tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-335303362024-03-19T13:12:31.048+05:30Just writingPeople Person, Biker, Photographer, Graphologist, Yoga TrainerVidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-49827751123431748412018-01-17T10:16:00.000+05:302018-01-17T10:16:30.065+05:3020 Deodar House at Solan - a superb getaway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">20 Deodar House</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was Christmas. Delhi was foggy and by the time we started early at 6.30 am, there was condensation all over the car. The kids got in and lied down as they were sleepy. Moving out of Delhi at this time was a wise move as traffic was less. We were soon on the highway but very quickly, a blanket of fog set down on us making visibility less than 10 feet. Everyone was hungry and a search on the GPS showed that we were very near the famed Sukhdev Dhaba at Murthal. The map pin showed that we had arrived but we could see nothing. On a whim, I gently turned the car off the road and in a few seconds, could see the parking lot of Sukhdev. Being Christmas, it was near empty. We had a slow breakfast, enjoyed the cold and the fog and carried on towards Solan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The drive was uneventful. Turning right at Zirakpur, we soon began seeing the mountains of Himachal. Everyone was excited about the stay at 20 Deodar House, a place we had identified on Airbnb. But soon, we found that pretty much half of NCR had the same idea of going to Shimla. The roads were jam packed. The road quality itself was very bad in many places. The climb to Solan became painful. After a while, we had to turn on the aircon as well as it was sunny outside and stifling in the car. Thankfully, after an hour and a half, we had to turn off the highway but the approach looked even worse. We made it to the end of Lower Powerhouse Road and found a tiny garage and entrance with a small board saying 20 Deodar House. This didn’t feel grand in any way. My wife was giving me that look of horror when one does something blind. Nevertheless, Rakesh, the caretaker of the property, came down and directed me to park inside the garage. We grabbed our bags glad to be out of the car after 8 hours and went up the stairs to see a wonderful house with a lawn. This felt more like it. This property is secluded to one end of the road and it suddenly opens up into a nice open area. Visitors should note that Solan is a fairly commercial town with buildings all along the hillside. 20 Deodar House offers a lovely getaway so close to all the bustle of the town. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the entrance</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ch_09Dc1k6jqoaWYDd6-kDHlmkug1E3D_DXRkiZl_-hlFVI9PA9Tv-d-wlrwf_7VSzwSiSNdpywfelMHk6sK0v1utLVH0H_2fDgRwQFoi0IktUSk_KmpBJ5iYK1IWvonrBfJPA/s1600/IMG_20171225_151546447_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ch_09Dc1k6jqoaWYDd6-kDHlmkug1E3D_DXRkiZl_-hlFVI9PA9Tv-d-wlrwf_7VSzwSiSNdpywfelMHk6sK0v1utLVH0H_2fDgRwQFoi0IktUSk_KmpBJ5iYK1IWvonrBfJPA/s640/IMG_20171225_151546447_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunny, Cold and Perfect</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coming back to the property itself, Rakesh, the caretaker, ensures that everyone is kept happy with his rustic warmth. He keeps the place absolutely spic and span. Everything in the property was maintained with military grade cleanliness and positioning. There was not a speck of dust anywhere from the bottom to the top of shelves. In fact, the place was so clean that we found it hard to actually use anything in fear of soiling them. Food was served outside or inside as per our wish. We decided to enjoy the food outside.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Great home cooked meals</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The facilities offered are everything. 2 large beds upstairs with a large attached bathroom, a futon for sitting down, access to the balcony and terraces on the top floor. The room is fully equipped with room heaters, a TV with satellite connection, loads of books and a large dining table. Everything is kept pristine.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdO6feDGfgFrrmR5KKWQ9TLRL16v1bTTR9W6isMudj-ih1dx1RgOIlYcMPDLXiLp2wdkfzfMqLguxbtNDnHRtYlfgGG3nai6ZcVI39XtWP_g8fHOSMlOXpO6zSDWx9Zpaq00aIg/s1600/TopRoom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdO6feDGfgFrrmR5KKWQ9TLRL16v1bTTR9W6isMudj-ih1dx1RgOIlYcMPDLXiLp2wdkfzfMqLguxbtNDnHRtYlfgGG3nai6ZcVI39XtWP_g8fHOSMlOXpO6zSDWx9Zpaq00aIg/s640/TopRoom1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQyOq-nHQ0CAvnQ7i1RHQwSKvaBGUKvUWx7l8kpVOGPSQXTYJc2A_m0fNzrpduVAsdQmQcg83arVkWIQVb6x1iq-IRTr8Ulu1RIGw6WXKWluCgFBww3HXEpN-k7TQpRwm-bdP3Q/s1600/TopRoom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQyOq-nHQ0CAvnQ7i1RHQwSKvaBGUKvUWx7l8kpVOGPSQXTYJc2A_m0fNzrpduVAsdQmQcg83arVkWIQVb6x1iq-IRTr8Ulu1RIGw6WXKWluCgFBww3HXEpN-k7TQpRwm-bdP3Q/s640/TopRoom2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__QCnaa5MelC4HyAmBRM6ZVsFKQag1zAin74NNIMwnhUga2NhvFtm2sIWg-K3YS5O-AR3V8-tWuWelixCh6kZGmiNCoKC4dXLUfpWo0shBf2VexIueEfg3ZZ4n2kinhSmtLb4hA/s1600/TopBath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__QCnaa5MelC4HyAmBRM6ZVsFKQag1zAin74NNIMwnhUga2NhvFtm2sIWg-K3YS5O-AR3V8-tWuWelixCh6kZGmiNCoKC4dXLUfpWo0shBf2VexIueEfg3ZZ4n2kinhSmtLb4hA/s640/TopBath1.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Braun shaver shown is not part of the offer. It is mine and just looked good sitting there</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOaMCFwj0qdoJWLCaJ1Yjih9DRRVd_rt9NVPNAmN3RQjhR1ElRAS1MPKqx1NtvHbKlfP_vThqk6gKgPdkGYR-9lRmP84SHI7MzV3sly_kDF63cwP6mzMdI__PO1H3uCvWZGyYgQ/s1600/TopBath3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1500" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOaMCFwj0qdoJWLCaJ1Yjih9DRRVd_rt9NVPNAmN3RQjhR1ElRAS1MPKqx1NtvHbKlfP_vThqk6gKgPdkGYR-9lRmP84SHI7MzV3sly_kDF63cwP6mzMdI__PO1H3uCvWZGyYgQ/s640/TopBath3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All yours. The moisturizer is very helpful in the cold</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZKxS9jqfmnGUW1YFRxJS5Bhc65I4qtBC5AStBY8i9rL6iid4jmQY9gC3Dirag6AZRWXqFcHbo6EtmUuzIr9UteZlc2e_hNIlfLf3T5izXAzFlxUsOF7j_NTBUarwiWMctGmYBw/s1600/TopRoom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZKxS9jqfmnGUW1YFRxJS5Bhc65I4qtBC5AStBY8i9rL6iid4jmQY9gC3Dirag6AZRWXqFcHbo6EtmUuzIr9UteZlc2e_hNIlfLf3T5izXAzFlxUsOF7j_NTBUarwiWMctGmYBw/s640/TopRoom3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Paradise for the Bookworm and Paradise for the TV viewers</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The ground floor has another bedroom with a single queen sized bed right next to the kitchen. This bedroom has an attached bathroom as well with a hot water geyser. the room has a TV with a satellite connection. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The cozy bedroom downstairs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">TV and room heater for the perfect cozy huddle</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZkc6Ykbk8gA6IqdkAhLtQp4__hPs3ra5UEHZ3JhRfNasubNbO5pU9y36ulR3udhH1-ZsVSoxSkVZU1aWbaWyAEb9KMVto0RY9QUtGJra79dWIvUYuSySQ2buYAi7j88kr_JmBA/s1600/DownBath1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZkc6Ykbk8gA6IqdkAhLtQp4__hPs3ra5UEHZ3JhRfNasubNbO5pU9y36ulR3udhH1-ZsVSoxSkVZU1aWbaWyAEb9KMVto0RY9QUtGJra79dWIvUYuSySQ2buYAi7j88kr_JmBA/s640/DownBath1.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZP9Ti7R-PdBn2JbhfWhDqGSLAfnDSkQN-0WmxVyT5BVu6782ADKKuxJC6nIpPjL9PYe_UPUAwjMXIZQ_gaWEwmxJFL8l5AhPZlmWwYyFVsUPiqhVcNTojwJVQFiYLNFFweDhwZA/s1600/DownBath2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZP9Ti7R-PdBn2JbhfWhDqGSLAfnDSkQN-0WmxVyT5BVu6782ADKKuxJC6nIpPjL9PYe_UPUAwjMXIZQ_gaWEwmxJFL8l5AhPZlmWwYyFVsUPiqhVcNTojwJVQFiYLNFFweDhwZA/s640/DownBath2.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Magnifying mirror for the shaving connoisseur</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The main door opens into a verandah and a huge living room with an attached dining room on one side and another sofa bed on the other side. The furniture is Victorian and once again, spic and span. We never sat on any of them during all the 3 days. All of us decided to leave everything alone other than the beds. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From the Entrance</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Q7cT4UP6L0c5FreK6TW1wARkB4Q-qSEId6HCb_zkiO3Enu-uKl-HbO9ret0MgJxDoQGRUfLXkM6QC0p8IDcWDqinNsGJQwOscn-_JIo7Bm7zr21JqcIini0AbQdlJ2tSoUpY0Q/s1600/LivingRoom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Q7cT4UP6L0c5FreK6TW1wARkB4Q-qSEId6HCb_zkiO3Enu-uKl-HbO9ret0MgJxDoQGRUfLXkM6QC0p8IDcWDqinNsGJQwOscn-_JIo7Bm7zr21JqcIini0AbQdlJ2tSoUpY0Q/s640/LivingRoom2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9Wzhp_tdpglDm43DRFVd8jGfTkDJdoGdABwn5nEbOrvrDRjMv8GMG6j0d97ATyAZiyXpJKK_vd3H68hnrRyEdlaIdQcaikKyPTKX1Que5LpMOOWjFC_dPHAjI-K7c1-OGhbePg/s1600/LivingRoom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9Wzhp_tdpglDm43DRFVd8jGfTkDJdoGdABwn5nEbOrvrDRjMv8GMG6j0d97ATyAZiyXpJKK_vd3H68hnrRyEdlaIdQcaikKyPTKX1Que5LpMOOWjFC_dPHAjI-K7c1-OGhbePg/s640/LivingRoom4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SxMjqUOcuC2i6ELZfOAZII2Qpl5pX6nJTPRqcnysNZrG0IScl9-qomo3aDD58zctc22zgMTj05cDS_EjrPnxcssRQaBPmxzZeerb7ll-VQPXbdTH2SXZwm3InAmBLo2pZnpgQA/s1600/LivingRoom5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SxMjqUOcuC2i6ELZfOAZII2Qpl5pX6nJTPRqcnysNZrG0IScl9-qomo3aDD58zctc22zgMTj05cDS_EjrPnxcssRQaBPmxzZeerb7ll-VQPXbdTH2SXZwm3InAmBLo2pZnpgQA/s640/LivingRoom5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another Queen sized bed</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLmqZgi3UIcev5VfVeLGRafM_D84kCpRS_NDWsA9PrWyv0OquxT8WX7PXMw_mwpY37I3K9hPsBROi7ZqQEttkSnfEyptpJO7vVae1AEH2C-ozga9pLnyea6mUzkaytiiybeu-Zw/s1600/LivingRoom6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLmqZgi3UIcev5VfVeLGRafM_D84kCpRS_NDWsA9PrWyv0OquxT8WX7PXMw_mwpY37I3K9hPsBROi7ZqQEttkSnfEyptpJO7vVae1AEH2C-ozga9pLnyea6mUzkaytiiybeu-Zw/s640/LivingRoom6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We enjoyed being outdoor playing badminton and running around with the kids. The night bonfire gave us a time to reflect on all that is life. Rakesh ensured that everything else was taken care of and we had all the time in the world to just relax.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQc-HKmTOgBSxPSMZPwcftB1CeHZ0WGt0J_zOv83dRLgl7YxDw6ELcZ8U2bdWinJ547rwjkIDgJKv06viQYS3sfAuReTy8chEUkbapo6Huv_xivB_CXBSo90U4VbcuM29GzeJyrw/s1600/IMGP6796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQc-HKmTOgBSxPSMZPwcftB1CeHZ0WGt0J_zOv83dRLgl7YxDw6ELcZ8U2bdWinJ547rwjkIDgJKv06viQYS3sfAuReTy8chEUkbapo6Huv_xivB_CXBSo90U4VbcuM29GzeJyrw/s640/IMGP6796.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Glowing at Night</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So what's so great about this property? Nothing much except that it offers you the perfect getaway from home that still feels like home but lets you pamper yourself, recharge, reflect, wonder and get back to life later. Great upkeep, great food, quiet environment, loving treatment and all the place in the world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Other notable points:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We celebrated our daughter's birthday here. We were allowed full use of the kitchen to bake a cake for her. It was a memorable evening .</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBZjz6fmjc6-EgFFNGu2FW3t_tvtOqYgXfj49z7F1WUHurZVQ-eTMaG-hkbBov0rG1462JYDElsAPVhMnG384f4I-bCWPG5HSXWnqpFacCLPM-TP04Fpy7uDRcLQvV0CY-EhobA/s1600/IMG_20171227_182708172_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBZjz6fmjc6-EgFFNGu2FW3t_tvtOqYgXfj49z7F1WUHurZVQ-eTMaG-hkbBov0rG1462JYDElsAPVhMnG384f4I-bCWPG5HSXWnqpFacCLPM-TP04Fpy7uDRcLQvV0CY-EhobA/s400/IMG_20171227_182708172_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cake baked right in the kitchen</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a Dominos outlet that delivers and a Supermarket just a kilometer away. The building has an SBI ATM as well and there are shops, pharmacies and a post office nearby as well</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAs8XstFOL2PJCjTtOVHnUnFVZM8nLt62pHhSn5iygNQa-iRuCPYWy-bHJRufr98t3YxeSwqC2iAQYelbVKLZtXttv5TMvucOyN4aKiO_tjOziVnjBfnEoLadRTqBEUN7n-43qg/s1600/IMG_20171227_123915900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAs8XstFOL2PJCjTtOVHnUnFVZM8nLt62pHhSn5iygNQa-iRuCPYWy-bHJRufr98t3YxeSwqC2iAQYelbVKLZtXttv5TMvucOyN4aKiO_tjOziVnjBfnEoLadRTqBEUN7n-43qg/s640/IMG_20171227_123915900.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had such a good time that the kids wanted to extend the stay by another 2 days. But as it was booked out solid, we decided to give it a shot later in the year. Great place for couples, families, large get togethers alike. There is something for everyone at 20 Deodar House, Solan</span></div>
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Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-62351590656757256362015-05-23T17:28:00.001+05:302015-05-23T17:28:29.996+05:30Centred in Self<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A5KK3ydJPvs/VWBrYLmvCsI/AAAAAAAAFCg/GKkvsJ8Mwm0/s1600-h/FortheBlog9.jpg"><img title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ol0LWayT4wo/VWBrZBJ7zmI/AAAAAAAAFCo/tlvbyvcCZwM/FortheBlog_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="631" height="474"></a> </p> <p>The word Self-Centred has such a convoluted meaning. Most of us think a self-centred person is one who cares only about him/herself. Which is right. But we need to also throw some thought out there for the one who is centred in the self. By that, I would say this is a person who is so stable and centred in his/her mind that all decisions and responses come as a culmination of the best decisions. </p> <p>Recently, I happened to discover that someone who I work with but never truly observed who possessed this trait. It is a joy to work with someone like this as they are always clear about themselves. No fear and most importantly no worries. He always told me, why worry when there is nothing that is going to change because of it. Instead, transform that worry into persistence and the refusal to be helpless. </p> <p>Being centred means no unnecessary reactions to external stimuli. Every response is from the soul. From the heart. A product of instinct and logic. </p> <p>For a self centred person, everything is about him/herself. But for a person centred in the self, it is all about living his/her life and responding to life to the benefit of others and self. It is a path of righteousness.</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-43089377141922024602014-11-06T19:20:00.001+05:302014-11-17T18:42:54.044+05:30The Jabal Al Jais Trek<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7qNzVnwl8r8/VFt75xRo5GI/AAAAAAAAEgA/uu1nEhIydM8/s1600-h/IMGP3311%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3311" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMGP3311" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HJkNF26TKAU/VFt76ijlpLI/AAAAAAAAEgI/9HvRGAtV9MA/IMGP3311_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="432"></a> <p>The Middle East will always remain a place of intrigue. No taxes, silk finished roads and a staggering range of cars from every manufacturer in the world. Not to mention an obscene level of materialism coupled with some excellent engineering in city and building designs. <p>Having spent 2 days in Ras Al Khaima on a work and vacation schedule, my good friend and colleague Sudeep (<a href="http://www.sudeep.me">www.sudeep.me</a>) knew my penchant for trekking and decided to surprise me by taking me to the Jabal Al Jais mountains which is the highest point in the UAE at over 6000 feet. I went along for the excitement of the ride and hoping for a good view. Am mighty thankful to him as the end result was much more than a mere trek. It was a visual treat. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F4LzweWJrc0/VFt782Q-gtI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/zkebOcRt6-A/s1600-h/IMGP3246%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3246" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP3246" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nlokTRrSz64/VFt796J-scI/AAAAAAAAEgY/3oelbcpj0kM/IMGP3246_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="508"></a> <p>The roads built to the top of the mountains snake their way through some seriously breathtaking landscapes. The mountains are all naked, desolate stones rising high above the ground, devoid of any fauna. The mountains stand close to one another. The range is as frightening as it is beautiful. It is so lonely here that all you hear is the wind roaring. The wildlife is sparse save for the presence of a few goats, crows, snakes and few other species. <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BNy4djHcqTc/VFt8AryqAzI/AAAAAAAAEgg/THJx5UEPfuQ/s1600-h/IMGP3233%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3233" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP3233" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3hMNzPZtWY0/VFt8BSTYywI/AAAAAAAAEgo/p3_0x0aA7TU/IMGP3233_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="432"></a> <p>This is a road for the supercars. I can only imagine the thrill of driving a Ferrari or a Lamborgini on these such smoothly paved roads winding up to close to the top of the mountains. We drove up to the highest paved point and then disembarked with a small bag containing fruit juices, water and biscuits. We were told that the stone pathway to the top was only 2 kms. When we got out of the car, we noticed how much the temperature had dropped. It was nearly 10 degrees lower than the base of the mountain. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nhzq8nfPtYs/VFt8DvgO7eI/AAAAAAAAEgw/XlbfhfDR7p4/s1600-h/IMGP3253%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3253" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP3253" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KusPQt2lRpc/VFt8Em3FXhI/AAAAAAAAEg4/M1jLp2I4yB0/IMGP3253_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="508"></a> <p>The trek kept us warm. We stopped at a few viewpoint locations along the way but soon found that it felt a lot longer than 2 kms. Along the way, the most noticeable thing was the sheer lack of anything other that stones and boulders and mountain walls. The place is breathtaking. I have visited many a hill station but this mountain range was the only one that was stripped of nearly all life. The pictures will speak for themselves <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-27R2oD65Jyk/VFt8G7ZRbHI/AAAAAAAAEhA/-q73ZxI7TRM/s1600-h/IMGP3282%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3282" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP3282" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W7a1Giln8Zw/VFt8HmBkQOI/AAAAAAAAEhI/L3T6wrhCG60/IMGP3282_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="432"></a> <p>As we kept walking we noticed that the 2 kms felt longer than it should have. The absolute top was restricted for outsiders as the Sheikh had his questhouse there. We settled for the viewpoint just below and what a view it was. <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z4kOATuRWgs/VFt8J5UD3hI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/317-_JEe4cw/s1600-h/IMGP3324%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3324" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMGP3324" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NownlIBmZQE/VFt8Kzl_19I/AAAAAAAAEhY/0Z6r0e5G0SM/IMGP3324_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="508"></a> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Yh1QgZ2tOL0/VFt8M1GToTI/AAAAAAAAEhg/aPw75_Eg2XI/s1600-h/IMGP3303%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3303" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP3303" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EHVGPzBDlzI/VFt8N8t-nLI/AAAAAAAAEhk/m49D4DA5A_c/IMGP3303_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="508"></a> <p>Large rocks strewn everywhere and a valley of nothing but stone. We sat down and noticed the complete silence of the area. A while later, we started the walk back but then hitched a ride from a local construction worker who was returning to our parked car. He then told us that the walk from our car to the top was about 5 kms instead of the 2 we had assumed. All in all, we had walked around 8 kms; perhaps the reason for our tiredness. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pIrFdAblfBY/VFt8QvmSZyI/AAAAAAAAEhw/1mPwvpIrBg0/s1600-h/IMGP3291%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3291" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP3291" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0jvj8LEGsWw/VFt8RcLWfbI/AAAAAAAAEh4/AB9w4sA1HeQ/IMGP3291_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="508"></a> <p>The drive back down was even better as the sun was out in its full glory. Every turn revealed a fantastic view all the way till the bottom and back. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hrfksg1h7xM/VFt8UeJd6oI/AAAAAAAAEiA/l1rlBXPYIoc/s1600-h/IMGP3325%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3325" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP3325" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RsAvC0aZrm8/VFt8Vlj4VQI/AAAAAAAAEiI/LD3vmri222c/IMGP3325_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="508"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gm-CX8Tto4A/VFt8YYD_5lI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/NGYO-f0pR5w/s1600-h/IMGP3319%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3319" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP3319" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rWDDPND2gRI/VFt8ZZUYU1I/AAAAAAAAEiY/_Pk-v_grQVw/IMGP3319_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="508"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vv_4qHwQpIk/VFt8bq2c1fI/AAAAAAAAEig/vcDS-xjUTdY/s1600-h/IMGP3333%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3333" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP3333" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wfjJDVvGCAE/VFt8cflbzXI/AAAAAAAAEio/raHnN7lMQSM/IMGP3333_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="508"></a> </p> <p>Great experience, great drive and a good trek. But supercar owners will truly relish the drive. And Ras Al Khaima has plenty of them.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BKShXW7eF5k/VFt8ewvnnNI/AAAAAAAAEiw/eU9sFiRlJsg/s1600-h/IMGP3376%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3376" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP3376" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kjfuBGaLsyc/VFt8fxvCCMI/AAAAAAAAEi4/Y8rboD7bhu8/IMGP3376_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="432"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UG72QfQiQ3A/VFt8iB2LeVI/AAAAAAAAEjA/fne8D9iDzkA/s1600-h/IMGP3372%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3372" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP3372" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FHtcNGj0tZA/VFt8i-JkQoI/AAAAAAAAEjI/vFTMjRCrVnU/IMGP3372_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="432"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2ht9gcMvwuM/VGn0UGkapPI/AAAAAAAAElU/e38R0qU60gk/s1600-h/IMGP3294%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP3294" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="IMGP3294" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-39sK1EukAEo/VGn0VAfTccI/AAAAAAAAElc/L08vgWiAlFs/IMGP3294_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="764" height="508"></a></p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-53726043747749631572014-09-14T19:30:00.001+05:302014-10-17T12:26:42.025+05:30The Maredumilli Trek<p>The one word to describe this experience is…..nature. Its all about you and nature. Pristine, untouched, non-commercial, undiluted environments. Whether it is the glistening streams or the green slopes or the meandering muddy walkways, Maredumilli, a mostly unknown extension to the Nalla Malla Forest range, has something to offer everyone at various levels of their trekking abilities. </p> <p>This is a tropical rain forest with all the vegetation and wildlife expected. There are several tribes living deep within the forest, without power or basic amenities. This trip was all about discovering oneself and taking photographs of the villages to capture their rustic splendour. I was fortunate to travel with a very very sporty set of blokes who taught me a thing or two about photography.</p> <p>10 of us set of out of on 18-Jul-14 late at night in a minibus from Hyderabad to Maredumilli via Bhadrachalam. The journey was filled with light hearted humour. Having made 2 stops on the way for dinner and early morning tea, the final stretch to the hills was a beautiful carpet of green on either side through well paved roads. </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ECXpnxVqWBw/VBWeyD8oWtI/AAAAAAAAEOY/POSHwagA0ro/s1600-h/VanFirstDay8.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="VanFirstDay" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="VanFirstDay" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g3d98jVIzMk/VBWezAIiOyI/AAAAAAAAEOg/KI80it-aAwA/VanFirstDay_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="645" height="429"></a></p> <p>We reached the first hamlet of Valamuru at around 9.00 am where we were greeted by green hills and downcast skies. This was our first experience with living the outdoors life. We went to a nearby stream. The water was so pure it could be drunk as is. Everyone found a suitable hedge or a bush and completed their do-dos in the cat pit style followed by a bath in the stream. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PIDFopdqlFQ/VD5rix1o-7I/AAAAAAAAEYo/5Kf8AQ1nsQk/s1600-h/image_45.jpg"><img title="image_4" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image_4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WcSg06ZvWnM/VD5rj0L6VfI/AAAAAAAAEYw/ih_-V7pZvaU/image_4_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="722" height="480"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[Plenty of valleys in Maredumilli. Clouds everywhere flying low]</font></em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ehDP13ytiuo/VBWe0D4Js9I/AAAAAAAAEY4/Z-VnVXI75sc/s1600-h/Rain31.jpg"><img title="Rain3" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Rain3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jG-dys32iDc/VBWe07PF-8I/AAAAAAAAEZA/wmFbqOgq0hw/Rain3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="335"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uMuFh3CqqnE/VBWe1mGxx3I/AAAAAAAAEZI/Q-oB7p4xxb4/s1600-h/Rain21.jpg"><img title="Rain2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Rain2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X3q8FcBz09o/VBWe2YYLOEI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/WoqqxNyBcNI/Rain2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="221" height="332"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="1"><em>[It was raining plenty for the 3 days. Clear stream water and rain made for a hell of a day]</em></font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p>We then headed over to Amar’s (our forest guide) house for breakfast. It was a raised shack on wooden poles with a mud floored interior. We were served puri-kurma and boiled eggs which was just enough to not stuff ourselves for the trek. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6UP9GK2mBdo/VBWe3nbnvCI/AAAAAAAAEPI/D0qbJBpkQsw/s1600-h/AmarHouse5.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="AmarHouse" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="AmarHouse" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rMjccmghB4Y/VBWe40xsQEI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/2US3BdanGPw/AmarHouse_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="434"></a> </p> <p align="left">Having had breakfast, we huddled back into the van to the first point of the trek. The van dropped us at the closest road point to the village of Kothaveedi. It was drizzling and the poncho raincoats came out to keep the camera gear from getting wet. We gathered for the photo as below and began our first trek. It was an easy walk in the forest for about a half hour.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G_-B-Xyzg7k/VBWe62tut7I/AAAAAAAAEZY/kQLSQUdd5Wo/s1600-h/TheTeam1.jpg"><img title="TheTeam" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="TheTeam" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DS_RlwF_8Jc/VBWe7gAD0_I/AAAAAAAAEZg/E-_d-XmgSsk/TheTeam_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="287"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i5Nq5Hi1-7E/VD5rtdFYbyI/AAAAAAAAEZo/ah63NEoPBEY/s1600-h/image_585.jpg"><img title="image_58" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image_58" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yx87HXO-A6o/VD5rvxg1QFI/AAAAAAAAEZw/q_Qh7xR-V2g/image_58_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="189" height="283"></a> </p> <p align="center"> <em><font size="1">[At the start of the first trek. The easy one, a jaunt in the forest]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kbw3J2PbFk0/VD5ryTB8QaI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/ByRJEVZHcsQ/s1600-h/image_546.jpg"><img title="image_54" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image_54" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_aNmFqRnQYc/VD5rzdNBX4I/AAAAAAAAEZ8/dw_0i4elkLo/image_54_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="189" height="283"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AqP5jsEpT1E/VD5r1SwNlhI/AAAAAAAAEaI/fuMH0xWIQYA/s1600-h/image_485.jpg"><img title="image_48" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image_48" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5WCTC1JKAmg/VD5r2r_D1TI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/WqPgtNcV5Rs/image_48_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="287"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[Walking in a river bed which was just getting filled]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="left">Reaching Kothaveedi, we found ourselves in a little hamlet with around 10-15 tribal families who had razed a portion of the forest to being cultivation and settle down. The images below depict their livelihood as they sell their farm produce at the local villages. They also make brooms which are sold in the villages and towns nearby</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g0w2bSqDyCY/VD5r3SqS8vI/AAAAAAAAEaY/uDE98Da1dbY/s1600-h/image_707.jpg"><img title="image_70" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image_70" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2srp-2s8ZBs/VD5r4Y0ccrI/AAAAAAAAEag/5QIa61HJ6O8/image_70_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[Tribal children in the village. Without any power or water lines, these children were living and learning off the land]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m5ZSray9_hs/VBWfBN0fcUI/AAAAAAAAEQI/03_LYK9bChk/s1600-h/VillageLady4.jpg"><img title="VillageLady" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="VillageLady" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lkbQqeQxVYg/VBWfB6DycII/AAAAAAAAEQQ/R1jkQo96yCc/VillageLady_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="486" height="607"></a> <em><font size="1">[The lady grinding bajra and jowar for storage and selling]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><img title="VillageLadyAtta" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="VillageLadyAtta" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xtQiy6cA4j8/VBWfAIcN18I/AAAAAAAAEQA/7hjbBJDAziI/VillageLadyAtta_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m5ZSray9_hs/VBWfBN0fcUI/AAAAAAAAEQI/03_LYK9bChk/s1600-h/VillageLady4.jpg"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[The ground cereal being taken away]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xSMd8IIQ9j0/VD5r5B_DGjI/AAAAAAAAEao/j5jacPvveeY/s1600-h/image_10513.jpg"><img title="image_105" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image_105" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7gPT0ayqStg/VD5r6Mbbs9I/AAAAAAAAEaw/aU-s8e0b4e8/image_105_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[A village elder]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LgGFQRlhjLc/VBWfC0HlYhI/AAAAAAAAEQY/X48BSQYhiLw/s1600-h/VillageThatch3.jpg"><img title="VillageThatch" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="VillageThatch" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kaREZ00PDmY/VBWfDhi5E-I/AAAAAAAAEQg/8suopeUPNX4/VillageThatch_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[Huts in the rain]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LcrW4yOegXY/VD5r7MpG3GI/AAAAAAAAEa4/xzQwkZaKv1w/s1600-h/image_1118.jpg"><img title="image_111" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image_111" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--uwKh1RdHrk/VD5r77X5VcI/AAAAAAAAEbA/c6yETnT3IMA/image_111_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[A village alley]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s1At703SOFg/VD5r8x6PqRI/AAAAAAAAEbI/SlQLlGoHPjU/s1600-h/image_1434.jpg"><img title="image_143" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image_143" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vkf-elj0bmg/VD5r94C5qBI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/gnK-g1vj_No/image_143_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[A high spot where only one tribal man lives. The hut seen is his lookout]</font></em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">Rainwater is collected by the tribes for their daily use. As it rains frequently in Maredumilli, there is a fair abundance of potable water for the tribes. The experience of seeing the tribes without commercial utilities was a reminder of where we came from ourselves and how our ancestors lived. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7OL4oN9ghv4/VBWfEhpC-PI/AAAAAAAAEQo/quL00hBHEBU/s1600-h/PotsAndPans3.jpg"><img title="PotsAndPans" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PotsAndPans" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FRhoNpII794/VBWfF_uJ_-I/AAAAAAAAEQw/ls3iM6Q3jmA/PotsAndPans_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a> </p> <p align="center"> <em><font size="1">[Pots for collecting and storing potable water]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="left">Below is a photo of the area of the forest razed and burnt by the tribes for cultivation. These settlers have illegally come to the protected forest areas and currently have a few litigations against them.