tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81417176435583685592024-03-14T06:28:24.690+05:30Unknown TracksI shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
...Robert FrostAishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-40908531191291678132013-11-16T09:59:00.005+05:302013-11-17T10:29:02.465+05:30Unforgettable Roopkund<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I never believed in love at first sight till I actually felt
it. The first trip to Himalayas ensured that I went back time and again and
each time I came back dreamy eyed and more in love. No wonder people say once
you go there, you will come back addicted. </div>
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This time the plan was to cover part of an ancient
pilgrimage route up to a mystery lake. The lake is said to contain skeletons
more that 500 years old which floats on water when the ice melts during the
month of May.</div>
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After initial hiccups with Air India and the flights,
finally the group had arrived at Kathgodam. A day long journey laid ahead of us.
Not knowing what to expect I started off but was pleasantly surprised with the
views I saw, pine forests/plantations covered in parthenium flowers, horse chesnut
trees in bloom, the rainbows that appeared every time there was a light drizzle
and sun, the small roadside restaurants over -looking the valley and the play
of clouds on the mountains.</div>
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Every curve took my breath away but the snow capped
mountains remained hidden. Finally just as the sun was going down we arrived at
Lohajung our basecamp. </div>
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Excited but tired from the day long journey I quickly
managed to finish formalities and hit the bed, it felt damp and cold, sleep
seemed far away. Much later in the trek I craved for this very same bed just so
that I could get my 40 winks, but until then it wasn’t where I wanted to be.</div>
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The night seemed to have passed quickly and everyone was up
before the morning bed tea call, finally Nanda Gunti was visible and as the sun
rays changed colours the mountains followed the suit, the birds hopped around
unmindful of the people watching them. A pair of Grey Tits hopped in the
branched close by, a whistling thrush foraged at the garden. At a distance I
could see warbler sized birds play. Given a choice, I would have stayed back just
to keep watching them. But then time was at a premium and we had to leave. </div>
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The day one of the trek was to a village called Didina (8800
ft), it seemed far away when they pointed it out to us at Lohajung. The route
to get there; simple down one hill and another hill and then climb up the next
hill. So we started, the walk felt like my treks in Western Ghats, green trees
everywhere, algae growing on them, waterfalls all along the way and leeches. </div>
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The
forest was alive with bird calls, not one I could identify, luckily some made
brief appearances and I could catch a glimpse of them. The brown fronted
woodpeckers seemed most common and kept company all along, Himalayan Griffon
let us know he was there, some babbler played hide and seek in the bushes and
birds similar to white eyes has me running around the trees. But rain ensured
that cameras were all packed and I didn’t stop too many times to watch them.
When I finally reached Didina, sitting inside a village home I was able to
enjoy sights of these beauties again. The peach trees were bearing fruits and the birds
seem to have a feast there. It looked like it was the season for red millet,
the farms all round had millet growing, they looked more like red flowers and
for a long time I was wondering what they were. Inside the wooden walled house in Didina night
passed rather slowly. While it was warm inside the house sleep evaded most of
us for a long time, the pitter patter of rain outside did not give too much
hope for the next day either. When I did manage to sleep it was time to trek
again.<br />
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The next pit stop was at Ali Bugyal, the region is known for
never ending meadows, but to get there one has to first climb a mountain. The
rain forest feeling continue through most of the stretch, the mist ensure I
could not see beyond 10 mtrs, the air had an eerie feeling, but for the
chirping of birds at a distance the whole thing felt like scene from a horror
movie.<br />
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Once in awhile when the God of winds decided to be kind we could see
mountains around otherwise it was misty and wet. Some parts of the mountains
had remnants of flowers that might have been in bloom few weeks back, I could
only imagine how pretty it might have looked.<br />
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Since the route we were taking
was not visible, the guides were constant asked how much further and they kept
saying just after the next bend. After couple of bends we did final reach the
camp. The evening was spent exchanging
stories from past treks and travels.<br />
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The walk to Patal Nachauni (12815ft) was one of the
easier ones, while it was a long walk it was mostly walking through the
meadows. Had it been a clear day it would have amazing to see miles and miles
of green.<br />
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The highlight for the day was seeing the bearded vulture. As some of
us walked in the mist we suddenly saw the bird fly past. After a short distance
it turned and headed straight towards us, what a sight it was and what a pretty
bird it was.<br />
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The excitement of seeing it kept me going for a long time. But for
the weather this camp site would have been the most beautiful one.<br />
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When the
clouds lifted for a brief moment it relieved rows and rows of mountains, and in
the valleys one could see small hamlets.<br />
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Tailess rabbits (pika ), white
wagtails, white capped redstart and mountain
pigeons kept me occupied in the evening. Music and camp fire kept the spirits
high and we were just 2 days from the final destination.<br />
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The climb to Bagua Basa/ Bhagwabhasa (14353 Ft) was a
short one, but the gain of altitude and angle of climb makes it slightly tough. We were advised to walk slowly as this was a
sudden gain of altitude in a short time. The break at Kalu Vinayak (a small
temple with Ganesh Idol made of Black stones) was a welcome one.<br />
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After a mandatory prayer to the deity the
group set off to the campsite. At 14500 ft there were no trees or shrubs, but
then I saw the famed Brahma Kamal. After all the years of hearing about it I
finally saw it all along the path to Bagua Basa.<br />
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The other lifer for me was seeing
a himalayan weasel, the fact that it was so well camouflaged made it difficult
to spot initially. A highly active animal it navigated through the rocks and
disappeared in 2 mins. At Bagua Basa the terrain was rockier and the weather
changed within minutes. It was cloudy and suddenly there was a burst of
hailstones and the next minute it was sunny and one could see rainbow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29HPFbK4IOM5j7WzTPFQikNhMpKCQgWTiQuK-RezcVdwZxZGF16qS7fUCAab0OSITAJrPbQ6VN_kc_KUnU-oYxc9bXHn9DYURlWolaYM6_lNDA2HqOOoNjEOoR4r3_J45gtzFAY8f9i8/s1600/DSC_0637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29HPFbK4IOM5j7WzTPFQikNhMpKCQgWTiQuK-RezcVdwZxZGF16qS7fUCAab0OSITAJrPbQ6VN_kc_KUnU-oYxc9bXHn9DYURlWolaYM6_lNDA2HqOOoNjEOoR4r3_J45gtzFAY8f9i8/s400/DSC_0637.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCjDhkF4GIMnQecOngLJv9eTS0JD4ewle_MEFMvAdk_KZCpLt4KhRF6qAOLbW5SKUaacp5nS_B_EeoYS9BjZ9g12MpSuBnTTYqHgEzptTztNyypmUhqL0dCD-pglzB6qXkvhElpEXYkY/s1600/DSC_0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCjDhkF4GIMnQecOngLJv9eTS0JD4ewle_MEFMvAdk_KZCpLt4KhRF6qAOLbW5SKUaacp5nS_B_EeoYS9BjZ9g12MpSuBnTTYqHgEzptTztNyypmUhqL0dCD-pglzB6qXkvhElpEXYkY/s400/DSC_0678.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">At a
distance layers of mist seemed to approach and in no time engulfed us. The play
of wind and light had me spell bound, but changing weather also meant it got
cold within minutes. It was the coldest I had ever felt. Thermal, gloves, thick
jackets clothes layers were worn and still I was shivering in the night. When I
woke up in the morning the ground was frozen, there were small ice formations on
the plants and rocks. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs8AweF7rwMF5JlF_lLuxwI-GzamwxaYvRP4dmvE0rCBa3u6zNaV17_3jD_whMLFugPzztx65fS3eTLGDqceZCFo5SXFuKDW4H7dv8RGHwKwFTWzicAz2UA2UEu2DNNorYzGsh7zatC4/s1600/DSC_0683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs8AweF7rwMF5JlF_lLuxwI-GzamwxaYvRP4dmvE0rCBa3u6zNaV17_3jD_whMLFugPzztx65fS3eTLGDqceZCFo5SXFuKDW4H7dv8RGHwKwFTWzicAz2UA2UEu2DNNorYzGsh7zatC4/s400/DSC_0683.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The day started early, the plan was to reach the lake and
then return to the previous campsite on the same day. As I started to the climb
to Roopkund (15750 ft) I could feel effect of high altitude, every step seemed
like an effort especially at the last stretch, the 3 kms seemed like forever
but finally I was there. A small walk on the snow and I had reached.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB1wJUp4UGdQLVuPAwq6a-FYlnWqGA3p8FWk3VGIfOduBprDK1DO8k28h36do0o53fv0BdzgluMFgYhbHWsJfZ7zzk_a-mKFVKKcvPyvhbr4VjhCi_fAVe10DAl7gqMPy-MMIiz59LGw/s1600/DSC_0686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFB1wJUp4UGdQLVuPAwq6a-FYlnWqGA3p8FWk3VGIfOduBprDK1DO8k28h36do0o53fv0BdzgluMFgYhbHWsJfZ7zzk_a-mKFVKKcvPyvhbr4VjhCi_fAVe10DAl7gqMPy-MMIiz59LGw/s400/DSC_0686.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The sun
god was kind it was a clear day. The skeletons
didn’t look as scary as I thought it would. While some of the fellow trekkers
went ahead to a pass I stayed back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwpDD8_8nn3s6YRKpVnbdjKpQZOLAZPF-8sGKaIh_oKekJUu1mbmE90Q3iMEYf2-LqtoFzQyr829m312D3WlzbWJe3dwbtE1cTVw5lBSJKBli7TCu3xYAbkmN46u7zxFVtpifD3YenWI/s1600/DSC_0693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwpDD8_8nn3s6YRKpVnbdjKpQZOLAZPF-8sGKaIh_oKekJUu1mbmE90Q3iMEYf2-LqtoFzQyr829m312D3WlzbWJe3dwbtE1cTVw5lBSJKBli7TCu3xYAbkmN46u7zxFVtpifD3YenWI/s400/DSC_0693.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Looking around I was surprised to find
butterflies at 15750 ft. It had me wondering how they survived with all the
snow/ice and heat. Hot Maggie at the
peak warmed my bones a bit and I was ready to head back. Descend was not as
easy as I imagined it to be, I struggled through it. The stay at Patal Nachauni
wasn’t pleasant, it rained through the night. By the end of it I was waiting to
get back to base camp.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The trek back to basecamp was a long one, the plan was to
walk till Wan (a small village) and then take the jeep back. While the walk
downhill put pressure on the knees and toes I was happy to be leaving the
meadows. At Bedni Kund, there was a small tea shop where I stopped for tea, first
sign of civilization after days. After 5 kms of walking I was back in the
woods, the birds were calling, I could hear water gushing and it lifted my
spirit. 2 kms before Wan turned out to be a birder’s paradise. Babblers, warblers,
flycatchers, woodpeckers, flinches didn’t seem to be bothered about human
presence. They sometimes settled in bushes hardly 20 meters away. While I cursed my luck for not having charge
on my camera battery, I am still upset I didn’t have enough energy left to take
noted of their features to identify them later. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWFd0jF0kkFoKannEOKXOb8-tvnb-F2akMfQOPqafqKN_kaxDSz7naul7iGAQLirMf-AaCTJe05Y8B0hVGc5VRvtr8v3c2YMiXAhG7a5Bw_PPjBJJviM7S8yABXrALKwztsY-rY4v5ts/s1600/DSC_0737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWFd0jF0kkFoKannEOKXOb8-tvnb-F2akMfQOPqafqKN_kaxDSz7naul7iGAQLirMf-AaCTJe05Y8B0hVGc5VRvtr8v3c2YMiXAhG7a5Bw_PPjBJJviM7S8yABXrALKwztsY-rY4v5ts/s400/DSC_0737.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Reaching Wan brought the trek to an end. Back
at the base camp the mood was upbeat, a party was sponsored, promise to keep in
touch were made and just like that the wonderful journey was over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I did this trek with a group called Trek The Himalayas, it
has been one of the best experiences so far with regards to organized treks.
They ensured we were well looked after and all our needs were looked after. If
ever I had to do a trek in this region again I would go back to them</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Mythology and Folk
Lore<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The pilgrimage starts from a place called Nauti till
Homekund and happens once in 12 years. The local folk lore has it that ages ago
Goddess Parvati took this route to meet Lord Shiva. On the way she is said to
have created the 4 vedas at Bedni Kund and then proceed further. The next stop
for her is Patal Nachauni where is said to have left her dancing party. Since they
insist on going with her, she makes them dance so much that they lose their
sense and fall into a cave. She then closes the cave proceeds. Ganesh who was
accompanying her felt tired and decided to stay put a Kalu Vinayak. At Bagua
Basa she decides to leave her tiger and continue on foot hence the name. At Roopkund she requests Lord Shiva to quench
her thirst; Lord Shiva uses his Trishul to create Roopkund. When Parvati bends
over to drink water she sees her reflection in the lake. Thus the name Roopkund
is given. From here she proceeds to Homkund where the Rishi perform puja and
then to Nanda Devi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The skeletal remains dating back to 12<sup>th</sup> Century. According
to the locals the King of Kanuj was on his way to Homkund on a pilgrimage. In
his trope along with his army and family he had dancers and entertainers. Since it was pilgrimage, the fact that King
didn’t follow the decorum made goddess Nanda Devi upset and she cursed the
dancers to turn into stones. And when the king reached Roopkund there was a storm
with huge hail stones that killed everyone.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-82660333987403453132013-09-04T00:09:00.001+05:302013-09-04T00:09:38.897+05:30Magic of Nandi<div class="MsoNormal">
Bangalore’s closest hills station holds a special place in
my heart. While most of my memories are of early morning drives on the curvy
roads and the mist, that is not the only reason for this.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIf10tGSBMhxUqpBQBz79tU7HIsbEDoIIu9nOjzg8po9iuxE1JieVXr10Ru9pt7Hpipr-ihGLsrsA8HRvOka2WvpFIiFYtLHTgaMeTn4z41Xtj8t9Yu8dDQec6FQPs_vfof8IIYlWh3o/s1600/DSC_0638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIf10tGSBMhxUqpBQBz79tU7HIsbEDoIIu9nOjzg8po9iuxE1JieVXr10Ru9pt7Hpipr-ihGLsrsA8HRvOka2WvpFIiFYtLHTgaMeTn4z41Xtj8t9Yu8dDQec6FQPs_vfof8IIYlWh3o/s320/DSC_0638.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During a trip with my friends I discovered that one could
walk up a flight of steps to get to Nandi Hills. While I could not explore the
path then I have since done couple of hikes here. As opposed to the crowded
noisy Nandi Hills most of us know this route is scenic, lined with gulmohar, mango
and jamun trees. During summer while the birds entertained me with their songs,
I got to taste some wild mangoes and jamun while walking up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On one occasion I spent time watching yellow browed bulbul
drink water from a dripping tank, another time babblers kept me company for a
long time. Closer to Tipu’s guest house I had my first close encounter with
Tickle’s Blue Fly Catcher. But birds are not the only ones to look out for; the
trail also has a fair share of butterflies, insects and wild flowers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWRdoCLm-kw7HD5BwJngzGWRqehymXGwe8EJuGtwT4uLk6ePYyV3pYWnJhtRPDwoVHpQVDQE1LHqTkG9_gBE5LaBgWp6raeYs-kOoQ7JFwSX1QaQTj9eT3tEXUDJXhKhS1WmVKRZZj8s/s1600/DSC_0690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWRdoCLm-kw7HD5BwJngzGWRqehymXGwe8EJuGtwT4uLk6ePYyV3pYWnJhtRPDwoVHpQVDQE1LHqTkG9_gBE5LaBgWp6raeYs-kOoQ7JFwSX1QaQTj9eT3tEXUDJXhKhS1WmVKRZZj8s/s320/DSC_0690.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-56vmvl_Rr2LHKZV_RboYb4s9ueCVQp-LwY8JtWCqVp2MNc5Jgu-mq4AQSIReLabVIRBNINpmGA2V_nBI1eGpFRRldTgW6-udOz4E7IiyJ9OEI_3t-7LkL4wn6yX6ifOZak_ygcgdzQ/s1600/DSC_0900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-56vmvl_Rr2LHKZV_RboYb4s9ueCVQp-LwY8JtWCqVp2MNc5Jgu-mq4AQSIReLabVIRBNINpmGA2V_nBI1eGpFRRldTgW6-udOz4E7IiyJ9OEI_3t-7LkL4wn6yX6ifOZak_ygcgdzQ/s320/DSC_0900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQViqBEdc1OP-nZpMqlP_tcZ4baELjizYJesSKeR8wil2xMeBzHEMPXnBWl9ee-OcEFM36x4AuklfqUW8uM3C_zSxEIU9NI5fTnkVCkKmGHPhuUNH_NWrme0iC_NHkAi9_zWsZI1f3PB8/s1600/DSC_0977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQViqBEdc1OP-nZpMqlP_tcZ4baELjizYJesSKeR8wil2xMeBzHEMPXnBWl9ee-OcEFM36x4AuklfqUW8uM3C_zSxEIU9NI5fTnkVCkKmGHPhuUNH_NWrme0iC_NHkAi9_zWsZI1f3PB8/s320/DSC_0977.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only eye sore is the garbage that is thrown closer to
Tipu’s Guest house. That brings you back to reality and the impact crowds can
have.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pJJzlDcNLVsl2XZIMNH880G5UkHiX5CtZLQR2bu3metXGDzW55mbrDRvajCBNpN8ve9tPmlwg0IWTfnkdhIHKHtIQEeT3MWowuLFjdMuJKp7IxrS4BBJSE9jN5abobyz23vvf3iOYnI/s1600/DSC_0971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pJJzlDcNLVsl2XZIMNH880G5UkHiX5CtZLQR2bu3metXGDzW55mbrDRvajCBNpN8ve9tPmlwg0IWTfnkdhIHKHtIQEeT3MWowuLFjdMuJKp7IxrS4BBJSE9jN5abobyz23vvf3iOYnI/s320/DSC_0971.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Couple of pointers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is not restaurant on this route till you reach the top
so carry water and some eats. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Careful of monkeys that are on their way up, food seems to
tempt them so please keep them inside your bags.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-66966434258382438632013-04-25T23:52:00.000+05:302013-04-25T23:52:02.438+05:30The amazing world of trees<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love the springs and
summers of Bangalore, they bring out the best in Bangalore. It’s like the
heavens have a special team lined up to shower flowers and leaves on me as I
drive. It amazing how trees along the various roads burst into yellow, orange, purple
and pink flowers, it’s truly a mesmerising sight. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FEQ7XZzSEhL1Rtl7oP2ci44QpWhMKGNGVsa-RbpIrZHJK3Vp7lSbq60-rWO6Ik2MmSM_W9SYalG-vy89IPELJGJ61opeQfA8xeIpz7hDSi0SJjRdzMuiIzAFNB2tbdWAqnorN-0Sr0U/s1600/DSC_0571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FEQ7XZzSEhL1Rtl7oP2ci44QpWhMKGNGVsa-RbpIrZHJK3Vp7lSbq60-rWO6Ik2MmSM_W9SYalG-vy89IPELJGJ61opeQfA8xeIpz7hDSi0SJjRdzMuiIzAFNB2tbdWAqnorN-0Sr0U/s320/DSC_0571.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
While I loved watching
them year after year and always wanted to be photographed sitting or standing
under them I never really bothered to learn more about them. I would always be
amazed by how people I knew name trees by just looking at them, while my
knowledge didn't go beyond knowing 5 trees. After my first tree walk I could not recall more than 1 tree. I kept struggling for a while</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the advise I
was given was to try identify the trees that were in bloom or fruiting. Since
the flowers and fruits look different it’s easier to identify them. Once you
know the names then you just have to observe them more to know other details.
