My Top 5 Aromatic Journeys

Smells help us travel! It is linked to memories and emotions so much that a whiff of a peculiar smell will transport you several years back, several miles away! Aromatics is one force that inspires transformation. Some fragrances help relax, some rejuvenates, some instill hunger pangs while some initiate romance! I have had them in my life and look forward to more. Below are 5 memorable

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Fish vendors of Colva beach; women selling fresh catch of the day. They are all smiles to see a photographer, a woman with a big camera. (Mine is just a Canon EOS450D) I had a huge language problem here, they couldn’t follow the Hindi language I spoke and I couldn’t understand the Goan language they spoke. In the end we parted with many nods and smiles.


Faces of India, a series through

Colva Beach, Goa

When the beautiful big blue sky is enveloped by a thick grey blanket of clouds what would you do? I simply stood and photographed. No point in wishing the sky was clearer. After all it is going to rain! That day along with sky the sea too decided to wear a grey look. Grey waves! That is another aspect of beauty that Mother Earth exhibits. One must have the time to stand and stare.




At a

Alila Diwa Goa - Hotel Review

Alila Diwa Goa, approx 20mins driving distance from Goa Dabolim International airport, is a lovely property situated cosily between lush green paddy fields and soothing Gonsua Beach in Majorda. As I approached it, I could sense the peace of leaving behind chaotic traffic sounds. The south end room that I was allotted had a beautiful view from the balcony. Large green fields, cows and buffaloes

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The things tourists do for photographing themselves!!! I saw these two boys wake up this sleeping dog, pat it and pose with it. While his friends were taking his pics, I didn’t let the opportunity slip and framed them quickly. This picture was taken in Old Goa.

Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various
characters of my country whom I met during my travels. See

Skies Over Goa

I am on a short holiday to Goa for this weekend. I am looking forward to a great time there. Couple of pictures taken from aircraft a short while before it touched down at the airport.








SkyWatch Friday 

Chettinad Temples

The Chettiyar (earlier known as Nagarathars) community of Chettinad region constructed temples wherever possible. Like in other communities, this community too had clans. Each clan was associated with one temple with its own water tank. Each clan had their own rules and protocols to be maintained. The temple committee often played a big role in town planning, and a flourishing city soon

Movenpick in Bangalore

The summers are long gone; rains have drenched the Bangaloreans more than once in this season yet their craving for ice cream never seems to end. World famous ice cream brands seem to home in on Indians’ indulgence, craving and their willingness to buy on impulse.






Latest in the market here is the famous Swiss chain Movenpick. I was one of the few lucky bloggers who attended their pre

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This little girl is from Lakshmi Tiles unit in Athangudi, Chettinad. She helps out her mother in making the tiles after her school hours. She was too shy to reply when I asked if she liked studying more or help her mother make tiles.
 

Faces of India, a series through which I intend to portray the various
characters of my country whom I met during my travels. See more here. 

Athangudi Tiles

In addition to visiting the palaces and temples of Athangudi, Chettinad a visit to Athangudi tile factory is strongly recommended. 

A century back the rich residents of Chettinad imported European tiles, probably it was a mark of their richness. But practical difficulties soon set in. With wear and tear the damaged tiles couldn’t be replaced. And if replaced with local one, the whole design and

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The old gentleman was waiting for more passengers. Instead of taking the back seat he seemed to be keen on sharing the driver’s seat. Till the auto rickshaw driver gets 3 or more passengers towards the same destination he will not start his vehicle. This is often the case with shared hiring autos.


I liked the look of (im)patience on his face. I took the pic from a distance and he isn’t

American Independence Day Celebrations in Bangalore

American Independence Day is celebrated with full josh (enthusiasm) in Bangalore. The city seems to be all decked up for the big day! One can spot restaurants all done up with the three colors – red, blue and white.





All dressed up in Mexican costume, he demonstrated the preparation of traditional fresh Guacamole.




Habanero-the Tex Mex joint in Bangalore too has come up with special

Loft 38 - A Restaurant Review

One of the most sophisticated restaurants I visited in my neighborhood is “Loft 38”. Stepping in, the ambiance took me to a different world altogether. Three floors, each of them with different furniture settings to cater to different groups of customers, are very impressive. A huge TV screen kept the foodies inside updated with football scores. Acoustics have been taken care of well with