MindTwist

Money Plant: Your Lucky Indoor Charm

2024-08-22T21:29:00.004+05:30

A Little Background

The Money Plant, scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum, is a popular houseplant renowned for its vibrant foliage and believed by many to bring good fortune and prosperity. Native to the Solomon Islands, this vining plant is known for its adaptability and ease of care.

Benefits of Money Plant

Air Purification: Money plants help purify the air by removing harmful toxins.
Good Luck Symbol: Many cultures believe that Money Plants bring wealth and prosperity.
Low Maintenance: They are relatively easy to care for, making them ideal for beginners.
Versatility: Money Plants can be grown in various ways, from hanging baskets to climbing poles.

Caring for Your Money Plant

Lighting: While Money Plants tolerate low light, they thrive in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves.
Watering: Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
Humidity: Money Plants prefer moderate to high humidity. Mist the leaves regularly or place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water.
Temperature: Maintain a temperature between 65°F and 85°F (18°C and 30°C) for optimal growth. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Fertilizing: Feed your Money Plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring and summer).
Pruning: Prune your Money Plant regularly to maintain its shape and encourage new growth.
Propagation: Money Plants are easy to propagate from cuttings. Simply take a stem cutting, remove the lower leaves, and plant it in water or moist soil.

Tips for Growing a Healthy Money Plant:

Choose a healthy plant: Look for a plant with vibrant green leaves and healthy roots.
Repot regularly: Repot your Money Plant every 1-2 years to provide fresh soil and more space for root growth.
Watch for pests: Money Plants can be susceptible to common houseplant pests like spider mites and mealybugs. Treat infestations promptly.

With a little care, your Money Plant can become a thriving and beautiful addition to your home. So, why not give it a try and see the magic it can bring to your space?

Composting Kitchen Waste: A Step-by-Step Guide

2024-08-20T23:01:00.001+05:30

Composting kitchen waste is a fantastic way to reduce your environmental impact while creating nutrient-rich soil for your plants. Here's a simple guide to get you started:

Materials Needed:

A compost bin or a designated outdoor space
Brown materials (carbon-rich): dried leaves, shredded newspaper, cardboard, wood chips
Green materials (nitrogen-rich): fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags
Water

Steps:

Choose a Compost Method:
- Compost bin: A dedicated container for composting.
- Compost pile: A designated outdoor area for composting.
Layer Your Materials: Create alternating layers of brown and green materials in your compost bin or pile. Aim for a ratio of about 3 parts brown to 1 part green.
- Brown materials: Provide carbon for structure.
- Green materials: Provide nitrogen for microbial activity.
Maintain Moisture: Keep the compost moist but not soggy. Water it regularly, especially during dry weather.
Aerate Regularly: Turning the compost pile or bin every few weeks helps introduce oxygen, which speeds up decomposition.
Balance Carbon and Nitrogen: Monitor the ratio of brown to green materials. If the compost is too wet and smelly, add more brown materials. If it's dry and crumbly, add more green materials.
Patience: Composting takes time. It can take several months for the compost to be ready to use.

Tips:

Chop materials: Smaller pieces decompose faster.
Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods: These can attract pests and create unpleasant odors.
Cover your compost: This helps retain moisture and heat, and prevents pests.
Add worms: Earthworms can speed up the composting process.

What to Compost:

Fruit and vegetable scraps
Coffee grounds and filters
Tea bags
Eggshells (crushed)
Cardboard and paper (shredded)
Yard trimmings (leaves, grass clippings)

What Not to Compost:

Meat, fish, and dairy products
Oily food
Diseased plants
Large amounts of animal waste
Synthetic materials

By following these steps, you can transform your kitchen waste into valuable compost that will enrich your soil and support a healthier environment.

Cultivating Your Urban Oasis: A Guide to Organic Rooftop Gardening

2024-08-19T22:25:00.004+05:30

In an era of concrete jungles and dwindling green spaces, rooftop gardening emerges as a beacon of sustainability and self-sufficiency. By transforming unused rooftops into thriving ecosystems, you can contribute to a healthier environment while enjoying the rewards of fresh, organic produce.

Why Go Organic on Your Rooftop?

Pure and Healthy Food: Growing organically ensures you consume pesticide-free, nutrient-rich food.
Environmental Benefits: Organic practices improve soil health, conserve water, and support biodiversity.
Reduced Carbon Footprint: Growing your own food reduces transportation emissions and packaging waste.
Enhanced Well-being: Connecting with nature and nurturing plants can boost your mental and physical health.

Getting Started

Assess Your Roof: Ensure your roof can support the weight of soil, plants, and people. Check for waterproofing and drainage.
Choose the Right Containers: Opt for lightweight yet sturdy containers like grow bags, raised beds, or large pots.
Create Nutrient-Rich Soil: Prepare a well-draining soil mix using organic compost, garden soil, and coco coir. Avoid using chemical fertilizers.
Select Suitable Plants: Choose varieties that thrive in containers and your local climate. Consider leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, and peppers for starters.
Water Wisely: Implement a drip irrigation system or water manually in the early morning or late evening to minimize evaporation.
Protect from Pests Naturally: Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and encourage natural predators. Use organic pest repellents like neem oil or insecticidal soap when necessary.
Composting: Create compost from kitchen scraps and garden waste to enrich your soil.
Succession Planting: Plan your planting schedule to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the growing season.
Harvest Regularly: Enjoy the fruits of your labor by harvesting regularly and consuming fresh produce.

Tips for Organic Rooftop Success

Start Small: Begin with a manageable area and gradually expand as you gain experience.
Utilize Vertical Space: Maximize your space by growing plants vertically using trellises or hanging baskets.
Protect from Wind: Use windbreaks or sturdy plants to shield your garden from strong winds.
Consider Seasonal Changes: Adapt your planting choices to different seasons.
Join a Community: Connect with other rooftop gardeners for support and knowledge sharing.