This has been the best advice I have received and have started putting it to
practise. It's amazing how much you can learn just by looking at the flowers. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdAVJU5WP7sPhCsRf_QMueWvuywwKl1j5Qy56AdM6BViGgr7DB9r3rN6cXr7NXamRgemH9hLQ5vK9gX0c70gml6wcJjKIrupj3oLPxuiqFvjKaW5ZdLw1rev4B5Y7kQIkeQs3Ob-at1U/s1600/DSC_0111-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdAVJU5WP7sPhCsRf_QMueWvuywwKl1j5Qy56AdM6BViGgr7DB9r3rN6cXr7NXamRgemH9hLQ5vK9gX0c70gml6wcJjKIrupj3oLPxuiqFvjKaW5ZdLw1rev4B5Y7kQIkeQs3Ob-at1U/s320/DSC_0111-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassia fistula/ Vishu Flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYbe-mJIs0vdnYHm_mIg_kNqGJxSYldxBLocH2j8KjnGODryK8kgVPU3yjdEjVgZNEE-1jkdMaNlnNgHjvO6UnQmuYIMgc5q3KWep8SygYNNm-CHWcTpo-dd1IgYErUOxz4xoCNDhzT8/s1600/DSC_0567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYbe-mJIs0vdnYHm_mIg_kNqGJxSYldxBLocH2j8KjnGODryK8kgVPU3yjdEjVgZNEE-1jkdMaNlnNgHjvO6UnQmuYIMgc5q3KWep8SygYNNm-CHWcTpo-dd1IgYErUOxz4xoCNDhzT8/s320/DSC_0567.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gulmohur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveji7DP0oexpxa2OGfxibm85lEjPmdp9srgHjfGw-NHkR5LVXKPvFbn3nO2FHd6ten_XipSLqrkVDTyGjkKymvo18u6qvaHjIWAYaQOwfdeM9Ro2Lxd4IYNt5NbhpXaJ_PE3-8lAnH0M/s1600/DSC_0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveji7DP0oexpxa2OGfxibm85lEjPmdp9srgHjfGw-NHkR5LVXKPvFbn3nO2FHd6ten_XipSLqrkVDTyGjkKymvo18u6qvaHjIWAYaQOwfdeM9Ro2Lxd4IYNt5NbhpXaJ_PE3-8lAnH0M/s320/DSC_0155.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
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If a flower blooms during the night and the likely pollinators for the flowers are the bats. Older flowers on the same plant/tree might have different colour just so that pollinators (birds, bees and other insects) can differentiate and tell the flowers they have already visited and the ones that are fresh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdCbe5L3xbqZkJl5MY8hBz4eW9_-aCnm1ZmdTso4wdAC_-rRHeF03MdTUnF3lvKGMsFo6hQsLWxv-gpJ18-zG7jV2-fJObnnZhb1qpwIhdeXO95Od_Iisy1rDV2AhVzLNkvZzEcnonVk/s1600/DSC_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdCbe5L3xbqZkJl5MY8hBz4eW9_-aCnm1ZmdTso4wdAC_-rRHeF03MdTUnF3lvKGMsFo6hQsLWxv-gpJ18-zG7jV2-fJObnnZhb1qpwIhdeXO95Od_Iisy1rDV2AhVzLNkvZzEcnonVk/s320/DSC_0118.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">White Plumeria</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lTlJDW1M3inX-7h380fvwi6zccCRhyphenhyphen337mnbsmXXQfXM3ieB4dUC-X5ltsO7_XFJxxnDr6Kdm3TI1OFnlcSp2hveNIDXc2upecuPkrghcWoJqBHzn-yHlqXqcGI9q2cH_L5nE53YfjA/s1600/DSC_0294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lTlJDW1M3inX-7h380fvwi6zccCRhyphenhyphen337mnbsmXXQfXM3ieB4dUC-X5ltsO7_XFJxxnDr6Kdm3TI1OFnlcSp2hveNIDXc2upecuPkrghcWoJqBHzn-yHlqXqcGI9q2cH_L5nE53YfjA/s320/DSC_0294.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Cannon Ball. Nagalinga tree , Couroupita guianensis</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVRN7jG7lDpiA9eN6MWtrjszc51mzaQOHacBTdq8qjUzzr3cJJL4yO4H6TT0NVwab7AWbWTey4gV7jyDaTbzIO917oZ8BjG7gF3DIF1KN3oZI5I767PcnGjLB4iov0hsPTH6MquFQiAs/s1600/DSC_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVRN7jG7lDpiA9eN6MWtrjszc51mzaQOHacBTdq8qjUzzr3cJJL4yO4H6TT0NVwab7AWbWTey4gV7jyDaTbzIO917oZ8BjG7gF3DIF1KN3oZI5I767PcnGjLB4iov0hsPTH6MquFQiAs/s320/DSC_0030.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copper Pod</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I have started to
realise that leaves differ as well. Not just in size but they have different
patterns and structures. Botany was never my strong hold and I find
understanding leaf patterns a little more difficult. When it comes to leaves
you look at the stalk and identify the nodes (slightly swollen parts on the
stalk). If there is single leaf emerging from there it’s a simple leaf
otherwise compound. The vein patterns on the leaves can tell you the kind of
tree/plant it belongs to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpYlgmTiYiwzyBNuYkWSgfUohJCIb6vfCjOMht81cTWZVDeXw1tOni7P9JCF5scbYr2GZjeF6hYwT1BqaWn-qTMWdRuxgkOKOKrCT2ztFTc6COq1b-LhJMPp9O8cQleWM73xxeW2K8pI/s1600/DSC_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpYlgmTiYiwzyBNuYkWSgfUohJCIb6vfCjOMht81cTWZVDeXw1tOni7P9JCF5scbYr2GZjeF6hYwT1BqaWn-qTMWdRuxgkOKOKrCT2ztFTc6COq1b-LhJMPp9O8cQleWM73xxeW2K8pI/s320/DSC_0238.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peepal Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOLDO8nEqL7OzWNv9pYwZRTP2fK4TJ8V9b3iIXnCXrp-W6OuYzvhSfee7hungTW87Iuj8D9bc7BvswMtwYoavm0SjVo4AP3W8Bf6D8xZyaeObUw4xEeeGT-HO1LJ8AwdfOd2UbcaCkWI/s1600/DSC_0362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOLDO8nEqL7OzWNv9pYwZRTP2fK4TJ8V9b3iIXnCXrp-W6OuYzvhSfee7hungTW87Iuj8D9bc7BvswMtwYoavm0SjVo4AP3W8Bf6D8xZyaeObUw4xEeeGT-HO1LJ8AwdfOd2UbcaCkWI/s320/DSC_0362.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaIAafUkHyKzqRE8yzAGU0OFF2FpNX6k62r6S3YyuBVmHGKJt5XDJdLp0wu7xl8EKZVtJKW1FyfnptVF5tkU_LONXmwRpBVwy67-kvlS0ACujO332c1ZSohOiL3mcI64fwSqt3b24e34/s1600/DSC_0547-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaIAafUkHyKzqRE8yzAGU0OFF2FpNX6k62r6S3YyuBVmHGKJt5XDJdLp0wu7xl8EKZVtJKW1FyfnptVF5tkU_LONXmwRpBVwy67-kvlS0ACujO332c1ZSohOiL3mcI64fwSqt3b24e34/s320/DSC_0547-2.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">pongamia leaf</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other thing to
look for is the bark patterns, some might be smooth while others broken and
jarred. For now I am still finding my way through the complex plant world but
the journey so far has been interesting and I realise I have just about scratched the surface there is a long way to go.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My current bible for flowering tree in Bangalore: <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.wildwanderer.com/blog/?page_id=90">http://www.wildwanderer.com/blog/?page_id=90</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the next link has
helped me to some extent to understand leaf patterns <a href="http://www.imarket.pt/modules/com_ninjaxplorer/simple-pinnate-leaf-88.html">http://www.imarket.pt/modules/com_ninjaxplorer/simple-pinnate-leaf-88.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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For more hands on experience would suggest going for <a href="http://www.ecoedu.in/treewalk/">http://www.ecoedu.in/treewalk/</a></div>
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<br /></div>
Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-48593752676873702922013-03-06T19:00:00.003+05:302013-03-06T19:00:57.871+05:30Ant Walk with EcoEdu<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As if birds and
butterflies were not confusing enough to learn about, I decided to join a walk
about ants. So far I had learnt to recognise weaver ants and stay away from
their sting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahnAoNToYEH49EiXw81cpzt9PUw0GyL3GXiLcQyLRL0OUwyW3iqrUfpgW9repTa_4eMn1Hs2ToqO7KnOeH0lXuZjexG5Uehh0qVnTynHer7ONjtis8Mtc4Eb2QQ01F7f6gyxCvdFE8rk/s1600/DSC_1223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahnAoNToYEH49EiXw81cpzt9PUw0GyL3GXiLcQyLRL0OUwyW3iqrUfpgW9repTa_4eMn1Hs2ToqO7KnOeH0lXuZjexG5Uehh0qVnTynHer7ONjtis8Mtc4Eb2QQ01F7f6gyxCvdFE8rk/s320/DSC_1223.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Unlike the early hours
required for birding the day started at a comfortable time. As in the case of
most nature walks in Bangalore, this one started in Lalbagh as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The walk started with
us being asked to draw an ant. That was when it dawned on most of us that we
had seen one, but never observed one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Much like other
insects ants have 3 pairs of legs, a head, thorax and an abdomen. Between the thorax and abdomen they have the petiole which may contain nodes and spine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Armed with this
initial knowledge we started to look for ants. We took one step and lo! behold
we found 2 species scurrying away.Our expert for the
walk was Sunil Kumar, (Author of ‘On a trail with Ants’), he quickly picked an
ant up, and while he got bitten he showed us example of what he had explained
in theory.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCUpiarep5u15DK6tqweYwkkwufXxqiacwi_jEw_Gbygc3ChFjSrnAcZ5cUvl5vmKeD4xRUXTGGeXMrf6qSQo8pHgogSbgLXsTzz6LtqmZ0hGA7wHmbK_5Q-Jb9Htnw4KYrJUX3DQVxk/s1600/DSC_0924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCUpiarep5u15DK6tqweYwkkwufXxqiacwi_jEw_Gbygc3ChFjSrnAcZ5cUvl5vmKeD4xRUXTGGeXMrf6qSQo8pHgogSbgLXsTzz6LtqmZ0hGA7wHmbK_5Q-Jb9Htnw4KYrJUX3DQVxk/s320/DSC_0924.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ants were turning out
to be very interesting creatures, while I knew they lived in colonies and it
was controlled by the Queen, I didn't know the extent of control the queen had.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Queen mates once
in a life time and stores the sperms, she then lays eggs in batches. For the
first batch she finds an ideal spot and lays eggs, tends to them and feeds the
larva. These are then the first set of workers who takes on the work of tunnelling, foraging, nursing etc. Normally older ants are sent out to forage
and fight, this way even if they die the loss is minimal. Queen also decides
when the off-spring will be male and when it will be female or a queen. The
male and queen ants are born with wings, so that they can fly away and mate. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each nest has its own
defence mechanism and pattern. You will find fiery ants disperse a lot of sand/
mud around their nest. Godzilla ants will have decorations (flowers, feathers)
around its nest. Weaver ants weave leaves together to make nests.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeuTME6ghI3851qmxsEDWLzLsCYaGpawJX7oMLPHVlrPWv0mh7GZEHz5xW9ocwLY3_JM6bQcmQpWHYHpIXmSbrg5rJ9QEkx0i46_xVfVmu_mTbCWe435hIB5_sAJPrv9ctyniQFJMCJY/s1600/DSC_0912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeuTME6ghI3851qmxsEDWLzLsCYaGpawJX7oMLPHVlrPWv0mh7GZEHz5xW9ocwLY3_JM6bQcmQpWHYHpIXmSbrg5rJ9QEkx0i46_xVfVmu_mTbCWe435hIB5_sAJPrv9ctyniQFJMCJY/s320/DSC_0912.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In some sense ants are
like humans, just like we are divided by caste they are divided by the work
they do.Ants also have varied diet some are vegetarians and feed on seeds and grains. Some love fruits and nectars While some are non vegetarians feeding on other insects and ants.In some case size of the ants vary according to the task they do. Like
in the case of Godzilla Ant the bigger ants are soldiers, medium ants foliages and smaller ants tend to the nests.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
While we soaked all
this information, people in Lalbagh found it amusing that kids and adults alike
were on their fours crawling and looking at the ground. They stopped by at the
tree we were starring at trying to figure what we were looking at. I think we provided a
lot of free amusement to a lot of people that day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally when it was
announced that the 2 hours were up I was shocked. It didn't feel like 2 hours
and we had hardly walked more than few meters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I walked towards the breakfast joint I couldn't help think how I was lucky to have found EcoEdu group and be part of this amazing walk.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-79258486143247610982012-10-11T16:51:00.001+05:302012-10-11T16:51:24.159+05:30Kashmir Great Lakes Trek (Aug 12 to 18, 2012)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Tell someone you are
headed to Kashmir and the first thing they will ask you – “Is it safe?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A trip here last year convinced me it was and when a friend mentioned The Great Lakes Trek, I went
ahead and registered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As the trek dates came
closer, I started to worry about my fitness level, my preparation was really
bad and I was not sure if I would complete the trek. I was constantly motivated
and encouraged by friends. Finally when the DAY arrived I decided to give it a
shot. The worst that could happen would be that I might have to return without
completing the trek.I was going with five of my friends and all through the
flight I kept warning them about the possibility of them carrying me back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw0M4Z-9JEIDibRb-2ICynW8I9Pa6UsbAkK8UHakby36R4Z0Ub-u85lf5dVxwaW5r6E9okphvdzSbJsleU2qo34RL0kNjukDrsESCTTnkbgQHVFyoqUYLFo1dcwdZ_8jpUi2CTV5WsiU/s1600/DSC_0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw0M4Z-9JEIDibRb-2ICynW8I9Pa6UsbAkK8UHakby36R4Z0Ub-u85lf5dVxwaW5r6E9okphvdzSbJsleU2qo34RL0kNjukDrsESCTTnkbgQHVFyoqUYLFo1dcwdZ_8jpUi2CTV5WsiU/s320/DSC_0199.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After a day’s stop
over at Srinagar, the group reported at the camp set up 3 kms before Sonamarg.
Since the tents were already set up all I had to do was choose one, sit back
wait for others to join. Small hilllock was explored in the meantime. Other
than the fantastic view of snow capped mountains and distant valleys, we also
got to watch some birds in action. The stream close to our camp site worked as
a bird bath, it was amusing to watch yellow-breasted greenfinch<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span>enjoy a dip in
the water every now and then, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">russet sparrow juvenile would chirp not stop till
the parent returned with feed. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxYASlhAO0sRhTaPRzgf1fQmF76lEMJFZoWEUr28ii36y0N3rkG1Uobs-h3aBwcJS0c7F5tuUnt1ggHX2hGPWgRbHgRIyiAwX9TJ6aBNB-njdbi9cq1f85dE7__-9F9qDmAbgXXeW8UA/s1600/DSC_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxYASlhAO0sRhTaPRzgf1fQmF76lEMJFZoWEUr28ii36y0N3rkG1Uobs-h3aBwcJS0c7F5tuUnt1ggHX2hGPWgRbHgRIyiAwX9TJ6aBNB-njdbi9cq1f85dE7__-9F9qDmAbgXXeW8UA/s320/DSC_0238.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A lone stone chat appeared from no where,
allowed me a record click and disappeared the way it came.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVw5U8QhckEZem8CHTfQXuukf_O09M3aLa2e_LeIn7En7Em_qdfZuWPTARz14qbI0vayTPohQK4cdLskwICqHYvl2NG0m02p5vppZE3uj49wCGv9KUi4GoOTn9DiePLihAAeNZOACPUok/s1600/DSC_0208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVw5U8QhckEZem8CHTfQXuukf_O09M3aLa2e_LeIn7En7Em_qdfZuWPTARz14qbI0vayTPohQK4cdLskwICqHYvl2NG0m02p5vppZE3uj49wCGv9KUi4GoOTn9DiePLihAAeNZOACPUok/s320/DSC_0208.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As trekkers trickled
in, hot pokodas were served and thus began the journey to paradise. The night was spent star gazing as a meteoroid shower was expected. Spirits and energy were high, conversations continued till
late night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The next day was
supposed to be a 2 hours climb to Shekdur, followed by descent. I was dreading
this part, after all it would tell me how fit I was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Huffing and puffing I
made it through the first 30 mins realised that it wasn't so bad. The climb was
steep initially, after a while it was a gradual ascent. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The high altitude made its presence felt; even a simple walk felt like an uphill.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The views were breath taking.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQWHWVnmON_7zfuijA1zzE0YT5aj3ZPfAEEKFe2Xki_ukRuZmPFa4yKZF6ITCthwS7VopvpjDtX1Fl48iwTMh-ACQQdV3rQwMCrYLNB4t_qq8tno3HDrFaIKMIE_F3JysICGFkud3UAk/s1600/DSC_0255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQWHWVnmON_7zfuijA1zzE0YT5aj3ZPfAEEKFe2Xki_ukRuZmPFa4yKZF6ITCthwS7VopvpjDtX1Fl48iwTMh-ACQQdV3rQwMCrYLNB4t_qq8tno3HDrFaIKMIE_F3JysICGFkud3UAk/s320/DSC_0255.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The path started as
meadows dotted with nomad huts , grazing horses and sheep, it then gave way
for Chinar trees whose leaves looked like that of maple, and then we walked
along the Nachnai River crossing small streams along the way. While some of us
hopped on rocks to avoid getting wet, some took a direct dip in the streams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The camp for the day was
along Nachnai river, since we reached by 2 pm we had plenty of time to explore
and relax. The pass that we had to conquer the next day looked like a tiny dot
at a distance. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62A_5XhDAG0SiuG_nImcG_TP6SB-uWCY3yvyALsJ9U3r38FnGcI7aKKuiGqbeaX4kQrQdCb8z9pUHKkTjdpQpIt_gWJq2tOl1L3HBVdh4yX4vK4mK8Tn71ag53HeoFJxX6bTWa6ONHZA/s1600/DSC_0357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62A_5XhDAG0SiuG_nImcG_TP6SB-uWCY3yvyALsJ9U3r38FnGcI7aKKuiGqbeaX4kQrQdCb8z9pUHKkTjdpQpIt_gWJq2tOl1L3HBVdh4yX4vK4mK8Tn71ag53HeoFJxX6bTWa6ONHZA/s320/DSC_0357.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">While some entertained
themselves by playing Antakshari, Prasad and I walked around trying to find
birds. The white capped water redstart <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> <span lang="EN-GB">didn't think we had enough exercise for the day and made us walk
around quite a lot just to get a good look at it. Finally when we managed to
identify its territory, we found a spot to sit and watched it feed and sing.
