Multi-storey on ECR

While many part of the country experience (enjoys) monsoon, the Chennai remain hot and humid throughout. Though we passed the hotter summer days in May, the last two weeks have been terrific hot and the heat waves continue to last till nights keeps away the thought of coming out of home. Not only the earth, atmosphere, throat and tongues but also my mind dries up expose to high temperature (38 degree) and I also couldn't think or interested to do anything. But a sudden rain this evening has brought a brief relief and cheer to life. 

Although it continues to rain/drizzle, the environment couldn’t achieve quite refreshing and the warmth continues to survive among the ambiance esp. within our home. It was the same time last year, on June 28; a heavy thunderstorm struck the city where an 11 storey building, which was under construction, went rubble killing 61 people in Moulivakam, near Porur. A site where two 11 storeys were built, with one fell down and another, which was suppose to demolish by authorities since experts believe it’s unfit to become a residential complex and even before it was done a year has completed.

Here is a picture I shot on ECR, a road parallel to IT corridor, multi-stories are new to this part of landscape that stretches close to seashore. I find about 4 to 5 projects coming up on this road, which is emerging as a Nation Highways (NH) from the scenic beach road because of the road widening. Hope there isn’t a repetition of Moulivakam incident anywhere. 

Sri Vidhya Ganapati Temple @ HIMT Campus

I have been on ECR (east coast road) many time, but haven’t led beyond Mamallapuram that much on the scenic road and during my occasional drives across Kalpakkam, I used to come across a Lil beautiful temple/shrine on the left side of the road and within a compound wall and gate, that led inside, the temple look pretty in white. During a course to Alambarai Fort few years back, I stopped and clicked pictures on the temple (from the road) but I haven’t noticed the name of the temple, the idol it hold, even more than 2-3 time I have passed the temple after that, I had no idea of looking beside.

But during my recent drive to Pondicherry, I come to know the name of the temple – Sri Vidhya  Ganapati Temple, from a board at the entrance. So it is a temple dedicated to Ganesha, also known as Ganapati and Vinayaka. At home when I Google with the name of the temple and locating it on the maps, I get to know the temple belong to the Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training (HIMT) and the temple is located at the entrance of their HIMT Pre Sea campus near Vengambakkam Junction, where one of the roads led to Kalpakkam Atomic Station. What interesting was the temple’s architecture, which enhances a style of Jain Temple? 

Colorful Villea

Following the gates on Pvt. Beach lanes off ECR, I was captivated by the colorful blossoms of bougainvillea bloomed outside a bungalow, while leaving one of the by-lanes of ECR. I have seen bougainvilleas bloomed in eye-catching colors of white, yellow, red and purple among the by-lanes many time and I have also grown watching the bougainvillea in a house garden opposite to our native home sometime until we shifted or cut-off by the owner. I always have a nostalgic feel towards this flowering shrub! Hope you like the photos

Gates on Pvt. Beach lanes off ECR

Last Sunday I went for a brief drive on ECR (east coast road), with one of my visiting cousin and the other who drive me always, and as a part of ride, I come across few by-lanes (between VGP and ECR Link Rd) that led to private beaches. I like visiting these lanes from very long back, and I enjoy the quietness and isolation provided by these lanes, all lead to deserted beaches.  Couple of times, during the days I used caliper shoe, I went there to practice some walk in the empty roads and have taken trails in my power wheelchair when it was newly bought.

It’s been long time I checked these lanes and beaches, so decided to do it in the afternoon of Sunday. As we turned into one of the lane, I was left in awe to see the road that were once pretty, was almost damaged (due to work on underground drainage) and looked uneven to drive. But I enjoyed doing off-road on the cut across road in our mini cooper (Suzuki Swift) and spent some time on the end of sandy beach. I find at least a couple of eatery, ice-cream vendor and a balloon shooting at the end of few lanes that open to beach.