By embracing organic rooftop gardening, you can create a vibrant, productive oasis that nourishes both your body and soul. Happy gardening!

Roof Garden Rhapsody: Let's Plan Your Rooftop Oasis!

2024-08-18T23:11:00.002+05:30

So, you're dreaming of transforming your boring rooftop into a verdant paradise? Fantastic! But before you start tossing seeds to the wind, let's plan this thing. Think of it as the difference between baking a cake from scratch and throwing random ingredients together - trust us, planning is the secret ingredient for a thriving roof garden.

Is Your Roof Ready for a Green Makeover?

Before you dive headfirst into plant shopping, let's make sure your roof is up for the green challenge.

Can it handle the weight? Your roof needs to be strong enough to support the weight of soil, plants, people, and even a bit of furniture if you're planning a chill zone. If you're unsure, consult a structural engineer. You don't want your garden becoming a news headline!
Is it waterproof? A leaky roof and a beautiful garden are like oil and water - they just don't mix. Ensure your roof is properly waterproofed. A waterproof membrane is essential to protect your roof and prevent leaks that could damage your home.
Check for existing infrastructure: Do you have any pipes, vents, or skylights on your roof? These will influence your garden design and plant placement.

Design Your Rooftop Dreamland

Now, let your imagination run wild. Picture your perfect rooftop garden.

Size it up: How much space are you working with? A tiny corner can still be transformed into a green gem. Remember, even small spaces can pack a big punch with careful planning.
Style check: Do you want a zen-like retreat, a veggie patch, a floral explosion, or a mix of all three? Choose a style that reflects your personality and lifestyle.
Sun and shade: Figure out where the sun loves to hang out and where the shadows hide. This will help you choose plants that thrive in their preferred conditions. Consider using shade-tolerant plants for areas with limited sunlight.
Privacy: Do you want your rooftop garden to be a private sanctuary or a social gathering spot? Consider adding privacy screens or trellises with climbing plants.

Gear Up for Gardening Glory

You'll need some essential tools and materials to turn your rooftop vision into reality. Let's get you ready for action.

Rooftop essentials:

Waterproof membrane: This is like a superhero cape for your roof, protecting it from moisture mayhem.
Drainage layer: Think of it as a tiny river for your plants' thirsty roots. It helps prevent waterlogging and ensures proper drainage.
Geotextile fabric: This is the bouncer at the door, keeping the drainage layer in check and preventing soil escape.
Lightweight planters or raised beds: Choose wisely based on your roof's strength. Remember, we don't want any unexpected plant dives! Consider the size and weight of your plants when selecting planters.

Soil and beyond:

High-quality potting mix: The foundation for your plant kingdom. Look for a potting mix specifically designed for roof gardens, as it should be lightweight yet nutrient-rich.
Organic fertilizers: Nourishment for your green friends. Choose slow-release fertilizers to avoid over-fertilization.
Mulch: Helps keep moisture in and unwanted visitors out. Mulch also helps regulate soil temperature.

Additional considerations:

Wind protection: Consider using windbreaks or sturdy plants to protect your garden from strong winds.
Irrigation system: While not essential, an irrigation system can save you time and effort, especially during hot weather.
Safety equipment: Don't forget about safety measures like railings, non-slip flooring, and proper lighting.

And that's a wrap on planning! Next time, we'll dive into the exciting world of building your rooftop garden. Stay tuned for more green goodness!

Remember, patience is key. Building a roof garden takes time and effort, but the rewards are worth it.

My Wishlist

2022-06-19T09:42:00.004+05:30

Doesn't matter how much you have grown up!!! Doesn't matter what is your age...I believe you should always have wishlist .. Things you want to have for yourself!!!

I am just creating this wishlist and goal is to full fill in lifetime!!!

- 3D pen

- Drone

- Own House

- FarmLand and build organic farm

- Go to Adiyogi

How to reset Nexus 5 to factory defaults !!!

2015-07-13T23:38:00.002+05:30

Performing a factory reset may take some time, so make sure that you plug your device in to a power source before you start. If your phone becomes unresponsive at any point during these steps, you can restart it by holding down the Power button for several seconds.

If your phone is on, turn it off.
Press and hold the Volume Down and Volume Up buttons, and then press and hold the Power button at the same time until the phone turns on. You'll see the word "Start" with an arrow around it.
Press the Volume Down button twice to highlight "Recovery."
Press the Power button to start Recovery mode. You'll see an image of an Android robot with a red exclamation mark and the words "No command."
While holding the Power button, press and release the Volume Up button once.
Press the Volume Down button twice to highlight "wipe data/factory reset" and press the Power button to select it.
Press the Volume Down button seven times to highlight "Yes - erase all user data" and press the Power button to select it.
After the reset is complete, press the Power button to select the option to reboot your device.

When you're done, follow these steps to restore your data.

Places to visit in India

2015-07-10T08:21:00.001+05:30

1. Leh-Ladakh
2. Khajjar

Movie you should watch !!!

2015-06-09T22:37:00.003+05:30

1. Into the Wild
2. Up in the air
3. Lord of the Rings series
4. Matrix series
5. Batman series
6. V for Vendata

A trip to Uruguay - Day 3 cont.. - Punta Ballena y Casa Pueblo !!!

2013-12-11T06:16:00.000+05:30

Punta Ballena is a small peninsula (punta) and a resort (balneario), as well as an important tourist attraction on the coast of Río de la Plata in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It was created by Uruguayan artist Paez-Vilaró in a kind of mediterranean surrealistic architecture, making the whole place to look like a giant sculpture. He is the father of one of the survivors of the infamous plane crash on the Andes. It comprises an approximately 12 kms (7.5 mi) long stripe of beaches and landforms.

