Sky, Sand and Shells

Above:  A myriad of shells on Benaulim beach, Goa!

Crabs on the March ...

Above : Crabs speeding on the beach at Paradise Island, the Maldives

The Wave - at the Museum near the 12 Apostles - Photo taken by Gauri Trivedi (my mother)

A trip to Australia is wholly incomplete unless one takes at least a peek into the fascinating world and insights of their indigenous community.

(En-route to the 12 Apostles on Great Ocean Road, Melbourne is this charming museum that showcases Art and History by the Aborigines)

Sunrise from underneath that magic lamp ... will share the story another day!

Now, it seems somewhere between a populous chaotic city and an idyllic hill-station.

I managed to capture a few shots of some stray forest cover, and a few sights at the old Forest Research Institute. There is something about standing right under a canopy of tall forest cover … these pictures are a mere echo of what it feels like!

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Early morning sunshine, heavy mist, the Himalayas at arm’s length (or so it felt) and the clouds below …. just imagining being here again, and I am up on Cloud no. 9…

Up on Cloud no. 9 - Heavenly Nepal

A shrine cum rest-stop en-route to Base Camp of Mt. Everest

A “looking-up” shot of a rest-stop to climbers on the way to the base-camp of Mt. Everest. Mt. Ama Dablan is dwarfed to the right! The “snow-man” is actually a Buddhist shrine, where Sherpas often host a prayer-flag towards a safe and successful expedition.

The endless chant is only the chorus to the real story

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is an ancient Temple by the sea, and is sometimes called the cliff-hanging temple. Some say the Temple guards the south coast of Bali, and I for one could feel its inner strength. It is a magnificent site up high-on-a-cliff, and an offering of prayer could take you ‘higher.’

It has “guarded” the kingdom since the 11th century, and is one of the most well-preserved yet ‘touristy’ sights of the island.  One can see some astonishing sights out here – including the very crafty, goggles-snatching monkeys! The highlight of my visit was witnessing the Kecak dance ceremony enacting the Ramayana.

A fire burning in the center, the skies streaked purple, the sea-echoing beyond and the sun paying homage to Earth below – it was an evening to remember! If spirituality elevates one, then Pura Luhur Uluwatu is where the Temple meets the Sky!

Mt. Everest painted in vibrant orange and muave...

One is the sun setting onto Mt. Everest! Back in November 2006 I was trekking to the base camp of Mt. Everest. I stepped outside Gomba Lodge in Tengboche – to appreciate the freezing cold and the rising mist, when Lo and behold! I catch a brief glimpse of a muted orange sky. I quickly take this picture and then walk into the lodge. My fellow-travelers rush out after seeing it in hope that they can get a great shot too, but alas the mighty Sagarmatha has disappeared behind the clouds. I was truly blessed!

Peek-a-boo ...An everyday sight at the Maldives?

The other is the sun setting into the gorgeous Maldivian Sea. Cumulus clouds were splashed across the sky – which made the sunset all the more exciting. The sun played a little peek-a-boo here, but hidden in there was it omniscient as ever!

Aerial View of one of the 12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Australia.

This was 2007. My first visit ‘Down Under’ and I was mesmerized by the natural splendor of the Twelve Apostles.
After a nine-hour bus journey on Great Ocean Road, with the view of the sun, sand and the sea, having stopped by the roadside when we noticed a Koala Bear up high into a tree – What was left for me to see?

This resplendent sight – I only hope the picture captures the essence of how I felt, humbled by their strength through the eons of time.

Seemingly a requisite in any Middle Eastern city was to visit the souq.  Al-Hamidiyah is a long stretch of stalls with tall sun beamed ceilings, located south of the citadel. Down its principal corridor is the famous Ice-cream stall Bekdach. It contains rice as one of it ingredients and the vanilla flavor appeased my palate,as my eyes danced to the many trinkets on show. I didn’t purchase anything although quite cheap, as I have seen the same wares a million times sold all over Middle East. Remedies such as snakes, bottled colored sand, perfume in glass vases, herbs and spices, arabic clothing such different styles of hijabs. The list goes on. Grand Bazaar of Istanbul and the Khan el Khalili souk in Cairo are still my favorite with a lot more to offer.

The vibrant street scene was worth exploring and saw a young boy selling yellow chicks along side a merchant selling a vegetable cutting device. It was quite a common sight to see Syrians smoking nargileh (hookah) and playing rounds of backgammon along the streets. With a stop to the christian quarters for dinner, an early retirement was essential for the trip the next day to Palmyra.

To find Palmyra also known as Tadmor in Arabic, a road trip was taken towards North East of Damascus, Into the heart of the Syrian dessert.

The following are some of my picks from the journey.

Qatar National Day – 2010

Location: Chorniche, Doha.

Camera: Olympus E-600

Photos are crunched in-order to save space.

