Bye Bye 2011

2011
It was a special year for me, as I married my sweetheart and lost my Bachelorhood. This is the year which I will count as zero mile for all the future journeys, I ll take. This year was full of 
rollercoaster rides and some adrenaline punching stunts. We (Now-onwards) went to the farthest island in Indian ocean and had our best time together. I got my new camera lens (thanks to wifey) and i got an extended view for all my shots. The travel became more common and reaching to the secluded parts are something I ll cherish.
This year was also full of Anti-corruption movement, which I supported earlier but soon I realized that this is not the solution and became an open critic of Team Anna. The year was also full of rumors and unclaimed claims in Indian politics. Its always funny to watch parliament and it's outcome.


Best movie: Rockstar

Dhobi Ghat
Yeh Saali Zindagi
Memories in March
Shor in the City
I Am
Mod

Best Songs (Music directors/Lyricist and Singers): 

 "Tere Liye"  Lyrics Gulzar Singer Suresh Wadkar Music   Vishal Bhardwaj

 "Jo Bhi Main"  Lyrics Irshad Kamil Singer Mohit Chauhan Music AR Rahman

Best Destination: Bali , Indonesia -  A perfect gateway for Honeymoon

Best Experience: Scuba Dive
Best Ride:  Kakkabe, Palace estate .

Best Stay: Hard Rock Hotel Bali , Kuta Beach

Best Food: The Pink Poppadum at Ista Bangalore 

Best Place to Eat: @Biryani Zone , Kundanahalli Bangalore
                                @The Pink Poppadum at Ista Bangalore 
                                @Creme Center Patna
Best Drink: Double Black JW
Best Trip: Kannur Beach and Dhanushkodi
Best Party: House Party with close friends

Best Book: Indonesia: Lonely Planet - 9th Edn-Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Celeste Brash, Muhammad Cohen and Only Time Will Tell - Jeffrey Archer 

Best Dare: Scuba and Bungy (again)

Best Buy: 55-250mm IS Canon 
Best TV find: Chakh le India - Kachcha Rasta and TLC
Best portal: Flipkart again
Best News: India's Cricket World Cup win , Sehwag breaking Sachin's record of 200 runs, Gaddafi's Kill.
My Poem - पीले फूलों की दस्तक
My New find Blog topic- विकट बुद्धि
Best Moments: 1st March 2011

Nagarhole-Kabini-Tholpetty , Travelogue and picturelogue

Travelling through Nagarhole National park at low speed is such a pleasure and the hope to find the orange striped Monster is thrilling.
The park is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and belongs to the Western Ghats. The forest have main trees of Rosewood, Teak, Sandalwood and Silver oak thus making it a dry deciduous forest.


We encounter this huge trunk while driving through the Jungles of Nagarhole.
He was very near to our car (50m) and busy plucking grasses.
He did blow a trumpet when we crossed him and quickly fled away. It was an excited moment...



We saw thousands of them hiding in the grass, next to the tar road inside the sanctuary. The chital or cheetal  also known as chital deer, spotted deer or axis deer is a deer which commonly inhabits wooded regions of  India.

The spotted deer is found in large numbers in dense deciduous or semi-evergreen forests and open grasslands.



Its very hard to identify the orange glowing tail in the desnse forest, as they hangup very high and are very shy. The Indian giant squirrel  rarely leaves the trees, and requires tall profusely branched trees for the construction of nests. It travels from tree to tree with jumps of up to 20 ft.  It is a shy, wary animal and not easy to discover. While searching in Nagarhole National park we found this beauty eating leaves, the orange color on the tail was very helpful in identifying an animal up above the trees.
The dark brown, tan and beige (and largest), of the tropical semi-evergreen forests east of the Brahmagiri mountains in Kodagu (Coorg). It is the largest Squirrel of the world.


Soon we reached Kuta and we headed for Irrupu Falls, the fall seems three tiered and is located in Brahamagiri forest reserve.Brahmagiri Hills gives a magnificient 3 tier water fall - Iruppu. The trek to the falls is easy and includes steep steps.


Marmalade hover-fly, is a relatively small hoverfly , widespread throughout all continents.
The upper side of the abdomen is patterned with orange and black bands. Two further identification characters are the presence of secondary black bands on the 3rd and 4th dorsal plates and of faint greyish longitudinal stripes on the thorax. It is among the very few species of flies capable of crushing pollen grains and feeding on them. Taken on the way up to Iruppu falls, Brhamagiri Hills, western Ghats India.



After having a stroll through the Brahamagiri jungles, and a quick bath we tried heading toward Tholpetty National park which is just across the border in Kerala. The park is well guarded and is having more rocky terrian. We hired a four wheel jeep and went inside.
This tree welcomes you to Tholpetty National Park, which is open for Forest Jeeps. The blue sky was blue from the green forest.



