Strolling along the Venice Beach , Los Angeles

Narrow lanes

Short bridges

Waterways all over

Gondolas

Romance

These are a few words that come to my mind when someone says "Venice"..

But for us it was more of We went, we saw and we left... lolz.. read on to know what happened... 

There we were, about 15-17 of us, sitting around the table enjoying a lazy breakfast when a cousin announced "lets go to Venice Beach", will be fun. We can even rent cycles and ride around the place. Lunch can happen at one of the places and we can come back. I was lost, I did not even know there was a Venice Beach in LA... Another cousin looked at me and said "you should go, its your 1st time in this country, so come check it out, there are street performers, shops, marijuana doctors, food etc etc... its a fun vibrant place. Within an hour, all of us but uncle-fiancee piled into two cars and headed out. The drive was long, took nearly an hour, then came the drama of finding parking. Phew, a public parking lot came in sight and we found  spot for the SUV. During the ride, I did some digging about this beach... Originally called "Venice of America," this area was founded by tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney back in 1905 [meant to be a beach resort town]. He along with his partner bought a 2 mile long ocean view property here.  

At the entrance is a banner that announces "Venice" and down the road is where you see the ocean. There is a long boardwalk filled with street vendors on one side and performers on the other. We watched a magic show and a music gig.. I also noticed quite a few guys handing out Music CDs... They just give it to you and then follow you asking for money.  The stores are a lot like what we see in Goa- filled with junk- hats, caps, t-shirts, souvenirs, and some products looked very Indian. And then came the row of Marijuana Doctors, all painted in neon green. You can walk in and get a legal prescription for the drug... :O 

I spotted a basketball court and a skating rink as well..Suddenly I heard loud music on the left, I turn to notice a huge workout area, with guys looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger's older brothers, ginormous muscles..  The coolest thing were the walls all along the beach, they were covered in interesting murals and graffiti...   For a Friday afternoon, the place was jam packed.. You gotta be careful of your stuff else some could go missing~ I was walking along when suddenly someone slammed into me, my handbag fell, scattering the contents. I picked up as much as I could and walked ahead. But something stopped me in my tracks, I looked back and saw my phone cable lying on the ground. Grabbed it and heaved a sigh of relief that nothing valuable was lost... 

We walked around for many  45mins when suddenly one of the little ones announced he was hungry. And thus began the hunt to find a eatery, battle between good food vs decent looking place. After a few mins, we got back to the road near the parking lot and headed into a Chinese/Thai place, occupying the largest bench and thus ended the visit to the beach. Apparently, the beach has a stretch which resembles venice- with small bridges and water ways and is quite a sight around sunset... Oh well, guess it will wait for my next trip..

Skywatch Friday.. Listening to the waves

It was one of those days, I had decided to take off and spend it with a dear friend [who has recently moved to chennai and is in the Navy area]. Around 6pm she suggested we go for a walk and promised to show me the beach they had access to [almost private since civilians can't enter the area without permission]. It was a short 5mins walk from her home and it was beautiful. Quiet, serene and not a soul in sight. Only thing you saw was miles of sand, beautiful breeze and open skies.  I chose to ignore the trash and junk that had washed ashore[ probably during the rains, though i should mention they are in the process of cleaning up the entire stretch]

Here are a few photographs I clicked that beautiful evening....

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Celebrating Chennai - Elliots Beach, Besant Nagar

After the rains, after the floods, the city is slowly getting back on its feet. And so, when my uncle and cousin had come down from Delhi, we decided to go to the beach. Elliott beach announced my uncle and that was that. 

We parked the car near the string of eat outs, and walked down to the water. along the way, I noticed that the Schmidt memorial had gotten a makeover and was now protected by a fence. 

Beyond that, there were one or two Corn hawkers. They had the stove on, and were busy cooking corn on the cob. I went and spoke to a lady, asking her if I could click pictures of the sparks flying. She asked if I wanted corn. I promised her I would buy on my way back. I also chatted with her asking how she was coping. She said this is what I do for a living and so I come here daily, irrespective of whether other hawkers come or not. That evening, the entire stretch was deserted. But she sat and kept a watch for any customers. 

And on our way back, we did pick up corn and nibbled on them as we rode back home..

