The great fun of driving down to a hill station, for me, is those long, winding roads, when you look down and see a river winking back at you from far below. The clear water, rocky outcrops, dancing waves at intervals…it’s a sight to refresh you no matter how tired you are!
What refreshes you on a long drive?
More pictures and travel information for Lancedown
Imagine walking down a hilly road, admiring the trees and the plants, watching the road snake ahead of you.
Imagine coming around a bed as the sun is starting its descent.
Imagine seeing this little cottage in the middle of a small clearing abutting a church, surrounded by greenery, the area around it carpeted with flowers, the sun filtering through the trees.
Imagine sitting on the parapet that runs above the area, with the wind whistling through your hair, wondering what purpose the cottage serves.
Does it belong the fairies? Do they come there to play?
Does it belong to the gnomes? Have they hidden their gold in there?
Or does it belong to the church? Have they used it as the store house for broken pews and forgotten ephemera?
Take a look at some more pictures from Lancedown and read about the place
Located on Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets, The New York Public Library with its two stone lions guarding the entrance is an iconic building. I’d seen pictures of the library, and being book obsessed, I knew that it would make it to my list of places to visit in New York City.Continue reading
There’s something in the air of New York. A certain joi de verve – a love for life. In the many parks and squares that dot the city, you’ll find people sitting around, reading, having a cup of coffee…a group of people skateboarding while the rest of the people watch and applaud…and in Central Park, you come across different sights – a fashion shoot, free tango dancing, rollerblading, musicians, a group of drummers with random strangers stopping and dancing. It’s exhilarating. Vibrant. Alive. Joyful.
And it’s something I sorely miss back home in India. That spirit that lets people dare to be different. To march to their own drum beat.
Which city do you associate with joie de vivre?
It was a bright, sunny day. I was walking through Madison Square Park, when a 40-foot tall sculpture stopped me in my tracks. Something about the tranquility and other-worldliness on that face compelled me to stop, stare, and reflect. At that point, and every time I look at this picture, actually, I fell a sense of peace wash over me.
The name of the sculpture was Echo, and it was created by renowned Spanish sculpture Jaume Plensa.
From the plaque accompanying the sculpture:
“Inspired by the myth of the Greek nymph Echo, the sculpture depicts the artist’s 9-year old neighbor in Barcelona, lost in a state of thoughts and dreams. Both monumental in size and inviting in subject, the peaceful visage of Echo creates a tranquil and introspective atmosphere amid the cacophony of central Manhattan.”
Peace out!
A short ferry ride away from Mumabi is the Elephanta Island, home to the caves of the same name. The Elephanta Caves are a network of sculpted caves dating back to between the 5th and 8th century. There are two groups of caves—the first a large group of five Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The statues are hewn from solid basalt rock and were originally painted, though now only traces remain.
The sculptures are beautiful, though a lot of them show signs of wind erosion and are broken in places. The interior of the caves is quite dark though, making photography really difficult. Add the jostling crowds of tourists, and it can be tedious at times. But it is well worth the visit – if for nothing else than the ferry ride and the sea gulls that fly alongside the boat!
There are so many lovely photographs we take on holidays, a lot of which just end up on our computers. I’ve been wanting to start a series of Travel Postcards – one picture with a short little write-up – since a while now. What better way to kick-start it than with the A to Z challenge?
One of my favourite places in Delhi is Hauz Khas Village. It’s a very small little area with narrow, dusty lanes. You’ll find a number of curio stores, art galleries, designer shops, independent and alternate bookstores and music shops, recycled and upcycled products. And there are tons of excellent eateries and cafes.
The old walls are filled with graffiti. The signs are artistic and funky. There’s a bohemian and creative air to the tiny village. And the gem is the beautiful old Hauz Khas ruin and this gorgeous lake.Continue reading
Tiny matchbox shops line both sides of a congested road. A mêlée of pedestrians, cycle rickshaws, two-wheelers and a few tempos are a cause for constant traffic jams. A lot of the buildings are crumbling and dilapidated. There’s a mess of electrical wires overhead. Everywhere you look there is chaos.
And then suddenly, while looking up at that jumble of old buildings, you spot a delightful color combination – terracotta and blue. You pause, raise your camera to your eyes, zoom in, and see a beautiful carved wall. You click a picture, but keep staring at that building as a sea of humanity passes you by, gazing upwards, awestruck, spellbound.Continue reading
I heard about the Kala Ghoda Art Festival, which is held from the first Saturday in February till the next Sunday since the last 15 years, only last year! At the time, I decided that I would visit Mumbai for the next event, and sure enough, I made my way to the city for the 2013 edition of the festival.
I have to say that it was an interesting experience. There were some lovely public art installations, and of course others that left me cold.
Some of the installations were quintessentially Mumbai. Like this one:
