tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75039422330074653142024-02-06T18:11:59.437-08:00My Travel Chronicle - Making beautiful memories around the world ...Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-11309446177882538852020-05-03T14:08:00.002-07:002020-05-04T06:26:45.290-07:00A day in Plitvice Lakes National park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The first time I saw Plitvice lakes in a picture was about 1.5 years before my trip to the national park in Spring 2019. The various shades of turquoise, blue and green were both stunning and calming at the same time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsP2MEhe8gDaJJkDZNL2c21ZcjkNkdb2jv2H2tL9cjLe-VdUxx3bqTsOFQ3LeYlE8pHoFWkht2eyk1BmN9bHAKJeu6EhKjV2r-2kO6-Y8TDQy4SzO9oY61F18F4Ipc29jZATi8ieCChk/s1600/IMG-3443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsP2MEhe8gDaJJkDZNL2c21ZcjkNkdb2jv2H2tL9cjLe-VdUxx3bqTsOFQ3LeYlE8pHoFWkht2eyk1BmN9bHAKJeu6EhKjV2r-2kO6-Y8TDQy4SzO9oY61F18F4Ipc29jZATi8ieCChk/s640/IMG-3443.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the midst of an enjoyable 20 degree balmy weather and spring showers, I vsiited Plitvice Lakes during late April. It was considered a shoulder season before the place starts getting busy during the summer months. Having said that, the time when we were visiting was also not a very quite period. However, getting to the park earlier before the large group tours from the nearby cities arrive and having some time in hand towards the evening gives an opportunity to be able to enjoy some quietude in the place.<br />
<br />
There are a few hotel options right at the entrance to the National park, we stayed at the Hotel Belleuve which is a 5-10 min. walk to one of the entrances of the park. This trip was part of our larger trip in Europe, we arrived at the park one late evening from Zagreb, Croatia after almost a 3 hour long bus ride. The walk to our hotel from the bus stop through the dimly (read no lights) path also was gladly a quick 10 min. one. I believe this was one of our best decision - to stay in a hotel right next to the National park especially when you do not have your own car/ private mode of transport. Frequency of public bus is very minimal and not the safest option to walk to far away homestays/ hotels in the dimly lit roads as there is no clear pedestrian walkways.<br />
<br />
We had 2 days planned at Plitvice lakes, and enjoyed being amidst natural surrounding the most. However, even one full day would be ideal for a relaxed hike around the Plitvice lake national park. On the second day we were only re-visiting some of our favourite places within the park and enjoying a leisure meal at the <span style="background-color: white;">only cafe which is at the entrance to the park. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtduTUPxEkF8yl_mL_XoNQZDId2rtmRpL75C99297WWWODa8ppRrSM92zX9nFeAcBBzRDjSGsEF-dwWDhh7Aem9a5twqOVLa_e1KAc5XbcSGUqEDuc1dhvdSYShzXZIrVKMS5019xSLaw/s1600/IMG-3519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtduTUPxEkF8yl_mL_XoNQZDId2rtmRpL75C99297WWWODa8ppRrSM92zX9nFeAcBBzRDjSGsEF-dwWDhh7Aem9a5twqOVLa_e1KAc5XbcSGUqEDuc1dhvdSYShzXZIrVKMS5019xSLaw/s640/IMG-3519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Plitvice Lakes is a beautiful turquoise, green maze - identified as UNESCO world heritage site for its natural formation of 16 lakes and 90+ waterfalls. Passing by each waterfall made my heart do a happy dance :)<br />
<br />
There are 7 hiking routes (A,B,C, E, F, H, K) with varying time taken between 2 to 8+ hours on these different routes. Some routes more harder than the other and to be used only with accompanying professionals who know the terrain well (those don't feature in the above 7). We chose Route K the longer route (18 km) which covers most areas of the park and is not the most commonly chose route by visitors. Most of these routes intersect each other at various points and also pass through the main waterfalls in the national park (Veliki Slap). There are sections of Route K (considering it is the longer route) which are not commonlz taken by most visitors of the park, while walking through one such section my friend spotted a creepy crawly at a distance, that was our last attempt in following through Route K as the route ahead was marshy and we were not quite certain if it was safe for us to proceed on a route less taken just from that one encounter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TrgYbscWPPusN49OLcbm4ppOQO97cCIX96EUUHaufFV0O_e8oq-Jk5-726pigyPiFMrrv1YIms54_NRGfk3UoDdFXaZhQnmz3_MJlpfl8Yf8j2bbKdVnIVYpzyRRjK3KMioLoZFAHoE/s1600/IMG-3388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TrgYbscWPPusN49OLcbm4ppOQO97cCIX96EUUHaufFV0O_e8oq-Jk5-726pigyPiFMrrv1YIms54_NRGfk3UoDdFXaZhQnmz3_MJlpfl8Yf8j2bbKdVnIVYpzyRRjK3KMioLoZFAHoE/s640/IMG-3388.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzh-pxSt-zf15dt9yP3qOVkQisADWmzQAchY3fcW3FSiyILE10fPx6brVm65RIZwPk1E0FVZBGTbkLp-jT08rWnyYG-wNhAl-FOuSbI2fyrr9xAGSHyninq457RfHYYlFivuIVge3Tdvw/s1600/IMG-3623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzh-pxSt-zf15dt9yP3qOVkQisADWmzQAchY3fcW3FSiyILE10fPx6brVm65RIZwPk1E0FVZBGTbkLp-jT08rWnyYG-wNhAl-FOuSbI2fyrr9xAGSHyninq457RfHYYlFivuIVge3Tdvw/s640/IMG-3623.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
At the end of the day all National parks including this one is home to different forms of wildlife, it is upon us to be sensible to our needs and sensitive to the creatures that calls this beautiful forest home. We walked back a few quick steps and decided on a slightlz shorter Route C which had more foot falls. Most of the walk around the National park were on neatly laid boardwalks and paved walkways along the coast of the lake.. It was surreal to say the least :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPHra5RXQaRuwb2gmzZnY2jX5Nc4U0_7iSVbT69ONfTg7vY_SgIM08p7JHIswjBLPRLkrZqJJYt0gKyXTYsoKw9OYZMh7mN9YS6b1JKy3wOpnCmmx82gbfHSirPUe_Asw9HjKsu9qmCI/s1600/IMG-3581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPHra5RXQaRuwb2gmzZnY2jX5Nc4U0_7iSVbT69ONfTg7vY_SgIM08p7JHIswjBLPRLkrZqJJYt0gKyXTYsoKw9OYZMh7mN9YS6b1JKy3wOpnCmmx82gbfHSirPUe_Asw9HjKsu9qmCI/s640/IMG-3581.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGuOEFwvPQyiaMyLyiRoxN_fojS0Nmohd4KNHx4eGgsdi_DB1bqkvtl95gbL2S9aqIbtDXZDZ9WhxAEmuuGxERyFyN_5rXwU488IDhTwNzBv6Q0Li4flVZvECXMk3rtzcOMoE8LoeiFk/s1600/IMG-3599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGuOEFwvPQyiaMyLyiRoxN_fojS0Nmohd4KNHx4eGgsdi_DB1bqkvtl95gbL2S9aqIbtDXZDZ9WhxAEmuuGxERyFyN_5rXwU488IDhTwNzBv6Q0Li4flVZvECXMk3rtzcOMoE8LoeiFk/s640/IMG-3599.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Route C also had an option for us to take a ferry across one of the lakes, it was a short but lovely experience. There could be queue to take the ferries across the lakes, we waited about 30 mins. before getting into a ferry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6jAxNpnaV-002nUpc-kMd05u9b0Z_SlhBmvHVLeTNrRsqraixN8lGv-nLR9y3kuyNxX4DIs9EIzNgyIrWjnGeezs8vfsvo5otiNZCsSX6einF0AAXbf3L-kXLUl1mI42iKF7dQ_44XM/s1600/IMG-3585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6jAxNpnaV-002nUpc-kMd05u9b0Z_SlhBmvHVLeTNrRsqraixN8lGv-nLR9y3kuyNxX4DIs9EIzNgyIrWjnGeezs8vfsvo5otiNZCsSX6einF0AAXbf3L-kXLUl1mI42iKF7dQ_44XM/s640/IMG-3585.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The gentle chill breeze and being amidst greenery an entire day made the experience a lot more beautiful. I am sure the experience in Summer would still be enjoyable given the dense trees and waterbodies all around. Given an option, I would still choose to visit late spring or during Autumn I believe it would be marvellous to exprience a fall foliage reflection in the lakes and be able to add countless fall leaves to my collection.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJUn-wOqlLZdT7JdDrfb7SaxuEf3rqJholWMW4qmnSwcbmcUJt2eoa4-8xUnYFqesmTaFmYGFBl0PNlkh58jttKuQY-poklPou56yIqz8GYjd7E7Rq36iJMG_cDhyphenhyphen3Qn3rzuVHjwvSlM/s1600/IMG-3658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJUn-wOqlLZdT7JdDrfb7SaxuEf3rqJholWMW4qmnSwcbmcUJt2eoa4-8xUnYFqesmTaFmYGFBl0PNlkh58jttKuQY-poklPou56yIqz8GYjd7E7Rq36iJMG_cDhyphenhyphen3Qn3rzuVHjwvSlM/s640/IMG-3658.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhypnsTzAThhzuJrCd9_nMgmC26PN7r9ZOh0nb-azXABErmc1ecGbJ100iRx2D18G41WbCSz7tgUmYKd8A7-unHtaIhKCIhN0-YeJ04dlALcwbFwxhbTAQj51WNjT3Q1bBO0bI2cBuOY/s1600/IMG-3669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhypnsTzAThhzuJrCd9_nMgmC26PN7r9ZOh0nb-azXABErmc1ecGbJ100iRx2D18G41WbCSz7tgUmYKd8A7-unHtaIhKCIhN0-YeJ04dlALcwbFwxhbTAQj51WNjT3Q1bBO0bI2cBuOY/s640/IMG-3669.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Resting our tired feet and celebrating hiking around the National park with a warm bowl of tomato soup and mildly flavoured tomato rice (the only vegetarian dish, in their liited menu).<br />
<br />
I have personally loved Nature therapy, walking in the woods or amidst nature has helped me reset my physical and emotional energy levels to a new high - not just once but at every instance I invest time in doing it. Though my feet needed some rest after the 7-8 hours of walk in Plitvice lakes, I felt completley rejuvenated with a sense of peace.<br />
<br />
Shinrin Yoku is a japanese term that defines Forest bathing and its benefits. It is a practice that promotes walking in a forest as a way to improve overall health. Because, sometimes Nature is all you need...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-90113131419390508022020-04-23T13:23:00.001-07:002020-04-23T13:23:36.646-07:00Spring in Zurich<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Spring spells hope, positivity, new beginnings and all things beautiful :) Possibly also the reason for me to reconnect with my passion for blogging.<br />
<br />
I am loving the t-shirt weather - warm, balmy 20+ degree days, and the extra time in hand due to the lockdown, which helps me explore nature walks in and around Zürich city. It also is my first spring in the city, since I moved here in Autumn 2019 making me all the more thrilled to experience so much natural beauty, yet so close to the city.<br />
<br />
In this post I will be listing all my favourite things to do in Spring, following it with seperate posts to share experiences from this list that I have enjoyed. Below is my Spring wishlist in Zurich, also listing some of the activities I recommend from my personal experience.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5GgCeh-G8_9hpoNmjqikCq7uXt6IT-AnKPf4So7Xug2Ep2TTsJWybzGgrJNSjwtsQcK8US-0wesoAkalkLZ7HP7J_4Jziuc9uCqZiXCbbbTccT4ZJjv6vxQLi25WIYBdTY0VcCEy9DU/s1600/IMG_6673.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5GgCeh-G8_9hpoNmjqikCq7uXt6IT-AnKPf4So7Xug2Ep2TTsJWybzGgrJNSjwtsQcK8US-0wesoAkalkLZ7HP7J_4Jziuc9uCqZiXCbbbTccT4ZJjv6vxQLi25WIYBdTY0VcCEy9DU/s1600/IMG_6673.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
1. Have a picnic by Lake Zurich. Alone, with your family or as a group of friends - picnic is always a good idea. Do not forget your grill.<br />
<br />
2. Everyday walks/ jogs/ cycling/ roller skating to get out of the winter slumber and the weather is just so perfect with a welcoming carpet of dandelions and colorful blossoms.<br />
<br />
3. Wish on a Dandelion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVArzIDm31YnMdANpWnV1Z5Fx2l9xODf0VlECwfBJ9c7btY-SIT-5Cu-OkPuOXC654_C-eDk_SufmxqF59z5comESl39QGOkuJJPn_TvOmm72Vq2-e_JEWe6UjciqmMUzH9_Do89xCrNQ/s1600/IMG_6771.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVArzIDm31YnMdANpWnV1Z5Fx2l9xODf0VlECwfBJ9c7btY-SIT-5Cu-OkPuOXC654_C-eDk_SufmxqF59z5comESl39QGOkuJJPn_TvOmm72Vq2-e_JEWe6UjciqmMUzH9_Do89xCrNQ/s1600/IMG_6771.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
4. Nature walks and hiking. My favourite part living in Zurich is the abundance of nature around the city, and the cantons surrounding Zurich irrespective of where you live. 10 min. walk from my home, I can choose to walk into woods or farms with pristine mountain backdrops which makes me very grateful with our house selection.<br />
<br />
5. Plant seeds and make your own home garden.<br />
<br />
6. Pick wild flowers/ wear flowers in your hair/ make a flower boquet or garland<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHTBWhWED62yCnxkBd8qLPxZ8Kf4JP4ATJPkndqcJNh_VplGUNDV3uez6QSbrWRBIzhgKcq_YJgKuzNcynt-0UBSqKh2jyFMKZdL2yrerOwYIdXe2CTouR-cqxiwrax6Tu4Tm6FKKe1Q/s1600/IMG_6802.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHTBWhWED62yCnxkBd8qLPxZ8Kf4JP4ATJPkndqcJNh_VplGUNDV3uez6QSbrWRBIzhgKcq_YJgKuzNcynt-0UBSqKh2jyFMKZdL2yrerOwYIdXe2CTouR-cqxiwrax6Tu4Tm6FKKe1Q/s1600/IMG_6802.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
7. Watch sunrise, sunsets and the big moon rise in April.<br />
<br />
8. Make a bird feeder<br />
<br />
9. Read a book in the sunshine (from the outdoor benches near the lake to your own balcony, there are umpteen options).<br />
<br />
10. Walk on the grass barefoot, to dip feet in a running stream or lake (I am still not comfortable with swimming in the lake which is so common in Zurich and most of Switzerland during warm weather).<br />
<br />
(This list I am certain is to grow much longer with simple, seasonal activities). What are your favourite spring activities?<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-48698740829259022012016-10-04T16:51:00.000-07:002016-10-04T16:51:27.048-07:00Beautiful Walkways #1 - Regent Canal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Pathways in varied hues of green, boats
cruising the duckweed laden canal, warmth of the sunshine and the oozing charm
of the people enjoying their daily jog/ walk. </span>It is a kind of London I have
never seen before, and I am totally smitten by the laid back aura of this part
of the city leading to Little Venice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXomyLbvz_hzTHCBzd3-cy82I3pn36i2L-PsUgPGQcx71rGfY9HoZrnbsNdum4NcTNzjqDgvs9JVlBCQCtVWEQdmzQBUe6ryQ3Z0LejNFZ_PpdN-lx8leWoE910YlT27vS5TkwG8zZb0/s1600/IMG_5386%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXomyLbvz_hzTHCBzd3-cy82I3pn36i2L-PsUgPGQcx71rGfY9HoZrnbsNdum4NcTNzjqDgvs9JVlBCQCtVWEQdmzQBUe6ryQ3Z0LejNFZ_PpdN-lx8leWoE910YlT27vS5TkwG8zZb0/s640/IMG_5386%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It’s this walkway that brought in me
the thought of finding many more such ones in the city of London and around the
world ... And the idea of introducing the ‘Beautiful walkway’ series in this
blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRAXqpuNTGqN4U5xpHRMnX4SXelC6z26X_L_Sma3nkXXN2XdXh0pAAL5whYa_osXSkiUBG1BCb1PSYLWIC2nO2i2Z6R8aDbVlm3oCTydP5ltxKyXqYLMzNXiZZBAIdS0nMPEOcfcPxZA/s1600/IMG_5662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRAXqpuNTGqN4U5xpHRMnX4SXelC6z26X_L_Sma3nkXXN2XdXh0pAAL5whYa_osXSkiUBG1BCb1PSYLWIC2nO2i2Z6R8aDbVlm3oCTydP5ltxKyXqYLMzNXiZZBAIdS0nMPEOcfcPxZA/s640/IMG_5662.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjon9GTh7M6kyJjNU_LeL5CexBBxJriMwmkyH89W_3rcDYU1aDDdYPPkjaQamJWfxVznlmvamzWS306h9EgTpiyi_JHRSR0c94mEUp0hgR6ERnRyug0q1XJA5YGDY3xo2BxOGXFUj7M4MI/s1600/IMG_5681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjon9GTh7M6kyJjNU_LeL5CexBBxJriMwmkyH89W_3rcDYU1aDDdYPPkjaQamJWfxVznlmvamzWS306h9EgTpiyi_JHRSR0c94mEUp0hgR6ERnRyug0q1XJA5YGDY3xo2BxOGXFUj7M4MI/s640/IMG_5681.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="goog_1077652652"></span><span id="goog_1077652653"></span><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of my favourite forms of exercise
outdoors is walk/jog and the best way to get me to do it is the walking route
itself, and I love finding these in every city I call home (be it a short stay
of few weeks or the ones where I have lived most part of my life)…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of the many to come in
this series, I discovered this walkway along Reagent’s canal when on a lazy
Sunday afternoon while returning from my first visit to Primrose hill. With
time in hand and no one waiting for my arrival I decided to walk to Little
Venice which was about 30 min. walk from Primrose hill, that’s when I chanced
upon this serene walkway… Quaint, charming and oh so green! Just the kind of
place that will make you feel at peace with oneself despite all the worries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z1Kp96QOVo0-qFtdAiAktRCLIR-gcdHU1r8eLMDr7Neq25cHAYNwwsKf5DXvBnJm-UcUjuDYlp7XTu2nRlsPDQPHDLQaIYg6sHx8kgOdJpXO5INaFSsvbfl_qsjbvjhtaKZ_eW8f32g/s1600/IMG_5397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z1Kp96QOVo0-qFtdAiAktRCLIR-gcdHU1r8eLMDr7Neq25cHAYNwwsKf5DXvBnJm-UcUjuDYlp7XTu2nRlsPDQPHDLQaIYg6sHx8kgOdJpXO5INaFSsvbfl_qsjbvjhtaKZ_eW8f32g/s640/IMG_5397.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ideal for walking/
