Skywatch Friday/Project 365- Sun sets in kochi

Ah, Friday, I've missed you!

Just got back from a fun packed trip to Fort Kochi and bangalore... 

While in Kochi, we walked along the Vasco Da Gama Square, along the beach. The shore was lined with Chinese fishing nets, and i stood there watching the sun set on the Kochi coastline, while some played in the water, and others strolled along the path.

It was one lively place to be at, filled with people from across the country and borders; hawkers selling fresh catch to the instrument used by Snake charmers [Been or Pungi as it is called]. We also spotted a street performance act from Chennai where a girl was balancing a long pole while walking on a rope!

The place was quite alive.. Just wish there wasnt so much traffic and honking....  

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Leaving Kochi in a blur....

As we raced to the airport, the one thing going on in my mind was "damn, we should probably have just booked ourselves on a later flight" n but another conflicting thought pounced in- "if flight were later, you'll be off exploring more places and who's to say you'd have had a journey any different than now".. Hmm, true! I knew we would definitely have either spent more time in the Dutch Palace, or hopped in for a quick visit to the Police museum or grabbed lunch en route..

The little over 24hrs in Fort Kochi was fun, amazing, interesting, tiring- but all in all a good experience! Got a taste of what Kochi offers and I sure hope to revisit some of the places or snoop around for more ..soon!!

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Off i go...

Phew.. Finally, i get an opportunity to pack my bags and disappear for a few days... Albeti, there was a bit of chaos and drama involved, but a journey to a place i havent visited in over a decade, or has it been more? Oh well, not bothered!

Am looking fwd to tomorrow morning... Landing in the destination, exploring what little is possible!

This picture is of a plcae from the destination!! keep guessing! :)

Travel... on my own

I love travelling , more so travelling alone and it has indeed been long since i went away on my own! The kind of peace and calm i find, the ability to just take the day as it comes and make plans as i go along is something that was new to me, but soon became my mantra when travelling on my own..

 Goa, Nov 2009

We never really did family trips, most of my travels have been through school, college, or with friends. Therefore, it wasnt too much of a surprise that i decided to take the plunge and head out on my own. 

Friends were stumped

Family was appaled

But, i went ahead.

Explored new terrain

Visited places i had not set foot on before...

Ooty- May 2010

And now am wondering when that will happen again... Soon! i hope!!

Its ok if you dont understand.. This is something that one needs to experience and only a few can savour and cherish :)

Pondicherry - Everytime is the 1st time!

Uncle: Can we go to Pondicherry tomorrow? Just a day trip?

Me and my Sis: Sure thing, it can be done

Grandpa: But, we havent asked the driver to come in early

Gramma: You can go day after, plan the trip, we'll make some lunch, and you can go

Uncle: No ma, we'll go tomorrow, no worries

Me and my sis: Yep, we are cool with it.. We can head over to Koyembedu CMBT, hop on a bus and head out and be back by night

Uncle: Ummm, can we make sure it is an AC bus?

Me and my sis : Ya ya.. whatever!! :D

We head out around 5.30, so we can make the most of the day and get back before it gets too late!

Granparents and mom nodded their head and smiled [ they probably thought these kids will talk big, but wont get up and go through with the plan]

And thus began the most recent trip to Pondicherry [ it has been a year, mind you]

It was 5am, and we were up... the 3 of us had actually woken up, had coffee, showered, and packed for the day. None at home could believe it...  Dont remember how, but we reached the bus stand around 5.30am and were walking around trying to find an AC bus heading towards Pondicherry... 

The day flew by, the journey was fun, with us yapping over the things we had done in the past..We were surprised that our uncle dint get lured by all our rants, and remained focussed.. he wanted to buy some ceramic pots and bowls from the stores there.. and he did!!

May in Chennai is always Hot, and Pondy was no different.. It was scorching, but thanks to my friend V, we got a cab that took us to Auroville, where we spent quite a bit of time wandering the grounds, watching the video on Matri Mandir, and ofcourse shopping, eating drinking in the complex within Auroville center. its a good thing the stores were all in one place, else we would have been exhausted. 

Adventure began when we were heading back to the Pondy bus stand to grab seats on a bus bound to Chennai.. Many came, but they were all so crowded, uncle was starting to panic and freak out.. Lets wait, lets wait.... we waited for an hour before my sis and i kinda decided for him - No use waiting, we just have to fight it out, grab a seat and that's that! He dint like it one bit, but went along since no AC buses seem to make an entry. We travelled by Non AC bus, reached chennai around 9pm, and got home... 

Gramma: So, how was the day?

Uncle: It was good.. All but the return journey... we dint get an AC bus, and it was quite a ride...

Me and my sis : Chuckles!! Yes i am sure K had one hellova experience and wont ever travel with us

Uncle: Are you kidding me? no way, it was fun travelling with you girls... :-) [hugs]

Every visit of mine to Pondy has been different and unique. It is like i am travelling there for the 1st time! The person i am travelling with is different, the things i do are different, the kind of experience is different..

Well, my uncle is coming for a visit in a few weeks and i wonder if there will be a trip like this... :-) Until then, adios!!