Backpacking

Gudalur and other hill towns in TN

2011-03-02T02:00:00.000-08:00

Few small hill towns (Devershola, Pandalur etc) enroute Gudalur in Tamil Nadu....random shots...

On the way to Gudalur

2011-03-02T01:48:00.000-08:00

Upward from Gudalur towards Ooty and few places in between. Pics speak a thousand words...

Erumad, TN

2011-03-02T01:41:00.000-08:00

A small town in Tamil Nadu, also the first big-small town in TN when you enter from Thaloor side in Kerala (Waynad Dt). Essentially a tea growing area, this place being very close to Gudalur and hence Ooty has pleasent climate all year through.

Here and There: Mysore (Bandipur)

2006-10-02T05:04:00.000-07:00

This fierce, sinister-looking devil named Mahishasura, stands right at the entrance to the Chamundeshwari Hills. One must pass through his sinister gaze to reach the precincts of the temple.

Here and There: Mysore (Bandipur)

2006-10-02T04:57:00.000-07:00

Those are real wild elephants you see. The picture is not too clear. You cannot imagine what happened. The darned KSRTC bus, upon sighting the elephants decided to stay away as far as possible. It has been known widely that angry elephants do create havoc. The driver was a cautious fellow, no doubt, but I missed my good pics. (Between Gundlupet-Sulthan Battery)

Here and There: Mysore

2006-10-02T04:48:00.000-07:00

By the Bull! Enroute Chamundeshwari Hills in Mysore is this magnificient "bull god". Say your prayers here. Quite advisable. Though many believe that you should not seek the blessings of this bull god if you are engaged etc. Apparently you break-up soon after. I am wondering what happens if you are not "engaged". Do you find your soul mate?

Somewhere near Masafi -- UAE

2006-08-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

Those are thorny trees you see. The mountains look loving over the roads. But man will not leave mountains alone, will he? Wonder what it is that the govt intends to do with them. These mountains house beautiful wadis and support many life forms. All in danger of extinction if progress continues.

Hatta etc...

2006-08-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

Masafi

2006-08-05T23:15:00.000-07:00

This place is well known for carpets. Great buys.

The Town.

Fancy stuff, these!

Masafi: Friday Market

2006-08-05T23:09:00.000-07:00

A Frdiday Market in Masafi, Fujaierah (UAE). A wayside market you come upon suddenly between barren mountains.

By the road

2006-08-05T05:27:00.000-07:00

Somewhere by the side of the road in the desert. Enroute Fujairah...off shoot of Al Dhaid Road. No clue how I got there. Saw some donkeys here too.

Dragon Mart

2006-06-24T03:58:00.000-07:00

This is not China. Dragon Mart, Dubai which is considered as the biggest settlement of Chinese outside of China. Goods are plenty and cheap here. Some Chinese painting (I think) at the Mall. Your guess is as good as mine. I have no clue what is written there!!

Ship-Shape

2006-06-20T04:26:00.000-07:00

On board MVS Doulous, the world's largest floating library. The ship was in Abu Dhabi recently carrying thousands of books.

Through the trees

2006-06-20T04:05:00.000-07:00

Peeping Tom? Early morning sun tries to break through the thick foliage.

Perhaps the oldest

2006-06-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

Cheraman Mosque, Kodungallur (Trissur District, Kerala). Estd in 639 AD.

By the sea: RAK

2006-06-19T23:21:00.000-07:00

Where the sky and sea...at infinity meet! Shot at Ras Al Khaimah, one of the more beautiful emirates in the UAE.

Desert safari

2006-06-17T05:38:00.000-07:00

The desert never looked more alluring than it did that evening, even with the smell of camel waste hanging heavy in the air. Well, all that could safely be ignored because of the dog. Snowy. I have no idea who named him so, but if it was meant to be a compliment, then no one was more wrong. Snowy, like dogs his kind is a typical dog. Not that he knows the difference between the desert and the sea but he makes an attempt to chase the shifting sands when he is in the mood.

The deserts, as deserts will, change shape often. As the sun set over a huge dune of sand rendered golden by the setting sun, a small wind picked up speed blowing sand all around. My hair caught most of it and so did Snowy. Only one unaffected was Snowy's master. Why? Because he had the good sense to remain behind his 4WD, away from the wind, watching as dog and girl battled the winds. I swear I saw him smile too, but I cannot be sure. Shadows are pretty misleading.

Now I come to the interesting part. Dune bashing. I can’t say I am in favour of this sport over watching stars peacefully, but I am not complaining. The adrenaline rush is just about what I need after a daily dose of filing articles and meeting people. I can say this much. One needs an absolutely trained and experienced person to take you dune bashing. Or you will be bashing more than the sands. And that is not funny. Thank God, I had no worries on that quarter, although frequently I wished he would drive with both hands and stop singing for fear of shifting the balance!!! One must be thankful for small mercies though__ pray what would I have done had he decided suddenly to do a jig instead...

See, am drifting again. But how do I go about describing the patterns of sands? It must be seen to be believed. The windswept dunes make amazing patterns and it is unfortunate that one must destroy their face by driving over them for the thrill. But hey, that is dune bashing, isn’t it?

It is absolutely amazing.

http://dunebasher.blogspirit.com
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Tea making!!

2006-06-17T04:37:00.000-07:00

In most places in Kerala, this is how tea is sieved. Innovative and inexpensive. No spills either!!

Thirunelly Temple

2006-06-17T04:29:00.000-07:00

Also known as Kashi of the South. About 60 km from Sultan's Battery, Waynad Dist, Kerala. One of the few Vishnu Temple

Haridwar

2006-06-17T04:24:00.000-07:00

In divine presence. A dip in the Holy Ganga is believed to wash all your sins.

Attukal Temple, Trivandrum

2006-06-15T02:34:00.000-07:00

Lamps made of upturned lemon-half.

Famous among the women folk.

Trivandrum Rly Station

2006-06-15T02:31:00.000-07:00

Marvel in stone

A temple

2006-06-15T02:07:00.000-07:00

A wayside temple near Erumad, TN Apparently Gods abound in this town.

A vibrant tea-town

2006-06-15T01:21:00.000-07:00

Erumad (Interior Tamil Nadu, southern India bordering Kerala state) at the foothills of Nilgiris. Famous for tea gardens.

Mussorie, Uttaranchal, India

2006-06-15T00:04:00.000-07:00

In Mussorie: Trying to pass off as a Garhwali !!