And when that disappeared behind the rocks, we noticed a tiny brown bird camouflaged
beautifully, walking daintily along the edges. Slightest of movement would send
it hiding behind a rock. We later figured that it was a brown dipper. The other
interesting sighting was a falcon, though it was very brief it was exciting enough
to keep us occupied. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We started early the
next day (at least by my standards). While it was cold when we started, layers
of warm clothes were discarded with a short time. The start was not pretty as
we walked past sheep pen we covered our nose, tried as much as possible to
avoid stepping on sheep droppings. Of course when none of that helped we just
cursed and moved on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Once we got past the Nachnai pass the walk
turned out to be like a stroll in the gardens. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghm95q9Cefd_DSSkwyg0heTExCxbHp2DC0KI6PG-KnYwSYQw7bx1HiCtneTfuXr3X1u1VS98-ZupxoNsbgkB1J5F7CKi449NDe56TVvZ_DBrU0F-7WxaOevCA0tajqS6nHjHyX75OFr5s/s1600/DSC_0656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghm95q9Cefd_DSSkwyg0heTExCxbHp2DC0KI6PG-KnYwSYQw7bx1HiCtneTfuXr3X1u1VS98-ZupxoNsbgkB1J5F7CKi449NDe56TVvZ_DBrU0F-7WxaOevCA0tajqS6nHjHyX75OFr5s/s320/DSC_0656.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The valley was a carpet if
flowers; one could see pink, yellow, blue, red, white flowers in bloom
everywhere. The guide pointed out the ones that could be eaten. Multiple breaks
were taken to spend time admiring them and the view. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18LRk7Likt9RCZ-xlaZhGJSS4-XxNUKESEtc4JsI2Y7x4GORXQ3MhAkaCG0kxZ8o924WpxqdeOd6_noi8mI4kXkakNiCkM9NrQAOGijgjxowz0E4MaX158x9JzDHICIfkq7DX21vTeUc/s1600/DSC_0392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18LRk7Likt9RCZ-xlaZhGJSS4-XxNUKESEtc4JsI2Y7x4GORXQ3MhAkaCG0kxZ8o924WpxqdeOd6_noi8mI4kXkakNiCkM9NrQAOGijgjxowz0E4MaX158x9JzDHICIfkq7DX21vTeUc/s320/DSC_0392.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Other than the valley
of flowers, the highlight for the day was seeing Vishnusar Lake. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SrfJ63rtg1c0oJ28Ro_HXAdo0j9EPWNdlf9J1CVZCwLJAW78_m62GNE0I-lkEJbmyv_YwslVPrDJYq45Kce011pbhftLLquRLgZthSEARVnvuCeETDp7WzkYqXxoE5z2IGJVDi06gkk/s1600/DSC_0447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SrfJ63rtg1c0oJ28Ro_HXAdo0j9EPWNdlf9J1CVZCwLJAW78_m62GNE0I-lkEJbmyv_YwslVPrDJYq45Kce011pbhftLLquRLgZthSEARVnvuCeETDp7WzkYqXxoE5z2IGJVDi06gkk/s320/DSC_0447.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Crystal clear
water, slight reflection of the glacier and mountains, sound of flowing water, of
course a little bit of sunshine would have made it wonderful. I am not sure if
it was the altitude of the proximity to humans, we hardly got to see birds. The
only lucky sighting was marmot which ventured out every time there was slight sunshine. Our guide managed to strike a deal with the Shepard and procure Himalayas trout. Aditi spent time in cooking it for the team who ate it with relished.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As we sat around the
bonfire that night, Sachin mentioned the trek was good but he didn’t have any
major event/happening to report on Facebook. I think God heard him. As the next
day turned out to be a day designed just to answer his prayer and it matched
scenes from my nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">All along the guide
kept warning us about day 3, it was supposed to be the hardest and longest.
Assuming it will be a steep climb and continuous walking, we had stocked snacks and
water. What we didn’t expect was heavy rains. Just as we crossed Vishnursar it
started to drizzle and from then on it just got heavy. The non stop rains
ensured that cameras stayed in and as we passed Krishnasar lake we didn't bother
to stop, but continued towards Gadsar Pass. The rains had made the track slushy
and as more people passed the track it got slippery People tried scrambling up
where possible. This meant most of us were going up in wrong directions. After
a couple of slips I was starting to get worried. Every two step I took I went
back 5 steps. Then like angels Subbu and one of the guides were next to me,
they ensured I made it to the top. While we waited next to the glacier for the
other to join, the temperature kept dropping. I could feel my fingers go numb. When
we could not bear it any longer some us convinced the guide to let us keep
walking as it would keep us warm. View from Gadsar Pass was beautiful. One
could see 3 lakes from up there. Gadsar Lake itself was among the best we saw,
with chunks of ice floating in it, the shore surrounded by yellow flowers. We
constantly wished the rain would stop and we could enjoy the views a bit more. While
the walk was among the most beautiful tracks, wet, cold and hungry the scenery could not be enjoyed. The downpour continued through the night forcing us to
eat dinner under the umbrella While I kept praying for it to be dry the next
day, Aditi kept reassuring me saying that in Himalayas if it rains through the
night the next day is sure to be a sunny day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The next morning the
rains had stopped, the mist hung low. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEpFDv_YkRFviNIdfdcbo9XJV8g1b4j9DhKphqE1cbUOKBPwpUtES-B2-kUh9iIAqyAeiqfRgbw1hIOGlBGeX9HcWCW24dzW3eAD83mY1zTJls9ACPSApUVCVcaVXiI005gn_10w5R7Y/s1600/DSC_0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEpFDv_YkRFviNIdfdcbo9XJV8g1b4j9DhKphqE1cbUOKBPwpUtES-B2-kUh9iIAqyAeiqfRgbw1hIOGlBGeX9HcWCW24dzW3eAD83mY1zTJls9ACPSApUVCVcaVXiI005gn_10w5R7Y/s320/DSC_0487.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Chirping birds welcomed the day. I got to
make a picture Rose Finch for the first time and managed to get really close to
Fire Fronted Serin. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVweOY6C0s62rONGl7nrfrr4Smz9nJKFva4Qq1LTd0neVStk2hXsCX219wh3IWj8NCTH9aX0WQaN3Lf2imhmGfbHFmIyfWteYl9_j7Ix4DyK0S1bT6K0slHevtlChwCrxpg6WQcFcokhY/s1600/DSC_0496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVweOY6C0s62rONGl7nrfrr4Smz9nJKFva4Qq1LTd0neVStk2hXsCX219wh3IWj8NCTH9aX0WQaN3Lf2imhmGfbHFmIyfWteYl9_j7Ix4DyK0S1bT6K0slHevtlChwCrxpg6WQcFcokhY/s320/DSC_0496.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">While we traced the path we had to take I noticed a raptor
circling and landing along the path. On closer observation I could see a lot of
crows doing the same. My sixth sense told me there could be a carcass there. I
was hoping that we would go as close as possible to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We started quite late
and it gave us time to access weather conditions. After waking through a small stretch of narrow and slippery path things started to look better. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtqsqCq2-44Rl0T-Axhi5ffRO6cfYnFytnxLD4qe2NyzgUUasmQZVUv5JgSP2nuCqtXurVQ5egLROpluzCDllwbm84vx1ZqM6KsozcSUUcU36mns3r9dVP4PNoma3OqYfRU-a_dKbdZ8/s1600/DSC_0561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtqsqCq2-44Rl0T-Axhi5ffRO6cfYnFytnxLD4qe2NyzgUUasmQZVUv5JgSP2nuCqtXurVQ5egLROpluzCDllwbm84vx1ZqM6KsozcSUUcU36mns3r9dVP4PNoma3OqYfRU-a_dKbdZ8/s320/DSC_0561.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Clear sky,
green grass and horses grazing made the setting look like scenes from an English
movie. Since there were no rains one could stop often to smell the flowers and
eat wild strawberries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As we got closer to
the spot where I had seen the raptor land, I noticed a bunch of them. Since
the group was slightly noisy, as soon as we approached they started to hop
away. It was surprising that they didn’t fly away, but choose to hop to a higher
point. Even when the guide followed them except for one that flew, the rest
just hopped higher. After watching them for sometime we moved on.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIR5JViUakRIxGGnORfR7eF3Iuim4Vb-nrTPNDwBwtN2aIlbYR8HSzylkC22tSJF3_LhHyveq45gYrCQjDpbits8823pLRjkUO_XyeYeOsyhtOYZ5Ecn3x0cl-nZUhXXctrDXvfrkGn4/s1600/DSC_0545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIR5JViUakRIxGGnORfR7eF3Iuim4Vb-nrTPNDwBwtN2aIlbYR8HSzylkC22tSJF3_LhHyveq45gYrCQjDpbits8823pLRjkUO_XyeYeOsyhtOYZ5Ecn3x0cl-nZUhXXctrDXvfrkGn4/s320/DSC_0545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When we crossed the
Indian Army camp close to Satsar Lake, we were greeted with chocolates,
biscuits and hot water. For people walking for hours that seemed like heaven.
The 7 lakes of Satsar were not very impressive as the earlier ones but were
still beautiful. As I walked past the lake the terrain changed and became
rockier. One had to jump boulders to get across. The camping site was beautiful.
It was in a valley next to a stream. The day was extremely cold and I chose to
spend most of the day inside the tent. When I did manage to step out I joined
the group playing a game called Mafia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Day 5 started with me
chasing a falcon for a shot. The closer I tried to get further away it went. I
finally gave up and headed but. We started the trek with some boulder crossing
and soon were on the path towards Zach. Since the top of Zach pass was not
visible we had no clue about the distance that needed to be covered. When we
could finally see the pass, people on top of the Zach Pass looked like ants, it
seemed like there was lot of walking to do. But in reality it was not that bad.
Finally when the pass is conquered the view of 2 lakes at the base of Mt Harmukh
is spectacular. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIuDPgoO-7dCru4EsP2mAu-6aP7ETOi-pFV4dEQUJSIhO5F8HhmlxysYbgHZpfyI-aPIwTaHbTGfL5nhha7SZllAYHnjFST52vQdNWXsvN-s_AQGMG_aNP9uk1E-unhEHtApuIx-ndwY/s1600/DSC_0768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIuDPgoO-7dCru4EsP2mAu-6aP7ETOi-pFV4dEQUJSIhO5F8HhmlxysYbgHZpfyI-aPIwTaHbTGfL5nhha7SZllAYHnjFST52vQdNWXsvN-s_AQGMG_aNP9uk1E-unhEHtApuIx-ndwY/s320/DSC_0768.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On a clear day one can see 4 lakes from here. Due to the cloud
cover I didn’t get to see all 4 at the same time. The camp was supposed to be
at one of the lakes. The decent to camp site looked scary. It was almost like a
vertical drop. Since it was a rocky terrain one could not just run down. By the
time I reached the camp my knees were wobbly and I could not wait to rest them.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Being one of the first
to arrive meant that I had the lake all to myself. I used the opportunity to take a quick dip. The water felt refreshing, especially when one
has not had a bath for 5 days. The only uncomfortable bit was realising that
the place had locals fishing close by. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Later in the evening when
the rest of the group took a dip, some of us decided to explore Gangabal Lake.
From Zach pass it looked twice the size of the lake we had camped next to
(Nundkul). Walk up to Gangabal provide us with some impressive view of Nundkul
and a nice walk along the stream. It was hard to see the complete Gangabal Lake
from the side we were on, but it still looked very beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Back at the camp it
was time to cook, someone had suggested we cook for the porters and cooks who
had travelled with us. Brilliant idea but most of us were not used to cooking
for a large number. Though all the girls put in a lot of effort, I would not
for sure say this was a great success. Note to self: never get roped into such
idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What made up for
dinner experience was the performance by the locals (helpers, mule owners).
They sang a lot of Kashmiri songs, danced to some and had all of us tapping our
feet. While some were sad about the trek ending, I was looking forward to a
proper bath and a soft bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Before the trek, I had
read that the descent on the last day was steep and tiring. So when the trek
started I expected the descent to start almost immediately. But that was not
the case. There were hours of gradual climb to complete before the descent. The
view continued to be stunning but there were lot more people doing short treks.
At one point where we stopped for a break our guide dislocated his elbow while
trying some photography stunts. Luckily
Ankur and Nanditha managed to do first aid and we continue walking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Soon the meadows that
we trek on gave way to pine trees. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeS3APqfsceghQkeUTwYB3WAbhiSRKWJ6R08qB0eKfdq9yVLmCTR77Wa8EFB3Zmi42s-J1u4X9wqcZ4UmMevGKH2JY5JUB6kAta53mNjiBiG9y3uQh6JNooUyv3TSTKOQ95EDw0wD3VA8/s1600/DSC_0904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeS3APqfsceghQkeUTwYB3WAbhiSRKWJ6R08qB0eKfdq9yVLmCTR77Wa8EFB3Zmi42s-J1u4X9wqcZ4UmMevGKH2JY5JUB6kAta53mNjiBiG9y3uQh6JNooUyv3TSTKOQ95EDw0wD3VA8/s320/DSC_0904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The fragrance of pine was captivating. I
spent some time trying to figure which part of the tree emitted it but could
not identify it. There were a lot of butterflies puddling on horse dropping.
Constant stream of horses and trekker didn't allow me enough time to capture
the fluttering beauties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The decent was
gruelling, my heel and toes had started to blister, and walking had started to
get painful. While I could see the end point of the trek, it seemed to really
far away. Finally after asking multiple people walking by I was overjoyed to
hear that I was almost there. It was a relief to reach Naranag and sit. Felt
like heaven to take off the shoes. After a plate of Maggie noodles, reality hit
me. The trek was over, while I had spent the previous night hoping for it to
end quickly now I wished I didn't have to head back. I wanted to walk in the
flower filled meadows again. But like all good things it had ending and with a
heavy heart I had to accept it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The hope that I will
go back there again continues to live on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pictures in the link below</span><br />
Landscape<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151185162000539.496378.548205538&type=3">http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151185162000539.496378.548205538&type=3</a><br />
<br />
Birds and Flora<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151189856260539.496968.548205538&type=3">http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151189856260539.496968.548205538&type=3</a><br />
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Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-57125825374743584972012-07-31T19:07:00.000+05:302012-08-02T15:19:25.768+05:30Timeless HampiHampi is a place I never get bored of visiting. One of the world heritage sites in Karnataka, it is the largest ruins in India. Nothing prepares one for the vastness of the Hampi ruins. While the list of places to see seems exhaustive when one starts to explore Hampi it becomes evident that the list is just the starting point and depending on personal interest one can spend anywhere between 2 days to 2 months here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhzGNmE81prQ3Z7lqwbMxIoX2ahwzFX2brWFBQt2FkRY7uMscix7v22EhVF5zHutQ1pG9TI0055EzKOUt8_ag_x83ZCZyrF_oQeBErbrttFQP9D7cXWaGKoaaOsGWHm2DF8_aGpPXK-E/s1600/Picture+239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhzGNmE81prQ3Z7lqwbMxIoX2ahwzFX2brWFBQt2FkRY7uMscix7v22EhVF5zHutQ1pG9TI0055EzKOUt8_ag_x83ZCZyrF_oQeBErbrttFQP9D7cXWaGKoaaOsGWHm2DF8_aGpPXK-E/s320/Picture+239.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As I go around the ruins all I can think of is how beautiful this would have been during its days of glory. Maybe music filled the air when one walked along the banks of River Tunga-Badhra, hymns reverberated from the pillars of the temples and boulders around, and cries of the vendors was heard in the background.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGbjAXfRaI13DIyT1g44TdLL393N40R1HW73A-X8yt8wqnkmr5GOTVdxm2n7UxIqfoiVMSn4RofA00E3JzOoasqoOT8zid05elVJYdm3k42jyFYAg7uDXuHhrQ7OQRF1gtQWi2UfFCA4/s1600/Picture+114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGbjAXfRaI13DIyT1g44TdLL393N40R1HW73A-X8yt8wqnkmr5GOTVdxm2n7UxIqfoiVMSn4RofA00E3JzOoasqoOT8zid05elVJYdm3k42jyFYAg7uDXuHhrQ7OQRF1gtQWi2UfFCA4/s320/Picture+114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This time as I heard the guide rattle away stories from history; my mind wandered to stories carved on the walls. I mentally made a note to thank my mom for all the bed time stories as I was able to relate the cravings to mythology. Connect the dots and discuss it.
Once again I stood mesmerised by the musical pillars and stone charriot at Vittal.Recollected the day when I heard musical notes being played on them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRH74pYteFzUBjfDgDITAFuoS-92pYSyuFglUJ0tZ-H7RCWKJZnQfk1UzfNYnSd0_XSbdBEOMgQDI4jVuF7bzhz2RPLAE2fJezsE0dvOsOe_IPLJkNH7pme97k-a7YnVil6jz9saO50s/s1600/Picture+189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRH74pYteFzUBjfDgDITAFuoS-92pYSyuFglUJ0tZ-H7RCWKJZnQfk1UzfNYnSd0_XSbdBEOMgQDI4jVuF7bzhz2RPLAE2fJezsE0dvOsOe_IPLJkNH7pme97k-a7YnVil6jz9saO50s/s320/Picture+189.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Took time to analyse the wall painting in Virupaksha, amused a bunch of foreign and local tourists who were evesdropping on the discussion with from mythology.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VdQtXXYVtU1Zkwk8rzQbbT86NhdzlwUO-MB-eOE9dz3cyMD500ILH4Eztb-VyacFzJLqRR7lzhZ1UsDGbFgvQ54HKqe9MoW1UQuTMPCevEtonQVNFhSguA_U1XY3e7osgJwthuEfM8g/s1600/Picture+405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VdQtXXYVtU1Zkwk8rzQbbT86NhdzlwUO-MB-eOE9dz3cyMD500ILH4Eztb-VyacFzJLqRR7lzhZ1UsDGbFgvQ54HKqe9MoW1UQuTMPCevEtonQVNFhSguA_U1XY3e7osgJwthuEfM8g/s320/Picture+405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I walked along the river enjoying ice candies bought from a local vendor and watched people bargain with the boat man to cross the river.<br />
While I waited for the sunrise on the Anjaneya temple I realised that visiting Hampi was not only about history; it was also about nature, the landscape views, the fusion of culture and languages.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGjOceY90ISHP4nEekbtBLsYCpO7R_Me99bFcpyIDrtH_1KAOIpy5a7QyclZQmrMDeFjod0it7YsVXNM55t0QPBE_ZimQpDC5xFhRtOcjB5Dt9dIoqqxOfrQ5_L4tnkHEwxJlR6nxtX8/s1600/Picture+952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGjOceY90ISHP4nEekbtBLsYCpO7R_Me99bFcpyIDrtH_1KAOIpy5a7QyclZQmrMDeFjod0it7YsVXNM55t0QPBE_ZimQpDC5xFhRtOcjB5Dt9dIoqqxOfrQ5_L4tnkHEwxJlR6nxtX8/s320/Picture+952.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hampi catered to my need to relax, need to explore and learn and need to reconnect with my self. I won’t be surprised if I packed my bags and went back there at the drop of a hat.<br />
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Links to Photographs<br />
https://picasaweb.google.com/110258699064065442660/HampiHistoryAndMore?authkey=Gv1sRgCMPy5PD2trrA5AE#<br />
<br />Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-34525313927129492372012-03-31T23:50:00.000+05:302012-03-31T23:50:38.280+05:30Party on the Jamun Tree<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When the doctor
advised bed rest I was disappointed, didn’t know how I would spend a week at
home with absolutely nothing to keep me entertained. But at the end of the week
not only do I feel better I got observe fascinating facts about the tree that I
could see from my balcony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMFIlKQp4GW2nzr9REMVm9EZToS2L4ReWc4gVjlJrsFv0vXinIX1Tzj-s1KpiJwHB5HfZeWqK41biUgYWynoRXfXFbynd_GXChMyzIe8UgY4AgSLRPDJyUHu5xDoRO4VH4OOgQ_p-1w8/s1600/Picture+232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMFIlKQp4GW2nzr9REMVm9EZToS2L4ReWc4gVjlJrsFv0vXinIX1Tzj-s1KpiJwHB5HfZeWqK41biUgYWynoRXfXFbynd_GXChMyzIe8UgY4AgSLRPDJyUHu5xDoRO4VH4OOgQ_p-1w8/s320/Picture+232.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">While resting in the
balcony I observed that leaves on one of the tree had tree gum coloured water
spots on it. On enquiring with my neighbour I found out that the tree was a
Jamun Tree. On the first day I noticed that there were a lot of bees and wasps
frequenting these leaves. Though there were ants on the tree none on these
leaves. By evening there were drops of this liquid falling from the leaves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyee3a7hvB1oF2UDMOnRbx7eCJpADFT2PDSB-6Hi9cvR2YlrRvFyQZ_eF4Hx6sXuuEOMQK-WLaJhAgUKzcLh2Pp4H-Gt5WMkPOMl-FzGbBzL5ppORNQUfFMrRoixH7rtNg56wEfaiiVc/s1600/Picture+185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyee3a7hvB1oF2UDMOnRbx7eCJpADFT2PDSB-6Hi9cvR2YlrRvFyQZ_eF4Hx6sXuuEOMQK-WLaJhAgUKzcLh2Pp4H-Gt5WMkPOMl-FzGbBzL5ppORNQUfFMrRoixH7rtNg56wEfaiiVc/s320/Picture+185.jpg" width="272" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_Ox8wQ_cer8eVseyRNMUiICMwA8-pU8IcxOYOwXq43Reu7XCHJvUJ2huHgxD9XEOBX0kIqCi9OhZi0A97Z0HG-DeiHPglgRRkF0cbEBKlrk2weUKZXd9LW5QJmv-jki-zzmLN2wVJ5I/s1600/Picture+1071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_Ox8wQ_cer8eVseyRNMUiICMwA8-pU8IcxOYOwXq43Reu7XCHJvUJ2huHgxD9XEOBX0kIqCi9OhZi0A97Z0HG-DeiHPglgRRkF0cbEBKlrk2weUKZXd9LW5QJmv-jki-zzmLN2wVJ5I/s320/Picture+1071.jpg" width="223" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The next day it looked
like the liquid had harderend and now I found ants on the leaves. The bee and
wasps went to leaves that had fresh spots. I also observed that this was
happening on the leaves that had some amount of sunlight falling on them. When I
touched the leaves the liquid felt sticky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4c7YxjlUe1eTs2SrnNZNqp3ZhhgSwSMjWnbyPb4wkd-hw7Ux3-HhfF92eIs-qFH5TKyZFJjMn1wwbrom1M2cXJ-Ue8T88Ky07_Sod9nzTBnV9AWw_abtJKbhP1WLlhG2WV-4KzOpqyw8/s1600/Picture+1042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4c7YxjlUe1eTs2SrnNZNqp3ZhhgSwSMjWnbyPb4wkd-hw7Ux3-HhfF92eIs-qFH5TKyZFJjMn1wwbrom1M2cXJ-Ue8T88Ky07_Sod9nzTBnV9AWw_abtJKbhP1WLlhG2WV-4KzOpqyw8/s320/Picture+1042.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On day three some
leaves had some kind of fungus growth but also had lots of ants on them. The
early morning drizzle had washed some leaves clean, but older leaves now had
black spots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">While I am not sure about why the leaves have this;
the only explaination I found online is</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="text" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 8.4pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Citrus Whitefly</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
The citrus whitefly is a tiny white winged insect that is about 1/12 of an inch
in length. It is most commonly found feeding on the underside of the tree’s
leaves. When the branches are shaken, the Citrus whitefly will rapidly take
flight and can be seen fluttering around the tree. In addition to feeding on
the citrus tree, the whiteflies also lay their eggs on the underside of the
leaves. When the eggs hatch, the juveniles are small oval, almost transparent
larva, which attach themselves to the underside of the leaves and begin sucking
the sap from the leaves. As a result, the tree’s leaves begin to curl and
appear to be covered with a sticky, sooty mold substance.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-align: -webkit-left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The mold like substance
is actually honeydew that is excreted by the whiteflies because they are not
able to metabolize all of the sugars contained in the leaf sap. The honeydew
can often be seen dripping from the tree’s leaves and becomes an attractant to
other insects such as ants.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.citrus-tree-care.com/care-insects-and-disease.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.citrus-tree-care.com/care-insects-and-disease.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More
Pictures in the link below<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150774606040539.457677.548205538&type=3"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150774606040539.457677.548205538&type=3</span></a><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-15398592896392490282012-02-15T10:46:00.002+05:302012-02-15T10:46:34.689+05:30The Fight for Survival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfz0rtay_LF7EuygtAjtekx6HAwOTYqvKkRULj-ZIqFeVCQ5geGaJqRMzxC5HiYV7wq4N0P8pq6sMlRMeLfHkwKJu5NeWPIJqHLlyBzS37ohBXV0H0_ibqnPoJM9mbj8F2xqjtTOoMAWE/s1600/Picture+120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfz0rtay_LF7EuygtAjtekx6HAwOTYqvKkRULj-ZIqFeVCQ5geGaJqRMzxC5HiYV7wq4N0P8pq6sMlRMeLfHkwKJu5NeWPIJqHLlyBzS37ohBXV0H0_ibqnPoJM9mbj8F2xqjtTOoMAWE/s320/Picture+120.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Most of the trips to
the wildlife sanctuaries have always with the hope that I get to see the big five
up close. The dream was no different this time as well. With some last minute
planning I was in Bandipur for the weekend.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The jungle safari felt
like a wasted trip as I didn’t spot anything except the spotted deers and wild
boars. The driver didn’t stop for birds and I was feeling really low.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just after the safari,
I was headed back to the place I was staying. Close to the Bandipur Forest
Office I took a left and had to break hard. On the side of the road was a fight
for survival that I had never heard about.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A small cat was fighting
with an adult mongoose. Claws out, hair raised, it was jumping about. The
mongoose had bared its teeth as well. As I watched the mongoose and cat
disappeared in to the trench fighting. I moved my car closer to catch a
glimpse. I was just in time to see the mongoose bite the cat in the neck and
hold it down. Sound of a vehicle behind me made the mongoose drag the cat into
a bush. Initially I could still see the cat struggle and they disappeared deeper
into the bush, out of sight I head the cat’s cry slowly died down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am not sure what
happened after that as I didn’t get down from the car to investigate. I assume
the mongoose made a meal of the cat.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Note: All this action happened over 2 mins and hence didn't get too many pictures. Posting the only decent shot I got.</div>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-70911308418118286382011-10-31T17:39:00.003+05:302011-11-03T14:59:42.336+05:30Kabini: Yet Again<br />
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What can one write about Kabini JLR that is not already
written? I personally believe that it’s the most beautiful property among
the ones that I have visited. The staff here is amazing and ensures you have a
comfortable stay. The naturalists are patient and are always ready to answer
questions thrown at them. Most being: how many leopards or tigers have you seen? Have you seen a tiger kill? Will the leopard attack us?