jogging and cycling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Which is your most
favourite walkway in London/ the place of your choice.</span><b style="font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-36283012888577983892016-05-18T10:28:00.001-07:002016-05-20T00:32:59.568-07:00S.E.N.T.O.S.A.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
An island off the mainland Singapore, with every bit of it that spells fun and adventure!<br />
<br />
This wasn't my first time to Sentosa. I had been there once during a family vacation to Singapore almost 8 years ago. Looking back at my experience then and now, every attraction in this man made fun zone is a new one except for may be the siloso beach.<br />
<br />
Unlike my previous visit, this time I was all by myself with a day fun adult pass that costs about $70+ offering upto 20 must try attractions in the island and they all seemed a lot of fun.<br />
<br />
It was a pleasant day in comparison to the usual tropical weather in Singapore and I was in my self splurge mode being able to spend all the time in hand on the doing the stuff I really enjoy. It had been this way for close to three weeks now (except for my time at work) and another month or so to go as I was on a 2 month long work trip to Singapore.<br />
<br />
Sentosa Merlion, Cable car and a bicycle ride later while I was looking for the route to my next attraction in the list I came across another chap who was equally lost as me and the best thought was that we decided to experience the remaining attractions together (then, with the only thought was to be able to have each other's pictures clicked at ease and not having to look for someone to photograph you everytime - especially in places like the trick eye museum). But, it turned out that our friendship started at Sentosa. I have heard Solo travel acquaints one with locals, people who enjoy similar interest as you but this happened to be my first encounter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_jkA8pWAXNLitkbO9nGQJOqf01xKnj_v3oWjRun10_S9qViCej8UqiVPVNcvhoOdy8a-1ivz1-1SitcApkoi8UghIDzuezkJtoJMemvHoa5jEW0Fb2fElCRZ73VrWo1Nq0MGxv7shPM/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_jkA8pWAXNLitkbO9nGQJOqf01xKnj_v3oWjRun10_S9qViCej8UqiVPVNcvhoOdy8a-1ivz1-1SitcApkoi8UghIDzuezkJtoJMemvHoa5jEW0Fb2fElCRZ73VrWo1Nq0MGxv7shPM/s640/DSC_0215.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I spent the rest of my day getting entertained at the 4D theatres (Desparados in 4D was amazing), SEA aquarium, Trick eye museum, Segway ride, Butterfly park, Sky tower to get a view of Singapore and the neighbouring islands, Madame Tussauds and water activities by the beach.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8eKZ_WAWkGrQzPS-ga-CIhQdlwcPAofVKHRrB_2bG-a0MeTaOdnLjKcsa6e5FtXEiSelGndNs0sEJDdY7CnXPG_LLx2q-AT97M9D-JTn4URBFHg5FmsC4wUvRsgPwOlEO84lsgyTVCk/s1600/DSC_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8eKZ_WAWkGrQzPS-ga-CIhQdlwcPAofVKHRrB_2bG-a0MeTaOdnLjKcsa6e5FtXEiSelGndNs0sEJDdY7CnXPG_LLx2q-AT97M9D-JTn4URBFHg5FmsC4wUvRsgPwOlEO84lsgyTVCk/s1600/DSC_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8eKZ_WAWkGrQzPS-ga-CIhQdlwcPAofVKHRrB_2bG-a0MeTaOdnLjKcsa6e5FtXEiSelGndNs0sEJDdY7CnXPG_LLx2q-AT97M9D-JTn4URBFHg5FmsC4wUvRsgPwOlEO84lsgyTVCk/s400/DSC_0273.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfGzIgW4hj-RLCXWR4UcYgRKMXjcrgGW2l16RT8k0nYm9remxDD4EkLpqDPf-njoINWnZDmjTjGtNRXp_94SC7LsJH-F3gaHt3f8b_qFti5ICnMO3ta37jlIjhx7oB4Ded0mBohs1Ne8/s1600/DSC_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfGzIgW4hj-RLCXWR4UcYgRKMXjcrgGW2l16RT8k0nYm9remxDD4EkLpqDPf-njoINWnZDmjTjGtNRXp_94SC7LsJH-F3gaHt3f8b_qFti5ICnMO3ta37jlIjhx7oB4Ded0mBohs1Ne8/s400/DSC_0359.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trick eye museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvaj3qhnBD7vDIVpCSq1qCPogODwbUUOge0sWr6HL_0S05NB1LSn6vF1oJciY1caOiB5qSBjODU64BMFGDO-78K3YXlGAQp3JQ6xe07OwTQtGsBTaQ5NlTpjBB9gFt86k2ME1yAHFluk/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvaj3qhnBD7vDIVpCSq1qCPogODwbUUOge0sWr6HL_0S05NB1LSn6vF1oJciY1caOiB5qSBjODU64BMFGDO-78K3YXlGAQp3JQ6xe07OwTQtGsBTaQ5NlTpjBB9gFt86k2ME1yAHFluk/s640/DSC_0305.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr6r7m8sadGmR9J2s2GPnArxLeDEEn9b07ckHencDdp1tDUs8AM_3d3tjb0qzXd4Xf3FWNiGPVOVXkbBdrtRLRyvhTqynb6yDxHR1aAKK_9I4hvAorgyMAlGo_VNSQN9q1S4qndoO0iQ/s1600/DSC_0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr6r7m8sadGmR9J2s2GPnArxLeDEEn9b07ckHencDdp1tDUs8AM_3d3tjb0qzXd4Xf3FWNiGPVOVXkbBdrtRLRyvhTqynb6yDxHR1aAKK_9I4hvAorgyMAlGo_VNSQN9q1S4qndoO0iQ/s640/DSC_0321.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Sentosa's range of fun filled activities can leave every visitor smiling at the end of their visit. In my case, I just happened to be wanting for more and the very next month, this time to Universal Studios with a bunch of friends.<br />
<br />
Like the case it has always been, my favourite amongst the whole bunch of activities and entertainment was the light and water show - Wings of Time. Splendid ! I also enjoyed my time at the trick eye museum, it is one of a kind and also my first ever segway ride.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf4WyVOizMl5HaDnOjts2XLSYyAf-9rws2p_MFnKjAilUdePTqCY0s4IsZz-fyskXOky6q_kQECdkpo2iqyh83oPUvQmhTV9gZT73CV7LkK54W7B5z2BvE-c13Nb7nTqA9k1AS-6vl08/s1600/DSC_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf4WyVOizMl5HaDnOjts2XLSYyAf-9rws2p_MFnKjAilUdePTqCY0s4IsZz-fyskXOky6q_kQECdkpo2iqyh83oPUvQmhTV9gZT73CV7LkK54W7B5z2BvE-c13Nb7nTqA9k1AS-6vl08/s640/DSC_0307.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><i>On my next trip to Sentosa, I will look forward to exploring more of Resorts world. What has been your favourite getaway from Singapore for a day/ weekend trip?</i><br />
<br /></div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-71241508250188041372016-04-30T10:30:00.001-07:002016-04-30T10:30:19.795-07:00My evenings in Singapore were never the same ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The city has numerous things to do on any regular day. So every evening after work I was left with variety of options (dining, shopping, watching a live show, take a stroll around the locality or generally people watch or visit a touristy place). And in each of the said options there were always a bunch of favourites to choose from.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In my first week in the city, I spent most of my available time visiting the popular places and looking out for places in my locality where I can spend time after work in the coming days without having to travel much.<br />
<br />
My first touristy stop over was at the Promenade, to take a look at the city's two very prominent landmarks - Merlion park and The Marina Sands Bay, that spells the Island nation's skyline. It is one of nicer places in the city to take an evening walk along the river (my love for cities with river continue).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcpZuaO47ZMZ1P57XHT0-ua_tyn0NuO_K9Je2crkIwRaQzo0t_tMmKe1bmqBcXBGcaVFKpcG1F-6sAMMGem0Hfd_xR2P9hIsJ7nCsgDi6jPaVc03x7ZeG3lnGconLqvqPYouh-G6RKQg/s1600/Promenade_ipad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcpZuaO47ZMZ1P57XHT0-ua_tyn0NuO_K9Je2crkIwRaQzo0t_tMmKe1bmqBcXBGcaVFKpcG1F-6sAMMGem0Hfd_xR2P9hIsJ7nCsgDi6jPaVc03x7ZeG3lnGconLqvqPYouh-G6RKQg/s640/Promenade_ipad.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Around Esplanade is Theatres by the bay, home to variety of cultural events in the city. I got a chance to witness a fun musical evening by the Jeep Band on one Friday evening during an evening walk in the open air amphitheatre with the backdrop of the Singapore river and the central business district on a Friday evening during one of my evening walks. The city is as serious about its entertainment as much as it is about cleanliness, work and other serious stuff.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhjqKKHhXAQNOxycuN1dp7l7EZMhs5yxsAWKH5eWX6JGbVmxvP_wIH10PHSsLryReMS8zLPGNWV1Fb-SH5w6I_VRs2ybwDuEyXREkcxdE_zxwpsJShtaQs3REDJ343PohQc7WUOTU5zQ/s1600/DSC_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhjqKKHhXAQNOxycuN1dp7l7EZMhs5yxsAWKH5eWX6JGbVmxvP_wIH10PHSsLryReMS8zLPGNWV1Fb-SH5w6I_VRs2ybwDuEyXREkcxdE_zxwpsJShtaQs3REDJ343PohQc7WUOTU5zQ/s640/DSC_0205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I also got introduced to a live circus performance of the Totem show by the world famous Cirque du Soleil circus group in the grounds of Marina Bay Sands. It was an almost 2 hour long show and I was hooked.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-jK4vgXoXvNMnFW8bCapv_6q7bkM-tKbVUDzMzB-qn0LXywJuwRYnN5Njo9vJd_rjaDW1eGeL5a3qDfPhLGQdc8rGPxAtLYs937TO7maNRBYBOxNCCbqTdmbuSUPcqa1M2cyGYa0Ag8/s1600/cirque_fromgoogle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-jK4vgXoXvNMnFW8bCapv_6q7bkM-tKbVUDzMzB-qn0LXywJuwRYnN5Njo9vJd_rjaDW1eGeL5a3qDfPhLGQdc8rGPxAtLYs937TO7maNRBYBOxNCCbqTdmbuSUPcqa1M2cyGYa0Ag8/s640/cirque_fromgoogle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Image: from Google<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
In addition to the city's promising cultural experiences are its own unique experiences that I feel every visitor should plan to experience.. Of the many such experiences, few of my favourites were shopping in Orchard street and Marina Bay Sands or at the least people watch and enjoy some local food, temple visits and Indian food from little India and walk down China town to immerse in some art and architecture that is unique to the place and its people..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1gMNHEH6_-qZTgjTO5a8rcXp42H7bXhIPSs3O0yCrLxjD9VB3wcKI3dDpHR3GCSnVIwa2gCRrdIzsn7CNsvianQS7jLjHzCHVBEXNrGXYtmLlewUXOltgn-hI8Z03LKIvFeH3LG6wDw/s640/blogger-image--214487603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1gMNHEH6_-qZTgjTO5a8rcXp42H7bXhIPSs3O0yCrLxjD9VB3wcKI3dDpHR3GCSnVIwa2gCRrdIzsn7CNsvianQS7jLjHzCHVBEXNrGXYtmLlewUXOltgn-hI8Z03LKIvFeH3LG6wDw/s640/blogger-image--214487603.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFwl6F8FY98nKKotTGB5ss-WYCY_q6HrLYHr9ZT0Z8IjOmA006kIv_X3i-Zy15gZh3caCzBhSsxtdqJtMsETarKt0_SwPi9O2h3R0n5vHPyEpJ4Ov4gqolEwLMvEBEuSOFmjuBnJL5ng/s640/blogger-image--1279194418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFwl6F8FY98nKKotTGB5ss-WYCY_q6HrLYHr9ZT0Z8IjOmA006kIv_X3i-Zy15gZh3caCzBhSsxtdqJtMsETarKt0_SwPi9O2h3R0n5vHPyEpJ4Ov4gqolEwLMvEBEuSOFmjuBnJL5ng/s640/blogger-image--1279194418.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Travelling alone, experiencing a new place was a little weird to start with, but with time (in not more than an hour) I actually started experiencing my favourite things at my own pace.<br />
<br />
Travelling alone also gave me a chance to interact with fellow travellers / locals much more than I would otherwise when travelling with my group of friends or family. I made new friends, explored places that are a favourite with locals and most importantly felt a lot more confident of living by myself in a new place :)<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-42767905717101143572016-01-24T18:36:00.003-08:002016-01-24T18:54:00.316-08:00My Singapore sojourn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Singapore makes me nostalgic with memories I have from my first family trip abroad 8 years ago, which also paved for me to start this travel blog. In all these years one thing that remains unchanged for me, is the way people, place and food inspire and my love to share them here ...<br />
<br />
My work takes me across the globe, which I am very thankful for :) and the one thing I have realised in my past few trips is that I have a thing for cities with rivers running through them as I feel the river adds a lot more charm to the ever rising concrete, steel and glass structures.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJtADPUy__c/VmIjeiZNj3I/AAAAAAAAHQw/Vy4L_ZV9ya8/s1600/2015-12-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJtADPUy__c/VmIjeiZNj3I/AAAAAAAAHQw/Vy4L_ZV9ya8/s640/2015-12-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clarke Quay by the day - during my morning walk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9TEMSZCXAY/VmIqlEVHs1I/AAAAAAAAHRg/IygM4eltgpE/s1600/2015-12-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9TEMSZCXAY/VmIqlEVHs1I/AAAAAAAAHRg/IygM4eltgpE/s640/2015-12-04.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful windows by Clarke Quay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A performance by the water front is a lot more relaxing ... Here is one by the jeep band on a Friday evening by the Esplanade.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEuKGa_xexBbXoNUFOfYQ_JrYyn1HWbbkXE8rP34mTL2x5hFFFfgVy5rKI0tANIPVoPmmFmeYFt2cOzSbe26iLY8GkQM97K2VucEL8TbHyvw1CIu-JbTqP57mnnKr5GHjV4S8jqQ3gDk/s640/blogger-image-781516132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEuKGa_xexBbXoNUFOfYQ_JrYyn1HWbbkXE8rP34mTL2x5hFFFfgVy5rKI0tANIPVoPmmFmeYFt2cOzSbe26iLY8GkQM97K2VucEL8TbHyvw1CIu-JbTqP57mnnKr5GHjV4S8jqQ3gDk/s640/blogger-image-781516132.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And my all time favourite city skyline click by the river.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhN59Wrq7wHX_fKPtY9pxTpCtil3MmLDf9aj0RNHIvZa0gr1OIbB6su7jIXjIPSkyceH5nNJTQBhVqeLYWWxg_jctkPtbVmONFgIDLifvMfmdW97UFYAeC5-lFiMm3VsZnHmfkdlbQrM/s1600/DSC_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhN59Wrq7wHX_fKPtY9pxTpCtil3MmLDf9aj0RNHIvZa0gr1OIbB6su7jIXjIPSkyceH5nNJTQBhVqeLYWWxg_jctkPtbVmONFgIDLifvMfmdW97UFYAeC5-lFiMm3VsZnHmfkdlbQrM/s640/DSC_0520.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And the many times I dined alfresco by the river by myself or with friends which make time standstill. I for some reason did not take the river taxi in the Singapore river, will probably keep it for my next visit.<br />
<br />
Do you enjoy cities with rivers too ?? Would love to hear your experience.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-58828749044260894972015-06-08T05:02:00.000-07:002015-06-08T05:02:01.179-07:00Making beautiful memories around the world ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am happy to be back here to share my experiences and adventures from my past year - the thought of which will bring about a huge smile on my face and fond memories with some of the best people that I will always cherish.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_90c0oSrUZs_dWHmpNdYpe_092tD6WFdQHArG9YJ60RTH1-KFVlImkWjNd_cWvy2Aplq4pAKnVDi4RMtbnZR_i4ul41JcuYe_oFFvaJqbsJKmeIURdkaCb1VIqkyC9G5WRsGfwK2lI-M/s1600/429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_90c0oSrUZs_dWHmpNdYpe_092tD6WFdQHArG9YJ60RTH1-KFVlImkWjNd_cWvy2Aplq4pAKnVDi4RMtbnZR_i4ul41JcuYe_oFFvaJqbsJKmeIURdkaCb1VIqkyC9G5WRsGfwK2lI-M/s400/429.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOQx0DgG1lInOrtRD2hqi8U_vEp1pUeyoAqKDAXTDREuH0CbyWvGuJl05KuIAW8EWJv_XUk0egCnQ2YAi_98-DTZ91ZmQjoLZgAI9sG2aXjlfFNzJJ0Nn15WvEH8l_xttmcgLpqQ5XLg/s1600/DSC_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOQx0DgG1lInOrtRD2hqi8U_vEp1pUeyoAqKDAXTDREuH0CbyWvGuJl05KuIAW8EWJv_XUk0egCnQ2YAi_98-DTZ91ZmQjoLZgAI9sG2aXjlfFNzJJ0Nn15WvEH8l_xttmcgLpqQ5XLg/s400/DSC_0426.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9Vn8v4j8pKR7McKMj0OsWShyphenhyphenQT8KHJiA_LkdCYioJDC1cHXq4mBwzBCFp2eb94CcEzcRZUQPoS4ZIcV61JPYdLHUUUe71SOQNX_J7o20msscMsp29Xp6oBBbGbyOH2tTnxjSWdjT_Pc/s1600/DSC_0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9Vn8v4j8pKR7McKMj0OsWShyphenhyphenQT8KHJiA_LkdCYioJDC1cHXq4mBwzBCFp2eb94CcEzcRZUQPoS4ZIcV61JPYdLHUUUe71SOQNX_J7o20msscMsp29Xp6oBBbGbyOH2tTnxjSWdjT_Pc/s400/DSC_0430.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTLNw1WHcAdzr3mXT4kufziZD6FL3zMg7yd9SNshkbYCa5TxN_miB_PeIVw0CP6rJk9ObjkcF4U3cRmnv0T65ahj4ICV0EG_ePTi8dhsQw4N1oxfGwqcbgb3Lv0_uUoUodhOclwfFJAI/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTLNw1WHcAdzr3mXT4kufziZD6FL3zMg7yd9SNshkbYCa5TxN_miB_PeIVw0CP6rJk9ObjkcF4U3cRmnv0T65ahj4ICV0EG_ePTi8dhsQw4N1oxfGwqcbgb3Lv0_uUoUodhOclwfFJAI/s400/DSC_0039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I was just super busy, making beautiful memories around the world with some of my best people :) :)<br />
<br />
