tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79654572012-01-29T10:57:28.402+05:30Not all journeys are physicalArvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.comBlogger1251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-71833969296255034472010-12-17T11:46:00.000+05:302010-12-17T11:46:21.595+05:30

Pompeii Amphitheatre And did those feet in ancient time...walk upon Pompeii's ground green... We came from stardust... we will end in dust... Casts of the victims of the volcanic explosion

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-50838706317883744652010-12-05T22:02:00.000+05:302010-12-05T22:02:27.928+05:30

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-15315487211274380522010-09-06T00:52:00.001+05:302010-09-06T00:55:13.857+05:30

Venice is dying. But not just due to the rising water. Venice is dying of too much tourism. Venice... Gondolas, canals, Renaissance buildings, Venetian masks, Murano glass together make for a great tourist package. Yet, one can’t but help feeling dismayed. Oops... What more can you say about a city where you are likely to die in a tourist stampede? Where there are more well-fed pigeons

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-90315360982285724232009-12-15T01:10:00.002+05:302010-06-04T23:41:21.983+05:30

Lately, I've been getting a lot of e-mails from people who want travel advice. Now I'm no tour operator and I'd rather lie to save a good place from getting ruined, but this time, you can trust me—Anjuna is not for you. Don't get me wrong. Of course, this verdant beach in North Goa has everything that you probably came for— cheap booze, cheap hotels, virgin beaches and allegedly good-looking

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You can judge a place by the words they invent. Now Goa has a precise word for chilling out—susegado. What does susegado really mean? Not too sure but it seems to perfectly describe the particular state of relaxation felt lying on a hammock with Goan food, a bottle of King’s beer, and a view of the sea.   South Goa The problem with Goa, however, is that everyone’s in susegado, just when you

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-77235516929646598622009-07-14T23:31:00.008+05:302009-08-16T16:41:55.001+05:30

Driving through Nagarhole National Park, I suddenly realized that a visit to a wildlife sanctuary has an element of risk. You never know when the tiger decides to jump on you or the rhino breaks your jeep open. And if you’re also traveling with noisy female company, the risk just doubles. Now don't call me sexist. It's just that all animals, including tigers, boars, and elephants and of course,

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Coorg should have been a state, and not a district. Maybe then, there would be no need for Goa. The Coorgis would have abolished all taxes on alcohol and their pork curry would be as famous as sorpotel. But then, thank god for the lack of ‘tourism development’. Coorg is un-spoilt paradise, without the buses filled with noisy tourists. I wouldn’t blame you if you can’t spot Coorg or Kodagu on

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How many people suffer injuries every year due to coconuts falling on their heads?With that deep-rooted statistical question in my head, I looked out of the window of the plane. I had never seen so many coconut trees in my life.But then, this was Kerala. I had always wanted to travel to this beautiful southern state that boasts of 100% literacy, where communism and capitalism coexist as

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Hemkund Sahib, literally the “bowl of ice,” is a gurudwara situated next to a glacial lake. Said to be the place where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhism, meditated, this is one place that has to be seen to be believed. Photos don’t do justice to this place. Ass you like it!From Ghangria, the trek to Hemkund Sahib (or Hemkunt Saheb) is a steep, arduous 8-km adventure reserved for

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-51439297036553723822009-01-14T23:29:00.018+05:302009-08-16T02:40:27.753+05:30

"I will lift mine eyes unto the hillsfrom whence cometh my help." And so goes an inscription (quoted from the Bible) on the grave of Mary Legge, an English botanist Legge who died here in the Valley of Flowers.Ever seen a place so haunting that you wished you could spend your last days there?This is probably it.Paradise outsourced to EarthOne could die in the Valley of Flowers and yet spurn the

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-70026971213784835462008-12-09T01:07:00.012+05:302009-03-06T00:06:32.319+05:30

"There are several sacred shrines in heaven, on earth, and in hell; but there is no shrine like Badrinath." – Skanda Purana On the way to Badrinath, it was cold and lovely. Brooks gurgling around. The winter had just started.Well said!The jeep stopped right at Badrinath. And there I saw a glimpse of the blue snow-covered mountain called Neelkanth Mahadev (The Bluethroated Lord). Maybe you could