While come back from one of the lanes, I suddenly got an idea why not capture some of the gates on the lane to use at the good fences meme. There are many farm houses and private guesthouses on these lanes, and each enclosed with a pretty/neat/variant gate for each of the entrance. I captured about 10 gates, but all from the slowly moving car as I hesitate to halt in front of each gate and to be not warned by the watchmen or captured by the CCTV! So only half the photos came out decently to share here: 

A planked gate gives a look of modern  

Gate in style of picket 

Gate to an open plot

A sliding gate... adorn by a beautiful kolam/rangoli

Linking this post for Run a Round Ranch's Good Fences

Sunday Photos: Volkswagen Beetle

There was a heritage car rally happening in Chennai this weekend, where the old cars are drove to and fro to Pondicherry. Being close to Elliots Beach in Besant Nagar, I couldn't visit the venue – where cars are parked in front of the promenade – although I was interested, I wasn't intended to go to be the truth. But I have been to one of the rally held in VGP (Golden Beach) parking lot, few years back on ECR and got chance to capture some of the vintage cars on park, as well as on move. Follows one of the cars I found in rally: a yellow color Volkswagen Beetle, a 1964 model!

The Volkswagen Beetle, also known as VW Type 1 or VW Bug, is a two door come four passenger car with rear engine manufactured and marketed by German automaker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003. The need of this car and its functional objectives were formulated by Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, who wished for a cheap, simple car to be mass-produced for the new road network of his country. He contracted Porsche in 1934 to design and build it to his exacting standards was one of the first rear-engine cars, which was on designing for four years.

The bug on move

With over 21 million manufactured in an air-cooled, rear-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration, the Beetle is the longest-running and most-manufactured car of a single design platform, worldwide. Although designed in the 1930s, the Beetle was only produced in significant numbers from 1945 was internally designated the Volkswagen Type 1 and marketed simply as the "Volkswagen". The model became widely known in its home country as the Käfer (beetle in German) and was later marketed as such in Germany, and as the Volkswagen Beetle in other countries.

(Source of info Wiki)

Sunday Photo: Austin Classic

Shot at a heritage rally on vintage cars, couple of years back held at the VGP Golden Beach parking lot on ECR.

Sunset @ Mamallapuram

During my last visit to Mamallapuram while coming back from Alambara ford in April, we got to capture some photos on a magnificent sunset. The sun rose down wonderfully across various foregrounds and one remarkable sight among them was the palm trees… which produced stunning silhouettes beside the golden reddish sky.

All these photos are shot from the backyard of the Mamallapuram town and across the Buckingham canal. I have captured sunset many a time off ECR while returning from Mamallapuram in evening, the beauty of round reddish sun never cease to amaze me and the way it play hide-and-seek with palm trees were enchanting.

You perhaps remember this Airplane; I posted sometime long back here which I find parked at Mamallapuram. It was confirmed that the Airplane is yet to convert as a flight restaurant and a prime hotel management has impounded this Boeing 737-200 near Five Rathas of Mamallapuram and opposite to Chariot Beach Resort gateway.  

Airplane enhanced in dramatic sunset and reddish hues

Stone Paintings @ ECR Toll Gate

ECR, defining east coast road is a great blessing for Chennaities and a scenic gateway to the weekend getaway. It’s quite pleasure taking this coastal road all the way to Pondicherry and beyond, but the most amused ride quality was quite restrain till Pondicherry and under toll gate control, the road was maintained well and pretty neatly drawn lines and road studs enhances the ride quality and night driving was fun (once) expose to stunning reflectors. The emerging buildings and villas may change the scenery from time to time, but it seems to adapting everything and breathes fresh forever.

Rock painting on butterflies (click photos to enlarge)

The ECR toll gate is one stop; from where we get tickets to use the road has beautiful setting of garden alongside the booths and flowering plants and date palms adorn the toll gate beside picturesque painting stones. Erected vertically, these painting stones catch anyone's attentions while waiting to pass and during such times I used to try capturing images on them and here are few photos on the paintings shot at different moments.

 

The above one has paintings on animals and birds; and the below was on jungle and the detail was really impressed me when zoom enough on the painting. I find two lily ponds, snake emerging from its burrow and the lesser golden back peck along an own peek from the tree. What more interesting on this painting was, a saint smashing herbal medicine sitting under the tree?  