Sunshine – the brightest thing in the world.

The pictures were taken with HTC Wildfire and none of my pictures here are edited.

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Setting camp in the middle of nowhere, soaking in the immensely blue lagoon, staring at the astonishing bright sky at 5 am in the morning, a road trip pass ten of thousands of little elf homes….
brand new experiences at every turn.

Walking behind a gushing waterfall.

spellbound by the biggest glacier in Europe.

In awe of the beauty of the landscape.

Tasting lambs head for the first time.

A landscape that surprises.

Reaching an attainable heaven.

6 Bloggers I tag

Michael – The World Through My Lens
Kim – LaDorka – They’re Only Words
Kat – Katmasutra
Chris – Rude Cactus
Lisa – Milwifeaviation
Sara – Confessions of an Army Wife

10 Random Facts about me

1. I took Irish Step Dancing lessons as a child.  I was pretty good too! (and I’m not one drop Irish, I just fake it REALLY well)

2. I put mushrooms in 75% of the things I cook.

I've been to 10 countries - This map says 9 because it counts Vatican City as "Italy" but it has it's own government so....

3. I’ve been to 10 countries.  USA, Canada, Ireland, England, Spain, France, Italy, Vatican City, Germany, and Austria.
4. I have 4 nieces and 2 nephews.

5. I once wrote a 60 page paper about Levi Strauss for my Senior Seminar class in high school.

My FJR-1300AE and I in Montreal Canada

6. I own my own motorcycle.
7. My favorite meal is duck.
8. Peonies are one of my favorite flowers.

Me with STRAIGHT HAIR!!

9. I have NEVER dyed or permed my hair.  The biggest modification I’ve ever made was having it flat ironed ONCE and people didn’t recognize me!!
10. I LOVE heist movies!!!

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Lorenna and I arrived into Milano and searched for our little food adventure outside of this busy city. Due to trains departure times and wanting to make full use of our stay, we excitedly settled on Bergamo. It sounded awfully exciting being an old medieval town perched on a hilltop. We boarded the train which took us 40 km northeast of Milano. It took well over an hour. Our friendship in part, is based a great deal on trying new flavors for our palette. When we catch up its always among great cuisine and wine. They say, food nourishes the soul. To us it also nourishes the friendship.

Throughout the journey on the crowded train, as less people remained on board with each on coming station, we both took glances out through the window periodically and it seemed like we were headed to the middle of nothingness. It truly got more desolate the further we were from Milano. As the train finally pulled up to the station, we looked at each other and laughed! “Where the fuck are we?”

A complete stranger unbeknownst to us, had listened to our conversation. She later explained she was an exchange student, studying at a university nearby and had previously gone abroad to practice English. She noticed our expressions and turned to speak to us. ” I know this station looks empty, you should go to the city”. With that said, Chiara( now my facebook friend) took it upon herself to lead us to the bus stop to take the train up to the “Città alta” ( upper city). The bus took many turns around the hill and as we headed up the foggy landscape, our face lit up when we saw 17th century walls. We had definitely arrived in a Medieval town. Chiara excused herself and explained she had to rush for class. We bid our goodbyes and thanks. ” I love Italians” I muttered under my breath and counted our blessings. So it begins now, our food hunt for the best in town.

We explored the quaint little town in search of our a quaint little restaurant to savor its local fare. We compared all the menus along the piazza and beyond. The patter of rain and the echoes of our empty bellies heightened our search.  It wasn’t long before we settled on Vineria Cozzi. It’s appearance stayed true to its origins. The menu looked heavenly, it offered local food and the great variety of wine on the shelf cordially welcomed us. We eventually decided upon  five local dishes to share. Being the wine connoisseurs that we are not and after scrutinizing each bottle for familiar words,we decided upon a bottle that bore tacky love hearts on the bottle. We both looked at each other instantaneously, our hysterical laughter resonated throughout the restaurant. So it was decided. The ugly hearts bottle upon the ‘wine wall’ beat out the rest of the Chardonnays’ and Pinot Noirs’ based purely on its intricate tackiness. We relished our first taste. The wine wasn’t too bad after all!

As the food arrived we tasted each dish enthusiastically. We spoke for hours only stopping to savor the taste from each bite. Food, wine and great conversation. A perfect way to catch up!

