Back!

They say, "When you're in love, you travel places, and realize that the time just flies!" It definitely does. And I quote that as a reason for not being able to update this blog. ;-)

Over the past years, we've visited different places, admired the cultures, enjoyed several experiences, and ate a lot of food, and oh, clicked a few hundred photos! Our journey is incomplete without our camera; it's like a ‘pati-patni-aur-woh’ kind of story.

We can't hold hands because I hold the camera or he holds the steering wheel. We can't look into each others' eyes because I may see something that must be captured in the camera, and run off to shoot. When he whispers sweet something, I say, "Ssshhh;" we don't want to scare some bird or animal away. 

Seriously, how much can a little camera capture? So, we traveled to a few places of which we don't have any photos, but we have a lot of stories to narrate; stories of rivers, clouds, plants and flowers, wildlife, terrains, people, love, and the journey itself.

We’re ready to narrate a few such stories and also share a few photos again!

New beginning

Regards,

Asha Ram

Singapore - 2009 - Exploring Singapore, on Feet…

Ram and I walked from Raffles City Complex towards Merlion, at our own pace, exploring anything on our way. As we walked past the stadium (Padang), we got a glimpse of the St. Andrew’s Cathedral on the other side of the stadium. What caught my eye was something strange – a stick with Red chilli and onion thrown on the payment. See the photo. Is that some voodoo stuff?

 *Padang

We saw the Cenotaph, which was build in the memory of those who perished during World War I and II. It has the words, ‘Our Glorious Dead,’ on it. By this time, the Sun was shining bright, and we were expecting drops of sweat to trickle down.

Our next stop was the Indian National Army monument. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, this monument was erected. The Lim Bo Seng Memorial (1954) is dedicated to Major-General Lim Bo Seng who led the anti-Japanese resistance movement and was killed. At this memorial, we have three other people who were posing for photos. Otherwise, the road and monuments were deserted.

We also saw the Tan Kim Seng Fountain and the Civilian War Memorial. Our Memorial Walk was successful!

*Esplanade Bridge

What next? We continued walking (in the Sun); towards Fullerton Hotel and Merlion. The river looked inviting and the bridge looked majestic. The Fullerton Hotel stood still and sophisticated; behind which stood gigantic buildings.
 
The Fullerton Hotel looks enchanting during the evenings. Please check it out from Boat Quay side. For details about the hotel, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fullerton_Hotel_Singapore. By the time we reached Merlion, we were sweating and hoping the Sun to spare us. At Merlion, oh God, what a crowd! The place was filled with tourists that were having photo sessions. It was amusing to see them pose.

The Merlion onlooks the river. Behind it is the Fullerton Hotel. Beyond which is the Downtown. You can see HSBC office building and others. That’s a totally different world. The blend of nature and modern building is what makes Singapore unique and attractive.

Next blog: Clarke and Boat Quay

Regards,
Asha

Singapore - 2009

It was my first visit to Singapore; Ram had already see the place and was familiar with it.

We had a good flight from Bangalore to Singapore, and Singapore airlines served us well. I loved the Changi airport, and loved the orchids that greeted us! Outside the airport, the Sun had stretched its rays out. And we expected a humid day.

Our destination was the Swissôtel The Stamford. When we arrived at the hotel, we were informed that we had to wait to get our room. Well, we were surprised, but then the friendliness and hospitality of the staff brought a smile back on our faces. We were enthusiastic to explore the city, and so we freshened up at a waiting room, left the luggage at the security counter, and walked off to explore the place.

But first, we explored the hotel itself. It’s an amazing hotel, and I would love to visit it many more times. Visit their Web site, www.swissotel.com. The Stamford is the tallest hotel and is located close to the City Hall MTR, Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Esplanade, museums, and others. The hotel has a mall within or next to it – The Raffles City Shopping complex. The hotel also has a spa and an exclusive restaurant – the Equinox.

We grabbed a Subway sandwich from the underground mall, and decided to walk to Merlion. Before I continue, I want to mention that we got a harbour-view room on the 57th floor, and were we the happiest! Oh, what a view! I shall share the photos in the next postings.

Next blogs:

• Exploring SG
• Sungei Buloh
• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
• Sentosa
• Clarke and Boat Quay
• Jurong Bird Park and Zoo

Regards,
Asha

Suzumi - Ikebana - Spiritual Journey

July 31, 2009

Suzumi - Ikebana - Spiritual Journey

I love flowers. If the flower arrangements represent Nature and her elements, then I fall in love with the arrangements. For me, something spiritual lies in each of the flower arrangements. It's difficult to explain, but, yes, it's spiritual for me.

