Orange Tree

1991, April.

Its summer vacations. Scorching heat, watermelon, a small chill stream and the Orange tree is all he remembers. Its early morning and he got extra reasons to get up late. But like other kids he likes holidays more. He gets up early that day. Soon finds his mom sprinkling water in the entrance. Its an easy 50 meter dash from the home entrance to the compound wall. Its their farm house. A silent beautiful home at the center of the farm it was. Thick wooden doors and window were from the design books for its fore fathers. On entering the house is a big open space pillars at all corners marking its boundary. Lying down there and gazing stars at the night or playing when it rains is his favorite sport. Soon after the dash to the compound wall, he stands and enjoys the aroma of ground when water is sprinkled on it. A refreshing feel. Soon the horizon shades out the color of red, its getting ready for yet another sun rise.

Soon its bright outside. The horse men have started to move on the street corner. He hears the cycle bell, gets into the kitchen for lending a tumbler from his mom. Reaches the milk man milking the cow and gets a special ticket for filling the tumbler with foamy milk. Drinks it in a gulp to make a mustache out of it and licks it finally with all the joy.

She has woken up by now and promised to take him to the orange tree. After a hot breakfast they both shout too the roofs of the house, "We are going into the farm..." She holds his hand and leads the run along the stream. Running on the small mud wall is a challenge! They are already inside the coconut groove, she says the orange tree is full of oranges now. "You can climb on it and play all around it", There will be kids already there. I will help you climb and you will get us all the oranges needed. Its few meters before the they reach the tree. His first visit to the orange tree, he was all excited...

He is almost asleep now! She smiles, whispers, "Good Night dear!" with a kiss on his fore head. She goes to sleep!

Unplugged (Karwar Goa Trip)

How does it feel to not think about whats next on the pipeline in the project, How does it feel to not check email, How does it feel to get totally unplugged, that you don even have a backup power. Yes! It was an awesome vacation after a long time. We six of us plugged out from the routine for a most needed vacation. I don know if I would meet the other travelogue :P But I will try to do justice.


How we started:
It all started in 6th floor pantry at Bagmane laurel building. We were sipping our coffee sitting in those long legged chair. I don remember how the converstation started, or it happened to all of us that we needed a vacation (its magic after that thought). Soon, we ran to the desk and looked for free dates for all seven. Being in the picnic committee I made sure that those dates did not clash with our department picnic. Karwar & Goa were the shortlisted route. Soon after the dates where decided, the same evening we blocked tickets for the journey (I learned how important its to remember one's PAN card number). Now the tickets are booked we were all set to go.


How did a US cyclone delay our trip:
But the plans din work out of for few reasons. One of the flight was a delayed from Provo, Utah to Bangalore, India due to a cyclone that crossed. Since it got delayed a transition plan few of them had got extended and we postponed the trips for a week. We had to shift all tickets and resorts for a week. Indian Railways were sure winners with those cancelled tickets. :) After a week and few mails floating we got all things packed and ready. But, I was not ready. With a stiff neck and mild fever, pulling out at the end was even lingering in my mind even till the last minute. But the Friday afternoon rest at home gave me some strength atleast to carry my luggage.


Hubli, Boat ride and Karwar:
Soon we boarded the train and after a few games of Uno we decided to hit bed soon after some early sleepers in the boogie. Shit! only now I remembered that I din bring any pull overs. :) Good. It was a shivering morning with chill air flowing in all directions, I had to pull extra pants and tee's from my bag and made me look fat (lucky others, they had a sound sleep). We reached Hubli and spotted "Welcome Vijesh". Soon after breakfast we hit the road to Karwar town. It was a long 2+ hour journey by car from Hubli to Karwar. We had only time to sleep after the giant story from our grandma. Soon after reaching the Great Outdoors resort and got the papers ready we had some refreshing coconut. Then its a boat ride from the Kali river bridge to the island.


Warm and magical Karwar:
Great Outdoors is a very small resort situated in the island of a tortoise shape. Soon after we reached we refreshed and sat down for the first meal in karwar. The food was awesome. Seafood at its best. We got to taste Chicken, Fish and oysters. It was so delicious. If you had missed it due to a holy month of Hindus (I better advice plan another trip to karwar soon). Then we hit to the small shore at the other end of island for some games. It was good from the resort that they had a send a personal care taker with us to the water. Evening onion pakkoda and tea was great. Soon followed by memory game and barbecue. (dance, fun, fire, cat, dog...) Dolphins, Silence, Swing, Tent, Sunset, water ride and little tortoise that we meet were great. Finally some silent poetry.

