Around The World...

Kerala - God's Own Country

2011-11-12T14:07:00.002-05:00

Wayanad & Kochi

As the aircraft plummeted and cut through the clouds to touch the Earth, I took my head out of The Kite Runner and looked outside the windowpane. Whoa! I saw a lush green bedspread of thousands of coconut trees covering the entire land, as far as my vision could reach. The first thought that came to my mind was that it’s going to be one awesome Green expedition. It felt as if the verdant color was carrying a soul within it – calm, peaceful and natural. I was touching Calicut - the nearest airport to reach Wayanad.

Wayanad district lays northeast side of Kerala, a not-so-developed area but blessed with beautiful scenic spots and good weather. Kalpetta is the district headquarters and the only place where you would find small shops and some social life. The main attraction of Wayanad was the Meenmutty waterfall. Meenmutty falls are around 30 kilometers away from Kalpetta and about 300 to 350 meters in height. This is a three-tier waterfall and one of the naturally preserved falls in Kerala. The way to Meenmutty is a 2 -3 kilometers hike (one-way) through the forest and it is pretty steep. A forest officer shepherds every group to navigate through the dense forest. Jinto lead us to descend, guiding every footstep; distinctly knowing where we would trip. The hike is exhausting and you fall short of breath by the time you descend down. As you start approaching the falls, you can hear the thundering of water in the quiet forest. The pounding of a tired heart, the thundering of water and the rhythmic stepping of footsteps along the steep slope, makes you feel the proximity to a breathtaking view of the beautiful waterfalls; waiting to bestow the magic of nature. The waterfalls stand tall in front of you – milky white, unspoiled yet violent and forceful with flamboyance in the flow that says ‘I can drown you down if you come any closer!’ Climbing up is the most difficult part, but Jinto made it easy for me. Towards the end, he almost dragged me by the wrist, doubling-up my speed. I wonder how he does it thrice a day. But after the sight of the falls it’s totally worth it!

Kochi was the next halt; about 5-6 hours drive towards south of Wayanad. The Dutch Palace, Cherai Beach, Churches, Vasco de Gama Square, and Chinese fishing nets are some of the tourist attractions to explore. Well, there is nothing extraordinary about these tourist spots and you can skip them for exploring some forest or a waterfall.

And here comes the interesting part – shopping for silk. I must say that Kerala has got some really authentic and beautiful silk sarees, which truly reflect the culture, vibrant colors, and authenticity of Indian tradition. The traditional Kerala saree, typically white/cream in color with gold border is an epitome of simplicity. I read somewhere – Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication, I was convinced after seeing the Kerala women dress up. The beautiful Kanjeepuram silk will make any lady go weak at the knees and buy atleast one saree from here if not more. Well, I couldn’t resist my greed and packed 4 of them.

How can I forget to talk about the most interesting thing that Kerala is famous for – Ayurvedic traditional spa. A good government accredited spa is something one should definitely try out at any of the resorts where you choose to put up. The earthen and rustic feeling given to the spa that opened to beautiful coconut trees and backwaters was truly an experience in itself!

Munnar & Alleppey

Heading further to Munnar, I saw a change in the pattern of vegetation – from tall coconut trees to short tea plantations all over the place. Munnar is by far the most beautiful hill station I have seen so far. I literally lived in the clouds and fog for all the 3 days I spent there. Well, I think I now know how it feels when you are on Cloud 9 !

The Tata tea factory situated on border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu was the highlight of Munnar stay. The bumpy safari jeep ride on steep hills is truly adventurous and you hold your heart in your fist, praying that you would reach back safely in one piece. The tea factory built by the Britishers is quite historic and it uses the old methods of tea making – rolling, roll breaking, fermentation, drying and fibre separation. I can never forget the taste of the awesome lemon tea I had there.

At Munnar, a famous group called Punarjani performs Kathakali – a traditional Kerala dance form and Kalaripayattu – one of the oldest forms of martial arts. Both the shows are of high caliber and symbolize the dedication, hard work and respect of Keralites towards their culture.

Finally, Alleppey situated 2 hours south of Kochi is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Kerala due to the beautiful backwaters. I have never been to Venice, but the images that I have seen is something I could relate with the backwaters of Alleppey. I would call it the Venice of Kerala. An overnight stay in a houseboat is totally worth it if you get the following three things: 1. A Gorgeous Sunset 2. Terrace on the Houseboat 3. Tiger Prawns (Well, not if you are a vegetarian.).

