Planter’s Punch
You can meet G.A. Carver Marsh on the 32nd hairpin bend while climbing the Upper Parlai of Anaimalai Hills and throw in a gratuitous wave at his statue for an excellent holiday that you are about to have!
Welcome To The Jungle
“We were amply rewarded, however, for the climb by the magnificent prospect that awaited us when we gained the summit the finest by far in all this range of hills,” wrote James Forsyth in his book, The Highlands of Central India. Forsyth, a British officer in the 19th century, was sent on an assignment to […]
Penny Wise
Khan Bahadur Haji Abdullah Haji Kasim Saheb Bahadur’s labyrinthine name is associated with a contrastingly small, unassuming house, not too distinct from other buildings of Udipi. Characteristic to coastal Karnataka, the weathered red Mangalore tile roof hangs over bluish-whitewashed walls in the heart of the town. The century old house lies adjacent to the Corporation […]
Version 2.O
It is easy to yearn wistfully at a worn-down spot in the city, and remember its former days of glory. When buildings disintegrate with the vagaries of time, it is but imperative that a new scape will emerge. Every city witnesses old buildings acquire the glitzy sheen of urban revamp – sometimes distasteful, but other […]
24 Hours In Muscat
The most diverse slice of the Arabic peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman, offers a heady mix of ancient frankincense heritage, mysterious alleys of local souqs, a paradisiacal coastline and a cosmopolitan vibe all rolled into one. 24 hours may be too little to explore the capital city Muscat, but maneuver through the medley of experiences […]
Beyond Muscat
A quick climb to the most vantage spot, the base of the lighthouse of Sur, will immediately corroborate your decision to drive here. From this perch, peak into the historic dhow (ship) building yards of the city, take in the glistening Big Sur River and see the white lego like houses against the pale brown […]
In Between Oman
Sleeping for the whole night on the beach can be ludicrous in more ways that one. Crabs, sand and the salty breeze conspire to make the experience memorable in ways that are more daunting, less fun! But as I first lay on the Besant Nagar beach in Chennai at 3 a.m., all I could think […]
Where Wild Things Roam
Eyes and ears affixed on Dieter, each one of us was transported to our very own version of him lying down in the thick forest, face to the ground, holding his breath, pretending to be dead. That was the only way that the grizzly bear would lose interest and move along. The moment was pregnant […]
A River Runs Through It
“Your hair is shorter! Not nice! Long hair better!”, came a sharp chiding voice from a distance, as I flung my backpack on my shoulder, while trying to haggle with the auto rickshaw driver at the same time. In a quick swooping moment, my backpack was plugged away from me, strapped onto thin brown shoulders […]
Work, Sing & Love Together
Earlier this year, Homi Adajania’s misplaced tribute to women making their own choices didn’t quite get the stamp of approval from everyone. It fell somewhere between patronizing and superficial! One didn’t feel the need to hear it from a Bollywood diva swishing her hair to a gripping soundtrack, interjected by rapid visuals of women from […]
White Out
The Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila trek in Uttarakhand’s Himalayan region is no appalling challenge in the summer. In fact, for a seasoned mountain goat, it is at best, an easy hike. The blazing sun keeps your joints well oiled and the rolling green meadows double up as stunning scenery and cheerful company. Maggi and chai breaks are accompanied […]
Zero Planning
The entire excitement of just getting up and going is something else. An open mind, a sense of adventure, ably assisted by the Internet and that small power-packed device in your hand, a 3-G enabled mobile phone,can take you places.