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-51029961631137149432008-09-25T00:37:00.014+05:302008-12-24T00:47:58.135+05:30

4:00 am. The bus starts from Haridwar on its way to the hills. We stop over for breakfast at a rundown shack. The bus seems to go on and on. As a person who has always lived on the west coast of India, I couldn’t help feeling a bit disconcerted after watching an endless array of mountains and rivers.What looks good on a postcard can be a bit unnerving to watch from the window of a smelly bus

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-86856153471616985252008-08-03T23:37:00.008+05:302008-12-24T00:30:31.217+05:30

There was a time when the trek to Kedarnath was a long, perilous journey. Only those who had renounced life or had almost reached its end undertook it. A few unfortunate souls perished in the process, dying with a certainty of attaining moksha.Now, government-sponsored development in the form of rocky paths and orange lamps in the night have reduced the probability of meeting the Lord of Death

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-45250397825778339642008-01-28T23:17:00.002+05:302008-12-24T00:49:17.036+05:30

We woke up early morning in Gaurikund. The hotel caretaker brought buckets of hot water for bathing from the kund. After a heavy breakfast, we moved on to the path to Kedarnath.At the beginning of the path was the ticket window, literally mobbed by hordes of people, kacchars (mules), horses, guides, pithus (human carriers), and others engaged in the business of transporting people to Kedarnath.

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-45724634125076764272007-10-31T14:16:00.002+05:302008-12-24T00:50:56.573+05:30

At Rudraprayag, after much haggling with cabbies and bus ticket sellers, we entered a bus to Guptkashi. Our seats were uncomfortably placed next to the driver, a nonchalant old man whose focus was solely on taking us to the abode of the Lord of Death. I kept my feet on the hot radiator instead of the narrow passage between it and the seat.Roads are incredibly narrow in UttaranchalTaken from a bus

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-80562187554409689602007-10-10T00:15:00.002+05:302009-02-08T23:23:16.125+05:30

After few hours of white-water rafting, body surfing, and diving in the Ganga, our guide, a knowledgeable Rishikesh local, who would have been equally at ease in any metro in India, took us for rock-climbing.We parked our bikes near this large stone, on which sat a man with several ropes and helmets, appointed by the government. After being told the method, we started scaling the rock, which I am

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-61607121478230382442007-10-08T00:50:00.000+05:302007-10-30T14:27:51.114+05:30

Initiation, golf course, roller coaster, double trouble…Before you think that the Daytripper is tripping too much, these are names of rapids, or more precisely, white water torrents in the Ganga.Rafting here usually starts at either Shivpuri or Brahmpuri, both at a considerable distance upstream from Rishikesh.Inflating the raftOn the last few days of our trip, we decided to go all out, and camp

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-70363207539448764552007-10-07T12:08:00.000+05:302007-10-10T00:17:13.988+05:30

Literally meaning “hair of the sage”, Rishikesh (or Rishikhesh) is a pilgrim town around 25-30 kilometers away from the temple town of Haridwar. The sacred river Ganga flows through Rishikesh.Life in places such as Rishikesh revolves around the Ganges. Just like the river, life itself is in a constant state of flux for people living on its banks.RishikeshThe most visible landmarks in the city are

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Literally the "gate of God", Haridwar does not live up to its name; it is dirty, crowded, with narrow lanes surrounded by shabby buildings, and full of cycle-rickshaws.A sea of pilgrims sleeping outside Haridwar railway station at 3 amEvery Hindu has heard of this dusty town, mainly for the river Ganga that flows through it. Immersing the ashes of one’s departed family members is usually done

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Sleepy and groggy, I enter the plane, to find a mustachioed forty-year-old sitting on my seat. The man argues that he wants to sit next to his friend, and as a matter-of-fact, tells me to go sit behind.Too tired to argue, I give up, and quietly sit behind to see two neighbors (again mustachioed forty-year-olds) caressing the hair of a young female without her knowledge. They giggle like college

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On the way to Malshej...At Malshej

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-53219059812765044552007-08-29T23:18:00.000+05:302007-08-31T14:41:23.784+05:30

If it's raining and you are in the Konkan coast, nothing's better than a drive to the Western Ghats, one of the richest biodiversity zones in the world.And in the Ghats, few places are as popular as Malshej.Wrapped around blinding dense fog, covered with thick foliage that is green enough to soothe eyes tired of looking at Windows wallpapers and YouTube videos, and bustling with waterfalls and