Look forward to travel stories from across seas, atop mountains, a midst frozen lake and buzzing cities. </div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-64142605813506367172014-09-29T18:44:00.003-07:002014-09-29T18:46:40.068-07:00Market Walk #1 - Food Street - Camden Town<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wherever I go, my love for good food follows </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good company, good food, easy on the wallet shopping, an
evening boat ride on river Thames summarized my start to the weekend.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On a Saturday early noon, we headed out to Camden Market
about a 20 min tube ride from Canary Wharf - where we stay. Camden has been the
centre of alternative culture in London be it punk, Goth or hippie and you can
see oodles of it as you walk through the Camden market place. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc3OzRq7kAlkP5XgyUShVTmyxldS4jVhjG4llhpa5wQqHzI8DLLQMKGiJLQDhPQ3iq-3gQj3PGZFKbHoBgjYzQeL9Cu53eTALKXLss62UHMdBwNdFTerc-gKJd6IFy9doFL8jWlo4_4s/s1600/DSC_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc3OzRq7kAlkP5XgyUShVTmyxldS4jVhjG4llhpa5wQqHzI8DLLQMKGiJLQDhPQ3iq-3gQj3PGZFKbHoBgjYzQeL9Cu53eTALKXLss62UHMdBwNdFTerc-gKJd6IFy9doFL8jWlo4_4s/s1600/DSC_0897.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But what interested me most was the variety of food from
around the globe, whole lot of food stuff that I love ranging from Tex mex
food, Oriental, Indian, Mediteranean and much much more...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh! Did I forget mentioning about the fun filled street
performances that you will always walk past while you are at Camden. This place
is full of life!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our first stop over was at Tex Mex outlet that servers one
of the best food at Camden market, we gorged into some yummy Enchilladas and Buritos
filled with vegetables and beans flavoured with not so spicy sauces *slurp*,
followed by Pizza, icecream, lemoanade, Donuts, waffle dressed with chocolate,
strawberry and cream ..(creating this post makes me want to visit Camden yet
again) . It has been 3 weeks in London till now and I have visited Camden
market for its food twice already.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPbveO9elRR9W73qVz2oqJJjrtNiToaGg9yIAQLpKpPl3h0sxh__5pURP6b3W0PNgi9LbFFeae2SRmq6LpawgTDTS88Bqez9bwPPT0RafYCSOJzgBUvd-rN8o640_aZzlnr8XfT8goIw/s1600/DSC_0911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPbveO9elRR9W73qVz2oqJJjrtNiToaGg9yIAQLpKpPl3h0sxh__5pURP6b3W0PNgi9LbFFeae2SRmq6LpawgTDTS88Bqez9bwPPT0RafYCSOJzgBUvd-rN8o640_aZzlnr8XfT8goIw/s1600/DSC_0911.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nKOTVXJdTyJmtS6u9Bwrp2csU5tYZMjdTZcgaGbBc5jGVFBZkEmPZfAOeosc2hGWFXPL5vI7aR3HZlU53XfdZPm_QxqudcOMwJRaoEHEED85be1Znf8boIecv_YzMSZlD9finQDsuC8/s1600/DSC_0912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nKOTVXJdTyJmtS6u9Bwrp2csU5tYZMjdTZcgaGbBc5jGVFBZkEmPZfAOeosc2hGWFXPL5vI7aR3HZlU53XfdZPm_QxqudcOMwJRaoEHEED85be1Znf8boIecv_YzMSZlD9finQDsuC8/s1600/DSC_0912.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZNY_Y2m6OaLotBIXzsiWVuf6cuescuhF8prNpHSuv5iD_EKXmm98ICcGT5yTSlgrN7CyqV8V_Xe23BJLDi7JWEsGDPmGS6P1FghdmfTFDOZnamDIEeapjO71zYZllRmytkMpf1uk8Os/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZNY_Y2m6OaLotBIXzsiWVuf6cuescuhF8prNpHSuv5iD_EKXmm98ICcGT5yTSlgrN7CyqV8V_Xe23BJLDi7JWEsGDPmGS6P1FghdmfTFDOZnamDIEeapjO71zYZllRmytkMpf1uk8Os/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-_IvC74ygXhsjbf8Afntryb34dG4Bzse45ZylP4razPqNyqhDnyUhCuFJugPIoiKEx1NOlF1wwanKKffUs-xNNF-EpK9DB85IBvo5bqeVccGdEnXboUedjwWpp1B_MqLov7UwX_XEA0/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-_IvC74ygXhsjbf8Afntryb34dG4Bzse45ZylP4razPqNyqhDnyUhCuFJugPIoiKEx1NOlF1wwanKKffUs-xNNF-EpK9DB85IBvo5bqeVccGdEnXboUedjwWpp1B_MqLov7UwX_XEA0/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eCGLlCZhzjU-i6CinWA3CfVQPHqZp18Gu8MkrS_vr4ZgAjhh7xr45OcbmJeBHJwp9R-SRP_EHohZ_n__RvW6MMx6IIn1VT3GVgof8EgTjDzssJ3ZWuuPSvX_-YzTNcpyOJoXQL1OV3g/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eCGLlCZhzjU-i6CinWA3CfVQPHqZp18Gu8MkrS_vr4ZgAjhh7xr45OcbmJeBHJwp9R-SRP_EHohZ_n__RvW6MMx6IIn1VT3GVgof8EgTjDzssJ3ZWuuPSvX_-YzTNcpyOJoXQL1OV3g/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In between the food marathon, we checked out the quaint
shops that line up the market selling quirky souvenieurs, t-shirts printed with
the pictures of ‘places London is famous for’ (I especially loved these ones),
goth styled dresses, goth styled make over studio (which seemed quite
interesting but none of us were in a mood for it).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After all the shopping around and eating we quenched out
thirst with a glass of chill freshly squeezed orange juice </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Now you know, why I
really love this place ?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SwrHl_zt5LWEs89Hew46dxLCT9-DjvY1XzE30IX7dCLel7y9wWL0_PF-ChXqVwY-EIWvmWwf6USd5mxKRKwCi7pxzxMptlI1DOoUIWTcs9T36D-BH_rHTkVDA_JO86AGVMngDz-kms4/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SwrHl_zt5LWEs89Hew46dxLCT9-DjvY1XzE30IX7dCLel7y9wWL0_PF-ChXqVwY-EIWvmWwf6USd5mxKRKwCi7pxzxMptlI1DOoUIWTcs9T36D-BH_rHTkVDA_JO86AGVMngDz-kms4/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite stall in the whole of Camden market - Fresh and Refreshing !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">L</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ondon has many
interesting markets, each with a speciality of its own. I have decided on
starting a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Market Walk series</b> in my
travel blog to experience the flavours and culture of various markets from
around the world. You just read my first post in the Market Walk series.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me know your
favourite market in London / Europe ?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eCGLlCZhzjU-i6CinWA3CfVQPHqZp18Gu8MkrS_vr4ZgAjhh7xr45OcbmJeBHJwp9R-SRP_EHohZ_n__RvW6MMx6IIn1VT3GVgof8EgTjDzssJ3ZWuuPSvX_-YzTNcpyOJoXQL1OV3g/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 546px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 2994px;" width="96" /></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-5DZgfRjeWnQ%2FVCoGY9pbJaI%2FAAAAAAAAGKw%2FL8jYTd0tdiU%2Fs1600%2FIMG_0022.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eCGLlCZhzjU-i6CinWA3CfVQPHqZp18Gu8MkrS_vr4ZgAjhh7xr45OcbmJeBHJwp9R-SRP_EHohZ_n__RvW6MMx6IIn1VT3GVgof8EgTjDzssJ3ZWuuPSvX_-YzTNcpyOJoXQL1OV3g/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" -->Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-47226924506905453892014-09-13T08:52:00.000-07:002014-09-13T08:52:04.197-07:00Namaste London !<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy weekend from London! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It has been a while since I
updated my travelogue, the moving around, settling down and all other things
that come with moving into a new city has kept me busy the last few weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Travelling to a big city and visiting all touristy places is
very different from living in one. For many years now, I have been looking for
an opportunity to live by myself for atleast a month or two in a new place
where I have never been to before and my wishes came true when I was got
seconded to the UK three weeks back by my employer. London is going to be my
home for the next 6 months and I am gladly looking forward to it.</span> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KM8J-cSzn-7DlHErbmdR4CzShr9cNxaKc-PricdV6UEdlQb22AxezmamFvQ5sDQWbMQaeXZ4XAJlX1cdNh1yKU7tlQljsfvvSGrCA5fJ7Mnc4nqwlooZtQpQARuAFg4QGUnVAiPrj3g/s1600/DSC_1234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KM8J-cSzn-7DlHErbmdR4CzShr9cNxaKc-PricdV6UEdlQb22AxezmamFvQ5sDQWbMQaeXZ4XAJlX1cdNh1yKU7tlQljsfvvSGrCA5fJ7Mnc4nqwlooZtQpQARuAFg4QGUnVAiPrj3g/s1600/DSC_1234.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The very next day I landed here, I got my Oyster pass made which will help me travel the length and breadth of the city via their public transport system (underground rail, DLR, bus and also the ferry service in a few routes).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We were welcomed to a very pleasant weather in London the day we landed, our happinness however didn't last long when we woke up to a rain Sunday morning with plans to travel to the Notting hill carnival, which despite delays we reached the event and had a gala time.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDHSH67_NKNG4Y0ew29p-rvEoDOkvdnM7lRQY_zkVrFX05m1z3Eb1jcOOggI6AJT4__6SpgwwmKBKBD0JAyL9npml2sdXUvdxTy_ok7PqSQSfZHCWGECU_Aab5yVU348yifQ3jcnXl98/s1600/DSC_0059+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDHSH67_NKNG4Y0ew29p-rvEoDOkvdnM7lRQY_zkVrFX05m1z3Eb1jcOOggI6AJT4__6SpgwwmKBKBD0JAyL9npml2sdXUvdxTy_ok7PqSQSfZHCWGECU_Aab5yVU348yifQ3jcnXl98/s1600/DSC_0059+(2).JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigChsYwpbzAWSKyIQSYNjnVrxXOT3gCfGB7W9XWoZfNKWfe5KWJ0PZ47UiM-vHahUGCCKifCvViwpv5oMFZHmOv14JPzuTkmuuyq1yoMw0eVHDtdEwpV5C27GlzW32h0fjwbdJsJ3AeR8/s1600/DSC_0058+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigChsYwpbzAWSKyIQSYNjnVrxXOT3gCfGB7W9XWoZfNKWfe5KWJ0PZ47UiM-vHahUGCCKifCvViwpv5oMFZHmOv14JPzuTkmuuyq1yoMw0eVHDtdEwpV5C27GlzW32h0fjwbdJsJ3AeR8/s1600/DSC_0058+(2).JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Look forward to a whole lot of travel posts from in and around London in the coming days :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have you visited London or the places around it ? Where did you have your best time in London, let me know your favourite places. You never know, it could turn out be my favourite as well !</span><br />
</div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-2868574426148298122014-07-23T13:11:00.004-07:002014-07-23T13:11:32.197-07:00Happy Birthday Central Park !<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am writing this post a day after Central park turned 161 years young and beautiful. With every passing year this place I believe turns more green and more beautiful. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Amidst the dizzying height of skyscrapers donning the skyline, the fast paced life of the people in the city, the homes of the rich and famous celebs, the multi national banks, international fashion brands, the cosmopolitan population and all .. exists 843 acres of well maintained greenery in the heart of Manhattan. That is NYC for you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We took a Ric ride around most of central park before we headed back to our hotel, we were glad we could make sometime to get around this enormous beautiful park as it happened to be the last place we visited in NYC before we took our flight back to India the same night.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After our no so good experience of taking a Ric ride around Times Square, more about it in my next post. We were a bit sceptical to hire a Ric to go around Central park. However, our Ric driver convinced us into taking one with his fixed rate for the ride.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9Imzm2BZmy5y8i_4XiGaTZOWqahT2WtXlm1c_uC1oLD9JioiRT3nF-sFnAnRsQi-MvjGorqvWrRvpImxcnpjekkiC4dMc64AjqMW4MKt1npU87Fk6aGBQ1ZZ_P-G9V_4Xc6wG0Ntd7c/s1600/DSC_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9Imzm2BZmy5y8i_4XiGaTZOWqahT2WtXlm1c_uC1oLD9JioiRT3nF-sFnAnRsQi-MvjGorqvWrRvpImxcnpjekkiC4dMc64AjqMW4MKt1npU87Fk6aGBQ1ZZ_P-G9V_4Xc6wG0Ntd7c/s1600/DSC_0366.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v3E4DLfTK78eJCPO6vjhySzuY63qmIumuKZugpLAicboEsrlAty6Jqhq4g4TlJ_FfnMc0CtIf_lX4zhMBENagTanQ04fgeUmk7l3s5iW9QfZpJYnzoNyIVIszLIWCTY_pizEHx0-VLo/s1600/DSC_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v3E4DLfTK78eJCPO6vjhySzuY63qmIumuKZugpLAicboEsrlAty6Jqhq4g4TlJ_FfnMc0CtIf_lX4zhMBENagTanQ04fgeUmk7l3s5iW9QfZpJYnzoNyIVIszLIWCTY_pizEHx0-VLo/s1600/DSC_0368.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWFdEBGoA9OAlCxf-aMbFhL7eiFdQ4rDel8gDhAvb_JKoRzfillDbFN92CqtyDq2MwD7CVxEplfbbw7nlkAQR5Fg-0AvcwuxBcJdQ06Fl3AiQIfeF2JaAmrTCCIkh4VugryVJkjwwkY0/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWFdEBGoA9OAlCxf-aMbFhL7eiFdQ4rDel8gDhAvb_JKoRzfillDbFN92CqtyDq2MwD7CVxEplfbbw7nlkAQR5Fg-0AvcwuxBcJdQ06Fl3AiQIfeF2JaAmrTCCIkh4VugryVJkjwwkY0/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hVyyX9LmGeT-KSbbfR3IcdTubSI3DnXUT54c9wnkpg8s8qvwLinuz7h92IjSJgxh2v1OlN3AqmbZCWIJD70PoALb2PQmkTio5f52e3GfTID7HHNo8P5pBOFRwuwtNwHb8KuW2JHsflI/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hVyyX9LmGeT-KSbbfR3IcdTubSI3DnXUT54c9wnkpg8s8qvwLinuz7h92IjSJgxh2v1OlN3AqmbZCWIJD70PoALb2PQmkTio5f52e3GfTID7HHNo8P5pBOFRwuwtNwHb8KuW2JHsflI/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He was a very jovial guy from Nigeria who had come to NY in search of a job and has since then been doing odd jobs to survive and make ends meet. He spoke a lot - about how wonderful NYC is, he showed us the various high rises which were homes to celebrities, he showed us the various locations were many Hollywood movies were filmed in Central park, he spoke about his life, his family and the place he stays in NYC - Bronx. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He told us that there is another side to NYC and that can be seen in Bronx and how he learnt about life from his friends in Bronx. We were glad we took the Ric ride and only wish we had more time to spend more time in Central park. Despite the cold weather and chill breeze, his warmth made it for a pleasant 2 hours in Central park.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-17581819648716165552014-07-20T12:19:00.004-07:002014-07-20T12:19:57.076-07:00Boston - New England - Fall Foliage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After touring the south central part of USA and the west coast, we landed in the east coast to experience the Fall foliage in the outskirts of Boston and experience the most populous, happening NYC.<br />
<br />
First things first, Boston was the first city to welcome us in the East coast, it was a very cold welcome in every sense. Right from the weather at 12 degree Celsius - **I am a Chennaite and 12 degree C is very cold for us**, to the airport pick up shuttle from our hotel which was delayed and the creepy guy who was waiting next to the bus stop at the airport who followed us to our hotel in the hotel shuttle and then went on his own way. Phew ! thankfully he did.<br />
<br />
We were more than glad when we reached our hotel - Country Inn and Suites, Brockton. The hotel was over flowing with travellers from around the world. The rooms were neat, clean, spacious and the service - not bad.<br />
<br />
