Open Skies

View a variety of skies at Skywatch.

No sizzling summer, no dry spells, no office timings to adhere to, no schedules, no deadlines to meet, no traffic on the road, no hustle and bustle of city life...at least not for a while! That's what I felt when I took a flight to go on a short holiday.

After a brief stop in Mumbai...

Taj, Mumbai

And in Indore...

Rajwada - Holkar Palace, Indore

Passing through Dhar....

A street in Dhar

I spent a major part of my holidays this month in a small rocky spur of the Vindhyan mountain range, in a fort that was the dwelling place of the Parmara rulers of Malwa and the Sultans of yore.

Jami Masjid and Hoshang Shah's Tomb, Mandu

I liked the historical significance of Mandu, Madhya Pradesh and also the serenity of the Vindhya mountains.

On the way to Neelkanth, Mandu

In Mandu, I set out on endless walks with gay abandon, chatting up with friendly locals, biking around for commuting and recreation, in drizzle and downpour, munching on piping hot pakodas and sipping endless cups of hot chai. I was content cosying up on a couch and reading books, or admiring the lush green surroundings, or taking breaks to simply enjoy the pitter-patter of rain drops and the soothing monsoon breeze, or watch the changing colours of a sunset.

Sunset from Chisti Khan's Palace, Mandu

~~~

We live in a wonderful world that is full of
beauty, charm and adventure.
There is no end to the adventures we can have
if only we seek them with our eyes open.
~ J. Nehru

Gulmohar

Go view many more sky pictures at Skywatch Friday at this link.


Passing through a village in Maharashtra...

Villagers leading an animal...


While another is busy digging into the soil...


And the mayflowers are in bloom...

Mayflowers
Botanical name: Delonix regia

India Travels - continued

Mumbai, Cochin, Mangalore
in the Monsoons:

My India Travels have been continuing the past few weeks. From Mumbai, it was travels to Cochin (Kochi) and, in particular, Ernakulum. While in Kerala, it was reminiscing time of the beauty of Allepey and Munnar in the monsoons. Finally a trip to Mangalore, followed by a return journey via Bangalore.

A few of my pictures to share:-

~~~
Part 3

Corns and Smiles:

Rajasthani balloon sellers in Ernakulum:

Mountains of Munnar:

From the houseboat (Kettuvellam) in Allepey:

Glittering Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple at Kudroli, Mangalore in celebration of Dussehra festival:

Setting sun peeps into Bangalore airport:

Before the sunrise on the flight back:

Sunrise in the Kuwaiti desert during landing:

Which is your favorite picture in this set? Mine is last but one..before the sunrise!

~~~

Previous Related Post:
Monsoon Travels: Parts 1 and 2.

India Travels

Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar, Mussorie
in the Monsoons:

The past few weeks I have been travelling.

Landing in Mumbai, I reached Panchgani via Pune and explored the beauty of Mahabaleshwar in the monsoons and stopped over in Lonavala on the way back.

After the Sahyadri mountains, it was time for my favourite destination: the Himalayan mountain region. So it was another trip to Delhi for onward journey to Dehradun to end up in the hill stations of Mussorie and the adjoining town of Landour.

A few pictures of my travels:-

~~~

Part 1

Wild Lilies on the way to Panchgani:

View from Echo Point:

View from Kate's Point, Mahabaleshwar:

Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Lonavala:

Pineapple slices on the way back to Mumbai:

~~~
Part 2

Raisina Hill, New Delhi:

View of Mussorie mountains:

View from Lal Tibba, Landour Cantonment:

Doon Valley on the way back to Dehradun:

~~~
Part 3

to be continued.....

Celebrate the Open Road

Onward:
Mumbai – Andheri – Varsova – Thane – Shahpur – Kasara Ghats – Nasik – Sinnar – Shirdi

Return:
Shirdi – Sinnar – Ghoti – Igatpuri – Kasara Ghats – Shahpur – Thane – Varsova – Andheri – Mumbai
~~~

This is a concluding post to end this series with links to the seven previous posts on my road trip.

• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7.
  

Roadtripping Sahyadris

As written in my first post, I had started this unexpected and unplanned trip not knowing where the road would take me. I liken it to what scientists do. Research is what it is called when they don't know what they are doing.

So I started in Mumbai and ended up in Shirdi and returned – a journey on a motorbike covering a distance of almost 590 kms in two and half days.

This journey in May through the peak of summer in the Sahyadris taught me how to meet challenges and build strength along the way. I did learn to appreciate all the more what I have, and what I do not have and above all, to appreciate good moments in a given day. It was about feeling something new at different places, watching and learning about nature, history, different cultures, and in general, to celebrate the open road that unfolded before me.

I ate local food, got sun-burnt, appreciated the good roads to cruise on, complained about the scorching heat a few times, listened to the sounds of nature, laughed a lot, and shot many pictures. There were chatty times and long periods of silence other times. Every bit of the journey was well worth it.

The feeling of freedom and anticipation of the unexpected when travelling the open roads is awesome. So, if you are a travel enthusiast like me, you need not make elaborate plans. To make such trips, you need neither wait for opportunities to come knocking at your door nor much money.

Just have the exuberance to travel, and you can create an opportunity yourself to get going. On the road even the most meticulous can let go. So let your unkempt hair fly while you gleefully scream on a lonely open road. This can be not only a good exercise for your lungs, but also de-stressing. With the right company, such journeys can be safe, interesting and entertaining too.

So, go ahead and try it. It’s real fun. Just pack a small backpack with bare essentials and fill up yours or your friend’s bike or car. No comb, no brush, no mirror, no shampoo? No problem! Forget about how presentable you are or how your hair looks, and keep moving. You'd be amazed at what you'd find on the road. Every sixty seconds spent well is a minute of joy to be cherished.

I hope you enjoyed this virtual journey with me. Happy travels.

- celine

