Sunday, December 31, 2017
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Nature Glow
Nature speaks its language
through swish swash trees,
write notes on leaves
through rays of light -
relayed its natural shade, green.
through swish swash trees,
write notes on leaves
through rays of light -
relayed its natural shade, green.
Reading is a pleasure
when books come from nature,
the lecture of birds
from the electric wires
teaches how to survive in wild.
when books come from nature,
the lecture of birds
from the electric wires
teaches how to survive in wild.
Sunlight warms and warns
escapism is impossible,
in the glory of nature
rising up and down is eternal
where we can’t find fault.
escapism is impossible,
in the glory of nature
rising up and down is eternal
where we can’t find fault.
Like half mowed beard
the mountain slopes,
cutting off trees, man-made tea
the refreshing brew
that treats different taste buds.
Mountain breeze take breath
through many curves 'n' bends,
the corridor of animals
turned roads, to complain
animals crossed the path!
Ps. The picture shot on a blissful morning in Cloud Mountain in march 2015 and the poem was inspired on same... and what you see was partially tea estates
the mountain slopes,
cutting off trees, man-made tea
the refreshing brew
that treats different taste buds.
Mountain breeze take breath
through many curves 'n' bends,
the corridor of animals
turned roads, to complain
animals crossed the path!
Ps. The picture shot on a blissful morning in Cloud Mountain in march 2015 and the poem was inspired on same... and what you see was partially tea estates
Labels:
beauty,
favorite,
Hill station,
inspiration,
Nature,
photography,
Pleasant,
poem,
thought,
Travel
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Home Décor
Christmas is here and I wish you all Merry Christmas and
advance Happy New Year. I generally like festivals and the happiness it provides.
Decorating a Christmas tree is always fun and for last few years I started to
put led lights to keep up the festival spirit and star to bight up the night. It’s
my mom decorated the tree really but I enjoyed watching and telling her what to
hang where. Here I share few photos from my simple home décor. Hope you all
enjoy the holidays. Cheers!
Mom's simple kolam
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Cute Chamraj Tea factory outlet
On the outskirt of Ooty and on
way to Manjoor, nestled this cute little tea outlet overlooking the Chamraj Tea
factory and beautiful tea garden of same at a pretty much curve. I really loved
this outlet for its cute setting around the corner of a winding ghat, with
pretty neat lawn and beautiful benches to sit back and relax for a while
sipping their variety of teas and enjoying the cool green ambiance. As we were
heading to Upper Bhavani, I couldn’t get down or spent some time at the outlet,
just had some tea and moved on as it was already noon. My camera wasn’t working
then, since it fell down the night before that day, I took these photos from my
brother’s Xiaomi mobile.
Chamraj Tea is promoted as one of
the finest tea growing from the high range of mountains in India. The outlet
sells variety of tea products from regular to organic to flavoured from their
own production house. Korakundah, I guess is also the group of Chamraj which
supports organic tea from the highest tea gardens. They also have a Tea Centre
in Ooty town, where we bought some tea packets before we leave down. The outlet was fenced neatly and on the road
side poles linked by chain was pretty rounded about.
I also find the big cup and saucer inside the shop was attentive.
|
Some bikers taking selfie at the tea center while on their joy rides :) Pic clicked before we move |
Labels:
beauty,
favorite,
good fence,
Hill station,
Nature,
Picture,
Pleasant,
Travel
Location:
Balacola, Tamil Nadu 643204, India
Monday, December 18, 2017
Back to Home
Things belong to somewhere
nativity could be anything
or normed, the life could be
needed to come to rest.
nativity could be anything
or normed, the life could be
needed to come to rest.
Name it anything abode
it take time to breathe in out;
life need retreat for a minute
to restore its energy to glow.
it take time to breathe in out;
life need retreat for a minute
to restore its energy to glow.
Retire of sun, unplugs
what gleams all the day;
life race back to abode
before lose track in darkness.
what gleams all the day;
life race back to abode
before lose track in darkness.
Screeching of birds indicate
the time to go back home;
as they ready to take laps
on the canopy of trees.
the time to go back home;
as they ready to take laps
on the canopy of trees.
