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

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~~~

Queensboro Bridge, New York

SWF: Pittsburgh Skyline

Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania, USA

These photographs of Pittsburgh skyline were shot from Mount Washington at different times of the day.

View skies around the world at Sky Watch Friday.

~~~

Pittsburgh city as viewed from Monongahela Incline

Photographs shot on 8 November 2009

OSI: Shift in Time

One Single Impression is a community of poets writing and sharing poetic forms. Every week OSI offers a new prompt to inspire writing. Thanks to OSI for this week's prompt: Shift in Time.

Autumn
Enchanting season
Colourful array
Visual evolution
A sensory deluge

Lingers momentarily
Then falling leaves
Branches going bare
Apparently dying
Inspire to let go

It's offering
Of endings
And new beginnings
Evokes possibility
Of a change in scene

Autumn
A transitional phase
From ebullience of summer
Into truculent winter
A shift in time!

~~~

Photograph made in South Deerfield, Massachusetts
27 October 2009

SWF: Leaf Peeping

There may be nothing like bright days for good photography, but dull days can offer just as many rewards if you appreciate and take advantage of the softer light of the day.

The past two days it has been drizzling on and off, and it was on such a day that we set off on a road journey from Ellington, Connecticut.

The sky continued to remain dull but the fall foliage splashed throughout kept me in good spirits.

The autumn colors were warm all along the highway and we stopped by for some pictures at lively spots such as this in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

The journey continued towards Brattleboro right into the state of Vermont and we stopped by at Vermont Welcome Center, Guilford.

~~~

This post for “sky watch” has a dull sky as seen in the photographs. However, the vibrant colors of green, together with the yellows, oranges and reds of the fall foliage is intense and does make up for the dullness of the sky.

~~~

All pictures were shot two days back (27 October 2009) and uploaded as shot, without adding color.

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

SWF: Pumpkins and Skies

It was a beautiful day when we started on a road journey from Ronkonkoma to Orient.

Nearing Riverhead, a small hamlet in the Suffolk County, we stopped by near a shop where pumpkins were kept for sale. The spirit of Halloween is very much seen around the streets of New York.

These are cool foregrounds to the sky shots, don't you think so?

Go view many more interesting skies around the world at SkyWatchFriday.

Greetings from New York

"Sabbatical ... is a rest from work, or a hiatus, often lasting from two months to a year."
"Sabbatical has come to mean any extended absence in the career of an individual in order to achieve something."

- Wikipedia

~~~

I've set off on another journey. Not that I need a reason to travel but as I give it a thought, it’s for a few reasons:

Firstly, to take a much needed break from routine, especially the routine of office work. I am on a sabbatical.

Secondly, to find a differently quiet corner so as to settle down someplace (no, I do not mean immigrating) and study, as I have to appear for my exams again in January 2010. That will be second year's.

Thirdly, to reward myself for listening to my inner voice that life is not all about employment, success, finance, family, friends, parties, challenges, commitments, stress - to name a few that crops up in my mind this moment. There must be more to life than this. Right now, I can think of good health to enjoy and a beautiful world and the kinship of people out there. I am glad to have given heed to the call of the humming and inexorable now - as far as my dreams are concerned - rather than keeping it for later and probably forgetting it with time.

Fourthly, to fulfil yet another one of my "travel dreams" on my "wishlist" and that is, to enjoy the autumn colors in the east coast of the USA where it is supposedly the best. I'm presently in Manhattan and have already had a glimpse of the awesome changing colors of the foliage in and around New York. Let me see where the road will take me from here.

~~~

For a change, I'm carrying my laptop along during this journey, so I shall be in touch and visit my “blog friends” as soon as possible. I hope my Indian friends have had a joyous Diwali filled with festivities.

Have you taken a sabbatical or come across anyone who has? If yes, has it been a choice made not to regret? Would you like to share your views or experience on this matter?

SWF: Before the Storm

Go visit SkyWatch. It is a place to enjoy skies and views from around the globe.

Photograph shot on the way to Munnar, Kerala, India

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...
it's about learning how to dance in the rain.
- Unknown

Life isn’t easy. Life’s storms are constant. Dancing should be too.

The storms can suddenly be there on a gloomy day, or a sunny day. Roses may be promised but it would be unwise to ignore the thorns.

There are challenges every single day. Challenges with regard to hurdles of ability, knowledge, finance, family, independence, emotions, and so many more, but should we give up? Never! The storm and rain is inevitable and dancing through it should be the key to joy. We should continue to dance for the storms give us an opportunity to grow and become a better human being. There is anyway no good in sitting and complaining, or crying.

Dancing may be easy when life is great, but can we dance also when things aren’t going smooth? If not dance, at least do something positive. How about curling up in bed with a book, rejoicing in the glory of a sunset, singing to our heart's content, or simply shouting with glee? Let's celebrate life!

Through difficult times, if we can’t figure out what to do for ourselves, then we can go do something nice for someone else. So many people in this world need a helping hand. Let's go visit an orphanage to make a few children smile, or visit to cheer up someone sick or dying, or visit an old age home to hold someone’s wrinkled hand.

Let’s get through life with a great attitude, even through stormy times.

Shades of Green

"To be native is to have been born in the area in question; but native also designates those whose ancestors were from the area..."

I came across a website where some famous people whose native is Mangalore are listed.

~~~

Driving around Mangalore is a delight. The sights are so diverse throughout and in the outskirts of the city, almost at every bend there is a beautiful scenery to enjoy. It is a great place to soak in the greenery, especially so during and after the monsoons.

These miles and miles of land full of greenery is a soothing sight. Green in nature is one of my preferred colours. So also the pure whiteness around snow clad mountains. But then I also like the fiery red, orange and yellow of autumn.

Which is your favourite colour adorning nature?

~~~

Mangalore and around - September 2009
Photographs shot by me in and around my native.

OSI: Descent

One Single Impression is a community of poets writing and sharing Haiku and other poetic forms. The prompt for this week is "Descent" and here is my verse:

When I was small
I loved balloons
The little dainty ones from which
Sunlight would pass through

I still love balloons
But of a different kind
Those which float high above
So can gaze at rising sun while there

Perfect setting, cool winds
Smooth sailing in the sky
I watch the golden orb rise
Radiating precious rays

My balloon wanders here and there

It glides near River Nile

Over spectacular rural scenery

Besides white desert sands too

Lost for a while, I am on a high

Heavenly is the feeling

But with the descent of the balloon

Alas, I have come down to earth!

~~~

Hot Air Balloon Ride - February 2009

All images shot by me in Luxor, Egypt

The silver streak of line at the bottom in the second picture is the River Nile

Some of my other OSI posts:

• OSI: Inner Voice
  
• OSI: Thinking
  
• OSI: Movement
  
• OSI: Slowly
• OSI: Paradox
• OSI: Rest
• OSI: Doorway

SWF: Mussorie Sky

I have been travelling the past few weeks and was recently in Mussorie, a beautiful hill station in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Situated at an altitude of 6,000 feet above sea level, Mussorie generally has commanding views of the Himalayan mountains.

On the day these pictures were shot, it was a cold and misty morning and the cloud covered mountains peeping through fog as viewed from the Camel's Back Road was an endearing sight.

For more skies around the world, visit: Sky Watch Friday.