Punta Ballena is around 15kms from Punta del Este. You can rent a car to reach here or can opt any other options like bus. You just need to tell the driver that you are getting out at this destination.

Points of interest : The town's best-known point of interest is the Casa Pueblo citadel, sculptor Carlos Páez Vilaró's onetime residence.

Casa Pueblo :

Casa Pueblo is around 2.5-3 kms inside Punta Ballena. If you are coming Punta Ballena by bus, please keep in mind that you may have to cover this 3kms by walk. You may get lift over there but that is not so usual as to find people over that road is not that usual.

But once you reach that place, scenery is worth watching. The view of wide coast of Rio del al Plata gives immense pleasure to your eyes and soul.

Casapueblo is the house of Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró, located in Punta Ballena (Whale Point). It is a homage to the artist's son Carlitos Paez. Casapueblo is now a citadel-sculpture that includes a museum, an art gallery, and the Hotel Casapueblo.

A few years ago Páez Vilaró added a hotel called Hotel Casapueblo or Club Hotel Casapueblo to the house, following the style of the original construction. It now includes a restaurant named Las Terrazas (The Terraces). It also offers you the recreational activities like horseback rides on the beach or through the woods, golf and tennis practice, aqua sports such as Jet Ski, Water Ski, Banana or Traditional Boat Trips (depends on the season).

Travelling options :

As I discussed earlier, you can rent a car to reach Casa Pueblo or can come by bus. The only problem is bus drops you till Punta Ballena and then you have to walk 2kms to reach CasaPueblo and again these 2kms to come out to reach main road (Punta Ballena) where you can board another bus.

From Punta Ballena, you can get bus till Montevideo and from Montevideo to Colonia. I reached Colonia by 7:30pm and I had to catch my ferry by 10pm. I went to that mini subway (in front of bus stand in Colonia), had an amazing sandwich and beer to chill out and relax to end up my trip of Uruguay. Colonia port is hardly 500meters from there. I gulped the last sip of my beer, clicked last photo of Uruguay, packed my camera in bag and headed toward the port.

Back to Buenos Aires:

It’s a 1 hour journey from Colonia to Buenos Aires but you will reach at the same time you start from Colonia (remember the 1 hour time zone difference J). You can also find a duty free shop over the ferry where you can buy something of your interest if you get. All currencies are acceptable there but only in cash. There is no POS machine where you can swipe your card.

Pics : You can visit my facebook album to check for few of the pictures I clicked at this link.

Well, this was my experience of trip to Uruguay. Please share your comments and let me know if you need any more information. I would love to share if it’s under my scope.

A trip to Uruguay - Day 3 - Punta del Este !!!

2013-12-10T04:10:00.001+05:30

Once we had covered all the major spots in Montevideo, we started our journey for Punta del Este. We opted the COT bus service from Montevideo to Punta del Este. The cost was around 300UYU for one side. Frequency of Cot bus service (from Montevideo to Punta del Este) is in every hour. Buses are really comfortable and free wifi throughout the way adds another plus point.

Bus Service – You can check for the schedule of bus service here :

COT bus - http://www.cot.com.uy/site/index.php

TURIL bus - http://www.turil.com.uy/horarios.php

Punta del Este is a beach resort town in Uruguay complete with casinos, beaches, yachts and lots of tourists. You can rent a moped (scooter) or car at several places. You can go to the beaches, being a peninsula you have two coastlines, one of them is pretty quiet and calm (called "mansa"), and the other one is windy, with some surf spots (called "brava"). La Barra the Bikini Beach is famous because of the models and famous people that go there. The endless beaches, beautiful seaside mansions, tree-lined streets, chic boutiques, stylish people.

The upper crust of Punta del Este has its yachts there and if you want to rent a boat, this is the place to ask. You can also rent sea bikes, windsurf and kite-surfing equipment, and surf boards.

Punta del Este has an island nearby, that is called the Isla Gorriti. It is protected because of its nature so there are no great buildings or anything like that. You can take a 20 minute ferry at the port that will drop you off at the island where you can enjoy the fun atmosphere, paradisaical beach, and good food at the restaurant. It is also possible to take private yachts, speedboats, or sailboats to the island and anchor by the shore. Renting a boat is nice in good weather. Isla de Lobos is another island that is also protected because of its sea lion population.

How to Start :

Like all other places in Uruguay, it is best to hit tourism office at first (at bus stand). You can get the map of Punta del Este and information about places you need to visit. Our hostel was walking distance (just 5-6 blocks) from there. I stayed in El Viajero Brava beach hostel. The hostel is present at the perfect location, near to bus stand, most famous attraction point ‘La playa de los Dedos’ (The finger beach), casino, market.

Attraction Points :

La playa de los Dedos (The finger beach) — This beach is near to main street of Punta del Este, close to surf spot, and it has a giant hand emerging from the sand.
Casa-Pueblo – From Punta del Este bus terminal, ask for a bus to Punta Ballena. Tell the driver that you are getting out at this destination. Casa-Pueblo is a beautiful resort-museum near Punta del Este. It was created by Uruguayan artist Paez-Vilaró in a kind of mediterranean surrealistic architecture, making the whole place to look like a giant sculpture. He is the father of one of the survivors of the infamous plane crash on the Andes.
Candelaria Church. Candelaria Church, or Saint Mary of Candelaria Parish Church, is the most important catholic temple in Punta del Este. The building is located in the Lighthouse square, in which facade impacts the sky blue color and in its interior it is an image of Candelaria Virgin who was brought from Spain.
Museo del Mar - Marine museum
Museo Ralli - A large collection of contemporary Latin American art
Maam - A museum based on the private art and archaeology collection of the Uruguayan artist Vilaro (architect of Casapueblo).
Port - With the fish market and a lighthouse.
Isla de los Lobos - The largest seals colony in the southern hemisphere. Tours leave at the port.
Arboretum Lussich - A botanic garden displaying mainly exotic species. It is one of the most important botanic gardens worldwide.
Uriburu Museum of Contemporary Art With Argentine and Uruguayan artists on display.
Museo del Indio y Megafauna
Reserva de Fauna Autoctona - Pan de Azucar - A zoo of indigenous animals on Uruguay's highest hill.
Castillo Pittamiglio
Cuartel de Dragones - Historical site

