Digitally Exploring the world

Last weekend we headed to the Mudumali forests. The solo traveler had 14 people for company this time ! A very different experience. We left Bangalore around midnight on Friday, stopped over at the Cafe Coffee Day on the way about 80kms out of town. It was chock a block with people at 2 A.M. and most of us couldn't even find a resting place. I managed to grab a cup of hot chocolate and croissant ! The bus ride was one hell of a musical trip with loads of loud hindi music beaming out of the speakers and folks having a great time. I liked the music and fun initially but then the music got to me after awhile ! Without a wink of sleep whole night :) we reached Mudumalai forest early next morning having crossed Bandipur on the way. We caught a few glimpses of wildlife- deers,elephants, bisons around Bandipur. We checked into the Guest Home and had a good hot piping breakfast. I just crashed out for sometime to catch my sleep while some others who managed to sleep during the bus ride ...

I have admired very few people from the corporate world, steve jobs is one of them!! Guess he is not the usual corporate junkie ! Bumped into this Stanford Commencement Speech. Quite Inspiring - Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish! I guess all of us know him now only coz he is so famous . He never followed the conventional path but there could be so many more like him out there trying the unconventional route but struggling it out there. Speech

Was throughly impressed by these bunch of 5 scientist musicians from the British Antarctic Survey who kick started the liveearth concert recently. The group " Nanatak" takes its name from a Greenlandic word for mountain peaks that protrude through overlaying ice sheets. They are scientists during the day and turn into a house band at the Rothera Research Station during night. The concert was kicked off on a stage on the airstrip of the Rothera Research Station at about -10 degress with an audience of 17 people, the entire population of the base. Check out the band's profile. Watch some of their performances. Here's an Interview with the band members

Last one month has been a bit hectic at work ever since I got back from my long vacation. Was thinking of heading out of town the last two weekends and it finally happened this week. A friend called around noon on Saturday and we quickly packed our backpacks and headed to the lovely coffee plantations of Coorg(Kodagu). Coorg ( Kodagu in kannada) was an independent state before independence and was made a part of Karnataka after independence. Getting there : Driving time: Approx 6hours. Distance: 270kms Driving Directions to Honey Valley: Bangalore->Mysore Highway->Take the bypass from Srirangapatna to Hunsur->Virajpet->Take a deviation to Madekeri(5kms)->20kms to Kabbinakadu Junction->Park your vehicle/bus stop->3kms by jeep /1hour walk to HoneyValley Honey Valley is situated in the Western Ghats in the lush evergreen rain forest and surrounded by misty hills all around. You can walk around the green estate,go for treks around or just relax!Honey valley was one o...

Watched a thoroughly enjoyable animated film after a very longtime. Its the best I have seen in the recent years, guess the best one since "The incredibles" . I am looking forward towards the next one from Brad Bird & Pixar !! The story is nice , nothing exceptional but I guess it passes on the message that if one wants to do something and is good at it , one should give it a try even if the journey is turbulent sometimes. So go do what your heart yearns for !

Just turned on the TV today and caught Supertramp play their great oldies in the concert "Diana & me " . I simply love the lyrics of most of their songs and this one in particular: Logical Song "When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful, A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical. And all the birds in the trees, well theyd be singing so happily, Joyfully, playfully watching me. But then they send me away to teach me how to be sensible, Logical, responsible, practical. And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable, Clinical, intellectual, cynical. There are times when all the worlds asleep, The questions run too deep For such a simple man. Wont you please, please tell me what weve learned I know it sounds absurd But please tell me who I am. Now watch what you say or theyll be calling you a radical, Liberal, fanatical, criminal. Wont you sign up your name, wed like to feel youre Acceptable, respecable, presentable, a vegtable! At night, when all t...

Would love to watch this film "Tintin and I" ,a posthumous autobiography of Hergé. Here's the link of the movie trailer on google video: Tintin and I . It's going to be a hard one to find , here in India!! I looked at the PBS site and looks like its not yet been released on DVD. Some more about the making of "Tintin and I " : PBS Page "Tintin and I" Interview of Anders, Creator of this documentary