All is Well

This post is in response to those who inquired what I have been upto
because it’s been a while since I’ve been active in the blog world,
and also others who may be interested in my photographs.

~~~

The weather in Kuwait has been pleasant lately. After my return from India, Rajasthan trip in particular, I have been spending considerable time outdoors. It has been a good time living out my hobbies and interests.

I have indulged in activities that I enjoy indoors. With windows wide open - few rare times when weather permits in this part of the world - and spending time at home to catch up on some reading, writing, watching movies has been indeed good.

I’ve been making visits to the Scientific Center and spending hours particularly watching the fascinating 'sea-world' there.

Near the Scientific Center

Some of the other activities outdoors have been heading to different beaches for endless jogs, followed by long walks, and a few trips deep into the desert.

Pick up a 'chai' and head to the beach

Bicycling has been possible because of good weather, and now I've got my own bicycle which is hauled into my SUV up to the beach to begin biking from there along the long stretches.

Area where I generally bicycyle

I have started with a new hobby: Angling. Or Fishing, if you prefer this term. Not a trip to the sea with the fishermen, but with a newly acquired rod. So far I haven't caught a single fish, but that will not stop me. After all, there is something cathartic about testing patience waiting for a bite in the serene atmosphere when the weather is fully in one's favor.

It has been good to do skywatching, as usual.

Wild west from the Kuwait Towers

As always, no matter which part of the world I am in, if I am up early, I stop by to catch the first rays of the rising sun...

Sunrise: 7:15 am

.... but almost every evening watch the last rays at sunset.

Sunset: 17:46

I hope carrying my camera around for some shots on certain days has made this post less drab because of the photographs I'm sharing here.

So that’s it, all from the local scene. My other travel stories should continue in days to come.

~~~
Go view many more interesting skies around the world at:
SkyWatch

Republic Day of India

On this day...

...I remember the words of my school teacher who first explained to me the significance of the Republic Day.

...I feel honoured to be a self-confident citizen of the largest democracy in the world.

...I shall remember that the outbursts of emotions and fervour of patriotism is not to be abused but to remember that a person is not bound by a certain area of land, mountains, rivers or woods, but has a connection and allegiance with the humanity of the whole world.

...I shall do my part to, however insignificant it may be, to eliminate corruption that has spread its tentacles to every segment of society and fight any threat to our unity and polity.

...I resolve not to lose faith in our system and not allow to create a generation of confused identity but one that recognizes the need to reduce poverty and alleviate hunger.

...I shall never give up hope that my nation will someday usher in a classless, free and happy society as the founding fathers of our Constitution had envisioned.

...I shall do whatever it takes, incurable optimist that I am, to send the right signals to honest law-abiding citizens that all is not lost and that justice shall prevail.

...I shall do my little part to participate and help my nation in taking confident strides in diverse fields of development and progress, and shall continue to believe in the magic of sustaining democratic process in spite of several constraints.

...I shall learn to celebrate a Constitution that is created to protect our rights and allow us to be good citizens while not trampling over the rights of others.

Indian Embassy, Kuwait

On this day...

...I salute all those, unknown and faceless maybe, but dedicated and courageous soldiers and other defence personnel of India, deployed within the country and abroad, who tirelessly work for the nation and its freedom.

...and always, I shall remember the overwhelming feeling experienced as I observed the tricolor being hoisted this morning and solemnly watched it flutter high up in the winter skies in a land far away from India.

A salute also to my dear readers on this Republic Day.

Explore Dream Discover said Twain

Greetings. I am taking a small break from blogging.

I'm leaving on another trip today. To Rajasthan, again! See you all in a few days.

~~~

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
~Author unknown

Petra

Shadow Shot Sunday

Scenic Sunday
~~~

My entry for this week is from my archives of photographs shot in Petra of Jordan which needs no introduction.

Near the Siq

I am posting two photographs, one of a typical scenery shot near Wadhi Al-Mudhlim above, the other of what the locals call as Al-Khazneh when it was cast with the shade of the tall mountains around.