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Kandivali, Malad, Andheri…These meaningless words keep running through my mind. I open my eyes, and keep looking out, hoping to see at least few more stations pass by.Everyone does the same.I wish the guy opposite me had not used his favorite oil. The smell hurts while the hair tickles. I want to sneeze, but then, my hands can’t reach to cover my face.Western Railways.The most efficient train

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-50252515696385978312007-06-28T23:45:00.000+05:302007-08-28T00:17:14.750+05:30

I can never understand India. A land of contradictions. Look at Mumbai, where the costliest piece of real estate is dotted with skyscrapers but surrounded by slums, where a matchbox is what many call home. Space is at a premium in this most densely populated city on the planet. Yet, few cities can boast of a flourishing protected national park within city limits. The Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1152733782567903582006-07-12T23:39:00.000+05:302007-08-28T00:17:20.986+05:30

It's the eleventh of July, early morning, as I set out to work, awaiting a long, tiring day at work. Add an excruciating train journey--one of the world's most congested train systems--at peak hours to that. Nothing to look forward to.8:30 amA growing restlessness arises. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the recent rains or the latest Shiv Sena-sponsored mayhem.3:00 pmI tell my office

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My love affair with Delhi started four years back, and every year on some pretext or the other I keep coming back. Much has been said about Delhi's history, a feeling that stays with you wherever you go--a timelessness that almost transports you to the hallowed corridors of power that ruled India from the mythical Mahabharata times to the colonial rule. For centuries Delhi has always been the

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1129202060185160112005-10-13T16:03:00.000+05:302007-08-28T00:17:29.470+05:30

If you're a Bombaite (or Mumbaiker if you prefer) you simply cannot have missed this roadside eatery, well known for its sumptuous nonvegetarian fares. Situated in the lane behind Taj and just a walk away from Mondegar's (another favorite), this eatery, which started as a small stall, has mushroomed into a well-known dhaba, frequented by the rich and poor alike. Well, if you're a vegetarian like

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Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and this time the care-a-damn Mumbaite, forever dismissive about natural calamities, experienced the wrath inflicted by Mother Nature. The day it happened, most of us, ensconced in our professional and personal lives, thought it to be another of those rainy days, which usually occurs once a year, where life comes to a standstill.This time it was different.

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l-r: Bhargav, Ragesh, me

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One of my office snaps. No, it's NOT a call centre, in case you're wondering why everyone's in casuals....

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1120040394046777742005-06-29T15:43:00.000+05:302005-06-29T15:49:54.053+05:30

That's me at work with Roshan, a Flash techie.

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1112272427783842222005-03-31T16:36:00.000+05:302007-10-31T18:31:24.320+05:30

What do seven young and middle-aged men talk about when they meet?To answer this question, we set out early morning in a Sumo to Murud, a coastal town close to Mumbai. As usual, this picnic was replete with the good (and bad) humor, beer, guy talk, food that characterize all our outings. A decent beach, with black sand and slightly murky water, which becomes even more beautiful by night, could

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1112265529883759092005-03-31T16:35:00.000+05:302009-07-23T01:02:34.550+05:30

Julian and Madhav (r to l)

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Abhishek holding his 'mike' as Victor makes his point....

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1112266756967936902005-03-31T16:23:00.000+05:302006-01-29T18:14:18.216+05:30

The gang (minus me)..Abhishek: giving gyaan; Kaushal: laughing; Julian: giving his dumbass grin; Madhav: searching for booze; Sandy and Astik: smiling away; Vic; in high spirits

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Abhishek letting it all hang out, while others stare on.