We rested a bit and headed to the nearest train station to take a train to Quincy market. This market's history dates back to 1822, it is lined with shops selling all kind of knick knacks, souvenirs, food, clothing, art work and what not.. Did I forget to mention, that we devoured some yummy donuts from Dunkin' Donut before walking around Quincy market.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5NL8i3GyREJuW7bcrF2hpoTi6MN0TYDITWp4jxxpRcKOqMh6re5AHCaZ8XOxRgZdlJ76Mh-koCtpPhF3wyllycoSn6whh2G4ZGichBHchmL9F0iGbPzMD9v1B-zbVHbI6CwarqFalxY/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5NL8i3GyREJuW7bcrF2hpoTi6MN0TYDITWp4jxxpRcKOqMh6re5AHCaZ8XOxRgZdlJ76Mh-koCtpPhF3wyllycoSn6whh2G4ZGichBHchmL9F0iGbPzMD9v1B-zbVHbI6CwarqFalxY/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxw5juO-_oaxLU-7GK_BD8KI_uVeaS3PfC-B87RO0J0V0Q8Y21ze7tpMyzLvwMq5_B-Gq-qj42NXPTDCTYAUJVNHKQeROVyPVqszn6dlP0UuCYhx2RGWYVk4n9eoY3eaU2x-HFofgYoI/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxw5juO-_oaxLU-7GK_BD8KI_uVeaS3PfC-B87RO0J0V0Q8Y21ze7tpMyzLvwMq5_B-Gq-qj42NXPTDCTYAUJVNHKQeROVyPVqszn6dlP0UuCYhx2RGWYVk4n9eoY3eaU2x-HFofgYoI/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donuts from Dunkin' Donuts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was a great place to sink in to the local culture, people watch, eat some local food and enjoy the street shows. like the locals do.Our stint with Quincy market came to an end late evening when we decided to head back to our hotel. We decided on crashing early that day as we had planned to take a fall foliage tour the next morning :) Fall, was yet another reason for the hotel being so crowded.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwXeo4tAu3yh2FBGE7JOh_xkHyefBt0owBTVQ6B6k3GlXMrNAz4Bzf-fe6vgge3rUrcAL-CsZXrwQdSbsjs267aOdtmOdjqN4dYsIogxEKcUxb3QxbNV_f0qs_NdWdUUdUzeAyiaLuxc/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwXeo4tAu3yh2FBGE7JOh_xkHyefBt0owBTVQ6B6k3GlXMrNAz4Bzf-fe6vgge3rUrcAL-CsZXrwQdSbsjs267aOdtmOdjqN4dYsIogxEKcUxb3QxbNV_f0qs_NdWdUUdUzeAyiaLuxc/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People watching at Quincy Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEOGo6dY2-ch-zBPEgHauxL11EdQUwYGVEluh1-gZx236J46GwhP3DiHoSzNkqthRMBqsW2rcyn8D0ABvqGCbyr6BeYrBgSfYu55UYA1QWej9UXUyOLsNinI7JhpYHtvDRiE1QAGlLy4/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEOGo6dY2-ch-zBPEgHauxL11EdQUwYGVEluh1-gZx236J46GwhP3DiHoSzNkqthRMBqsW2rcyn8D0ABvqGCbyr6BeYrBgSfYu55UYA1QWej9UXUyOLsNinI7JhpYHtvDRiE1QAGlLy4/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street performer - He was awesome !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TQldInTfbLRKZJILvloS0vmyoUTCZv-EmowYZgtFZQBZzvFqgbTpIMP9tedWkq8ZnGC6anciQkE7MSAs3Csq-CKRktODKdKlFeHuVbOJ43Vmjo3MxnBUu4_wHdlPItDrIeVW7b6Fm4Q/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TQldInTfbLRKZJILvloS0vmyoUTCZv-EmowYZgtFZQBZzvFqgbTpIMP9tedWkq8ZnGC6anciQkE7MSAs3Csq-CKRktODKdKlFeHuVbOJ43Vmjo3MxnBUu4_wHdlPItDrIeVW7b6Fm4Q/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He made walking around the place musical with his drum beats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For those of them who know me, will vouch for my abilities to sleep under any circumstance and oh so peacefully!, this only adds to my advantage when the weather is cold - I get to my hibernate mode. This can go on for hours or days. This is what happened to me the two days I was in Boston.<br />
<br />
Next morning after our breakfast at the hotel, we began our fall foliage tour through Boston, New England, New Hampshire etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54eA_rhuAU4lqrosOKrvMtXl0ZDkZo6lcJwDgklqhT8ZlWwe4yV2TQZVErnDerW1Ti9DC7Ls14SPt91sWbglwrMJgdeq5wppx4ACq00RdFouZcjizpSG5YnY_U8WfXRic7MzjI95af9I/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54eA_rhuAU4lqrosOKrvMtXl0ZDkZo6lcJwDgklqhT8ZlWwe4yV2TQZVErnDerW1Ti9DC7Ls14SPt91sWbglwrMJgdeq5wppx4ACq00RdFouZcjizpSG5YnY_U8WfXRic7MzjI95af9I/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic789zh6FGvwoUkI1uYPcWnq6HY2QYXDDRRi_KrFIU6t62TOft5kL_fG0bg2GKOq_FWMDmM2TFxQTrfvwdrzZmW3IWpzvMrbgc5zwfjYl6Pe54WpRHa_I6qmSYLLETfe6QtJfTBa6_AU/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic789zh6FGvwoUkI1uYPcWnq6HY2QYXDDRRi_KrFIU6t62TOft5kL_fG0bg2GKOq_FWMDmM2TFxQTrfvwdrzZmW3IWpzvMrbgc5zwfjYl6Pe54WpRHa_I6qmSYLLETfe6QtJfTBa6_AU/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaRKivQL8mTVewK_QKv8L9oQIl8D511XTxtTj2t9w2vF2g_9qx7GB60gxvSACahg-942KlAbsTFuDaZY8d4ZPnwMpN8mMZr0l9bZk1X2jVBa1fVI1Wbh4N54IKXHW_8MXHSLpWh5hd58/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaRKivQL8mTVewK_QKv8L9oQIl8D511XTxtTj2t9w2vF2g_9qx7GB60gxvSACahg-942KlAbsTFuDaZY8d4ZPnwMpN8mMZr0l9bZk1X2jVBa1fVI1Wbh4N54IKXHW_8MXHSLpWh5hd58/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Fall colors were beautiful, met other travellers from various countries during the tour, relished pumpkin delicacies in family run restaurants by the country side, fell in love with bright coloured flowers. It was a beautiful day !<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-58894672896160949202014-07-10T12:04:00.002-07:002014-07-10T12:11:53.280-07:00Lake Tahoe and Reno<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was a day long road trip from San Jose -> Lake Tahoe -> Reno where we decided to bunk for the night and start back from Reno -> San Jose the next day late morning.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The plan to visit Reno came as a surprise from my uncle and aunt, I was more than thrilled with the plan considering the fact - while we flew from Houston to San Jose we transited through Las Vegas and I was unable to try my hand at the slot machines in the airport as we were running short of time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was one of a kind trip..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UJi1E04TvzpEWRA0v2NYsE9aZ9zgYX-FtU1vhM1597itV9SyGwZVdyo7I2jJNrOu8s7S7pqXoS6RxyNomgoxPbSCY76kyYEYNpfwmfyOYuE4hMi-OtSj3FuVkH6AULEG0czsuFwF_oM/s1600/DSC_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UJi1E04TvzpEWRA0v2NYsE9aZ9zgYX-FtU1vhM1597itV9SyGwZVdyo7I2jJNrOu8s7S7pqXoS6RxyNomgoxPbSCY76kyYEYNpfwmfyOYuE4hMi-OtSj3FuVkH6AULEG0czsuFwF_oM/s1600/DSC_1191.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our destinations for the day - Lake Tahoe and Reno</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mid way through the journey we lunched at the Kaveri Madras restaurant, which was so aptly located enroute to Lake Tahoe. Good south Indian food ! Yummy Idli, vada, pongal, parotta et all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r4BP6TAhLjiNQX-Xcw28cNT3NzQCg_rksWsyrInhyphenhypheneSdZuiHqJA3NwmtfrDOh_X_1kf8838zfNORu9SJ68TegWsKyoJsrsg3DSTBzsTCgF5uWrPeSQk2AxCmVOSu_zuUBa8qT5o-Srk/s1600/DSC_1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r4BP6TAhLjiNQX-Xcw28cNT3NzQCg_rksWsyrInhyphenhypheneSdZuiHqJA3NwmtfrDOh_X_1kf8838zfNORu9SJ68TegWsKyoJsrsg3DSTBzsTCgF5uWrPeSQk2AxCmVOSu_zuUBa8qT5o-Srk/s1600/DSC_1202.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj22iAl1vNOA6ksobsIJDqPdwb7v7Pd5k4DWazHcmarEM3mi1AsA9U_q_dh1Z85UL1R8gLS6ZcpUUetMhGjflshAwBBPPtmfqbEu9sp9wzsJ43jKXBiXlmMn1mv0vO5qjx5r7Lvy1r9X0/s1600/DSC_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj22iAl1vNOA6ksobsIJDqPdwb7v7Pd5k4DWazHcmarEM3mi1AsA9U_q_dh1Z85UL1R8gLS6ZcpUUetMhGjflshAwBBPPtmfqbEu9sp9wzsJ43jKXBiXlmMn1mv0vO5qjx5r7Lvy1r9X0/s1600/DSC_1206.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When every small thing happens to be the way you like them to be, you just happen to fall in love with the place even more and that is exactly what happened to me with California.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After a sumptuous meal and quenching our crave for soul food we continued our drive to Lake Tahoe. The drive along the hilly region around Lake Tahoe is beautiful with tall pine trees lined along the stretch. First peek of the blue water and I was completely dumb struck. I can sit right there and look at the vast expanse of the blue water for hours together. It was gorgeous !<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQvhGPQWKQf7_Bi7BKAGxHS8E4D8ZlBtBCjaF4CdYNe6WgpK2_syQLWymgO4xWECIhjjR0YhxUnmaOk08MhfvUmtQ5tDCGRKXAvd3WxdY3kkGvCTt9wbmeuVWV4Djeq8y07L9LOJiqO4/s1600/DSC_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQvhGPQWKQf7_Bi7BKAGxHS8E4D8ZlBtBCjaF4CdYNe6WgpK2_syQLWymgO4xWECIhjjR0YhxUnmaOk08MhfvUmtQ5tDCGRKXAvd3WxdY3kkGvCTt9wbmeuVWV4Djeq8y07L9LOJiqO4/s1600/DSC_1252.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First glimpse of Lake Tahoe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSP8KsYeqSaAZb1c_4qGblsBmPQq6qwu-qlL2Nbrv2saKfRpWyRkzEJYW6uFztb_3Fp_qpz77ORJPqYXJmExGs8aG8blzPVVWv99ZvnjwwOzdWxlZtOA-qav_ZXIrafyey_USVftoNkqI/s1600/DSC_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSP8KsYeqSaAZb1c_4qGblsBmPQq6qwu-qlL2Nbrv2saKfRpWyRkzEJYW6uFztb_3Fp_qpz77ORJPqYXJmExGs8aG8blzPVVWv99ZvnjwwOzdWxlZtOA-qav_ZXIrafyey_USVftoNkqI/s1600/DSC_1253.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avenue of pine trees bordering our drive to Lake Tahoe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
We spent the rest of the evening lazing around by the lake, before starting our drive to Reno. We drove along the Sierra Nevada range as the sunset between the mountains. We stayed at The Grand Sierra - Hotel and Casino, wonderful place with large rooms. I was told Reno was a mini version of Vegas.. So let what happened in Reno stay in Reno ! ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpKpe0IKEbf69lIeZD0zXMsM-pG91S539REwfSkHxi6GQoXWsi63nQR84c7OE7BcRInS8cjl3-jE0FU54ghlVuKOgtgsRrvPJdrXzgniR3krLhdmpjOSrGTgJtQwcBunphiXHqFyJR2I/s1600/DSC_1364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpKpe0IKEbf69lIeZD0zXMsM-pG91S539REwfSkHxi6GQoXWsi63nQR84c7OE7BcRInS8cjl3-jE0FU54ghlVuKOgtgsRrvPJdrXzgniR3krLhdmpjOSrGTgJtQwcBunphiXHqFyJR2I/s1600/DSC_1364.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Before heading back to San Jose, we went back to Lake Tahoe, didn't I just mention that I will never get enough of the vast expanse of the picturesque scenery.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyIOJ0VACzkChyL_M3rgTZT11j68Xj62UGqk4ZmU-UChnRAs2lbwmWiAEFmbaWrjUOxM5RFEya8zMJiDfKyfSSCyvwcd5NsfEsWyYuJ0Qj-4e4ceHkkvnOt7ZoLVRoF112qqGdunOqOU/s1600/DSC_1418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyIOJ0VACzkChyL_M3rgTZT11j68Xj62UGqk4ZmU-UChnRAs2lbwmWiAEFmbaWrjUOxM5RFEya8zMJiDfKyfSSCyvwcd5NsfEsWyYuJ0Qj-4e4ceHkkvnOt7ZoLVRoF112qqGdunOqOU/s1600/DSC_1418.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Tahoe in our background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our next destination was Boston. It was good bye to sunny days, clear skies and the warmth of our extended family who hosted us in Houston and San Jose, it was time to go around on our own and experience fall in Boston.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-86328955540172932362014-05-31T14:47:00.003-07:002014-05-31T15:01:14.864-07:00Being a tourist in San Francisco for 8 hours <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was a bright and sunny day in Dublin, San Jose - it was what they call a typical Californian day with a clear blue sky. We were on our way to San Fracisco in the BART train.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
On reaching SFO, we walked around union square for a bit checking out the big brands that have their stores around this place. SFO was unlike any city I had been until then, the population was very cosmopolitan yet it was not a very fast paced life .. And most important of all, it has a beautiful coastline, I instantly fell for the place. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I totally believe, one gets to know a place best when explored on foot. So we decided to give the customary hop on hop off sightseeing bus a miss and decided to walk around union square, china town before heading to Amber for lunch.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXKPpvH68YMenjYM55E2uJcvGKgnzadFioShHku0EvWisvW4JIQG6DlphSWiaqiqEO2fb1nvPm0qr4p3uNGF4IJm7zHNdxnxbehPpIJEbZjRrZQMvI2hw0QiAUKoP5NA3VFpCn-LmcvM/s1600/DSC_0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXKPpvH68YMenjYM55E2uJcvGKgnzadFioShHku0EvWisvW4JIQG6DlphSWiaqiqEO2fb1nvPm0qr4p3uNGF4IJm7zHNdxnxbehPpIJEbZjRrZQMvI2hw0QiAUKoP5NA3VFpCn-LmcvM/s1600/DSC_0881.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking along union square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5wcWoy2cROBZ7BXfoZTw7-MeNRdDn2rrZ-tx3hWU1mq5OsbNxL67asGetvuJEQHdmjFZg0VyG4mbcvjCYI39ogxyU0np3IFaEhR5Hv2aSB6ddkSTK71n3GLQ-LGWZOJWuLjd4ufo1Sw/s1600/DSC_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5wcWoy2cROBZ7BXfoZTw7-MeNRdDn2rrZ-tx3hWU1mq5OsbNxL67asGetvuJEQHdmjFZg0VyG4mbcvjCYI39ogxyU0np3IFaEhR5Hv2aSB6ddkSTK71n3GLQ-LGWZOJWuLjd4ufo1Sw/s1600/DSC_0899.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Few of the many items that were lined up in the stores in China town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
The food was sumptuous and perfect adding to my already oh! so! perfect day. To me good food = happiness ! After the meal we walked to the union square and queued along with other travellers, excited to take a ride on the cable car. Until I reached this queue I was assuming to be taking a typical cable car ride (a cabin moving around in a cable much above ground level). These were much different in that sense, they were tram like vehicles moving along cabled rails in the road.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After getting to know the history behind the cable car, we waited eagerly for our chance to ride it. while we waited in the queue, I noticed other passengersin the cable car were more thrilled by taking a ride on the foot board, considering this was the only mode of transport in SFO were foot boarding was permitted unlike in India where we see this day in and day out in buses and sometimes in trains too ;) I rode the cable car on foot board too !</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPjtvj8zCDsGU-Zs3Xx4UhK2JtFRvzE1ILuGJVYSj_GDdJpcyw3IaXNzSrepCclGI-yoCBfwFInpCmy8itK44AXKjHlFtg6oW1Ei4KvRlb_iMLJPJIp3sJTA68fxGoNv_kbQXSzGkWy4/s1600/DSC_0911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPjtvj8zCDsGU-Zs3Xx4UhK2JtFRvzE1ILuGJVYSj_GDdJpcyw3IaXNzSrepCclGI-yoCBfwFInpCmy8itK44AXKjHlFtg6oW1Ei4KvRlb_iMLJPJIp3sJTA68fxGoNv_kbQXSzGkWy4/s1600/DSC_0911.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting in the queue to ride the cable car</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA69Xxdwyhq8gFu7ZMJs-I_KJAKE-hgeQ8i1R7mmjHjH17p43Vt7o-E7juDZ29eho8Q0ubzM4skXGCDKWzAEkjC7YddkbD0WpSVdrakUBze5GqgZo2VIjxQXtMExWiTVN2hMd7WEPQKQ/s1600/DSC_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA69Xxdwyhq8gFu7ZMJs-I_KJAKE-hgeQ8i1R7mmjHjH17p43Vt7o-E7juDZ29eho8Q0ubzM4skXGCDKWzAEkjC7YddkbD0WpSVdrakUBze5GqgZo2VIjxQXtMExWiTVN2hMd7WEPQKQ/s1600/DSC_0943.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clicked while foot boarding in the cable car ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After an almost 15 mins ride we got off and walked towards Lombard street - which supposedly is the world's crookedest street, and you need special skill to drive there. And walking down the street leads you to Ghirardelli square. The houses along this stretch is fabulous.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zKoGy0dN_dJlmcDIa6LXDMtc7iuaFBxaQ1R2j-E4wu1mhYvGxtt8npGOcq5tm9WtTDQIL3h61IxhblUoImFuCjy1u46oHTCtDc7G3l4erPW9e0xW5WvGIqNFIRPl4-ql8SMroaZjbUk/s1600/DSC_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zKoGy0dN_dJlmcDIa6LXDMtc7iuaFBxaQ1R2j-E4wu1mhYvGxtt8npGOcq5tm9WtTDQIL3h61IxhblUoImFuCjy1u46oHTCtDc7G3l4erPW9e0xW5WvGIqNFIRPl4-ql8SMroaZjbUk/s1600/DSC_0996.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lombard street - world's most crookedest street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Ghirardelli square is lively ! In addition to their famous chocolates, I would suggest each of you visiting the place to try out their ice creams. Their ice creams taste fresh and delicious and seem to be very popular with the locals. A walk inside Ghirardelli's facility give you a complete walk through of preparing a chocolate from bean to bar.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh412sGRQlw-wHrz9Jc1DaG9aHwwTwCqgrk288WakTotLdYImYD4CpRwc8977qTuUqtsDd4z_PKzZpMzewmhS_r1m4B1FEHcUvXBGG4yxEU4OnowXJzb163hvgj50ETmd-DnsMwYrbRCpk/s1600/DSC_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh412sGRQlw-wHrz9Jc1DaG9aHwwTwCqgrk288WakTotLdYImYD4CpRwc8977qTuUqtsDd4z_PKzZpMzewmhS_r1m4B1FEHcUvXBGG4yxEU4OnowXJzb163hvgj50ETmd-DnsMwYrbRCpk/s1600/DSC_1034.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3WMbRRiy4sLEUE34-oUqRm_wh2g0z9DyCieDgrTbV7gaDsGIpOTo1vebpS2vBZPQdNxmZ4pw3Sy8T90L_fv7FTtIeNWTNDuhUqO9lB3Btv830C0UdyDJamok_m_c9XrT-4-LdRRYFb4/s1600/DSC_1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3WMbRRiy4sLEUE34-oUqRm_wh2g0z9DyCieDgrTbV7gaDsGIpOTo1vebpS2vBZPQdNxmZ4pw3Sy8T90L_fv7FTtIeNWTNDuhUqO9lB3Btv830C0UdyDJamok_m_c9XrT-4-LdRRYFb4/s1600/DSC_1108.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