Sun too exhaust at the day end
withdrawing its rays; says bye
as slowly the shadow swallow
life draw back to home.
withdrawing its rays; says bye
as slowly the shadow swallow
life draw back to home.
Ps. Inspired
from the evening walk on Sunday around the picturesque BlueCross road, where the picture was shot, in neighbourhood - Adyar.
Labels:
Adyar,
beauty,
bird,
Environment,
home,
Nature,
neighborhood,
Pleasant,
poem,
thought
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Bits on travel to Udumalpet
Though winter is here and the
weather turns chill in the morning and foggy experienced at the outskirts of
Chennai, my journey to Munnar began on the early hours of November 26 wasn’t
much different due to the low pressure in bay, I experienced a feel on
mountains. The travel between Thiruporur - Chengalpattu, in the outskirts of
Chennai south, was blissful than ever while passing the countryside beside the
hill and forest terrain. The picture below will give idea how the travel was
and the glasses were scrolled down until touched the national highways.
But the entire journey wasn’t on
NH, and we took a detour at Perambalur instead going down to Trichy to reach
Musiri, a town on the north bank of Cauvery. Crossing the river, we hit the NH
again before took turn to Dharapuram to go to stay at Udumalpet where we booked
rooms at govt. guest house. On the road to Thuraiyur, from Perambalur I come
across a beautiful temple tower which I had no idea until I browsed using the
location marked at the iPhone image detail. I shot many photos using my iPhone
SE, like ever with a mobile, and it was quick and easy than a P&S.
The temple was at a village called
Kurumbalur, and the temple named as Panchanadeeswarar Temple is dedicated to
Lord Shiva and the temple was built in 10th century by King
Veeratarajan. First time traveling on this road the weather was helping hand,
aside the cool countryside and trees guarding roadsides. Again on NH, we
encountered two big blades of windmill (pic below) transported in trucks. Around Dharapuram and Udumalpet one could
find number of windmills and this region is open to many windmill farms since
it falls under the straight line of Palakkad gap, through which it receives
Arabian Sea breeze.
Across Dharapuram, the state
highway was really good and beautiful with all the curves and row of trees was
inspiring to shoot. The drizzling weather was like ice on the cake and we
couldn’t stop have tea from the roadside tea shop even before it turned 4pm. Being
a Sunday Udumalpet was bare enough with almost shops closed, and the guest
house on the Munnar road was easy to move out rather going into the town. They allotted
two rooms for us, but the five of us decided to stay at the AC room, though we didn’t
used the AC since the weather was cool enough.
Collage on the scenic state highway around Dharapuram, towards Udumalpet |
Friday, December 08, 2017
Munnar, Travel in Brief
The entire travel (from Nov 26 to
Dec 2) has been really cool and comfort and except couple of sunshine moments,
the travel was indeed cloudy, misty and rainy. Thanks to the low pressure and
cyclone Ockhi, though it created a great destruction in Kanyakumari/Kerala and
blocking certain views during my travel, the sun got total holiday from the
sky. The weather was very pleasant when we started our journey from home early in
morning and was drizzling though hazy just out of the city. We took OMR to
reach the highway and being Sunday roads are bare enough and we felt quick
transit entirely and reached our destination (Udumalpet) earlier by 4 pm and settled
in the room in about an hour.
Man driving cows in drizzling rain near Udumalpet |
Following dinner, we also took
our breakfast from Hotel Ariya Bhavan (which was really tasteful) on
Munnar-Udumalpet Rd before move into the mountains of Munnar, via Anamalai
Tiger Reserve and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Munnar is about 85km from
Udumalpet, though it was slightly drizzling all the way to the town, we passed
through heavy mist that blocked the sights of certain places including the
chance of closely watching the Anamudi, the highest peak after Himalayas in India.
But it wasn’t disappointed me anyway since the mist and rain has put us in
sheer delight of watching number of waterfalls from the fresh mountain streams.
We reached Munnar by noon, and after buying lunch we moved to the cottage (Tea
Drops plantation) we have already booked.
