Archive for the ‘Travel Writing’ Category

Trip to Pondicherry


2010
01.09

Location: Coast of Tamil Nadu, > 150 Kms south of Chennai
Route: Chennai - ECR - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
We were: Nisa, Sanjeev and me

We had been planning to visit Pondicherry for quite a long time. I had gone there once for a short stay in the Pondicherry University, but in a hurry to return. So this New Year, we finally made it. Sanjeev, Nisa and me took a “break from time”, as the Tourism logo goes. And we did really! Feel so happy that I am back to my travel blogging, after so many travels.

pondicherry

Everyone knows about Pondicherry, the sea town in Tamil Nadu, the sun and the beaches, the French/Dutch/Roman influences, Aurobindo spiritualism, economical liquor. But to experience Pondicherry is always a personal one. For myself – I felt like saying in one of the tourism T-shirts – “Don’t ask me time, I’m just back from Pondicherry”. Yes! Truly!
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A day trip - Gopalaswamy Betta


2009
04.11

Location: Chamarajnagar, Karnataka, India. Highest peak in Bandipur. 220 km from Bangalore
Route: Bangalore - Mysore - Gundulpet - Himavat Gopalswamy betta
We were: 4 families, 3 generations
More pictures: My Gallery

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We went to this clouded (Himavat) hill on our way to Wayanad. There was a sudden change in the plan when a friend suggested, we need to visit this place. We got the same recommendations from many. So we decided to check this out.

Many things went wrong:

  • We should have reached the hills with the sun, to see the himavat clouds!
  • We should have made it one single trip by itself to spend the day on the hills!

  • We should not have gone in the peak of summer, for a cooler experience!

    Yet, the hills impressed me. I would definitely come back here.

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    Rudeness in Finesse


    2008
    10.24

    I was quite impressed by Vir Shagvi’s political columns long back and was curious to know that he was a foodie. When I picked the book from recipe section of a bookstore, I didn’t know that he was a celebrity foodie.

    The book, a collection of his columns on food, is a light read. I needed it after a few heavy, emotion/theory packed books, to relax. It is different from the historical food books I have discussed here before. It is all about the present. It is more about restaurants and fine living that comes with food.

    Book Cover

    Book Cover


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    Walking through Music in Munich


    2008
    08.08

    Walking through Munich, I was really impressed with the live music that keeps flowing from different corners. Here are two such pieces. (Thanks Sanjeev, for helping me edit the video and upload here).

    Marienplatz: Marienplatz is Munich city centre. A very beautiful city where old architecture is retained for new buildings. It is indeed an experience to walk between them listening to music, stopping over to window shop, watch a few street performers and see the colourful Farmers’ market. My colleugue Lorenz who took us around the city told me that, the singers who perform on the street, are chosen by the authorities everyday. Here is one Asian music group and a European. Listen to them!

    Unalbe to show flash video

    Englischen Garten: Englischen Garten is a sprawling landscape and beer garden, so called in contrast to the well-pruned French gardens. I went there on a sunny evening, the best time for sun, music and beer. Listen to this troup!

    Unalbe to show flash video

    A Delicious History


    2008
    05.15

    Curry: A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors by Lizzie Collingaham, Vintage Books 2005.

    A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors

    Food and writings on food always fascinate me. Be they food served on table or recipes and scholarly documents I read. Anything to do with food, other than cooking it myself! That is how I came upon this book, surprisingly not in the History section of the bookstore, but in the Recipe section! The mix was too heady and appealing not to pickup – spice, gossip, culture, history,
    Indian history through Indian food.
    It was a birthday gift from my colleagues that I was suppossed to select myself. Thank you friends!
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