Throughout the trip my lens was ravenous to capture something extraordinary. This insatiable feeling was fulfilled when I caught hold of a beautiful sunset while on the houseboat. As I saw the sun setting down, yet another beautiful sunset, I simply admired the power, the magic and the always-giving attitude of the nature. It has so much to offer and there is so much to learn by simply watching it and cherishing it. The misty clouds in Munnar make you realize that life is a mystery, you can’t predict it. The natural vegetation makes you realize – you will be received by people the best when you are natural to yourself and to others. The magnificent sunset at Alleppey made me feel the fire within my heart to do something meaningful in life – love my dear ones, worship my work, laugh loudly, weep till the heart is empty and travel the world– all of it with a burning passion.

I feel rejuvenated. I feel good.

Kaas Plateau, Satara, Maharashtra

2011-09-26T11:12:00.050-04:00

A flight of fancy on a windswept field,

Standing alone my senses reeled,

A fatal attraction is holding me fast,

How can I escape this irresistible grasp?

-Learning to Fly, Pink Floyd.

These lyrics were playing on my mind while I climbed the uphill to see this picturesque plateau covered with thousands of colorful flowers; similar to a huge green plateau shown in the video of this Pink Floyd song. How could I escape this irresistible grasp!

I am convinced about the fact that, there are a few places in Maharashtra which are still pristine and untouched. Kaas plateau falling in the Satara district of Maharashtra is one such place. I finally got a chance to visit this place that too at the perfect time – September End to October first week, supposedly the best time to visit Kaas. Kaas plateau is known for its beautiful blooms of a variety of species of wild flowers. The place is located about 10-12 kilometers inside the Satara city. The road that takes you to the plateau is extremely scenic and you would consider yourself lucky if it rains. The water bodies on both the sides of the road look calm and serene with lush green pastures spread over the city. The first thing that you would notice after reaching the plateau are the beautiful stretches of gorgeous flowers with patches of lavender, pink, white, blue and yellow. The verdant mountains on both sides of the plateau, with colorful carpets laid down all over the place looks surreal. The white beds of flowers appear like snowflakes spread across the plateau, the pink patterns make you feel as if you are at an artificially made movie location and the yellow layers make you feel pleasant and fresh.

I visited a lot of national parks in the U.S., of course they have their own charm and beauty, but there was something more about Kaas that am trying to put down here in words. I think it was the perfect wind and the air. It was uncontaminated, fresh and the natural fragrance of air was something that kept catching my attention while on the plateau. The cool breeze at noontime was something unusual; not really expected when you reach hilltops and are exposed to direct sunlight. I don't know much about the species of flowers and the whole botanical history behind the existence of this place, however, one thing that I can assure is that, this place is indeed a feast for nature lovers and photographers.

The current state of Kaas plateau is good with new rules being implemented by the district police. They are rigorous about not letting you drive till the actual plateau. Visitors are required to park their vehicles at the parking ground. The actual plateau is about 3.5 to 4 kilometers away and the road is an uphill climb. The Mahanagar-palika has organized buses for tourists to get to the plateau. I think the best way to get there is to simply hike and enjoy the cool breeze. I must say that the district authorities are really taking efforts to preserve this place. The plateau is well maintained, clean and left in its natural state as it is. It is not crowded with railing bars, barricades, and cement constructions. I am sure people fall in love with the place as soon as they reach the top and take extra care to make sure they don't stomp the flowers.

A lot of people have already explored this place in the past, nevertheless, since past few years, it has been gaining a lot of attention. What worries me is the increasing tourism to the place, which might just turn this place into commercial tourism and opportunity for business with all sorts of shops and hawkers ruining the essence of the place. Kaas - Maharashtra's Valley of Flowers, definitely needs to be protected before it's endangered and lost in history like many other monuments and places in Maharashtra.