~~~
Not all who wander are lost
~ Tolkien

Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 7

In this post:

Igatpuri – Kasara Ghats – Shahpur – Thane – Varsova – Andheri – Mumbai

~~~

The last leg of the journey was from Manas Resort, Igatpuri to Mumbai. Just 130 kms away from Mumbai on NH3, Igatpuri is a quiet and restful escape for those who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai city...

The effect of the hot summer on the vegetation as seen on the Kasara Ghats...

Notice the intriguing silhouette of the Sahyadri hills covered in fog as seen while approaching Shahpur...Click on the picture for a better view...

After a break at Bhagat Tarachand for refreshments, it was then a ride back through the hot summer admiring the flaming trees of Mayflowers along the way...

Soon to reach the outskirts of Mumbai...

After a good sizzler at Yoko's, it was then time to head to the Mumbai International Airport.

~~~

This is the last of the series on my road trip in the Sahyadris. I've today begun to write an additional post putting across a few of my thoughts summarising this journey. Hope to post it soon.

~~~

Previous Related Posts:

• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 1
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 2
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 3
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 4
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 5
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 6
  

Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 6

Mumbai - Andheri - Varsova - Thane - Shahpur -
Kasara Ghats - Nasik - Sinnar - Shirdi
and return

Map borrowed and modified
Day 2:

Sinnar - Shirdi - Sinnar - Ghoti - Igatpuri
Distance: Approx. 200 kms

Day 2 started early morning travelling from Sinnar to Shirdi and returning thus covering an initial distance of 100 kms on Maharashtra State Highway 10. Following that, for the day, it was a distance of another 100 kms or so from Sinnar to Ghoti to reach Igatpuri.

On the way back to Sinnar to reach in time for lunch, I stopped at a roadside kiosk for some freshly pressed sugarcane juice. Has anyone tried having sugarcane juice with black salt for seasoning? It is yummy!

For the return journey towards Mumbai from Sinnar, I took a detour off NH3 to reach Ghoti directly instead of passing again through Nasik, the wine capital of India. It was a peaceful ride with very little traffic and views of rolling vineyards along the way.

I came across interesting sights of rustic village life. Bullock carts were used as a means of conveyance. I could see fresh farm produce and simple village folks wearing traditional clothing – men with their white clothing consisting of a cap, shirt, and dhoti, and women with their bordered blouses and unique way of draping the nine-yard sari.

In most instances, the woman was seen walking, as their custom probably demands, a couple of steps behind the man. I do not think they would be interested to hear about women’s lib movement. Not really meaning to joke, for all I know, these very women may be honoured more by their spouses than by their urban counterparts.

As to weather, strangely it kept changing from foggy to sunny. The morning was pleasant with mist, but by afternoon it was dry, hot and sunny. As the evening approached it was again foggy and hence, you may find some shots here hazy.

From Ghoti it was a short journey and it was almost time for the sun to set when I reached Igatpuri. After an attempt to visit the Bhandardara dam area, I could only manage to view from a distance the Vipasana Centre, famous for its architectural beauty and Meditation courses.

The sunset that evening was a beautiful sight.

~~~

Chaos on the road at Sinnar market area...
On the way from Sinnar to Ghoti...
Windmills...
Bullock cart and the Sahyadri hills through thin fog...
A buffalo led by the locals...
On top of the lorry to follow the tractor...
Ghoti market place...
Vipasana Centre...
Sunset at Igatpuri...

....... to be continued

Previous Related Posts:

• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 1
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 2
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 3
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 4
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 5
  

Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 5

Mumbai - Andheri - Varsova - Thane - Shahpur - Kasara Ghats - Nasik - Sinnar - Shirdi - Sinnar

Love is like wildflowers; it's often found in the most unlikely places.
~ Now, who said that?

For skies around the world, do visit Sky Watch Friday here.

Wildflowers of the Sahyadris

Do you agree that there is something extraordinary about Wildflowers? They have a resonance and beauty of their own. The fact that these flowers blossom from plants that grow defying all odds - whether extreme temperatures or paucity of moisture or other factors - make them more special.

Wildflowers give a certain character and beauty to the landscape. To feel what beauty of nature is, I have to briefly close my eyes and think of the Valley of Flowers.

While cruising through the Sahyadris in May this year, through the bright sunlight, I could recognize a few wild varieties of flowers. Those of red cotton tree (Bombax ceiba), Datura, Cassia with a variety of yellow flowers, an assortment of Lantana, Mader (both Calotropis procera and Calotropis gigantea) and different species of Mayflowers (mainly, Delonix regia) are a few to name. In spite of being a Botany student in the past, my knowledge of plants is insignificant so I’ll stop at that.

There was one type of plant that particularly caught my attention. Bush after bush and its wildflowers were distributed in the Sinnar and Shirdi region of the Sahyadris. These plants were growing in the wilderness where the parched soil was craving for rains in the hot summer months. It seemed like a species of the Myrtaceae family with conspicuous stamens but the plant did not have any fragrance.

The almost noon sun was high up and photography was not going to be easy. Nevertheless, I stopped by to try shooting a few pictures. Pleasure to share here:

1.

2.

3.

4.

....... to be continued

Previous Related Posts:

• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 1
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 2
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 3
• Roadtripping Sahyadris: Part 4