Yellow flowers bloomed at toll gate

A drive up to Mamallapuram, Kokkilamedu Kuppam, Airplane & ECR

I had a drive up to Mamallapuram on Sunday evening after long time or past summer. I haven’t planned for a drive but decided to go out to beach in the evening and my cousin on his own plan of dropping his grandmother at her house in Mamallapuram enriched my idea of going out. I joined my cousin family, following their interest to accompany me during the ride and living adjacent to ECR (east coast road) that begins at Thiruvanmyuir Bus Depot; and touching the road after 3 month (due to femur fracture)  put me into lot of surprise the changes brought alongside the road. Number of showrooms had emerged either sides of the road, like mushrooms emerging after a brief rain; many villas have also take place on the ECR towards Mamallapuram.

(click images to enlarge)

Since fracture I couldn't take seat into our SUV due to its height, so we took our uncle’s car and made a pleasant drive into ECR… and I wasn't comfort with my camera to take pictures using this car but my cousin sis took few pictures for me. After dropping my cousin’s granny at her home, we took a brief drive around the Mamallapuram which we sometime used to do while visiting the town. We drew beyond the town and went up to the rear gate of Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station and checked a beach beside a fishing village. Kokkilamedu Kuppam (village) is one of tsunami affected area where NGOs had built number of identical house to the villagers residing very close to shore. A big wave is enough to touch or test their houses and there were number of boats resting on the shore after week-long fishing.

The coconut palms at the distance of waves kissing were pleasing to check and the cool breeze rushing from the sea makes cold embraces. The houses in the village were all built neatly with narrow lanes in-between   and each house is left with concrete benches, outside, to sit and relax in evening and there were also few benches facing the sea which I am sure will make it feel pleasure sitting and watching the beach. The village was also laid with concrete roads and interestingly there are three graveyards for this village which I guess must be distinguished regarding their caste and community. Nice the road leads up to seashore to make it possible getting close to it but the environment wasn't clean to spent there more time.

We also come across a big airplane near Five Rathas, which I still have no idea how it should have brought there and why... but each one has different ideas about it and some says there’s a hotel coming up inside the plane or at the premises the plane is parked. I think it must have brought there to support the marine heritage museum that going to exists there soon and a submarine is also on the way to lay there which right now stable at Karaikal port. I still can’t believe how they brought the plane there, because the roads weren't wide enough leading to this place and even if they depart the wings and tail, how comes the big body. But I am excited seeing a plane near!

Surprising there wasn't much crowd at Mamallapuram (a UNESCO World Heritage Site of sculptures) being a Sunday and the roads were also unusually less crowd of vehicles and perhaps, absence of many buses on that day could be a reason for the shortage of crowd. We find number of Great Egrets on the Muttukadu backwater, but we couldn't stop and take pictures unlike before since vehicles passing constantly. The day ends with bright sunset for us and the sun was too fast that day rising down to pinkish red without giving a chance to capture in-between trees and buildings. The ECR has become much accident pone there days and we see more than couple of accident that day and I think the barriers kept along the road to control speed were also in a manner of creating accidents. I think the police need to consider alternate source to this to reduce the accidents and the way buses crossing those barriers where threatening!

Ready for immersion

Every year following Ganesh Chathurthi, immersion of idols takes place at Chennai’s seashores on the first or second Sundays, that depend on the celebration of the festival. Here are photos shot at our nearest beach (Palavakkam) which is allotted for the idols kept around south Chennai to get immersed and on this day, the idols kept flowing into the beach front following number of processions. A Sunday back we tried to check the beach to see the immersion, but we couldn’t make it possible and the roads to the beach were blocked by row of vehicles standing for a km. The picture above and below are few years old, showing the idols kept on the beach before cranes uplift them into the sea and a fishermen taking an idol in the catamaran to immerse into the sea.