The Bahamas

2011-07-11T10:55:00.010-04:00

The Bahamas located in the Atlantic Ocean, is a nation consisting of 29 islands, Nassau being the capital city. The 18^th century era was mainly marked by the dominance of pirates also called the ‘Blackbeard’ group and later the British ruled this nation. The Bahamian people are warm, simple, friendly and more than ready to welcome thousands of tourists visiting the islands via various cruise trips. That also means, tourism is the primary source of income for this nation. You might have an altogether different impression when you hear about The Bahamas, but it’s exactly the opposite of the picture you paint in front of your eyes. This place is simple, colorful and has a relaxed lifestyle. The Nassau city is small enough to be explored in a day or two. The best way to explore this place is to have a tourist guide along with you who will explain historical importance of every landmark around the city. The famous Bay Street is quite colorful and a place where most of the tourists shop for Bahamian souvenirs like magnets, shells, colorful clothes and lots of accessories made out of antique stones found under the ocean. Well for all other shopaholics – Sorry! There is not much that you can buy from here.

The Royal Caribbean cruise (Majesty of the Seas) is one of the best options to visit the islands. 3 nights and 4 days cruise is a good paced cruise vacation that one can take to visit this place, at the same time enjoy the cruise experience. Beautiful rooms, various floors having beautifully decorated dining rooms, shopping centers, casinos, swimming pools, spas, gyms, theme restaurants (dress code - please carry your heels and the evening dress in your wardrobe), and theaters - all in one place. You name it and you find it on the cruise. A day halt from morning to evening on the private Royal Caribbean island - CocoCay is another beautiful highlight of this cruise. Oh yes, they also have professional photo shoots running all round the day where you can get beautiful pictures clicked on the cruise with your loved ones. I think a cruise vacation is one of the must do things.

The feeling of being on the 12^th deck of the cruise, watching the beautiful Atlantic Ocean all around you, makes you feel how small one is in front of the vast blue ocean. It’s after going on the cruise and seeing water all around me I realized that, no wonder I learnt in school that 70% of the earth is covered with water. The gigantic cruise sails smoothly in the middle of the ocean and is simply a magical experience. I think the best time I spent on the cruise for 3 nights was when I would go on topmost deck in the open air, feel the lovely breeze gushing in the silence, stand on the bars near the front end tip of the cruise and watch the cruise cutting the vast waves in the ocean. The sight of the moon is simply wonderful and you are lucky if the sky is clear and the stars shining brightly in the velvet sky! It was after months I felt that my mind, heart and soul were at peace, at complete equilibrium. I don’t know what it was – the ocean, the moon, the stars, or the breeze.

I felt life is vast just like the ocean, the waves in the ocean are the various phases in our lives and we are the cruise, cutting through these phases – sometimes with no force for smaller phases and sometimes with a harder push, for the ones that are like icebergs - Cut them or they might cut you!

Tips:

Don't forget your sun screen, hat, flip flops, sunglasses
If you are a water person carry lots of swim wear
Weather will be dry and humid most of the times
Keep dollar bills handy on the islands

Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn, New York

2011-05-30T11:15:00.008-04:00

A bridge which is an epitome of strong history, era, and timely proven successful planned architecture surely needs to be written down so that it remains fresh in the memory lanes. The Brooklyn Bridge connects the Manhattan and Brooklyn boroughs of the New York City. This suspended bridge has two beautiful towers holding together the suspension cables of the bridge, which gives it an awesome front view. What I like the most about this bridge is the stone structure that is retained over the years to make it look old, classic and royal. The simplicity in the bridge has surely given some beautiful shots to numerous photographers who plan visits to capture this gigantic structure sometimes from the East River, sometimes from the front standing on the bridge itself and sometimes from the Manhattan Bridge. The use of wood along with the stone surely makes this bridge different from the ones that are made out of only iron and steel. If the Golden Gate Bridge reflects grace and modernity, The Brooklyn Bridge is an old beauty which will never lose its charm. It is surely a timeless creation that attracts thousands of tourists round the year. A must visit for those who awe at structures and who take special interest in visiting colossal creations by mankind.

While standing on this bridge and looking over the Manhattan city at the other end and the beautiful river below the bridge, I felt there are uncountable bridges that we cross in our lives, some lead to beautiful destinations, some make you realize that there is nothing at the other end and some take you forward only in the 'right' direction to an unknown destination. Follow the Bridge, follow the Omens and follow your Personal Legends - Life will then make sense to you!