The Treasury, also called Al Khazneh

The inclusion of some people in the above picture does give a rough idea of the size of the Treasury, isn't it? I also like to view how the mountain in the top right hand side is bathed in full and direct sunlight.

Saturday Smile: Adam and Eves

Adam

with his two young "aunts"
whom he addresses by their names

Sinai Sunset

Visit Mellow Yellow for more images in Yellow.

~~~

In Egypt, under Ptolemy II, a road was built linking Marsa Alam and Edfu and is still in use. Tourists wishing to travel on this route used to do that in convoys until the recent past, and probably still do.

Taxi operators need to take prior permission from the relevant authorities before transporting tourists.

I travelled on this road from Marsa Alam to Luxor one warm evening last year. This is a shot of the sunset viewed from the desert road along the Sinai.

Sinai desert
Egypt

Saturday Smile

Andy, who celebrated his birthday yesterday

Kuwait

On Travels and Stories

My schedule has been hectic lately. In spite of that, I had begun writing the most important story of Mandu: the love story of Baz Bahadur and Roopmati. To those interested in my posts on Mandu, unfortunately I cannot continue that now because, fortunately I have got another opportunity to travel, thanks to Eid holidays in this part of the world.

So I am setting out on another journey, taking a flight to Jaipur in a few hours and then shall see where the road takes me from there.

Roopmati's Pavilion as seen from Baz Bahadur's Palace

Once back, I hope to complete writing my unfinished story and post it. Until then, ciao!

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

Summer Travels

Having joined a new office with a new job I was, at first, hesitating to apply for leave. But, not being used to spending time here in the summer when the temperatures soar over 50 deg C when I generally dream of making trips to the Himalayas, and because the vagabond spirit in me got restless, I applied for a short summer break.

I am pleasantly surprised to receive an email approval of my leave. Yay! I am now ready to take off. Be in touch with you all in a few days!

Sinai Sunset

Watch many other skies at Skywatch Friday.

In Egypt, under Ptolemy II, a road was built linking Marsa Alam and Edfu and is still in use. Tourists wishing to travel on this route used to do that in convoys until the recent past, and probably still do.

Taxis needs to take prior permission from the relevant authorities before transporting tourists.

I travelled on this road from Marsa Alam to Luxor one warm evening last year.

These are some shots of the sunset viewed from the desert road along the Sinai.

SWF: Bahrain WTC

Do go and view a variety of skies at Sky Watch Friday here.

I've just got back from a trip to Bahrain. This tiny nation is one of the more popular destinations in the Middle East. It was good to spend some days in Bahrain. With its authentic Arab heritage and relaxed culture, I experienced how the place lives up to its reputation for being modern and liberal.

As usual, I've come back with quite a few pictures.

Here are a few pictures of one unique landmark of Bahrain: the Bahrain World Trade Center.

Capturing the evening sky, I shot these two pictures when I was seated in a taxi that took me to Manama while it stopped at a traffic signal:
The next was shot when I was walking towards the Diplomatic Area:
The day light was fading rapidly after sunset when I started to shoot these pictures:
These sail-shaped WTC towers are designed to funnel wind through the gap to provide its acceleration through the turbines. It is said that this has the potential to generate electricity to the equivalent of providing lighting for about 300 homes annually.

Happy Skywatching.

2009: Another Year of Travel

Hello friends. My best wishes for a happy new year.

The year 2009 has been a good one for me. That applies also to my travels. Here’s a summary:

1. Feb 2009: Egypt, the Land of Ancient Wonders
Cairo, Giza, Dashour, Memphis, Alexandria, Aswan, Agilika, Abu-Simbel, Karnata, Luxor, and to the Sinai regions of Sharm-El-Sheikh and St. Catherine.

2. May 2009: Celebrate the Open Road
Mumbai, Andheri, Varsova, Thane, Shahpur, Kasara Ghats, Nasik, Sinnar, Shirdi and return to Mumbai via Ghoti.

3. July 2009: Egypt Revisited
Marsa Alam, Esna, Edfu, Karnak and via the Sinai region, to Luxor again.

4. Aug-Sep 2009: India Travels and India Travels-continued
Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, and then via Delhi to Mussorie and Landour, and continuing travels to Cochin and Mangalore in the monsoons.

5. Oct-Dec 2009: Greetings from New York
My trip to USA lasted from mid-October to early December. Of course, it is not practical to elaborate on it here but am glad it covered quite a few places, thanks to my sabbatical. It included travels from the East coast to the West in the following states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Ohio and California.

My previous travels to USA have been once in the Summer, and then another in Winter (*argh* *shiver* it was so cold then that I almost bribed the alley cats for a snuggle in those days;)).
Anyway, this last trip began during the Autumn season and then, not being a fan of extreme cold (as you probably guessed by now), I was glad to get back just as the freezing winds of winter began to howl. Now, did I hear someone whisper: How about a trip in Spring? Shh...Don't tempt me!

6. Dec 2009: Greetings from Hampi
Towards the end of 2009, I took a flight to Mumbai that was soon followed by another to Bangalore to spend Christmas there, and then began a road journey that covered a good number of places. To name a few: Mysore, Hampi, Hospet, Madikere, Kushalnagar (and Dubare Elephant Camp), Ooty, Coonor, Kotagiri, Coimbatore, Kannur (Cannanore) and, though I am supposedly a resident of Mumbai now, as always, I ended up at my native place, Mangalore.