Money Exchange :
Like anywhere else in Uruguay, money exchange is not a problem in Punta del Este. Almost all currencies are welcome at official rate except ARS (which I know). For instance, when I visited (Nov 2013), official rate was 3.6UYU/ARS but we got deal as 1.9UYU/ARS. Few of the restaurants accept ARS too but exchange rate can vary. But still I would recommend you to get some money convert to UYU (bus stand).

Pics : You can visit my facebook album to check for few of the pictures I clicked at this link.

A trip to Uruguay - Day 2 - Montevideo !!!

2013-12-07T23:57:00.001+05:30

We had covered almost all places of Colonia (which I wanted) and then started for Montevideo. You can either rent a car from Colonia to go to Montevideo or can choose another option Bus. Bus service in Uruguay is really good. I found the best option of Cot bus service (around UYU 300 pesos from Colonia to Montevideo). Frequency of Cot bus service (from Colonia to Montevideo) is in every hour. Buses are really comfortable and also free wifi throughout the way adds another plus point.

Bus Service – You can check for the schedule of bus service here :

COT bus - http://www.cot.com.uy/site/index.php

TURIL bus - http://www.turil.com.uy/horarios.php

A Little about Montevideo –

Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay but not a very large city like Buenos Aires. it boasts a very efficient public transportation system so getting around is not difficult at all. If you are not bashful about your Spanish, feel free to ask people which bus route you need to take to get to your destination. It is be the most effective and cheap option because cab is really costly over there. Alternatively if you know some Spanish there are two websites similar to Google Maps that are useful: Cómo ir andMontevideoBus.

http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/aplicacion/como-ir

http://www.montevideobus.com.uy/

It is useful to know that if you choose to ride a bus, upon boarding you will pay either the driver or the assistant who sits on the right-hand side of the bus (door-side) a few seats from the entrance. There is a small device that will dispense your receipt, make sure you hold on to it for the duration of your ride as sometimes company supervisors board buses checking for these receipts (making sure no one is riding unauthorized). If you are unsure where to get off you can always ask the driver or assistant to let you know when your stop is coming up and they'll be happy to oblige. Just try to remain visible so they can tell you (though if the bus gets full and you've moved to the back they'll yell out the street name). It is also important to note that you do not need to have the exact fare as the driver or the assistant carry change.

How to Start –

Like in Colonia, you will find tourism office in Montevideo bus stand as well. They provide you all the information you need and also map (which covers every inch and place). This service is free of cost and people are of very welcoming nature. And from here you can start for the places you want to visit. I booked a cab directly to my hostel (El Viajero Ciudad Vieja Hostel). It was around 5kms (somewhere in downtown) from the bus terminal and cost me 170UYU pesos. Frankly speaking, I didn't like that hostel at all. That was the worst hostel I have stayed till date. The rooms were not in good condition and the location (downtown) added a negative point into it. The streets around were hostel were totally empty and scary in the night.

Attraction Points :

Montevideo is not a large city, and most of the sites can be seen in about a day as they are clustered together. Most of the places are museums. I have listed the few of places, you can find more on google.

Ciudad Vieja — Montevideo's Old Town. Enter through the portal called Puerta de la Ciudadela at one end of Plaza de Independencia.

Plaza de Independecia — The square at the end of 18 de Julio Ave., with the latter being the main commercial artery of the city.

Palacio Salvo — Next to Plaza Independencia. Once South America's highest building, the Palacio Salvo still dominates Montevideo's skyline. You can take an elevator to the top at no cost for an excellent view of the city.

National History Museum — Spread between five old historic houses, holds important bits of the country's history.No entrance fee.

El Día del Patrimonio, — On the last Saturday of September (or beginning of October), all the museums and historical places of interest around the Plaza de Independencia open for free to the public. There is also a large "Murga," or a traditional South American parade in which all the Uruguayan political parties take part.

Barrio Reus - a small neighbourhood with charming coulorful houses.

Palacio Legislativo - national parliament, the first one in South America and an iconic symbol of Uruguay´s long lasting democracy.

Palacio Taranco - seat of the Museum of Decorative Art.

Mercado del Puerto - this is a covered market full of restaurants and some shops selling handicrafts. The main market is open every day during lunch hours. The restaurants around the exterior offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and they remain open for dinner.

Cathedral

Old Sepharadi Synagogue

Teatro Solis

Penarol - not only the name of the world famous football team but also an old well preserved railway district among the oldest in South America.

Museo Blanes - museum of early Uruguayan art from the 19th to early 20th Centuries

Tiles Museum (Museo del Azulejo) - exhibiting around 3000 tiles

National Museum of Anthropology and National History

Central Cemetery - a historic cemetery with sculptures

Punta Carretas - a shopping centre located in a former prison

World Trade Centre

Parque Rodo - Montevideo's main park with numerous amusement facilities

Castillo Soneira
Pittamiglio Castle, Rambla Gandhi 633, Interesting Castle. Must pay for a 45-mins tour to enter. Better to call and check the opening hrs.