Walking along the coast line towards Fisherman's Wharf is beautiful, with famous bakeries and tiny stores selling quirky items. The sea lions at Pier 39 are fun to watch except for the not so pleasant smell.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPTf977Uc_YQvVq4XA8uIZmuTdasP20JzrvKkfjGpsR0Jo6SK2nUwtKa7uX6HsogeBAnOim9BEbgSDeFJRmeZemDNwmu6XjNs6ZxpBF_cT1ffVKpJocS0LiDN718zNdX8XLa6c_WcRZA/s1600/DSC_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPTf977Uc_YQvVq4XA8uIZmuTdasP20JzrvKkfjGpsR0Jo6SK2nUwtKa7uX6HsogeBAnOim9BEbgSDeFJRmeZemDNwmu6XjNs6ZxpBF_cT1ffVKpJocS0LiDN718zNdX8XLa6c_WcRZA/s1600/DSC_1131.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ41eWMYlMgYsTDyv5Hlr97yOlVwfvM0DgN8ngfGAOA7Rf270_gFYgRHWb3VMQbZ3QLyHyJ3KjkN55FuBbKhKbm0q2ZTAJQkNKIafTm5k_cOgJQxHc1p9Mz-slbDo6JLWbarSAhdHyKVg/s1600/DSC_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ41eWMYlMgYsTDyv5Hlr97yOlVwfvM0DgN8ngfGAOA7Rf270_gFYgRHWb3VMQbZ3QLyHyJ3KjkN55FuBbKhKbm0q2ZTAJQkNKIafTm5k_cOgJQxHc1p9Mz-slbDo6JLWbarSAhdHyKVg/s1600/DSC_1157.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Checking out the magician, hard rock cafe and the lefty's store at Pier 39 .. we settled in to munch on some crepes before we boarded out train back to Dublin for the night. Phew ! whatta fun filled happy day it was with the family :)</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-91546447283769222952014-05-11T11:29:00.002-07:002014-05-11T11:29:25.564-07:00CALIFORNIA ! - Day 1 - San Jose<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We took an early morning flight out of Houston to San Jose, and reached the city just before noon. Oh ya, did I say we had a transit through the airport in LA. I was surprised to see slot machines right in the airport.. I will probably go to LA one day, more about the place then ..<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzJ_Uqahw89dfLL4NCyQJIzisVHTVvaYLyfGjswU_s6E4-dXYK_D3mh_3nSmF-OKSmfZLkWpYEVkMAu0j5MS6QjJtYFTtq52HsDA82DlgB2dmLiPTOzLyUi3KzsR_y0CgqqrODKXOtMY/s1600/DSC_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzJ_Uqahw89dfLL4NCyQJIzisVHTVvaYLyfGjswU_s6E4-dXYK_D3mh_3nSmF-OKSmfZLkWpYEVkMAu0j5MS6QjJtYFTtq52HsDA82DlgB2dmLiPTOzLyUi3KzsR_y0CgqqrODKXOtMY/s1600/DSC_0807.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only reason I love early morning flights - Beautiful colours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After being received by my uncle and aunt at the San Jose Oak aiport, we headed to their home which was our place of stay for the next couple of days. After a sumptuous Indian meal and discussing on the places we plan to visit in the next few days. We took a drive around the neighbour hood.<br />
<br />
<br />
We drove through the Apple's one infinite loop campus at Cupertino, Silicon valley - crossing Google, Linkedin, Stanford and numerous other campuses before heading to Madras cafe. The place in and around Madras cafe was quite literally like a scene out of a quaint grocery store and quick eat udipi food place in Chennai - right from the way the place looked, to its smell filled with spices, grains etall and of course the people running the place.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3prLbqf_VEr5ZGqHjOvrxYnDAqeYZjJrBXg8PaXfAQREpJox9ovgG3fq8_4jzdXqSM43v9zRfnUOlno-wq5b897lBny5nd5biuh8eWibMO70qZJ-D2GBsiE9dj_xV_fBvTvTlk2_h-dk/s1600/DSC_0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3prLbqf_VEr5ZGqHjOvrxYnDAqeYZjJrBXg8PaXfAQREpJox9ovgG3fq8_4jzdXqSM43v9zRfnUOlno-wq5b897lBny5nd5biuh8eWibMO70qZJ-D2GBsiE9dj_xV_fBvTvTlk2_h-dk/s1600/DSC_0848.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening snack at Madras cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4MCVXzk5T_qNg7l5u5OqEINUlPzSfYj0j8U5aZp-6jVQEnnOd29RSDyAhSI0T5NbBWkH1UkQgrkUCy1IMgv920K9xkEFbEOOkqrvAtjInUZY6842P6h_O1-qv9h46OPk3GoNSmeuzoE/s1600/DSC_0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4MCVXzk5T_qNg7l5u5OqEINUlPzSfYj0j8U5aZp-6jVQEnnOd29RSDyAhSI0T5NbBWkH1UkQgrkUCy1IMgv920K9xkEFbEOOkqrvAtjInUZY6842P6h_O1-qv9h46OPk3GoNSmeuzoE/s1600/DSC_0849.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKji-DYv5vJdNIQCKFexh7Nhy_Z_pCQGuigPXsb8h-EmwHnDrq2DmpY2aciTIIWWjkXrbVnTiyjSaql7xQ5AiHAIsBngElK7OO3jNJBJzR8d6UJO0DyQzgFvoTMEalLJyl2XHAliAtD8E/s1600/DSC_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKji-DYv5vJdNIQCKFexh7Nhy_Z_pCQGuigPXsb8h-EmwHnDrq2DmpY2aciTIIWWjkXrbVnTiyjSaql7xQ5AiHAIsBngElK7OO3jNJBJzR8d6UJO0DyQzgFvoTMEalLJyl2XHAliAtD8E/s1600/DSC_0851.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we drove through the Stanford campus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We treated ourself to a variety of chaat for dinner that night at an Indian eatery.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislLHVxDCU8ui_pJLfuS3ZYr0WpH5HLx_9ZaejXsSU9d_6pQwR4NVQPrB7XHg-kXUGk49DuH-U3HdR2QRu0ux9Ysg6LDanyMk2gXY7MIoaEr-9aEEfdIq3y0HFbMmaR6Yd7MbT3q2jYgA/s1600/DSC_0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislLHVxDCU8ui_pJLfuS3ZYr0WpH5HLx_9ZaejXsSU9d_6pQwR4NVQPrB7XHg-kXUGk49DuH-U3HdR2QRu0ux9Ysg6LDanyMk2gXY7MIoaEr-9aEEfdIq3y0HFbMmaR6Yd7MbT3q2jYgA/s1600/DSC_0861.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soul food !!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In case you are wondering why I am sticking on to eating Indian food despite me liking to try out the local cuisine of the place I visit, it is because of the fact that I know I am not going to get any Indian food for the next week or so. However, alien the place is as long as one gets to eat their soul food every thing else falls in place.<br />
<br /></div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-17101259679303594522014-05-01T12:14:00.003-07:002014-05-01T12:16:27.272-07:00My memorable 8 hours in Trivandrum<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have visited this beach city along India's west coast numerous times on work and what surprised me most about Kerala's captial city is the laid back attitude of its people which during many occasions made me think Kochi was Kerala's capital as it seemed more buzzing with activity.<br />
<br />
I think it is this laid backness and the city's proximity to many beach destinations that has made Trivandrum one of my favourite places in South India. This time over when I got an opportunity to explore the city during one of my work visits, I took the day on my stride and charted my own plan to visit places and booked the cab and took off..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIBqL34kjpNfigMW_j9RMOeQGIZslRGtuR2hP_i7uvZCw4j6EpnXO_Uv2GufYYmM5TfvMLol2k2UQh_v5aZL_JSqJIYbY4r62kvw2tRzFgaJBPL29Jy8NXjn0lVLX3UCoP1J58nBXly8/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIBqL34kjpNfigMW_j9RMOeQGIZslRGtuR2hP_i7uvZCw4j6EpnXO_Uv2GufYYmM5TfvMLol2k2UQh_v5aZL_JSqJIYbY4r62kvw2tRzFgaJBPL29Jy8NXjn0lVLX3UCoP1J58nBXly8/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" height="640" width="474" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My first trip all by myself .. exploring a city that I always enjoyed being in ..<br />
<br />
I had booked an 8 hour cab package with my hotel 'Ginger', the cab had arrived at sharp 8:30 am while I was in still in my breakfast table.<br />
<br />
8:45 am - started from the hotel and let my cab driver know of my itinerary for the day. The cab driver seemed very interested in showing his city to me and suggested few places as well..<br />
<br />
9:20 am - I reached Padmanabhasamy temple and Kuthiramaliga palace, adjacent to the temple. I skipped visiting the temple and directly entered the palace. On walking few meters into the palace premise made me feel I was the only one at this time walking in .. as I continued walking in.. i could spot families and bunch of teenagers waiting to take the guided tour through the palace . I joined them, as I waited for the tour to start clicked few pics of the palace.<br />
<br />
The entire palace seemed more homely than lavish. We were told music festival is conducted during 6th to 12th of January every year as the king of Travancore was a huge fan of art, culture and music.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwSI7oO-dwpKyOKl_fWCvKhiQKVr83QALPTfDmuKmcd8eYKuKX4pZmkcp9C14lLL3BM3LzPH_nA_pw8YfWQf44ApAS2ENQ-w_6nCGN2IvxOqwCVhwbXvqkj1nLHdpLCKFZTi8gnbR9Og/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwSI7oO-dwpKyOKl_fWCvKhiQKVr83QALPTfDmuKmcd8eYKuKX4pZmkcp9C14lLL3BM3LzPH_nA_pw8YfWQf44ApAS2ENQ-w_6nCGN2IvxOqwCVhwbXvqkj1nLHdpLCKFZTi8gnbR9Og/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qw-TMzHvU5dg3uYyedgFJiYyb31aDzWB-lz86Fg_yv_4_klHChD7Su84E-i8w4DouxCSASzZdw7-fv0mVFKnk5-NSpHSqxy6_rH4Gw31KwrQBGkxGhIRKxAZWugh-oetLCHu_QVnZc4/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qw-TMzHvU5dg3uYyedgFJiYyb31aDzWB-lz86Fg_yv_4_klHChD7Su84E-i8w4DouxCSASzZdw7-fv0mVFKnk5-NSpHSqxy6_rH4Gw31KwrQBGkxGhIRKxAZWugh-oetLCHu_QVnZc4/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
10:45 am - I am fond of Kerala food, banana chips and jackfruit chips fried in coconut oil. So, was in the look out for the best place to buy these chips for the folks back at home and google suggested Maha chips in east fort road, about 10 mins drive away from Padmanabhasamy temple.<br />
<br />
One side of the shop is lined with different varieties of halwas and the other side lined with baskets of freshly prepared chips of different kinds. Love the variety and quality of chips at Maha chips.<br />
After purchasing few kgs to take back with me to Chennai and couple of packs for Saji, the cab driver who was heloing me out in the new city. I headed to Vivata by Taj, Kovalam for their Sunday brunch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4on1XHjwoS3SV1tc9oldP4qDFa5qtxrNdtfK7Zd6m4Z0xFoBEyTvGRxnBY8nErZk-6eytMM1l7secsvXI5W18f61pZqAjJ94DPTwP-Ld7GzgAztzuWoYeeSm4gLUZNMjp-QONY1laoM8/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4on1XHjwoS3SV1tc9oldP4qDFa5qtxrNdtfK7Zd6m4Z0xFoBEyTvGRxnBY8nErZk-6eytMM1l7secsvXI5W18f61pZqAjJ94DPTwP-Ld7GzgAztzuWoYeeSm4gLUZNMjp-QONY1laoM8/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
12:30 pm - Vivanta by Taj, Kovalam is chic, warm service and relaxing. I have always felt Taj group offered the best service in the country. Just before deciding to head to Taj, I visited Leela, Kovalam and I walked around the place to get the information I wanted for about 15 mins before deciding to head to Taj, the choice I made while planning my day.<br />
<br />
I only remember walking in alone, during the 3 hours I spent there it felt so warm, right from the guy at the reception to the buggy driver everyone had a conversation and made me feel comfortable and at ease. They were extra special considering I was a solo woman visiting their hotel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGxLDoKdOL2Bcialnu2HHpBjwPan0hoDWzeXj50czSlEYlsJwuUO9ZyighUxUpg6RMsbV_74GDJHLX5oMfmioSn1SSSC-3YMMMpxuGpSmgAbQ7VF7_XFm1F97p9AGTP9EBWAJkPDF-8U/s1600/IMG_1123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGxLDoKdOL2Bcialnu2HHpBjwPan0hoDWzeXj50czSlEYlsJwuUO9ZyighUxUpg6RMsbV_74GDJHLX5oMfmioSn1SSSC-3YMMMpxuGpSmgAbQ7VF7_XFm1F97p9AGTP9EBWAJkPDF-8U/s1600/IMG_1123.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2khN8TPvQbQ1YGyoDmawSUi_GjJkJf8DBEmuZq9SOz-my4aUrqvLP7sLiIykahkSNbEdhPrYj1IzSV4NHBwPv-kUDkxNWbanoMXBqxgjAPCrhp2cWYmCCBMNLIJwdjt_1yBXlBCLoQw/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2khN8TPvQbQ1YGyoDmawSUi_GjJkJf8DBEmuZq9SOz-my4aUrqvLP7sLiIykahkSNbEdhPrYj1IzSV4NHBwPv-kUDkxNWbanoMXBqxgjAPCrhp2cWYmCCBMNLIJwdjt_1yBXlBCLoQw/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA-jqEsOxDnSZyAc-y4iYdMAv2hpwLCNqGiyTFtDk6AHLMyFyZUIr4IcGuMI5Ezwi5ryd6ZHHfVEPkQifHISeMKJ5k-NxYFbslH7YGRLNSmR63CGDr9wN8Xz_0JRP13GaACh7gDvh474/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA-jqEsOxDnSZyAc-y4iYdMAv2hpwLCNqGiyTFtDk6AHLMyFyZUIr4IcGuMI5Ezwi5ryd6ZHHfVEPkQifHISeMKJ5k-NxYFbslH7YGRLNSmR63CGDr9wN8Xz_0JRP13GaACh7gDvh474/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQODTfutRDXt0FPnpMBWfo7jgybnMeo7MuuE_2oyKzzII7ATIfj2wT_ObZT9VXCkuPk3CjnMtMDF6v3d15bT-IJcK-wuqAfhKQ3IhITAu2LFdhHOu2__kbiv-dm5XqtcldBrfoNG4Mt4/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQODTfutRDXt0FPnpMBWfo7jgybnMeo7MuuE_2oyKzzII7ATIfj2wT_ObZT9VXCkuPk3CjnMtMDF6v3d15bT-IJcK-wuqAfhKQ3IhITAu2LFdhHOu2__kbiv-dm5XqtcldBrfoNG4Mt4/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There was a french lady performing a live music gig, a magician entertain with a trick at the brunch table, an artist making a sketch of the visitors.. The beach is not accessible from the hotel, I think that is the way it is in Kovalam. It is blocked with rocks. So you can see the beach and feel the breeze but you cannot go drench your feet or take a swim at the beach.<br />
<br />
View of the beach made me want to experience more of it.<br />
<br />
3:45 pm - I wanted to head to Shangumugam beach to view the sunset. Driver Saji suggested I drop by Veli, a tourist village for a bit before heading to the beach as it may be quite hot considering the time of the day. I took a stroll along Veli, it is more like a huge park with kids play area, few shops and boating along the back waters..<br />
<br />
4:30pm - Reached Shangumugam beach and spent almost an hour people watching, enjoying the cool breeze from the Arabian sea and clicking pics. It happened to be a cloudy day and sunset was more hazy than usual, however beautiful !!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb83EIj_N4-0rNDrQhqIOjaHjUrIG8gi0gxIJpVekMvC75AHGzgkRFBMr2M5LEOn3G4FAEWa0_WwixtSN4VGiWrFGT4Ikzqy-09A0VLA0QULKnxACnGYHBI1jE6k9beYaoo8dosdmr_oo/s1600/IMG_1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb83EIj_N4-0rNDrQhqIOjaHjUrIG8gi0gxIJpVekMvC75AHGzgkRFBMr2M5LEOn3G4FAEWa0_WwixtSN4VGiWrFGT4Ikzqy-09A0VLA0QULKnxACnGYHBI1jE6k9beYaoo8dosdmr_oo/s1600/IMG_1186.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOl3nT4JAhoL4xF2TOn7C-dSu8CFlZrE_kmhTrZScSDvRS7p1FO-2hl6KfALugqplw2lx_mPF6KzPkaUUYZ0cO9GPW6RZwA_7M6xvR8ARLTNU5Kb-dKX1kbCe93MFm4LCYc3ZIHHheTaA/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOl3nT4JAhoL4xF2TOn7C-dSu8CFlZrE_kmhTrZScSDvRS7p1FO-2hl6KfALugqplw2lx_mPF6KzPkaUUYZ0cO9GPW6RZwA_7M6xvR8ARLTNU5Kb-dKX1kbCe93MFm4LCYc3ZIHHheTaA/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After almost exceeding an hour of the pre booked cab package of 8 hours, I reached back Ginger at 5:45pm and an almost free one hour cab ride. Saji turned out to become more like a big brother of sorts advising me on not to venture out alone and denied to take any payment for the additional hour usage of the cab. Beautiful place, wonderful people, great food !!!<br />
<br />
It is also a safe place for women travelling alone before dusk sets in. However be wary of your surroundings<br />
<br />
If you need more details about the place, drop in a comment. Would be happy to help :)<br />
<br /></div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-309646457289988762014-01-12T22:00:00.000-08:002014-05-11T01:04:58.213-07:00Bonding over French cuisine, long walk and a Desi dinner at Houston<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was a relaxed last day at Houston before we packed our bags and headed to the west coast. We spent the morning at home chatting over bagels and pan cakes. My favourite breakfast during my stay at Houston were bagels and I still crave for them every now and then in Chennai and still have not found a place where I can find them here ..<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyM2IwuRWi2BPgZW0DZwB75wb8PkQs9Q1xsHpcaFWj8BX7VUOjhyphenhyphenandACejhc08DEv_TajJV8SntGC-Oi0HPuQeUpvJEqppOxtF24_H1vrrJoOo8Ar0VMF14okoYc_-x8DThKiOHUO0Q/s1600/DSC_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyM2IwuRWi2BPgZW0DZwB75wb8PkQs9Q1xsHpcaFWj8BX7VUOjhyphenhyphenandACejhc08DEv_TajJV8SntGC-Oi0HPuQeUpvJEqppOxtF24_H1vrrJoOo8Ar0VMF14okoYc_-x8DThKiOHUO0Q/s1600/DSC_0271.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy Cheese bagel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EfEjZ047kAu1_yr3uG4xoEsYujosgfcHGgx0Gas6tJIihWaxdJtYAkDox169mw8vjIVrisCFczT3WM09ovcmcaL0-5bORwe8WLicdKnKS1KUR_huar8PJ7sECH6NbK0kOB3hyFdiDRE/s1600/DSC_0826+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EfEjZ047kAu1_yr3uG4xoEsYujosgfcHGgx0Gas6tJIihWaxdJtYAkDox169mw8vjIVrisCFczT3WM09ovcmcaL0-5bORwe8WLicdKnKS1KUR_huar8PJ7sECH6NbK0kOB3hyFdiDRE/s1600/DSC_0826+(2).JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pancake and fruits for breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
After the american breakfast and getting done with packing our bags .. We left to dine at Le Madeleine -a French restaurant that was not very far away from home. Just like my first stint with the bagels, this was the first time I was giving authentic French cuisine a try .. thou' I have earlier tried Quiches and quite liked them.. This time over I enjoyed every bit of all the food we ordered.. The whole place was very laid back and I saw most of the customers spending their time enjoying the food with a book. </div>
<div>