~~~

To all those who inquired during my absence here the past few weeks, and wished me well, I am grateful. Thank you for your good wishes. Yes, I am just done with writing a few more examinations, and am free again. Free to either:

• take up a new challenge of earning another degree learning something new; or
• start with a new job; or
• maybe travel some more!
  

I am sure all of you had a good 2009 and here’s hoping that the new year has begun well for you. Do let me know. All the best for 2010.

Greetings from Hampi

Stone Chariot at Vittala Temple, Hampi
27 December 2009

After celebrating Christmas in Bangalore, and post Christmas good times in Mysore, I am now in Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the glorious Vijayanagar Empire. The past few days have transported me to the awe and ambience of the golden age of that Empire along the Tungabhadra river.

Sunset at Tunghabhadra Dam, Hospet
28 December 2009

Like the beauty of the setting sun captured here, may the year 2009 end on a similar note, and I wish all my readers a happy holiday season and a lovely 2010.

Sunset from Mahanavami Dibba, Hampi
26 December 2009

Cheers.

celine

SWF: Golden Gate Bridge

Go view skies around the world at Skywatch Friday.

My Skywatch Friday photograph this week is of a pretty blue sky in San Francisco. This photograph was shot in bright sunlight. It has its flaws, but I like it. What do you think?

SWF: Lagoon Valley

View skies around the world at Sky Watch Friday.

~~~
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings
Nature's peace will flow into you
As sunshine flows into trees
The winds will blow their own freshness into you
While cares will drop off like autumn leaves

- John Muir

Breathless, we flung us on a windy hill
Laughed in the sun, and kissed the lovely grass

- Rupert Brooke
~~~

November 28, 2009
Lagoon Valley Regional Park
Vacaville, County of Solano
California

SWF: Only the Seagull and I

Do go and view beautiful skies around the world at Sky Watch Friday.

~~~

Strolling one fine evening last week at Fisherman's Wharf, at one point I reached a spot somewhere in between pier 39 (where the seals are) and 43 (of the Ferry Arch).

The feel of cool breeze blowing and the sounds of seagulls near and far was soothing, and as usual, I got into a enjoy-the-moment mood. Sitting there on a wooden bench, I thought achievements and riches may bring name and fame but they do not necessarily bring contentment and peace, like I felt that moment. I shut myself to the outside world and to the throng of tourists around and began to enjoy the delightful sights.

Life is to be savored with all its flavors, textures and colors and in that corner at the Fisherman's Wharf overlooking the San Francisco bay, I began to relish the sense of touch, sound and sights of another fulfilling day.

Serenity...
A seagull flying past decides to stop by to give me company...
Took a few moments for it to sense my presence behind was not a threat to it...
Only the seagull and I...

SWF: Queensboro Bridge

View skies around the world at Sky Watch Friday.

~~~

Queensboro Bridge, New York