To EAT :

· El Inmigrante (address – across the streets of Colonia y Rio Negro) – Run by two ladies, and open for 24 hours (this is what she told us), they work on shift basis which change in every 8 hours. It is like the mini subway where you can customize your sandwich with whatever stuff you want. They have a wide variety of items like chicken/ham/beef, tomato/sweetcorn/capsicum/onion, sausages (spicy) etc. It is the best option I could find in Montevideo and its quite cheap too.

· La Taqueria, (Jose Marti 3373), La Taqueria, situated just a few steps from Pocitos beach, offers excellent Mexican food at very reasonable prices. Run by two friends, this is a great place to eat and drink in Montevideo among the locals. Service is excellent and English spoken as well. Try the Taco del Diablo and the mojitos!

· Fainá — It's a mixture of corn flour and milk, which is baked in the pizza oven. Quality is variable among pizzerías, most delicious is the thin or de orilla ("from the edge") part which is crunchier!

Money Exchange :
Like Colonia, money exchange is not a problem in Montevideo. Almost all currencies are welcome at official rate except ARS (which I know). For instance, when I visited (Nov 2013), official rate was 3.6UYU/ARS but we got deal as 1.9UYU/ARS. Few of the restaurants accept ARS too but exchange rate can vary. But still I would recommend you to get some money convert to UYU at bus stand.

Pics : You can visit my facebook album to check for few of the pictures I clicked at this link.

Please check for the Next post for details on Punta del Este activities.

A trip to Uruguay - Day 1 - Colonia !!!

2013-12-06T08:46:00.001+05:30

As I mentioned in my earlier blog, I did a lot of research on the place before I visited. I thought it would be better to pen down few points which I had jotted down for me and also the experience I had there. Probably it can help someone who is planning for this trip.

I would start with a small history of Colonia which attracted me -

History – Colonia (aka Colonia del Sacramento) was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese (Manuel Lobo), sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Vice Royalty of the River Plate (later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil). For years Colonia was a smuggling port, evading the strict trade measures imposed in the Americas by the Spanish. Due to this situation, the city changed hands many times between the Portuguese and the Spanish. Even Brazil controlled it for a short while, until the new country of Uruguay declared independence in 1825.

How to get In to Colonia from Buenos Aires :

There are a 3 famous boat connections from Buenos Aires, Argentina throughout the day and these are - Buquebus, ColoniaExpress and Seacat.

- Buquebus – As per people’s comment, this is the best option to travel. Buquebus runs 2 types of service, one faster and more expensive which takes around 1 hour (BsAs to COL), slower is cheaper and takes around 3 hours (BsAs to COL). I would recommend slow cruise only in case you have plenty of time. But the only problem I found was that it was bit costlier. It was costing me around 700ARS for round trip Buenos Aires to Colonia in Oct 2013 (for fast cruise). You can inquire more at - http://www.buquebus.com/cache/HomeARG.html

- Colonia Express – This is the best suitable option I found for me. The price was quite reasonable and reviews I read were also good. It costed me around 470ARS for round trip Buenos Aires to Colonia in Oct 2013. I didn’t bother about seats and comfortabality that much as it was just 1 hour journey. My overall experience was quite good and I will give 4 starts out of 5 (1 star less as they don’t allow to go out, at the deck – to capture Titanic style pose J ). You can inquire more at - http://coloniaexpress.com/ar

- Seacat – I didn’t find much reviews for this service. Moreover price was not less than Colonia Express. So, I didn’t research much on this. You can inquire more at - http://www.seacatcolonia.com/index.php?sitelanguaje=ES&sitecountry=AR

What to do in Colonia :

Once you arrive into Colonia del Sacramento, a calm environment, cobblestone streets, cafés and historical sites will greet you. You can visit the historical sites of Colonia in two hours by foot. Either take a walking tour with a local guide or walk around on your own with a map.

How to start :

I would recommend to visit tourism office first, which right in front of the port of Colonia when you come out (near to bus stand). They provide you all the information you need and also map (which covers every inch and place). This service is free of cost and people are of very welcoming nature. Then you can make your plan according to time you wanna spend in Colonia.

You can hire transport as well if you want. There are plenty of services available outside the port. Where you can rent a car, motor or bicycle for whole day for hourly based. One of the very famous are Thrifty. I have attached the photo for reference. They charge you around 35USD for 1 day (rates can vary as per season). You will require your driving license and a credit card to hire.

Attraction points :

The main attraction of Colonia is its historic center. Eight small museums can be visited with only one cheap entrance ticket which must be purchased in the Museo Municipal (50 Argentinian Pesos). Seven of these museums are in the town center itself but it must be said that although not costly the museums have little to recommend themselves - most only consist of one or two rooms of very uninspiring exhibits.

- Calle de los suspiros : This is most famous point of Colonia. This street has cobblestone streets and alleyways and colorful old houses on the left after you enter from the drawbridge. Most of these houses are used as restaurants, museums, art galleries and souvenir shops.

- Light House : The entry ticket to this light house is around 20UYU. The lighthouse is located between Plaza Mayor and Calle de San Pedro and was built on the foundations of the destroyed Francisco Javier Convent. The 88.5 feet structure though not tall compared to many lighthouses of the world, but offers a view of Colonia del Sacramento, the Rio de la Plata and the skyline of Buenos Aires. From here you can get a 360 degree unobstructed view of the whole area surrounding Colonia del Sacramento. The best time to visit this place is right before sunset.

- Dining in one of the cafes : Colorful chairs are arranged outside most restaurants and cafes for visitors to stop by for coffee, beer or lunch. You can visit any of the restaurant according to your choice of view you want to enjoy.

Food :

- You can eat on cafes or restaurants.