Here are a few shots clicked that evening... My city never ceases to amaze me.- the grit, the way people came together and the whole "life shall go on" spirit... :-)

Sun Surf Sand Spa and more in Seminyak Bali

One of the countries i have always been fascinated by is Bali. There are so many friends who have been here and keep talking about how beautiful the place is. Apart from all the lovely sights to see, and activities, this one couple who went there for their Honeymoon mentioned this place called Seminyak which is apparently the shopping hub and spa capital of Bali. You can get here from Kuta or Legion, both of which are a short drive away. 

It is famous for the high end places, restaurants and shopping arenas.It is also home to some of the finest restaurants and bars. There is a certain sense of eliteness and sophistication here. Not to forget the amazing beach which is fairly quiet and serene.  It is one of the few places that has gone through a transformation that is so visible and so impressive. 

The must see places in Seminyak according to my friends are the Seminyak Beach and Petitenget Beach. Endless stretches of beautiful beach going as far as the eye can see. Oh let us not forget the accomodation options in Seminyak. There are a few quaint comfortable Seminyak Bali villas that you should stay at when visiting this part of the world. make sure to plan your day out such that you can catch the sunrise or sunset from the beaches. Ideal for nature and photography enthusiasts, the place also offers quitee a few other sight seeing venues and adventure activities.   

Remember I mentioned Spa, so this friend of mine went on and on about the two spas she visited. One was the Jari Menari spa and other is Glo. Offering a wide range of services, these spas she says relaxes the body mind and soul, ideal options to unwind when on a holiday. She also managed to do bungee jumping at AJ Hackett Bungy. the best in the world, run by the famous New Zealand based AJ Hackett group. Oh how can I not mention some of the goodies they brought back for me from Bali.. :-)) 

Well, now that I know where to stay and what to do, am quite eager to plan a visit.. 

Skywatch Friday... Dutch live on

After ages, am back on the Skywatch Friday wagon today... All thanks to a conversation I had with a friend about Tranquebar. It has been over 2yrs since I was there last, and I do wish I get to do another drive down the Coromandel Coast... [Fingers & toes crossed]

Tranquebar (Tharangambadi as it more commonly known) is a small town in Nagapattinam district, about 45kms from Chidambaram and 15kms north of Karaikal. The name literally translates to "a place of the singing waves". It was a Danish colony from 1620 to 1845, and today a getaway destination for many. There is a Danish Fort, Church and the Governor's Bungalow to see, apart from the shimmering ocean. 

The architectural journey of Tranquebar can be traced back to the 14th century Masilamaninathar Temple built during the Pandya Regime. Then come 17th century colonial fort and 18th century churches. 21st century sees the crumbling heritage structures being restored by INTACH. This involves The Bungalow on the Beach , Gate House, Shiva Temple, façade restoration of St. Theresa’s Convent, former Danish governor’s residence and Goldsmith Street houses. Entry to this town is through an impressive two hundred year old Town Gate built with a Danish allure.  [Info courtesy : Tranquebar.in]

Canon facing the ocean in front of the Fort

 The Dutch Fort, as you enter the complex

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Onam with colours...

The one thing i associate with Onam are flowers, i see elaborate kolams made with different flowers for days in advance. We have had Malayali neighbours, i have had friends and colleagues, and apaprently this kolam keeps expanding everyday.. they add a layer to it till the final Onam day. How wonderful is that..

Another speciality of Onam is the Onam Sadhya...The elaborate vegetarian feast.. A few years ago, 2 friends and i enjoyed a Sadhya at Ente Keralam... Watching people all decked up in white and gold saree, the beautiful ornament that is placed on the elephant's front, along the trunk... all of this shows how strong and vibrant their culture is.

It has been a few months since i visited Kerala, and today, on Onam I thought i'll write a post showcasing all the places and sights i have seen and enjoyed in Kerala...

 Padmanaba Swamy temple, Trivandrum

 Varkala Beach, Varkala

The Dutch Cemetry, Fort Kochi

Wishing everyone a very Happy Onam!!

Skywatch Friday, The sun rises over Tranquebar

I havent done Skywatch in weeks and so decided to resume today. Last year around this time was when i did the Coromandel coast trip, and what a journey it was. I spent a few minutes reliving the memories through the pictures and these few caught my eye. 

I was in Tranquebar, and it was the day before my Birthday. Woke up early [for some reason, i always rise earlier than usual when am travelling] and was standing in the Balcony looking at the ocean, and caught a peek of the Sun as it was rising. Quickly rushed down to the beach to see if i could capture it all as it happened. 