Central Park, Manhattan, New York

2011-05-30T11:14:00.005-04:00

By far the most beautiful urban park I have ever seen. Having visited this park in the best of the suggested times to visit this park - Fall and Summer, I think it's simply gorgeous. The beautiful shades of bronze, gold, brown, and red in the Fall makes the park look nothing less than magical. At the same time the lush green vegetation, beautiful lawns, huge trees, and the fountain makes the park alive in the summer. Both the looks are completely different and I feel people residing in New York are really really lucky to have this National Landmark so close to them. A true lover of this park would find it different everyday in each of his visit. Couples romancing on the lawns, children engrossed in their funtime activities - soccer, baseball, yacht races, tourists roaming around in carriages, local new yorkers jogging on the tracks; the view is just awesome, lively and inspiring. No wonder I feel Central Park is the heartbeat of NYC. I think the best way to visit this park is to either jog, walk, ride a bike or simply break your visits into parts to see each and every corner of it. Horse carriages are certainly good if you falling short of time or if you are simply lazy to walk.

I would definitely like to spend a full day at this park sometime. Just lie down, read a book, sleep on the grass and yes take pictures! I could spend hours together here - my personal time just for myself. I simply love the Central Park! As simple as that...

P.S. It's definitely NOT overrated.

National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington D.C.

2011-04-25T01:47:00.010-04:00

This year I really longed to see the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. A little history before I share my experience. Cherry trees grown in Japan are known for their beautiful blossoms that thrive for about 2-3 weeks just when the spring begins. For the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrated in Washington D.C, the story is based on the fact that Japan had gifted these trees as a token of peace and friendship to the capitol of United States. Thousands of visitors from all over the United States come to celebrate this festival every year. There are approximately 3,700 plantations of Japanese cherry trees around the Tidal Basin near Jefferson Memorial. The pink blossoms are spread across the waterfront of Potomac river providing a spectacular view. At the advent of spring, entire Washington D.C is covered with delicate and fragile cherry blossoms; serene and untouched, dancing to the tunes of cool breeze. If you are DSLR kind of a person, you can’t miss the traditional shot of focusing on blossomed branches keeping the Jefferson Memorial slightly blurred in the background. This is the best souvenir picture post card you could get for visiting Washington D.C in spring. Apart from the cherry blossom trees, a lot of other activities are held in D.C during this period. You would not want to miss the National Cherry Blossom Parade that starts from the Constitution Avenue and runs down between the 7th and 17^th street NW. I personally could not make it to the parade this year but the reviews online suggest that you should plan your cherry blossom visit to D.C around the day of parade. Painting exhibitions, cultural programs, marathons, photography contests are some of the other activities that are held in full swing while the cherry blossom week lasts. Overall it is a good experience and a great time (March end - April first week) to plan your Washington D.C visit.

My personal experience is beyond just seeing the cherry blossoms. Spring to me is reincarnation of foliage after months of lifeless, dry and snow covered harsh winter. It is only after staying through this winter for more than six months you feel that the transition of weather from winter to spring is one of the best experiences and you simply feel awe to witness this magic of nature. I have come to realize that to understand what is being natural, spiritual and divine is to see the dedication, punctuality and the discipline that even the nature follows. Things happen when they are supposed to happen. Things should be done when they are meant to be done. That’s the rule of the world and the more I go close to the nature, the more I feel that 'Nature' is the best example of this. Respect the Laws of Nature, they truly relate to Life...

Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City

2011-02-23T15:08:00.012-05:00

New Yorkers crib when it comes to taking their cars to the city. But this time I wanted to explore the city by driving through it and by simply looking around. To my surprise, it wasn't all that bad a decision to drive around in the New York City. There are 2 things which you need to realize before you think of taking your car to the metropolitan: 1. Your luck needs to be with you that day for spotting a parking place on the street. 2. You need to have ample time and patience to survive through the endless red lights. Fortunately, we were really lucky to get parking right next to Fifth Avenue. Before I actually walked on the Fifth Ave, I always thought that being in NYC meant being at Times Square/Statue of Liberty/Central Park. Fifth Avenue sectioned under the Manhattan borough of NYC is supposedly one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world. It has got world's best brands, all located in beautiful stores. You name a brand and it’s got to be there. You either do some window shopping or walk in the stores to see price labels and feel super rich just being in the store! If you love collecting expensive brands this is the place.
Fifth Avenue originates from the Washington Square Park, runs along the eastern side of the Central Park and then ends towards the Harlem River. The Flatiron Building, The Apple Store, The Trump Tower and The Central Park are the main tourist attractions residing along the Fifth Avenue and worth visiting. The affluent Upper East Side which is famous for having one of the highest pricing per square foot in the United States is also located around the Fifth Avenue. Ah! I so wish to live in the Upper East Side and have the Fifth Ave and Central Park view from my balcony. Overall, an awesome place to hang out in the city and feel the heartbeat of ‘The New York’!