A little excerpt I wrote in my diary in cattle class economy on my way to Taipei…

‘The dude next to me, lunges forward for the hot towel, wipes under both his pits elbowing me in the face, than vertically between his man boobs.He then spreads it across his face.With his 2 index fingers,one in his nostril through the towel,he digs in a clockwise motion then with a jolt forward, the towel lands on his lap to reveal his gold nuggets!!I have a feeling he has done this before…’

Now I have never been to Taipei, nor would I thought it would be high on my to-visit-list. Preconceived notions of obnoxious, rude, arrogant, table throwing politicians punching each other in the nose conjure up images from the programme that was vaguely titled ’20 most craziest moments on TV’. After watching that brief stint I had no intention of visiting such a barbaric place. Moreover I had the blessing of living with a housemate from China, who made gurgling noises every hour to condense his phlegm in this throat into a spit ball, before aiming it to the nearest object.Back to the case at hand, so anyway I thought Taiwan must be close to China, or is in China right? So I must expect the same of the two? What little did know of this place I was going to visit for 6 days. Sometimes when I travel I am to some a maniac. gathering all the research, planning meticulously and even printing out a schedule to follow everyday. Most times placing a conversion chart of the currency exchange of denominations of 5,10, 50 and 100 dirham = (whatever currency to the city I am heading to) into my wallet.

However on this trip, being able to speak some Mandarin, I thought Fuck It, let me go and just expect nothing. No expectations=No dissapointments. I arrived into Taipei international airport and boarded an hour bus ride to the city and checked into Brother Hotel. Yes Brother.  I was sold on its motto, ” We treat our guests like our brothers”. Tacky with a sense of humour.

I spent the next day visiting the Taroko Gorge, which meant I had to fly in a small propeller plane to Hualien. While i was boarding the plane, a picture of a woman crushed under a boulder with her head in smithereens was plastered all over the front page of a tabloid newspaper lined neatly on the counter top for passengers perusal. Great I thought. What a delight to be informed in such a manner. Upon greater investigation into the matter the story explains how she had worn a hard hat at the Gorge throughout the tour, and within moments after removing it to return, the falling boulder falls and decides to crack her skull open rendering her to death. Beautiful.

“Welcome to Hualien, where the gorge is gooorgeous and the marble is marrblelous!!!” shouted the Taiwanese guide arms flapping. She was my kind of women.

Day 3 was spent wondering around Yangminshan National Park and Beitou hot springs back in Taipei. Upon checking my clothes and belongings into the locker I knew I couldn’t take my camera with me. I locked my locker and proceeded to investigate my surroundings. To my shock, horror and slight fascination, I stumbled into the making of GERIATRIC’s GONE WILD!!! Male senior citizens stark naked doing Tai chi. Many were stretching and some smoking with one leg up so their ”matured prunes were squashed in plain view for me to witness”. I swear this is where they bring the old men from their nursing homes to ‘enjoy’. I couldn’t turn in any given direction at any given time and not be staring at a forest. If women have bushes. Men have forests. Some foliage was so dense, you could not see anything that was hiding underneath.( not that I was particularly looking. It was just black. You couldn’t avoid it even if you wanted to). Clearly manscaping has missed its mark on an entire generation.

Day 4- Visited Jioufen, Bitou Cape and Nanya Rock Formations.

The lasting impression that lasted on me was from Jioufen old street. Absolutely charming, quaint and enriched with character. The red lanterns,foggy atmosphere and narrow winding pathways add a certain mystery to this enchanting site, perched high up in the mountains. Certainly one of my favourite places I’ve visited in Taipei thus far.

Day 5- Wondering around Keelong Harbour, admired some scenery in Yeliou.

Day 6- Time to leave.

Nutshell: Taipei offers many attributes to the discerning traveller. It has GREAT street side food that could feed any budget. One can never truly go hungry with an abundance of night markets scattered all over the city.The Shilin Night Market being my favourite.People are pleasant, considerate and very orderly. I had strangers showing me acts of kindness everyday from food stall owners to retail assistants and passerbys I stopped to ask for directions. By the end of 6 days I realise  how nice Taiwanese people are. They are generally helpful and speak with a very soothing tone to their voice. Shopping is fair at my favourite street, Simending. most items are a little too cute and teeny bopper but I found several unique jackets which sit proudly in my cupboard now. Taipei has made me want to visit more of Taiwan and am also considering opening a male manscaping business.

Bert always wanted a pair of authentic cowboy boots. So seeing some on sale one day, he buys them, wears them home, walking proudly. He walks into the house and says to his wife: ‘Notice anything different about me?’

Margaret looks him over, ‘Nope.’

Frustrated Bert storms off into the bathroom, undresses, and walks back into the room completely naked except for the boots. Again, he asks, a little louder this time, ‘Notice anything different NOW?’

Margaret looks up and says, ‘Bert, what’s different? It’s hanging down today, it was hanging down yesterday, and it’ll be hanging down again tomorrow.’

Furious, Bert yells, ‘AND DO YOU KNOW WHY IT’S HANGING DOWN, MARGARET?’

‘Nope’, she replies.

‘IT’S HANGING DOWN BECAUSE IT’S LOOKING AT MY NEW BOOTS!!!!!’

To which Margaret replies…

“Shoulda bought a hat, Bert. Shoulda bought a hat.’