I think we were the only large group in the restaurant.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiss4CnjWa2eZh1muwDDcb4EQgALGga6BcMJ8fLzNbvvvLnFnwUAWUeGTsaEXEtiKOVwStPCxsFi4M4QjLXJHmETASF3lQFcXfH-WV6IiDENjjSDOoD_hZtPWrJsmxcPAeH29gxxteYwg/s1600/DSC_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiss4CnjWa2eZh1muwDDcb4EQgALGga6BcMJ8fLzNbvvvLnFnwUAWUeGTsaEXEtiKOVwStPCxsFi4M4QjLXJHmETASF3lQFcXfH-WV6IiDENjjSDOoD_hZtPWrJsmxcPAeH29gxxteYwg/s1600/DSC_0739.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Soup and Quiche</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0F2yLG9-WbJFK9qZGQn0NdhU9bGip8iCHaaDHWRmj3WtYMjmVpz-S-M1-5Nm8Q8ocf-x2GZHS81wxDuDYVNaMLJN_LygNVNf7XTlyLTVqNz4SEjM1yEu3G91ToG4M6Gcl5YX3vy1Z_0/s1600/DSC_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0F2yLG9-WbJFK9qZGQn0NdhU9bGip8iCHaaDHWRmj3WtYMjmVpz-S-M1-5Nm8Q8ocf-x2GZHS81wxDuDYVNaMLJN_LygNVNf7XTlyLTVqNz4SEjM1yEu3G91ToG4M6Gcl5YX3vy1Z_0/s1600/DSC_0741.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salad, breads and Dessert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
After the sumptuous french meal we headed to Kemah Board walk, an entertainment place on the waterfront. The place is filled with numerous shops, water front dining options and entertainments options of the kids and family. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This place has a roller coaster made of wood that runs on wooden railings .. the noise it makes, made me decide not to hop on it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The whole place was breezy, we took a long walk, spotted birds, boats and spoke about how we can have some fun parties on these private boats et all ..<br />
<br />
As the evening started to we headed back to our dinner destination for the day - Mogul and some ice cream at Marble slab creamery.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X6IlaNBPAXuYOJRa_kAlA5kdpXG1HUxyjH4cqr4XGlUEA1cM6Oth-6qfmIL4zb0NO_mv7ag06_eI2-rfZftoiRVOWhn7B0-qWcTNDyHLY3_5dTodZvdI6eBat2o7QmpwflCl_kdjOQI/s1600/DSC_0788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X6IlaNBPAXuYOJRa_kAlA5kdpXG1HUxyjH4cqr4XGlUEA1cM6Oth-6qfmIL4zb0NO_mv7ag06_eI2-rfZftoiRVOWhn7B0-qWcTNDyHLY3_5dTodZvdI6eBat2o7QmpwflCl_kdjOQI/s1600/DSC_0788.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Kemah Boardwalk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUQSMQMU8-jJKpbBKNtlbnDxrvY46zmIS6eus9KitEzXGWfxkk3SIytY_kF_RkbDXtiisqysLaUG1BPeIxBi5Mt6-kMlTYDFpB7-rhRJxIUam3nbvq4DvSzD-ljetVMCPZwbFZpVTbas/s1600/DSC_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUQSMQMU8-jJKpbBKNtlbnDxrvY46zmIS6eus9KitEzXGWfxkk3SIytY_kF_RkbDXtiisqysLaUG1BPeIxBi5Mt6-kMlTYDFpB7-rhRJxIUam3nbvq4DvSzD-ljetVMCPZwbFZpVTbas/s1600/DSC_0801.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indian Dinner at Mogul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiN1lqwG_ZOR9ldPQllaD-sSlY2TZNVDHqK1FdSWr63mWEU1yl7aGU0ShYmLDxEBmH6sNUMMMEkxK4Euti5jfhsX35l-Z8WIfTGuIBa8aZAwZV5xQjkNsC7ABT5U-fnJVPK3vJF85XBY/s1600/DSC_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiN1lqwG_ZOR9ldPQllaD-sSlY2TZNVDHqK1FdSWr63mWEU1yl7aGU0ShYmLDxEBmH6sNUMMMEkxK4Euti5jfhsX35l-Z8WIfTGuIBa8aZAwZV5xQjkNsC7ABT5U-fnJVPK3vJF85XBY/s1600/DSC_0802.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy Ice cream form Marble slab creamery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-11955303913199644552014-01-08T07:07:00.000-08:002014-01-08T07:07:07.261-08:00Day 3 and 4 - Shopping at Houston<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our third day at Houston was allotted only to shopping before we headed towards the west coast of the USA.<br />
<br />
More than shopping for stuff, we were pretty much thrilled walking around the various stores selling specialized items, which we otherwise do not find in our home land.<br />
<br />
Our first halt was at the premium factory outlet stores, where we did enough and more of clothes shopping as we munched on pizza slices and pretzels.<br />
<br />
After shopping clothes for ourselves, friends and family our next shopping destination was at Bed, Bath and Beyond .. and then to Lowe's and then to Hobby Lobby ... and then to the Oh! so famous Walmart and finally to IKEA !!!!<br />
<br />
After the whirlwind shopping .. we headed back home to pack all these stuff into our large suitcases which were to get even larger before hopping on to our flight to the next destination..<br />
<br />
In between our shopping marathon we stopped for lunch and evening snacks at the choicest of restaurants that my aunt and uncle suggested. And we enjoyed our first meal the Thai way ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc0RuEUP7zX8ls1M8gAIwO2vWtK94FGRhq8He5W9kyLaH7gM_UTjoM0O7WU6npX5MXhwk82A_r5bHwgqlxvjsjY-WKh9omG2K1Ne9YW9F7oktRi3NOIJbd5VDsZLu-dbbwjfmpghfJdc/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc0RuEUP7zX8ls1M8gAIwO2vWtK94FGRhq8He5W9kyLaH7gM_UTjoM0O7WU6npX5MXhwk82A_r5bHwgqlxvjsjY-WKh9omG2K1Ne9YW9F7oktRi3NOIJbd5VDsZLu-dbbwjfmpghfJdc/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mnQcKn1lO23ZZk0JQqk2qlD7nt0TB7853HPPoqwju-XQNXOLoS5sq4SPxI3lKLF9_Xu4A6Oi0Ct0_JFniCdpOancOMSu5YupjWam-8xy4HjtYJd0lWbF86Kxet9vdT7QTfxTDiAhAq8/s1600/DSC_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mnQcKn1lO23ZZk0JQqk2qlD7nt0TB7853HPPoqwju-XQNXOLoS5sq4SPxI3lKLF9_Xu4A6Oi0Ct0_JFniCdpOancOMSu5YupjWam-8xy4HjtYJd0lWbF86Kxet9vdT7QTfxTDiAhAq8/s1600/DSC_0259.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDHiEW8ZvHvaEy2zS9_Xm0jw54mX-0HAsG2LK1OYeS0PbpFdUhV0EW-UBGFFjBVmAJbkjWksIvfFrC2fWuV7t4RA6mdjTyzXeDfhUTsLjU0C4T2KL3s4H7zk9Yd8VEudbZHkMWxb47As/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDHiEW8ZvHvaEy2zS9_Xm0jw54mX-0HAsG2LK1OYeS0PbpFdUhV0EW-UBGFFjBVmAJbkjWksIvfFrC2fWuV7t4RA6mdjTyzXeDfhUTsLjU0C4T2KL3s4H7zk9Yd8VEudbZHkMWxb47As/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And we snacked on the yummy goodies from IKEA cafeteria .. My favourite was the simple corn cake..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rsn7r8OOys5CRlm2jrh-ra9PyTXnQwFJpS-OWtXNGdPo9vTug2fMIzQvPeLScpxkhccDnz2nhcxntNH8sqAUwu8y2JfdC0tXUPg-LHCg4yCXbyrgqkUEwCVoBcCjvXgT0-ww_mQkl8g/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rsn7r8OOys5CRlm2jrh-ra9PyTXnQwFJpS-OWtXNGdPo9vTug2fMIzQvPeLScpxkhccDnz2nhcxntNH8sqAUwu8y2JfdC0tXUPg-LHCg4yCXbyrgqkUEwCVoBcCjvXgT0-ww_mQkl8g/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Which is your favourite place to shop and eat while you are at Houston ?</b><br />
<br />
***<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Join me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shalinis-Travelogue/157409877614070">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/shals88">Twitter</a> to hear more travel stories and updates !</i></div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-14461816119353157762013-12-14T22:45:00.002-08:002013-12-14T23:03:05.228-08:00Day 2 - San Antonio, Texas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We had planned a day long activity to drive down from Houston - visit the sea world at San Antonio - explore the city - Get back to Houston by night.<br />
<br />
It was about 3 - 4 hours drive from Houston. We drove past down town Houston and en-route we visited Buc-ees and the Market square (which had lines of shops selling curios customary to Mexico).<br />
<br />
Buc-ees is a popular store among Texans and these stores are primarily located in the high ways.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0WqMkgxYfmRPaRjfkv126Rd6Pu1XXtoRaaAF7dUvNTwpqg5XaOTGu8lzRRPrZTnZqbR39YuOK7bzeX0pIUwo_ZxkXHA7HEOB1mw8m3RqHTvq7zArNZkPBr1i1Z7ai_dcFPJI15k6KJE/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0WqMkgxYfmRPaRjfkv126Rd6Pu1XXtoRaaAF7dUvNTwpqg5XaOTGu8lzRRPrZTnZqbR39YuOK7bzeX0pIUwo_ZxkXHA7HEOB1mw8m3RqHTvq7zArNZkPBr1i1Z7ai_dcFPJI15k6KJE/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And our next stop was at 'The Market square - El Marcado' which had a series of shops selling Mexican hats, souvenirs, food et all.. The entire place was so vibrant and full of life !<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69O1g3mjMnSCBtcoy9z_fDww5_5efCKVHcW7WwfJRuiKtGK5sWX21tpFk-Ycft-Rasw2I-R0xA_qxT1gARPUpV6ergUYyMIY7_0xIy1UyTfiwwvgwhRaHezBE33HCa6onNkRryMdGcrQ/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69O1g3mjMnSCBtcoy9z_fDww5_5efCKVHcW7WwfJRuiKtGK5sWX21tpFk-Ycft-Rasw2I-R0xA_qxT1gARPUpV6ergUYyMIY7_0xIy1UyTfiwwvgwhRaHezBE33HCa6onNkRryMdGcrQ/s640/DSC_0161.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaV-ea_au9EvsUroKlRom1EyPOHs64pllIzuEyngQhB77eq26UWYcSO5wrv7xyAj1cewRObxYaOBTxeJ-scdPeatsVdvcm2dH1ZK5lCHkMHM2KUovbF1AwiQzK1QDzM-ev8FC0XoYCkj0/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaV-ea_au9EvsUroKlRom1EyPOHs64pllIzuEyngQhB77eq26UWYcSO5wrv7xyAj1cewRObxYaOBTxeJ-scdPeatsVdvcm2dH1ZK5lCHkMHM2KUovbF1AwiQzK1QDzM-ev8FC0XoYCkj0/s640/DSC_0166.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7T3HXDK5hyphenhyphenWtZhwbxiM86Afda_q6OSJZIrGo7q-cFHjCoRD91Gt55niG3BchJRadme0qJd2U-6MvEp_YZ9GaYhyphenhyphend9KPlD3TZPeOHUmT1erXILaik9ESWKzO6KhbrKuSnNegeFmWTYRRw/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7T3HXDK5hyphenhyphenWtZhwbxiM86Afda_q6OSJZIrGo7q-cFHjCoRD91Gt55niG3BchJRadme0qJd2U-6MvEp_YZ9GaYhyphenhyphend9KPlD3TZPeOHUmT1erXILaik9ESWKzO6KhbrKuSnNegeFmWTYRRw/s640/DSC_0167.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt6WW0lf_k21RasRrdsIgnRvcILHkh7_kMmD7Dwpyu015k0UBijaWF8jpry9zYANKKjTehHQdX-yozu6vja4fPg1dJNJjU0yTl4nLydiv5WhZfkgb8LE5zrupdGyx7lYgyoFnEXA3ZtU/s1600/DSC_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt6WW0lf_k21RasRrdsIgnRvcILHkh7_kMmD7Dwpyu015k0UBijaWF8jpry9zYANKKjTehHQdX-yozu6vja4fPg1dJNJjU0yTl4nLydiv5WhZfkgb8LE5zrupdGyx7lYgyoFnEXA3ZtU/s640/DSC_0169.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorditas filled with bean and cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And, we finally reached the Sea world at San Antonio which was about an hour drive from 'The Market square'. The place was flocked with families with kids. It was the first time I was getting up close with a dolphin, they are such lovely creatures you can never get bored of them.. We fed the dolphins with fishes that were sold at the venue as part of 'Feed the dolphins' program. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi313zgJ8x20q9GzS_Xv5zOpwdsoaIo2GlxB_32ObOJDm0Ya5BNPiTe8uhRPtToemXdqumjmaYN_mtZu5N5HA44fHKlbFcOQxSZHcMMkL223FWNV9vhKbLhl5O1W00QoaPOM01LZt3gPNQ/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi313zgJ8x20q9GzS_Xv5zOpwdsoaIo2GlxB_32ObOJDm0Ya5BNPiTe8uhRPtToemXdqumjmaYN_mtZu5N5HA44fHKlbFcOQxSZHcMMkL223FWNV9vhKbLhl5O1W00QoaPOM01LZt3gPNQ/s640/DSC_0175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOTV2EzW1kCAm_iDKXhXPKrNR8EubGldG4gOg8FqlEfZDZCTe5jb2noZ7akM5OgTW0hASdme13w5flAELM3Yq8kSqEzKVb3Z8lBcZmv3whIZCzCSUFTUXlZDF0yVySNlt0ZKi4cQyMOw/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOTV2EzW1kCAm_iDKXhXPKrNR8EubGldG4gOg8FqlEfZDZCTe5jb2noZ7akM5OgTW0hASdme13w5flAELM3Yq8kSqEzKVb3Z8lBcZmv3whIZCzCSUFTUXlZDF0yVySNlt0ZKi4cQyMOw/s640/DSC_0185.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding the dolphins, at the Sea world</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVkBoJKYhyphenhyphenabO95JUWjkVavup3iWSI1ILAE3-PO2pZWHL8ZDWCLSDXh60PemGWmvPXrI__fVeHmVPtGKzX8YC0myKpoVZPDKFOt9XmqT26r-ZixyjeY9i5ccdAFv1EN0lJ4bq3BSMhzU/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVkBoJKYhyphenhyphenabO95JUWjkVavup3iWSI1ILAE3-PO2pZWHL8ZDWCLSDXh60PemGWmvPXrI__fVeHmVPtGKzX8YC0myKpoVZPDKFOt9XmqT26r-ZixyjeY9i5ccdAFv1EN0lJ4bq3BSMhzU/s640/DSC_0190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnDHZaQ_urPltgELHOYfw00Tcsu7clWrKbuEjGtX2DIOw55PTQih8tZ0qwzVW1rcqK_cO6Fa9Nm7K3xkxcavUn1t9aR49Ou5x8-DXHybsCoMBJDqmhcIZESBdc-VduWrkEKE6XKR6aSk/s1600/DSC_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnDHZaQ_urPltgELHOYfw00Tcsu7clWrKbuEjGtX2DIOw55PTQih8tZ0qwzVW1rcqK_cO6Fa9Nm7K3xkxcavUn1t9aR49Ou5x8-DXHybsCoMBJDqmhcIZESBdc-VduWrkEKE6XKR6aSk/s640/DSC_0211.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After viewing some spectacular shows and a bit of souvenir shopping we headed to the the San Antonio river walk by evening, by which time the place was beautifully lit up. The quaint cafes and hotels bordering the river added charm to the entire setting. We took a walk around the park and took a boat ride in the river, with a guide explaining to a bunch of us about the history of the place and the importance of the San Antonio river. Just being there for couple of hours made me want to come back to the place to get to know more about it and stay there for a longer time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjId9mmpw6hmh4BjaXsmj56rh9_71fc4Mnb4OVGex-Zc86eCiEkVLIZoZcX5fREiKcoYwEULzaNQwIQGgzUpUSF6iDc5paysf5XZAYUkrM-UoOiICqyzEoCbfHgmOGJFyzfl0R_70cLeD0/s1600/DSC_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjId9mmpw6hmh4BjaXsmj56rh9_71fc4Mnb4OVGex-Zc86eCiEkVLIZoZcX5fREiKcoYwEULzaNQwIQGgzUpUSF6iDc5paysf5XZAYUkrM-UoOiICqyzEoCbfHgmOGJFyzfl0R_70cLeD0/s640/DSC_0264.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnqFa3cbKTO5rO2rpQY7hm1dhZZoRErKChhImRejR8PtiI5U73G6TRq7M5oWhEHJAo3YNO-w_GKpAaMqk-sZPNc7EjuTX8gAwqGZdqvVFJJccxf93mjVgntZxBiMpLrZSkeR2Vdumdd8/s1600/DSC_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnqFa3cbKTO5rO2rpQY7hm1dhZZoRErKChhImRejR8PtiI5U73G6TRq7M5oWhEHJAo3YNO-w_GKpAaMqk-sZPNc7EjuTX8gAwqGZdqvVFJJccxf93mjVgntZxBiMpLrZSkeR2Vdumdd8/s640/DSC_0266.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After a beautiful day filled with some awesome memories, we headed back home after grabbing some quick dinner from Taco bell.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-62753095694486968352013-12-03T08:57:00.003-08:002013-12-14T23:03:29.673-08:00US bound - Two weeks in 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was the end of September 2012, and there we were looking forward to the two weeks of awesome fun in US with extended family. It was a trip that we were looking to make for quite sometime before we finally decided on getting our bags packed and get, set, GOOO !!!<br />
<br />
We had a transit flight through Dubai, it was the first time I was flying Emirates and I quite liked the experience. I did a lottt of window shopping in the Dubai airport and finally shopped for some authentic sweets and savouries (Baklava , mixed nuts which had some yummy garnishing to it)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F6MP7EFVmVkZbFa3CR47FGQi_Bz9LxRtxsKdPAHkp6-0wVAPnOPZ0ESSxeYzZ-fcN315JgdMiCOwOT0x7TudNHqA8m_oD9tb3U5cpD4lHzr2FHwh5_FJ_KKbKXC-bbKfbo3q-nNDpbo/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F6MP7EFVmVkZbFa3CR47FGQi_Bz9LxRtxsKdPAHkp6-0wVAPnOPZ0ESSxeYzZ-fcN315JgdMiCOwOT0x7TudNHqA8m_oD9tb3U5cpD4lHzr2FHwh5_FJ_KKbKXC-bbKfbo3q-nNDpbo/s640/DSC_0014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaLIPYr22WEJRdykAeaRaQ075OpvsEy2_AbMqa-0lziLSjAl_rSLzQsZxCKny5-BGpfag0KOkBIAkLHKxdrN4awFveDw43NxdsezZI5GEThhIoKjNUav9Ws2lDm6IxA4eU-DDpgK-urg/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaLIPYr22WEJRdykAeaRaQ075OpvsEy2_AbMqa-0lziLSjAl_rSLzQsZxCKny5-BGpfag0KOkBIAkLHKxdrN4awFveDw43NxdsezZI5GEThhIoKjNUav9Ws2lDm6IxA4eU-DDpgK-urg/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's the bird's eye view of Dubai from my flight window as the flight takes off ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-M_4yA3z-nv3SETFHTok36v62nQzZeyyvDvAMjlTsScH3dDaE-Ed_CDj1Cq1NGjGBLJQPRXTEhIir1RFLyCF6qTGYpdKqexArbQte6Su4swicwyrtc7KHBtpuAr5msERne3e-wlALNY/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-M_4yA3z-nv3SETFHTok36v62nQzZeyyvDvAMjlTsScH3dDaE-Ed_CDj1Cq1NGjGBLJQPRXTEhIir1RFLyCF6qTGYpdKqexArbQte6Su4swicwyrtc7KHBtpuAr5msERne3e-wlALNY/s640/DSC_0064.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And we land at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston... to a pleasant weather and slight drizzles. My cousin and uncle were there at the airport to welcome us and we drove back to their place and the rest of the day was spent chatting and planning the itinerary for the days ahead. This was my first experience in Amerikkaaaa :D<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QzXjIap6lNGGqj0mrzVQktnSnYcRA4hg10Fs6-EgdgLfNogrgW3mC9KnX4oD1-utBbr-0uOuyfGsjnaD7rX9M6nIyOYkC4h0vSeqb3m3YvnSskblEsZr9H02NNwzK8jiYN7tML3g3TY/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QzXjIap6lNGGqj0mrzVQktnSnYcRA4hg10Fs6-EgdgLfNogrgW3mC9KnX4oD1-utBbr-0uOuyfGsjnaD7rX9M6nIyOYkC4h0vSeqb3m3YvnSskblEsZr9H02NNwzK8jiYN7tML3g3TY/s640/DSC_0106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-1473296159994271132011-08-28T09:52:00.000-07:002011-08-28T11:28:08.845-07:00My last day of the Puttaparthi, Bangalore trip - Day 3 of 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPDFyi2_lx0UloigW58BoqPNRvlrsNQQVeDcTe6BGDEAvZIc0xVTI8eES5jEuZ8sufYDtxFYBMaP1zO4487ovOwMjcPGHeLeYs3LWMhyphenhyphengCCC1dphyphenhyphenxSSeV5uQAJReDXrlDpla-lTr1Wk/s1600/07122010214.jpg">
<br /></a>After the first day in Bangalore and the second day in Puttaparthi, we returned to Bangalore before starting on our journey back home to Chennai.