Driving through the mist and rain in Munnar |
It was really a wonderful place
(nestled 7 km away from Munnar) to stay rest and relax among the coffee and
cardamom plantations, and its owner Lijo is a friendly person and helps in any
other ways. Except the three steps to get into the cottage, it wasn’t difficult
to stay around, though it was an old house renovated into a cottage the owner
has made things simply neat and hygiene. But the only thing bothered us was the
way leading to the cottage. It was about 200 meters down from the main road
with a narrow steep road, which at glance felt impossible to climb down or up,
but we made it using our SUV which is quite difficult for any other cars. They provide Jeep support for those come by
car to be parked at their Pvt. Parking, but we took risk as I wouldn’t be comfy
at their Jeep.
Night effect in Tea Drops plantation cottage |
Staying there we visited various
places and sightseeing from the two day and three nights. We missed many views
as most viewpoints are covered in mist by the time we check, which is perhaps
because of the storm but glad there wasn’t heavy rain alike we travelled to
Ramakkalmedu, before climbing down the hills. The highway was like a gushing river
and the muddy waters were running down the road/hillside and once rain over,
mist over take. We couldn’t see anything at the Ramakkalmedu, popular for high
blowing wind and viewpoint and shooting spot. The grass mound here has a huge
statue of Kuravan Kurathy, a tribal couple, to mark the Sangam landscape and
period.
A pleasant view on mountains and tea slopes of Munnar, and there's a falls beneath, which u could see in further post |
Actually we planned to stay at
Cumbum or Theni before taking the long back journey to home, but took a day
rest at my uncle’s woodhouse in the mountains of Kodaikanal. We climbed down
via Cumbum valley and took the scenic highway, which is my favourite route that
travels along the Western Ghats and reached Kodai Ghats section by evening. I
thoroughly enjoyed the travel between Cumbum and Kodai and the mountains
covered in clouds and lush green fields, along drizzling weather was awesome
feel. I also took a short detour to stop at my favourite spot (which u saw in
my previous post) to take some shots, but I was disappointed a bit to see two
big banners blocking the view.
Breathtaking view on the beauty of Theni, and mountains covered in clouds |
We reached the woodhouse by late
evening, but it was a real challenge than the entire trip because the road to
woodhouse (in Thandikudi) from the Kodaikanal main road was quite lost in mist.
The visibility was very very low and we couldn’t see anything beyond two or
three feet and the road was a single lane, though there wasn’t a vehicle
opposite finding the road and bends were challenging. I open the Google map and
using the GPS I kept telling my cousin the curves ahead and it was really tremble passing the deep
valleys. Our entire stay at the woodhouse was under mist, cold and heavy rain.
Even Munnar wasn’t cold enough, but this is first time I experience heavy mist
and cold in Thandikudi, where it is rainy season. And we returned home on
Saturday (Dec 2) evening.
Labels:
beauty,
Environment,
favorite,
inspiration,
Kerala,
Mist,
Nature,
photography,
Picture,
Pleasant,
rain,
season,
Tamil Nadu,
Travel,
waterfall,
wild,
wind
Friday, November 24, 2017
On a dream travel
Been sometime
took a long journey and explore places for the first and Munnar is one of my
dream destination I have planned to visit next week and I’m so excited to take
the travel through Anamalai Tiger Reserve and Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary instead
the national highways. I have prepared my own route map that travel through the
interiors (small cities and towns) that get me glimpses of many places which I
miss a lot traveling on National Highways. I have been trying to achieve this
trip for last few years, only this year things came closer. Actually I want to
be there last month, as soon the southwest monsoon end but for some reasons it
was postponed and I really don’t want to delay future so thus leaving off on
Sunday.