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-398E_HMPh0Q/VBWfGlCAqGI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/rZrvQVYEH6Q/s1600-h/RazingForest3.jpg"><img title="RazingForest" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="RazingForest" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iww3Z2UhZRY/VBWfHfoXjFI/AAAAAAAAERA/Hqh9lZvlQi8/RazingForest_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[The clearing made by the tribes by cutting down trees and burning the area to start agriculture]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="left">Night began to fall soon and we moved to the guide’s house at a farm near Munjamamidi. By the time we reached, darkness had completely enveloped the forest. As there was no power anywhere, our only solace from the darkness was oil lamps and our torches. Dinner was cooked under a tarpaulin as there was a continuous drizzle. We all had our first taste of the famous Bamboo Chicken; a dish that uses no oil but only the chicken and bamboo juices to cook. Chicken and minimal spices are stuffed into a large girth bamboo and slow roasted over a fire. The chicken stews in itself and cooks to a tender finish. Absolutely delicious! </p> <p align="left">Day 2 - We woke up the next morning to find ourselves in the middle of a beautiful green valley. We had pitched tents the previous night under zero visibility. The next morning revealed the hills all around. It was just stunning. As we soaked in the surroundings, everyone had a bath by the only hand pump available. </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RsjKSxzkMvI/VD5r_GC2KZI/AAAAAAAAEbY/fkMEK-G2NUc/s1600-h/image_158%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="image_158" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image_158" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YKSJqhgDP44/VD5sAMJRQaI/AAAAAAAAEbg/wp-iF5Z86vk/image_158_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[Our tents pitched in the middle of nowhere in the valley. We had no idea the previous night as it was pitch dark and just laid the tents by looking for a clearing]</font></em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l5ywu3jVfZs/VD5sBdljZ2I/AAAAAAAAEbo/K9xyT6lswvs/s1600-h/image_159%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="image_159" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="image_159" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JYufIgbwDNU/VD5sCUZG-SI/AAAAAAAAEbw/vZtkcBFJnDk/image_159_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a><font size="1"> <em>[Our van parked the previous night in the valley. No other buildings around, just a hand pump for ground water]</em></font></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3nRtwZQUZzU/VD5sDOS0LGI/AAAAAAAAEb4/MUUuS9UEe2U/s1600-h/image_1754.jpg"><img title="image_175" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image_175" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D3veHsIqxEU/VD5sEBUqINI/AAAAAAAAEcA/vE37WfLLVKw/image_175_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[Ravi shooting a tribal woman]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9EZXWST4PHI/VD5sF4fSrRI/AAAAAAAAEcI/7KOB81z_nE0/s1600-h/image_1785.jpg"><img title="image_178" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image_178" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KmwRuKTBo5E/VD5sGogjUWI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/IT_A3rEgdGc/image_178_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[Many beautiful streams with pure drinkable water]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eabhSFuR_j0/VD5sIgq-21I/AAAAAAAAEcY/WLVtNVmOLbg/s1600-h/IMG_20140720_130651%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140720_130651" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140720_130651" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VVfj5WQfQhI/VD5sJa4QdnI/AAAAAAAAEcg/dteR0TwLka0/IMG_20140720_130651_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[Mushrooms growing in the forest]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sC96o4gBhuM/VD5sKvt65pI/AAAAAAAAEco/kAiRDTg1MUs/s1600-h/IMG_20140720_134647%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140720_134647" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140720_134647" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w3M5CbuVNi8/VD5sLhJUetI/AAAAAAAAEcw/hfxfNOPSUrk/IMG_20140720_134647_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[Santosh with Julie having a lunch of purest proportions]</font></em></p> <p align="left">We left this untouched piece of the forest behind to return to Maredumilli to collect ourselves, purchase a few bananas and moved back to Valumuru where we arrived at the day before. I picked up by backpack as I wanted to experience true trekking with a loaded backpack and all. We then began our trek to Nellore.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IXzow9mOflQ/VD5sMUXCv6I/AAAAAAAAEc4/cwJ7Js45DqU/s1600-h/IMG_20140720_1434003.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140720_143400" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_20140720_143400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aCG1l3oCRms/VD5sNpLtN3I/AAAAAAAAEdA/l1cLkcgRSYQ/IMG_20140720_143400_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[Trekking the deep forest to Nellore]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2"></font></em> </p> <p align="left">This trek was a medium-difficult one. The inclines at many places were very steep and soon we came to a stream with crystal clear water where we pitched for lunch. The cooks got right down to business and made a simple yet light lunch of tomato dal and rice with pickles and curd. Having eaten to just the right capacity to keep walking, we began the remainder of the 10 kms trek. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2HfqeicmMYY/VBWfPmjXhDI/AAAAAAAAER4/LJlgM72NueM/s1600-h/Stream23.jpg"><img title="Stream2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Stream2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O_ift7h0s-k/VBWfQ2Be-VI/AAAAAAAAESA/8xRZFGC9e2I/Stream2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>[A drinking water stream where we stopped for a delicious lunch and forest jackfruits]</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TCb7CJUkbBA/VD5sOVI37II/AAAAAAAAEdI/hUtHlsH7MLI/s1600-h/IMG_20140720_135919%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140720_135919" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140720_135919" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aSbtVuUnvm0/VD5sPrd_KxI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/6zDUEkF5UHg/IMG_20140720_135919_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[A lunch like no other. sitting in a drinking water stream to eat.]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="left">The journey was long, arduous at some spots and particularly exhausting when we had to scale an entire hill for a little more than a kilometer. Taking rest at the top of the hill, we began the descent to Nellore. What presented was an absolutely stunning landscape of green.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jHB98QvlA1c/VD5sQmW8G-I/AAAAAAAAEdU/RA_WemOeHV8/s1600-h/IMG_20140720_162926%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140720_162926" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140720_162926" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4-qFXfN7xQU/VD5sRY7EUfI/AAAAAAAAEdc/Z5ODuby8Fw0/IMG_20140720_162926_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>[Nearing Nellore from the hillside]</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vXkaKeu25IA/VD5sSz7z72I/AAAAAAAAEdk/FYCowzcWY3c/s1600-h/IMG_20140720_163213%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140720_163213" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140720_163213" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1bTbffXByDw/VD5sT0shKZI/AAAAAAAAEds/Ol7FGd1lVQU/IMG_20140720_163213_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">[Santosh exhausted towards the end of the trek]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZvmKdTbGOso/VD5sUrDutcI/AAAAAAAAEd0/BiDoX6d1X4Y/s1600-h/IMG_20140720_163050%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140720_163050" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140720_163050" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o66j_zvzTZw/VD5sVRRzxAI/AAAAAAAAEd8/sF5fGcLasn4/IMG_20140720_163050_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">[The pristine green slopes at Nellore]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2"></font></em> </p> <p align="left">As the clouds lazily drifted across the hill tops, the grass rustled and the maize crops offered us a welcome of no previous comparison. I have been to other hill stations but what really set this place apart was its absolute untouched-by-humans state. No buildings, no wires, no poles, no power, no pipelines, nothing. It was unadulterated nature at her best. We stopped on the hillside for a few minutes to soak in the undulating slopes of green.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j_LQ1J3q8cA/VD5sWL4Cz8I/AAAAAAAAEeE/2WaV2gtm5tg/s1600-h/IMG_20140720_163500%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140720_163500" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140720_163500" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E8OjJ7ebtR4/VD5sW4AC7bI/AAAAAAAAEeM/fX2dszj0Chk/IMG_20140720_163500_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>[Gorgeous maize fields with green hills at the background]</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="left">The vast expanse into the horizon was only hills and more hills with grass plains in between. A few minutes of soaking in the scenery has us all rejuvenated again to finish the last part of the trail to Nellore. More maize fields greeted us on the way with the glorious fresh oxygenated breeze, something we never get in the cities these days.</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9zBEVL0Mv-0/VD5xmEdwiSI/AAAAAAAAEeg/eR4ffi9LRYQ/s1600-h/IMG_20140721_080931%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140721_080931" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_20140721_080931" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CJqWN3AP9zM/VD5xoMShErI/AAAAAAAAEeo/c04fNd4wVOI/IMG_20140721_080931_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>[More maize fields]</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="left"> We stopped at a tiny hamlet on the way which had one hut, yes, just one hut in the middle of all this greenery. We were treated to fresh forest jackfruit which was simply sumptuous after that long walk.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pYqmbqBoEYc/VD5xrnhDNHI/AAAAAAAAEew/5osELTywk7I/s1600-h/IMG_20140720_164736%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140720_164736" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140720_164736" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gaGugM_STdU/VD5xs_BSkMI/AAAAAAAAEe4/3Lqi58JQxnU/IMG_20140720_164736_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">[Ah, the feeling of completing a trek with a loaded backpack!]</font></em></p> <p align="left">We finally reached Nellore which had about 3 huts a makeshift church. We were all put up in our tents in front of the church. The evening consisted of oil lamps under the portico of the huts and a few more photos of the village and surroundings. </p> <p align="center"><img title="ElderChild" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="ElderChild" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QQdZDDGLd_w/VBWfZSJYXuI/AAAAAAAAETI/855mmkOZNmA/ElderChild_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="604"> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">[A modernized tribal boy]</font></em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4kOcRyh4hYQ/VBWfaqQsorI/AAAAAAAAETQ/YJ_Wh76Btn0/s1600-h/NelloreHut3.jpg"><img title="NelloreHut" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="NelloreHut" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yMmwu2IBn68/VBWfbrnHIsI/AAAAAAAAETY/7oyVkNmaom0/NelloreHut_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">[One of the few huts at Nellore]</font></em></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aaRp2keUNOA/VBWfcm2SMZI/AAAAAAAAETg/RI_Ir2z9BaQ/s1600-h/NelloreHut13.jpg"><img title="NelloreHut1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="NelloreHut1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m02Fmy9D2Pg/VBWfd-wxFDI/AAAAAAAAETo/BPsabQ0K7aE/NelloreHut1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">[A hut]</font></em></p> <p align="left">It was a serene, rainy night with all of us enjoying friendly banter and jokes while the cooks judiciously made their makeshift kitchen under the stars and a tarpaulin and cooked away to glory. We enjoyed another wonderful yet simple dinner, chatted away till the late night and went to sleep under the pouring rain. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img title="VillageKids1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="VillageKids1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zda_DlB2ZPk/VBWffBKWnaI/AAAAAAAAETw/nHPB5QqCaJQ/VillageKids1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">[Tribal children]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2"></font></em> </p> <p align="left">The next morning had us all wake up early and enjoy a lunch of upma, pack our bags and again trek back to Valumuru. The entire trek back took 3 hours after which lunch was served and we started the trip back to Hyderabad.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kiBFDDxO3E0/VD5xvENNmwI/AAAAAAAAEfA/BcwCBpzqpPM/s1600-h/IMG_20140720_163106%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140720_163106" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140720_163106" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-99QyWalOkqI/VD5xwOmWe3I/AAAAAAAAEfI/nX1ylXWujfw/IMG_20140720_163106_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">[Returning to Maredumilli on Day 3]</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2"></font></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-osUz8mwa7-E/VBWfjd1K7-I/AAAAAAAAEUI/D9NSwDCJ5dc/s1600-h/Rapids3.jpg"><img title="Rapids" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Rapids" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o-ymeNeDtvw/VBWfk0e6MBI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/6t7ZerOTX9s/Rapids_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="644"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">[A drinking water stream]</font></em></p> <p>A trek of this sort was full of reflection. Being all alone with nature out in the open with a bunch of likeminded blokes was something so welcome from the rut of daily life. Most other locations that offer treks have commercial comforts and all. Places like Maredumilli offer nothing other than pure air, water and nature. The support from Amar and his team are truly life saving as they know nearly every bit of the forest and also double up as porters, cooks and guides. This trek is most recommended for anyone who wants to literally get away from everything and spend time out in the open with zero comforts.</p> <p>If you are interested, you can contact Prashant on <a href="mailto:prashantkumarthupili@gmail.com">prashantkumarthupili@gmail.com</a> for organizing the trek.</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-6429456259035487292014-07-10T18:19:00.001+05:302014-07-10T18:42:12.538+05:30Which cycle to buy?<p align="left">This is a question that has come up time and again. I used to wonder why people don’t do sufficient research before asking. And then it struck me that as a newbie, even I had no idea of which cycle to purchase. After riding now for nearly a decade, I feel that a simpler comparison would help people decide what they can purchase based on what they need.</p> <p>Here is a simili of what each cycle is like</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_7pPxlQNipQ/U76L2diNz2I/AAAAAAAAD58/ik8034XLcoI/s1600-h/Comparison%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Comparison" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Comparison" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mhtpxC9sT7g/U76L5ulATdI/AAAAAAAAD6E/iFGGvxVJqZc/Comparison_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="730" height="730"></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qAR1yrZw1wI/U76L6k2x20I/AAAAAAAAD6M/tGAXl4tn8Ug/s1600-h/FoldingBike1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="FoldingBike1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="FoldingBike1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pCUK-P1Gs1s/U76L7-zplLI/AAAAAAAAD6U/TYadA43pfqk/FoldingBike1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="660" height="452"></a> </p> <p>MTB (Mountain Bike) : The <strong>advantages</strong> are like an SUV. this cycle has fatter wheels, a thicker frame and can take a beating. You can ride an MTB with disdain. No need to be overly worried about potholes on the road or bumps. Pavement hopping and staircase descents are possible with this. Manoeuvring is easy in traffic due to the straight handlebars. The <strong>disadvantages</strong> of an MTB are the higher tyre to road friction leading to an increase in effort required to keep moving. The inherent advantage in this is also that one can burn higher calories by riding shorter distances due to the higher effort required. An MTB is for those wanting to feel the rush of adrenaline as they rush through trails or the rain or jump over bumps. Like an SUV, it can be ridden on the tarmac too but the full capabilities are not being used.