P.S. Posting under the series PowerShot Sunday

The last four months

There was a mixed feeling being shifted to this house more than four months back. There were many ups and downs related to family and home environment, but the part of my life travels on similar path, more or less, nothing bothered me much and I don’t feel much change in my life, apart some mishap with father (who’s just back to normal after his bike fall) which led our life thought physically trouble and emotional stress. For nearly two months, mom had been the only caretaker of mine to take care of my needs indeed without the support of dad, which was the troublesome phase ever in my life.

our small backyard

Today everything seem to be nothing and the difficult times are no more, because, they are almost become a part of my practical life. Leaving those behind, life has been wonderful with pros and cons and the weather on other hand had been very pleasant these days unlike extremely hot when we shifted home back in April and followed by sultry May. The rain that make way through last two months had sent wakeup calls to mosquitoes (even though they aren’t new for us and they are almost everywhere around Chennai) we are forced to close all the windows and door before 6 pm to prevent them enough. Even we can’t sleep without fans on; glad we have an inverter to keep us asleep when the power goes off often when it rains.

 The house is well lit throughout the day without a need for lights (each room has two wide windows) only the wind couldn’t enter much unless there’s heavy blow outside. We aren’t daring to keep all windows open to make free entry for mosquitoes since we haven’t put nets for windows like how we done at our early house. Though it isn’t a matter anyway, but maintaining the house to keep clean wasn’t easy enough which was double the size of our early one and with trees around we can’t stop leaves thrown down.  But what I liked more was the small garden space of the backyard, which is enough to say than nothing, and who won’t dream of a house with garden space. I liked it much and want to see it bloom with flowers and grasses.

Before we come to this home, my bro wanted to make lawns with the open spaces around but once rain stared to pour the grasses began to grow on its own on the open space. I know they aren't the grasses use for lawns, but a kind of wild weeds growing fast to a foot now and looking for a cleanup. I suggest mom to direct a cow (those pass our house everyday and some time lie close to our compound for the shadow of the tree) to have the grasses as its breakfast, but she don’t like my idea saying that it will also eat our others plants.  

We had re-planted some of our pot plants there and there’s already a yellow flowering shrub and bougainvillea that need to grow enough to see blossom. There are jasmines, hibiscuses, anthimanthaarai (4 O'clocks flower) and button roses (check the collage above) growing close to ground. It’s so good to see them blooming like white bulbs every morning and 4 O'clock flowers in cheerful yellow, there’s also a white frangipani tree at our parking dropping fabulous flowers. Just four months old, the neighbors were still strange enough except for this only family that made touch with us, since facing our side front it was easy making friendship with them.

PowerShot Sunday - Muttukadu Lake

This picture was shot two years back, before the construction of a small bridge across the backwater lake, adjacent to Muttukadu Bridge, to bear pipe’s carrying drinking water from the Seawater Desalination Plant in Nemmeli, to support water scarcity in Chennai. I have crossed the Muttukadu Lake number of times but ever got a picturesque moment or scene like this where the lake shares the sky blue.

I lightly touched the contrast to just highlight the blue tone and I was totally impressive with the outcome in image and alive as well then. I indeed disappointed with the look right now and after the construction of bridge, the sight was almost interrupted and water wasn't clean due to unclear soil and sand that block the inflow of sea.

Muttukadu is a famous tourist spot and boatyard on the ECR (east coast road) toward Kovalam or Mamallapuram. 

P.S. Btw. Goodbye to Google Reader… going to miss the wonderful and easiest tool that assist me following blogs, from the beginning. First time I shifted the blogs (to bloglovin) and there are many alternates but I don’t think anything could be comfort like reader. 

Raindrop boat house - Mudaliarkuppam

Few weekends back we drive to Raindrop boat house at Mudaliarkuppam on ECR (east coast road) about 90km from Chennai. Actually we planned for an outing on Sunday on ECR and drove up to Mudaliarkuppam perhaps taking a boat ride on the backwaters of Odiyur Lake. It was a sunny day way up to summer heat but it wasn’t hot that much that day perhaps backup by A/C and coastal ride, we had our lunch under some trees shadows off ECR. One of the best aspects of outing had always been having lunch at unusual circumstance; especially under shadow of trees is quite relish and refreshing.