Rockefeller Center, New York

2010-12-15T10:23:00.005-05:00

I chose the Rockefeller Center over the Empire State Building to get a panoramic view of the New York City. I am glad I went by this choice; for the superb view of the Empire State Building that I got to see from the 'Top of the Rock' observation deck. Soaring 70 floors above the ground level, Top of the Rock offers an unhindered and breathtaking view of the New York City. I got an extravagant view of the Empire State Building, beautifully lit up and standing straight in the center of my photo frame. A 360 degree view of the entire city showing stunning skylines, Central Park and some exquisite edifices makes this experience special. While enjoying these views be well prepared to withstand the wind especially during the winter! I think the perfect time to visit this observation deck would be either sunrise or sunset. You can also get a full day pass which allows you to visit the place twice in a day to get views of both the sunset and sunrise. Coming down from the 70th floor, how can I not mention about the ice skating rink and the world famous Christmas tree. I got to see it when the tree was just being set into place for the upcoming Christmas. But I bet, it’s going to be looking simply gorgeous once it’s all lit up standing tall in the center.

FallingWater, Pennsylvania

2010-09-24T11:35:00.007-04:00

I decided to visit this place in Pennsylvania when I was reading through the Smithsonian Magazine's '28 Places to See Before You Die' article. FallingWater was built by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright for the Kaufmann family in the 1930s. The reason why this house is special is the fact that it’s built on top of a water fall. The unremitting noise of the falling water can be heard from every room of the house at all the times and is unquestionably soothing and addictive for a sound night’s sleep. The architectural touch given to this house is unique in its own way. The windows that are designed to open out in a particular way surely do justice to the brilliant view outside every bedroom and lets the nature come inside from every direction. The interiors of the house are still well preserved and all the things were personally chosen by the Kaufmann's to add an extra star to this wonderfully designed house. I simply love the way this house camouflages with the nature and the peaceful surroundings, making it a perfect getaway house you could ever dream for in your lifetime! The only question that comes to my mind as I write about this place...Is this timeless beauty lost amongst the skyscrapers and national parks in the U.S. ?

Luray Caverns, Virginia

2010-09-08T14:11:00.010-04:00

Situated in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, Luray Caverns are one of the oldest natural wonders in Eastern America. These underground caverns are beautifully preserved for over more than 130 years and can be considered as one of the unique wonders in America. As you start walking through the caverns you come across a variety of naturally formed structures like columns, arches, beams and strange looking naturally formed architectures. These shapes of different sizes and forms formed out of rocks inside the caves, can be imagined to take shape of just anything. Each one of us can think of it to resemble something and form our own theories and imaginaries. Something that makes this visit worth is the 'Stalacpipe Organ' situated inside the caverns. Stalactites covering 3 1/2 acres of the surrounding caverns produce tones of symphonic quality when electronically tapped by rubber-tipped mallets. It was a research carried out for 36 years to tune these columns inside the caverns to produce sound that matches the musical scale. Only two such stalactites were later found to produce the organ sound.
It takes about one hour to walk through the cavern and longer if you want to have every part of the cave explained to you as you walk through the caves. The best way to explore this place is to team this destination with Shenandoah National Park. For folks staying around VA and MD, both these places can be covered in a day trip unless you want to stay back in the Shenandoah National Park to enjoy the nature.

Formation of the Caverns:

These caverns were formed out of the deposits of Limestone in the Shenandoah valley. This limestone reacted with carbon dioxide and water over a period of years to form these magical caves. As the large volumes of water subside and only slow seepage continues, nature's decorating process begins. Upon entering the unique cave atmosphere, the solution of calcium carbonate gives up some of its carbon dioxide and allows a precipitation of lime to form. This precipitation begins as a thin deposit ring of crystallized calcite. As this process is continued, stalactites form from the ceiling. As the drops fall to the floor, deposits build forming stalagmites. When a stalactite growing down from the ceiling meets a stalagmite growing from the floor, a column or pillar is formed.
Anyway, keeping aside this abstruse description of the formation, what I am trying to convey here is the fact that, this truly can be an excellent example of how the mother nature can play its own miracles to make this Earth a special place.