</p> <p><strong>Hybrid Bikes</strong>: These cycles are the newest design keeping in mind the need for people who need to ride longer for just the sake of riding. Like a family sedan car, they are capable of doing a little bit of everything. They offer easy riding at less effort, better manoeuvrability in traffic and can soak up potholes and bumps fairly well. They cannot be used for heavy stunts or constant beating on pavements. While many people do stunts on hybrids due to their light weight, the manufacturers do not recommend it. Hybrids are difficult to use on trails like MTBs and are difficult to attain high speeds like a road bike. They are perfect for the city rider who spends most time on tarmac with the occasional bad patches. This is a perfect buy for people wanting to use it for only commuting to work and the nice leisure weekend rides.</p> <p><strong>Road Bikes</strong>: The final word in speed. Like a sports car, they are built with strong thin frames and thin wheels for the least effort and the highest speeds possible. The riding position is crouched and the riding dynamics are all made for speed. Manoeuvring in traffic is a little difficult and its ability to withstand hard shocks is a bit low. As the rims are very thin, they could get bent easily especially if the wheel hits hard at high speeds.</p> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="655" align="center" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="62"> <p align="center">Bike</p></td> <td valign="top" width="326"> <p align="center">Advantages</p></td> <td valign="top" width="265"> <p align="center">Disadvantages</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="62">MTB</td> <td valign="top" width="326"> <ol> <li> <div align="left">Fatter Wheels for more abuse</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Stronger Frame for more abuse</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Carefree riding</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Road quality does not really matter</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Relatively affordable</div></li></ol></td> <td valign="top" width="265"> <ol> <li> <div align="left">Higher Rolling Friction</div></li> <li> <div align="left">More effort for same distances</div></li></ol></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="62">Hybrid</td> <td valign="top" width="326"> <ol> <li> <div align="left">Larger dia wheels for more acceleration</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Thinner tyres for more speed</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Capable for endurance rides</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Lesser effort required</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Most affordable</div></li></ol></td> <td valign="top" width="265"> <ol> <li> <div align="left">Neither for speed nor hard riding</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Most useful for city riding only</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Bad roads are felt harder</div></li></ol></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="62">Road Bike</td> <td valign="top" width="326"> <ol> <li> <div align="left">The ultimate in speed</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Light weight, therefore lower effort</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Highest endurance riding</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Least effort required</div></li></ol></td> <td valign="top" width="265"> <ol> <li> <div align="left">Most expensive</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Lesser ability to withstand hard shocks and bumps</div></li> <li> <div align="left">Road quality matters</div></li></ol></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <p><strong>Folding Bike: </strong>The folding bike is a very unique bike which serves a specific use. It is mostly used for urban riding. Do not let the small wheel size fool you. These cycles can go quite fast on the road due to a clever combination of oversized cog gears. Talk about great engineering. These cycles are perfect for those who need to use multiple modes of transport everyday. The cycle can be folder and unfolded in less than a minute. One can cycle to the train station, fold the bike and take it on board, alight from the train, unfold it and ride to work. Folding bikes are are very useful for being transported to places with ease. Manufacturers who make folding bikes are BTwin, Dahon, Tern etc.</p> <p>The decision to purchase has to be done only after trying the various manufacturers’ offerings. Each brand of frame is built ever so slightly different. One should take a demo and see which one fits best to the body type and structure. </p> <p>What to look for:</p> <p><strong>Frame</strong>: Aluminium frames are light, strong and most importantly, rustproof. Most good manufacturers offer long guarantees on the frame for manufacturing defects. Companies like Trek have long offered and still offer a lifetime guarantee on the frame for the lifespan of the first owner.</p> <blockquote> <p>Carbon frames are very light and very strong. They are also rustproof but care needs to be taken while assembly and repair as they can withstand pressures to a large extent before they crack. Unlike Aluminium, they do not bend and are not malleable. They are brittle but need a large amount of force to break them. Carbon frames are preferred on road bikes as their light weight helps the rider achieve higher speeds</p> <p>Steel frames are the traditionally available in VFM cycles. They are strong,heavy and can withstand huge forces. But they do rust if not taken care of properly and their extra weight means higher effort to cycle. </p> <p>The right mix for pricing vs performance is still aluminium today. There are other exotic frames available in Titanium but these are more expensive.</p></blockquote> <p><strong>Bottom brackets</strong>: The most basic models do not offer sealed bottom brackets. In the rain or mud, the crank gets stuffed with water or mud leading to a constant cleaning required. Sealed bottom brackets allow the rider to ride in the rain and do not need constant servicing after every downpour.</p> <p><strong>Geared or Fixie</strong>: Geared bikes allow for easier riding as accelerating from constant stopping is easier. Higher speeds are also possible. Most importantly, gears are very essential for inclines and climbs. If you live in a place where there is heavy traffic or inclines or both, it is wiser to pick up a geared bike especially one with the “granny” gear in the front for steep climbs. Fixies are the gearless bikes which offer lesser maintenance but can get tiring if you need to constantly accelerate and brake.</p> <p><strong>Pedals: </strong>The choices available are plastic or alloy pedals. Ideally, alloy pedals last longer and do not break even with heavyset riders. They can also withstands being struck by pavement sides or road bumps. Plastic pedals although strong ultimately may bend out of shape or break.</p> <p>There are numerous other components but for first time riders, the above points are to ensure a hassle free ride.</p> <p>Happy Riding!</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-74471467795237142632014-07-03T12:50:00.001+05:302014-07-03T12:50:47.201+05:30Book – Three Truths of Well Being – by Sadhguru<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--yTGcSVvwSQ/U7UERv9HPcI/AAAAAAAAD4s/gv792a7vaZg/s1600-h/WellBeing%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="WellBeing" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="WellBeing" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZNpCWvVtGrE/U7UETOApW5I/AAAAAAAAD40/K864LI-myqk/WellBeing_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="637" height="426"></a> </p> <p>Been a while since I was so desperate to read a book till its end. No matter how sleepy I was, time had to be made every night to complete a part of this one. Perhaps the word to describe it is “Simplicity”. Sadhguru has actually given a short, sweet and contrite set of material on how to approach life by covering the three most basic simple things. </p> <p align="center">Body, Food and Mind</p> <p align="left">That’s it. He has not gone round and round trying to explain something which we don’t even know. Instead, he has left his words for us to decide. Believe it or don’t, doesn’t matter. He has just given instructions based on experiences and the collective knowledge of our elders. What I loved most is that he has not tried justifying anything. He just says “here’s the truth. Here is the checklist. Try it out.”</p> <p align="left">As icing on the cake, there are simple, clear instructions at the end of each chapter for those interested. They are indeed feasible and anyone can try them for a peek into oneself. No hold barred, no preparation necessary, no religious connotations. Just basic humanity being addressed. There is also an Isha Kriya DVD with the book for a very simple start into meditation for those interested.</p> <p align="left">I will be reading this book again and would ask you to try it too. </p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-75421201945902078442014-04-09T14:11:00.001+05:302014-04-09T16:07:17.710+05:30Bride for a Vote<p>Just when it seems that change is happening for the better, along comes some lame brained escapist news that is enough to make us sigh and get our blood boiling</p> <p>Today’s news of rediff at “<a title="http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ls-election-get-me-a-bride-take-my-vote-haryana-bachelors-tell-candidates/20140409.htm" href="http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ls-election-get-me-a-bride-take-my-vote-haryana-bachelors-tell-candidates/20140409.htm">http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ls-election-get-me-a-bride-take-my-vote-haryana-bachelors-tell-candidates/20140409.htm</a>” shows how backward we Indians still are. Here is an excerpt:</p> <p>“"<em>Bahu dilao, vote pao</em>" (Get us a bride for our vote) is the demand of Avivahit Purush Sangthan (Unmarried Union).” </p> <p>The only reason many states in India have such a skewed gender ratio is because of female foeticide. First they kill their own daughters and then they search for brides for their sons? How hypocritical can people be? As if the political parties can manufacture brides for these poor helpless bachelors. And the further killing of the baby girls goes on. There is no suggestion that can be given in this case other than “Stop killing girls”. Empower them and be proud of their presence. </p> <p>At a time when western nations are grappling with futuristic issues like childhood obesity and land conservation, we are not even addressing the grassroot problems. Many African nations who we look down upon for their dark skin, poor economy and underdevelopment atleast are more accommodating when it comes to their fairer gender. </p> <p>We have a very very long way to go to call ourselves a fair (pun intended) race.</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-60844404184393253672014-04-07T08:22:00.001+05:302014-04-07T08:22:56.323+05:30Innovators Dilemma<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Reading this book was a real eye opener. On one hand, corporates push themselves to fine tune existing process and ideas to stay ahead and be profitable. But the dark horses gallop ahead due to their ability to think outside the box.<br/>
<br/>
There are logically right ways of doing things. And then there are also different ways of doing things. This book has taken real time manufacturing stories and showed us with scientific proof how important it is to keep constantly innovating on core strengths as well as maintaining a parallel thought process to usurp the market. <br/>
<br/>
The author gives faith to all those who believe in their ideas and to keep pushing ahead because there are always opportunities in all segments of the market. Thought provoking. <br/>
<br/>
The thing I most admire about the author is the way he has methodically deconstructed the trajectory of innovations over time and graphically demonstrated how disruptive innovations have grabbed the market. <br/>
<br/>
A must read.<br/><p style='font-size: xx-small' align='right'>posted from <a href='https://market.android.com/details?id=pl.przemelek.android.blogger'>Bloggeroid</a></p></div>Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-31155520243856302622013-12-11T13:49:00.001+05:302014-03-11T18:34:36.478+05:30Google Play, where is my Nexus after 19 days?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Let’s play this out in the classic infatuation style. I get smitten by the Nexus 5 and so pick a flower and begin pulling petals…The Nexus will come, the Nexus won’t come. Repeat 12 times.<br />
Onto more serious stuff. Seeing the 32 GB Nexus 5 in stock on the Google Play Store on 21-Nov-13, I decide to go for it and place an order on 22-Nov-13. The status at the time showed “Leaves warehouse by November 29, 2013”. But nothing happened on 29-Nov-13. <br />
29-Nov-13 – No change in status on site<br />
30-Nov-13 -– No change in status on site<br />
01-Dec-13 – Hearbreak begins. No change in status on site<br />
02-Dec-13 – Heartbreak in progress but…..No change in status on site<br />
03-Dec-13 – I check if the status on site is carved in stone but….No change in status on site<br />
04-Dec-13 – I make the first desperate call to Google Support. I am greeted warmly by a customer service representative who tells me that my phone is just getting boxed and ready for shipment within 48 hours. Alright! My phone’s coming!<br />
05-Dec-13 – I receive an enigmatic mail about how to track the shipment. But…. you guessed it. No change in status on site<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">11-Dec-13 – No change in status on site – Still shows pending</span><br />
<br />
Awesome company (no sarcasm). But should maybe leave the hardware sales to more seasoned giants. Its a different ballgame.<br />
PS – No change in status on site after 13 days.<br />
<br />
Edit: The phone was received on 16-Jan-14 after a customer service representative called me to confirm that it will be delivered. The phone is fantastic for its range. That is a whole different story.<br />
<br />
Moral of the story: Very happy to have a Nexus 5. </div>
Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-63757290941226711272013-07-10T18:10:00.001+05:302013-07-11T22:29:35.771+05:30Photography made simple<p>Attached is a presentation I made to demystify the jargon and terminology used in photography. It keeps things simple and to the point</p> <p><iframe style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" height="570" marginheight="0" src="http://www.slideshare.net/aquashankar/slideshelf" frameborder="0" width="760" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p>A pdf of the same presentation is also available at <a title="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-MjrTPMuVTRZ1FYSkRiT3dpZFU/edit?usp=sharing" href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-MjrTPMuVTRZ1FYSkRiT3dpZFU/edit?usp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-MjrTPMuVTRZ1FYSkRiT3dpZFU/edit?usp=sharing</a></p> <p>Any feedback from viewers is most welcome. It is a learning process for me too.</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-28785750204049615102013-07-01T18:12:00.001+05:302013-07-01T18:12:27.887+05:30Till the Last Breath – Durjoy Datta<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dLym4SwwO9I/UdF5LK2hA2I/AAAAAAAABhc/IV7FFrPILiQ/s1600-h/TillTheLastBreath%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="TillTheLastBreath" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="TillTheLastBreath" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zL8_agEEHg8/UdF5MkyHkDI/AAAAAAAABhk/7NalWB784Q4/TillTheLastBreath_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="426"></a> </p> <p>I received this book as a gift from a dear friend. It is a good steady paced read and the author touches upon so many emotions experienced by people who are faced with certain death. The approach towards life and the will to give one’s best contrasted with a feeling of pure negativity gives a see-saw type of mood changes.</p> <p>The author has nicely captured many angles of suffering and the fragile nature of the human body even in the presence of a strong soul. Anger, sorrow, joy, rage, indifference, love, attachment, giving up, forgiveness and surprise have been weaved together beautifully. Definitely worth a read. </p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-44267939768582266452013-06-25T13:11:00.001+05:302013-06-25T13:11:23.733+05:30Bird Photography with a Manual Focus Lens<p>There were times when I wondered why wildlife and bird photographers were so excited about shooting. Having a greater preference for portrait photography, I wanted to see for myself the cause for this excitement. I mean, they were birds after all. Having only one manual focus lens with a maximum focal length of 100mm, it would have to suffice. </p> <p>The SMC Pentax-A 35-105mm was the lens of choice as it possessed nearly the quality of a prime along with a medium telephoto focal length to start with. Below is a full crop image taken from a distance of 10 feet at 105mm. The lens is fast at f3.5 with great color rendition and saturation. Sharpness too is excellent for a 1980s lens. Having an auto aperture mode, the camera would handle the exposure and shutter speed. My only work was to get the focus right and I thought I was there. The other issue was that since I was going to have to use manual focus lenses, I could not use the continuous AF mode. </p> <p>So how hard could it be? The challenges became evident when I actually got down to shooting those pesky wondrous creations of nature. In order of necessity, they were:</p> <p><strong>Spotting</strong></p> <p>This can be really hard especially when the birds are in trees. Birds evolved to be camouflaged against the backdrop of nature. A green parrot in a tree just blends in. It took some amount of patience to learn to tune in to a birds sound and then practice spotting them in trees. I had to stay calm to focus my ears on the sound and then learn to look for subtle movements in the leaves before spotting them to get ready to shoot. If I couldn’t spot, I had no attempt at a photo.