We (along with uncle, aunt and cousins) were at the boat house in afternoon and I was anticipated to take a boat ride there while it was where my last boat ride took place four year back. But my bad chance the boats that we took for ride last time were abandoned, due to broke up and there were only boats with seating options which is unsuitable for me. Last time we took a boat with flat on-board (check the abandoned boat in 1st picture) which could accommodate my wheel chair besides sliding benches for a relax ride. But somehow I enjoyed the visit to the boat house and I got to check the activities held around from the dock.

The boat house is located on a picturesque location with one side of vast Odiyur Lake and other side a large backwater channel lasting for more than 3 km parallel to shore before met with sea. There are many type of ride available at the boat house to enjoy water sports like pedaling, rowing, motor and speed boating and water scooting and kayaking. Leaving me and dad at dock, others went on a boat ride and pedaling boat, I went up shooting with camera while sun warms beside I was content with the cool sights I caught up around.  

There were number of sea birds floating around and taking on and off the water. I also saw common kingfisher fishing from the dock and other unknown birds taking the abandoned boat engine as its home. A huge fiber boat was anchored near the boat house to attract visitors capture our attention in blue. Unlike then the boat house doesn’t look so graceful and a part of dock was broke down and also lost its already partial roof. But I still prefer this boat house the best and it doesn’t throng by people like the always crowded Muttukadu boat house near Chennai on ECR. The eco system of backwater is too good here and the boating also take us for long distance ride and  give sometime to spent on the island at the mouth of lake.

Raindrop boat house also operates a restaurant and also conduct pre-orders on parties and get-togethers. It is one of a number of best places to check on weekend outing or picnicking between Chennai and Pondicherry. 

Common Kingfisher

Splashing water scooter

House shifting - close to dream home!

There are many toughest jobs in the world and house shifting is one of the hardest and beyond transporting things, there are certain things need to be addressed alongside the postal address on subscribers, ration card, LPG cylinder, telephone, net… to cause immense trouble. Unlike transporting the home appliances that takes one or two trips to load and unload, the change in address and connections are an unending annoy and tiresome take more than a week or sometime a month to settle. Those who are constantly transferred according to their job placement could well understand the toughness of reconnecting but for the only second time yet to be relocated doesn't matter much though leaving a familiar place and replacing things aren't easy.

image courtesy: google

Yes, we are shifting our house to an adjacent area from the current location in Thiruvanmiyur; Kottivakkam is a suburb included with the Chennai Corporation lately. It’s been more than seven years we shifted from our native home in Adyar to buy an apartment flat in Thiruvanmiyur, esp. for the comfort of mine who found difficult residing in a first floor, now moving to even more comfort  and spacious home. First time we are going to a rental, as well individual house excites me. I know it is not that easy to adjust to a new environment and strange neighborhood but I hope things won’t be different hence we get practice with things will only used to get better.

There wasn't much urge to shift our home, but we go on wanted for an individual home since we get to know there are few available in an area which I have passed many time going to Palavakkam beach. I too wished it would have been nice having a home there when passing that area sometime, how can I miss the chance that comes involuntarily sniffing my mind! Lol But there was also a need to change home for certain reasons that kept troubling from beginning, such as water and parking. Our apartment doesn't have a metro water connection and so far water is only bought through Lorries and filling up the sump once a week.  Because of this situation many house owners had left the apartment to rent somewhere leaving their house to rent.

The apartment has parking facility for only certain houses and when the no-parking residents also park their cars; there is heavy demand for parking space. Since we bought a SUV (Scorpio), we can’t park it inside the parking space allotted for us because the space is only favor for small cars to come in and out. We are forced to park our car only outside the apartment complex and its high annoyance when some other car parked there; we have to wait sometime for them to move away or park somewhere. In the individual house that we are suppose to move within a week troubleshoots both the problems and moreover it has number of favorable things to cheer up life.