<br />
<br />This time over it was full time shopping in Bangalore at the Garuda Mall and the Bangalore central mall, with a short visit to the Lalbagh garden just before we started to Chennai.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPDFyi2_lx0UloigW58BoqPNRvlrsNQQVeDcTe6BGDEAvZIc0xVTI8eES5jEuZ8sufYDtxFYBMaP1zO4487ovOwMjcPGHeLeYs3LWMhyphenhyphengCCC1dphyphenhyphenxSSeV5uQAJReDXrlDpla-lTr1Wk/s1600/07122010214.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPDFyi2_lx0UloigW58BoqPNRvlrsNQQVeDcTe6BGDEAvZIc0xVTI8eES5jEuZ8sufYDtxFYBMaP1zO4487ovOwMjcPGHeLeYs3LWMhyphenhyphengCCC1dphyphenhyphenxSSeV5uQAJReDXrlDpla-lTr1Wk/s400/07122010214.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645973775912852834" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaQ19KtPj_XpAImHckE95O2p1mv3OXspNeJBrSDrvbE353FPERy1nrKCDrCub6z4utyOaSBIX7NEEjfwwFocdwLpEapIuIToDrg0pTd9DVZ4csAGP7hZQBt4TDr04Ar0PwxblwCpXRKU/s1600/DSC05575.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaQ19KtPj_XpAImHckE95O2p1mv3OXspNeJBrSDrvbE353FPERy1nrKCDrCub6z4utyOaSBIX7NEEjfwwFocdwLpEapIuIToDrg0pTd9DVZ4csAGP7hZQBt4TDr04Ar0PwxblwCpXRKU/s400/DSC05575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645973768930094994" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0FMEz03yBLuT8eG60uGXYZbQLY4w6Z8UuezCgF8vpnH7TYRk6fcWyjc5SEsxDTPNROviCnjLOtcmYySQwLk-Tsx00QhnIksDc6dkRn1GjC9MhoNwe5oREeL_u40aJvGAPVgm7UOsWhk/s1600/DSC05585.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0FMEz03yBLuT8eG60uGXYZbQLY4w6Z8UuezCgF8vpnH7TYRk6fcWyjc5SEsxDTPNROviCnjLOtcmYySQwLk-Tsx00QhnIksDc6dkRn1GjC9MhoNwe5oREeL_u40aJvGAPVgm7UOsWhk/s400/DSC05585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645973771121728978" border="0" /></a>
<br />My favourite in Bangalore is the buffet breakfast at Woodland's hotel and this time again we didn't miss it either. A seperate post on that in my <a href="http://eatoutreviews.blogspot.com/">food blog</a>.
<br />Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-23878082337969031892011-07-27T07:35:00.000-07:002011-07-27T11:42:14.945-07:00On a spiritual route (Puttaparthi Bangalore & Puttaparthi) - Part 2 of 3I am glad we made this trip then .. Six months after the trips as I make this blog post now .. Sri Sathya Sai baba is no more .. !<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">After spending the <a href="http://mytravelchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/02/on-spiritual-route-bangalore.html">first day in Bangalore</a>, we headed to Puttaparthi the next morning.</span></span><br /><br />After a sumptuous buffet breakfast at Woodlands, we started on our drive to Puttaparthi from Bangalore which was for about 3 hours, along vineyards in the roller coaster like highway ..<br /><br />It has been for many years that my parents and grand parents wanted to make a visit to Puttaparthi .. It was my first visit to the place and it was totally different from what I thought it to be like .. The first look of the place was neat, calm and uncluttered with every essential facility one could possibly think of from a full fledged hospital to educational institution to entertainment centres to a private airport .. it was all part of the Sathya sai trust.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEieNwk9lk03s_F9YzSaaDDSJFKR3QHqKR4Zw_Z2MaadJbuGNDror5Jy-l9oZAcR2UV3awmA9jdr6X4wzJrDOf3LknttEBD7dxUYg8hmD4ErXdehydrOsGDzloXx_BJil4uH_2HBtXad4/s1600/DSC05472.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEieNwk9lk03s_F9YzSaaDDSJFKR3QHqKR4Zw_Z2MaadJbuGNDror5Jy-l9oZAcR2UV3awmA9jdr6X4wzJrDOf3LknttEBD7dxUYg8hmD4ErXdehydrOsGDzloXx_BJil4uH_2HBtXad4/s400/DSC05472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634082712250507586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEjN199vRKZAxPWQ3CPkgAZTlI6SOmeeIShC28USWiTsZ-KncRPskA2ioort3daXA5nBULtQzTYXxb0OEnq8G7jPt56s6Uk7KER9rJ9Jn1yjMgWKnLfq0SgZn6oE0Spt260jzZkccxYM/s1600/DSC05527.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEjN199vRKZAxPWQ3CPkgAZTlI6SOmeeIShC28USWiTsZ-KncRPskA2ioort3daXA5nBULtQzTYXxb0OEnq8G7jPt56s6Uk7KER9rJ9Jn1yjMgWKnLfq0SgZn6oE0Spt260jzZkccxYM/s400/DSC05527.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634082725569231138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvhGC9OSLbZESFYlTD48pIhylyRHFmuE6MohiDNwgfWS7D9aHaWexTlLg5WnO-WmQQR3_cmy9DJhhTSeXYDEMmshoPPkGJyTKmdkoFAueNDZFrDbozh7W9oJuVIH1T6hz2RIBjhuzPfA/s1600/DSC05519.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvhGC9OSLbZESFYlTD48pIhylyRHFmuE6MohiDNwgfWS7D9aHaWexTlLg5WnO-WmQQR3_cmy9DJhhTSeXYDEMmshoPPkGJyTKmdkoFAueNDZFrDbozh7W9oJuVIH1T6hz2RIBjhuzPfA/s400/DSC05519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634082719961120914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Unbelievable but true, I saw people from all over the globe, there were volunteers as well as visitors .. There is an Aarthi being held every evening for which Baba pays visit to, for which thousands of devotees gather for many hours in the Prashanthi Nilayam to have a sight of him.<br /><br />I have never been fond of Bhajans or large pilgrim gatherings but it was totally very different case in Prashanthi Nilayam .. the atmosphere was Vibrant .. I was more curious in wondering what makes so many people from around the globe come here ..<br /><br />The Bhajans lasted for around three hours, before Baba came in for the Arathi. Gladly we got a glimpse of him thou' me and my mom had moved out of the place before he arrived.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ITdnFhOZj-_CO95B078E92h0EkjJ7wAUM8eBcTcIH7aNGX5sB3Sp_vsvF-0CQbMAg49forlHD-Qge1SZAmREaLtmdZZ6juzGUQGmz_iW0U2QY44L5g2MzmtuagLtuKN6csWt7RlK-TM/s1600/07122010210.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ITdnFhOZj-_CO95B078E92h0EkjJ7wAUM8eBcTcIH7aNGX5sB3Sp_vsvF-0CQbMAg49forlHD-Qge1SZAmREaLtmdZZ6juzGUQGmz_iW0U2QY44L5g2MzmtuagLtuKN6csWt7RlK-TM/s400/07122010210.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634102953812250498" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhxF2PCVfp9aEXlqiEBmw-fmRKG20k6NIo-zui38H3R2U8WnKMRqO15uKIvKqpP8NtGiud-OuOSdE-ZxMRgfexU2jZ71ke8uzR5uk2K6LFlRQbzRLEZHN2eX7-wYY3bS5GjUL1ONI17w/s1600/07122010209.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhxF2PCVfp9aEXlqiEBmw-fmRKG20k6NIo-zui38H3R2U8WnKMRqO15uKIvKqpP8NtGiud-OuOSdE-ZxMRgfexU2jZ71ke8uzR5uk2K6LFlRQbzRLEZHN2eX7-wYY3bS5GjUL1ONI17w/s400/07122010209.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634102951553550850" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJ-6ICIJSMWotFOtTWaAJNqgmM1QAcx5yJcz8OWgJ3-qwSltfHwHy4y95xWb1Rb-FfzPGkVH68UKyRHHQ6gyLw64c7vstE3-WMFdkiUTHDyAmmSYZRPTa1yHYeknkwN3M16nxSYIJVkw/s1600/07122010207.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJ-6ICIJSMWotFOtTWaAJNqgmM1QAcx5yJcz8OWgJ3-qwSltfHwHy4y95xWb1Rb-FfzPGkVH68UKyRHHQ6gyLw64c7vstE3-WMFdkiUTHDyAmmSYZRPTa1yHYeknkwN3M16nxSYIJVkw/s400/07122010207.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634102960850893074" border="0" /></a><br />The streets around Prashanthi Nilayam are filled with hotels and small shops selling curios. We spent another hour shopping for stuff before we reached our hotel for dinner.Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-51715002990613323522011-05-25T11:05:00.000-07:002011-05-28T11:12:17.354-07:00Kerala TalesWhen your flight lands in the runway admist cocunut grooves and banana plantations, when your drive to the hotel is along the Arabian coast line, you know for sure your in God's own country. This is my first visit to Trivandrum, the place is serene, relaxed and you sure don't want to come here on an official trip and miss doing all the touristy stuff.<br /><div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd994PVPnaqRTVoLXq4Lw6p2vaHDYznGSpgoH96kLitTAx4ytthcTG02etRqDBd6wC1Uh2bqY4Favi2_SR8GVZuIo_tWsyIIoQPzF5iC4qbifUBTugOpdxAf4cknAUC3X2DzXIwjQWRo/s1600/DSC05801.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd994PVPnaqRTVoLXq4Lw6p2vaHDYznGSpgoH96kLitTAx4ytthcTG02etRqDBd6wC1Uh2bqY4Favi2_SR8GVZuIo_tWsyIIoQPzF5iC4qbifUBTugOpdxAf4cknAUC3X2DzXIwjQWRo/s400/DSC05801.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611828595417153666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKXDYmbozp9S2-GV7O7NZd6nxrMbggsyokSMskVUzIcbhUjBwb080vbEmKiE9eRIRJlAMysM8V77UV3CKaDw_YgESvF8jKURQ6-OkSIbveBQ4A1i0Mk5jMYnbJMvETVeKNnuSkynny8o/s1600/DSC05821.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKXDYmbozp9S2-GV7O7NZd6nxrMbggsyokSMskVUzIcbhUjBwb080vbEmKiE9eRIRJlAMysM8V77UV3CKaDw_YgESvF8jKURQ6-OkSIbveBQ4A1i0Mk5jMYnbJMvETVeKNnuSkynny8o/s400/DSC05821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611828604069759250" border="0" /></a><br />Though my stay is for quite long, there is very little that I am going to get to know of the place this time, which is only wanting me to make a long holiday trip to this part of the country.<br /><br />The walk into the techno park in itself feels more like walking into a serene college campus than into an IT park space. Thanks to the wonderful landscaping and lots of greens as far as my vision goes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ggZF3G9loHMgHgATzI63utjJutdG2d-_0f6yNJ7Xv71MAH25cby89LharMXjijRCfQC4OdrCLmRc95i-77uG8uDWgex50kE7xTHxsTpRImUz8pwrOZt5Yrz2dPl1eNVXg2il-p0CP3M/s1600/23052011713.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610721871406906754" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ggZF3G9loHMgHgATzI63utjJutdG2d-_0f6yNJ7Xv71MAH25cby89LharMXjijRCfQC4OdrCLmRc95i-77uG8uDWgex50kE7xTHxsTpRImUz8pwrOZt5Yrz2dPl1eNVXg2il-p0CP3M/s400/23052011713.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Even as I sip tea from the cafeteria in the fourth floor of the building, it feels more like sneaking a peek while climbing a mountain.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZiDUQxTDb-ZXbTYXHqj2T38uttXgbNObOsKbu9k6fBs3mYBn4Tu3mNAmiWgTYIFzLbw0Komo4Pq124cFCp_c3irP65xSKFbjyt5IfV74C5Bnt_pjptsIy2LdL-QVl-kw3aEKYZjDwzM/s1600/23052011709.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610721868211799906" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZiDUQxTDb-ZXbTYXHqj2T38uttXgbNObOsKbu9k6fBs3mYBn4Tu3mNAmiWgTYIFzLbw0Komo4Pq124cFCp_c3irP65xSKFbjyt5IfV74C5Bnt_pjptsIy2LdL-QVl-kw3aEKYZjDwzM/s400/23052011709.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Beautiful sunsets, long stretches of beach, friendly people and most of all the slow paced lifestyle is few of the many things that add to the charm of this little town in the south west of India.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujvJJXyLqbryJoCVHq1EKhbmNfXMJdFlsL6ZaJEQBVGY-ynyxC67Z9ntrEeMS9tlcx0O4D-RayR9fPTuiRew8jr50uAj6lAv7Spgo9jYRWiKWOU43W40jsM9gDaAMMxHFFm-iZPLu1V8/s1600/DSC05816.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujvJJXyLqbryJoCVHq1EKhbmNfXMJdFlsL6ZaJEQBVGY-ynyxC67Z9ntrEeMS9tlcx0O4D-RayR9fPTuiRew8jr50uAj6lAv7Spgo9jYRWiKWOU43W40jsM9gDaAMMxHFFm-iZPLu1V8/s400/DSC05816.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611828598036777378" border="0" /></a><div><br />As I draft this post I see the first thunder showers of the south west monsoon setting in from my room window.<br /><br /><br /></div></div></div>Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-8395214248617308692011-02-10T08:28:00.000-08:002011-02-11T10:45:10.607-08:00On a spiritual route - (Bangalore & Puttaparthi) Part 1 of 3Anticipating an extended weekend, we (my family) decided to visit puttaparthi (a small town in the Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh border) brought to fame by Baba's Prashanthi nilayam ashram.<br /><br />We did a four day road trip from Chennai to Puttaparthi via Bangalore and back. Seven of us in a tempo traveller, it was a very comfortable trip sans the mis-adventures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EcQwvZOegzsgWt3GELJ1GZeTrugJnESNrLPHuiv0QNBNXtss2vxNzJymQY8cXs2U1x1YBY9z3w1SFrBjQJfHDxgT1DQaZwIx_Ec3LyVmz2775Zryka5Xy2knNKbvClu17fg04DIdCNs/s1600/05122010132.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EcQwvZOegzsgWt3GELJ1GZeTrugJnESNrLPHuiv0QNBNXtss2vxNzJymQY8cXs2U1x1YBY9z3w1SFrBjQJfHDxgT1DQaZwIx_Ec3LyVmz2775Zryka5Xy2knNKbvClu17fg04DIdCNs/s400/05122010132.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572489311784790354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAiAabyN4WunZOb-EfL6iTciO0hz8iU5zohocp8QL3uerM8x6DFh47r9DbTKYh_mv2UuPkr3bcQa_wb_dK-sueiaqpg2nkX4Wjp-qbDZYIeISJuXYjrEXZwpoDAAjZv0OxKMBGBeiwh8/s1600/05122010143.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAiAabyN4WunZOb-EfL6iTciO0hz8iU5zohocp8QL3uerM8x6DFh47r9DbTKYh_mv2UuPkr3bcQa_wb_dK-sueiaqpg2nkX4Wjp-qbDZYIeISJuXYjrEXZwpoDAAjZv0OxKMBGBeiwh8/s400/05122010143.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572489323593014178" border="0" /></a><br />Enjoying a steady drive on the NH 4, with a couple of breaks in between we reached Woodlands hotel in Bangalore by 1pm and headed straight to Sunheri, their South Indian restaurant for a sumptuous banana leaf meal ..<br /><br />All this while from Chennai to Bangalore to the point of finding the route to Woodlands, we used Nokia ovi maps from my phone. This happened to be the first time I used GPS this extensively and fell in love with technology.<br /><br />We checked into our rooms and after resting for a while, decided to visit the bull temple and Garuda mall.