During my stay
at the woodhouse in Kodaikanal in July, I went up to the foothills of Munnar while
took a drive to Kurangani aka Bottom Station in the Bodi valley. It was a
former tram station where goods are transported from the mountains via Top
Station in Munnar before loaded into Lorries. It’s time for explore the above -
Munnar and I will leave you with a view on the mountains of Munnar, I shot long
back on my way to cloud mountain. This is one of my favourite locations on the
road to Cumbum valley near Veerapandi, but this spot hides away since the highway
take detour. Hope to take many lovely photos from the travel and you all take
care
Labels:
beauty,
Hill station,
Mist,
Nature,
photography,
Pleasant,
Tamil Nadu,
Travel
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Fence and Flowers – Pinto Premium White to Rose
During my
visit to Kodaikanal, staying from uncle’s woodhouse in Thandikudi, in July, I
come across some fence and pretty flowers around the star shaped Kodaikanal
Lake. Spending time on the Kodai lake/road in evenings have been my favourite
pastime whenever I was in Kodai, and sipping hot tea/coffee from the roadside
shop while embracing the cold mountain weather produce a soothe feeling.
There’s something always to watch out being around the lake, either people
pedalling boats or riding horses or cycling around the lake and reflection of
trees, colourful shops and fences and gates of houses around the lake road. And
here’s a fence around a corner of the lake road, with pretty flowers bloomed from inside. My Google search revealed the bunch of pink flowers bloomed inside the
fence was Pinto Premium White to Rose Geranium.
Pinto Premium
White to Rose offers a unique coloration of giant 5-inch flower heads, with
petals start out white turn deepen to rose-pink as flowers mature gives an
pretty bicolour effect. The plants sport deep green leaves with darker zones
that contrast beautifully with the light colored flowers.
Pinto Premium
is a great choice for carefree, colourful summer garden beds or patio containers,
bloom from the end of April until October. It prefers full to partial sun and regular
deadheading for best appearance and flower production.
Linking this post for Good Fences by Gosia and Floral Friday Foto
Linking this post for Good Fences by Gosia and Floral Friday Foto
Labels:
beauty,
favorite,
floral friday,
Flower,
good fence,
Hill station,
Nature,
Picture,
Pleasant
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Beautiful Lights/Lamps
I like
capturing beautiful lamps from the rooms where I stay during my travel. Though I
capture anything that attracts me in a room, the lamps and their lights take my
attention as soon I enter. Though I’m always open to windows, sometime it’s the
light and lamps create beautiful ambiance and mood to stay in the room. The elegant lights and lamps here were shot
from the room where I stayed in Ooty, in April, and I find it delicate to produce
a flimsy effect to stay within. For the light blue coloured walls the lamps are
ornate.
Labels:
Hill station,
inspiration,
photography,
Picture,
Pleasant,
Travel
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Cute lil Squirrel
Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS
Wednesday, November 08, 2017
Monsoon and Cold
Rain has come
down after more than a week of heavy to moderate rainfall, since the beginning
of northeast monsoon the weather is awesome cool. Last Thursday (Nov 2) the rain
touched its peak of 300mm, creating a feel/fear of flooding, though the suburbs
witnessed floodwater due to low-lying landscape, the city recedes to normal in
a day or two. Marina Beach, which has been the downpour at core, continued to lie
under flood water for and we received water up to our doorstep but glad the water
doesn’t enter the home. Though not fully, the corporation had done a bit by
cleaning at least around the manholes of stormwater drain to let in water and
the ramp we built at the entrance of the house prevented the entry of street
water. It was one of the long lasted rains for Chennai after long time and the
rains of Monday (Oct 30) and Thursday was heaviest to create temporary pools.
The weather doesn’t
turn only cooler but also caught cold in me. It’s giving immense trouble lately
and I’m on medicine for a week now, but still couldn’t come out clearly. I haven’t
caught cold in last two years and I took pride about it, but the recent change
in weather and other causes has put down the grade! Lol... Spitting and snuffling
continue to irritate me and kept me away from online activities including
blogging. I read no blog all these days and obviously no update too… but was on
Facebook for rain updates and news relevant to same. Glad the rain decided to
take break which sure will help water recede in the suburbs or aid authorities
to take further steps, and really need to say the govt. worked better than previous
flooding, but still it wasn’t enough. Wish they make certain all the channels
are clear so that it won’t be a disaster monsoon. No doubt that we need rains, and draining/storing the water properly is quite important.