How does it feel to get married and have kids:
On a sunny Sunday afternoon after a great meal and a small sleep. I got married, all others who were with me got married and had children too. Kids include Nishanth, Chintu, Pintu, etc. I graduated as a physio and invented a large quantity of radio active material and climbed the mount Everest. After some heavy gambling I ended up second richest. But as John Nash said, this game is flawed, I wanted to re-write the rules. But catching a lion at such young age is heroics from Rokumar. We never stopped laughing after, "Aree, everyone is getting a degree and I'm busy catching the Lion."

Palolem De Ja Vu:
This was my second trip to Palolem after January with my friends. This time too the expectations were meet than expected in the retreating Goan beaches. A 45 mins drive from Karwar got us to Palolem through the interstate border check post. But soon Mr. Charlie (an asshole Manager from Chatai resort) promised to help us. Finally its us who ended up walking up and down the streets for accommodations. (Sorry: If you are reading this, I should have planned better!) We then got hold of Flavia home stay for a night and played Truth or Dare (s/Dare/Truth). Next day soon we shifted to Palolem Beach resort and had a wonderful time playing cards, dumb-C (god! she is a movie name directory) and the gorgeous beach. It was fun and old fellows in the group were the ones who played like they wanted to vent out all the stress. Also I learned how does it make to shop with women. :) Better start liking it, or you be in hot soup.

Photo Shoot & Next Gen Kids:
Oh! Yeah where are the photos, I'm lazy to upload all and share all. :) But I have some interesting shots if you are following my flickr. Soon we bid farewell to Goa and drove to Margo. Those girls proved they are better than filling bugs, fixing them and writing blogs. They sang some of the beautiful number with sweet voice. Then we boarded the train back to Bangalore. Uno again with some tough opponents aged 8 years, 6 years and 4 years. Then some paper magic from one of the talented house wife. :) She made wonderful paper folding for us like Parrot, basket, strawberry and a camera. Oct 2nd, 30 passed 7 we landed in Bangalore.

My Best Friends Wedding

I titled this post as "Wedding Planner". But immediate question on looking at that was are you getting married? :) A quick No is always there! So I rephrased this as 'Best Friends Wedding' Since thats what I'm indeed doing. Coming month of June is filled with good muhurtha (an auspicious day to begin things). There are four weddings that I need to attend and I'm the bride's side on all the four weddings. Divya, Revathi, Smitha, Nagu are those. One quick reason of why there are so many weddings are there is an off season when weddings do not happen so, after a long off season now the time has come for them. The days when weddings are planned and appropriate wedding halls are chosen. Now its the other way round.

I need to plan for these weddings! Like...

• Make the bug count to zero on my name in Bugzilla.
  
• File and get my leave approved from my Manager. :(
  
• Book tickets for the journey! (preferably train)
• Canon S3 IS with enough memory and extra set of battery.
  
• Data cable and storages devices if its a long trip.
• Wash and press my clothes.
• Write them all in a paper and make sure I don't miss any of the above.
  

Lately DPS also has been writing many posts on wedding photography! But I guess I should make my own rules to shoot in Indian conditions. Yes they are the other side of the coin. I would say its a tough assignment on track. Also along with the wedding travel will be meeting and traveling to places that I really wanted too.

Advance wishes to all the couples!

Nov 1st - Testimonial

Here a short sweet summary of what people got to say! They are extracts from internal mail thread.

Vignesh
First of all Thanks to Peeps who made the initiative for the Trip.
He was the one who kept alive "the thread" regarding the Trip.
Also thanks to Jayakumar for Cab Arrangements.
Spl thanks to Santy for Choosing the place and making required arrangements for the same (Also thanks for his Shoes)
Thanks to Daams and Tom for bringing their Cool Hi fi Cameras which captured the moments of the Most Exiting day
Thanks to Vijesh for Capturing those Unforgettable Moments and breathtaking Snaps During the whole day ... Great Skill Vijesh
Thanks to my class guys Prashanth, Vinodh, Kishore, esp Tom(Who came directly from cbe and came for the trip) , Jayakumar who all made the trip the most unforgettable day in Bangalore
Enjoyed to the core...