Florida, The Sunshine State !

2010-06-10T10:49:00.012-04:00

If I ever get stressed and decide to abscond, this would be the place! Now think of keywords to define Florida, I bet you will find at least 100 of them. The sunshine state, Miami, Key west, Orlando, Tampa, Disney, SeaWorld, Universal, sunsets, summer, beaches, humid, pier, Clearwater, Busch Gardens, ... phew!. Well my keyword for Florida would be 'Abhi'. My very own brother has been living there since past 3 years and I feel really lucky to have someone living at such an awesome place. Having explored most of the must visit places in FL, I believe you cannot get enough of the sunsets. In summer the sun goes down really late, around 8:35 PM and if you plan and go to take pictures, you cannot be any luckier. I did get my few shots; however, you can go at the right places to get them absolutely flawless and stunning! One place would be the Clearwater Beach. If you are a first time visitor then you should go by the default way of visiting FL... I call it the 'theme park' way! -> Disney (do not even think of missing the parade!), Universal Studios, Sea World (Yes, you must see the Shamu show. Shamu is a whale which is simply adorable!). Then you can do the beaches- Clearwater beach comes first in the list! Okay, now I don’t wish to be your tourist guide but just that if you come here it is highly recommended that you have some good vacation on hand. It's definitely not a weekend business! After all it’s the lazy state where you just wear the brightest of colors you could ever wear in summers and just relax! Oh yes, do not forget your sunscreen and glares!

Washington, District of Columbia

2010-05-03T23:30:00.028-04:00

Bordered by Virginia and Maryland, Washington DC is regarded as a federal district, distinct from the rest of the states.The District of Columbia is the place where the President of Unites State resides in the White House that has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors etc. Well if you are surprised with these details you will be bewildered to see that the entire layout of the White House is available over the internet. It makes me wonder, why would the floor plans of the President’s house be publicly available over the internet, this being the most protected and highly secured places in the entire United States! Anyway I will keep this away as another topic. Having visited DC so many times and being a resident of Maryland, I still find it intricate to remember most of the buildings, each of which has a huge historical background behind it. I wonder why that happens to me. Perhaps may be because every name is related to some President or has some political nomenclature used. I do not wish to stress on the name of the buildings since those are available over the web. Something worth mentioning is the gorgeous architecture of these buildings. Just gaze anywhere and you will see beautifully carved columns, walls and tombs. I think it is the classic architecture that gives this District a historical feel, with every monument, museum and building having something to say or reflect. Cherry Blossom is the best time to visit DC and if you find yourself there on one of the summer days, then it’s surely a traveler's felicity to have verdant greenery around you. Washington DC is always looked as a stuffy and serious place to talk about (thanks to the museums and history!), but the town definitely boasts a good night life with plenty of clubs and good restaurants to keep you busy in the evenings!

Norman, Oklahoma

2010-03-21T21:10:00.008-04:00

It’s bright and sunny on one day and then stormy, windy and cold the next day. Yep, that’s exactly how extreme the weather conditions can get in the state of Oklahoma. I have never seen a state magnet in the souvenir collection before that has a picture of a tornado on it as the state representation. Well, one of the reasons why it could be this way is the fact that Oklahoma is struck by 54 tornadoes per year on an average- one of the highest rates in the world. Norman lies within Tornado Alley and has a severe weather season lasting from March through August, with peak activity in April and May. If you are fascinated by the meteorology science then you can drop by at the National Weather Center which will tell you everything about radars, satellites, storm chasers and all the scientific measures that are used to predict the harsh weather conditions in the entire United States. Well, enough being discussed of OK having bad and severe weather, what made my stay good there were the beautiful horizons that I got to see every day with hardly any tall buildings obstructing the beautiful view of the skies. Most of the city is flat and lets you observe the sky-show flaunting its absolutely stunning colors. So if you want to watch some beautiful sunsets this is the place!!