</p> <p><strong>No Poses</strong></p> <p>Birds do not pose. They don’t care to. They run away. It is upto the photographer to be constantly alert to capture a moment. Capturing an absolute still photo of a bird is average photography. Capturing one in the midst of an action is good photography. Capturing one in fast action is great photography. It is a rare moment. Knowing that the environment doesn’t really care for my photo meant I had to adjust myself to everything.</p> <p>Below is an example of an average photograph. The pigeon is just sitting on the railing. It does not inspire as a great shot.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LfaDhCF5QDo/UclJRg5N9sI/AAAAAAAABfk/XhoxEqP4LLU/s1600-h/PigeonStill%25255B6%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="PigeonStill" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PigeonStill" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UHwUcVgRSn0/UclJS1VLZ_I/AAAAAAAABfs/HTBIHqBa5WI/PigeonStill_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="491"></a> </p> <p align="left">So the next was to try a slow moving bird. I tried a bird that was about to stop. This gave me a little more time to focus and try. The below shot was taken as 5 shots and the best one posted. It is a little more active. It was set at an aperture of f3.5 with a shutter speed of 1/250 at 50mm and ISO 200.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z9safwMLkvo/UclJU86OkQI/AAAAAAAABf0/cuWs5inYbDI/s1600-h/PigeonFlying%25255B6%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="PigeonFlying" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PigeonFlying" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8wpi1o13ohU/UclJW6KpiII/AAAAAAAABf8/xSE5STMmlLo/PigeonFlying_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="548" height="412"></a> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">Lastly, I tried taking a fast moving set of birds. There was more activity but the focusing got a lot more harder. The best I could get was the below where only the tail came into focus. This was at an aperture of f3.5 with a shutter speed of 1/250 at 50mm with ISO 200. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TVJlPGLq3Yc/UclJYbsLuzI/AAAAAAAABgE/K21HY_-ugZ4/s1600-h/PigeonsFlying%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="PigeonsFlying" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PigeonsFlying" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gTu5k5lEUm8/UclJZ4EovTI/AAAAAAAABgM/IT_swTD3xMo/PigeonsFlying_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="403" height="536"></a> </p> <p><strong>Noise</strong></p> <p>Birds are scared. Always. Period. The slightest rustle from me and they would go away. I had to learn to be absolutely still. Ideally, a body movement is seen more easily. Head movements are noticed less and eye movements the least. I got into a comfortable position where I had to sit for minutes at a time and kept the camera closer to my face with the settings all done. If your camera has an auto shut off set for 1-2 minutes, you may want to turn that off as you need the camera on at any time to shoot.</p> <p><strong>Lighting</strong></p> <p>Ample light is needed to shoot birds. I found it best to shoot birds in the early mornings or late evenings when the sun’s rays are slant. This gave a better effect, more ambient but indirect light on the lens. Afternoon photography is great too but I had to have the sun behind me at all times. Direct sunlight from above makes it tricky as the flare appears in the photos. </p> <p>This photo was taken during sunset. There were no direct sun rays falling anywhere on the lens to cause a flare. Due to decent lighting available, I had a reasonable depth of field at f4.5 with a shutter speed of 1/180 and ISO 200</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ob9qCVuwbOA/UclJbt6uJvI/AAAAAAAABgU/qav8A02ZJJ4/s1600-h/BulBul%25255B6%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="BulBul" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="BulBul" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hcpY1Sq9Iic/UclJc_H0Q2I/AAAAAAAABgc/zj1dtTbX4Ao/BulBul_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="578"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Aperture and Shutter Speed</strong></p> <p>Bird photography is quick. I needed a high shutter speed to avoid blurs. This meant I needed a wide open aperture. In good light, an f5.6 and lower is desirable. An aperture of f2.8 to f3.5 would be great to have. The problem is with lower apertures, the depth of field greatly reduces. I needed to have excellent focusing skills to capture the image. Having shutter speeds of 1/60s or above is desirable to avoid motion blur.</p> <p>This photo of the parrot in the tree presented a low light situation during sunset. Fortunately I could achieve this with with f3.5 and shutter speed at 1/125 but had to bump the ISO to 400 to get some brightness. It still gave a presentable result.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6hCLiEzj4Bk/UclJfDQ9scI/AAAAAAAABgk/zMmI11SOqT4/s1600-h/Parrot%25255B8%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Parrot" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Parrot" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BG9LXvl-JME/UclJg6s48oI/AAAAAAAABgs/SQfNUaNwGew/Parrot_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="747" height="561"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>The below photo was a challenge as the bird was directly above me and I had to contend with the light behind the bird. To achieve good focus, I set the aperture to f9.5, kept the centre focus on the bird and used a lower shutter speed of 1/60 at ISO 400. This gave an average photo but with the right expression after about 4 shots.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8eemFbGwX-E/UclJi5h0qHI/AAAAAAAABg0/vWgRctaWqz0/s1600-h/LookingDown%25255B6%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="LookingDown" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="LookingDown" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tckya77ZpIE/UclJkd_RVhI/AAAAAAAABg8/siCFiJr5At0/LookingDown_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="590"></a> </p> <p><strong>Focusing/Shooting</strong></p> <p>Once the subject is found, then focus as quickly as possible and shoot as many photos as possible while moving the focus from less than ideal focus to focus to over the focus range. I had to take as many as 6 photos at times to get one good focused shot. Distant shots are harder and as there is no hard copy printing of the photos involved, I could afford to try multiple shots. </p> <p>The below shot was the best out of 8 that I could manage. Both birds were moving constantly and I had to keep shooting by keeping one in focus. But having a bright background caused it to get tricky. As a result, I could manage with an f4.5 which allowed for reasonable depth of field with a shutter speed of 1/180 and ISO 200. But as you can see, there is purple fringing in the photo. Nevertheless, it was a success as both birds were in focus though they came out dark.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c0Fg2GmOVjg/UclJmrKHsKI/AAAAAAAABhE/rtlTc9sXx_k/s1600-h/ParrotPheasant%25255B8%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="ParrotPheasant" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="ParrotPheasant" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cV9v6pjQAz0/UclJoIYe21I/AAAAAAAABhM/2CLEhkALbUo/ParrotPheasant_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="740" height="557"></a> </p> <p></p> <p>As you can see, it is possible to achieve some results using MF lenses on a resonable camera. The satisfaction I have is having had to work hard to get the right focus with the available ambient settings. It is hard to do and the opposite of this is to have a nice 300mm AF lens on an AP.C sensor where all I have to do is keep the lens pointed at the subject, let the camera do the focusing and then shoot. But for a budget set of gear, the 6 year old $150 camera and 30 year old $100 lens sure do a nice job.</p> <p>Make no mistake, bird photography is exciting because it presents a challenge of different sorts. It demands patience, being still and working with the elements. The satisfaction is more for oneself.</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-3137855064637957642013-06-18T22:51:00.001+05:302013-06-20T16:35:46.543+05:30Learning to detach<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X1idpu_eEnE/UcLiAELOP1I/AAAAAAAABfE/qcG9IgCsqDA/s1600-h/Ducks%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ducks" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Ducks" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R7V7BS6KJa8/UcCXNNeoe5I/AAAAAAAABfM/SEfLL9wswkE/Ducks_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="669" height="502"></a> </p> <p>This is so hard to understand that I clutched at straws learning to let go. Learning to detach is also a practised approach. When I say detach, I do not mean giving up everything and becoming a sage. There are people who you adore and love which gives you the urge to be around them always. While one part of the love is love for what it is, the other part is attachment which grows like a weed. The irony is that love and attachment are mutually exclusive. Attachment while good to wallow becomes an vice that leads to envy. Attachment stems from fear of losing that exclusivity, the desire to be in the other’s life is so strong that it chokes everything. </p> <p>Love on the other hand knows no boundaries; it is selfless, pure and distilled in the eithers. It can never possess. It can only welcome always and anyone is welcome. Love attracts, it cannot coerce. It is this reason why attachment and love stay apart. Love grants your wings, peace, serenity. Suddenly it falls together. Suddenly it is indescribable. Suddenly I realize that all is quiet within. The silence always beckoned. I just never heard it then. </p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-71879620421335422492013-06-13T13:34:00.001+05:302013-06-13T13:34:17.162+05:30Dropping Bogies<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DFSTW6kJ8mg/Ubl8-VmDjMI/AAAAAAAABeQ/qmL2y2T5goY/s1600-h/AddingBogies%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="AddingBogies" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="AddingBogies" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AMlzfuBAAVI/Ubl8_yFRkEI/AAAAAAAABeY/oU8tGQFzR_I/AddingBogies_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="515"></a></p> <p>The 6.00 am rumble of the train woke me up. Another hour to go. Standing outside looking at the endless track with the cool breeze hitting the face served as a reminder of what life bestowed. The oncoming train signalled another’s life process. </p> <p>We all bundle up our emotions, thoughts, feelings at each phase of our life and compartmentalize them. We go back to that bogie when we want to. We never really need to go back to it. But we thrive on living in that bogie of thoughts for a while as it comforts us.</p> <p>Along the way, we gather many bogies till a time comes when we start wondering why life is a drag. Rarely do we realize that our additional forgotten bogies are weighing us down. Many bogies mean richer experience but the strength required to pull them may lack. We need to drop many a bogie along the way. The experience has happened. It is done. Now we need to move on with renewed gusto.</p> <p>Drop a bogie, one at a time. Say goodbye to it happily for it was necessary at the time, but not now. Keep adding bogies too, the new, strong, shining, useful ones.</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-87054481337438801992013-05-15T16:40:00.001+05:302013-05-15T16:40:16.080+05:30Damned if you do, Damned if you don’t<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4oZiezebqm4/UZNtD5121DI/AAAAAAAABd4/qQ-rPi6cnjM/s1600-h/IMGP4596%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMGP4596" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMGP4596" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WlTi1My4ldo/UZNtFfdvKMI/AAAAAAAABeA/_RiDMqAFf-c/IMGP4596_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a> </p> <p>Nature provides us the answer when we look silently. The decision making conundrum is always between logic and instinct.</p> <p>Financial markets go up and down. We still refer to it as market sentiment. And sentiment follows not from logic</p> <p>Our happiest choices in life almost always stem from last minute decisions. We do our painstaking research before venturing out to accomplish something. And more often than not, the rules change in the last minute. When faced with uncertainty, all logic goes out the window. We’re mentally stripped bare of all reasoning and decide based on our gut.</p> <p>Great people, striking people are all those followed their instinct. Mozart, Beethoven, Van Gogh, Lincoln etc. Their conviction came from knowing and the knowing came from something deep within.</p> <p>Naturally, following one’s instinct is a dangerous game too. Many a time, we go wrong and the repercussions can be disastrous. But picking oneself up and moving on to the next decision is all that keeps us going. </p> <p>Logic keeps us on the boring middle path. Secure, predictable, average.</p> <p>Instinct keeps us alert, shows us great successes and great failures. Its all about extremes. Like the delicate flower whose stamens stand exposed to the elements. There is great risk of death, of being crushed by even a mouse. But the choice to remain open gives the greatest gift. New Life. </p> <p>Damned to more probable failures than successes if you follow only instinct. Damned to mediocrity if you follow only logic.</p> <p>Which payoff would you choose?</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-52424200173331306622013-04-15T14:26:00.001+05:302013-04-15T14:29:34.936+05:30The Delhi Factor<p>I received not one but two surprising exact responses. I was discussing career choices with two different married friends of mine at different times of the week. Both had openings in more than one city in India. The best job offers on paper came from Delhi. So I asked them whether they were relocating or not. And both gave me the same answer “Hey, its Delhi. I’m married. I don’t need the stress about my wife’s safety”. And the topic moved on from there.</p> <p>What struck me later was the matter-of-fact way in which the answers came. It was fluid, accepted and unsurprising that Delhi is the rape capital. The way it was mentioned so casually is disturbing. We have mentally accepted that Delhi is not a place for women. And men find it harder to live there being in constant worry over their spouses and daughters. It is indeed quite shameful that we live in a country where the national capital has such a reputation. </p> <p>Business Insider has named the 8 most unsafe countries for women tourists as:</p> <p>India <br>Brazil<br>Turkey<br>Egypt<br>Colombia<br>Guatemala<br>Mexico<br>Kenya</p> <p>The list above gives a glaring comparison on where India stands. While we claim to be a developed nation of nearly 1.1 billion, the remaining in the list are either underdeveloped, non-secular or very poor countries. To be in this list is a shame. </p> <p>35% of women tourists have cancelled their visits to India which may be the right thing to do right now. After all, when a country cannot keep its own women safe, how are they going to safeguard outsiders. We are a country who take false pride in respecting our women, disallowing skimpy clothes in public and going around beating up couples on valentine’s day. On the other hand, we welcome item numbers by women who wear transparent clothes treating them like commodities. </p> <p>The movie Khalnayak set a new precedent. I remember seeing hordes of gentlemen leaving the theatre after the song “Choli ke peeche” was over. People bought tickets just to see that song and then leave. I’m pretty sure they weren’t looking for spiritual enlightenment from Madhuri Dixit.</p> <p>It is a known fact that no nation has prospered economically by ill treating either gender. And a simple survey of the developed nations show that the workforce has as many women as men working in jobs. The glass ceiling for women in top executive positions is another matter for discussion. The basic point is all about enforcing safety. And nations which respect their women do well.