- But I found the best option as Farolitos, it is just opposite to bus stand (or information centre). It is like the subway where you can customize your sandwich with whatever you want. They have a wide variety of items like chicken/ham/beef, tomato/sweetcorn/capsicum/onion, sausages etc etc…

Money exchange :

- Money exchange is not a problem in Uruguay (specially for USD, GBP or ARS). Almost all currency are welcome at official rate except ARS. For instance, when I visited (Nov 2013), official rate was 3.6UYU/ARS but we got deal as 1.9UYU/ARS. But we still thought it as a good deal as ARS is not acceptable in many counties. Most of the people (restaurants) accept ARS too but exchange rate can vary. But still I would recommend you to get some money convert to UYU (on port or bus stand).

Language : Spanish is the official language of Uruguay but I could find few people who speaks English there. I won’t say many but still ratio was better than in Argentina. My hand is bit tight in Spanish but 1 year experience in Argentina taught me well to handle such type of conditions. Still I would recommend to carry a pocket or mobile dictionary of Spanish if you don’t speak Spanish.

Pics : You can visit my facebook album to check for few of the pictures I clicked at this link.

Please check for the Next post for details on Montevideo activities.

A trip to Uruguay - planning days !!!

2013-11-28T06:01:00.000+05:30

I needed a vacation and was thinking for the place to rejoice. I asked my question to Google baba and He suggested me plenty of places near to Buenos Aires (where I am living currently) like Tigre, Salta, Jujuy, Mar del Plata, Puerto Madryn, El Calafate, Uruguay…etc etc. I had already visited few places out of these and so next challenge was to sort the place on climatic conditions. Which places is best option to visit for now. I prepared a chart for my sorted options and found Uruguay the best option. But the only problem was to wait for at least 15 days in this case because of Visa processing.

VISA processing -

Here, you can find the list of countries who need VISA for Uruguay – http://www.dnm.minterior.gub.uy/visas.php

Documents I needed for Visa –

1. Passport

2. Hotel/Hostel reservation (with confirmed dates) – Embassy calls your hotel/hostel to confirm your reservation to process your visa application.

3. One photograph (passport size) - optional

I visited Uruguay embassy in Buenos Aires (Location – Las Heras 1907) to get my Visa. Mostly people speak Spanish here but for my good, the person knew English too. It took hardly half an hour to submit my Visa application. The embassy person told me that they will call me once my application gets approve which takes 2 weeks in general. And around 2 weeks later, I got a call and they asked me to come to embassy to get the VISA. You need to go with your passport and one photograph. Just as an additional information, Visa is free (for 60-90 days) for Indian passport holders.

Planning of trip –

It’s my habit to read and search about place I am going to visit. And this time I had plenty of time for research. During those 2 weeks of Visa processing I could do nothing except the planning. I prepared small notes on the famous places which I will have to visit. I visited Hostelling International office here in Florida street for more information about Colonia and they helped me a lot to plan my trip. I also booked my hostels through them in Uruguay.

Places to Visit -

There are numerous of places to visit in Uruguay but I didn’t had that much time. My trip was of very short time, just 3 days. So, I chose 3 most famous places – Colonia, Montevideo and Punta Del Este.

I planned like this –

Day 1 -

- To reach Colonia in morning (by 10-11am), roam around till 7 to 8pm (as there is not much night life in Colonia).

- Take Bus to Montevideo (around 2 hours from Colonia)

- Night stay in Montevideo and can go out anywhere in night if wanted.

Day 2 -

- Roam around in Montevideo till 1-2pm

- Take bus to Punta Del Este (around 2 hours from Montevideo)

- Roam around on beach in Punta Del este in evening

- Night stay in Punta Del Este

Day 3 –

- Roam around in Punta Del Este till 12noon-1pm

- Go to Casa Pueblo in Punta Ballena (around 20 mins drive from Punta Del Este)

- Spend 2-3 hours in Punta Ballena

- Come back to Montevideo and then to Colonia (2+2hrs)

- Journey back to Buenos Aires

Please check for the Next post for details on day wise activities.

it's Love... :-)

2013-02-10T12:14:00.002+05:30

I looked at her face and my eyes got stuck...
she looked at me and made me feel numb...
she was saying smthin smthin but I cudnt understand nythin...
Surround was a Disc...but what I heard of was music of saxophone...
And when I told this to my friend and he laughed....

I cudnt understand anything but then they say its Love :-)

Bam Bhole Naath...

2012-09-24T19:58:00.000+05:30

Yesterday I was just roaming around near by area and got amazed seeing this beautiful architecture and efforts some people had put down...
Just tried to capture few screenshots to remember this as beautiful memory in future...

Handcuffed !!!

2012-09-22T02:32:00.003+05:30

The lights were off but it was no dark

It was summer and the fan was off

There was all quite when it happened a loud bark

I looked around but couldn’t find any mark

I was afraid, wanted to run...wanted to hide

But couldn’t move even a bit…as I was handcuffed so tight !!!

I was in hunger for the death with rage

I looked into the mirror and

The animal in front of me was caged

Was it a dream or the real world?

I was so confused; coz the picture was so blurred

I tried to recognize him but glow on his face was gone

He was nervous…he was sad…his face was doomed

Expressed the ages that had been passed

Of the last time…when he had laughed

I looked into his eyes…they were familiar

I felt like…I have seen them somewhere

They were full of lust for...a moment of freedom

I wanted to gift him his only desire

It was hard to get but I was ready

I thought of every single place where the ghost may have it hide

But couldn’t move even a bit…as I was handcuffed so tight !!!

bewafaa kaun !!!

2012-07-18T22:40:00.001+05:30

Kisi ne mujhse kaha –

Woh kehte hain k shraab peena chod do…maine kaha ek shraab hi to bachi hai jo mujhe kabhi dokha nahi di

Agar aaj maine isse chod diya to main bewafaa ban jaaunga !!!