Whenever I am a little low, one of the things I do to brighten up is that I flip through a book that has lovely pictures of colorful flowers and their arrangements. On the pages of the book, the colors blend so beautifully with its descriptions. I really pep up!

We got an opportunity to visit an exotic Ikebana exhibition, which was held at Ladies Club, Infantry Road, Bangalore. The Sogetsu School of Ikebana conducted this exhibition in the aid of an Abalashrama on D. V. G Road, Bangalore.

Elaborate ikebana filled the entire hall. Messages about peace and global warming were placed in front of a few arrangements. The concept behind each of the ikebana was amazing. I must appreciate the creativeness of the ladies. You will agree with me when you see a few photos of the ikebana.

If you are at Bangalore during August 15th, do not miss to visit Lalbagh Flower Show. This show will also exhibit some stunning ikebana. I have watched the women give their passion a form using flowers and Nature's elements. It's beautiful.

Regards,
Asha

Kanva Reservoir - By Chance!

Authored on July 30, 2009

Kanva Reservoir - By Chance!

One Sunday morning, Ram and I decided to drive out of Bangalore, explore the outskirts. We were off on Mysore road though our destination was not Mysore. We touched Bidadi - once upon a time, my father's ancestors owned some portion of this place and had donated lands for improvement of the place (I believe). My father very proudly recollects his memories of his grand parents and his childhood friends, and about their adventures near the railway tracks. Those days people enjoyed small thrills in life!

Whenever we drove by Bidadi, we stopped at a hotel near the police station (I think the name was Revanna's Thatte Idli Hotel or something), eat Thatte Idlis and drink hot filter coffee, and then continue our journey. Once papa and I walked to the railway station to see the Gulganji tree and to collect a few Gulganji, fallen on the ground. I think I still have those Gujganji at my parents' house. Bidadi was still a cute place then.

Today, you find many hotels along the roadside, modernized houses, lesser trees, neater bus stands, and so on. Oh, yes, you can see Toyota and Coca-Cola manufacturing units. And you are correct, you can also enjoy a day's outing at Innovative Film City.

This time around, we didn't stop at Bidadi, but continued to Ramanagara. This place is famous for silk. You can see mulberry bushes and breeding of silk worms. At the market, you can see people carrying bags of cocoons. After these cocoons get processed, voila, you get silk and the silks gets woven into pretty sarees. It's not as easy as I write here; during my childhood, we saw a silk processing unit at Ooty. The cocoons were put in boiling water, and then layers of silk can be extracted just like a cotton candy!

Before I digress further, let me drive back on our track. This place is also famous for hills, rock climbing, and left overs of the movie, Sholay. It's fun to drive around or just climb one of the hills. Most of the fun is lost when you see litter everywhere or people throwing beer cans or food wastes. Near the mosque on the highway you find fresh cucumbers - they melt in your mouth. Don't forget to taste them. During summer, this place hosts loads of watermelon. You also find baskets of custard apples along the roadside. Go on, and taste them.

We drove past Kamat Lokaruchi, http://www.kamatyatri.in/Locations.asp?id=12, decided to stop on our way back. We reached Channapattana - land of toys. We visited Meenakshi Handicrafts, bought a few wooden items and sandal incense sticks. The toys displayed in the shop were a feast to the eyes - revisiting one's childhood. It's sad that we don't encourage our kids to play with such toys. Oh, yes, we need to save trees; adapt to world of plastic and metal.

A few kilometers from here you see sign boards guiding you towards Kanva reservoir. Well, this reservoir is about 60 plus kilometers from Bangalore. The almost made road cuts across a village and farms or cultivated lands. The rustic houses have cattle, creepers of flowers or vegetables, and aroma of hay. Lovely! The cattle own the roads, and you have to wait for them to cross the roads.

As we drove, a big cobra crossed our way. Ram hit the brakes of our Scorpio. We got out to see whether the snake escaped. It did escape. Beautiful snake with shiny skin! When we reached the reservoir, we were suprised to see very few people around, and the neatly painted reservoir. We walked hand-in-hand on the walk path. Awesome breeze and romantic weather! The photos give you a glimpse of the reservoir.