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2010-01-20T01:13:00.020-05:00

Well, that is how I had to tilt my camera to fit the "Burj Khalifa" in the frame. More renowned with the name Burj Dubai, this sky scraper happens to be the world's tallest building with 160 floors. It sparkles in the daylight in a silver and bluish grey color giving it a shiny metallic look. The Dubai Fountain outside the Burj Khalifa adds charm to its evening look when the fountain dances to some really melodious traditional arabic music. What impresses any tourist are the three Palm Islands namely Palm Jumeirah, Palm Deira and Palm Jebel Ali. These are artificially made islands having the shape of a palm tree and have some amazing infrastructure built on them to actually dwell apartments, bungalows, roads and bridges. With million cubic meters of rocks and sand used to simply make the strong and deep foundations for these islands, anyone wanting to own a house on one of these islands will have to do some good amount of money counting! And yes how can I not talk about Burj Al Arab, another beautifully constructed hotel on the Jumeirah beach. It is built to have the shape of the sail of a dhow (an arabic ship) and looks magnificent in the evening light while the sun sets down. Dessert safari is also a good experience with some traditional arabic belly dancing and hookahs. That's all about Dubai, one of the 7 Emirates of U.A.E flourishing with artificially made islands, now to have one with the shape of the world or should I say a city with palm islands but with no real palm trees in the whole city. Guess some real palm trees around would have definitely added to the beauty of this arabic city!

Shirdi, Maharashtra, India

2010-01-07T21:18:00.007-05:00

People say, when Sai calls you, you get to know that you need to go for His darshan. I don't remember since when am visiting Shirdi, but the feeling it gives after every visit is simply inexplicable. Probably, the only temple that I know of, which invites devotees of all castes and creeds, and religion is no barrier. I haven't seen such diversity in any other temple in India. That is the best part of visiting Sai. You do not need to drape a saree or cover your head or wear any particular attire. There are lots of stories being told about Sai and his miracles which leave you totally mesmerized and awestruck. 'Sai Charitra' is the best book that will tell you about these stories. I will leave the 'belief' part on you guys because that is something I would not want to comment here. What I like the most about visiting Shirdi is the fragrance of 'sabja' that you get to smell as soon as you enter the temple. It is extremely refreshing and has a unique fragrance which is different from flowers. Lakhs of devotees visit Shirdi every year, every Thursday from different parts of India. The only thing that breaks my heart is the poor maintenance of the city. The trustees are taking efforts for the cleanliness of this place and to some extent I feel they are making a difference, since every year I go, I get to see the changes. But yes, people in this small town should really preserve this pilgrimage destination. The way things are commercializing into a 'hoteling business' is really scaring me for Shirdi losing its charm of being a small quaint little town where Sai used to reside.

Sinhagad Fort, Pune, India

2009-12-30T01:38:00.011-05:00

Sinhagad Fort is located near Pune city and is one of the oldest forts conquered by Shivaji Maharaj in 1350 A.D. (courtesy Wikipedia for the exact date.)Initially this fort was better known by the name 'Kondhana' and it is supposed to be strategically located in the string of other forts namely Purander, Torna and Rajgad. There is some good amount of historical data available on Wikipedia about this fortress. The best time to visit Sinhagad is in the rainy season when the fort is covered by foggy clouds and the feeling it gives is nothing less than having heaven on ground. The experience of walking through the clouds and the lush green vegetation is simply awesome. More famous for its pithla bhakri, dahi and bhaji, you cannot climb down this fort without having this meal combo in one of the small tapris located along the way up the fort. This fort has always had quite a 'quiet existence' and is not-so-developed kind of a place as compared to other forts for instance Raigad, which has been developed beautifully with rope ways and tourism. I feel that Sinhagad has not been mentioned that much in Shivaji Maharaj's history or even the battles that took place on this fort. I could be wrong, but I feel Sinhagad is definitely lost somewhere in the history books of class four syllabus...

San Francisco, place to be ...

