Travel Tales from India

Lazy Sunday Photo- Boats at Naini Lake, Nainital

2009-07-05T14:07:00.003+05:30

Boats at Naini Lake, Nainital

London Train Announcements

2009-07-05T00:35:00.003+05:30

London Train Announcements

I unfortunately misplaced my 'mind the gap' file while I was moving it on my cell phone (Nokia 6275) so that I could copy it to the computer. Here is something that remains in another audio file but as I said, unfortunately, no mind the gap. Maybe if I go to London ever again I will make sure to get a good recording and save it safely.

As usual for visuals I am rotating some pictures.

Conversations with David at Taj Safari Lodge Banjaar Tola, Madhya Pradesh

2009-07-04T17:41:00.007+05:30

I met David before a dinner at Taj Safari's Banjaar Tola Lodge. There was Alger (the naturalist who took me to Kanha National Park for all my four rides) an Indian couple staying at the lodge, Mohit (another employee) and myself. All of us were chatting nineteen to a dozen. The Indian couple had a home in Italy and they were talking about some beaches they had visited in the USA. Soon David and I started chatting among our self. Here is how it went.

The Taj Safari's Campsite at Dusk, Banjaar Tola

Me: "So David, what a life, living inside a jungle!"
David: "Yes, this is exactly what I wanted."
Me: "David are you married?" (Hey this was not the first time I was chatting with him. And among Indians this question can be popped easily. OK, OK I know I am sounding defensive).
David: "No."
Me: "Hey no one will agree to come and live with you in this jungle!"
David: "Look at ..., he lives with his family and his daughter loves it."
Me: "So where are you from?"
David: "From Kerela, have you been there?"
Me: "No, but have to go there one day."

The Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

David: "So how do you find the lodge?"
Me: "The room rents are way too high, if you don't mind my saying so."
David: "Hey we are used to hearing this!" (laughing)
Me: "Do you manage to take vacations?"
David: "Yes, recently I was in Nainital. I travel on budget"
Me: "Why, that is such a crowded place."
David: "I went bird watching and in off beat places. I can do brid watching all my life."
Me: "We are also budget travelers, I do such trips usually on sponsorship."
David: "Hey I am sure we would meet in the Himalayas somewhere and say Hi to each other again."

To that he went up and left for his accommodations on the premises.

Old Pictures from Spiti

2009-07-03T01:15:00.000+05:30

Beautiful Spiti

I was looking at my old pictures from Spiti (on a new laptop) and fell in love with the place all over again. And I didn't like even this one immediately after the trip!

Carfax Tower, Oxford

2009-07-02T19:24:00.004+05:30

Carfax Tower, Oxford, UK

I have never been to the top of this tower, in fact didn't even know one could go to the top of the Carfax Tower inspite of being around it thrice!

What a Ride!

2009-07-01T19:29:00.002+05:30

Cycle on a Road Roller, Gurgaon

This road roller was inching ahead of me on my morning commute to work today. While both of us were waiting to take a turn I clicked the picture with my mobile phone. And just a few days back I was thinking maybe I really did not need a camera in my mobile, I hardly click any pictures!

The Kahna National Park/Taj Safari Article at Gonomad

2009-06-30T11:07:00.005+05:30

Dancing Peacock at Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India

My full article about the Kanha National Park/Taj Safari Lodge (in collaboration with the African firm & Beyond) is now up at Gonomad-

I saw Gaurs (resembles a bison), cheetals (a type of deer), peacocks and
even wild boars but there was no sign of the elusive tiger. At one particular
road Alger and the park ranger got quite excited as they saw the pug marks of a
tiger and they tried to track it.

Canada Geese at Thames Walk, Oxford, UK

2009-06-30T01:18:00.000+05:30

Canada Geese at Thames Walk, Oxford, UK

The geese along the Thames Walk are so used to tourists that they can chase you for bread crumbs. They also let you come quite close to them. This picture was taken with my wide angle lens but with cropping the image and using the sharpen feature in Picasa I could get this result.