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This was on the safari. We had hired two vehicles for seven of us. A paradise lay ahead of us, and we unsuspecting city slickers set out with hopes of seeing all the wildlife, especially tigers. The mornings were so cold that it was difficult to even hold the ice-cold bars for support, and as the cold air seeped through covered ears and jacket openings, one did dream of sitting around a fire in a

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Welcome to the land of Rudyard Kipling. It's easy to see what inspired Kipling to write Jungle Book. Lush green forests, dry grasslands, small lakes, and hills make this jungle a perfect habitat for all types of flora and founa, and an ideal hunting ground for the Royal Bengal Tiger. Kanha is a 940-sq. km area national park in Madhya Pradesh at a four hour's drive from Jabalpur station. The

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Most city slickers may not enjoy a safari completely as it's long, arduous, and monotonous. However, simply waiting in the jeep, and listening to the sounds of the jungle unfettered by modernity was a joy in itself. The dense jungle is a perfect hideout for its denizens who blend in their surroundings perfectly. Every yellow blade would be mistaken for a tiger, every log of wood for a deer. All

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In Kanha, you could see chital or spotted deer everywhere. This particular stag had the most beautiful antlers we had ever seen. Kanha is a male's paradise, as most animals generally are female. Each stag we saw had at least three to four females with him.

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Early morning as we set out for Bamhni Dadar, we came across this really shy but curious sambhar.

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1107251062865732042005-02-01T15:13:00.000+05:302007-08-28T00:08:23.094+05:30

As Sandy mentioned often, tigers apparently like to start eating from the rump. (Photo: Sandy)

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A quick breakfast, and this tiger was on the lookout for other predators.

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Unique to Kanha is this concept of "tiger show", which is basically an elephant safari lasting not more than 3 minutes. On sighting a tiger, the mahouts notify the park headquarters. Then, a guide accompanies the tourist jeeps to this location to get a glimpse of the tiger. It's spine chilling to see a tiger move about in its natural environment, completely oblivious to the hordes of tourists who

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On the way back. The roads were dusty, and it was difficult to keep our eyes open.

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1107161578642302452005-01-31T15:17:00.000+05:302007-08-28T00:08:51.291+05:30

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Early morning, we set out from Kisli to Bahmni Dadar, a plateau in the middle of Kanha National Park replete with grasslands that is perfect for a predator. Everywhere you looked, there were vast, vacant spaces, and frankly, I would mistake any yellow blade of grass as a tiger, any dark log as a deer. This particular spot where the snap was taken overlooks a cliff, where apparently a couple

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1107160587454700132005-01-31T15:04:00.000+05:302007-08-28T00:08:51.291+05:30

Kaushal, our man from Kathiawad, on the elephant safari...

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Kanha is unbelievably beautiful in the morning. Sandy had told me about Kanha's beauty, but I frankly didn't expect something so breath-taking. One bitter winter morning, as we got up at 6'o clock in the morning for the safari, we saw this sight; the fog had settled on the lake's surface, blurring the divisions between real and surreal. The only good "nature" type photograph my camera has ever

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A wild dog sighting is supposed to be a rare occurrence. We came across this pair of red dogs on our jungle safari. A pack can even scare a tiger away from his kill.

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If you ever happen to travel to Kanha, don't ever miss the morning safari. Maybe you won't get to see all the wildlife in the park, but the jungle is at its best that time. Cold and dusty, Kanha has its eternal moments. There are times when you can simply gaze away into the silence, forgetting yourself and your city lives, knowing not nor fearing the past or the future. This snap was taken just

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Madhav, at his usual mischivious best, tossing Anupam's scarf in a watering hole, inside Kanha sanctuary. Anupam, at his nonchalant best (not in pic), was busy clicking snaps....

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This was at Kanha, and I wanted to finish off the roll, and I remembered I had hardly clicked any snaps of myself.

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The person (!) in the snap is Madhav Das, also known as Bozor Das after the mythical creatures in Sandy Pillai's upcoming fantasy type-crap. Looking at this snap, I wonder what was Madhav smoking!!!

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The only thing done partly by me that ever got a prize - the byline written by me for Ashish's beautiful orange ensemble. This was part of the bay-decoraction competition organized at office. The prize rightly went to Ashish, who got a Parker pen for his effort.

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Nikhil Gundale, project manager at TIS, displays a sweet ensemble of a Santa trying to get down a chimney, on his workstation.

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This was at TIS. Me and some other fellas celebrating Vinay's birthday (the long haired dude in the snap)wiping his face.

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The view from Julian's balcony. Apparently, he had told us about this "awesome view of the "Sahyadris" from his house, and how every morning, he would wake up and grab a cup of coffee staring at the mountains." Not quite what we expected.