2009-11-02T10:33:00.013-05:00

San Francisco is the heart of California and one of the busiest cities here in North America. San Francisco has its own charm and is not comparable to even New York. Each time you go to San Francisco you get to see a new, fresh and energetic side of this city. The weather is totally unpredictable and you shouldn’t be surprised to see a misty layer covering the whole city at one moment and then bright rays of the sun passing through the tall skyscrapers the next moment! San Francisco is a tourist attraction for anyone visiting California for the first time. In spite of having stayed in California for few months I still feel I want to visit this metropolis again and again. This vivacious city is famous for its cable cars which take you round the whole city via the twisting, up and down streets. This is a fun ride you must experience; you can’t leave SFO without taking a ride in the cable car. Other places you might not want to miss are the Japanese Tea Garden, Pier 39, Lombard Street, the Moscone center, the Ghirardelli chocolate factory, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge and last but not the least the Coit tower which gives a magnificent view of the whole city. And yes, if time permits you should definitely go for biking, it’s another way you can discover this city. Another thing that one can enjoy while in SFO is just walking around on the main streets to see the wonderful massive architectural buildings. SFO has undoubtedly become my favorite city in the United States!

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

2009-09-24T10:53:00.016-04:00

You will be surprised to find such a beautiful national park just 3 hours away from Maryland ! Shenandoah National Park is located in Virgina and is one of the oldest national parks in US. No doubt there are many national parks that are very well preserved in the United States but this can be counted as one of the must visits for the nice overlooks at various scenic points. After visiting this place, I feel, that national parks are the essence of United States and what makes them special is the way they are maintained over the years to preserve the natural beauty of mother nature. This is a splendid place to see the fall colors and will definitely make you come back again. Shenandoah national park is known for its wildlife, particularly deers and bears scattered across the park. Waterfalls at various locations add to the beauty of the trails as you go deeper and deeper inside the forest. What I liked the most about this place is the silence and peace of mind you get as you drive through the nearby counties surrounded by farms, giving a you a nice old countryside feel, away from the hustle and bustle of cities. Overall a good place to relax over the weekend to go away from the busy, rough and tiring days during the weekdays!

Napa Valley, California

2009-09-18T19:39:00.015-04:00

If you are a connoisseur of fine & classy wines, Napa Valley is the place you might not want to miss when you come to California. Napa valley is recognized for its old and well preserved wineries which are famous worldwide. Here you can try various types of wines like red wine, sparkling wine, white wine and many others. Stretched across thousands of acres of land; each winery has its own peculiarity, richness and flavor to offer you. If you really want to know about the technicalities and processing of wine you can actually visit these wineries with experts who share with you how wines are preserved, how the aging of wine happens, how the fermentation process takes place to convert the sugar content in grapes into alcohol and how yeast is used for this fermentation process. Apart from that what I found interesting was the European elegance and class that you feel at this place. Don't be surprised or feel out of the place if you see people highly dressed up or couples in their romantic moods enjoying in lavish limos. After all, Napa valley is all about class, ostentation and the aesthetic appeal that is reflected from a sparkling glass of wine!

Lake Tahoe, located along the border of CA & Nevada

2009-08-13T16:54:00.011-04:00

For all I can remember about Lake Tahoe are the tall, pointed, massive pine trees soaring towards the sky, scattered in the form of dense forests all around the place. Lake Tahoe falls on the border of California and Nevada. I don't want to talk about the geology, climate & the flora and fauna found in this place. The only image that comes to my mind when I want to talk about this place is the calm, serene and crystal clear lake surrounded by snow clad mountains. While parasailing up above the Lake, you get an awesome panoramic view of the water. You can actually see different colors of water camouflaged between shades of blues and greens. The best way to cherish the beauty of this place is to just drive around. The place is also commercialized with some water activities, biking, fishing, camping grounds but I still feel that the natural beauty of this place is cautiously preserved and that’s why it happens to be one of the favorite tourist destinations in North America. In short, no matter what time of the year you visit this place you will just get to see ‘Nature at its Best’. That’s how I define Lake Tahoe!

The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

2009-07-25T01:35:00.010-04:00

Of all the places I visited in California, the Golden Gate Bridge has been the most special to me. This structure reflects architectural perfection and importance of aesthetics in construction. You can get a feel of its 'brick-reddish-orange' sturdy appearance from the walkway which simply makes you look small under the massive cable stayed bridge towers. This elongated and beautifully suspended structure residing in San Francisco definitely acclaims a visit for every tourist coming to California! Off-course it is a splendid architecture that you want to capture in your camera from all different angles, but it still remains to me more as a special place for the memories I had here.