There was also a question where someone wanted to know if the Crested Serpent
Eagle would attack the jeep. Of course they answered all with a smile even
though I am sure they have answered these a million times.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So this time I thought I will write about my most memorable
sightings and observations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmz1n5iDoM08n73Lqkv3qnaPn5WPWFiqyg2SqUDEHaaVXgUKG2UMYon8m_G2ZVYsBz9Dr-9UupABLEv8y8-B7Yu_HlFWgGsGUaFbarAzblzlV6VLWX_kMHLugGqXsj-JJ6aJWZ5iGaZo/s1600/Picture+779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmz1n5iDoM08n73Lqkv3qnaPn5WPWFiqyg2SqUDEHaaVXgUKG2UMYon8m_G2ZVYsBz9Dr-9UupABLEv8y8-B7Yu_HlFWgGsGUaFbarAzblzlV6VLWX_kMHLugGqXsj-JJ6aJWZ5iGaZo/s400/Picture+779.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is always an expectation of seeing wildcats when in Kabini, the sighting is purely a matter of luck. This time around lady luck was kind to me, I got to see leopards in two out of the 4 safari I went on. While the first was a fleeting glimpse during the jeep safari; the second was on a boat safari, where I was running from
one end of the boat to the other to get pictures. The second sighting
is more memorable just because of the people involved. While the safari started most of us were lost in our own thoughts, some looked at the birds while
other asked about the lone tuskers on the banks. Suddenly on the way back,
someone shouted leopard and everybody on the boat was alive and looking out.
Once we saw him the cameras were out, fortunately or unfortunately my camera
had a slightly better zoom. Soon everyone was making way for me to get atleast
one decent shot. Once done e-mail IDs were exchanges and copies of the picture was
requested for. But this also helped make new friends and the evening was spent
narrating the leopard sighting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb_8mr13QNA6d02YGWcMttQ0PBcDM7IL_Zu0OTX2QULgoVZ_DAW3r9637PozCx-20qZWV8tHtAK97AOqnEyqtPcRBbB5SmJtdz7IFm2a6i72pIQIp_42QH371Zh4n6mhLlxsY05AR_Hk/s1600/Picture+1020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb_8mr13QNA6d02YGWcMttQ0PBcDM7IL_Zu0OTX2QULgoVZ_DAW3r9637PozCx-20qZWV8tHtAK97AOqnEyqtPcRBbB5SmJtdz7IFm2a6i72pIQIp_42QH371Zh4n6mhLlxsY05AR_Hk/s400/Picture+1020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The other exciting sighting for me was to watch the Osprey
fish. While the bird was too far away to take pictures, the whole episode will remain in my memory forever.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzySp8qO9Uh-VRIR46aJ7GTZOAlPQCjttl0OMZb8QE75hSXgv1cqz07jNANvMWzaQHPDvZM4kkHVUM7SORM6lo1olyT4fZQ14-D37G_RsQhkleJgilTIwUBbq4Op7Q7qYkd7qHzB5pBY/s1600/Picture+1072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzySp8qO9Uh-VRIR46aJ7GTZOAlPQCjttl0OMZb8QE75hSXgv1cqz07jNANvMWzaQHPDvZM4kkHVUM7SORM6lo1olyT4fZQ14-D37G_RsQhkleJgilTIwUBbq4Op7Q7qYkd7qHzB5pBY/s400/Picture+1072.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Seeing an otter pup was the other highlight. We were on the jeep
safari along the backwater and had stopped to observe an elephant and we
noticed there were 4 otters on the bank. Looking through the binoculars we noticed the group had pup. It was about half the size of the adult and kept
following the group. When the group got into water one adult stayed on the bank
waited till the rest went in and followed them. They swam close to the shore
and soon went out of sight.</div>
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While I looked forward to the safaris, time spent between
the safaris turned out to be quite interesting as well. Since JLR had 100%
occupancy on both days, there were a lot of people around. </div>
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The group I observed the most were a bunch of 5th graders from
a school in Bangalore. It was amazing to listen to them talk. The girls mostly spoke about mid-night party they had, while the boys spoke
of different things the saw during the day. One particular conversation I remember is about stopping Tiger Poaching.</div>
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The 2 boys were having dinner, they had just come back from
the video screening at JLR. From the conversation I assumed that the topic of
poaching was touched upon. One of the boys wanted to have electrical fence
around the forest so that poachers would not be able to get in, on hearing this
the other boy dismissed the idea saying the tiger’s coat could also get burnt by the ectrical fence and hence they needed a better plan. They finally
decided that they would build walls around the forest. This way the tiger could
jump over and cross when it needed to and the poacher would not get across.
Even if the tiger crashed against the wall since it’s big and strong it will
survive and a human would break his bones. The smile on my face must have
given me away because the boys realized I had eve’s dropping and changed table.
</div>
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The other quote that I heard as we waited for the safari
jeep was “ I am not perfect but I can run”</div>
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Nature walks were another place where I got to interact with
people specially kids. There was one who wanted me to name animal he had just
seen. When he finally found his animal and pointed it to me it was a pill bug.
The kid was so excited when I touched it and it curled up. But he didn’t want
me to hold it as he thought it will bite me. It was fun answering his questions
and clarifying things.</div>
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Then there was a couple fascinated by the kingfisher. Every
time we saw the bird we would stop so that they could get a picture.They kept calling it the blue bird </div>
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I also met a couple whose interests were so different, while
the wife loved outdoor and nature; the husband loved to sit indoors and take
office calls or play games. It was interesting to watch both. While one was excited about birds and spiders, the other wanted only the wild cats.</div>
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Kabini JLR has never failed to impress me and it lived up to
my expectation but this trip also gave me a insight into people and their
thoughts.</div>
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More Pictures in the link below</div>
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https://picasaweb.google.com/110258699064065442660/Kabini19OctTo21Oct2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJKa1fC38cTSrgE#</div>
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<b>Birds List:</b><br />
Pied Wagtail<br />
Forest Wagtail<br />
Yellow Wagtail<br />
Grey Wagtail<br />
Magpie Robin<br />
Streak Throated Woodpecker<br />
Common Flameback<br />
White Bellied Woodpecker<br />
Brown Fish Owl<br />
Grey headed Eagle<br />
Crested Serpent Eagle<br />
Changeable Hawk Eagle<br />
Ospery<br />
White Breasted Kingfisher<br />
Common Kingfisher<br />
Grey Heron<br />
Purple Heron<br />
Pond Heron<br />
Common Coot<br />
Spot Billed Duck<br />
Little Commorent<br />
Great Commorent<br />
Indian Shank<br />
Little Egret<br />
Cattle Egret<br />
Large Egret<br />
Black Kite<br />
Brahminy Kite<br />
Black Shouldered Kite<br />
Black headed Munia<br />
Indian Roller<br />
Pied Bush Chat<br />
Pipit<br />
Crested Lark<br />
White Ibis<br />
Black Ibis<br />
Hill Myna<br />
Jungle Myna<br />
Common Myna<br />
Jungle Babbler<br />
Common Cuckoo Shrike<br />
Brown Shrike<br />
Long Tailed Shrike<br />
Rose Ringed Parakeet<br />
Malabar Parakeet<br />
Ashy Prinia<br />
Paint Stork<br />
Imperial Pigeon<br />
Spotted Dove<br />
Asian Paradise Flycather<br />
Golden Oriole<br />
White Cheeked Barbet<br />
Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark<br />
Peacock<br />
Common Sandpiper<br />
Black Drongo<br />
Racket Tail Drongo<br />
White Bellied Drongo<br />
Jungle Fowl<br />
Purple Rumped Sunbird<br />
Pale Billed Flower Pecker<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-12312642598965053492011-09-13T15:25:00.000+05:302011-09-13T15:25:00.526+05:30A Sip of Wine at Channapatna<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
TOI on 27<sup>th</sup> Jul 2011, mentioned Winery Visit in one of its pages. Since Dad makes wines as a hobby it caught my attention. A quick call to them and we had the needed information. </div>
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It was decided that we will visit the place on Saturday and understand the process of wine making a little better.</div>
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The place is located close to Channapatna and is open to public between 11 and 4. The directions were very clear. We had to take the left just before Kadambam on <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Bangalore- Mysore Highway</st1:address></st1:street>. There was also a sign board indicating the same. We had to drive about 4 kms more from here.</div>
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Though we took the left turn, what we didn’t know was that there was another left to be taken after 2 kms. The Yellow stone board had some alphabets missing and we passed it without noticing it. Another call to the winery and after asking around in the village close by, we were direct to the right place. A kilometer ride on a mud road led us to the winery. Suddenly in between the fields and mango groves, we found a huge, newly constructed structure.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635956055846990466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm4SSeoDlCTagRm8Z9FAy3Ob11CXJuW9Sz7TmMtzJ4OjGZqokI9rQ3rSlRCTGutihldcuw-zNPPpbJ1u99503kMFQH2dQHeGC0iWERmZNwXJBblY5ZSOreaJZIO3YUTQJKt3pYW-sRa0/s400/Picture+001.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635956066057742498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8cNFEuc8-oqEbWIcJzYc5zVnUvKKnXOviqEHkfjjX3bX8NlUiL0f_LOVtj7Ee-WaIcVZ_Gl9itijMSFzrHiEtl6zcr5hOoQU4deRbGvw9Qoh87rniE8KsIrzjVw8G1LFQPZtpiEJoRs/s400/Picture+004.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635956072446593778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx35PvZtLXAzKDbstIQhfC0YEX8W5_osvtc9FGpoQggtgD7OPIeB4lI4ZCywfqpc0A3ViKbo6D7XX5Jjq4z8d8ku3oln6dpzHxuNp0wkSqXXMP_BO-FwCMF_7vIG0F6IQiOmOQ1PImhLQ/s400/Picture+006.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">We were first taken to the Guest House and shown a video on wine types and wine making. This is a video for about 15 mins and if you already know about wines then slightly boring. After that comes the winery visit. While the company currently makes only </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">fortified wine</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> (port wine), manufacturing of table wines are underway. The plan to release this in the markets in the next 6 months.</span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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We went back to the guest house after this for wine tasting. We tasted the port wines and the red wine that they are yet to launch in the market. The wine tatsed so much better here than the ones we had bought in the retail shop and consumed. The secret we were informed was in date of manufacture. Though wines manufactured in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> have a validity of 1 year, contrary to the popular belief of older the wine better it is, these need to be consumed as fresh as possible. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Tasting done we were ready to leave. We bought a bottle of wine and headed back to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. A stop at Kamat Lokaruchi for Lunch and our trip was complete.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b>A brief about the process</b></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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The wine manufacture here right now is forfeited wines. Grapes are bought in from Devanahalli and Chickabellapur region. It is then put in a crusher and stems are separated. We were told the grapes are not washed as the skin has yeast like deposits that help fermentation. The quality control team ensures that chemical is not used while growing grapes. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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After t e crushing S2O (2-3 mpp per ton) is added and its sent off to ferment in huge stainless steel tanks. Its left undisturbed for 2-3 weeks, where the seeds and skin separate from the juice. The tank is hot to touch on the outside. This is due to the ongoing gases released during the fermentation process. From here the juice is tested and decision is made on the amount of sugar and alcohol (2-3%) that needs to be added. Post that its sent for filtration and then off it goes to be bottled, label and transported to distributors.</div>
Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-5407667447714207912011-08-23T15:33:00.006+05:302011-08-23T16:30:54.505+05:30Kabini Explored<div>As always the case, it had been a while since my visit to the Jungles, my last trip there being the Brahmagiri Trek. So when a trip to Kabini JLR was suggested I quickly agreed. Luckily since it was a weekday the tents were available.</div><div> <p class="MsoNormal">Left at 6 from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> and other than for breakfast there were no stops or breaks in the journey. The last 12 Kms stretch to JLR was a nightmare to drive as the roads are very badly maintained.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">But once I reached JLR itself all that was quickly forgotten and I was excited to be there. I had vague memories of Kabini JLR, from my visit here in my teens, but the property looked prettier than what I remembered.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Since I was hungry, quickly dumped my bags and headed for lunch. The food like in all JLR properties was awesome, simple and tasty. After tucking in more than the usual amount of food, I was ready to explore JLR.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The gardens were in bloom and this gave me a chance to capture butterflies, spiders and bees.</p></div><div>
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocNd4xwKYVwpPg89HkSPUBxtmEhOKAbgtaN4eHmQcZIxQtuA7Qri84g0W0cXLTzgC1yXp1ccvSXoE9HEqShuJNkdO-ApWUD6FP2Eb0HULma6-ANiTYLvTIfELH9hZwTOC70gvpuzZTQs/s1600/Picture+738.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocNd4xwKYVwpPg89HkSPUBxtmEhOKAbgtaN4eHmQcZIxQtuA7Qri84g0W0cXLTzgC1yXp1ccvSXoE9HEqShuJNkdO-ApWUD6FP2Eb0HULma6-ANiTYLvTIfELH9hZwTOC70gvpuzZTQs/s400/Picture+738.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643990515170081762" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_9RRuMdsVzGM9HuGK1aFsz0iN8TBIopuzYrGCUCcaso0_2ExSivlf0odixMz8zP5M1-Q0wdgVYrbsLrhmSQ9v7Yhjrxveo68Vg3R8JkBARaZR1JkLsLdppDPkWUzof80sbAva9wnlZg/s1600/Picture+631.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_9RRuMdsVzGM9HuGK1aFsz0iN8TBIopuzYrGCUCcaso0_2ExSivlf0odixMz8zP5M1-Q0wdgVYrbsLrhmSQ9v7Yhjrxveo68Vg3R8JkBARaZR1JkLsLdppDPkWUzof80sbAva9wnlZg/s400/Picture+631.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643990505651421746" /></a>Time seemed to have passed really quickly and soon it was safari time.