And this flurry of birds is due to the interest that Alger (the naturalist at Taj Safari Lodge, Banjaar Tola) managed to create for wild life.

The Joys of a Zoom Lens- Laughing Dove

2009-06-29T05:30:00.001+05:30

Laughing Dove

It rained four drops on Sunday but even that brought out quit a few birds. This Laughing Dove was sitting on the ledge of the house behind ours. Oh! The joys of having a zoom lens finally. I wonder why it took me too years to buy a zoom lens after buying my SLR.

Chota Imambara, Lucknow

2009-06-28T15:37:00.003+05:30

Chota Imambara, Lucknow

I am not feeling too lazy today, so here is another picture. I had been to Lucknow to attend a conference at Lucknow. A day trip of Lucknow was included in the conference schedule and I am so thankful for it. I have been going to Lucknow since childhood but never ventured out in the city.

To click this picture with the reflection I hopped over to the wooden bridge on the water even though it was chained. Chances of being yelled at by a caretaker is quite high but I still risked it. For me it is a little difficult to resist a good picture opportunity. And thankfully no one yelled at me for climbing the bridge and taking this picture.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Trafford Center, Manchester, UK

2009-06-28T13:39:00.003+05:30

Trafford Center, Manchester, UK

Trafford Center is a shopping Mall in Manchester and I have to admit I am not very fond of shopping malls. But this place is so huge and for a first time visitor so colorful that I have clicked pictures every two meters probably.

I was roaming around with my school friend (I met her after 20 years) and she picked up a map of the center. She passed one to me too. As I have said earlier, maps always seem like unsolvable puzzles to me. So, after pretending to master it for a while, I tossed it in a bin. And went back to photography. My friend was so amused with it that she told everyone what I do with maps!

Finding Shade at the Domestic Airport, New Delhi

2009-06-27T23:16:00.003+05:30

Finding Shade at New Delhi Airport

I took this picture sitting inside the flight that was bound for Jabalpur. It was so hot at 11.30 am that this employee decided to take refugee inside the empty cart. I was wondering why was he sitting so still and why in this empty cart. I was wondering if he was in distress or what. But soon his other colleagues came and they all entered the Jet Airways plane you can see in the background. And I could see they were chatting and laughing a lot too. It must have been the heat that made him very still and quiet while he was waiting for others. When I came to Delhi a few days later, they announced in the flight that the outside temperature was 44.5 degree Celsius.

And the water in the taps has been hot on its own even at the night. Today there is a wind and some clouds outside. I wish it would rain!

Very Happy with a Zoom Lens

2009-06-26T21:12:00.006+05:30

Kingfisher at Kanha National Park

I have clicked photographs for 2 years without a zoom lens. And I would often wonder why can't I take good pictures when it comes to taking close ups! I mean this Kingfisher was sitting really far away and yet I managed a decent picture.

Squirrel at Christ Church College, Oxford, UK

And even though I was quite close to this squirrel, this is the kind of picture I could manage with my wide angle lens. Maybe one day I will be able to click the same scene with my zoom lens too.

And even for the new zoom lens (Sigma 70-300mm) I could not find time to go to Chandni Chowk but Brat 1 managed to do it for me and I am so happy that he bailed me out. I will surely try to head to Bharatpur in season.

But then I am already yearning for a telephoto lens.

Scorching Hot Weather!

2009-06-25T19:52:00.003+05:30

Ice Cream Van Near London Eye

It is so scorching hot in New Delhi at the moment that all I could think of posting is the London fog and ice cream van near the London Eye. I mean my brain is trying to shut down, even though I can handle summer quite easily. Can't believe it that just a month ago I was cribbing about the weather being too cold at UK.

Flying from Delhi to Jabalpur and Back on Kingfisher Red Airline

2009-06-24T20:46:00.006+05:30

Kingfisher Red Flight IT 4375 Approaching Jabalpur

I tried to get train tickets between New Delhi and Gondia (a station close to Kanha) but June being school holidays all the trains were running packed. Then my dad insisted, "fFly, why do you wish to spend so much time on a train?" I was paying for the journey to Jabalpur/Gondia so I was obviously looking for train tickets. But flying and paying made hell lot of a sense because I would otherwise never stay at such a place like Safari Lodge, Banjaar Tola simply because I am not their target market. But then I digress, let me go back to the flight from New Delhi to Jabalpur and back.