It was somehow close to my dream home environment with enough space around the home, enclosed with compound walls and separate gate for covered car parking and a small portico to relax in evening and hustle and bustle free streets. The house is just 700 meters away from the Palavakkam beach and lil far behind the Kottivakkam KFC Restaurant on the eastern side of ECR (East Coast Road), is an easy landmark for anyone visiting us. If you are passing the KFC restaurant, don’t forget to stop by for a sip of coffee at my home :)

We have decided to shift things on weekend following a small milk boiling morning on Thursday, inviting the near ones alone. I especially like this individual house for the open space around the building that supposed to support my interest on gardening. There are already few trees around the house, including heat reducing Neem Tree and flowering shrubs on neighborhood compound, brings hope on inviting more birds and butterflies. I’m sure I’m going to miss my dear kingfisher who I receive every day here, but I still hope I would get more visitors like him there. There are number of tree around that area and I would gladly restart my evening outing in wheel chair without any fear, since the area is calm and free of pollution and vehicle traffic.

I didn't take photos on the house when I checked last week, but once shifted I will be able to post more pictures. Hence shifting I won’t be able to access internet for few days or a week until I reconnected at new house. I will write on things that I gonna badly miss because of shifting home in another post… since this post is extending. Take care and keep away from excess summer heat :)

Kadal (The Sea) View

I had a wonderful visual treat; watching the Tamil film ‘Kadal’ from my regular Drive-in Theater here late night, get me an experience of floating at a distinct yet fabulous locale. Sea, being the livelihood of fishermen had become the source of this film and characters play a powerful sail on the gently yet rough screenplay, but boarding a weak story. There are many films related to fishing folk formerly, but Kadal has been fascinating a lot among enrich showcased in location setting. I wished there was a total different story on this performance oriented on board into the sea.

There are two main characters lead the story with their impressive performance: the comeback of yesteryears handsome hero, Arvind Swamy, took crown once again representing a respectful priest and Karthik son Gautham’s debut as young hero, certainly befit to the character of young fishermen that uncertain to adapt anybody. And of course we can’t go with them alone; everybody does a natural play around the scenario and the teen heroine, Thulasi (daughter of actress Raatha), steals heart with her childish attitude and cute expressions… she has a long way to go become a mature artist.

The film almost sails on a lifeboat of characters, the sea become a backbone to this mysterious or lead to confusion subject. The Tamil slang spoken in the film was very unusual and offensive somewhere, adding chaos at understanding the phrases. The songs composed by AR. Rahman had already recognized as best, has once again confessed to stole via visuals, except Nejikkula – the one tops the album has lost track between scenes and speech – cinematography has ruled others with two excellently choreographed. The setting of the Church and fishing market and the broken ship are architecture excellence!

The most fascinating and stunning part of the film was the climax! The actions performed by the three (Goutham, Aravind and Arjun) on the ship on rough seas were breathtaking and represent anything unlike before a Tamil cinema has witnessed. I read from the acclaimed cinematographer (Rajiv Menon) interview that the awesome storm sequence at climax was shot alive during the Nilam Cyclone that landfall near Chennai in October. Taking the film crew into the sea when the storm was at its peak really needs guts, and not only our filmmakers but the actors too truly amaze me by taking such dare ventures and experimenting live action using the unpredictable terrible natural event.

Hats off to ace director Mani Ratnam for creating unique at Tamil cinema, taking each pace forward into his own standard with film-making;  Kadal is another film adds credit to his phenomenal except the disappointment with story but, technically and naturally content.  

Kumki – Jumbo ride

Expectation is something we can’t avoid, however; even we get frustration sometime going overly anticipating. So was a film was wonderful, the anticipation happens robotically towards the filmmaker’s next venture and there’re only few in the film division whose makeup lives up to the feeling and enhance and embrace close to the heart.

From the time the movie was entitled, the anticipation began; since the movie is based on things I’m passionate about – nature and wild, how can a tamed elephant story become exception? Kumki is a Tamil name for the captive, trained Indian elephants that are used mostly for taming and training of newly captured wild elephants and also to lead away wild elephants that stray into human settlements.