Tranquebar (Tharangambadi as it more commonly known) is a small town in Nagapattinam district, about 45kms from Chidambaram and 15kms north of Karaikal. The name literally translates to "a place of the singing waves". It was a Danish colony from 1620 to 1845, and today a getaway destination for many. There is a Danish Fort, Church and the Governor's Bungalow to see, apart from the shimmering ocean. 

The architectural journey of Tranquebar can be traced back to the 14th century Masilamaninathar Temple built during the Pandya Regime. Then come 17th century colonial fort and 18th century churches. 21st century sees the crumbling heritage structures being restored by INTACH. This involves The Bungalow on the Beach , Gate House, Shiva Temple, façade restoration of St. Theresa’s Convent, former Danish governor’s residence and Goldsmith Street houses. Entry to this town is through an impressive two hundred year old Town Gate built with a Danish allure.  [Info courtesy : Tranquebar.in]

The Bungalow on the Beach, the Neemrana property is so palatial, it had me feeling like a Royal Princess- a 4 poster bed, huge room, high ceiling, antique furniture and every room opened out to the ocean. What a beauty the place and experience was.

 

The property from the beach.

As i walked along the shore, letting the waves wash over my feet, the sun rose slowly and steadily. It appeared as if the sun was emerging from the waves going up into the sky. Was quite a moment.. The cool breeze, silence all around me [apart from the few kids who were running around]. Was a magical moment, i was lost in my own world... almost like floating away in a bubble.

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Skywatch Friday- Where they meet

"Poompuhar welcomes you" was the signboard i saw up ahead. We were really here and headed towards the delta. The town bore a sleepy look, probably because it was a Sunday afternoon. I remember studying about Cauvery poompattinam back in high school Tamil lessons.

  

There were a few kids running about, some playing cricket under the blazing sun, while others sat around half asleep. As we drove on, we passed by three arch ways- 1st was Nalan, then came Dhamayanthi, and there was a 3rd one, i cant recall the name on it though [will come back update once i do remember].. Finally, we reached the road that ran parallel to the delta, all the way to a small temple. 

We parked the car and began walking on the sand, the sun beating down on the us the whole time. The sand was nearly black in colour, but fine as can be. At a distance we saw the Cauvery river where a couple of fishermen were taking a quick bath before heading home for lunch. And on the left, we saw the ocean, the waves gently sweeping into the delta and welcoming the river. What a beautiful sight that was. it formed a small canal of sorts with sand shore on either side. A man i noticed came walking from the other side, wading through the water towards us.  

The sand we were walking on was fairly soft, wet, and looked like it would cave into the ocean any moment... It was quite a memorable moment being there, soaking it all in.  With not a single soul in sight, i enjoyed being there with nothing but a few crabs trotting about on the sand and the sound of the gentle waves.

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Skywatch Friday.. The Shore Temple

Situated along the Bay of Bengal shore lines is the majestic Shore Temple. Built with blocks of granite, this structural temple today welcomes visitors with open arms. Located in Mahabalipuram, a village  that was once a busy port during the 7th & 8th century, during the reign of Pallava dynasty still stands tall and majestic as ever. 

The Shore Temple is a five storeyed structure unlike the rock-cut temples and structures found all around in Mahabalipuram. The pyramidal structure is 60 ft high sitting on a 50 ft square platform. Recent excavations have revealed new structures that were hidden under the sand.

This temple is a combination of 3 shrines. The main shrine and the 2nd smaller shrine are both dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is also a small 3rd shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu in reclining posture. The outer walls of the shrine are beautifully sculpted with intricate carvings including that of the Nandi. It is no longer a functional living temple, but is a tourist hotspot...

 

I wandered the premises with the sun beating down on us and the clear skies keeping us company... There were throngs of people walking around, some posing for photographs while others marveled at the structure.. I left the Shore temple eager to explore more of Mahabalipuram and its hidden treasures.

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The other side of Goa

After visiting the most popular sights in Goa-  exploring Fort Aguada, strolling along the Anjuna Beach & the flea markets, going on a Dolphin cruise, and exploring Colva beach where I managed to let go of my fears and go para sailing, I was now eager to explore the other side to Goa- The Old Goa as it is called. Also known as Goa Velha ["Velha" in Portugese means Old], it is located on the banks of the River Mandovi  about 9 Kms Panaji, Goa's Capital.