When I booked the flight the departure time from Delhi was 7.30 am or thereabout. But while I was checking my itinerary online, the time was changed to 10.40 am. And my flight (Kingfisher Red IT 4375 and IT 4376 when it comes back) finally took off at 11.30 am after spending a lot of time on the runway. I was in a good mood and didn't mind the delay at all.

Kingfisher and Jet Airways Planes Parked at New Delhi Airport

Once the flight took off, all was well. Kingfisher Red is actually the new name of Air Deccan. I know that Air Deccan had no refreshments on board so I was not sure if there were any on this flight. The flight was just about one and a half hour long so it was no big deal . But I was actually hungry and to my pleasant surprise they soon served snacks on the flight. It was cheese and potato burger, corn and chana chat and a sweet dish. After gobbling all this up I was quite content to read a book and look out and chat with a lady sitting next to me.

Soon the flight started to make its descent. I had made video of the take off from Delhi and I whipped out my camera and started to make a video (the video above in the post) again. There was a lot of turbulence but then I have flied in smaller crafts before (this flight used ATR Turboprop) in turbulent weather. So I kept making the video even though I was not feeling too well. If you have watched the video you would notice that it ends quite abruptly. It is because I realized I was quite nauseous and might need that air sickness bag after all. The lady next to me sensed that I was unwell and tried to make small talk. I told her I am finding it difficult to talk. And then I threw up all my snacks in that sickness bag!

That is how I arrived at Jabalpur and I am quite surprised that I can get sick in air too, I mean on hill roads I know it is going to be bad, so I take avomine. But this was a first. On my flight back, I was quite scared as I still had no avomine with me. I decided to sleep as much I could after all that is what I do when I take avomine. I was quite tense at landing but this time there was less turbulence and I managed fine.

But the landing at Jabalpur was the only part of the trip that was not good. Rest of the trip was wonderful.

Rooms at the Taj Safari Lodge, Banjaar Tola

2009-06-23T22:58:00.003+05:30

The Rooms at the Taj Safari Lodge at Banjaar Tola, Near Kanha National Park Madhya Pradesh

I have to say upfront that you would usually not see such pictures at my blog simply because we do not stay at resorts. All the three times when I have stayed at fancy places in India it has been because of sponsorship! I mean check out the room rates at Banjaar Tola. Leaves me speechless.

Pictures from Kanha National Park and a Special Swim

2009-06-22T21:46:00.005+05:30

The Taj Safari's Vehicle at Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

I have managed to upload a few pictures from the Kanha National Park. The view from my room was so green that when I close my eyes, I still see green.

The Swimming Pool at Taj Safari's Banjaar Tola Camp Near Kanha

The best part was the swimming pool at the camp. I went swimming after 7 years and what fun it was. Actually, the master chef Manish at the camp was feeding us such good food that I asked them the way to the pool. I told them, "the way you guys are feeding me, if I don't swim, I would gain 3 KG by the time I leave." And Manish told me that as there was a pool side dinner that day, the pool was lit with lanterns and I could use it at night too. So, imagine an outdoor pool, lit by lanterns and flanked by trees with a few fireflies on it. And I had it all to myself!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Malabar Pied Hornbill at Kanha National Park

2009-06-21T17:51:00.004+05:30

Malabar Pied Hornbill at Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

I came back from Kanha National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh today. And no I didn't get to see the tiger. But as they say in the jungles- "So what of you didn't see the tiger, be happy that the tiger saw you."

Stayed with the Taj Safari's Banjaar Tola Camp, and as I said before the trip was organized by Gonomad for me.

I feel all my three trips are now getting mixed with one another, so I need to get down to blogging and sort them out.

Of course a lot more pictures and a post for Gonomad will follow.

And I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Just the thing I needed before I start a new job tomorrow.

