SWF: Sundown

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Sunset viewed from Mahanavami Dibba, Hampi

Dec 2009

SWF: Bahrain WTC

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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.

SWF: Sunset in the Himalayas

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One of the most satisfying
experiences I know is fully to
appreciate an individual in the same way
I appreciate a sunset.
When I look at a sunset...
I don't find myself saying,
'Soften the orange a litle more on
the right hand corner,
and put a bit more purple along the base,
and use a little more pink in the cloud color...'
I don't try to control a sunset.
I watch it with awe as it unfolds.
~ Carl Rogers

Cheerful children in Mussorie....
appreciating them just as they are

Following my previous post, am going to share here a few more pictures of the glorious sunset in Mussorie:

Softly the evening came.
The sun from the western horizon
Like a magician extended
his golden wand o'er the landscape;
Twinkling vapors arose;
and sky and water and forest
Seemed all on fire at the touch,
and melted and mingled together.
~ H.W. Longfellow

SWF: An Evening in Mussorie

Located at a height of almost 7,000 feet above sea level, and through pine filled trees on hill slopes, scenic Mussorie commands some magnificent vistas of the extensive Himalayan mountain ranges.

I had the pleasure of viewing the changing colors of the sky while on an evening walk on the way back from the Company Bagh.

These are a few shots of early part of the sunset that evening, and the colors subsequently changed to much deeper shades of red and orange. I shall post some more pictures of the same sunset in another post.

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SWF: Pear Blossoms

Came across these pear blossoms while on a road journey from Nainital to Bhimtal.

Spring is a beautiful season, isn't it?

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SWF: Mommy

January 2010. It was my second trip to Ooty in Tamilnadu. For hill station standards, Ooty was sadly getting more and more crowded over time.

I took a bus to Coonoor expecting the place to be peaceful and quiet, but the town was not to be so. However a few miles out of town, it was beautiful! Walking through the tea estates and checking out a few hiking trails around Coonoor kept me cheerful for the next few days.

These pictures were shot near Dolphin’s Nose Point, 10 km from Coonoor town. The vast expanse of the lush green Nilgiri hills and its valleys, waterfalls, the flora and fauna captivated me. I was attracted to Catherine Falls in the far distance and went hiking there next day but that is another story...

Someone rightly said:
“Biology is the least of
what makes someone a mother.”

Do go watch many interesting skies at Sky Watch Friday.

SWF: Bylakuppe Monastery

Bylakuppe in Karnataka has a number of monasteries, nunneries and temples in all the major Tibetan Buddhist traditions. It is a settlement that was established on land leased by the Karnataka state government to accommodate some of the Tibetan refugees who came to India after 1959.

My skywatch pictures this week are these made one pleasant evening last month while on a long walk from the Namdroling Monastery to reach this Sera Monastery.

Do go watch more skies at Sky Watch Friday.

Chocolates and Roses

chocolates and roses

irrational behaviour
pheromones
and attraction
dopamine effect
romance to follow
adrenalin
and serotonin
lost in thoughts
brain patterns
connecting
the person across
gazing eyes, hugging
chemicals abode
oxytocin and vasopressin
human bonding
hormones at work
excessive energy
losing sleep
feelings of euphoria
with the beloved
at times when separated
anxiety, and obsession
intangible feeling
life’s mystery to rationals:
“being in love”
lust and attraction
and attachment it can be
but till now i guess
none has well defined
biochemistry of love
no one’s been able to
figure out or quantify
what exactly is
the science of love
or is there someone out there who knows?

Happy Valentine’s Day to all those who celebrate.

How did you celebrate your Valentine’s Day? Did you get chocolates and roses?

SWF: Sigh of Contentment

During a stroll one evening as the sun was getting ready to set, I reach this place of justice...

A local woman in her traditional garb poses before it...
A bunch of school kids and a lone bird flying high up...
A little further away another gate is open...
Men in khaki stroll under blossom filled trees...

Pardon me while I sigh in contentment at memories of a pleasant and peaceful evening.

Go watch more skywatch posts at SkyWatch Friday.

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

Khajuraho played a significant role in Indian history. It was called Vatsa in ancient time, Jijakbhukti in medieval times and Bundelkhand from the 14th century.

The Chandela kings who rose to power in the early 10th century made Khajuraho their capital and decorated their palace areas with temples. The place lost its importance in 1500 AD.

From supposedly 85 temples built in those days only about 25 stand today in varying stages of preservation. One of them is the Kandariya Mahadeva.

The Kandariya Mahadeva has a lofty base with elegantly ornamental mouldings, including friezes of elephants, horses, warriors, hunters, acrobats, musicians, dancers, devotees and many other interesting scenes. Its plan and design, symmetry and cultural embellishment mark it out as one of the most evolved and sublime creations of Indian architecture.

If you are interested in more details, read my posts on Khajuraho here and here.

Like to join me for a Swim?

Dubare Elephant Camp, Coorg
Photographed on 3 January 2010

No, Mr. Crocodile, thank you. Certainly not, unless I am pushed off the edge by someone into the River Cauvery. Even then, I shall quickly learn to swim and reach the banks of the River before you decide to play with me your favourite game, Snap!:D