P.S. – Don’t ask me k who ‘Kisi’ kaun hai... :)

Random thoughts !!!

2012-03-20T22:19:00.000+05:30

There was a time…I asked you to walk away,

But u stood by my side!!!

You said, you won’t leave me ever…

You didn’t trust what I meant, neither did I

One fine day…

I started trusting u, but u were not by my side…

You trusted me and walked away !!!”

Unsaid and Untitled

2012-03-16T21:12:00.000+05:30

Being just a social drinker, a full bottle of rum was heavy on my mind and body equally. And when I woke up at noon on the Saturday, I had a painful headache. I had absolutely no memory of what all I had done after 10pm of Friday.

It was because of a girl, as is in most of the cases for a boy. And I can’t name her as my EX, even. The relationship was quite complicated.

Back to the that day, I never thought I would wake up with a blackout. I cursed myself for all the love that I nourished for her. I finally got up from my bed and rushed to the washroom, and drenched my face with cold water, assuming it will have a soothing affect. Even that couldn’t make me relax and was of no help . I searched for some disprin in my medicine bag. With a heavy struggle for 5 mins I found 2 tablets and mixed both of them in water and gulped in fraction.

After 5 mins, I was back to normal. A strong coffee is always the best thing to start off a day even if it’s an afternoon that the day starts at. I found my way to the kitchen. Back to the bed and sipping the hot coffee, I tried remembering about the previous night.

Two things I was sure of – one that I had gulped down a whole bottle of rum and the second that I remembered nothing after that.

My habit generally is to share the deep rotten thoughts with someone after a drink. But last night there was no one with whom I would have shared all those thoughts boggling in my mind.

I could not conclude what all crap I had done the previous night.

The phone, I searched for the phone all around to check if I made any calls. It was there on one corner of the table at the verge of falling down. I picked it up carefully and was surprised to find it switched off. I thought it could be because of low battery but when I switched it on it had 70% of remaining battery, which was even more surprising for me.

I checked for dialed list in case I made any call to someone. But there was no call in dial or receive list after 7:30pm. The last call was to MOM just to make sure she doesn’t call back in the night. J

I was running out of options to know what had happened in the last 16 hours. Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes, I tried looking for some clue at the crime scene, my room. But ended up with nothing.

Finally I decided to give up as my abdominal muscles were tired up with roughness of alcohol and begged me for some food. I was not in position to cook something by myself so found it better to order from somewhere. It generally takes 20-30 minutes for them to deliver, so I had my bath instead of waiting. After I received my order, finally I had a belly full of brunch.

To pass the time , I thought of watching some movie. My lappy was in the hibernate mode and as I entered my password, a song started playing from between as per playlist played last night.

I noticed there was also one untitled word document . And the first 2 words of that document attracted my attention and I had no choice but to read on.

Hey Ravi,

How are you dude? It seems like something is going on in your mind. C’mon share with me, whatever it is…you will feel good and light.

I don’t know…I don’t know anything…I don’t know what is going on with me…please tell why this is happening with me.

Hmmmmm…good…good that you asked the question.

Now listen very carefully..okay?

What the fuck are you doing man? You are behaving like this is the end of your life. And that too for what , a girl. That bitch who took just a single day to forget you and to get on with someone else.

Fuck you…fuck you man.

First of all stop listening to all those senti type songs, just delete them and don’t forget to press “Shift” button while deleting. You didn’t purchase this woofer for Pankaj Udhas’s or Jagjit Singh’s ghazals’ man. Just rock your room with Rammstein, Porcupine, Metallica, Pink Floyd’s music.

Did you ever realize the depth of shit that you have been into? Fuck your love for that bitch. She doesn’t even think about you. She doesn’t care for you. Did she fucking care to show any concern to you even for once after break up? Instead she found puppet for herself so easily. Probably she will be sharing her bed with that bastard right now when you are thinking about her and crying like a 2 month old child cries for milk.

She called you that day, cried for 2 secs and you were like what, sorry for her. For what you were sorry d**k-head? Couldn’t you get that it was all a drama.

You always talked to her, even when you were tired or busy…just for her, for her comfort. You never rejected her call. But now, she just doesn’t want to talk to you. So much so that she even blocked your number you ass-hole. Are you such a dumb-ass who is not able to understand gravity of situation still?

She didn’t bring another thought to her mind when an option came her way. She didn’t think about you even once.

What the hell is wrong with you man? You simply ignored all the proposals from hot chicks in the town who were desperate to hook up with you. Fuck you..fuck you dude!!! Cmon yaar…don’t you know your caliber? If you really want you can make any girl fall for you.

Between, trust me; she was nothing in front of that hot Jammu chick.

And for god sake please come out of that I-just-want-to-see-her-happy shit. Why her happiness does matter to you? Moreover you have seen that bastard right? He looks like a villain of C-grade south movie. She fell for him for his big…car.

Just open your eyes you dumb-ass, she is just another girl who runs after money. Or runs after dick-heads with money. She weighs diamond neck less more than your warm hug. For god sake, come out of the sleep. Don’t you remember she mentioned you so many times that even her friends were so jealous of her seeing with you.

And don’t you dare say that “she might not be hottest or most beautiful girl but has beautiful heart”. Fuck you and fuck your thoughts. Who in the world would find a guy soon after a breakup? And she took less than a day for it. It was all a set up you moron.

Did she give a damn about the tonnes of tears that you shed for her? Did she ever care to realize what you were going through? Did she have the slightest idea about all the sacrifices that you’ve done for her?

Cmon dude…this world is full of hot chicks. Just choose another for you and move on.

