickety-click with their cameras, but he continued resting. It was as if he had no care for the world around him at that moment. After all, he is king of Yala and is at the top of the food chain here.

After resting on the jeep track for 15 minutes and giving tourists on both sides a great photography experience, he walked slowly towards my jeep before heading into the bushes.

These two sightings of the Sri Lankan Leopard made this a memorable day for me at Yala National Park. There is something about the tiger and leopard. Their sheer presence can send your adrenalin pumping and pulse racing!!