Prabu Solomon, the director of the late fascinating film Mynaa has come up conjoining nature and music side by side, comprising romance and thriller leading the movie to emotional core. Set in a tribal village, which faces the stroke of wild elephant and lose of lives hires a trained elephant to tackle the tusker that threatening their lives and livelihoods; the mahout who falls in love with their tribal girl decided to stay there with his show elephant, which doesn't trained to combat a wild elephant. But how come he manages all in spite of love and venture on tusker; embark on an adventures ride.

The grandson of Sivaji, Vikram Prabu doesn’t let down the pride of greatest actors of all time, portrait as mahout perfectly, conveyed almost inherent of the character that distinctly noticed. Being a debut actor, his unfamiliar face is plus and Lakshmi Menon strikes through her cute expressions even expose to tremble, beholds a perspective native tribe women. The film was throughout fascinating and Thambi Ramaiah does a mainstream humor and character vise manipulate. The head of the tribe village is also a notable character.

There’s a lot to experience in the film which visually treat and sound track creates a vibrant and alive moments esp. the Jog falls sequence was stunning and an ever seen scene shot on the screen. Terrific! I really need to mention about Music, which is the heart beat of the feature film and songs are quite intimate with the scenes and no where it feels off track or disjoined. The scenes related to elephant destruction and battle are created through graphics; but the way u look into the screen will animate and the real elephant Manikam was truly admirable and being the largest land animal, its behaviors are very childish and creates a sympathy over its disposition.

I need to say the Kumki (movie) was completely blissful and worth watching! Get ready for a lovely experience :)

ECR, and the other day

The other day I had a brief drive on ECR (east coast road) across Kovalam along with my cousins for nothing but just time pass and lunch and I had some photo opportunity on roadside. That day I didn’t take my camera with me so took few shots with the 3.MP galaxy player.

The Toll Plaza in ECR was the first of its kind for us to experience a paid road when it was introduced in 2002; and the road extends till few km before to Pondicherry. The toll plaza remains one of the pretty hold by itself on this fun filled scenic beach road and is decorated by few artistic stones painted on birds, butterflies and animals dividing the lanes with green mounds and decorative plants.

The ECR is a drive pleasure road for anyone taking it around to reach the many entertainment spots alongside and beyond the sculptural hub Mamallapuram and reaching French colony Pondicherry; it really needs more post to look into detail. The road is a well laid and moreover maintained properly with no bumps or jumps and taking the lane thought night was once interesting watching the roadside barriers and road stud flashed to reflectors on them.

Touching the ECR with few meters from home, the road remains as one of the most frequently used and taking away the prior when a thought of getaway exists and also the way out of city easily. The road remains free of traffic once out of city limit and it also has its share of disadvantage being exposed to accident-prone and rash driving to endanger.

On way to Kovalam beach – the other day, we come across a bunch of pups on the roadside and only the one above came alone from the group waking along the road but it was too shy to give us pose and turning back as we moved further. Kovalam beach is one of a beautiful seafront shaped in curve and called as Fishermen Cove, the southern edge has a temple and during Sunday this place is packed with people visiting the temple and shore from far and near. 

Covalong Beach

Dolphin City

‘An attempt on recollecting and restoring memories’

It was a feeling of enthusiastic when my uncle announced that we are going to Dolphin City in the evening and I was on my way to barbershop for hair cut when hearing it, but couldn’t resist dreaming on Dolphins actions on the Discovery Channel, sitting to the rolling chair while scissors trim the hair. It was the time we were residing on the upper portion of my maternal grandparent house in Thiruvanmyuir while we rebuilding our own in Adyar – both were neighboring areas of south Chennai – the barbershop was in the ground floor of my grandparent’s two storied building.

From the time I get to remember things, I’m cutting hair from the same salon and even today the barber from this salon comes home to get trim my hair and bread. The one who runs this shop for years had become our family friend in the latter run and who sincerely care for me and never took money to cut my hair but I’m not sure and haven’t asked my grandfather whether he balance the pay with the rent.