</p> <p>Inspite of the above, change is happening in India. Women are taking to the streets, the media is keeping up the pressure and social networking is turning out to be a huge weapon for the masses. It is getting more and more difficult to push cases under the rug as it is on display for the world to see as it happens. This will be the best source of change for ensuring women’s safety in India. The initial set of protesters in Delhi following the Nirbhaya incident were arrested by the police who were trying to nip the problem in the bud before the gathering achieved a critical mass. But one of the arrested students quickly tweeted from the police van asking for help. By the time they were taken to lockup, another huge gathering had amassed at the police station. The police had to let them go. </p> <p>Things will improve. But it will be painstakingly slow as the mindset needs to change first. </p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-33510670772672104242013-03-15T17:25:00.001+05:302013-03-15T17:25:25.650+05:30Zoom Lens vs the 50mm Prime Lens<p><font size="1"><em>Note: All photos on this post were taken with the Pentax K100DS and the Vivitar 50mm 1.7 Prime lens (made by Cosina from the late 80s or early 90s). </em></font><em><font size="1">Click on the photos to view them full size</font></em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CpAGCOrsycA/UUMLzkO1EAI/AAAAAAAABaw/szAyZH3qV9w/s1600-h/IMGP1262%25255B20%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Valley" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Valley" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IlFv7qnl298/UUML1f3FdtI/AAAAAAAABa4/TQA46rdevE8/IMGP1262_thumb%25255B18%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="574" height="324"></a> </p> <p>There’s always that excitement when you’ve purchased your first DSLR that came with the kit lens of 18-55mm. The photos are much better right out of the box than the standard point and shoot cameras. Photos are clearer and sharper and offer more realistic colour rendering.</p> <p>But after a while, there’s that creeping need for even better photos. After all, a well composed photo tells a story. And photography is all about composing a theme in two dimensions to tell your story. Based on you interests, you could opt for a specialized lens. But specialized lenses cost way more. Action photography, bird watching, nature shoots need a good telephoto lens which are expensive. But for the regular daily walkaround photography, there is much simpler option.</p> <p>This is where the 50mm prime scores. How many times have you accidentally taken a stunning photo where everything just came together in perfection? I know I always go back to looking at those photos with pride. A prime lens makes this consistently possible. It has only one focal length which seems to be a limitation as one cannot close in on the subject or expand the area of focus. But the important thing to note here is that 50mm offers a field of vision that is very close to the human eye’s range. The prime ends up capturing almost exactly what we see with our visual range in a setting. This makes it more pleasing and natural.</p> <p>The next logical argument would be that the kit lens offers a setting at the same 50mm. All that one needs to do is to set the focal length at 50mm and shoot. The crucial difference is that the quality of the image takes a beating with the kit lens. To make a zoom lens, there are many components required to work in tandem. As the cost of the lens has to be viable, there is a compromise made. Otherwise all lenses should take equally good photos. The complexity added in zoom lenses means the glass or plastic used in the lenses is of a slightly lesser optical grade. Those who wear spectacles know what I am talking about when I say optical grade.</p> <p>Some of the major advantages of a prime are:</p> <p><strong><font size="4">Forced Learning</font></strong></p> <p>A prime lens usually offers the ability to manually change the aperture over a wider range than kit lenses. And if the lens is a manual focus lens (as most of the older ones are), then there is a learning curve involved. Patience is required to get that right shot. It took me around a month to understand the various combinations of aperture, shutter speed and ISO for needs based on ambient parameters. For example, I learnt through trial and error that fast moving objects need a higher shutter speed (1/180 or more) and higher aperture (f2.8 or f2) to allow more light for a shorter span of time. The results were satisfying!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-63GS6Ky4RTw/UUML200o-gI/AAAAAAAABbA/EVjNsM_HzI8/s1600-h/Girl%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Girl" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Girl" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vyj03xa1oJU/UUML4Ow_1aI/AAAAAAAABbI/Yv9U5rnui68/Girl_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="576"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4"><strong>Affordable</strong></font></p> <p>There are so many older prime lenses available that are very very economical. The lens used to capture all the photos in this post was purchased for <img alt="INR" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Indian_Rupee_symbol.svg/7px-Indian_Rupee_symbol.svg.png" width="7" height="10">2,800 ($52). Though it is just an above average lens, the sharpness and clarity trumps more expensive kit lenses. Sure, one can always achieve the same output quality with a much more expensive lens. But what’s the point of that when you can pick up an old good one for a fraction of the rate. Once I learnt to focus properly, I got good photos that were near perfect at even 100% enlarged. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1Js9Z7j45KM/UUML63sCpgI/AAAAAAAABbQ/OqmquDA6iCA/s1600-h/SaladImage%25255B6%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="SaladImage" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="SaladImage" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sG6l-vu3VGk/UUML8qioPDI/AAAAAAAABbY/zW0mvXqTWh0/SaladImage_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="574" height="325"></a></p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="4"><strong>No Zoom, Better Composition</strong></font></p> <p>The lack of zoom is actually a motivation to workout better. If you need a close up of the subject, you have to move closer physically. I had to walk for a while and finally get down on my knees, bend forward and backward to get this little tribal girl’s photo. It would have been so much easier if I had a zoom lens. I could have sat in one place and just zoomed in and out till I got the portrait. But what I saw was that I had to intimately understand my subject if I wanted a good photo. This got me working in tandem with her to finally get the right expression.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I7iymc9ep3I/UUML_9GX1HI/AAAAAAAABbg/9EKt6dKSlWI/s1600-h/TribalGirlBW%25255B4%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="TribalGirlBW" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="TribalGirlBW" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kuiaHbIhmEw/UUMMBXepLGI/AAAAAAAABbo/kqfVS3yK3-Q/TribalGirlBW_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="574" height="384"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4"><strong>Aperture Range</strong></font></p> <p>This is perhaps one of the most important advantages a prime lens has over kit lenses. Natural looking photos require no flash to be used. And low ambient light poses a challenge. Kit lenses have a maximum useable range of F3.5-5.6. This means photos in low light need to be taken with very low shutter speeds or a combination of low shutter speed and high ISO sensitivity. Low shutter speeds demand the need for a very steady hand. Below 1/10 it becomes harder to obtain a steady image. The other resort is to use a tripod or use the flash. Using a flash removes the attraction of a dim lighted scene.</p> <p>A prime lens on the other hand can have a maximum aperture of f1.4. This allows the lens to allow in much more light and obtain sharper images with higher shutter speeds. This photo below was taken in a restaurant with very low yellow lighting. Achieving a reasonably sharp image of the glass became easy by setting the aperture at 1.7 and using a speed of 1/15; which would have been impossible with a kit lens with the camera being hand held.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tjGxLb8XVgo/UUMMC1merHI/AAAAAAAABbw/2kkaJ-WaqKk/s1600-h/Glass%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Glass" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Glass" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mWDNlDr9jvo/UUMMEHuww4I/AAAAAAAABb4/1k_DmO76978/Glass_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="574" height="432"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><font size="4">Planar Depth of Field</font></strong></p> <p>At the widest aperture, the prime lens has the least depth. This means the lens only focuses on a very narrow plane of view. One can use this to keep only the subject in focus and blur the remaining foreground or background or both. The narrow DOF allows for more creativity without the use of flash. There is much more to learn and training the camera to “see” what we see. It also forces us to learn to focus properly. The right photo makes is a wonderful result to see. There is more time to use natural light for those warm sunset sceneries.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_aUzxkYGmPU/UUMMF_pgaxI/AAAAAAAABcA/j7261caBLvw/s1600-h/Rangoli%25255B4%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Rangoli" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Rangoli" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rEqQiE0ouzE/UUMMHSVOVXI/AAAAAAAABcI/06roZAl2BSk/Rangoli_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="574" height="384"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FbWw8iEOAis/UUMMJZQRsVI/AAAAAAAABcQ/sm5hAJGANxc/s1600-h/IMGP1351%25255B4%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Flowers" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Flowers" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X3C19CEaRsc/UUMMKzfw9tI/AAAAAAAABcY/57jyKUXgTfI/IMGP1351_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="574" height="384"></a> </p> <p>Prime lenses made for film cameras were made to work with the 35mm rolls. The sensors of the new age digital SLRs have a cropped sensor usually with a 1.5 ratio. That means an old 50mm prime used on a digital SLR is actually similar to a cropped telephoto. For example on the K100DS, the multiplier is 1.5 which means an SLR 50mm works like a 50 x 1.5 = 75 mm. This does not pose any problems as a focal length of 75 mm makes for great portraits as seen above. All other functionality remains the same.</p> <p>So have fun shooting and if possible, experiment with primes. I do use my kit lens for most occasions. The manual focus prime is harder to manage but boy does it give me some satisfaction. Auto focus primes are a must have if one can afford it.</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-61177635079424977292013-01-10T16:00:00.001+05:302013-01-14T12:00:04.170+05:30Kasauli Castle Resort - Review<p>Kasauli, here we come! was the first statement we yelled when we woke up at 4.00 am to catch the flight to Delhi. The previous evening was all about packing and we were wondering if we should take the sweaters out of the attic. My false bravado led to me leaving the sweaters back in Hyderabad while my logically thinking better half and daughter decided to keep theirs in the suitcase inspite of weather.com showing the Kasauli temperature to be a sane 11 degrees Celsius. I learnt a valuable lesson - always trust the women. They go bonkers less often than males in their decision making. </p> <p>The flight to Delhi was uneventful and boring. Indigo was as usual predictably on time. We were fidgeting all the way through and were thankful when the pilot landed the plane without the unnecessary bounce. Stepping out into Delhi for the first time, we realized the temperature was a little below 10. Felt great to feel the chill factor after so many years. Hyderabad just isn’t that cold anymore.</p> <p>The taxi driver spotted us after many calls over the phone. We also realized our Hindi versions were a tad different. Hyderabadi Hindi and Delhi Hindi are more like Rajputs. Both are from the same breed but don’t accept one another. It took us about 10 minutes to understand that we were speaking the same language and the minor phonetic aberrations were forgiven.</p> <p> <img title="Dhaba" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Dhaba" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-840yBS6tJGA/UO6W8V5ttZI/AAAAAAAABTc/zjubjUF7Qu0/Dhaba_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="140"></p> <p>We had our first taste of the Capital city. Big roads, enormous space occupied and a long drive to get out onto the highway. A dense fog had settled bringing visibility to a few tens of metres. Traffic crawled and we were photographing the fog only to realize all the photos looked the same. Cloudy. Didn’t make sense. We kept the cameras back in the bag and enjoyed the lack of view outside. </p> <p>In an hour, it was breakfast time and our driver introduced us to the famous Sukhdev Dhaba. My eyes ballooned till they popped and the driver’s horrified look reminded me that I needed to explain my almost naked eyeballs. There were over a 100 cars at this dhaba. Most of them had alloy wheels. Heck, even the 800’s had alloy wheels. And so many of them were mammoth SUVs or sleek German models. The driver then reminded us that we were in Haryana. We had only studied about Punjab and Haryana being rich but seeing it in person was a whole different experience. Money flows in these two states. Apparently, during season, there are over 300 cars parked outside the dhaba. Service is super fast with so much floating population.</p> <p>The Aloo parathas and the Chole baturas with butter and achaar were the best we had ever eaten till date. Period. The tea could be scooped out with a spoon with all that thick cream in it. The food at this dhaba was simply awesome. Just stick to the items that they are famous for and one will not be disappointed. Aloo parathas were Rs. 25 and dosas were Rs. 40. Naaah, no south Indian dishes to be ordered in Haryana.</p> <p>The rest of the way showed us the might of agricultural power in these two states. Just acres and acres of green fields for as long as our eyesight permits. Buildings looked rich and the people, richer. On the way, there was a stretch of car showrooms one after the other. Audi, BMW, Merc, Jaguar, Range Rover, Bentley, Maruti, Hyundai, Honda. Yes, I actually counted them. That shows the money present in these states. The highways were all 6 lane till Himachal Pradesh. The final town in Punjab was Zirakpur which was supposed to be just a town. The malls in this “little” town were about the same size as GVK One in Hyderabad. Multiplexes and McDonalds dotted the scenery. Wow, these ARE rich states.</p> <p>Then came the first view of Himachal. The foothills of the Himalayas. So grand, so strong. The big difference we say immediately is that the Western Ghats are mountains of red mud. The Himalayas are impregnable stone. The vegetation is different, the color of the earth is different. And they are just so grand. Entering Himachal, the road began winding up into Solan. Roads are great here. Very few potholes, smooth and quick to navigate if you have a good vehicle. Our driver was swaying more inside the car than the car actually was. The beauty of Himachal is the glorious view at every turn on the mountains. Rows of undulating mountainous stretches welcome us. Every view is breathtakingly different</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5rz5Gz1PrAw/UO6W9luhnNI/AAAAAAAABTk/kRm6mlAEwDQ/s1600-h/IMGP1263%25255B16%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1263" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1263" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pMbC_H3nPkU/UO6W-6BcVhI/AAAAAAAABTs/_YYamoEY9UE/IMGP1263_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0GtGaZagfHk/UO6XBAvU-pI/AAAAAAAABT0/E8rH3ZpvumA/s1600-h/IMGP1267%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1267" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZrkiKVRzQtY/UO6XCYo1nqI/AAAAAAAABT8/vwUO3Jf7bqs/IMGP1267_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vb_KXa2upjk/UO6XEA4Ze6I/AAAAAAAABUE/sT3zcy25RxI/s1600-h/IMGP1262%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1262" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1262" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZB7exa0O1Co/UO6XFchhBZI/AAAAAAAABUM/_rz8KsU7xXo/IMGP1262_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> </p> <p>We finally turned left from Solan to see a stretch of very bad narrow roads that led us to Kasauli. Nearing the Kasauli market, we saw that this place still had its old British charm. Kasauli has an Airforce base which is still operational. There are over a 100 resorts here and the advantage for all of them is the God given view. We finally reached the Kasauli Castle Resort, stopped, opened the door and…….</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Lo-ckkopCFs/UO6XHLwBjfI/AAAAAAAABUU/7z-Q12EK__0/s1600-h/IMGP1382%25255B6%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1382" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1382" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V3PH8Q5q7dc/UO6XIIr5DlI/AAAAAAAABUc/eDyAVs6wdAM/IMGP1382_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hzT1XcZUnfo/UO6XJ4247qI/AAAAAAAABUk/UkjGhzPmfp4/s1600-h/IMGP0981%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP0981" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP0981" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OfNuTab8sGE/UO6XK02XwmI/AAAAAAAABUs/RiN5DAQ2De4/IMGP0981_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E0PAxW8yu0Y/UO6XMiiqzCI/AAAAAAAABU0/kP4fBcPU9GE/s1600-h/IMGP0993%25255B4%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP0993" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP0993" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DATulS28fh8/UO6XNx8xplI/AAAAAAAABU8/tP04q1_qTqA/IMGP0993_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> </p> <p>My word! It was so cold! I cursed the folks at weather.com and hoped they would freeze for a minute in their cozy office cabins. I began doing a dance not invented till now. We ran into the reception area, kept dancing and asked what temperature was. The gentleman pointed to the thermometer. It registered all of 1 degree. One degree. I mumbled another curse as my bone marrow began complaining and my toes refused to react. I couldn’t feel my nose and wondered if I was born with ears. All physiological extremities felt unwanted.