<br /><br />We reached close to the bull temple around 5 pm, there were two temples in the vicinity. In front of one of the temple was a cow and the locals were busy feeding the cow, asuming that to be the bull temple we entered it only to realize we were misguided by the cow .. eventually we visited both the temples. While leaving the temple we bought a bag full of ground nuts that was being sold outside the place, as we were told it was custom for p<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7O2C0-jaQ8BF8OSTGPFUzvrMBcm3u7aERvi-Uipuqz-39_d1i7ZkswlPBezuNy2K7eUovmQTs-1mSHIPiQR-Z-f3qYrdbKqmVapVtCkk0roNqiqM4wJaJ2IRhlh91c3BFgwT8DR8hUA/s1600/05122010166.jpg"><br /></a>eople to buy these ground nuts back after visiting the bull temple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS438LjnLuNw1bCi0e6A0oDgwQ-sf1ZyEug3EmLf3TNFYJ-MnI5jLQC469_lz_SjIPRA3WZbXQutlkQO59wpwgvI5nOLS-IMVdDr1_xjjGZkgtWbgXJofO0NSD006HXxQdNgnGLumftnk/s1600/05122010157.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS438LjnLuNw1bCi0e6A0oDgwQ-sf1ZyEug3EmLf3TNFYJ-MnI5jLQC469_lz_SjIPRA3WZbXQutlkQO59wpwgvI5nOLS-IMVdDr1_xjjGZkgtWbgXJofO0NSD006HXxQdNgnGLumftnk/s400/05122010157.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572490970626696594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3tjtvEKpbVdWlsqTwC5VcfSGljiwnMIvv6vBKozKzLhP4TTLcboF7XxBPH3d18Tel5HUClVxD-Q-0P573LMWoA35FcxM6W_o6THyKyw3VlLj-HMTNbpS_tIehP4884nbgRcLMErYsDY/s1600/05122010159.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3tjtvEKpbVdWlsqTwC5VcfSGljiwnMIvv6vBKozKzLhP4TTLcboF7XxBPH3d18Tel5HUClVxD-Q-0P573LMWoA35FcxM6W_o6THyKyw3VlLj-HMTNbpS_tIehP4884nbgRcLMErYsDY/s400/05122010159.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572490976914270834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrDHc0wNsWwReexZgUi6E6e_W381-lBHAzkaU6h5IzK4SmTgxUuBBsnssPsSytVm84k57ZK8fedMKleux8sxJpdKd3BeqESgp6rAGVEeOiAcVA7cd3h_KRbYMaBP0hHcnZY2PjYSSVJo/s1600/05122010167.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrDHc0wNsWwReexZgUi6E6e_W381-lBHAzkaU6h5IzK4SmTgxUuBBsnssPsSytVm84k57ZK8fedMKleux8sxJpdKd3BeqESgp6rAGVEeOiAcVA7cd3h_KRbYMaBP0hHcnZY2PjYSSVJo/s400/05122010167.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572504529743863874" border="0" /></a><br />After which we decided to visit Garuda mall, do a bit of shopping, get done with the dinner and head back to our hotel. Garudal mall was hardly 2 kms away from the bull temple and it took us more than an hour to reach that place (Let me warn you, it is a very bad idea to travel inside Bangalore city in a tempo traveller or in the likes of it ), our route was diverted thrice, met couple of cops and we were finally at Garuda for our dinner .. I had some yummy waffles from crepe connection that made my evening to compensate for my failed shopping plans ..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry_9AsjmhKcicKFjrfUhBWyGhFXsIOHXcPeE21Sd-ek94SSTrObSIoCRf2AZws_0ihbVeNWHtnM5HsS04sr2WlbidP6VgjPTQMswwqgDpnXSh1IXfT2poRt2hLCgLDyZ7yDdcQguSBW0/s1600/05122010170.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry_9AsjmhKcicKFjrfUhBWyGhFXsIOHXcPeE21Sd-ek94SSTrObSIoCRf2AZws_0ihbVeNWHtnM5HsS04sr2WlbidP6VgjPTQMswwqgDpnXSh1IXfT2poRt2hLCgLDyZ7yDdcQguSBW0/s400/05122010170.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572503368074772098" border="0" /></a><br />You probably know how a girl should be feeling when her shopping plans are flopped, with such a mood I hit the bed to get up early the next morning ..Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-55078971271849176032010-10-02T13:10:00.000-07:002010-10-02T20:57:33.829-07:00Going uphill , the darshan and more .. From the hills of holyness - Tirupathi (Part 3)We planned to get up early morning by 4 am, but eventually after a long journey the day before we comfortably slept until five and started from the hotel to the Tirumala temple around 6 30am .. Before ascending the hill, the vehicles were checked in the toll gate and the luggages carried were scanned as well and was marked using a nama katti (more like a white chalk) which made us think how did it really matter..<br /><br />The journey uphill started from the toll gate and it took us close to 45 mins to reach the hill top near the Tirumala temple. The ride along the paves was serene and beautiful, the cold breeze passing through your face made it a refreshing start for the day.. Nature is truly beautiful when taken care of ..<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfu4KrV8YRJLClaSA0RXPiz5H5FW475uYz2PlsKt8SPdh0TY4AqMPmgO7O-cvVhoTPm0ElVr4TpGyZKwDe_-VYi0Ld3UDliPiGjutbYx8IXPOQGb-wiALx-dmK0mUuVmK4F7xnwxjv1k/s1600/DSC05289.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfu4KrV8YRJLClaSA0RXPiz5H5FW475uYz2PlsKt8SPdh0TY4AqMPmgO7O-cvVhoTPm0ElVr4TpGyZKwDe_-VYi0Ld3UDliPiGjutbYx8IXPOQGb-wiALx-dmK0mUuVmK4F7xnwxjv1k/s400/DSC05289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523555429863094786" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichBk7I-EduqVUvhFbqPfsAWyb73yJGSJrDUJNiMVTDJIfwbhQt_QWpsTKk9nXsqAoRhpHE9WJhrTRWntCmgzXfe8vhCJowslfTt2AFIa3wIj9OoBCrINTPEM6Q2i4qp0NWPTD1AhRVJc/s1600/DSC05308.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichBk7I-EduqVUvhFbqPfsAWyb73yJGSJrDUJNiMVTDJIfwbhQt_QWpsTKk9nXsqAoRhpHE9WJhrTRWntCmgzXfe8vhCJowslfTt2AFIa3wIj9OoBCrINTPEM6Q2i4qp0NWPTD1AhRVJc/s400/DSC05308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523555432005022738" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSY6rm66uaMMgAccea2AsojV5w4KDGfidfinaZ34RyAqy8c6V-SRMqPHEsdYrgQVLEbXHvgWQE1tTlteYLWv9XMrE0ko3G6X4PDqXM8PO3clGvME0zcHOrx2V9l-kWEJSbgqnmrLtL1WU/s1600/DSC05313.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSY6rm66uaMMgAccea2AsojV5w4KDGfidfinaZ34RyAqy8c6V-SRMqPHEsdYrgQVLEbXHvgWQE1tTlteYLWv9XMrE0ko3G6X4PDqXM8PO3clGvME0zcHOrx2V9l-kWEJSbgqnmrLtL1WU/s400/DSC05313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523555435062045378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On reaching uphill we dined at the Mathura restaurant for a quick breakfast of steaming Idli, dosa, pongal and vada ( The vada s were crispy and soft - Delicious!)<br /><br />After getting our quick darshan tickets which costed about Rs.300 per person , at around 8 30 am we headed to join the devotees waiting in the queue .. On joining the queue I was surprised to see people selling breakfast .. juices .. biscuits and lays .. to keep the devotees from starving , for it takes hours to have a peek at Lord Venkatachalapathy. It took us four hours . I remember the last couple of times we were at Tirupathi we had got some special Darshan tickets, in which case we were at the temple either early in the morning at 4 or in the evening at 6 30 and didnt have to wait this long in the queue.<br /><br />The time waiting in the queue was well spent people watching.. Finally at around 11 30 am we were out of the temple after the darshan and collection of the famous Tirpathi ladu (prasadam).. After spending close to an hour of window shopping along the streets adjoining the temple. We took the journey downhill to reach our hotel, and then on lunch and leave back to Chennai.<br /><br />On the trip down hill I came across groups of people walking up the hill for the Darshan and heard stories from my parents about the same and how few generations ago people from my native made visit to Tirupathi is Bullock carts and how they exchanged the bullocks with known families mid way and collect their animals back on their return trip.. Interesting I thought, but would have taken them ages to complete the journey .. a mammoth task it would have been.<br /><br />Looked like there were quite a bit of wild animals in the forests surrounding the temple, which I came to know from the boards placed along the road down hill. We came across a herd of deers fenced and there was a guy selling cucumber and carrots which one can buy to feed the deers .. We got one box of them first , the more I fed the more I wanted to .. so ended up getting another one .. the deers were so friendly .. thinking about them even now brings a smile in my face.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicY9oX50qHfPQ549i4QEP9z7bGvlQmL46LUih3_T-uORTMhbWA3DmtQ6yf5EjwybysQdsF8_7TjWR8axIfHyBqm9yKe1gb4tzQhtqDXOrdsykt-QBtXSuCXUDpUYYclxEQ-MhaMaCuS70/s1600/DSC05298.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicY9oX50qHfPQ549i4QEP9z7bGvlQmL46LUih3_T-uORTMhbWA3DmtQ6yf5EjwybysQdsF8_7TjWR8axIfHyBqm9yKe1gb4tzQhtqDXOrdsykt-QBtXSuCXUDpUYYclxEQ-MhaMaCuS70/s400/DSC05298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523557626186488530" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmEfayEUC2VDqttL1pOD7GKuw148rShxmZtKmW6dkdBf3xPuEz9_LmAQIxZG3iwxJo368pmUKK-Qk2I_FmXeXDZoPRaeZKbNlOO7Cs3bhh8GdGo0Ouf8Iqq8ypIFnNUCe9alLJ5_8tyo/s1600/DSC05303.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmEfayEUC2VDqttL1pOD7GKuw148rShxmZtKmW6dkdBf3xPuEz9_LmAQIxZG3iwxJo368pmUKK-Qk2I_FmXeXDZoPRaeZKbNlOO7Cs3bhh8GdGo0Ouf8Iqq8ypIFnNUCe9alLJ5_8tyo/s400/DSC05303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523557645495206178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqI35jtr852bLpelubWelxZyQBhVoM-Ru2A3WKvUDhI7K9KEUtbFsHvwz2hS6QEbpvptKRphfPzvbe-9l4_Z0btXoZ8fpXKsnvzNeHjNR2S9bZRpi4MgrFjjNbN0YC-dYIjKesvCh0s0s/s1600/DSC05300.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqI35jtr852bLpelubWelxZyQBhVoM-Ru2A3WKvUDhI7K9KEUtbFsHvwz2hS6QEbpvptKRphfPzvbe-9l4_Z0btXoZ8fpXKsnvzNeHjNR2S9bZRpi4MgrFjjNbN0YC-dYIjKesvCh0s0s/s400/DSC05300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523557633580636802" border="0" /></a><br />We vacated from our hotel and I had this innate urge to taste some authentic andhra food before heading back home.. After a bit of discussion we decided on dining at Fortune Kences .. This place is not known for its authentic andhra food thou' it had most of the items in its buffet spread.<br /><br />After a heavy lunch, with my stomach full and even contended heart .. we made our journey back to Chennai :)<br /><br />I now see Thirumala to be more of a hill station than a pilgrimage spot, it could turn out to be a weekend getaway or a budget holiday for those of them in and around Chennai.Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7503942233007465314.post-27838799641176947372010-09-25T10:12:00.000-07:002010-09-25T13:05:58.021-07:00From the hills of holyness - Tirupathi (Part 2 )We reached Tirupathi on Saturday evening and decided on making the uphill journey happen the next day morning, due to lack of time and because of the heavy traffic that we saw on the road leading atop the hill.<br /><br />We booked a room at Hotel Bhimas Residency for that nights stay. After spending close to half an hour refreshing ourselves, resting a little and clicking pics of the view from the room , we decided on heading to the Padmavathi temple which was approximately a 15 minute drive from our place. This temple is situated in a place called Thiruchanoor/Alamelumangapuram.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesR9qPFIq5Tp4NF3IHrKJliXYvk7vh1dQ5JyJLc7WhIprhlJJsTfi4KBiCSJJnBvBUrM1vi2wnduZzRRiC-gpbEyfGOI2xdctd01bfc6ur9LR_AKmDm5-S0z1UR04Q9oLXoOfQQeBB3Q/s1600/DSC05276.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesR9qPFIq5Tp4NF3IHrKJliXYvk7vh1dQ5JyJLc7WhIprhlJJsTfi4KBiCSJJnBvBUrM1vi2wnduZzRRiC-gpbEyfGOI2xdctd01bfc6ur9LR_AKmDm5-S0z1UR04Q9oLXoOfQQeBB3Q/s400/DSC05276.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520943028722815666" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHxhbGBUeTkIZBefg1Al3915R9KUrRqoDO7ogRiuDNeasCCaRqT-PaHQT69ulpHj62-xN5jGQ1nKNKWx0fxhtHGgKtv5W-eEbwAMLv7oJOmIpAUZNku7t3MTZ8KggWPHrW7rwbd7u03w/s1600/DSC05263.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHxhbGBUeTkIZBefg1Al3915R9KUrRqoDO7ogRiuDNeasCCaRqT-PaHQT69ulpHj62-xN5jGQ1nKNKWx0fxhtHGgKtv5W-eEbwAMLv7oJOmIpAUZNku7t3MTZ8KggWPHrW7rwbd7u03w/s400/DSC05263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520943020049346338" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9aiWXFT6XNJzbYojK_iMBC-8M0LeXONvCLnvzpRfOioWvoSNuYbtqtFpeCast7yf9Gw6RMnGU0Z9V6n42NzptXXoEKqsMAzP_lQ0D_n7g3Kb9RE2q8STTM6_7URUBgsnhcxCWi0_bWw/s1600/DSC05265.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9aiWXFT6XNJzbYojK_iMBC-8M0LeXONvCLnvzpRfOioWvoSNuYbtqtFpeCast7yf9Gw6RMnGU0Z9V6n42NzptXXoEKqsMAzP_lQ0D_n7g3Kb9RE2q8STTM6_7URUBgsnhcxCWi0_bWw/s400/DSC05265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520943020652880066" border="0" /></a><br />We reached the temple at around 7pm. After close to twenty minutes of waiting had a good darshan. One very annoying thing was that they had a continuous recording being played asking the devotees to take care of their belonging like they do in exhibitions and and other fairs which to me did not give the fulfillment of being in a temple.<br /><br />To pacify all this I was super happy when I saw ladus being given as prasadam in this temple as well, like that in the thirumala temple. After having some ladus and packing the rest to share it with family and friends back home , I saw a group of people having some different kind of Prasadam and then it was time to go collect ours as well and this time it was some delicious hot pongal being served in cups made of dried leaf (thonai). I have always liked prasadam s given at temples right from the time I was a kid.<br /><br />Once out of the temple, the small shops adjoining the temple selling accessories, toys, and stuffs that are unique to the place always adds on to my entertainment quotient be it in any place, so the next half an hour we spent walking around the streets around the temple.<br /><br />For dinner we headed back to the hotel where we had booked to stay for the night. I remember even during our last trip to Tirupathi we had stayed at Bhimas Residency - nothing very special about the place, a good not so expensive place with all basic necessities.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(My next post on the trip uphill and darshan at the Tirumala temple is coming soon )</span></span>Shalini Gowrisankarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505545194544593572noreply@blogger.com10