Srihari
It was great fun. All the 3 paintball activity , swimming , food & not but the least volley ball was great
So to keep this going we need to arrange such trip atleast once a month :-)

Arun Rag
Thanks 2 all guys!! It was a great show yesterday..
@Santy
Thanks for suggesting the place... (don't forget to include other company names during the next trip... ;) )

Jaya Kumar
Trip super ah irunthuchu....
But Kaal vali thaan thaanga mudiyala.....
;( ;(
Thanks all for arranging a great great trip.

Krishnan
Nice Pics da... I missed it... but great that u guys rocked yesterday... will not miss any next time

Kishore
Had a very nice time and enjoyed a lot yesterday.. thanks for all the guys who made the trip a memorable one..

Prasanth
besting outing for me in bangalore so far....

Jaya Kumar again
Solla maranthuttaen...Yesterday wen i closed my eyes after going to bed, I was able to feel somebody shooting at my eyes...takkunu muzhichutaen...
:)
Cant identify who shooted... Summa sallunu straight ah kannukae vanthuruchu...

Dams
am enjoying at home.
trip super da. as sri said, lets go often. peeps vidave illiye, vida muyarchi :)
ellorume vara mudincha mathiri, place, time/date, budget ku suggest/arrange panna santy ku oru O.
paint ball game, volleyball, vijesh photography skills, meen varuval
ellam mention pannungo.
advance happy deepavalli wishes to you all :)

Finally Vijesh
Others who were there are tom, pradeep, santy, vinod who were not able to send in their testimonials due to tight schedule at work! :P Due course I might silently push them in. Well for me...
peeps held the plan together.. santy nailed the execution.. with JK pitching in with his managerial skills for the transportation.. the shouting in the field of paint ball (my throat is still recovering).. arguments off the field.. peeps & myself head on head shooting.. nice take away coffee mugs.. swimming pool & santy.. TT.. shuttle.. lunch & ice cream.. awesome volley ball, credit goes to all esp tom, kishore, santy.. not last by least Canon powershot S5 IS..

Then I went home, took a bath and silently slept :P

DESTINATION WAYANAD -THE XPERIENCE

[The etymology of the word Wayanad is Vayal (paddy) Naad (land); 'Land of Paddy Fields'.]

So on behalf of all of us, [Vijesh-srihari-pranay-gopal-santy-vijay-sethu-karthik] I would like to retake the Wayanad trip, back in time, through those amazing moments that we have experienced together.

A trip that was being thought of for a long time. All it took to arrange were a few local phone calls, With a hope that the trip would give the holiday buff an experience to remember we loaded our belongings in a four wheel drive and by 8 30 a.m. We are on the road to Wayanad via palakkad to explore God's own country. When it comes to appeasing our hunger Karthik lives in nobody's shadow. With Karthik displaying his culinary talent making sevai for all of us great taste came as no big surprise. What more can you expect – the sevai was all over in a flash.

As we wanted to reach kozhikode(a pit stop to Wayanad) as quickly as possible we didn’t stop anywhere else and instead munched on potato wafers and snacks. A special mention of our tour navigator Srihari Namboodhiri (the suffix was added after the trip) for his endless enthusiasm in organizing this journey and reliving his kerala experience. Speaking in malayalam and saving all the others of embarrassment. Any trip to kerala would be incomplete without a visit to its pristine backwaters and so the next destination of ours, a beach, came as first choice en-route to kozhikode(if my spelling is right). A completely unexplored part of the country promising to give its visitors an experience not common in this part of the country. All the boys with a sense of urgency jumped into the backwaters of the Keetungal beach. Plunging, pushing, diving.........basically having the time of our lives. After about an hour’s time we had to move on with our trip and had to reach the pit stop as early as possible. Blinding roads replete with greenery enveloped us. We reached our destination - Kalpetta, Wayanad at about 9.00 pm and landed at PPS tourist home. A nice, calm, spacious and cozy place for makeshift travelers like us. It had a nice restaurant where we tried most of their delicacies before going back to our rooms for a shower. Once all of us were done (with the Herculean task of cleaning ourselves....!!!...) PPS had something more exciting than the ambience they offered us.