</p> <p>But coming back to the resort now. Kasauli Castle Resort is highly rated on tripadvisor which caused us to select it for our stay. And they did not disappoint at all. We took the 4 days/3 night package for a couple which included breakfast, dinner, complimentary tea and a fruit basket. Yes, a fruit basket.</p> <p><strong>Location</strong>: The resort is located at a fairly higher altitude than most other resorts. It comes with a great view and if one walks up the same road for just half a kilometer, there are fantastic views of mountains from there. Kasauli is a place to explore by walking around. There is nothing much to do here. It is a place for relaxing and unwinding. </p> <p><strong>Rooms</strong>: The rooms were neat and clean, well maintained and smelled of sweet tobacco. Not tobacco smoke. But sweet tobacco which is a warm and welcoming smell. The room came with an LED TV, Tata Sky connection, a room heater, a kettle, water jugs, blankets and a cupboard with hangers. The spic and span bathroom had a water heater, towels, soaps, toothpaste all provided by the resort. Complimentary tea, milk and sugar was also present. As they say, a picture speaks louder than a thousand words. There is a nice mini-bar with resonable rates for liquor. So here are the pictures of the room.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cqj5-aMnPtc/UO6XPOKKrVI/AAAAAAAABVE/sIf16SxFiEU/s1600-h/IMGP1110%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1110" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1110" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZgqEurec4yI/UO6XQoQc3EI/AAAAAAAABVM/ZmjMZcb8nAs/IMGP1110_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AZZhkc8WS_s/UO6XSesRWpI/AAAAAAAABVU/hlk8C9a4Ddc/s1600-h/IMGP1109%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1109" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1109" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H1-VzBLLgXM/UO6XTsMzwVI/AAAAAAAABVc/kfM5ZYmhNKQ/IMGP1109_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zZ5DHMSDh7I/UO6XVKCqZPI/AAAAAAAABVk/J2f5VblVaGc/s1600-h/IMGP1127%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1127" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1127" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EirFnQiow-A/UO6XWT-dTcI/AAAAAAAABVs/axqMXbqNFPM/IMGP1127_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iRPtAZfegfE/UO6XX5_9HJI/AAAAAAAABV0/_vOYT8v3AwY/s1600-h/IMGP1125%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1125" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1125" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qG3_naEe7xY/UO6XY8BBC0I/AAAAAAAABV8/fkNVYV2ka7Q/IMGP1125_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f_D0i4H9jxo/UO6Xat23_xI/AAAAAAAABWE/gMTKtGJw9RY/s1600-h/IMGP1123%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1123" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1123" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5J6WLSLLk4M/UO6Xbq3nNFI/AAAAAAAABWM/wmbgAFBMjxE/IMGP1123_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Fq3GnmP5YIU/UO6XdTf9YWI/AAAAAAAABWU/TOyjbe0i3Y8/s1600-h/IMGP1116%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1116" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1116" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ypHvSE_EZQM/UO6XfCgLqeI/AAAAAAAABWc/NfPYSgY9Mkk/IMGP1116_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yz9eeDUwI94/UO6XgxJ4uwI/AAAAAAAABWk/utjLvsZkmfY/s1600-h/IMGP1130%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1130" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1130" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7GdYjiaq4wQ/UO6Xh1mTIGI/AAAAAAAABWs/kSKIwUOVfP4/IMGP1130_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="117" height="174"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ynHF_ukR8IM/UO6XiyPuZDI/AAAAAAAABW0/Z4yYbHSWco0/s1600-h/IMGP1113%25255B4%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1113" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1113" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EgTjqB5BDDE/UO6XkGtCy1I/AAAAAAAABW8/mZs2pqrrFs8/IMGP1113_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="117" height="174"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WEmDH-1jWkY/UO6XlYjt6DI/AAAAAAAABXE/25C7obkKg5E/s1600-h/IMGP1112%25255B9%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1112" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1112" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bctFDHHE7_0/UO6XmmYcqRI/AAAAAAAABXM/w3Pl4a9pVDg/IMGP1112_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="117" height="174"></a> </p> <p><strong>Service</strong>: This is why the resort has such high ratings. The staff are extremely polite, courteous and responsive. They attended to our every need with a smile. They never hang around for tips and never ask anything other than what is required. Two names to be mentioned here are RK (Rajender Kumar) and JK (Jeetender Kumar). RK was always helpful and went a step ahead to suggest and get anything done for the occupants of the resort. I did make a miserly request which he fulfilled the very next day. There was no point in my buying another sweater in Kasauli for just 2 days only to bring it back and stash in the attic again. So I asked RK if he could spare me a sweater or jacket for the 2 days. He just said “no problem Sir” and got me one of his own the very next day. Now that’s customer service. I returned the jacket on the last day and will keep memories of it in my photos. We did not find any sad or frowning faces here among staff. Service at this resort is indeed great. Room service is very quick and the staff are ready to do whatever they can within their limits to accommodate requests.</p> <p><strong>Food</strong>: They have a great and exhaustive menu that covers Continental, Chinese, North and South Indian dishes. The resort was flexible enough to a large extent. On the day we arrived, there were only 2 rooms occupied. It did not make much sense to open a buffet counter. Instead, they let us order a-la-carté and did not charge us anything extra for it. It was like having your pick of food free of choice. Coming back to the dishes, let me be frank. The noodles was very Indianized. But then, these guys are mostly Himachali and Bengali. So we decided to stick to the Indian dishes. And they did not disappoint. All Indian dishes were very good and were made exactly how we liked them. We heard some of the other guests say that their sizzlers too were excellent but it was a common opinion that their Indian food tasted the best. The next day, the resort was nearly full and the buffet section was opened. Once again, their Indian items were the best. The Chinese items were just above average. They also make great omelettes and sandwiches for breakfast. So no complaints from us as they are excellent in preparing one set of items. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ut1pFhJrW9c/UO6XoRA-jxI/AAAAAAAABXU/_hQ1ijMRHDo/s1600-h/IMGP1237%25255B13%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1237" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1237" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ukLUKiBCTI8/UO6XqUWxAfI/AAAAAAAABXc/cjMmHxM1MHo/IMGP1237_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="148" height="100"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Wdj4JibFm5A/UO6Xr249CVI/AAAAAAAABXk/jNU87HSe7ik/s1600-h/Dining%25255B9%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Dining" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Dining" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dQ4276CjJF4/UO6XtNm_YsI/AAAAAAAABXs/xwQXL9Yl5uI/Dining_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="100"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UawMheHWY4Q/UO6XuyJC72I/AAAAAAAABX0/pRBiA6Anvlw/s1600-h/Bar%25255B9%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Bar" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bar" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BzK8wzpUig8/UO6XvwOc_BI/AAAAAAAABX8/xeoyoktcyJ8/Bar_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="100"></a> </p> <p><strong>Facilities</strong>: The resort has a DJ and dance floor, an XBox Kinect, a foosball table and a snooker table. Many resorts charge on an hourly basis for using these but all were free here (except for the air hockey table) for as long as one wanted. Movies are also screened everyday on the projector for those who wish to sit in the lawns in the evening and feel the breeze. On the first floor is a children’s park with swings, a slide, see-saws and a hammock. Kids would enjoy their time here while adults relax. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2ZBQPa0SQxc/UO6XxCGME3I/AAAAAAAABYE/PpBRJSOsobk/s1600-h/IMGP1225%25255B8%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1225" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1225" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M4Wq__v4h5k/UO6XyfV963I/AAAAAAAABYM/BOJ0hKJ7SiQ/IMGP1225_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p6YC5USBUA8/UO6Xzr2XfvI/AAAAAAAABYU/NHhIsMbsFyA/s1600-h/IMGP1145%25255B8%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1145" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1145" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6djtNEKhIjc/UO6X0-rVgHI/AAAAAAAABYc/W81kWFmG7q8/IMGP1145_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WSYEPL0K05w/UO6X2s6lbFI/AAAAAAAABYk/44LDAeL8VrI/s1600-h/IMGP1135%25255B6%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1135" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1135" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3UGaZEw_AT0/UO6X4AuChEI/AAAAAAAABYs/UCotMRjYY6Y/IMGP1135_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="117"></a> </p> <p><strong>Highlights</strong>: I nearly forgot. Even though the resort was not full for the 3 days, we were still treated like royalty. When we booked the hotel, we were informed that children would be charged extra over the package rate as it was only for couples. During checkout, we went to pay the extra and were informed that our child was not charged. When asked why, the staff said that since our child ate so less, there was no point in charging anything extra at all. That was a pleasant surprise for us. The manager then informed us that they observe their guests keenly to satisfy all their needs. But as part of the observation, they are also flexible on the final charges especially if the guests have not consumed much. That is truly great customer service.</p> <p>This resort is great value for money. Rest assured that we recommend this place whole heartedly. We may not visit Kasauli again but if we do, we know where to stay. By the way, the morning walks up the road by the resort are very enjoyable. The evening walks give a great view of the sun rays coloring the mountain tops.</p> <p>There are not too many attractions at Kasauli. As mentioned before, this is a place to walk and explore. The most important sight which should not be missed is the Manki Point which is in the Airforce base. As this is a restricted area, no cameras or phones are allowed. But the view from the top at 6430 feet is amazing. On one side is Chandigarh and the other side is Kasauli. And when the clouds form, the view is magnificent. We spent nearly half an hour just sitting and watching the great Himalayas as they kept rising in height. On the second day, the air was clear. The Airforce officials remarked saying that the visibility was well over 200 kms from the top. And we could see the snow capped mountains from so far away. Truly marvellous. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HS_mGKM4Qik/UO6X6FCByMI/AAAAAAAABY0/yMg9eViV5Q4/s1600-h/SnowMountains%25255B6%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="SnowMountains" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="SnowMountains" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R23ykqAiSKg/UO6X7IfwTGI/AAAAAAAABY8/4sKXyTf-B5I/SnowMountains_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="100"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B1aKB0FwgOc/UO6X9llwPeI/AAAAAAAABZE/-YnsXgakftk/s1600-h/Sunset2%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Sunset2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Sunset2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qTntG6jbekY/UO6X-grHGkI/AAAAAAAABZM/kl7ohZNqPCQ/Sunset2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="100"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1R1EBD51FYc/UO6YAxQf6dI/AAAAAAAABZU/2nrmIHZtUVE/s1600-h/Sunset1%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Sunset1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Sunset1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pEYTwttzX6k/UO6YCICBNGI/AAAAAAAABZc/t9PozS8JkpY/Sunset1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="100"></a> </p> <p>The sunset point is a very romantic spot. Old English homes are still present and the orange rays change shades as you see the sun setting below the horizon with pine trees in the front. Unforgettable. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nroo9ndzcrQ/UO6YESQA8hI/AAAAAAAABZk/722Uf8jIGM4/s1600-h/English%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="English" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="English" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X0tLJACYG1E/UO6YFf5mfCI/AAAAAAAABZs/WiktRirR1uI/English_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="100"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Szy0lPbMUEc/UO6YHGq4X3I/AAAAAAAABZ0/Gci8k7_FsGc/s1600-h/IMGP1390%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1390" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1390" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MKUNbW6bKHg/UO6YIRGB-jI/AAAAAAAABZ8/CnAWfIL6wlg/IMGP1390_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="100"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YxCbYLEmiEo/UO6YKenufUI/AAAAAAAABaE/qLCE-ppzINM/s1600-h/IMGP1384%25255B5%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="IMGP1384" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMGP1384" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pVSP0LUw4Dw/UO6YLss_eFI/AAAAAAAABaM/JTmZKlTlEL8/IMGP1384_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="100"></a> </p> <p>Many memories abound after the trip. The undulating mountains, the cable car ride at Timber Trails, the glorious sunsets, the misty mornings and the superb service of the staff at Kasauli Castle. Definitely recommended.</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-55304228330771567012012-11-19T23:34:00.001+05:302012-11-19T23:34:50.717+05:30Osho – The Zen Manifesto – Freedom from Oneself<p align="center"><img style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JGVBBD9TL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"></p> <p align="left">One of the last series of talks given by Osho before his demise, this book is a gold nugget. Osho unravels the mysteries of Zen by approaching it with a totally detached view of religion. It applies to any human who can read and understand or is willing to look at the fact that there could be a key to getting out of the daily routine of days, routine of the life-death cycle, routine of re-incarnation.</p> <p align="left">The talks made in this book are like a final message with no holds barred on the truths. It has an affinity to the Advaita Vendanta (non-duality) which offers a structured methodology of scriptures and renouncing oneself under the guidance of a Master. However, the major difference is that while Zen too can be practised under a Master, it is more about bypassing or going over the mind completely.</p> <p align="left">Our identity, our individuality, our saneness are all due to the mind. We call ourselves by an assigned name in this birth because it was given to us. It is important too as we need to survive the lifetime. But after a stage, the search for the Supreme, God, Higher Self, the Nothing or Oneself or whatever one may call it begins to happen only when we question our own actions and decisions.</p> <p align="left">The Western Zen authors such as Alan Watts and Thomas Merton have also approached Zen but through the intellect which is exactly what Zen is not about. It is about having no mind at all. The mind is the bridge between the soul and appeared sanity. Zen shows that you never had a name or individuality. You were just living in a cage built by others to safeguard your identity. Zen shows you how to open that cage and melt into the vastness and disappear; or what we know as <em>anatta </em>which means ‘‘the freedom from oneself’’. </p> <p align="left">The complete book can be found here. <a title="The Zen Manifesto- Freedom From Oneself - Osho" href="http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=osho%20the%20zen%20manifesto&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.messagefrommasters.com%2FBeloved_Osho_Books%2FZen%2FThe_Zen_Manifesto_Freedom_From_Oneself.pdf&ei=WXamUIuwLaXbyAHIyoCgBA&usg=AFQjCNGdhr0XjPssZBpyTQpR4Xqlikbh-g">The Zen Manifesto- Freedom From Oneself - Osho</a></p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-34690177447150950352012-11-08T19:42:00.001+05:302012-11-08T19:45:30.489+05:30The White Rose<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Uo37nCotu8/UJu-esvJ68I/AAAAAAAABSQ/CA_5xUQNOhM/s1600-h/CloseUpRose%25255B15%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="CloseUpRose" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="CloseUpRose" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ilfSfaeswt8/UJu-f9y7cOI/AAAAAAAABSY/ZTGJMh4ytAY/CloseUpRose_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="581" height="329"></a> </p> <p>There is something in a white rose that forces rapt attention. It comes in just one colour – white.