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">With great expectation we boarded the jeeps. Of course the hope is always there that we get to see the cats, but I had also requested for stops when any bird was spotted. I didn’t know then that the naturalist in the jeep (Shivanand) was a great spotter and knew names of birds and animals.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Encounters with wildlife started right in JLR, the gardeners handed over snakes in a bottle to be left in the forest. Shivanand pointed out birds as the jeep drove past them</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Once in the reserve Spotted Deer/Chitals and Langurs were plenty, there was a lone guar near a watering hole who posed for a while. Then there was an elephant that crossed the road. As we drove along, another jeep from the forest department mentioned spotting a Leopard going for a drink at GK bunk. We quickly headed in that direction, drove around for sometime, but with no luck. The other spotting that evening was another lone female elephant and sambar.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Back in the resort, hot pakodas and coffee gave me company as I read a book. Dinner was again very good and I ate more than my share.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6pbXgNV434PPdnMpm07suSt3LRd0tsu5hB2F4XRyu-ZHhjD_gRmfEvGZpCIUcBzSv4mNCd30kxYZg1X9JvZqBxRDCtTab8qIk_W_qtdKVQHTL8S9nkLJ2ygAFDCyUKC5GSCy6Ta0iTE/s400/Picture+226.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643990497991877794" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9zIJVm0QK4qYOga4-DeRiXvWQFmaF5q09UXMmAsnDNwwRAsKqSfTlftiJ9JgOwmTJQdK6g1UZf8MWvxghwjeskQZgu5kyGBmk4oxl87uaC4fJUnANhUr2TPbsZOvuvCEmggHAnkqJB4/s400/Picture+169.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643990490101523890" /><div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal">The safari next day started at 6:15, initial sightings were only birds, but as we got closer to water we got to see some elephants and strip necked mongoose. </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0t0bdSpYma-Z95kq0SrE1vI-jSyhgaAz5bRw8RalupnWe7vtlR76pjSeX5UKAINJ5d9v2_5IyeZJgoZCz5lIoXRCNuVkYk7EEov_-sygx76YB9-OjQWJEyR1exARMvDlxoU8N5SI1dA/s400/Picture+434.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643990500836732338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 241px; " /><p class="MsoNormal">The highlight of that safari was seeing the Crested Hawk Eagle at close quarters. It was a beautiful bird that let us watch him for good 5 mins. The other bird I was excited about was the pygmy woodpecker. It was so small it mistook it was a warbler till Shivanand pointed it out.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Back from the safari took a short boat ride and once done with breakfast, I was ready to leave. Since the sun was out there were a lot of butterflies around so spent time chasing them. And then I was back on the road to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. So ended a peaceful trip into the wild.</p><p class="MsoNormal">More Pictures in the Link below</p><p class="MsoNormal">https://picasaweb.google.com/110258699064065442660/Kabini?authkey=Gv1sRgCMPbh5qrmtXeSw#</p><p class="MsoNormal">List of Birds </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ol start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Crested Serpent Eagle<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Crested Hawk Eagle<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Black Kite<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Brahminy Kite<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Black Shouldered Kite<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Jungle Crow<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">House Crow<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Greater Coucal<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Asian Koel (Female)<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Little Cormorant<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Little Grebe<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Little Egret<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Purple Moorehen<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Common Moorehen<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Common Coot<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Spot Billed Duck<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Pheasant tailed jacana<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Black Ibis<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">White Ibis<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Common Hawk Cuckoo<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Cuckoo Shrike<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Pied Cuckoo<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Racket Tail Drongo<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">White Bellied Dronga<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Black Drongo<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Flamebacked Woodpecker<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Streak throated Woodpecker<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Pygmy Woodpecker<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Imperial pigeon<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Laughing Dove<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Spotted Dove<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Green Bee Eater<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Chestnut Headed Bee Eater<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Orange Headed Thrush<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Blue Winged Parakeet<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Ashy prinia<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Pied Bush Chat<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Scaly Breast Munia<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">White Throated Kingfisher<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Peafowl<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Great Tit<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Nut hatch<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Purple Heron<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Pond Heron<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Jungle Babbler<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Red wattled lapwing<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Grey Jungle Fowl<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Painted stork<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Grey hornbill<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Magpie Robin<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Pied Wagtail<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Jungle Myna<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Hill Myna</li> </ol><p></p></div></div>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-37137486253194161662011-07-28T20:19:00.007+05:302011-07-29T14:13:13.398+05:30Most Memorable from Ladhak<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Though the whole trip is unforgettable, these will continue to be the some of the most memorable events.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; "><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; ">Ever Changing Landscapes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; "><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; ">Right from the beginning of the trip the landscapes keep changing. Every 20 Kms or so, there is something new to look out for. Be it the shape of the mountains, the sudden change in colours, snow-capped mountains, the plains, cultivation between barren mountains, view of rivers, sand dunes. It’s hard to put down the camera. This is one of the reasons that the drive doesn’t get boring. My personal favourites drives are the Pangong to Hanley, Darchu to Sarachu, Leh to Nubra Valley</span></p></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1MGLGLraER07Ctn_O2K2oRJQfvYuv5b_2-hX14h0eMzgV8ZWj22pckwypkstI_NRRYN2hu993FNqAdg9Jmavi0ExNIVMxCR8HEgkgudxkuKFsQEhS2MsPjX0lnPP-Tttu2-4oeW7igE/s400/DSC_0193.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634420252318991010" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNiqMAMR7MxWaTurG3YDIBrqasEwCXQp6Reo8ZkNZ8eYJZkZ0ieQOwp9nt2AqxFGOavGmbgTAVPVV8reY4MObgjrJGK1sh0yCp4lhOuULkswHzgFcj4lFM64wYHk1TsrVdsjXw777HWs/s400/DSC_0151.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 236px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634420242789360578" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLCjlzA_wAIqADdCEqXYDegK3n1Qkyrl8btnj55yB1m34KXJxgNj__ioeqx8BVEKKFmWoUx8W4Eh6tf4KxThFClPvEG3XcXOvxMmZTGjcnO3hSgV2zO1G0av2y7QUL5m8Kv56Br2uF8g/s400/DSC_0116.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634420239163765202" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOJuLaN681fwm3X9gGqDjBlPmJAWn3bHFtf-I3tJbeTvkB7c5CpM7yCYHIa-F0vnZtr_D_w4WJvxbUZHLBaVP_tGBeoCWh9qCCIbeFJ1hkZPgzC3UB_snjz90V-MjWo8-_toO7GJ_9Yo/s400/DSC_0001.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634420236295792754" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small; "><b>The Feel of Snow</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">For the first time in my life I experienced snow at Kardungla. Trying to get flakes on my hand and feel snow was fun. The Black tea served by the Army helped warm me up in that cold hour. It was also interesting to see the design formed by ice on the older snow piles<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family: Verdana">Tsokar</span></b></st1:placename><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"> <st1:placetype st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></span></b></st1:place><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">The mountains surrounding it, the color of water, salt on the shore, gentle waves created by the wind, almost no people around, all this make it truly awesome. The other reason that I like this lake is due to the number of bird calls I heard. Though the final decision was against over night stay, after seeing the place I wished I had stayed. There are other lakes around Leh but this one has very few places to stay at and therefore the crowd is lesser.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">People</span></b></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">When I travelled to Ladhak, I was not sure what to expect from the people here. Would this place be like the other tourist places where people are out to make money or will I have experiences that will truly touch my heart</span></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">I had a share of both, more of the latter. 4 people who really made a difference are<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">Mr Akbar (</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family: Verdana;color:#333333"><a href="mailto:nabilay@yahoo.com"><span style="color:#333333">nabilay@yahoo.com</span></a>)</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">, he was someone who helped us get permits and organized our trip in Leh. He ensure that we go a good place to stay at and our trip was memorable. The rates for taxi and hotels were lots cheaper than what others had offered us. While most people hadn’t heard of places like Warli and Hanley. He ensured we got permits to go there.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">Our driver during the journey around Ladhak. He was someone who knew the place well, never complained when asked to stop zillion times to take pictures and was giving us advice that helped us avoid being hungry and thirsty during our long drives. I missed him during our trip to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Srinagar</st1:place></st1:city> as that driver was cranky and painful.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">My hosts at Rainbow Guest House. This is a family run guest house, with clean and reasonable rooms. Fresh, home-cooked vegetarian food is served based on order. What makes this special is the ladies who run the place. They are always smiling and welcoming. Even though there were restaurants close by at the end of the day I would be back here for my meals.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Mr. Shaban, owner of Shera Palace Houseboat in Srinagar. Though I initially met him to stay in his boathouse, on request he ensure my whole trip in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Srinagar</st1:place></st1:city> was taken care off. When I didn’t find an auto on the first day, he was willing to come and pick me up. Very rarely I have come across people willing to go that extent.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h1 style="font-size: small; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 13.5pt; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">War Memorials<o:p></o:p></span></h1> <h1 style="font-size: small; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 13.5pt; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></span></h1> <h1 style="font-size: small; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 13.5pt; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:#252324;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Since the region borders with 2 other nations and our relations with them aren’t the best, there are many war memorials around (Chushul War Memorial, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rezang_La">Rezang La War Memorial</a>, Zozila War Memorial and Kargil War Memorial). Each tell a story of bravery and sacrifice by our soldiers, the extreme conditions in which the war was fought. While each one is worth a visit to pay respect to the brave men, </span></h1><h1 style="font-size: small; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 13.5pt; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:#252324;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAcJIysgCe-TNZsYRgmns7kPg-H8N6VPwfsToczPaB0jVJp7Hs7QhyphenhyphenFbcBM_HDdcYZAwIJvKTbnkMlFVYXJiMSaDr_JPi7L63mpeU01MuUQ1n8PgUCYTve9n2FtYoGQcL23Q6s9cXgic/s400/Picture+435.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634422340300748002" />Kargil War Memorial gives one details of the war, how the battle was won, weapons used, names of the soldiers and extract from their dairies. I found this to be a humbling experience. Nothing I have done so far come close to the sacrifice these men did.<o:p></o:p></span></h1> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family: Verdana">Shera</span></b></st1:placename><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"> <st1:placetype st="on">Palace</st1:placetype></span></b></st1:place><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family: Verdana"> Houseboat<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h1 style="font-size: small; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 13.5pt; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLdOA9dZpK4Q5AtiBi0f-CZr7CdB1ayI1NCLBwmgLl1E2-oGEIih_1Pes5L13oOL7P0QQpIrlqnR5FkZsdsQwHn5SePwUyUreVa5itDge4R3DUMWBXRcSo7ZuT79MzgL2tYA0cds-3Y4/s400/Picture+754.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 242px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634420253625558706" />This is boat house on <st1:placename st="on">Dal</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Lake (Sulehman Ghat, Nehru Park)</st1:placetype> in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Srinagar</st1:place></st1:city>. This was the first time on a houseboat for me. Riding the Shikar for the first time was scary as it wobbled. I was sure my luggage and I would be in the lake before I got to the houseboat (I was convinced otherwise after a demo by the boat man). Coming back to the boat house, It truly looked like a palace. Carpeted all the way, chandeliers hanging in most rooms and antique looking furniture it was beautiful. The old caretaker (Chacha I called him) added to the charm. He made some awesome Kashmiri Gustaba and Kawa. I could spend days sitting at the deck and watching the shikara going by.<o:p></o:p></span></h1><div><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><br /></span></div> <h1 style="font-size: small; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 13.5pt; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:#252324;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span></h1> <h1 style="font-size: small; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 13.5pt; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:#252324;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span></h1> <h1 style="font-size: small; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 13.5pt; "><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family: Verdana;color:#252324">Srinagar</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:#252324"> <st1:placetype st="on">Airport</st1:placetype></span></st1:place><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:#252324"><o:p></o:p></span></h1> <h1 style="font-size: small; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 13.5pt; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:#252324;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span></h1> <h1 style="font-size: small; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 13.5pt; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:#252324;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">When I was trying to identify travel agents to help plan my Leh trip, one of them suggested that I reach the airport 2 hours early. I thought he was joking, but then everybody else gave me the same suggestion. It was only when I got there I realized why. Since <st1:place st="on">Kashmir</st1:place> is a sensitive region the security check are 4 folds. The baggage goes through 3 rounds of checking. Since it’s a small airport and all flights take off around the same time it gets very crowded. With all the security checks and people breaking the lines it gets disorganized. I stood in queue for 45 mins just to get into the airport and another queue for 15 mins just to get a seal on my camera bag. Thanks to all the advice received I didn’t miss my flight <o:p></o:p></span></h1><div><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:#252324;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:#252324;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">More Pics in the link below</span></div><div><span>https://picasaweb.google.com/belliappaaishwarya/LehAndSrinagar#</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>https://picasaweb.google.com/belliappaaishwarya/AnimalsBirdsAndFloraAtJK#</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></span><p></p>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-65431236550019334262011-06-08T15:42:00.005+05:302011-06-08T16:54:46.133+05:30Welcoming Monsoons in Kemmangundi<div style="text-align: left;">It’s a known fact among friends that I don’t like monsoon treks due to the increase in leech population and the fact that I believe if I have walked all the way to the top of a mountain or hill I should be able to see a view and not cloud cover.</div> <p class="MsoNormal">So when Kemmangundi trek was announced in office I was eager to go and for this I was willing to for-go attending a wedding in Coorg (to be read as good food and pandi curry).</p><p class="MsoNormal">30 people on the trek meant a nightmare when it comes to coordination, by the time everyone assembled and the briefing was done it was close to 12. Though the first few hours were spent playing antakshari slowly heads started nodding and soon almost everybody had dozed off.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The next time I open my eyes we were at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Kalhatti</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Falls</st1:placetype></st1:place>, the starting point for our trek. As the day was just breaking, one could hear the Malabar Whistling Thrush at a distance and other birds chirping along, a perfect start for the day. While the experienced trekkers cooked breakfast, the rest of us walked around exploring the temples and the falls near by.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJMfs6J3xN6PuYN-I-pXLWpDmffOYM068nqwvk4DcyidwLOc_xvsFxX4RoZyqLHcSFzAG_5x3O7edOzvPHs0NS8L5TOzBMctl6P8cN7bryA0HwXpgo-Z6nx83w743Hu-ajkPVT3w82lg/s320/DSC_0180.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615790709082303730" /><p class="MsoNormal">Since we didn’t have plates, leaves were used and breakfast was served on it. Soon after we were ready to start.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The initial trek was along a stream and through coffee estates</p><div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbINabug634hbafaDcIjUqtZ9_AF2sRr7JBeMUscIXIonlsRQcm-YHzs9iEDcdUCn-HlgIxTtOKSesqI_zTegK1w2vCzuSVtc4jMoKqIv1qAypde8-qsbpiReCmV3aw0balNfZVN4ZhU/s320/DSC_0303.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615790719624042050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 189px; " /><p class="MsoNormal"> and if one kept a look out he could pick wild berries and fruits. Of course, one would think twice before waiting for long as there were leeches everywhere. We had light showers along the way but that didn't hamper our spirits. In about 2 hours we had reached the mid point for our trek, <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Manakiadhar</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Falls</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The falls was a sight for sore eyes.</p></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div><div></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55SFihS9TMP5Cemkl8JOWehebF2oqROFxpxdiCWy3v8ZzXHDYOMtl4uBugA6KAUfOtmsUk9YiZ69xrbtXCqq2tm2rd7y7dg7WgYNgT2MUC6BhU3Aryjh7EOdSZTWFC03cnsEsfy7Ua1k/s320/DSC_0314.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615790720414276850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /><p class="MsoNormal">One could only imagine how it would look in peak monsoon. While some took a dip, rest sat around to regain energy. After a quick lunch of Chappati, jam, chutney pudi, pickle and mixture we were ready for the next stretch. This was an 85 degree climb and most of us struggled all the way. But when we reached the peak, we realized that the climb was worth it. The landscape was beautiful.</p></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div><div></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTh4XkfY5SBKfzMJmncCDNfv3VfEY7c-hWnvZ_P6d9nW7XyohBslbB9TBIimCNNpk_F-Fb1HUCGIHWmxrdMcZine26jf8a3LuOGUOpHlXTG5EkDJqL1mVvUweZsfnc_q8SJuqRm1f_Ks/s320/DSC_0365.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615790726534679490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 195px; " />Clouds playing hide and seek, rain pouring down at the distance, paddy-fields elsewhere, sunlight on a distant hill, words can hardly describe the view. <p class="MsoNormal">After a short break, we headed to the anti poaching camp to pitch tents. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">(One has to take prior permission to camp here as it’s a part of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Bhadra</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Reserve</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Forest</st1:placetype></st1:place>. We didn’t know and had to pay a fine of Rs 200 per person) </span></i>.</p><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoIXnEaaWXxuO81dAb6ye5upnno78el9Xa6fHuNH986-TsTcDyAnv7ofs2sYLJBFC9pqXUgRzH2UZ4nFrd_JCCV1-3LKKgmUpPpnaVhpdh_4sGy7QWBlzMHcY2UOIMdp7B7UFWOE1SjU/s320/DSC_0448.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615790729904005282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /><p class="MsoNormal"> Once here while most of us lazed around the organizers and the experienced trekkers went about making tea and dinner.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Finally, we were done at 10 and tiring day meant that the night passed very quickly. While some of us had a peaceful night inside our sleeping bags, the rest found the night to be very cold and hadn’t slept.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The day started with some hot tea and Lemon rice. At about 10 am we were ready to head back. We scaled the hills a little more to reach the ridge. </p><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZN0HiFFhu3pRqNIIEdvaaCqsTSPXm-UdzLt8KbbaocuoEcmoJtp1p92LifOAI5w89opshJHjFyuSRqPeuXZ_US2Y-u6krHiJrwq-F6htq1hnTQ3fPdkteiPWkHPDr1lZ2iKvJFX7hWa8/s320/DSC_0557.