Flowers of the Valley

Valley of Flowers
Height: 3500 m - 6700 m
Garhwal, Uttarakhand
India
July-August 2008

Egypt, the Land of Ancient Wonders

Camel and horse riding, smoking sheesha (hubble-bubble) and cigarettes, pubbing and discothequing, shopping and sunbathing is what most tourists do in Egypt. I did not engage in any of those activities, yet I had a marvellous time.

What did I do? Oh, Egypt has lots to offer and the mystery of the land kept me busy and fascinated. To name a few: its ancient history, gods and religion, churches and mosques, palaces and museums, kings and queens, cults and tombs, the hieroglyphs adorning the monuments, music and sports, art and architecture etc.

Making two trips to explore one of the ancient seven wonders of the world, the Pyramids of Giza, and an early morning ride on a hot-air balloon in Luxor for aerial viewing of the populated River Nile delta plains as well as the arid deserts and mountains were interesting highlights of the trip.

Other memorable highlights of my trip:

• Cruising on the Nile River in Cairo, and then exploring the Sphinx, and other pyramids of the Giza necropolis;

• Visiting the other pyramids of Dashour and Saqqara and to the ancient city of Memphis near Cairo;

• Sauntering along the beaches of Alexandria and Lighthouse near the Montaza Palace;
  

• Walking along the Nile and at the High Dam in Aswan, and learning about Nubian culture and mingling with the locals;

• Boating to the Nile River island of Agilika to explore the ancient temple complex of Philae;

• Journeying prior to dawn through previously arranged police-escorted convoy to the twin temples of Abu Simbel at the borders with the Sudan;

• Visiting the Karnak Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, the Luxor Temple of the ancient city of Thebes, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and also the Valleys of Kings and Queens to have a closer look at some of the many tombs of Luxor;

• Relaxing in the touristy Naama Bay of the city of Sharm-El-Sheikh on the coastal tip of the Red Sea and Mount Sinai; and
  

• Travelling through the Sinai peninsula towards the city to seek the Mount Sinai and the St. Catherine Monastery.
  

Mostly up and about for almost 16 hours a day, those times have sometimes been pretty hectic with much to cover in the little time I had apportioned and it was finally in a Red Sea resort at Namaa Bay that I eventually slackened my pace. With a few hours of sleep each night, and enjoying good health throughout in spite of cold winds and temperature dipping as low as 4 deg C along the Sinai mountains, I managed to reach all those places and had a better experience than anticipated. That felt really good.

Here’s a glimpse of Egypt through my eyes:

A flowering tree on a street, Cairo

The Great Pyramid of Khufu, Giza Necropolis

River Nile Sunset, Aswan

A part of the Luxor Temple, Luxor

At a Red Sea Resort, Sharm-El-Sheikh

Montaza Palace, Alexandria

St. Catherine Monastery at the foot of Mt. Sinai

Nefertari's Temple carved out of the mountainside, Abu Simbel

~~~

It feels good to be back in the blogworld. I wish my friends and readers a very Happy Holi. Enjoy the festival of colours and the freshness of the spring season.

Time to Travel

This is a hurried post while I'm in the midst of packing my backpack...
I'm setting off...again...

To a country renowned for its ancient civilization, its Pharaohs, and famous monuments...
To the largest city in Africa and the Middle East to start with and the Pyramids and the Sphinx...
To the southern cities to explore the Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Abu-Simbel...
If possible to the Sinai peninsula, to the beaches around the Red Sea and water sports, the monasteries and the deserts, the Great River...
To experience new places, new culture...

Be back soon!

SWF: Mana Village

For a variety of skies around the world, do visit SkyWatchFriday.

Mana Village
Uttarakhand, India

I shot these pictures while on a short trek from Badrinath to the Himalayan Mana Village in August 2008. It is the last village at the Indo-Tibet border. Some places famous in Hindu mythology like Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhimpul, Vasudhara Falls lie close to the Mana Village. In winter, the villagers move down to Joshimath or Chamoli when thick snow blankets the Mana Village.

OSI: Movement

Movement is the prompt provided for this week by One Single Impression, a community of poets online writing and sharing Haiku and other poetic forms.

My free verse this week is inspired by these photographs that I shot while in Nainital in February 2008.

Quivering waters
Like emotions
Stirred from within
Creating trembles
On that foggy day
I stood watching
And wondering
What ripples will I make
As I swim
In the sometimes calm
Other times turbulent
Waters of this life

Will I leave behind
A bequest of loving friends
And family
Would I succeed
Making my way
Into their hearts with love
That would belike
Make me whole
Or will I be just another one
Fading into oblivion
Like the ripples
Waning at the lake’s shore

Interaction of water with wind
Blowing from yonder
Like a tryst
Between time and space
Beams of light breaking
On the surface
Into million reflections
I stood there pondering
Gazing at the gleaming waters
Play of light and shadow
And movement…
Of the shimmering ripples

~~~

Some other OSI posts:

• OSI: Slowly
• OSI: Paradox
• OSI: Rest
• OSI: Doorway

Chital in the Wild

The Chital (of the genus Axis and species, axis) is also called Cheetal Deer or Spotted Deer. It has a reddish fawn coat marked with white spots. It is the most common species of deer found in the wooden regions of India and are known to have a lifespan of 20-30 years. They are found in small to large herds up to 100 individuals.

The Chitals primarily eat grass and vegetation, but they are known to eat their shed antlers for their rich nutrients. They shed their antlers annually. They are one of the favored prey of predators such as tigers and leopards.

Dec 2007

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Feb 2008
Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Dec 2008
Nagarahole National Park, Karnataka

Dec 2008

Wyanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

I particularly remember watching mesmerized a herd in the forests of Bandipur National Park while on my way from Mysore to Ooty.

The above are my captures of the Chital in four different states of India. I can recall on each occasion I have enjoyed watching the herd of these cute creatures more than shooting pictures.

One Single Impression: Slowly

One Single Impression is a community of poets writing and sharing Haiku and other poetic forms.

Slowly is the prompt provided for this week by One Single Impression. My Haiku here is inspired by this photograph that I shot in Pattaya, Thailand.

Joy is within reach
As sand fills gaps between toes
Slowly, steadily

Also life's slow pace
Joyously embrace time's beat
Grasp or hasten, not

Eternal feeling
On this slow and drawling day
As soothing waves lap

With a tranquil heart
Slowly watch the light fade dim
Cool breeze softly blows

Giggling children glide
Slowly into the waters
Wet their tiny feet

With much love and care
From slow swaying canopy
Their mom keeps a watch

Slowly tree did wilt
Then shed its leaves, and life too
Ends up as dead trunk

Sun descends slowly
Radiating gold on waves
Spreads beauty around

Time, tide waits for none
Slowly, surely the sun sets
Another day ends.

~~~

Related posts:

• OSI: Paradox
• OSI: Rest
• OSI: Doorway
• OSI: Melody
  
• Transcience or Permanence