The Kahna National Park/Taj Safari Article at Gonomad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

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, ...

More of the Same Rainbow

A Tourist Looking at my Rainbow at Triund, Himachal Pradesh

Our Itinerary for McLeoad Ganj, Triund and Lehs Cave Trip

Blue Mountain Flowers at Snowline, above Triund, Himachal Pradesh

Megha has asked for the itinerary of my recent trip to McLeod Ganj, Triund and beyond. We are not big at planning anything but here is what we did.

22/05/2009 (Friday morning)- Leave for Chandigarh by Shatabdi Express from New Delhi, we had some work in Chandigarh otherwise the straightforward way is to go to Pathankot/Chakkibank by train and take a bus for Dharamshala/McLeod Ganj from there.

22/05/2009 (Friday afternoon)- tried to take a bus to Dharamshala but we were told we missed it by a few minutes and the next one was around 6.00 pm. We did not want to wait that long and asked for advice. The bus conductors told us to go to Jwalaji and take a bus from there for Dharamshala. We reached Jwalaji by 8.00pm and decided to stay there for the night is a ghastly Rupees 400 hotel.

23/05/2009 (Saturday Morning) Got up, ate Aalo paratha (flat Indian bread stuffed with potatoes) took Avomine (both of us have bad motion sickness on hill roads) and sat in a bus for Kangra as there were no immediate buses available for Dharamshala. After Kangra, we immediately got the bus straight for McLeod Ganj.

23/05/2009 (Saturday afternoon) With two big rucksacks we finally reached McLeod Ganj. Sesha found an atrocious hotel and I agreed to stay there! Did nothing. Sesha found a trekking agency but we were told that Indrahar pass route was not yet open because of snow.

24/05/20089 (Sunday) Lazed around McLeod Ganj.

25/05/2009 (Monday morning) Started walking for Triund. Reached triund sat there, literally soaking in the Dhauladhar range.

26/05/2009 (Tuesday morning) Walked up to Snowline. Stayed there.

27/06/2009 (Wednesday morning) Walked up to Lehs cave and above. Got caught in hail while returning. And then had to put our tent down for the fear that it would get blown off in the stiff wind.

28/05/2009 (Thursday morning) Walked back to Triund, sat there, it was the rainbow day.

29/05/2009 (Friday morning) Unfortunately walked back to the civilization (Mcleod Ganj). Stayed at a marginally better hotel.

30/05/2009 (Saturday morning) Lazed around Mcleod Ganj.

30/05/2009 (Saturday afternoon) Took a bus back to Pathankot.

31/05/2009 (Sunday morning) Unfortunately we were back to reality, Delhi.

Lazy Sunday Photo- An Ariel View of the Hindukush Mountains

An Ariel View of the Hindukush Mountains

I clicked this picture on 5 May 2009 from a window seat of the Flight VS 301 from New Delhi to London. See that is why I like taking window seats even in a flight. Many thought I would overgrow this habit and start looking for an aisle seat after a few years. I am glad to say that I still sulk when I get anything but the window seat.

In the Larger Scheme of Things!

How Small My Tent Looks!

Sound of the Lambs!

Lambs at the Triund Campsite, Himachal Pradesh

You can see the Triund campsite (at least part of it) in this video. The Dhaula Dhar Range in the Himalayas is also visible and what a noise the lambs are making. Those were the days!

As the Dusk Falls

Another Image of the Sunset at Snowline above Triund, Himachal Pradesh

I like this sunset picture even better even though it is quite similar to the one posted two days before.

Sunset at Snowline at Triund, Himachal Pradesh

This picture was also taken on the same day as the one above but a little later. It was so cold that a few others who were out there to view/click the sunset were wearing gloves. When I went back to the Chai shop, there was soup waiting for me. But even that had gone cold.

A Wedding at 10000 Feet!

Wedding at 10,000 Feet!

There was a couple from Mumbai and their friends on this trek and the couple was getting married at a temple near the snowline called Kunalpathri! Now after 6 years of trekking this is the first time I heard of anyone getting married at this altitude in the Himalayas apart from the locals! By the evening I had the pleasure of chatting both with the bride and the groom. They decided to do so because they had first met on a trek in the mountains. They said they would have another wedding in Mumbai for family and relatives as not everyone was willing to trek. I wonder if this idea would slowly spread? This wedding was organized by the trekking agency from McLeod Ganj.

Photos from McLeod Ganj, Triund, Snowline and Lehs Cave

I finally managed to upload the pictures from Mcleod Ganj, Triund, Snowline (also know as Ilaka) and Lehs Cave.

Traveling to the mountains is always magical. I have a lot to write about and I will be mixing my UK and Himachal Pradesh posts.

Another Sunset at Snowline (above Triund) Himachal Pradesh

I got three days worth of fabulous sunsets but this one on the Day 3 of the trek was the best. And the note to self is that while shooting sunsets I should take more of the sky and less of the hills in the frame!

My Rainbow! At Triund, Himachal Pradesh

As I say, in each trek some rain must fall and we had quite a bit of it. But I would live with it every time if I get to click and see (in that order) a rainbow at the end of it.

And when I wish to write about this trip, I have to complete a report for the office (I am changing jobs too) which comes first.

But very soon, this trip account is waiting to get written.

Touch Down at Heathrow

Virgin Atlantic Flight VS 301 from New Delhi Landing at London Heathrow On May 5, 2009

I made this video from a window seat of the flight. It was a Tuesday (on Tuesday many Indians do not eat nonvegetarian food even if they eat it otherwise) and they had run out of vegetarian food and gave me something to eat quite later. Even then I had enjoyed my flight. On the return flight I did not get a window seat. But then I will write a proper post about the flight experience both ways.