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615792395257156754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><p class="MsoNormal">After that it was a downhill walk towards Z point in Kemmangundi. The rain made the climb down slippery but most of us managed it with just one causality. It was late afternoon when we reached Kemmangundi and so the plan to visit <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Hebbe</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Falls</st1:placetype></st1:place> was dropped. We ate lundin (Lunch and Dinner) at a Dabba near Kadur and headed back to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Pointers: This trek can be completed in a day and Hebbe Falls can be planned for the next day, but the stay on the top makes the whole experience more beautiful</p><p class="MsoNormal">More Pictures of the trek in the link below</p><p class="MsoNormal">https://picasaweb.google.com/belliappaaishwarya/Kemmangundi#</p></div></div></div>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-16906580036036206912011-04-27T16:42:00.005+05:302011-04-27T17:46:37.879+05:30An Overnight at Srirangapatna Part 2<div style="text-align: left;">The start of the morning turned out to be wet and cool due to the rains and very soon turned hot and humid. The day was reserved for exploring Off –beat places in Srirangapatna. After breakfast at Pegasus we checked out and went to meet <a href="http://www.royalmysorewalks.com/">Vinay , he is from Royal Mysore Walk</a> and was taking us around.</div><p class="MsoNormal">We started with Paschima Vahini Ghat. </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMCN5Kxe4PmIsU4zdiLiQqtfhaQnKyTbSG-oOkgHeBwv9y6A3XyIF2nKvsi_SQbLiEZdkps35FTajQ_k7q6Ic8u0GytGAgV53RB1KVVrWq_5LE2y-Ro2lyg2iLGipgY8uJJEfzS6sz5M/s200/Picture+190.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600221296735032370" /><p class="MsoNormal">Though I had passed this place many times on the way to Coorg, this was the first time I had visited it. This is supposed to be the place where one of the tributaries of River Kaveri flows in a different direction as opposed to the main river. This is considered extremely auspicious and ashes of many great personalities like M.K Gandhi have been immersed here.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The next stop was the flag post close to the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city> gate, this is the highest point in Srirangapatna and one gets a 360 view of the town from here.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL_JNmSzNQU97jG910sb7lq8eiSRy1XE-TK3cXbhW4ZCgqQzxK-Sn5-TLukxkvibS-8sXqhr4mMlEYwJ9C-DTGNwmU4TlvqyPYYioORlsnC3_bS0oAgR6xF-ZtXbj2p6bO7jCihhN6CE/s200/Picture+210.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600221301039271634" /><p class="MsoNormal"> This is also next to Tipu’s rocket manufacturing and testing unit which is now used as the sewage control unit for the town.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Vinay managed to connect different occurrences in history with what was happening in Srirangapatna and hence the narration became even more interesting. He also had old maps and pictures that made imagining the events easy.</p><p class="MsoNormal">From here we headed to the Chola temple situated behind the Lal Mahal.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14uGprAa3a75FsNOgawGKEE11tpwmLtsccfQeQH4TInmlMrkSGsseUs_pv4bpWk4KFBaJ5KTX2KDNbLlDxTAMnzj4VXe-DdiUmpjHLH2EjR-nraj3U2iJlrN6GDMluWcLtKTxOVKlY70/s200/Picture+223.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600221305515204354" /><p class="MsoNormal"> It is said that since people climb the Gopura (Tower at the entrance of temples) of the temple and peeked into the palace, it was taken down.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The priest at the temple have been there for 10 generations and the records of Vijaynagar Empire contains instructions on the amount of groceries that needs to be provided to the priest here. One can find this detail written on a tablet in the temple. Photography is not allowed inside the temple and it closes at 10:30 am</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A small drive from here was our next stop, old railway station office.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo37sknY3EmWaDM5E7r4QhnZRtIL83CiC2oh8dnXITaqGAakPTKhewU6pWrRni-9fAanKBpJSOm026jCTkWthJ6BDA4_zN1jQj1hjab84obOXTLiGBQVA26M7aVuLNd_CSPMgXkwjfIw/s200/Picture+237.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600221314337049986" /><p class="MsoNormal"> First look at it one is transformed to Malgudi Days. The pillars in this place are from the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Palace</st1:placetype></st1:place>. When the wooden palace was burned down the salvaged pillars and doors were donated. Since it was considered inauspicious to keep remains of a burnt palace, there were few takers and hence they landed up here. With the laying of double track between <st1:city st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> and <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city> this building will soon disappear. I hope this time as well they are willing to donate the pillars; I would love to take 2</p><p class="MsoNormal">Close to the station is the weapon storage unit (Gun room) used by Tipu Sultan.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOnNkxJDceOfX54wQssNmQGpkx47oGtP3aaBkjwHpkkeuirKFyulsLIdU9DT9YmYLnldr4OTJaVZ3uMVlTI_oRqaRMZXHtO7zWkeckB6LwrS2gzS7sLtvw8AY-3G4D6WbhVoR4sdA2Eg/s200/Picture+234.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600221312009689314" /><p class="MsoNormal">This is also something that will be gone when the tracks for Bangalore Mysore is laid.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After exploring this part of town we headed to the Obelisk. </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ajvGajOEAg5SqFyVjBYEmk87hurbd-7CxxFMO7Oo6qXlx39agUJBd-KgTVPo1Z71zeHuEXkLWkHr8ata4IZakgAzMeRtKg_Ac12oLX7pOg_CokL2PZQXk_7LlcNlVPssB3rIiEEsSgQ/s200/Picture+239.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600222733246599778" /><p class="MsoNormal">This is situated close to dungeon and gives you a beautiful view of the river from the tip of the fort. The Obelisk is built in memory of the British Officers and units who died during the siege of Srirangapatna on 4th May 1799. There is also a theory that the breach of the fort happened here as opposed to near the water tank. Close to this place there is a wearhouse which used to be a hospital built by the British.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">From here we headed to the water tank, the last stop for our 2 hours guided trip. This is close to the place where Tipu’s Body was found and one of the stories about the breach indicates that it happened here. The trip ended with Vinay talking about the dying Sultan and the end of an era.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Early breakfast meant that we were hungry by the time our tour ended. We headed to a roadside restaurant towards <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city> called Poojari’s Fishland. This is definitely a place I would recommend to fish lovers. The food was yummmm and really fresh. After stuffing ourselves, it was time to head back to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> and it turned out to be about 5 hours journey.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Pictures</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">https://picasaweb.google.com/belliappaaishwarya/Srirangapatna#</p>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-39173289217382684092011-04-27T16:19:00.010+05:302011-04-28T17:03:54.047+05:30An Overnight at Srirangapatna - Part 1<div style="text-align: left;">It all started with plans for girls day out, friends planning to catch up sans husbands. But then the plan sounded so good that the hubbies joined in as well.</div> <p class="MsoNormal">Long Weekend meant that we had very few places to choose from. After some failed attempts to find accommodation in the popular holiday destinations we decided to do an overnight at Srirangapatna.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We read about a place called <a href="http://www.pegasusonline.org/index.htm">Pegasus Art Bistro</a> and decided to give it a try. (Of course beggars can’t be choosers).</p><p class="MsoNormal">Though we left at about 8:30 am, due to holiday traffic we took 5.5 hours to cover the distance of 120 Kms. Tired and hungry we finally reached Pegasus.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The rooms at Pegasus were nice looking and the creeprs growing on the roof and around gave it a pretty look. </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWau3wX_QU9uL5sQRlJWz12TxPyeor6AyT5gOP4reFzG8jsWlpGgerS9dNSf6ofG-vfCI7pv8uN0zZ0FvGzTxsTVtGfflR2Vucp8OLEL6r3tHYnjZ2g4YH6iUyOsuMDoikOE7OcXAixFQ/s200/Picture+034.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600218821888384930" /><p class="MsoNormal">The rooms had abstract painting done by the owner’s late husband and made it cozy.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">While we settled our lunch was being cooked. Luckily the host is a good cook and we got some tasty European Food.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The long journey and heavy lunch has made us sleep. While some wanted to rest, Akshata , Kavisha and me decided to visit Ranganatitu. By the time we got there it was almost closing time. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately for us since it was the last ride for the day, the guide/boatman looked disinterested and didn’t point out birds. </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBiUanEOid-j9czcmc3VMEbABX4WXTFCRDBQilwxXrxzlyLhjtHB151KRu-yEhRTvPPeigL25oeZhcBgd01ZCsTaAwzkWTgIMXssE3tu8eXq4mzC3mVQo1_6c_olBswUqEkaelQM0XOs/s200/Picture+086.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600218809446588930" /><p class="MsoNormal">Seeing us with bird book, binoculars and camera people on the boat, kept point birds and asking for names. Luckily for us they were the popular birds and we could easily identify them.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRZUzfId9rJUP4XjpklvxuJCToeff8SwAEvIkSbu8nHIT9NWSFO61lsul9_G0OuIQwFaUDZOiHcMw2YZmo7muhcf3968M-s_vQ2wopjSenI_FmjtAdzB3jmVVmK50agP37BZD7f6xKe4/s200/Picture+109.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600218815022421506" /> <p class="MsoNormal">The only time he mentioned the bird was when we saw a Night Heron and started looking at the field guide to identify it. That’s when we realized that he knew the birds that were around. The ride was over in less than 10 mins and for a longer ride we were asked to book the 1000 Rs Boat Ride. We decided to do that some other day. After walking around the shore for a while we headed back to the home-stay</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Just as we settled in at the home-stay the sky opened and we had a downpour that lasted through the night. The night’s stay was uncomfortable due to the leaks the rains caused. Everything around had a wet feeling. Though we were tired the night turned out to be a sleepless one.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">The owner recognized this and charged us less for the stay. She mentioned that the leak was due the fact that the tiles had just been laid and they had not yet faced a rain to identify leaks</p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Pictures:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">https://picasaweb.google.com/belliappaaishwarya/Srirangapatna#</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Information:</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The resort is situated on Mysore By Pass (<st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Yelwal Road</st1:address></st1:street>). The road is pretty bad especially the stretch close to KRS dam turn on.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Bird Sanctuary opens at 7:00 am and one can hire a boat for 1000 Rs and get a 30 mins ride. If you are a birder I think that this would be a better option than the regular rides</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>List of Birds Seen</b></p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ol start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">House Crow<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Jungle Crow<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Black Kite<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Brahminy Kite<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Black Ibis<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Black Headed Ibis<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Painted Stork<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Open Billed Stock<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Night Heron<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Pond Heron<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Rock Pigeon<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Spotted Dove<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Pied Wagtail<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Jungle Babbler<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">White Cheeked Barbet<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Rose Ringed Parakeet<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Common Tailor Bird<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Pale Billed Flower Pecker<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Crimson Rumped Sunbird<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Common Iora<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Darter<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Little commorents<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Eurasian Spoon Bill<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Common Flame Backed<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">White Browed Fantail<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Spotted Owel<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Red Vented Bulbul<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Red Whiskered Bulbul<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Indian Robin<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Pied Bushchat<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">River Tern<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">White Breasted Kingfisher<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Stock Billed Kingfisher<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Pied Kingfisher<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Common Myna<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Jungle Myna<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal">Hopper</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Baya Weaver Bird</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Little Minivet</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Magpie Robin</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in">Swallow (too far off to ID)</li> </ol><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-76618319431327197872011-03-03T13:54:00.005+05:302012-09-18T14:12:14.700+05:30Brahmagiri Revisted<div style="text-align: left;">
Brahmagiri has always been close to my heart, maybe because it’s in my homeland. The last time I attempted this climb one of my friends got bitten by a snake. We had to return from Narimalla.</div>
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This time I was keeping my fingers crossed and hoping I would reach the peak. Based on the driver’s suggestion we decided to drive through Nagarhole Reserve Forset. This meant that we had to wait till 6 am for the forest gates to open. Since we reached there at 3, most of us caught up on our 40 winks. As it neared 6 vehicles started piling up. </div>
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Since we were the second vehicle to pass, we hoped to spot some wildlife.Unfortunately the only wildlife we saw other than cheetals</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579772973033923474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbP4wOciSoxZqnViM-GyfywgGy8_baaxs58y3ZG8EEfJKNKcWQFMHVUj2oy_mSSd2zf6qHd95Bgd9RU7shP59ukly72ymqQHcfEOsg8B3aKGdEqdJQd6nCOhv3ukbKO2AKmBSI57CKPE/s200/Picture+015.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 134px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /><br />
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were some wild boars and a fox. The next stop was at the forest office in Srimangala to get permission. This took a while as we had to wait for the officers to come by. Our first meal for the day was supposed to be at this tiny restaurant/schack, but by the time we reached there we were told that all breakfast items were over. We had to make do with bread and coffee.</div>
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At <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Irrupu</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Falls</st1:placetype></st1:place> our guide was waiting. He was the same person who was with us the last time we attempted the climb and remembered us only too well. We filled our water bottles at the falls and started the trek.</div>
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The initial 3 kms was through the forest and we didn’t feel the harsh rays of the sun on us. Since I was out of form, the climb was tiring and I took multiple breaks. Most of the streams along the way had dried, an indication of the summer creeping in. Once in the grassland, fortunately there was cloud cover and we didn’t get burnt.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579772975592992706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo8iWPXrrITxxgAPwfORJwDt7cacbNL6iW7QSmY2aYoQkk-rv1Z_hLPsq8ki8B7R8g9lK2E1LOhH2872A_TdWnSKRcuVypBMkpfzVv0gXdbC0-ObVteFSUgZIBtf3KotnOCunYru23Uw/s200/Picture+051.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 134px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /> <br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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By the time we reached the camp site (Narimalla, forest guest house) it was 12:30 pm. We decided to take an hour’s break for lunch and then head out again. Lunch was some yummy gojju and chappati. 30 mins of rest and we were on the move. Most of the trek was supposed to be through flat grassland from here. Midway we spotted a bunch of Nilgiri Langur and spent time taking pictures and observing them.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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After about an hour of walking, we were at the base of Brahmagiri. The climb looked steep and once we started our ascend we realized how steep it was.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579772981402220370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wiA2GH9F-7QcR2vnusSpnvs2q96VYnMBZ0-wGzV3iC5iYShqik6-Zjd2JkcOPB4LVWRRoJUHVk5xb1d0MUZo-0VZG-ak1OgvEoMqgNPd5RH6J0fLID3gaxjsy7BbSgFahEkTJcnQ1S8/s200/Picture+098.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 134px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /><br />
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I had to use my hands as well to climb. This stretch of 1 kms took about 45 mins to climb. The view from the peak was breathtaking. How I wished that the hills were green instead of the brown though.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579774535538046434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-lE5HLt8l-bWp6c4Cqi2LWDIVVvK2VTmA0DHEWkuovCjOaBIc4SYPLsjwP7voycu7eH3zevbn7e1QHGd82J4LTkjnOBq-ho9VQnvSFa5mzmPPMy2fseWJbSSm2R2oGqpliKT5P0E824/s200/Picture+111.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 134px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /> <br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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After some photo sessions we headed back. The descent was as tough as the climb, with some of us sliding down to avoid major fall. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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As we neared narimalla, there was a sound of hoofs, before anyone could react we saw a Sambar running in fear. Excited we waited for a while to see what had caused the animal to run like that, but there were no signs of anything. Disappointed we continue walking.</div>
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By about 6 pm we were back at the campsite. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Some of us went to the stream nearby to freshen up, while I heard dogs bark, lucky few saw a pack wild dogs run across the stream. This was topic of discussion for sometime and kept us occupied.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Soon the boys went about cooking dinner, while the girls learnt how to Jive from Abhi. It was 9 when we started the campfire and ate dinner (Upma and Payasm). We sat around for a while chatting and then decided to sleep. The other group, which was awake for longer, was noisy and at some point few from our gang had to go out and warn them. Other than that the night was uneventful.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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The plan next day was to trek Narimalla, but by the time we got up and had breakfast, most of us didn’t want to climb, so we decided that we would head to the waterfall near by and spend some time there. After that we headed back to <st1:placename st="on">Irrupu</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Falls</st1:placetype> and from there to <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>. </div>
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As we drove through the national park again we saw, langurs, Gaur, cheetals and Malabar Squirrels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped at Hunsur for a late lunch and reached <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> by 8 pm. With that my dream trek to Brahmagiri could be ticked off my list.</div>
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</div>
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More Pics in the link below:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/belliappaaishwarya/BrahmagiriRevisted?authkey=Gv1sRgCJDpxrCdlPCKzgE#" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">https://picasaweb.google.com/<wbr></wbr>belliappaaishwarya/<wbr></wbr>BrahmagiriRevisted?authkey=<wbr></wbr>Gv1sRgCJDpxrCdlPCKzgE#</a></span></div>
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List of Birds seen</div>
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White Cheeked Barbet</div>
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Black Bulbul</div>
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Jungle Myna</div>
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Jungle Crow</div>
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Sunbird</div>
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Spotted Dove</div>
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Laughing Dove</div>
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Woodpecker</div>
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Rose Ringed Parakeet</div>
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Plum Headed Parakeet</div>
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Flacon</div>
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2 kinds of BOP (unable to ID)</div>
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Whistling Thrush</div>
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Asian Blue Fairy Bird</div>
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Red Whiskered Bulbul</div>
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Red Vented Bulbul</div>
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Pond Heron</div>
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Cattle Egret</div>
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<br /></div>