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At Julian's house at Baner; we hardly slept for an hour, and got with a huge headache after the night's misadventures. (l-r: Kaushal, me on the bed, Rudy and Madhav on the floor)

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Anupam, the eternal psycho, looks dressed to kill, ... (l-r) Anupam, the two Nehas, and Abhishek in front of Abhishek's car on New Year's eve.

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Me and the gang went to this restaurant in Pune, which has these hookahs and a nice ambience. Good place...

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At the cafe in my office...

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My project team at TIS - myself in the red t-shirt

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Alone it stands on a barren cliff. Rudely facing an infinite sky. Unashamed and unapologetic of its beauty. I don't know what the gulmohur tree is called in English, not that the name would lessen its beauty. This particular tree on Endpoint road always attracted my attention. Barren mostly, this tree would be on fire in summer with flaming red flowers. If I go back, I would love to see if this

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A trip to Manipal would be incomplete without a visit to the nearby places that add to its charm. Kotachadri, Kapu, Hanuman Gundi, and of course, Malpe... Malpe is definitely NOT the best beach in India, but the lack of tourists and bhelpuri stalls makes it a nice, quiet beach with few people other than fishermen....Does anyone remember the name of that island in the snap? Strangely, my memory

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The library parking lot was one place where you would never expect to find my bike. Rarely during exams. However, the ground floor did have a good but limited collection of non-academic books. The same empty space was always full during exams. Somehow, for most people, the act of studying was more important than studies. It was common to see people dressed up to go to the library-A meeting point

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End Point, Manipal-A narrow strip of land on a cliff, with a view of the surrounding greenery. The countless sunsets spent here, the end point of all psychedelic journeys...

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1101836937836018942004-11-30T23:18:00.000+05:302004-11-30T23:18:57.836+05:30

Headache

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1099242080215070482004-10-31T22:31:00.000+05:302007-10-31T18:33:50.177+05:30

Lunch at Dollops...

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My hostel room

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Manipal is blessed with a large number of scenic spots, ranging from beaches to waterfalls. Of these places, Kudlu Falls ranks as one of the must-see places. A wonderful but challenging bike ride from Manipal will bring you to this place, sweaty and tired.Kudlu FallsThe ice-cold water falls from a great height, creating a natural pool in the center, which is excellent for swimming. Expect lot of

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A Road Less Traveled

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Who's gonna drink all that?

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The Usual Suspects

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Tiger Circle, Manipal

Arvind S Kelkarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930104712177873593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965457.post-1099241274902689842004-10-31T22:17:00.001+05:302009-03-27T10:33:36.789+05:30

Kodachadri, the place where Shankara attained enlightenment, is one of the most heavenly places I have ever seen. Believed to be one of the highest points in Karnataka, Kodachadri has everything for the avid trekker. The trek begins at a point not too far from the temple town of Kollur, where you get off from a KSRTC bus.Best time to trek is the night, when a billion fireflies blur the difference

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Brrr...

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Midnight at Kotachadri. Vikhyath, Goof, me, and Ravi at the campfire...

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Sandy (sitting on the left) staring poignantly, as Goofy ponders on the finer points of life..

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Goofy, my room partner, and me at our room. As usual, the room's choc a bloc with people, and we're forced to sit on the ground...

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The Air Show at Marine Drive, Mumbai

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Fire in the Sky...

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Another stunning picture of the air show

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Indian Tricolor

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Manipal Sunrise

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"Goodbye blue skies"

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Top: Atul Bhat's Homo Clinic! Just a sign we found at Coorg. Below:(l to r) Gokhale, Keshav Kamat, me in Manipal

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Hari, Anu trying out some steps. Siraj and Manish in the background.

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Jagdeep dancing vigorously. Tanmay, Laxmikant (red shirt) Lisho in the background.

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The end of the party... This reminds me of a T-shirt I have, "Take me drunk, I'm home"

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Headbangers... at the Hurix party...After most people left, the dj finally played some real music...

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The two 'bandits' (Vinod and me) of Sholay pose with 'Nirjara' of Tere Naam...

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Lisho Scaria, our Gabbar Singh. Notice the fake stitch. He got the Best Actor award in our 'Hurix Olympics.'

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Top: Another of those group snaps... Bottom: One of those kickass snaps!

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