Off Tomorrow and Back on Sunday

2009-06-17T12:38:00.004+05:30

Jungle Path

I am off tomorrow to Madhya Pradesh and would be back on Sunday. Should have a lot of pictures to share when I come back. This trip has been arranged for me by Gonomad. So, this one I have a feeling would turn out to be a little different than my usual affaris.

Bus Ride from Cannought Place to Yes You Read it Rgiht, Holland!

2009-06-16T14:29:00.003+05:30

Came across a thread named Bus Ride from Cannought Place to Holland at Indiamike. Looks like it was possible to buy a ticket on such a bus in 1970s and some have tried to travel overland from Europe to India as late as 2007!

While talking to an old India hand few days ago I came across this reference about some direct bus service which use to ply, way back in 70’s from Regal cinema in Cannought Place to Holland. I am given the impression, they ply as late as 1972.

Another excellent thread at Indiamike about overland travel to India from Europe.

Regent Street, London, Underground

2009-06-15T14:20:00.003+05:30

Regent Street, London, Underground

The last day in London (May 2009 trip) was such an overcast and Grey. My friend from school and I still decided to brave it out. This shot is of Regent Street in London. I liked the stark colors of the day and the contrast provided by the Underground sings and the red buses. What I didn't notice at that time was that only one lamp was glowing above the underground sign! And what a cold I caught by the end of this trip!

Lazy Sunday Photo- St. Mary's Church, Oxford

2009-06-14T21:03:00.003+05:30

St. Mary's Church, Oxford

This is a picture I clicked in 2009. I have posted a picture of St. Mary's Church before. Now that I have changed my job, wonder if I will ever go to Oxford again. The place I was working at was associated with Oxford Brookes University hence so many visits. I went there for three years in a row and I have to say I consider it my favorite city abroad.

Walking Away!

2009-06-13T20:31:00.002+05:30

It was my last working day at the current job. Walking away was difficult due to various reasons but I think it was about time. I spent 4 years here (OK, one month short) and played TT almost everyday after office hours. I sat down after the game today for a while and chatted, a thing I almost never do. I am starting a new job week later and looking forward to it.

Tintin in Tibet

2009-06-12T00:04:00.000+05:30

Tintin in Tibet Bags for Sale in Mcleod Ganj

Mcleod Ganj streets are full of souvenirs and colorful ones at that. What I drool most at are the earrings of all size and shapes (that is one piece of jewellery I use almost on a daily basis) but then I am content with just taking pictures.

What invariably happens is that I ask the price and they quote some high figure and then I run away. I am extremely bad at bargaining. Sometimes the ladies at stall call my retreating back, "What will you pay?" I still keep running away.

For this bag, I didn't even ask the price and anyway apart from a holiday where is the scope to use this in the daily routine? In fact this time after coming back from the trek I called brat 2 (my younger nephew) from McLeod ganj and asked if he wanted something? He immediately said, "get me a T-shirt," and I did. Otherwise as soon as I enter the house he still asks me, "What have you got for me?"

When I asked the shop owner how much for a T-shirt that I liked he said 175 rupees. I paid, then he returned 25 rupees and said, "We say 175 but we give for 150." I got that discount even without asking for it. I am that bad at barging and the shopkeeper was that kind. But it happens only in the mountains.

PS. Brat 1 (my elder nephew) is right now at Prashar Lake and he went alone!

Triund Story now at Gonomad

2009-06-11T20:19:00.005+05:30

Souvenirs for Sale at McLeod Ganj.

My entire trip account about trekking through Triund, Snowline and beyond is now up at Gonomad. Do let me know what you think about it.

On our other treks, we hardly met anyone but this one was different. I did a lot of talking with people from Germany, Israel, Switzerland (she was in India for the third time and was staying for more than 6 months) and the US (the boy was staying in India for a year and he had already completed 10 months) and of course the shop owners and the guides.
But there is one conversation that has still stayed with me. I was talking to the groom at Snowline thinking that there were just two of us around. When he walked away I realized there was a figure in a sleeping bag inside the chai shop behind me.

He said, "God, the way you talk, ...