Seeping in the silent melodies of the water, we drove back to Kamat Lokaruchi. We had delicious Obbattu, maddur vadas, basundi, sugarcane juice, and buttermilk. Whew... We roamed around in the Janapada Loka, saw pottery making, but could not visit the museum. Light drizzle showered on us like chocolate scrappings on ice cream! We sat for a while, and then bought pottery from the lady (Anasuya). This lady gave me an idol of Lord Ganesh, free of cost. Wow... Eventful day, I say!

As we drove back, we revisited all the places that we had passed by. Nothing had changed, except our perception. It's nice to be on a path of unplanned exploration. What unfolds can be mysterious, thrilling, and also mesmerizing. You never know! :)

So, go on, explore your destinations.

Regards,

Asha Ram

Yercaud - Bye Bye

Continued from http://asha-ram.blogspot.com/2009/05/yercaud-drive-coffee-and-cuddle.html


Pagoda Point – This is a lovely view point situated on the south side of Yercaud. We drove there early in the morning, thinking that the place would be quiet, and we could enjoy the peace, which is a rarity in the city. Three pagodas, built of loose stones, surround a small temple. We also added a stone to one of the pagodas. And then watched the Sun split the clouds and peep out.




As with all the beautiful spots in our country, this place was littered and defaced. A dog was chasing the solitary bus that was raising a cloud of dust as it drove through the village, children and women fetching water from a common water tap, and men lazing around on stone benches were but some of the sights of a village visible from the view point.


Spices, Plants, and more – No trip to a hill station is complete without carrying back the local flavor and flora of the place. On the Lake-Sterling Resort road, we visited a nursery, which was well-stocked with plants. To our surprise, we discovered that most of the plants were suitable to the local climate of Bangalore. We were also provided a number of tips on how to acclimatize the plants to the local climate before replanting them. We took home a few plants to plant the memory of Yercaud in our garden. We also stopped by a shop to purchase spices, and then we returned to our resort to check out.

At the resort, we picked some lip-smacking marmalade and mixed vegetable pickle. A walk around the resort, lazing around, and we were ready for lunch. After filling our stomachs with tasty food, we bid goodbye to Yercaud.


Yercaud… Truly a place to rejuvenate.


Regards,
Asha Ram

Yercaud - Drive, Coffee and Cuddle - Continued

April 2009

Continued from http://asha-ram.blogspot.com/2009/04/yercaud-drivecoffee-and-cuddle.html.

Lake - We drove past the lake many times, but wanted to visit is last. This lake is small and cute. No, this lake did not stink; nor was it dirty. There is less number of boats, and so, you have to wait for your turn. Several shops surround this lake, and on Sundays, there is a fair – vegetables, fruits, spices, clothes, and pulses – that attracts people from the neighboring villages. You can taste chilli bhajjis, boiled groundnuts, ripe mangoes, and others. You can drink hot coffee or tea. Of course, we ate the chilli bhajjis!
We watched the Sunrays dancing on the almost-still lake. We also watched people inside the boats, gliding on the silver-blue water. Both of us were enjoying the silence, peace within, and dancing water. Such joys are to be treasured! We also visited the nursery near the lake, admired the newly planted plants, and sighed because the nursery was not yet open for public to purchase plants.

Rose Garden - This garden has variety of rose plants and trees. A tree with fully bloomed flowers greeted us. What an aroma from the flowers! The rose plants were all getting ready for the May Flower Show. Only a few plants had flowered roses. The shade from the trees seemed to be alluring us. We slept beneath the shade of trees – a quick nap in the hot Sun. When I opened my eyes and looked up, I was pleasantly surprised to see Wood Roses hanging from the Wood Rose creeper. A rose without fragrance or attractive color, yet mesmerizing! The last that I saw of these Wood Roses was at my grandparents’ house.

Request: Please do not litter in the gardens.

Sterling Resort - We strolled into Sterling Resort for lunch. See http://www.sterlingresorts.in/customers/ycaudresort.html. As you enter the property, a big map of Yercaud greets you. You realize that best gifts come in small package – Yercaud too is one such package! And, the staff is courteous at Sterling. While the chef cooked delicious lunch only for us, we sat immersed in each other and in Nature. The view from the Sterling Resort is breath-taking. You can see the curved-roads up the hill. You can view the hills sliding behind the clouds. Lovely property! But, oh, you have to climb up and down a bit on this property. In case, you have elders with you, ensure you get a cottage that does not require too much climbing.

More later...

Regards,

Asha Ram