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Sunday Photos: Fun with sparkler
Sparkler is a
popular firework and even those don’t burst crackers would like to hold
sparkler which is less dangerous and harm to environment. From kids to old
sparklers bring smile and merry during the occasion of Deepavali, and it’s the
only firework that I could light. Every year I like creating some images using
the firework mode in the camera by letting someone move the burning sparkler in
random, as well certain directions to get interesting designs. Usually my
father used to help me on the fun task by making different moves on holding the
sparkler to let me capture the images. Following are few designs we created
together, though he isn’t much interested in what I shoot he was cheerful to
execute these for me to exhibit. It gave me different perspectives and I have note it down beneath each image.
Lighting Diya or traditional clay/oil lamp that lit during diwali |
Signature in sparkler |
Tennis Ball |
Mersal (மெர்சல்) a Tamil film title |
Smiley emotion |
Finally its me hehe |
Labels:
Adyar,
Chennai,
favorite,
Festival,
Fun,
home,
photography,
Picture,
PowerShot Sunday
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Deepavali 2017 (remarks)
Deepavali
passed off pretty well last week and I had wonderful time celebrating and going
out watch the dazzling fireworks displays from the neighbourhood. I wasn’t
doing much anything these days but too lazy or not interested to post or write
something while I was in festival mood and relaxed being. Though the day wasn’t
great or differs from a regular Sunday, that begin with watching television and
having curry kulambu for breakfast, the evening turned wonderful with lighting
fireworks and going to beach to watch the aerial fireworks light up from the
neighbourhood. I took many photos/videos on the fireworks display either at
ground or sky; it was fun shooting from three different cameras – iPhonse SE,
Canon powershot and Gopro hero 5. More photos to come soon and do check the video at end of the post.
Unlike earlier
people don’t look or feel festival and even greeting each other has come down,
but I shouldn’t wonder really about it as confronting smile had dropped from
day-to-day life. But I was more cheerful cherishing my old memories and I
couldn’t prevent happiness popping up and the sound of crackers makes feel
festive. Compare to previous years, bursting of fireworks are less this year
but there was high smoke on Deepavali evening/night. The high humidity in air
and along with mild fog the firework smoke sustained into the ambience without
gaps to escape. But it turned normal next day.
I really
amazed at the level of noise reduced this year and the interest on firework
drop. The people say price raise, GST and demonetisation, but this isn’t matter
really and from my observation, the firework price was bit less comparing last
year. Moreover the sudden environmentalists has created a irk feeling and
people doesn’t want to be pointed out guilty or whatever they say, its better
leave alone those unwanted to burst. I’m sure in future bursting fireworks will
be reduced and children who aren’t interested in firework shouldn’t be forced
and it will help in transformation. The environmentalists should continue to
voice against pollution instead popping head on Diwali alone. Fireworks do not
rule us all the days and it highlights what really hides within and unlike
crackers it destroys quiet.
More to come soon.
Labels:
Adyar,
Chennai,
colorful,
Entertainment,
Environment,
favorite,
Festival,
Fun,
home,
India
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Festival of Lights and Fireworks
Deepavali, aka
Diwali is just two days away (Oct 18) and it feels exciting. Deepavali
(Festival of Lights) always been my favourite festival and I always look
forward for this day, and fireworks is the main reason for me to feel alike. I
have grown up bursting fireworks and I really enjoy watching the dazzling light
and colours coming out of the fireworks and the sounds that create a joy mood.
I wasn’t a fan of loud crackers and I have stopped buying those (burst in the
ground) long back, but still the sounds come from the neighbourhood during
Diwali resonates joy. Glad I had a wonderful childhood and memories of
Deepavali, a time where I felt cheerful and continue to be so with memories to
cherish.
Though the only
firework I could lit being sparkles, I used to buy certain fireworks to (let
someone) light up to enjoy the glowing spectacle. While residing in apartment
(from 2006-2013) the celebration touched beyond fireworks, where we shared the
festival spirit with neighbours who share sweets and snacks (of different kinds)
with each other. Dressed in new attires, it’s wonderful to watch and receive
greeting from friendly residents. And in
evening/night the kids gather in front of the apartment and make a dazzling
show of fireworks, and I would be out watching their activities before going to
my great aunt’s house in the suburb to light our fireworks and watch others
aerial outs. I really miss all the things now, but still the festival light
continues to glow and engross.
