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Lost and found

Lost and found

If you are like me then the very mention of travel will make you want to experience something new. Each travel is a story by itself by stringing together all the events, good or bad. Some, you would like to learn a lesson from, and then forget about it; others, you would like to cherish lifelong.

Getting things stolen, misplacing or losing stuff is part and parcel of travel and you would like to take those extra precautions against it happening. Generally when you lose something, it is either gone for good or turns up in one corner of your luggage the next day.

Here is a story that offers a different ending. Lost and Found.

shatabdi train @lemonicks.com/

Our coach in Shatabdi.

While on our trip to Uttarakhand

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Chandigarh, any French Connection?

Chandigarh, any French Connection?

All cities in India (also in the world), save a few, have evolved from one or more villages. Their strategic location made economic progress and acted as a magnet for people from other habitats to grow into a metropolis.
Mind you, not all the villages and towns end up (read grow up) into cities…fortunately. 🙂
On the other hand, a few cities are built from scratch.

Chandigarh is one such city. The city was originally envisaged to be the capital of Punjab but eventually, after the birth of Haryana ended being the capital of Haryana as well.
I think this is the only city in the world that is the capital of two different (also too different! ) states. The initial plan of the city was done by an American and completed by Le Corbusier, a swiss born French architect and town planner. The French connection, unfortunately, ends here.

rock garden chandigarh @lemonicks.com

Figures made of glass bangles at Rock garden.

There is

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The Year That Was 2011

The Year That Was 2011
Another year. Another set of to-dos. And a time to look back and take stock …
Yes, I know I am late to do this post but by only a few days and since I am travelling, I can be excused. 😛

Sometimes we travel to too many places and at times we don’t have enough.
The year 2011 started in the Philippines. We celebrated our Christmas & new year in that country. Besides the capital Manila, we could explore some part of it but Batad was a place which left mark on my life. However, as I always say, any place on this earth can never be counted as ‘done’.

The year 2011 was not very good in terms of travel. There were always some issues cropping up and I had to cut short or cancel many trips either midway or before the start irrespective of the locale, foreign or Indian.
This time when I was about to leave India, my doctor, instead of telling, asked me “Are you fit to travel?”. So, that’s about it.

Anyway, I’ll let the pictures speak of the places I visited in the year 2011. I think I did more than this. If anyone of you recall, please let me know. I always think I have more memories than photos of a place.

Batad.

hiking in Batad @lemonicks.com
Looks easy? It is world’s one of the most difficult places for hiking and any other

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The forgotten Silk Route – Jelep La

This is the fifth post in this batch of Guest-post series on this site. The contributions are from people like you and me but not necessarily from the blogging world. We see, observe and experience many mundane things in our daily life. The flavours are different but the interest is common in these posts … and that is Travel.
Over to Korak Basu.
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East Sikkim is a place of virgin beauty. Most of us are unaware of the rich flora and fauna and wildlife of this region. So there we were- a group of enthusiastic travel-men ready to trace the forgotten silk route of east Sikkim. Before the Chinese aggression, Jelep La used to be the main trade route between India and Tibet.

We took an evening train from Kolkata and landed up in New Jalpaiguri Station the next morning. It was a Friday- Good Friday to be more specific. We had already hired a van (courtesy- Sebastian Pradhan of Rishi Eco Tourism Resort) and in no time were on our way to Rishikhola. We reached there around 1 pm after witnessing a Good Friday mass in Pedang.

Jelep la @lemonicks.com

The resort was just

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A day in camel fair ground

As I walk towards the camel fair ground, I have a preconceived image of the fair in the back of my mind. From what I have seen in the photos till now, visit to Pushkar is a very colorful atmosphere with decorated camels on sand dunes, tourists galore, stalls and so on.
The shops are open on both sides of this narrow road. It is around eleven in the morning and there is no rush to lure the tourists. Also, there is no sign of sand anywhere. Am I mistaken?
At a distance I see a Ferris wheel being fixed up. Oh that’s the ground! I run towards it. I hear some strange grunting sounds. Do camels sound so? I am excited. With rucksack, camera and water bottle I go in the direction where camels are parked.

My first impression on seeing the camels is a disappointment. There is only one color and different shades of it in the vicinity. Brown. There are more camels than men in this huge ground. The whole atmosphere is a little languid. Under the scorching sun I see people lazing on string cots or near their carts which serve as their temporary homes.

Pushkar camel fair @lemonicks.com

Walking is a bit difficult now and I realize

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Most Photographed Places & Things in India

Most Photographed Places & Things in India

This is the first post in this batch of Guest-post series on this site. The contributions are from people like you and me but not necessarily from the blogging world. We see, observe and experience many mundane things in our daily life. The flavours are different but the interest is common in these posts … and that is Travel.
– – – – – –
Over the years, with its vibrant colours, extreme diversity in culture and immense architectural influence from various rulers, India has come to be known as one of the most favourable destinations to get snapping! So if you are budding photographer or just a curious traveller, be assured that India is going to keep you on your toes! Here are some of the most photographed locations and things that will make great photo opportunities.
1. Taj Mahal– There is no doubt that this wonderful monument has put India on the international travel map not only for its historical significance but also for acute architectural details. Taj Mahal is best photographed early morning or just as the sun starts descending to get beautiful soft light on it. Try the forced perspectives of holding it on your palm or plan accordingly to catch it on a full moon night.
Taj mahal @lemonicks.com

Tajmahal …

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Eid, Dargah Sharif and Ajmer

Eid, Dargah Sharif and Ajmer.

An experience to remember.

In Ajmer my first stop is Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti’s Dargah, popularly known as Dargah Sharif and is one of the places to visit in Ajmer. I have read all along right through school to now that the people of all religions hold the Sufi saint in high esteem. Being a day dreamer, I actually look forward to the place with a Sufi song “Khwaja mere Khwaja, dil mein sama ja” playing in the back of my mind ! 🙂

Qawwali, the famous Sufi singing, is a common sight here.

It being at a walking distance from the station, I walk through small lanes full of shops and reach a place where it joins a larger road and on one end is the huge gate of Dargah.

Dargah sharif @lemonicks.com

Main gate of Dargah Sharif.

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Homestays in India

There’s a saying in India, “Atithi Devo Bhava“, which means “the guest is God”. Indians consider it a great honor to have guests in their home and go out of their way to pamper and please them. Sadly, most travelers coming to India stay in hotels and never get to experience the true homely ambience of Indian hospitality. But all this is changing now, thanks to growing popularity of homestays in India.

A homestay is similar in concept to that of a bed and breakfast in a family home, staying with a family or in separate quarters nearby. One gets a first hand experience of the place, local culture, traditions, the ethnic cuisine and people besides getting to interact with the host family. It is considered a home away from home. It is far more economical and in my view, more exciting than staying in hotels.
A visit to India as a destination would remain incomplete without experiencing the warmth of a family in a typical home. There are so many options for staying with Indian families, and eating their home cooked food, all over the country.
Homestay

Photo courtesy: Myriad Getaways.

My most recent experience of a homestay

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