We had all set our alarms for 6:00 in the morning to go on a trek, but not one of us could pull ourselves out of bed till 7:00. After a quick cup of hot coffee and arming ourselves with a bottle of water, packets of maggi and some other basic amenities, We set off trekking with Mr.Pavithran a trekking expert. We are a very over-enthusiastic bunch of people, the previous night when discussing about the trek, all of us jumped with joy at the thought of doing the tough and treacherous trail. Before we could get to the base camp a visit to the Soochipara falls is worth mentioning. Nestled between mountains and rocks , the boys jumped in again. Freezing cold water and the thrill of splashing water on everyone left all of us nostalgic the minute we left the place. The base camp of the trek was about 18kms from PPS. Hardly five minutes on the trail and all could we hear was our own breath moving like ant files in the thick jungles of Kerala setting our eyes on the chembara Peak (2100 metres above sea level!) - Our destination. It poured cats and dogs on the way. None of us were anywhere close to prepared for this adventure of a life time. Vulnerability to snakes (another term that scares Mr.pranay, you can ask everyone why?) wild dogs, sambar deer, wet t-shirt and no woolen clothing for the night made it all the more adventurous. Once we got to the camp site (about 5-6 kms from the start) everyone took a deep breath to be with nature not having the slightest clue of the fact that we had to live Neolithic lives for the next 12 hours or so. Despite our breathlessness (which went off in a few minutes) we were all unanimous in the thought that the view was worth the climb. After spending another fifteen odd minutes clicking snaps and just enjoying the breeze and view, we set off on a route less traveled by techno savvy people like us-one of collecting and chopping firewood. Gopal, Santy and Srihari bore the brunt of the leeches (that’s why don’t be too sweet!!!)

After the firewood was ready the tent were pitched like two pyramids within 30 mintues.Santy and Vijay went to fetch a pail of water from a lake nearby called the love lake(we could not have chosen better people for it dont you think.!!!.). A real Stress remover. The endless stretch of the lake Calm, quiet filled with strange peace that fills your soul. The culinary expertise in karthik and vijesh came handy once again... cutting vegetable to add to the noodles... Mr.Pavithran lit the bon-fire like the way he lit our lives up by bringing us to this place. Once the maggi was ready the plates sprung up from god knows where... It was like a hunger strike....After satiating our taste buds we sat around the bonfire, moving closer and closer to the word G-H-0-S-T. conld'nt get eerier than this.. With cold winds blowing us away it was truly and discovery channel experience. Worn out legs and tired bodies forced us into our tents but we kept the "Royal Challenge" alive (pun intended). With no drinking water anywhere in the vicinity we had to finally hit the sleeping bags with a promise of getting up and reaching the base camp by 8 in the morning.All of us were up by 6 in the morning.Anwering nature's call ......

I would'nt want to say anything more...it just happens after all. Soon we were on our way back.

The hill had more grass and was more slippery and steep. Some parts were easy going and some scary, especially when I could see rocks go hurtling down to the foot of the hill. Slowly and steadily all of us made our way back down and we sure were glad to finally touch flat ground. We reached base camp at 7:45. We were all famished and another delicious breakfast did all of us a lot of good.

With another round of cold river water bath in the hills of Wayanad we set off for the Edakkal caves. Even if it did not offer much entertainment it was worth a visit. We set off again to the Mudumalai forest on an adventure ride in search of the wildest of animals. With not much luck on our side we still got to see a few elephants and deers...(Watch them up close they are quite exciting!!!). Musinagudi which was scarrily unscary (situated around 7 kms from Mudumalai) wont even give the local people a run for their money. From then on it was our "old is gold" OOTY.. all the way. We had somethin like dinner in charing cross and through kothagiri were back in coimbatore by about 8:30 in the night.

On the whole if you beleive that aquaintances made in college are meant to last a lifetime then walk straight into PPS in Wayanad and ask for PAVITHRAN.!!!!

North India Trip!

Now I say to myself, one of the best decisions I had taken is to go ahead with the trip with my class meets… Since I had earlier thought of pulling from the trip… Most memorable trip in my college days… Lots of enjoyment… sight seeing.. photos… fun…

Every event needs some preparations.. So does this.. Indeed more this time.. This is planned as an Industrial visit officially.. Along with it the other itinerary joins.. We had earlier work cut out lots of days before.. We tried desperately for a company in Delhi or Noida.. But all efforts ended in vain.. Then getting the count for the trip.. After my PS end date.. I had one day to prepare of the trip… within that I had to do my final project presentation.. It was a tight schedule.. But prepared earlier and was able to cope with it..

<>Here is short map that’s planned for the trip… Cbe -> Chennai -> Delhi -> Chandigarh -> Simla -> Manali -> Amristar -> Delhi -> Jaipur -> Agra -> Chennai -> Chennai -> Cbe.

