Digitally Exploring the world

Another year gone by, has been loads of fun , few diversions,adventures and ofcourse tennis and work .. And since its that time of the year where one tends to look back, a quote that aptly describes what I strive for :) To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

My Niece Anya getting ready for Diwali Fireworks Display ..

As I woke up to read that Steve Jobs was no more , there was a sense of loss . I am not a apple fanatic who picks up every gadget thats out there but own just a simple video iPod that I picked up 6years ago. Being an avid audiophile also bitten by the travel bug , it was a lot different. Music being a important part of my daily life and specially when I was traveling , it was always a difficult task to decide which tapes or later CDs to carry along. Then came the Ipod, it just revolutionized how one looked at music. I  had my entire collection on a single small device that fitted in my pocket and could listen to anytime and anywhere based on my mood. Its been my companion through out this journey both in good and bad times.. (Young lamas listening to my ipod at Mechunka, Arunachal) Here's an old video that I posted some time back but listening to it again. Some good words of wisdom..

Steve Jobs in his own words here

Started reading "Full Tilt" by Dervla Murpha about her journey on bicycle from Ireland to India.. Here's a video about her and something I would also vouch for , why we travel... For my part I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move, to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly, to come down off the featherbed of civilization and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints. - R.L Stevenson

Back from the high mountains and just trying to get back to the workings of the modern world . Phone , Internet , TV and cacophony all around . A few weeks back I was wondering where to head out for a couple of weeks and as luck would have it came across a volunteering activity from Spiti EchoSphere. Just the perfect job I thought to do some work and also spend sometime around the mountains. I had fond memories of backpacking across this area few years back and lots of adventures then and my spirits were high again. So with my leave of absence of granted and air tickets booked I headed to New Delhi when the entire nation was debating the Lok Pal bill and when Anna Hazare would break his fast. With a fleeting stop at my uncles place for lunch, I took the night bus to Manali . Reached Manali early next morning thanks to the driver thinking he was navigating an airplane and checked into a hotel. Manali had changed quite a bit since my last visit (resembled the mess just like in most...

 (Pic from my recent trip to Masinagudi) Be open and empty, like a great valley; Be receptive of the world like a mother is to her child. Be open to all things, soak up the rain and the sunshine. And accept the fog and mist that rolls in sometimes, If you are always open to life, that spirit will never fail you. – The Tao of the Self

It all started with a long weekend for independence day coming up and me wondering about where to head out . Having heard about the Nehru Boat Race for a  very long time I asked around and soon found some enthusiastic team mates ready to join. ALLEPPEY Looked up team-bhp and found the route for the long drive out: Bangalore - Salem - Avanashi - Coimbatore - Palakkad - Thrissur - Ernakulam - Alleppey  --600kms drive that would take 12hrs with few short breaks .  I started from home around 4:30am and picked up the other folks on route and we were at Silk Board Junction and ready to hit the high way at 5:00a.m. . Turned on some good old golden hits from Kishore Kumar and RD Burman and hit the gas pedal and started cruising. We stopped by at A2B near Krishnagiri for breakfast around twlight. After piping hot idlies and coffee started the long haul . It was all tolled roads all the way from Bangalore NH7 to Coimbatore. The best stretches was the early morning section...

At the onset of the month some of us planned a trip out to Masinagudi as a farewell trip for Shreyas who was headed to the Big Apple for her Masters. So seven of us and two cars headed out to Masinagudi early Saturday morning. It was a good fun filled weekend and some pics from the trip here More here

With Rohit visiting and monsoon in full swing , there was no second thoughts when we decided to head out of the city. The last minute decision on THU to leave on Friday early morning, meant scampering to find a place to stay. Finally around 930pm got a confirmation ( even otherwise we were planning to taken a plunge and find some place for an overnight halt).Worked past midnight trying to wrap up things since I had taken a dayoff on Friday , dumped some stuff onto my backpack for a day's trip and managed some shut eyes. We left home around 7am and started chasing the clouds towards Masinagudi. This was my third trip across that part of the state in the last few months but I just love the long stretch of forest (Bandipur and Mudumali Tiger/Forest Reserve) towards Nilgiris.  After a breakfast stop on the way and drive past the lush green forests, with good music and conversations we reached our destination nestled amongst the blue mountains in Masinagudi for lunch. After a full...

Pics from the Semi-Finals Clash of two great champions who have taken the modern game of tennis to a different level of fitness and artistry .. Looking forward to a great final this Sunday ..

Some of my travel pics that got published in the IIMB Mag this month

"We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations." — Anaïs Nin

With mom visiting we decided to head out for few days. The only curtailing factor was that it shouldn't be a very long drive ! I looked at several options and narrowed down on Amberina at Nilgiris. With me taking some timeoff from work , we hit the road on a cloudy Monday morning . An early start , with good old hindi music and a short stop for fuel and then piping hot breakfast at Kadambam , we were at Mysore Ring Road in 2hrs flat. Once you cross Najangud and proceed the route passes through the lovely green forests of Bandipur and Mudumalai and then the beautiful small town of Gudalur.  Devala , thats about 16kms from Gudalur is a little town surrounded by acres and acres of tea gardens and forests and Amebrina is just the perfect place with its old tea planters bunglow tastefully decorated and its serene surroundings of the mistly hills and the tea gardens. We were there around noon just in time for tea and a hot lunch. After a short rest post dr...