</p> <p>Ask any man what he thinks of when he sees a white rose and most probably the order of priority would be his special woman, purity, trust, the untouched.</p> <p>Ask any woman what she thinks of when she sees a white rose and she may choose purity, innocence, trust, understanding, commitment</p> <p>The white rose also signifies peace, calm, spirituality, serenity, respect and virtue in love.</p> <p>Notice that no two roses are the same just like us.</p> <p>They are never symmetrical just like us.</p> <p>The petals go in layer after layer till there is nothing within just like us.</p> <p>Their attraction is in their unseen fragrance just like our unseen vibes.</p> <p>Perhaps that is why we have never really understood what draws us so much to this ubiquitous, colourless and yet a truly enigmatic creation of nature.</p> <p>So take some time off and go gift a rose. Its uplifting.</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-70303727953842188002012-10-31T15:37:00.001+05:302012-10-31T15:37:58.467+05:30Many Lives, Many Masters–Dr. Brian Weiss<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aNsVETw9ibs/UJD4dw_Fu0I/AAAAAAAABRo/aMPh8K7tK58/s1600-h/many-lives-many-masters-700x700-imadat2ad6vyjzym%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="many-lives-many-masters-700x700-imadat2ad6vyjzym" border="0" alt="many-lives-many-masters-700x700-imadat2ad6vyjzym" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-skEQ_x6oeGw/UJD4fFNtriI/AAAAAAAABRw/1vkh_weIUWs/many-lives-many-masters-700x700-imadat2ad6vyjzym_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240"></a></p> <p>Dr. Brian had great guts to write this book. He went against his career rules of scientific learnings and wrote about what he found when regressing into his patients’ past lives. This book is a strong reminder that all that we see is not all that is.</p> <p>It also gives us a glimpse of the soul and how we operate in other dimensions. Being metaphysical, it will be hard to digest as nothing is proven. But just because it isn’t does not make it untrue.</p> <p>The book also shows us how caught up we are in the circle of routine and life. There were some lovely lessons that I picked up. If only I could apply them now.</p> <p>Most of all, this book was recommended to me by someone who saw in me what I could not myself. I thank this gentleman for seeing me as someone worth spending precious time with. But then, I guess that is how the world goes around. Not by routine, but by what energies we share with one another to ensure a common uplifting of all life.</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-33868624455316855652012-10-09T21:59:00.001+05:302012-10-09T21:59:21.510+05:30Understanding<p> </p> <p>How many times have we said “I understand” and bobbed our heads in seeming agreement when someone has shared a tale of sorrow or despair? The question is do we really understand or is it like saying “Hi, How are you” everyday without really giving further notice to the answer “Fine”. Are we really fine?</p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uGOplJ3yq3w/UHRQ10RTzII/AAAAAAAABRM/Q0RN98YHfes/s1600-h/IMAG0410%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0410" border="0" alt="IMAG0410" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VWbY7WKAuPQ/UHRQ3k_TzPI/AAAAAAAABRU/5yGEqqMPz2w/IMAG0410_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="498"></a> <p>What is “understanding”?, a knowing, a perception, a feeling, an agreeing, an experiencing…..Such a commonly used phrase “I understand“ never fails to surprise. Because let’s face it. We can really understand only when we have faced the exact set of circumstances which led to the experience. Makes me ponder over the fact that what is it that we understand of a situation whenever we utter those words. Is it that we understand how good or bad the situation is? Or is it that we understand the feelings or emotions involved? Or is it that we understand the intensity and depth of the circumstance? Or is it that we just agree with the situation as it being true? <p>It is entirely one’s own perception as to how we look at a particular situation which actually leads to various “understanding’s by different people… So when we say ‘I understand’ is absolutely a different perspective when compared to the person with whom I’m saying these words., Certain situations, especially when dear ones are involved, saying it is more like saying “I’ve been through the same feelings and so I know how you feel” or it could mean “I know and totally agree with you and so I understand” But the question is do we really understand? If so , what is it that we understand? <p>An addiction, a desperate wish to do something, these are cases where the mind just takes over. And as curiosity can never be killed, one has to go through the motions of this experience to really feel the end to that desperation. In this case, Experiencing is Understanding, in fact, a true Understanding…but yet another perception. <p>A child falls and gets hurt, runs to the parent’s arms in tears, an immediate gesture from the parent is “ I know, I understand, it hurts” Knowing is Understanding….,A person expressing his emotions about a dear one to a friend, a supporting phrase from the friend, “ true, I understand”…. In this case, Agreeing is Understanding.. <p>Understanding is more like a combination of knowing something since it was felt before and agreeing to it and also the other way round.. Another perception. Understanding is not truly ‘understanding’ but just a perception of how it might be, how it could have been.. But the intensity is not felt to the same extent as the one who is experiencing. It is just a percentage of the feelings felt due to our past experiences similar to those which are being discussed.</p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-31891411971499028632012-09-18T14:01:00.001+05:302012-09-24T14:40:28.022+05:30Fire On Ice–How to photograph<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--lSlXjcmpp4/UGAjHCM9x5I/AAAAAAAABQo/BP1stzsfau0/s1600-h/FireOnIce1-copy1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="FireOnIce1 copy" border="0" alt="FireOnIce1 copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kTBRzK9OjXE/UFgxM5GRkPI/AAAAAAAABQs/z6ueVkxf3Wk/FireOnIce1-copy1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="365"></a></p> <p>Achieving this photo was a tiny wish of mine. A theme composed on two opposing natural elements makes for a nice challenge to shoot. Following are the equipment and method used:</p> <p>Pentax K100D Super. (Any good digital camera will do. Ideally a DSLR.)</p> <p>Vivitar manual 50mm f1.7 Prime (A Lens with a minimum of f2 or below would be useful since the shoot demands a low light situation)</p> <p>Ice Cube. Clearer the better. (My freezer makes only opaque ones)</p> <p>Zippo Lighter Fluid (for smokeless fire)</p> <p>Matchbox</p> <p>Granite or black glass base (Any dark colored base to help with the reflection in the darkness)</p> <p>The camera was set to Manual with an F-stop of f2 and shutter speed 1/10 and ISO 200 (for less grain) and hung around the neck. An easier and guaranteed way would be to set it on a tripod if you have one for the perfect shot. The lens was focused to the required focal length from the target. </p> <p>Lighter fluid is a petroleum distillate and floats above the water or ice but burns bright and quick without any smoke. The attempt was made to shoot the initial spread of fire with the blue hue along with the yellow combustion.</p> <p>The lights were switched off at night for complete darkness. The ice cube was taken out of the freezer quickly and placed on the target area. The match was the lit and held in one hand and the zippo fluid was poured on the ice with the other hand and lit immediately. </p> <p>The match was thrown aside, the zippo can was kept away and the camera was used to shoot in quick succession by keeping the shutter speed constant and varying the aperture between each shot from 1.7 to 2.8.</p> <p>Next the process was repeated to light up the cube and three more photos were shot in quick succession keeping the aperture at f2.0 and varying the shutter speed to 1/8, 1/10 and 1/15. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CPdXSLy48qA/UFgxOTj9d6I/AAAAAAAABQw/6IeCQSiH2Lw/s1600-h/FireOnIce2-copy1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="FireOnIce2 copy" border="0" alt="FireOnIce2 copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-htT_NyDtd1Q/UFgxP6-nfZI/AAAAAAAABQ0/zYjar2oHDNY/FireOnIce2-copy1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="533" height="525"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hc5Lm2nrTjI/UFgxRknT05I/AAAAAAAABQ4/0P77naXTiWA/s1600-h/FireOnIce3-copy1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="FireOnIce3 copy" border="0" alt="FireOnIce3 copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GyYPjk2fRc4/UFgxS74wgpI/AAAAAAAABQ8/VhWmeqzrx0k/FireOnIce3-copy1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="536" height="512"></a></p> <p>Six photos and the best of what I could do have been posted here.</p> <p>I would welcome any suggestions or tips to improve this theme. The difficult part is working with very low ambient light. </p> <p>Thank you for reading. </p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-38819017818936358342012-07-30T17:50:00.001+05:302012-08-07T12:23:01.326+05:30Hsin Hsin Ming – The Book of Nothing<p> </p> <p>Rarely has a book moved me into just shutting up. Books instill anything from breezy natured laughs to deep crusted messages languishing within us for a few days or months depending on the passion of the author pouring out years of experience transformed into words. But this book has been something of an anoetic paradox. It is a mirror without the silver coating that shows us the simplicity of our existence. <p>Hsin Hsin Ming is the best known words of the laconic third Zen patriarch, Sosan (Sengstan). The concept of Zen was born sometime when the Buddhism of India met the Tao of China. <p>Sosan was a Master of very few words. His statements had dimensions of depth in them which was difficult to interpret by the common man. Hsin Hsin Ming has been regarded as such a great set of principles by Osho that he translated it for the benefit of others. <p>The words in this book are the result of a wonderfully distilled set for you have the best coming out of Sosan, Buddha and Osho merely interpreting our daily predicaments as we search for our true roles in our lives. Existing and living are two completely different things. We desire fame, recognition, individuality while water, earth and air move naturally towards the depths. <p>I can do no justice any further in describing the book. Below are three humorous excerpts which answer many simple questions. For those confused between the head and the heart, this book offers solace, a path and a figurative slap on the face. A must have. <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eNkQU7vviiA/UCC7L9Db_II/AAAAAAAABNk/Eu-2eRnZ3SE/s1600-h/Truth1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Truth1" border="0" alt="Truth1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rZZMSb8d6LA/UCC7Mu29wII/AAAAAAAABNs/7i35PsGZYjw/Truth1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="185" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lpDsSqSQMN8/UCC7NsoptcI/AAAAAAAABN0/zqapp1dvIpQ/s1600-h/Truth2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Truth2" border="0" alt="Truth2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q1me4FkPvvA/UCC7OFAeR_I/AAAAAAAABN8/j86PbE20pXo/Truth2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="147" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-be2QOLnYAic/UCC7O9kfpII/AAAAAAAABOE/u_65mZQ1EvY/s1600-h/Beggar1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Beggar1" border="0" alt="Beggar1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ukRTx8VIbug/UCC7PbqSs8I/AAAAAAAABOM/trruvoVoUNc/Beggar1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="130" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zHT2qsL_WmU/UCC7QCpiyVI/AAAAAAAABOU/QypxkZplZyM/s1600-h/Beggar2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Beggar2" border="0" alt="Beggar2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f5whnJQ84KA/UCC7QrMZmcI/AAAAAAAABOc/KjxtbyU9R2g/Beggar2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="142" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_xaDJqhC6pU/UCC7RBGwpnI/AAAAAAAABOk/kYUcbXSNvbM/s1600-h/Philosopher1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Philosopher1" border="0" alt="Philosopher1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sXOXxrxJTcI/UCC7R14HMmI/AAAAAAAABOs/alZilHor-0I/Philosopher1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="136" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3N8ESpit4N8/UCC7SowRzqI/AAAAAAAABO0/rv0cSyFEgPY/s1600-h/Philosopher2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Philosopher2" border="0" alt="Philosopher2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TPxfQ7lNH2E/UCC7TORd3JI/AAAAAAAABO8/JQM_qD_4Tno/Philosopher2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="244"></a></p> Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33530336.post-22015137988148669732012-04-27T17:10:00.001+05:302012-04-27T17:12:52.281+05:30Cycling at high speeds<p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cm-ocIexn6U/T5qFvk3E1CI/AAAAAAAABHo/TnIr6ASnRbk/s1600-h/IMAG0254%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0254" border="0" alt="IMAG0254" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bYE5hlmx0mo/T5qFxqi7kkI/AAAAAAAABHw/mgIcHh5CLXM/IMAG0254_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="205" height="244"></a> <p>A few weeks back, a group of us went cycling on a 50 km route at Madhapur. On the road beside HiTech city, the downhill helped me achieve a top speed of 56.5 km/hr. The experience of moving so fast through the air with nothing in front was least to say exhilarating. It was a long time since I felt such an adrenaline rush. There were many other bikers faster than me achieving speeds in excess of 60 km/hr. But coming close to such speeds in a state of complete alertness made me see why so many bikers cycle so fast. It is addictive. <p>A reminder here is that precautions are to be taken when cycling fast as the dynamics change. Every parameter needs to be respected and adhered to. When attempting high speeds, a few points to note are: <p><strong>Tyre pressure</strong>: Higher the tyre pressure, lower the friction as the contact area between the rubber and the road and reduced. Rolling friction reduces and the wheels spin quicker. Keep higher pressures for speed and lower pressures for grip. <p><strong>Brakes</strong>: At the end of the road when the speed has to be reduced, only the brakes can save your life. Make sure they are in top condition. Braking to slow down has to be done with first the rear brakes and then the front brakes. Using the front brakes first might cause the wheel to lock and then throw you over the handlebars at the same high speed. No guesses for what may happen when head meets road, even with a helmet. <p><strong>Balance</strong>: The cycle will love to obey gravity and keep going faster. Trust your gut and keep your body posed low but still offering gentle resistance so that you are pushed back by the wind gently. This is to prevent your centre of gravity from shifting to the front that causes you to go faster than the cycle and get flung over the bars <p><strong>Stay Low</strong>: Adopt a crouching position and get down low to prevent your body from being the barrier to the wind. Move your arms and legs inwards so that they don’t flail about. A key thing to remember here is to keep the limbs relaxed. Let the wind move around your limbs but keep them in place. Do not hold too tightly though you may do it out of anxiety. <p><strong>Maintain a platform</strong>: The legs should be in the 9 and 3 o clock position. This keeps your body centred and helps you shift your weight to the front, back or sides with ease. <p><strong>Scan a line</strong>: High speeds give you little time to react at the last moment. Make sure you can scan ahead and mentally map the line you plan to stay on. Watch for lanes from where anyone or anything can appear suddenly and be prepared. <p>A good hint – To keep the mind active, scan ahead about 20 meters and look at your front wheel. Again scan ahead and move your eyes to the front tire. Doing this up and down action keeps your alert for newer obstacles. <p><strong>Exercise speed control</strong>: This is very very important. Just hitting the downhill not knowing how to control the speed or brake later can be dangerous. I’m not saying ride slowly. But know that when you ride fast, you have less than a second for the situation to change. Understand that, keep your cool and enjoy the breeze. Vidhyashankar Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13708735198184520115noreply@blogger.com0