Tholpetty National Park next to Nagarhole National Park is good to locate Gaurs. We saw an Herd crossing the jungle road. These were in 8-10 numbers and there was a baby Bison among them.
The gaur (Bos gaurus), also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations.
The gaur has a high convex ridge on the forehead between the horns, which bends forward, causing a deep hollow in the profile of the upper part of the head. There is a prominent ridge on the back. The ears are very large; the tail only just reaches the hocks, and in old bulls the hair becomes very thin on the back. In colour, the adult male gaur is dark brown, approaching black in very old individuals; the upper part of the head, from above the eyes to the nape of the neck, is, however, ashy gray, or occasionally dirty white; the muzzle is pale coloured, and the lower part of the legs are pure white or tan.
In India, the population was estimated to be 12,000–22,000 in the mid-1990s. The Western Ghats and their outflanking hills in southern India constitute one of the most extensive extant strongholds of gaur, in particular in the Wynaad – Nagarahole – Mudumalai – Bandipur complex.
The gaur is the largest species of wild cattle, bigger than the African buffalo, the extinct aurochs, and wild water buffalo. The popular energy drink "Red Bull" is made by an Austrian firm under licence from a Thailand company who originally invented and marketed it in Southeast Asia. The original name of the drink in Thai is "Gratin Daang" which means "Red Gaur" (gratin is "gaur" in Thai)


We also spotted several deer, Peacocks and Turtle on the way. There was also abundance of birds chirping around.
This orange spider was very unique in making net inside the leaves.



You will also find lots of Langurs around the road.
Gray langurs or Hanuman langurs, the most widespread langurs of India, are a group of Old World monkeys.
Langurs are preyed upon by leopards, dholes and tigers.



Soon we headed towards Kabini forest and went to Balle Elephant camp.While visiting Balle, I saw this elephant dancing after having his daily meal.
There are people who advocate the continued capture of wild elephants even today, because herds isolated by deforestation are coming into conflict with humans.
You can also reach this elephant camp at Balle, you must drive via Karapur from Mysore-Mananthavady Road, via Kabini.
They bathe the elephants in the morning and feed them at around 9 AM then they send them to the wild jungles, to call them back again in evening. I asked the forest departments about this interesting sending to wild, then they replied that these elephants eat a lot and jungle is full of free bamboo shoots.Elephants are classified as megaherbivores and consume up to 150 kg (330 lb) of plant matter per day.

The sight of elephants standing in a row, resting their trunks on wooden poles uncomplainingly and waiting for their turn to get the snack is amusing.



Baby Elephant Dancing on its tune.

The old stockades can still be seen when the river waters recede. Although the custom has been discontinued it is a reminder of the barbaric abuse of the gentle giants.
Baby's day out



I just gotout from my car (in the pic) and took a shot while the pachyderm  was crossing the road.
The old khedda site at Mastigudi and the camp for elephants at Balle. Khedda is an ancient method of capturing wild elephants. In the 19th Century Capt. G.P. Sanderson developed a method using stockades that was particularly effective for the Kabini river surrounds.



We saw lots of Pond Heron and Cormorants around the Kabini river basin.

Soon we headed out of the forest and went to Kabini Dam reservoir, which provides water to this amazing kingdom.


Our day was over and we headed back to Bangalore.
Since its a two day itinerary I suggest you to take a stay either at Kabini/Kuta/Trineveli or Manathvadi.

-Sakshi Jain
and Saurabh

The Ghost Town of India - Travelogue and picturelogue

This Ghost town of Dhanushkodi is a must visit for "off-roading"  freaks and people who loves emptiness and Zenith for a simple landscape shooting minimalism. For others, you can visit for religious purpose and can take bath in the confluence of oceans.
This the place where Ram built the bridge to defeat Ravan. And its the end of Mainland India. This is the last place of India.
One of the most serene yet haunting place in India.
The moment you will take a left turn to the shore and the thickness of sand will give a jitter to your vehicle but the thrill is all to meet the end.


You will find numerous Sand Pipers running around and catching small crabs. 




The vulture waiting for another carcass in the desert.




You will also find some wild horses roaming and grazing around.



Wrecked fishing boat at Lands End



The buildings that braved the fateful day still exist partly buried in the sand and partly weathered by the sea adding a mysterious beauty to the place. A rusted four-pillared structure, possibly a water tank, welcomes us to this lost land. Even though the town was wiped away by the 1964 cyclone, small numbers of temporary settlers live in thatched huts during the fishing season.



Ghost Town.... of India , Destroyed Completely by Cyclone.



Destruction: Church and Railway station



Even though there was a railway line between Pamban and Dhanushkodi and a passenger train used to ply regularly, after the storm the tracks were damaged and in course of time, were covered by sand dunes and hence had to be abandoned. One has to reach Dhanushkodi either on foot along sea shore on the sand dunes or in jeeps and in tempos of fishermen.



