Memories of the sands & the desert...

Before we head out for our summer vacation let me quickly post about our last destination during our winter break to Rajasthan.

After Mandawa in Shekawati and Gajner Palace in Bikaner, we reached our final destination Jaisalmer.

We decided on a very simple accommodation called Garh Jaisal which is actually a small haveli in the Fort converted into a hotel. What drew us to this place was that we were literally perched on the Jaisalmer fort and our room had a view to die for!

We could see the whole sand coloured Jaisalmer city from our room!

The sleepy city at dawn:-)

The major highlight of Garh Jaisal was the amazing hospitality of the owners and the superb rooftop terraces, where you can just sit, soak up the winter sun while watching the friendly pigeons, or drink loads of hot ginger chai while enjoying the view of the city or do absolutely nothing!

Hope you all have a great summer vacation:-) Will see you soon!

(images by Arch)

The mountains whisper....

...and we listen.
* The fresh mountain air infused with the fragrance of wintergreens & euchalyptus.
* Bright winter sun that massages your body.
* Colonial mansions that remind you of a grand bygone era.
* The hustle-bustle of the town square with honeymooning couples, Uncleji-Aunty-ji with Papu, Rinku & Toni with their humongous picnic baskets.
* But, there is also that exquisite red & white Fernhill Palace tucked away high in the mountains.
* The shrill whistle of the toy train chugging along the many valleys.
* Local farmers selling bright juicy carrots at hair pin bends on the climb up.
* The rum & raisin homemade chocolates & fudge shops line the marketplace.
* Slow pace of life, the quaint shops, the shy, smiling, waving school children, the cows grazing in the lush green meadows.
* Wise old men of the mountains with a typical black coat, a woollen cap & an umbrella can be seen walking up steep hilly paths.
* A Bed, Breakfast & Fireplace experience ( read more about it in Rang Decor) and a farmstay*
* Destiny- Yes, that's the name. A farmstay tucked away deep inside the hills where reaching is an experience.
* A road less travelled? I say it again and again.
* A journey where the anticipation of the destination overpowers the state where the organs of your body are shaken by a truck making it's way through a slushy mountain road. ( Did I just say road?)
* Our destination, our destiny, the farmstay where the beauty of the mountains, the shimmering water of the lake, the vegetable patch, the green slopes, the cows, the horses, the ducks, the rabbits more than make up for the ride.
* A place to relax, read, ride, rejuvenate, trek, walk, drink cups of hot chai and do absolutely nothing.
* Truly a great experience in the lap of nature.Cups of chai and more chai...Fresh Ooty carrots...Early morning scenes...

Glistening...
Take your pick....Chugging up the hills...
Fresh green lettuce & cabbages at the farmstay...

See more pics from the trip here & here

Have fabulous weekend friends:-)

In appreciation of everyday life...

* the shriek of the alarm clock
* packing of lunch boxes
* chai refuelling my system
* the never ending list of 'to-do's
* traffic get's denser, the waits at signals get longer
* rude autorickshaw drivers

the many facet's of daily life...but there are those moments in between when

* you see the season in transition

* the mango trees sprouting blossoms
* raintree rains dry leaves as you walk under it
* the orange ripe fruiti-ness peeps from behind the 'cape' of the cape gooseberries
* plans are made for 'nutmeg doughnut muffins' for a friday baking
* inspiration comes from 'Tuesday's with Morrie'
* that january sunlight comes streaming in through the windows

To cherish all these moments, I decided to post a photo a day for 366 days from my everyday life.

Hope you'll join me in this journey:-)

inspiring photos on flickr

* let there be light.

* No structure

* Afternoon

* whiterose

I haven't forgotten:-) I still have another post from my winter break, so do visit me again:-))

“Life forms illogical patterns. It is haphazard and full of beauties which I try to catch as they fly by, for who knows whether any of them will ever return?”
~Margot Fonteyn

Have a great weekend friends!

Kolams, Kutcheris & Kaapi*

* I step out of the train, my nostrils are welcomed with the familiar humidity.
* The healthy, sweaty, hot & humid weather. Yes, it is December in Chennai.
* Fragrance of Jasmine flowers isn't the same anywhere else.
* Early morning walks on the cool sands of the beach.
* The symphony played by the aromas of various brands of filter coffee emanating from the kitchen windows of hardcore 'Kaapi' drinkers.
* Mammoth hoardings of the southern superstars compete with beautiful 'kohl' eyed models in traditional Kanchipuram silk sarees.

* 'Margazhi Mahotsavam'- a series of Carnatic Music concerts by vocalists & instrumentalists during the month of December grips the city.
* Mami's in their silk sarees can be seen rushing to various concerts in the evening.

* Large 'Kolams' ( Rangolis) adorn the entrances of homes.
* A trip to Chennai isn't complete without tiffin at 'Saravana Bhavan' & savouries/papads from 'Ambika Appalam'

* Relaxing with family, solving 'The Hindu' newspaper crossword, hogging on homemade 'Murukkus' & having freshly brewed filter- coffee is a great way to unwind:-)Here are some images of Chennai seen through my eyes:-)Larger than life hoardings of Silk Sarees

The various popular coffee brands displayed.Saravana Bhavan for a quick bite:-) Crunchy MurukkusA great place to pick up papads, pickles, sambar, chutney powders etc

* Translated Rangolis, Carnatic Recitals & Coffee

Wishing all a fabulous New Year 2008!

Hope you all had a blast:-)) I surely did!

This always happens to me after a beautiful vacation...getting back into the daily routine. So please bear with me while I gather all my magical memories that are floating away like bubbles in my mind and share it with you in a more comprehensive form:-)

I spent a good amount of time doing absolutely nothing at home, then I was on a train to the land of temples, filter coffee, silk sarees & Kacheris (Carnatic Vocal Recitals) and then again a magical journey to the hills, cabbage picking in a farm, drinking loads of nilgiris tea, warming ourselves infront of real fireplaces, devouring homemade Ooty chotolates & chugging up the hills on a toy train....

Do come back soon have loads to share with all of you:-)

Happy Holidays...

I am taking a 'Winter Break'
...will be doing some travelling, meeting family & friends, shopping, eating, sleeping and taking loads of pictures:-)

Meanwhile have updated all my blogs, look around:-) and before you go do join me for a cup of earl grey in my balcony...Happy Holidays!!!