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Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-3576009230334611132011-02-03T15:32:00.005+05:302011-02-03T15:59:10.046+05:30Ballakallu and Kodekallu<div style="text-align: left;">Spending few minutes the middle of a forest fire was not my idea of a relaxed weekend trek, but that is how the weekend turned out to be.</div><p class="MsoNormal">The trek to Kanoor Kote had rekindled my love for long walks in the forest, so when this trek was proposed I was all set to go.</p><p class="MsoNormal">This trek was to 2 hills in Charmadi Ghats, Ballekallu and Kodekallu. Aravind had done some research about the place and had all the details that were required. We packed food at Kotigehara and after 15 minutes bus ride we were at Bidurtala village deviation the start point of our trek.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The deviation was blocked by 2 jeeps. We first thought they belonged to the forest guards but on closer look they looked like estate jeeps. When we spoke to them they mentioned that Bidurtala was attacked by elephants and they were waiting for forest guards to come by. They suggested we turned back and trekked elsewhere. After some discussion with-in the group, we decided to carry on and access situation once we got to the village.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The slightest sound as we walked had us jumping out of our skins; we approached each curve in the road with caution as we didn’t know what it had in stored. And then suddenly we heard the jeep. We thought it was the forest guards; imagine our surprise when we saw the jeep from earlier drive past with tourists in them. Our guess of the whole situation after that was maybe the guys we met earlier had promised an exclusive trek to these guys and didn’t want us there. Hence they tried scaring us off. The truth we will never know.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Once we realized there was no threat of elephants attacking us our pace was relaxed, we stopped every now and then to take pictures </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsm6nhRaBpAO4DOAcLjN0MLAU4LzV-KfpZYXfSyiI7GANjM_wqUT6NPJedUuEj7BDmME_4XOhlvP3mNpTV3OXPN_JkIbi8TrTmWaGdm1HsZLKNC7ooqCFIG9NJLN1LsJZ8hDTjIr9DAc/s200/Picture+003.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569406872468560354" /><p class="MsoNormal">and soon reached <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Bidurtala</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Village</st1:placetype></st1:place>. We stopped by a stream to eat breakfast. The village had 5 houses, upon enquiry one of the villagers agreed to take us to the hills. The person was really old and could not hear well, but turned out that he knew the route pretty well.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The trek to Kodekallu was a short one, within 45 mins of walking we were there. </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMbR6QfHS8HEXnGbqyoqhdOj0qo2bP4AL6vnJ94tsDYyb2q0CA6p2sEg2HEgTJxY4-VtanV0W5W6AJOGd36_WkY-Nz8UoRHjj3N1i-fQvk2RlWODFp9j6hTX6L43Mg3jIKiKkVOBKH1I/s200/Picture+038.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569406877224923762" /><p class="MsoNormal">The scenery all through was beautiful. Kodekallu offered us respite from the heat and had enough place around to camp over night if one wished. Since none of us were tired we decided to carry on towards Ballekallu.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The walk to Ballekallu was mostly through open grassland. </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpfTuFTPqmcJn_6nTK4wYj9PZB0Ve80gS0mNp5jSYywogeo_o-9OTPzoTZyPs9m84JCeGc3m66qXav87E8d4GQN3p8P5l_mtJME_u94rzFdO4AHeR49QprGg5CWnTixBrEz1QrBiUqko/s200/Picture+061.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569406878538744674" /><p class="MsoNormal">The sun was merciless and some of us stopped constantly to drink water and rest</p><p class="MsoNormal">.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When we were about a kilometer from the peak we stopped for a break and suddenly after about 5 mins we could hear crackling sounds. We looked up to see that our guide had set fire to the dry grass; </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilE6PWwSzjJBHUCTBbFoAfdQDw4-9RpoynII2CnV90IUXmNnnO-UfpKUKtkRhOWbRZAQcuQ28cysgwBYtuawJDXX2Tyq9LRXyEbYrbqNj3B6E706OnWs4S30SEYo4RrjgPKT0VPYAw7E8/s200/Picture+071.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569406888478628818" /><p class="MsoNormal">it took us a minute to realize that we were in the middle of man made forest fire. The fire was spreading fast but our guide didn’t seem bothered, he wanted to walk through it. After some argument, we decided to follow him. So we walked through the burnt section and crossed it to reach the peak.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While we monitored the progress of the fire, we managed to rest for some time on the peak. </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7IhWgqnPij98yQzpCI5-LND7Mtyr7a9kxXuNnJhagFAkSDN8eUNIXEblMlJoE5s0rtfVAXiScOug208-Ovu5F07x7Co8QNEURo7pMe6qQnTsqiMPCO9kq9ZwlOvtnT2eiBC6GgZMYI0/s200/Picture+030.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569406881864562210" /><p class="MsoNormal">As it was getting hot and the fire was still spreading we decided to head back to the village. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Once at the village Aravind enquired about a waterfall he had heard about, the guide took us there. Since it was hot we decided to spend the afternoon by the waterfalls. At 3:30 pm we decided to head back to the main road and hitch a ride from there. It turned out none of the KSRTC buses stop; finally a kind-hearted jeep driver stopped and took us all the way to Kottigehara</p> <p class="MsoNormal">From there we took a bus to Chikamagalur. Since our bus to Bangalore was only at 11pm we walked around the town, visted a local fair, played games and sat in giant wheel. Finally when we got into the Bangalore bus we were exhausted and within minutes fallen asleep.</p><p class="MsoNormal">More Pics: <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/belliappaaishwarya/BallakalluAndKodekallu?authkey=Gv1sRgCJnAu7eu85WhjQE&feat=email#">https://picasaweb.google.com/belliappaaishwarya/BallakalluAndKodekallu?authkey=Gv1sRgCJnAu7eu85WhjQE&feat=email#</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Route Map- Horanadu Bus to Kottigehara – Bidurtala village stop (on route Dharmasthala) – 4 Kms hike to the village and then trek to the hills.</p>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-13698046331298128972011-01-14T13:53:00.001+05:302011-06-14T14:12:26.392+05:30Kanoor Kote Conquered<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The plan to trek upto Kanoor Kote was made because my manager from <st1:city st="on">Geneva</st1:city> was coming down and I had promised to show him the unexplored, little known parts of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After some discussion with my friends, we decided to do the trek with <a href="http://sharavathi.blogspot.com/">Sharavathi Valley Group</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As always we left on a Friday night and headed out towards <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Jog</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Falls</st1:placetype></st1:place>. How could one visit the region and not stop at Jog.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-haZH6Laskz4/TT5iNX4TdZI/AAAAAAAAAS8/MdN5blSGeKM/s720/Picture%252520006.jpg" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">While I didn’t expect <st1:personname st="on">J</st1:personname>og to be overflowing with water, the sight that I saw was disappointing. There was hardly any water and one could hardly hear the falls. The only thing in abundance here was tourists. After some hot cup of coffee we headed out to Kanoor. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When we reached there a hot breakfast of Idly , sambar and kasaya awaited us. We quickly freshened up and attacked the food. <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N1SAX7sKt0E/TT5iSwChSsI/AAAAAAAAATQ/Zgf2MlUu4xY/s912/Picture%252520018.jpg" /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Once satisfied, we were ready to scale the hills. The plan was to cover some waterfalls on day one and then do Kanoor Kote the next day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We had to go through a steep descent to get to the falls. Some of the first time trekkers found it really hard and took a lot of time getting down. Once down, it’s a treat to all the five senses: sound of flowing water and birds singing, breathtaking waterfalls (Haaragere), sweet tasting water. Most of us were ready to spend the whole day there. While the swimmers took a dip here, some of us climbed to the next level of the falls and cooled our feet; this was supposed to be the place where we stopped for lunch. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hg3E_zidWnY/TT5iyFS8sGI/AAAAAAAAAU8/x7xUoqwRwmM/s512/Picture%252520082.jpg" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The best thing about going with this group is the fact that you get freshly cooked, hot food. Eating rice and sambar with papad in between a dense forest is an awesome experience.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Post lunch, we walked along the stream towards Vasugatti Waterfalls. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ip7Z4gIXrzI/TT5jH3cGmOI/AAAAAAAAAWk/F2a7HQOvhoo/s512/Picture%252520163.jpg" /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Most of the walk involved hopping and skipping on rocks. The final climb was at an 80 degree angle from <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Vasugatti</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Falls</st1:placetype></st1:place> and was the toughest. By the time we were done, we were hungry and could eat anything. Luckily for us we were serve hot bajjis and tea. The day ended with Hot bisibele bath, Chapati and Palya and Payasam.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Though the plan was to start early the next day, since we asked for Rice Rotis it took longer to make and we started at about 9 am. Though the trek upto Kanoor Kote was not a difficult one, it was mainly through flat road, paddy fields and small stretch of forest; it was a long one. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jro9FxaSnhQ/TT5jbdt_mVI/AAAAAAAAAXs/nS32HGTCwIU/s720/Picture%252520255.jpg" /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The fort suddenly appears out of now where and has creepers and plants growing all over. The complex has been looted by treasure hunters and is in a bad state. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j-rm9T51Vbo/TT5jsSuvgLI/AAAAAAAAAYo/CeOn7mZIXmA/s720/Picture%252520312.jpg" /></p><p class="MsoNormal">With all this the fort and the temples in it still had a charm. It talks of an era thats bygone. There are some very pretty carvings around. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i_W3Xlj1OY8/TT5jzMOXq1I/AAAAAAAAAY8/rpaagrXep7g/s720/Picture%252520324.jpg" /></p><p class="MsoNormal">While some of us walked around the fort, the guide went looking for water to start cooking. Since the water source had dried up it was decided that we would head to a tribal hut close by and cook there. It was heavenly to eat freshly cooked food in the middle of a forest.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Soon after lunch we started off again as the walk back was long. Since we had some first time trekkers we were taking twice the amount of time to cover the distance. As the shadows got longer we started getting worried as the region was known for sloth bears. It was decided that Mike and the guide would walk ahead and bring the TT into the forest. When this happened it saved us walking 5 kms of the trek in the dark. By the time we reached back it was well past our departure time. After quickly freshening up we headed back to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pictures in the link below:</p><p class="MsoNormal">https://picasaweb.google.com/belliappaaishwarya/KanoorKoteTrek?authkey=Gv1sRgCITBl9b68N3cHg</p>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-6711896968214064962011-01-04T14:53:00.007+05:302011-01-04T18:12:14.973+05:30Lesser Know Hoysala Temple – Nuggehalli<div style="text-align: left;">When visiting the famous Belur and Halebidu temples, I was told that there were other lesser known Hoysala Temples around Hassan and <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>. Then in 2010 a friend of mine visited about 17 of those and after looking at the pictures I was waiting for a chance to visit those places.So when Nuggehalli was suggested for a day trip, I was eager to go.</div><p class="MsoNormal">We decided to take the Magadi road to avoid traffic on the National Highway. This turned out to be a scenic drive and Sachin kept narrating interesting pieces of history as we passed couple of old temples and Magadi Fort. I spent time spotting birds and requesting for stops every time I saw some bird close enough to be photograph.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f0jiSCFdrTNk6g5B8-qnhzDufF4aSasKgC_qZzXwuen1Vdltn3FkzW9zNCZpwGiKcvwsyG2qhyphenhyphenzXzi2kxZjJAv_Be9zGiNqZdc_GjNcYNKdOZP0E_i24bUQhyphenhyphenOK7Layuf_j3Tatc1SY/s200/Picture+074.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558304156204552098" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWJdtL19a9JZyHKi9muSl6HUhOdPIaZCZftfERTlf6D1epY81D8b0WlyvHAlStodro3Icgf6fh_-JM2K0JRPCA6w9xgwWentuyV1lAFnMPj7CflJyY5qNmR1T8FmsbS_SIKanHlOr0ec/s200/Picture+008.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558304153866432450" /><p class="MsoNormal"> All the birding stops and 2 stops to eat meant that we took 5 hours to reach a destination that would ideally take max of 3 hours.</p><p class="MsoNormal">We reached Nuggehalli by 1 and headed straight to the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Laxmi</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Narayana</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The first look of the temple was not impressive.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3x_k0e44ogTSStzSG5_nI09-cCwXBaACotd5btSo_575a6a5NyTgO8SrWjapgdG3L9CNoD4zHtjJm4T51ZD1z3r_gUXvxfNYIalIfTO-Y8v0WiBGjpRbVLMSajfkP0bNE9O_6eABhJaA/s200/Picture+129.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558304167106989954" /><p class="MsoNormal"> It looked just like other temples from more recent times but once you walk in you realise it beautiful. While we waited for the priest to come and open the main temple, we started exploring the sculptures on the outer walls. The carvings were similar to other Hoysala temples, with different rows of elephants, horses, people, mythological creatures and creepers.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5wdFlNo5bTl4RNkqIuoX5mP5PsHIJvu1qHhxI78TeAfjaUwLcObq3OXS5NJ7gHsvlX_OCiEIh8KFtsPCnRrQLRwjPDyIyLsCYV_dCCmbUEGkxv0rMNBDXWWfDHqwEof5YdZQMFRKUfs/s200/Picture+165.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558304170655106818" /><p class="MsoNormal">Most of the bigger sculptures were of Lord Vishu in different forms, depicting stories associated with that form.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsaJb4AfH4D6vybLe7RgivuekPHB5Wmnv-fUv3G31jCQ6AIWA_I_Wa7Um_u2z7bcBjlxJ1D-nf2IiNojRYt-Hlcq3SmBpm40NF1SJuYdu_vBNJR1UNPP0r7OIvKPSeb4IQFWzBh_Rz2I/s200/Picture+152.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558307425927186274" /><p class="MsoNormal">When the priest came we went in to take a look. Ceiling of the temple was beautifully decorated with different designs of lotus. The Idols inside was of <st1:place st="on">Krishna</st1:place>, Narashima and Lakshmi. On the whole the temple was worth the visit.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Next stop was <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Sadashiva</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>. </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivauczVcKkXt8X1vFcEjsS1DQCNCqrs-H9z_HYlbGgEsZ3g-H72QVhNBW0XfFroeSwbPBR5Rk3reyWHg-Tl9SDDGjHfmYSfjWKE-7-j0RyZpvbfgO2RJq4nm8dAyJX5f57FahBkbtEaTc/s200/Picture+205.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558307429776929426" /><p class="MsoNormal">Though this is a Hoysala <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Temple</st1:city></st1:place>, the outer walls is not decorated with carvings like the others. The pillars are quite plain. </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9YH2ALyOhwi3_BPdt76TEPxUpH_uKZJIh-W0-o09nJx03DWbW-nlVdsmjS0XnoB1oGLUP-BtU7bhWm6lqOANVdqSsBTtTbdxDA1buvY4Yrkylac1Kl9B_vg8rAuE0UhkQHKRRkwYzdA/s200/Picture+222.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558307435028109698" /><p class="MsoNormal">I felt the grandeur of Hoysala was missing. Since we could not find the priest we could not enter the main temple.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">On talking to a local at the temple, he mentioned that we could try and visit other Hoysala Temples closed by. As we drove around looking for the temples, we spotted on top of the hill that looked promising. </p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5As0v3br9OVxp2ApZtspjAVXS0YE5GMe4zx3EWUb72VBGn6WwOKWJSc-uYnSJgbpPmH1vuXiwPG5A02jFdIvAjt9s9CPUXnZm0668vCqtyY5uLxJ84Qhzgtv9dIJ9cvjsPZmva1tiQN0/s200/Picture+252.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558307441853532882" /><p class="MsoNormal">After being misguided for sometime we finally managed to reach the foothill. From here it was a 20 mins climb to reach the temple. After we reached there we realized though the scenic view was good, there was not much of the old temple left. The village authority was renovating the temple. Disappointed we headed back.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">By the time we descended the sun had set and our tummies had started making rumbling noise since we had missed lunch. The focus shifted to getting food. Stopped at Mayur for a quick dinner and headed back to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. We stopped on the way to look at the stars and Sachin pointed out the constellations. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We decided to drive via Nellamangala this time and the new elevated flyover was a joy to drive through and provided a perfect end to the day.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Route Taken</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">In order to reach Nuggehalli one has to take the <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Hassan Road</st1:address></st1:street> from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> and take a right at Hiresave (near the Telephone Exchange).</p><p class="MsoNormal">More Picture</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/belliappaaishwarya/Nuggehalli?authkey=Gv1sRgCLDKysX9st_k7AE#" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 204); ">http://picasaweb.google.com/<wbr>belliappaaishwarya/Nuggehalli?<wbr>authkey=Gv1sRgCLDKysX9st_k7AE#</a></span> </p><p></p>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-16447959155597769532010-12-06T17:37:00.003+05:302010-12-21T16:31:50.814+05:30Lepakshi – A Place Lost in timeLepakshi was on my to-do list sincefor a long time. Since this place was only 175 kms from Bangalore, it was an ideal get away. Spur of the moment decision on a Friday was how this trip was planned.<br /><br />Except the last 10 Kms the roads to Lepakshi is well laid and we were driving at a constant 100 kms/hr most of the time. The only drawback is that other than one Kamat Restaurant, there is no other place to stop for a quick bite.<br /><br />Once we reached the temple each of us took our camera and walked in different directions. While I looked around for a guide, I found a group discussing about the temple and decided to join them. It was fun because along with history and details about the temple, they discussed mythological stories related to the sculptures.<br /><br />The fascinating thing about the temple is the wall paintings on the ceilings. Each section depicted a different story, some mythological and some related to the people who built the temple. After I got back I realised I didnt have a single picture of the paintings<br /><br />The other interesting bit is about the wall with blood stains from Virupaksha (the temple builder) gorging his eye out and throwing it on that wall to prove his innocence .<br /><br />If one had a day to spare this definitely is a place to visit.<br /><br />As we headed back, since we had time to spare, we decided to stop by at the birth place of Vishweshavraiah . There is a museum built here with collection of things like his Bharath Ratan and other awards, his pass book, his dairy etc. It is amazing to see the simple life style the great man lived and remember the great work he did for India.<br /><br />We spent about an hour there and then we were ready to head back. The drive back was uneventful except for the slow moving traffic as we entered Bangalore.<br /><br />The pictures are in the link below<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/aishwarya.belliappa/Lepakshi?locked=true">http://picasaweb.google.com/aishwarya.belliappa/Lepakshi?locked=true</a>#Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-70811258027694348442010-10-31T14:04:00.006+05:302011-09-03T19:40:28.730+05:30Birding in My Backyard<div style="text-align: left;">When my parents were contemplating the idea of travelling to <st1:place st="on">North In</st1:place><st1:place st="on">dia</st1:place> for 2 weeks, I opted to work from home during that period so that I could keep an eye on things there.</div><p class="MsoNormal">While I was not working I was hoping to experiment with my newly purchased camera. After the initial bit of resting I was ready to explore. Having attended NTP and actively followed the posting by the group, my knowledge about birds was slightly better. Its been a week since I arrived and this my account of what I noticed.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The first day when I managed to get up early I was greeted by the cries/calls of woodpeckers. Though at that time I didn’t know the call, I followed the direction it cam from and was glad to find 2 pairs of Common Golden Backed Woodpecker</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm_Q7nsCuWFbsRUpspdAYuS90gn1t01bzO9Q_-MH-VQ4pB9vq_GP5NjhnBbrjCTJLlDkT9g5bq3VeEcHSrK3r77R0DbAdd4XZgxIbNV6JCYB-8dIliuS0__l0qx8HX9wqhihferRo_G8/s200/Picture+169.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534133420882188402" /><p class="MsoNormal">After I chased them for a while, I gave up and was walking back when I found a Rufos-Backed Shrike sitting close by</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OxoVVjVa73ppMpfMx-xLGavfnTQKfDU5w4S3VWW8E0Eah-djmcsSJLleTKktGWWFxcU-SqMjlIgjiI7N4RET9rQFxzAlwyKA_gfS3HTTeVKHH7FG3qIW-zb4caxLbLlDAMkZLRFkawg/s200/Picture+184.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534133424325368258" /> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">At a distance I noticed some jungle Myna</p><p class="MsoNormal">The evening had some more surprises stored for me. As I walked around the property, </p><p class="MsoNormal">calling continuously was an Indian Rufos Babbler.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RIfQ4mYt6UxAf5CyENhd4_ZmmNpDVOFVtU4fyNi1DFEjvuJ82AcIyu0QnV747rv1rs43k1k-pShd2ReaXikSqA5Bs8PToM2H0YTb8N5BOvXWxpAsJMgdPqy6kMEvJc2Bhl230-i2yI0/s200/Picture+228.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534133431694971010" /><p class="MsoNormal"> As I went closer I also caught sight of spotted dove</p><p class="MsoNormal">During the week in between my calls I managed to catch a glimpse of the following among the flowers and fruit trees</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2sMx-3pxh9GkHcxC9_cO7z53aIE9-izZUkZwMJC0WE47ZqjBOJy2DsqVYCjrvXIR3ujIac8_T01lGyrX7Ac9bfQNTZyqjDxDxxnqJFYrJg5t12fP920-GWiPvBo-yH4FDAVwE99TFik/s200/Picture+373.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534139884607414354" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsfN1hPni8GnVJgcY7_g9_pYDRxl-bKS0MK1vJ4ymxIshA-o-AD8j5EvGwydngjt75idoNl4CWoASm72olQDDanRpUWObXVxoT7memST2ch6RRs5zYN1A7geQwM-eC1YKr0M7SIEK1SQ/s200/Picture+324.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534139880955702306" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0FeBTg2tvG7WLBjsizqj1vHfJbx0_8e-rS3qp29DX1cePAw8sQHm-XChDC_7nkIDRVV5S9OAYty4jlmCe__p2usFrH55UpwTytn_SJm0aC1hUh1wupaFNAodblxp2SZMS3j4jQwQ-hI/s200/Picture+319.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534139869681237026" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-EdVFH07MomfcKJym5OGKMrvCmdvx-SNAuvsuUChmNCaPc0f_dy86x_1AukKttO1shrzFWWQuE7URfGfAxI_EPXQlgoa8Gry4kJYTUuGfGPQ4GZSx-cB3WgpQLNDYVJ6qb_BKNwM9uo/s200/Picture+241.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534133444683089762" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kigjsP5UXmz0vHgwimS7vaGY4ccfsYDCA71dscMj7dWx5g2brBeZE5XPv9s5ITaSCVpSJv2D5BS3j5sQ6VoD0kt38pTK3obTPID1HhKHyhsPgffW1VI9wdD_QVaKUE0Bh6quH569TPY/s200/Picture+288.