Anjuna beach

Riding the bus to Panaji, I chatted up with the lady sitting beside me asking her if she knew anything about this part of Goa. She went on to tell me that the town was once a major Portuguese stronghold and before that was the capital of Bijaipur Kingdom as well. But apparently, most of the forts, weaponry, and traces of the era gone by have gone missing with time. Even though there has been a decline in heritage over centuries, the town is well maintained, inspite of the large influx of visitors year round. "You should explore the churches and temples there" she said before going on her way.

I got off in Panaji where the tour guide reccomended by a friend waited. He took over from where the lady had left off to shed more light on the history behind Old Goa. "The town was earlier surrounded by a fortified wall with barracks, a hospital and the prison. Europeans who ruled the region have left behind quite an impression apart from architectural marvels. I will show you some of the famous churches in this region for you to understand better."

 

Along the Mandovi River

Within minutes we were on a road flanked on either side by a Grand church. "On your right is the Basilica of Bom Jesus and across the road is the Se Cathedral. Why dont you go explore the Bom Jesus Basilica first?" he said before wandering off to chat with some friends.

Basilica of Bom Jesus is a Church marked as a World Heritage Site standing tall but without a towering cross on top. Apparently in its place was a Hindu temple which the portugese demolished to erect the church on.. And the cross they installed kept falling off due to natural calamities, till finally they realised something bigger was in power there and so the church stands tall without a Cross.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

The interiors are overwhelming, huge ceilings, beautiful art work.. its absolutely breathtaking. The church houses two chapels, a main altar, a sacristy and a belfry at the back. Apart from these, the church also has a rich collection of paintings related to various instances from the life of St. Francis Xavier.Altars dedicated to St. Michael and to Our Lady of Hope are also present.

The church houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa. St Francis Xavier is also known as "Goencho Saib" meaning "Lord of Goa". The saint died while on a sea voyage to China on December 2,1552. In accordance with his wishes , his remains were transferred to Goa the following year. Before I knew it, nearly an hour had passed. Making my way out onto the street to explore the Se Cathedral I noticed the guide lost in conversation.

Se Cathedral 

Inside Se Cathedral

The largest church in Old Goa, Se Cathedral is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. This Renaissance cathedral was designed in the 16th century and took nearly 80 years to complete. I noticed there was only one  bell tower, apparently the other collapsed way back in 1776 when it was struck by lightening  The interiors are filled with intricate detailing, the focal point is the 249 feet long central nave and a gilded high altar dedicated to St. Catherine.As you walk around , you will see the 15 additional altars inside the cathedral. What a beautiful building that was. I could have spent all day there, but I was thirsty for more...

I quickly made an exit towards our vehicle only to find the guide waiting there for me. "Shall we go? I have few more surprises to show you", he chirped! I wondered what could be more magical than these structures I had just visited...

This post was also submitted on Club Mahindra's Blog

Skywatch Friday... Morning breaks

I could hear a buzz near my head, but wasnt sure if i was dreaming or if it was for real.. It was getting quite annoying and after a few seconds, i came awake only to realise it was my Alarm ringing, rather buzzing.. i had put my phone in Vibrate mode and hence this kind of a wake up alarm!! The time blinked 5.45am... Damn, that was early, that too on Saturday... 

But i had a reason for wanting to rise that early! I wanted to catch a glimpse of the sunrise above the ocean... I was in Mahabalipuram, probably the 1st time i had decided to get away for the weekend with friends... 

Every morning
Is the birth
Of something new
 

As the sun rises

a new day 

is born

Giving us 

hopes

dreams and 

wishes to be fulfilled.. 

The morning sun

in all its glory

guides our lives

Quickly made a dash for the beach few 100 yards from our room and soaked in the calm serene almost stillness in the air.. At a distance, i could see the golden glow slowly creep into the sky amidst a few dark clouds... What a sight that was.... 

 The silver shimmering from the ocean shone so bright in that morning sky, it was a sight to be experienced and something that words dont do justice!! I was alone on that stretch of the beach, and felt so at peace with the world, and with myself... 

As the year draws to an end, this will be the last Skywatch post for 2011.... I wish you all a Very Happy New Year!!! Live it up, enjoy yourself and go for it!!

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Skywatch Friday... Blues all the way

Walking along the ocean, watching the sun rise or go down is the most perfect moment.. especially when travelling! The moment is when you are surrounded by none, and there is a sense of calm and peace in the air...

That was exactly how i felt when in Goa, as i walked along the shores of Baga Beach with people on boats and jetskis flying past....

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