It was a Sunday evening, as usual, with close family members get together at grandparent’s house and since we sojourn from the same building, it was more cheerful for us to stay connected throughout the day with dear ones. In two cars we reached the Dolphin City in the early hours of evening, which is about 43km from Chennai and 10km before Mamallapuram on the ECR (east coast road), opposite to the then famous amusement park Little Folks, who initiated the first on its kind of fun filled water park in the country.

We parked the cars on either side of the ECR, adjacent to the walls of amusement park and with great excitement we entered the park where a disappointment waits for us to learn that Dolphin show was canceled due to illness of the species but Sea Lions show was available alternatively. After discussing sometime our elders take the right decision and gladly that was not to get back home but catch-up with the Sea Lions show.

With no idea of the lions I entered the venue, which is a two storied high gallery partially enclosed and arch in shape with a blue pool in the center looking cool at us; and after waiting few minutes the black two lions emerged skating through the doorsteps behind the stage and took hold the stand up like table. I remember they clapped first with their fore flippers, following many amusing activities like playing volleyball, pool basketball, catching rings, diving into water... are all awesome; and their playful behavior, sharing kiss and splashing water on the audience on the first row were looked fun and fascinating.

After a great amusement and lifetime experience disclosed by the pool stage, we head to the artificial lake hold within the City premises which also houses a boat jetty with small pedal boats and water cycles for a leisure and pleasure ride. But my bad chance couldn't agree for a ride unlike my parents and uncle family took around the small islands created amid the lake surrounded by tranquil and I had a spicy dinner with my uncle at the restaurant located aside the lake, where cool breeze wake up to the off shore and whisper of waves embraced.

I still remember, we had noodles and chicken 65 sitting on one of the tables under the thatched roof restaurant surrounded by trees and lake beside. We also had opportunity to visit the Little Folks on the other side of road and it was already late evening and time for closing the entry, but we managed to get tickets and like the name referred it was a very little amusement park left with a sliding pool and few small riders for kids. My bro and cousin tried the sliding pool and we can’t spent much time there while there’s nothing to do and the lights were turned off we forced to head out quickly.

Footnote:

We visited the Dolphin City in 1998, that was nearly 15 years ago but I just inspired to write on the experience now... after reading one of my friend’s blog post on cities. The Dolphin City and Little Folks stopped its operation at the latter years of last decade and the dolphins were also died very soon after our visit and they continued with sea lions shows for sometime and now only the building is remain.

A part of outing and nuclear power

This is a post on the remaining photos from my last outing on ECR in August and it’s been nearly two month I went out of home except couple of time to watch movies and beach visits, since dad got cataract surgery in the middle of August. For more than a month mom was the only person to take care of me quite and so it wasn't easy for me to think of going out and giving much trouble to her but I have a great company of birds and wonderful weather around.

I hope you all remember my visit across the Kalpakkam Township – a quiet green residential area of Indira Gandhi Atomic Power Station and it has a beautiful backwater lake and small calm lagoon delta to unwind. It was mid noon when we come around the backwater channel that divides the township and it has a well laid platform aside the lake to stroll at leisure in evening. Wish I could be there again one evening experiencing the unwind moment and whisper of waves.

There are many paddy fields on the way to Kalpakkam and they are all evergreen in light and dark shades compare to the growth of stalks. When people are protesting against the Nuclear Power Project in Kudankulam, Kalpakkam stands very close to the farm lands setting an example of unchanged environment and greenery against the thought of Atomic Power Stations will spoil the environment and threat livelihoods.

I think the protest in Kudankulam is unnecessary and when many experts expressing their vows that the Power Station is fully protected, there is no mean for continues protest. Everyone knows that Nuclear power is harmful but there’s a way for handling everything at safe and there isn’t certain that only the nuclear power would destroy lives than anything else. We move only by hope kept forth and there’s risk at every turn, so could we stop traveling and progressing in life?

Wish government take steps to clear their unsecured feeling and peace returned to Kudankulam and Idinthakarai!