Ufffffffff…I am tired and I think it should be enough for you dumb-ass…now just go and get me another peg of rum. And don’t forget to make that large. JJJ

And this was it. I was surprised after reading all of it. I wondered if it was me actually who wrote that. I had no idea that I had such a self ego within me. I kept laughing reading that again and again.

Frankly it was such a relief. I was feeling like someone has removed tonnes of weight from my head. I was feeling so relieved.

I just played my favorite track “Nothing else matters by Metallica” and lied on bed to relax.

My sleep got disturbed by phone ring at 5pm. And to be surprise it was HER. Just a day before, it was like dream-come-true for me, but now that meant nothing. I looked over my phone again and smiled. And then rejected her call…yes…I rejected her call…for the first time.

I stood up and looked into mirror. The reflection was not of same person whom I looked in afternoon. There was a smile on my face which I haven’t seen from a long time. I finally could say that I was over her.

P.S. – All these vulgar or abusive words are to spice up the story. But still please don’t forward to any girl. ;P

P.P.S – All incidents appearing in this write-up are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or incident is purely coincidental. :) :) :)

It's over!!!

2011-12-16T01:01:00.000+05:30

Sometimes I think the mistake was mine

But in real it wasn’t me, it was wine

I know I hurt you sometimes

But it was you back of my mind all the times

I was quite and always polite

Our relationship was so delight

I never ever thought to hurt you

Perhaps couldn’t make realize this to you

Sometimes when we were on call

And had nothing to talk

We stared up at the stars

And tried counting them all

I was really down thinking about past

My mind was always about to blast

You thought I am happy without you

But look here baby, nothing seems true

I thought you are different like a MOET

But you turned out be same, every other poet

The way you end everything

Now I hate having you on my mind

I am not here for you to come

also to go as like you

I have taken control over my life

With a new start

A start by giving up what hurts me most

And dats “YOU”

It's too late!!!

2011-12-08T20:52:00.000+05:30

You were special, you were droll

No doubt you played best of your role

You could be mine, my mate

But I didn’t realize until it was too late!!!

You truly loved me, and always caring

Supportive always without me knowing

By my side even after being rejected

Still coming to me smiling and laughing

When you told you loved me,

Something that took so much courage to say,

Something I don't have the dare to say,

Why didn't I believe you?

You accepted with everything I have

Offered me a love that's more then I could stand

Now you are gone, left me totally blue

I won’t find any perfect as like you

I'm sorry for I didn't believe you,

Now I don't see you by my side

I miss you,

I understand how much I needed you.

I am sorry, the friend I loved,

Now that I have lost you

Now that I know I loved you,

It's all too late.

Dummies Guide to Display Pictute (DP) on social sites

2011-11-18T19:52:00.000+05:30

Display Picture on a Social Site – Never would anyone have imagined a Girls profile pic
can speak so much about her than herself. Reading faces was an art people tried to master
and so is the reading of nature by DP.
IF you are a GUY – then you will agree with me that we spend half the time on FB just
browsing some random girl’s profile. After storming a 100 odd profiles we would have
zeroed down to a few to send a request.
Now the Big Question

On what basis they filter the profiles?
What exactly they look into just profile?

And here I was at the outset of my research – visited and created few secret groups…in
short I was spying the whole FB for critical information on what makes a Female profile
vulnerable for FRIEND REQUEST !!!

The profile with a very beautiful and catchy girl’s picture as DP with more than 1200 friends, it’s a fake profile for sure…so just enjoy these pictures and move on to next tab.
The profile with some celebrity as DP with normal range of friends say (150-250), should be a genuine profile where girl is of shy or silent character. Or may not be good looking…better close the tab.
The profile with puffed cheek child or Barbie doll as DP, she is in her teenage and still needs time to grow up…better move on to next tab.
The profile with genuine child’s picture as DP, she is married and it’s her child. No need to waste your time…switch to another tab.
The profile picture as some guy standing/sitting by her side with hands over her shoulder or waist, better close this tab…she is already booked.
The profile having more than 2 people as DP (usually count as 3) has two sub-categories

All the persons in DP are girls, she is party loving but might be ugliest one among all…look for other pictures if she has shared…rest decision is in your hand, if you are ready to take risk…go ahead and send request.
There is one guy and 2 girls or something like this in DP; she is friendly and party loving…browse her profile’s wall and can think about this girl.

The profile with DP taken from some side, normally of just her face, she is probably fat and trying to cover this by showing only her face…try to find about her from other information if shared.

The profile with DP from some angle (probably whole body); she is not as good looking as she is looking in that photo and trying to cover using some angle.
The profile with DP having some color affects (usually B&W or saturation); she may have some dark circles, pimples or scars on face and trying to cover under those effects.
The profile picture taken from a far away having alone girl, definitely a genuine profile, just zoom out and try to figure out more from other given information if sharable.
The profile picture having alone girl showing 70% of her body with average range of friends (say 200-350)…definitely a genuine profile but can be categorized as –

The girl is wearing suit…need to look for another factors and choices of her before making decision.
The girl is wearing jeans or 3/4th… there is a chance…try to hit for jackpot.
The girl is wearing minis or short dress…mostly her other information will be locked…just enjoy the only picture...just to fulfill desire, send her but she won’t accept your request.

The profile picture with some ugly face, mostly a genuine profile, just close the tab as soon as possible before somebody catches and awards you with “The most THARKI”.
The profile picture with a cute face with other information hidden except her sex…definitely a genuine profile…play with your luck but mostly she won’t accept your request or she may be the one for you.

P.S.1 – First noticeable point whether her status is single, in a relationship or something
else.
P.S. 2– These are just random thoughts which might not be applicable on all the girls. So,
please avoid any hard feelings and enjoy the reading. :)