Some of most interesting and enjoyable moments of the trip was the train journey.. where we had uno played all through it.. srihari & his map explorations… mysore express… myself and gops photo session… Dum C.. some good videos…

Then on reaching Delhi.. we went to “1 Akbar road” Indira Gandhi memorial… It was inspirational and patriotic.. She was a great leader.. I wanted to get some snaps.. But its prohibited inside the house.. Delhi being the capital.. It was a clean and good city.. The roads were good as far as we traveled.. The same day evening shopping in ‘karol bagh’ [spelled incorrect]. It was a huge street market.. Everything you would like to get is available.. All you need to get things is not money.. But little Hindi.. and bargaining skills.. we made a quick walk to the end of the market and returned back.. Not pre planed to get chosen things.. Though managed to get few small things..

Then early morning travel to Chandigarh… toughest and most tiring part of the trip is to load and unload 60 odd luggage from the top of the bus.. L To say about chandigarh.. It’s the most planned city and a clean city we could ever visit.. All roads were four lane clean.. and good.. I wished BTM layout also could have plan like the same… J

Then to simla.. The temperature had already started to fall down.. In simla we were able to get some good nature photography.. then the large snake.. the yark.. the painful horse journey [not for me! instead the horse]. Then over night travel to manali.. most tiresome part of the trip.. being tall.. it was hectic to sit in the bus for such a long time.. next day was fortunately a rest day.. spent most of the time in the hotel.. One thing I thought I missed in the trip would be manali shopping.. were some of my friends were able to sketch their name on a grain! That was cute and good..

The same night evening was camp fire.. were we had lots of fun.. but the climate did not allow us to stay long.. still we managed to have fun.. I did not participate much, since I was behind the lens! Next day we went to Rotang pass. It was most steepest hill road I have ever traveled. Approx it was 13000 ft above sea level… then one the way we had snow on the roads and was not able to proceed further.. then snow.. and snow fighting.. cool snaps.. towards the end bad luck struck a few of us.. we missed the sumo that was supposed to pick us and we went about 1km and had to walk back to find it.. not last but least.. final blow of snow from one of my class meet tore of my lips… returned almost exhausted.. due to time constraint we missed a Buddhist monastery on the way.. early morning we started to amristar.. on hill journey was the most scenic beauty one could ever see.. There was a river that follows us for most of the hill journey..

Later full day travel to Amristar.. Gloden temple was beautiful in both day light and night.. But the streets we took to travel was bad.. next day was “Jallianwala bagh” and Indo-pak border.. It was honor to witness the flag lowering ceremony.. emotions ran high on both ends as the ceremony went on.. we then have to rush out of Punjab border to avoid tax for the next day.. Then to Delhi.. again shopping.. most of them managed to get bags of things.. but I returned empty handed.. first saying I did not have the patience to stand and bargain.. secondly we were tired..

Jaipur was next on the list.. Great places.. with excellent engineering plan, architecture and craft work in the places they lived.. shopping the pink city in the same evening.. managed to get a kurtha this time.. then the final showdown.. Agra and Tajmahal! No wonder its One of the wonders of the world! It was huge and awesome to everyone.. We reached when it was almost dawn.. Now they started to maintain it from pollution.. no vehicles were allowed hear it.. only battery cars take us there.. each part of the architecture was magnificent.. wondering this was done for a women! J

Back in train.. more fun.. nagpur oranges on the way.. Chennai.. awesome food in dk’s house.. nice sleep.. managed to start from Chennai.. despite of cyclone warnings.. so far so good.. ticket checks in train.. flying squad.. raised a few eye brows.. finally everything went smoothly.. what else “Home sweet home!”

Few people to be credited are the bus driver.. He was a machine.. driving all day and night.. Esp the manali route was with twist and turn for every 5^th second.. then long plains to amristar.. Hats off to him.. Then the cook who came along with us.. Great food.. made us feel like in home.. kept us all healthy.. Great work from the three guys! Next the person who loaded the luggage’s for us on the bus.. Just lifting itself is tiring job.. Just imagine around 60 luggage’s.. it was not an easy job.. he was strong to that.. next the faculty who accompanied for the trip.. Even thought some of them had visited the places earlier.. they joined us.. and in spite of their inconveniences they managed to support and guide us all along.. thanks to them.. finally the travel agent Senthi ji and Kalidas ji.. were friendly and fun all along the trip.. kaling comedy was great asset all along! J