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534133448597301442" /> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">While I spotted a lot of birds, I was at loss when I had to identify them. I had left my field guide back in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>, and from experience know that my sketches weren’t of any use in some cases. Luckily mom had a copy of Feathered Jewels of Coorg by Dr. S.V Narashiman<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>and this proved handy in most situations</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">While I am extremely excited about all this, I can’t help but wonder why I took so long to uncover the beautiful of the place I grew up in</p><p class="MsoNormal">More Pics here: <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/aishwarya.belliappa/MyBackyard#">http://picasaweb.google.com/aishwarya.belliappa/MyBackyard#</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">List of Birds so far</p><p class="MsoNormal">House Crow</p><p class="MsoNormal">Jungle Crow</p><p class="MsoNormal">Red Cheeked Bulbul</p><p class="MsoNormal">Red Vent Bulbul</p><p class="MsoNormal">White Breasted Kingfisher</p><p class="MsoNormal">Jungle Myna</p><p class="MsoNormal">Indian Rufos Babbler</p><p class="MsoNormal">Rofus Backed Shrike</p><p class="MsoNormal">Large Egret</p><p class="MsoNormal">Twany Eagle</p><p class="MsoNormal">Large Pied Wagtail</p><p class="MsoNormal">Grey Wagtail</p><p class="MsoNormal">Purple Sunbird</p><p class="MsoNormal">Black-Lored Yellow Tit</p><p class="MsoNormal">Great Tit</p><p class="MsoNormal">Pied Bush Chat</p><p class="MsoNormal">Indian Robin</p><p class="MsoNormal">Oriental Magpie Robin</p><p class="MsoNormal">Greenish Leaf Warbler</p><p class="MsoNormal">Asian Brown Flycatcher</p><p class="MsoNormal">Jerdon's Chloropsis</p><p class="MsoNormal">Black Drongo</p><p class="MsoNormal">Common Swallow</p><p class="MsoNormal">Common Golden Backed Woodpecker</p><p class="MsoNormal">Brown Headed Barbet</p><p class="MsoNormal">White Cheeked Barbet</p><p class="MsoNormal">Greater Coucal</p><p class="MsoNormal">Spotted Dove</p><p class="MsoNormal">Plum Headed Parakeet</p><p class="MsoNormal">Blue-winged Parakeet</p><p class="MsoNormal">Indian Pond Heron</p><p class="MsoNormal">Hanging Parrot</p><p class="MsoNormal">Velvet Throated Nuthatch</p><p class="MsoNormal">Eurasian Blackbird </p><p class="MsoNormal">Ashy Woodswallow</p><p class="MsoNormal">Chestnut Tailed Starling</p><p class="MsoNormal">Scarlet Minivet </p><p class="MsoNormal">Scimitar-Babbler</p><p class="MsoNormal">Scaly Thrush</p><p class="MsoNormal">Loten's Sunbird</p><p class="MsoNormal">Pale Billed Flowerpecker</p>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-87767550769590151442010-10-11T15:31:00.005+05:302010-10-11T16:30:51.599+05:30Fleeting Glimpses of New YorkThis was going to be my first trip out side of Asia and I was excited. Since the whole thing got finalized in the last minute I didn’t have much time to do research on places to see and had absolutely, no idea what I was going to do once I got to New York except seeing Statue of Liberty.<br /><br />A colleague and long time friend of mine (Tylsley) offered to take me around and I was glad that I was seen the city with someone I knew.<br /><br />Let me start off with the area where my office is. It is in the Heart of Time Squares. I was apprehensive about how I would find it and when I walked on to 7th Avenue 45th Street, amongst all the signage there it was the orange (Thomson Reuters Color). All I had to do was walk under it and I found the office. To know that my company is among the ones on Time Square make me feel proud<br /><br />As for the evening there was no fixed plan I was going to take it as it came. By the time I finished work and wound up it was about 7 and so Tylsley suggested we started with the areas around office.<br /><br />The first places that we walked by was Radio City, NBC Studios and Rockfeller Building (a tall building with a little history). A stop for peace and serenity at the St. Patrick Church; the walk then took us through Diamond District, Trump building, Tiffiny’s diamond store, Plaza Hotel and Central Park. We then took the a subway to Broadway, peeked in to the WTC site, walk by St Paul Church, past city hall, that bought us to Brooklyn Bridge. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526730564711382946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-CnykgP7zPi3G9zSUQJs0VVrfwuAeRi2-pny4NssjxWnX9Hsa-XNrACIocaaq29KGI5c37p6we31jr-GDTZXH0SJD0wpcKM7AOC4NL8r3gJ6u49I4dnsaPxWQRpvc5khWDgficZoWpc/s200/Picture+053.jpg" border="0" />The walk on the Brooklyn Bridge was beautiful. It was amazing the see the city whiz past was we walked by enjoying the view. By then I was tired and since it was late I headed back for some sleep.<br /><br />The next free evening I had I wanted to see Statue of Liberty, at least from a distance. The plan was to take the Stain Island Ferry. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526730559034022610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35jmElW2XCSkjBaXh2GbAu1prz0STwwj94G7K-LWJ82RQTIDw-meAXcRP6F082CD3rmgZb8spA8nQ0zCBja_D6fTgujTSDwoNqK6qCUciQ_cXIRFfJJ5rL6ygv3ysnFBt5duhWc09MOs/s200/Picture+038.jpg" border="0" />But before the ferry, Tylsley took me to the Pier 17. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526730567739189586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxw01Ttpe1pJgSyFNFJmzRq-kN6CTWkrbDYqJulwYCJz4XlSpJfyi-pk5SB_EfyMkxOXct1ACykObVvrum8FbTmXdhs_8pRjhMWoS5rYMp6PMokjzsuQpXKPYbsY2xt9Hy0d0-qS-mOtQ/s200/Picture+066.jpg" border="0" />The place gave us a awesome view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the waterway. We spent great deal of time walking around and getting pictures. And then we walked to the ferry. This is a free ferry that gave a great view of Manhattan and New Jersey city line. The ferry took 10 mins and went right past the Statue. The view is breath taking and cameras clicked non stop.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div>Then we walked to Wall Street, I could not leave New York without seeing the Big Bull. So the path took us there and then to the Stock Exchange and Trinity Church. After that Tylsley had a surprise planned. We walked past the WTC, New Jersey Station and then a Shopping Mall and we were at a Dock. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526730573918866946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkp4X6YUByExwKxr0ZzYi_0AKAer7ChpUEn6pRCFD2sAyoE9A9NukvuDVakCGYUXIGN_bhqB8-vs2FatMLVRqD9EMiGnW3njTc2NKUVCMnnRTw6U_EGOHH2VPk_8KGL54Picys1gKSKDs/s200/Picture+224.jpg" border="0" />From this place we could see New Jersey and since it was not crowded it had a calming feel to it. Since it was late, that had to be the last place I visited in NY for site seeing.<br /><br />The good thing about going with Tylsley was that he told me lot of the town. He was open to answering stupid questions about the lifestyles and habits. He knew the place for the <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526730556373335138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxMlXCgZz3b9hyphenhyphenkSujx43A8qTyL_hbojBA0AfGkLw5axuOXGr7JFU71e_siI-lKCR-KAHpjVgRM1dF2r2Da6dr2rGasmp1QXJ7msu4r_sbPRRUg-NOHSMIrpaVsV0t1GpBk5u8TJVWjU/s200/Picture+1465.jpg" border="0" />best cheese cakes (Juniors, wish I ate more of that), the place that had awesome Mexican Food, the little Italian place. The Other thing was that he knew these small tucked away places that gave the best view of the city line. If it hadn’t been for him I think I would have covered about 10% of what I did.</div></div></div></div></div>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-88304017866142003422010-08-06T14:26:00.007+05:302010-08-06T18:49:17.211+05:30Hidden Beauty - DevaramaneSummer was just around the corner and I was dying to do a trek before all the water sources dried up and very thing turned brown instead of the usual green around the Malnad region.<br /><br />Luckily for me I am part of the adventure club at office, so when decision had to be made between the popular trekking places and new places some of us managed to convince the group to explore a place called Devaramane.<br /><br />An overnight journey from Bangalore bought us to a place called Mudigere. Dawn was just breaking when we go there and some of us who were awake staggered along with the driver to the only visible coffee shop. The warm coffee woke us up and while we waited for the coffee shop owner to pack breakfast for us we took short walk around. As the sun rose in the distant hills we were ready to head towards Devaramane. Since this was an unexplored place we had to stop time and again to get directions. Finally we were at a small village at the base of the hills. When we enquired about the trek routes in one of the houses, they promptly offered to send one of the estate workers to guide us.<br /><br />To start out trek we had to drive another 5 kms more, initially through coffee estates and then through breath-taking landscape. The hills sprawled all around and the raising sun had given them a different gleam.<br /><br />The trek was to start from a 300 year old Shiva temple. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502221650632924594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhvun4o1VsWJVKN1UttM6Br1okJzUXqiC_i2fu5bj33-Uw3tUU_0QzgpbWMYjcNn9Uqh3XfTVOoiYp0e2pGPtVlMJUOHZ5TQPWSL9h3JIY_MNcc1zJTKvfkSaeNy_JYsSS0Yyq4ol-ZA/s320/IMG_0929.JPG" border="0" />The sides of the door were decorated with terrifying demons carving. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502221638074681506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30tHv5dLFRieER4PliE4ISoe1dc7zsDbVRYWb6UPnye9GQWCq1uCjE6GvsNaiE_oEXz_MlI-NrVMoNpbvZKj3jGb8rZsSTmNaFBeLfBCkX427xHtEBnz-5DNENhYluFSuorzqsAyLMak/s320/IMG_0917.JPG" border="0" />But the interiors were cool and calming. In front of the temple there was a huge lake<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502221644947142690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-A16Y_GlMdXaek4nHSXdz_tB0J5fwj7eBtjUl0EBP9GXSu33GI6npA59cwjwuBZ8S6sv5I5xryupU3rYdQMMW2dvw02AbAA0V4M4E-t_NfxD21m9N92NUvQtrL8Lb0zITNsPJ07rt4U/s320/IMG_0921.JPG" border="0" /> and we decided to eat our breakfast here and then proceed.<br /><br />During the initial part of the trek our guide pointed out different peaks.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502221659678630434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI97jru4Nvazs8KoUtbE4P5_rQyYmSfzOqvWc0mIIZvYmdB9IWRJbdVui2aneBZlHhPLpUWFdphG5kgal6Ag6O7LHV6RMN05_CIWzXhdHsHC-zLa9j5OIkjwzKzEIYU7BvlMldv7fGros/s320/IMG_0932.JPG" border="0" /> Some which were familiar and conquered; and some never heard of before. Slowly we started breaking up into groups, the fast walkers leading the way with the guide and the rest huffing and puffing far behind. As we walked we would come across places where the view became even more beautiful. We would stop and take pictures. The Guide would tell us story about each of the hill we walked on. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502221832332652114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5859kQjyQ3gvC3N-t6PJnL0_9MynYv8lqwtFQPYgE-YQPtT_HCZF0TZtWKT0UKOtzEuw0LLWpS-gCHB3R9GI_lSeE-T0XlSQJoFF86PVzKXl7zL0g0h5QdyD1xoL_gIV3E9zgXYu-Mo/s320/IMG_0942.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(He told us about a man who had taken a walk down a cave (considered impossible) that led him to wise man who had granted him a lot of gifts. On return he had given those gifts to different people. When the last of person came for his gift, he was given chew betel nuts. He threw them on the floor with disgust and cardamom sprouted in the places where these nuts fell. Once can still see the opening of cave the man walked through.<br />Another hill (Buntkallu) resembles the walking stick he used when he walked down the cave)</span></em><br /></span><br />As the sun climbed the skies we walked closer to Minchkallu, our destination. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502221662676095298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfuCPQ7B2nF_oGReisGFp_oV-qJCs5GRF50QyPHmFK4OvmSt-ZNWxsd4By49x1KPUh6pl0ZYyezHVTqJ4_PgdKNeB5_H2ny4evhN7cTLDrDzt6RzwmrSSjshAxnB4v0sCrGB96IhNffs/s320/IMG_0938.JPG" border="0" />We were still 3 kms away from the peak when we decided to take a detour and stop by at the stream to eat lunch. The stream was by a bunch of trees between the shola forest. Water was almost drying up here. Another 4 more weeks and I doubt there would be any water left. We filled our stomach with Chappati, Chutney Pudi, Pickle and Corn Mixture Roll. A strange combination but when one is hungry you hardly notice.<br /><br />While we ate our lunch the guide suggested that we head to the Gavi (cave) nearby instead of the peak. Based on our current pace he feared that if we went to the peak, it would be well past sunset by the time we got back.<br /><br />Though one could not go into the cave the spot by itself was beautiful. After speanding about 20 mins there we decided to head back. Finally just as the sun was going to set we reached the temple. After some rest and a quick shower we got ready to cook dinner. The boys took charge while the girls looked on. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502221834036433138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0l5XmlB9cuvGqKn9zFE-hjru_dmCiUcLlaKs2reTSDvy-zs8A14uDS-obMvhjfJio51MyJoL-pM0yHls3JRLCTnancLim35WUE8k5fQm-0MjOoflKIeXtDbnC_FeKJ8_2m58_OK9pnTQ/s320/IMG_1022.JPG" border="0" />As night descended the girls were asked to build bon-fire and help set up the tents. Since some of the sticks in the tents were broken it took a lot of time to have them up. By the time we finished dinner was ready, we had lemon rice and curd rice for dinner.<br /><br />After spending some time around the fire we soon retired to bed. Everybody was up early next morning. After another round of cooking and eating we were ready to head back. Since the tempo we came in refused to drive all the way up we had to walk 5 kms. Having walked on the hills this walk on tar road was boring. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502221841506608034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrt_o-moyJg7JfD2GcTvjGGXb2x6ygFBNtoudtC1Pf6bdsNeCvTSKuI9dXCYo7gfL3bzt5JnkVC6tTIdf5iYK3ebe5r4wz42otclqyzrLRiPwIUpwelcK_p82MUQ5pHjOV8Mt4t4kNbD8/s320/IMG_1037.JPG" border="0" />After 2 hours we were back at the base.<br /><br />Since we still had rest of the day left we decided to visit a waterfall near by. But when we reached there we weren’t given permission and had to return disheartened. Our final destination Horranadu, after a quick darshan and delicious dinner, we were on our way back to Bangalore.<br /><br />More Pictures can be found in this link :<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/aishwarya.belliappa/Devaramane">http://picasaweb.google.com/aishwarya.belliappa/Devaramane</a>#Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-47777668704397595462010-08-02T16:08:00.007+05:302010-08-02T16:49:12.785+05:30Georgia Sunshine VillageJust completed 5 years in the company and the trip to Georgia Sunshine was almost like a celebration for this. It was a fun trip with friends from work and their families.<br /><br />We had heard of the home-stay from a friend of ours and decided to give it a try since we were looking for a place somewhere close.<br /><br />After a good breakfast at SLV in Banashankari 2nd Stage we headed out on Kanakapura Road at 9:30 a.m. Luckily for us the roads were good and we managed to reach Malavalli Junction by 11:30. The home-stay is about 10 kms from here.<br /><br />We had to drive through a short stretch of gravel road to reach the place. Just as we got there, we found the road blocked by a tempo traveler. Since we could not find the driver anywhere, the men decided to push the TT to the side. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500769293886315618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwc9xmibss1KWfq9yHRdzrzMWdRkwLa_Y8yNSoCUlRga_87WXgkHYYQO7JCqQ82nb74yuGrbx_X84l71QoM0sKZbQHYIx7FuDDiETCyWGjoqKirluSfKaLbeqgeWGnM0wDBLnU0jqqVg/s320/IMG_1465.jpg" border="0" /> <div><div><div><div><div>The home-stay is a quite tucked away place between 2 hills. The only sounds you can hear are peafowl and cuckoo cries at a distance. The bird watcher in me was excited about the prospect of spotting some. I decided to wake up early and go for a walk next day.<br /><br />In the afternoon while the others slept I explored one of the hills. Remembering sessions from the NTP program, I watched out for signs of birds and insects. Watched some red cheeked bulbuls and jungle myna hop between shrubs. The sun birds and peafowl could be heard at a distance. The sight on the top was beautiful and I cursed myself for not carrying a camera and notebook. As just as I headed back to my cottage I saw a spotted owl, he was sizing me up and we looked at each other for a while. Then he got bored and flew away and I went to narrate my experience to my friends<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500769297822869330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTMb8RunTc3vpH7yShHR9FoZOqqT0zgGtsybCFL7yTzSLEFYjrEkwTMRGAW_FvqrXjwj9INOXqtM9awgEKP7NWXk7Hq8BwGa8zQJdhWHvmVjeBsUaH23tptgpMGPp4K82Da2QY16WiYY/s320/IMG_1469.jpg" border="0" /><br />Rest of the day was spent swimming, playing Table Tennis, Foozball, Pictionary, eating and drinking. For the priced charged the food was not great. I enjoyed my desserts but the rest of the food wasn’t something I would remember. We retired to bed by about 1 am.<br /><br />Next morning some of us were up and about early. We decided to visit the canal nearby. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500769318617060562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V9NJoGrKQ-Kf4a3vRg64m2gqXvTm8hg3tf7oZG7qw0U65mmqeiAxVnFD06hxPnOlL_0Pan9JhNvXccvZ8WCLg4hC8PU-u3DrtCWcHA8lDE_y6Xji9YYNP-1iBjn31OIxyAUyYmYPTSM/s320/IMG_1508.jpg" border="0" />It was a short walkand since it was early we managed to spot birds like Gery Horn Bill, Rose Ringed Parakeets, Owl Copper Smith Barbet and regulars like sun bird, myna and crows.<br /><br />The other interesting sight was the butterflies. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500769312608095298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarmdufSSDteIFChEtIVlP4KW7P-7cdcD-CR22ITSDBzKGayuRrk42l5PG8RuLJZkaT7tnVhLfsgb709TfVgY9XXdN9M53GGTTbLs_GOODtOAas-B5lPlb_F9sMGyAOGPHAkWhiic-kGo/s320/IMG_1521.jpg" border="0" />We saw some pretty ones and managed to capture some on camera (yeah finally). <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500769305578365442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkT5q5FHwLLbQocVwOFUgP9kKK6poiVoJ1dnt2yZBEj1qUcR3tFy1WZT9HHHhGtC7J4qVZqPmoQ7nUrHjdmkeoHoyGgrFARDlKLkSywLaYPdROUTlj9b54r3M7sAQxLRbd2qypRy0x7g/s320/IMG_1518.jpg" border="0" />While we were not watching the butterflies some of us tried swinging on the Banyan roots, it bought back memories on childhood. After an hour of walking we headed back for breakfast. And before we knew it it was time to head back to civilisation</div><br /><br /><div>More Pics in the link : <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/aishwarya.belliappa/GeorgiaSunshineShivanasamudra">http://picasaweb.google.com/aishwarya.belliappa/GeorgiaSunshineShivanasamudra</a>#</div></div></div></div></div>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8141717643558368559.post-30937934676277837812010-07-22T14:01:00.010+05:302010-07-22T15:23:15.542+05:30A day on Meruthi ParvathaThe start of monsoon brought back the familiar trek itch. Since it was going to be a one day trek it fit well with other plans that I had for the weekend<br /><br />We left at about 10 p.m from Bangalore. Since it was a hectic week I was tired and dozed off immediately. Only when I heard the bus conductor scream Basrikatte Stop did I get up. That was at 6 in the morning. Quickly gathered the luggage and jumped of the bus, luckily the bus to the next destination was just leaving. We managed to board it and find seats.<br /><br />Basrikatte is a small village in between the hills. Since it was still very early in the morning of the 3 food joints in the village only 1 was open(Hotel Lakshmi Bhavan). <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496664973352147810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6oCvMLoXr_BBDEshgi3eOfddo6ovHeVCw3Zq5PHBRwvMf7zEhgD3dEh6VG72qVVeDz0ZLnkpntQ5e1hEgeh2fB-k8QfjbMKGyKGRkacL68w-Uty4CGEYP6gzzxK_eBgBQmJsqFN04OU/s320/IMG_1205.jpg" border="0" />The hungry lot that we were we pounced on the first thing we could find. While the hotel prepared the dishes for the day we kept eating these. Finally after dozens of idly, vada, upma and coffee we were a satisfied lot. After packing lemon rice for lunch from here we were ready to start.<br /><br />The initial part of the trek is though Tata Tea Plantations (Merthi KhanPlantations) therefore we had to stop by at the manager’s office and take permission. The morning sun and mist gave a beautiful effect to the whole plantations. We walked in a relaxed pace talking about tea and coffee stopping now and then to take pictures.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496664977175547554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVv4_3mVuiQI-cDq41vedej9EGC1fTM_N4dQNInhOipCZ7DqiWkWBrExc60Xlk6UhmKtmWDodzIJsZTn5rcz0_CoGbPG9L5xdENj2rjkMGiCEpLKp9DKxkkTw8Hs4DUpsi_uRmTpvhhao/s320/IMG_1209.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496664986957944594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8Z-Yl2TagQ0YAA6Q_1EbdwpVxpNll4rSazx0hXp2blbwndjiaLLCAHLtHmPbtbaA-TPYkB9QSAKRv8Gv8p4GGsck4esV6rjFE67BGw6R5ueU9GN3cWGxt9bMzVfVPWoGGsKckmsLlcE/s320/IMG_1210.jpg" border="0" /><br />Soon the plantations disappeared and the path became steeper. There was barely any conversation except people asking Arun for directions. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496664988335836066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeZTzJi570eXjaGejZdKHUvsqjR_CkEQKNLSEYohNpSdQwtTW4aWifiY3o5Wsq6tm5pWUFamsViZ2whHgBroU-9XzASQvUzlsCoNl3QZ5_vGqdRNFpWHtx2KoSN7y951gfhvq9qAOIZ4/s320/IMG_1215.jpg" border="0" />As we huffed and puffed we could hear Arun hum some old hindi songs. This synced well with the birds singing at a distance.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div><div>As we got closer to the peak the tree cover disappeared and the sun was harsh but the scenary got better. We could see range of hills and clouds forming beautiful shadows on them. As the path got steeper, based on the speed of walking small groups started to form. As we climbed 3 hills to reach the peak the distance between the groups increased significant.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496664999709680386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3dM05kEJjXFKDNayJzeAid_s7NSz0NfrTLum9FcM9Hj9srzFMLl9nFTZL4I65i8B4n69mDbewLjZb3iwlTSmr_SAupF4buC7Gw4_J8CAX4bpxh3ddm2Etyh4WPfeM5sSukP-CPiFPCE/s320/IMG_1227.jpg" border="0" /> Some of us who reached the peak earlier found a comfortable spot and went to sleep while we waited for others to join. This turned out to be a bad idea, most of us ended up with bad sun burns. Once the rest joined us we ate lunch, spent time discussing and started our descend.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496666080001689858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLv99EsNEjGgnkDfZ5ZA-ElzWJ4diVJd68tLndV-dsyimCTNB_13QayEJRLAB3gvsQ3suq_EKBiDmMS7dMsCBsl8sV38IVaR2bNh0cBseX4O43ERYSHxZ8h2ZNbl7yQiQkUFRS7kzIR8/s320/IMG_1238.jpg" border="0" /><br />This was a longer route (about 12 Kms) but was mainly on jeep track and turned out to be very boring. Along the way we met some locals who were kind enough to offer water and juice. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496666087277963138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHTV3bUDXeRv-lbYhMD-uYKrxav0xi1NNuinyPKKEWU1RYFGrt1p3BQWXU3Zri2aBNYDv-xal44awXdLHQF0Vs-34z9hX9e21GkTEHhEgLSSGcHdwzpflzgOR5fFxAMBI3qvOxy3mnAo/s320/IMG_1242.jpg" border="0" />Just as we neared our final destination (Honnavar) the boys stopped at small waterfall to freshen up while I walked ahead to find a lodge. By the time we met again and finished our coffee it was time for the evening puja at the temple. Then after a quick and tasty dinner at the temple we were ready to head back to Bangalore. As soon as the bus started to move all of us dozed off bring the trekking trip to an end.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Aishwarya Belliappahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032878134320382426noreply@blogger.com12