I could
understand the opposition rising against bursting firework and the Supreme
Court has banned selling fireworks at some places including the nation capital
Delhi, where it created huge air pollution during last Diwali. Though it wasn’t
the only reason for a city that tops the chart in pollution normally, fireworks
added light to the glowing issue. Whatever they say, it’s not easy to erase the
thought of Deepavali without fireworks, though we have no trace from when
fireworks included in celebration, for kids growing up bursting fireworks is
least possible to give up. I don’t think those stopped busting fireworks (or
ever done with it) are conscious about nature and environment. Its sheer delight of gadgets, internet and
television that keeps away people from fireworks, though it may sound good, but
when it applies to all festivals and events doesn’t sound same. Diwali
is a day in a year unlike these that continue to occupy us in good as well
opposite ways.
There are
scientific reasons that have been boon and bane supporting those who approve,
as well oppose to fireworks. I’m not saying bursting firework is good or it
should be completely ban. Firework industry in Tamil Nadu is a huge one and it
has been a livelihood for more than 0.8 million people, but it isn’t that we
all should buy firework and support their lives. Alternate jobs will sure to be
better than making fireworks, which threat lives directly and it would take
long time and for that huge change to happen but instead of banning reducing
its usage would be better option. Could
we stop the New Year celebrations that open with grand fireworks across the globe
or any sports events that loud cry with dazzling fireworks. I think regulating
things and rule stronger guidelines will sure control the level of pollution in
many ways.
As for now let stop
here and celebrate Deepavali and what we need to add is more light and
sweetness to the festival that illuminate the country and whoever practice the
lighting festival. Pls share anything that adds sweetness with your near and
dear ones, and fireworks wasn’t the only thing about Deepavali (or any other
festival) that I believe is based on get-together and sharing happiness and
bond between family and friends. Cheers!
Labels:
About me,
Environment,
Family,
favorite,
Festival,
Fun,
Memories,
neighborhood,
thought
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Red Letter Box
The red letter
box is one of my favourite things from childhood. Many a time I wish to have
one to hang on our house gate, but it never happened. Our current house had a letter
box and it broke down last year, though it isn’t a red letter box.
I find the
above red letter box from the side gates of the KFC restaurant in Kottivakkam, when
we parked aside, I shot the image meanwhile dad went to buy chicken popcorn for
me. You could also see a dog behind, and I found it friendly as it moves around
undisturbed the employees coming out and in, which perhaps could be a kitchen.
Linking this post for Good Fences by Gosia
Linking this post for Good Fences by Gosia
Compensate?
State
govt. employees salary has increased to a height of ever; perhaps the double
amount of their salary. But what bothers me here was doubt. When the employees
were protested to bring back the old pension scheme, the govt. was very quiet or
showed ignore attitude and even high court condemn and request employees to go
back to work. Now the salary has ample increased! Why should we not doubt that
this is a way to shut their mouth, so that they won’t speak out the corruptions
or unheeded about it? I wonder when they could increase the salaries to all
high, what the rulers would take home? I doubt will it grant to great heist
ever in Tamil Nadu.
At other
hand liquor rates has increased in the state run wine shops (TASMAC), will sure
fall on the labours head. I think the
mighty rate of customers is labours and daily wage, who drink letting his
family suffer and this price rise is sure to cut pocket of the family. No I am
not supporting drunkards or encouraging. When the common interest is to close
all the liquor shops, the govt. increasing the price and planning to open the
shutdown shops only welcomes the drinkers and social illness. The price rise is
obviously to compensate the elevated space of govt. staffs salary. So the govt.
is only balancing the state without improvising either side (positively) or
built a parallel income to liquor. Looks prohibition is like only a dream
project that will never takes place, unless govt. takes conscious decision and rehabilitates
drunkards.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)