No Man's land




All together over 1800 people died in the cyclonic storm. All dwelling houses and other structures in Dhanushkodi were marooned in the storm . The high tidal waves moved almost 10 kilometres onto this island and ruined the entire town. Pamban bridge was washed away by the high tidal waves in this disaster. 




Well in the Ghostliness



Breathtaking beauty, a population of less than 500, the nearest telephone about 20 km away, out of reach of mobile signals and the feeling of being in a place which was once alive, now reduced to rubble, makes it a place truly less travelled. And standing at the tip of India is a pretty heady feeling!

Once..... Alive!!

Remnants of the Dhanushkodi Railway Station

in the Ghost Town

Ex-president of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, hails from a fishing hamlet called Dhanushkodi

History of Dhanushkodi : Dhanushkodi is the place where Ram (from Ramayana) visited on the way to Lanka and held pooja. This Hindi Epic says that at the request of Vibeeshana (brother of Ravana) ,Ram broke the Sethu with one end of his bow and hence the name Dhanushkodi (Dhanush meaning Bow and Kodi meaning end) .This Setu is also called as Rama's Bridge/Adam's Bridge and it connects India and SriLanka.

History of Destruction:- Dhanushkodi Railway station and Town was hit by a massive tidal wave storm in 1964. The whole train was washed away killing all 115 on the spot. All together over 1800 people died in the cyclonic storm. All dwelling houses and other structures in Dhanushkodi were marooned in the storm . Following this disaster, the Government of Madras declared the town as Ghost town and unfit for living after the storm.Only few fisherfolks now live there.





Remnant of Church

You will also find some families of fishermen, carrying fresh waters and bringing the silhouette to the frame

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saish746/sets/72157627765498333/ 

The Unusual Goa

Everybody who has been to Goa talks about The Beaches, The Babes and The Boozes OR The Sun, The Sand and The Sex. The usuals come down as a part of Bandwagon Effect and eventually become the carriage wain. 

• -          There are more beach stalkers and vendors than the beaches. They will even sell sand if you wish to purchase them. Don’t forget to bring dollar$.
• -          The Hippies are long gone, legacy remains. You search whatever; you will end up meeting desperate Indians in search of lost legacy.
• -          Each and every Hotel calls themselves a Beach resort and they are just 200 m off the beach. In other words: The average distance between the beach and the beach resorts are around 2 minutes walk.
• -          Not all shacks are funky and plays trance. Some are dead like fish and smells like one.
• -          The beach reclining chair will be cheaper if you buy them from a furniture shop than renting them on the beach. Yes, the prices go up to 200 Rs per Hour till sunset.
• -          Still the butter chicken and Naan are cheaper than Sea-foods. Goa does not boast a good seafood collection cheaply available. Lobsters and king prawns are way costlier than Russell market in Bangalore.
• -          Cows go on strike at dusk on the road. Try maneuvering your vehicle instead of honking.
• -          There is only one Discothèque- Tito’s and it’s crowded and ill mannered as BMTC bus. The staff will treat you like a “Feni –drinker” even if you wish to go out of Tito’s.
• -          Don’t forget that Feni is not cool and cannot be compared to Vodka. It is officially classified as ‘Country Liquor’ and stop blaming Tequila.
• -          Xacuti is actually a Goan curry dish and it’s excellent with its spices. So is vindaloo and there is no Aaloo (potatoes) in it.
• -     Remember to keep your Beach towel in front of your eyes, Don't keep them hanging behind the recline. There are many street (Beach) Dogs, who are ready to lift their leg. 
• -  Goa is not just churches and beaches, there are some amazing breathtaking picturesque Forts. The great myth with Dil Chahta Hai and Aguada Fort is actually true. Try Chapora Fort too.
• -          Just remember that whatever the name may sound like, French, Greek, Portuguese, Italian, Israelis’, or German- they are truly Indian. Casa Portuguese, Britto's, Souza Lobo, Le Casa, Bella Ciao and many other are run by Indians. So expect an Indian touch to international flavor and please give them some 30 odd minutes to take down your order. Remember you are on relaxing tour.
• -          Famous Water sports only include Para-sailing, Water scooter / speed boat.  I see Baywatched beaches with Jeeps doing some round to cater safety to tourists. That a good thing, but don’t except Pamela Aunty to rescue you.
• -          Last but not the least- the Liqueur in Goa at shacks and beaches are not cheap. Obviously if you buy them at the Wine Shop then its dirt cheap, but remember you are a tourist.  A beer worth 25 rs is only worth 25 rs if you buy them at Wine shops.

Apart from the unusuals, the usuals are great when compared to any coastal region in India, which brings me back to Goa again and again. Right from the 30^th Day till 30^th year of my life, I ve been to Goa 30 times.