We Also Blog, Write & Shoot!
Thrilled to have fulfilled a promise made 22 years ago of trekking up to the ruins of Raghupur Fort, perched at 12000 feet, starting from Jalori Pass in Seraj Valley, Himachal Pradesh. We enjoyed the 3 kms uphill trek lost in the wilderness and revelling in the unparalleled panoramic beauty of nature!
While on the last leg of our road trip in Odisha, an impulse took us to the Bird Sanctuary at the Mangalajodi Wetlands, on the northern edge of Chilika Lake. In a span of 2.5 hours we spotted 30 species in multiple numbers of these beautiful winged creatures as we glided across on our flat bottomed wooden boat.
Our impromptu hike to Barsari Meadow ahead of Sharchi Village (Himachal Pradesh) via the ancient Jamala Village which seemed in a time warp. Half an hour out of Jamala, the winding path soon led us to Barasari Meadow. We found it ethereal – the sprawling meadow, ringed by deodars and mountains rising high. We experienced an exhilarating calm here.
Our trek to Chhoie Waterfall took us an hour climbing up. We strolled down the couple of kms along the Tirthan River, from our resort in Gushaini to Nagini – from where the hike starts. After an hour’s climb we were rewarded with our first sight of the waterfall hidden in the forest up in the hills. Gratifying!
Rediscovering Tirthan Valley after 17 years. Our exciting and adventurous day trek to the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) Gate and Hippo Waterfall in Himachal Pradesh. The trek took us a total of 7 hours, with an extended stop at the Hippo Point, about 3 hours one way. The journey was wonderful but the destination was magical.
Our most delightful experience in Shangarh (Sainj Valley, Himachal Pradesh) was the day trek to Ganjau Thatch– an alpine meadow which took us one and a half hours to climb, slightly less time to return. We hike at an easy pace, imbibing the beauty of creation at each step and turn and taking time for crafting memories with pictures and videos.
During our staycation in the hills at a nature retreat surrounded by a mixed forest around Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, the verdant and sylvan surroundings were home to many different species of birds. And here, I was blessed to sight these beautiful creatures time and again in their various moods; about 35 different species of birds out of which 25 I managed to capture through my lens, a mere 300 mm. Here I share some of my birding encounters and experiences with pictures.
The lure of Wayanad, in Western Ghats (Sahyadri) in northeast Kerala in India had been lingering in our consciousness for many years and we finally ended up here in March 2020. It was for us the kick off for a 2 week long road trip across Kerala and Karnataka and we were here just for a couple of days. We wanted experiences which would remain ingrained in our memories, unmarred by having been stuck at crowded tourist traps. For us less is always more!
Crossing into Kerala, we chanced upon Ranipuram boasting of a thrilling trek to Ranipuram peak. Compelled by our strong desire for adventure we stayed overnight at a nondescript lodge. That’s what defines travel – opulent resorts or just a bed somewhere! An exhilarating 3.5 hours hike, at the summit we were rewarded with breathtaking views!
As the Sun’s orange glow spreads,
The monsoon clouds stop still,
Overwhelmed
By its soft radiance.
They wait awhile before washing
The valley back a verdant green.
The sky acquiesces to Surya
And rich hues cover its canvas.
(A feeble attempt to atone for the devastation of nature by trying to appreciate its beauty and magic through free verse.)
It is truly romantic for a nature lover to be staying at a coffee plantation. Anyday! Certainly if it is like the Old Kent Estate in Coorg (Karnataka, India). A ruminative evening walk transforms into an indelible affair for us. Col W.R.Wright an officer in British India and also a poet and writer, created this plantation in 1864.
The tale of our jeep safaris and sightings at Nagarhole National Park (Tiger Reserve) in Karnataka, South India. My impressions of the imperial beast were only from William Blake’s The Tyger, Maneaters of Kumaon, Life of Pi and Nat Geo Wild inspite of having visited many sanctuaries earlier! Did the much anticipated encounter with the regal predator happen?
Bir is a picturesque village in Kangra. Popular as the paragliding capital of India it also houses a Tibetan settlement and is populated by tea gardens and monasteries. The nature lover can lose himself during hikes in breathtaking vistas amongst the rolling hills, quaint villages, meandering rivers, emerald meadows, swirling clouds with the sky a riot of colors.
Jaisalmer – Beyond the Golden Fort, Havelis and Sand Dunes. We spotted the Great Indian Bustard, amongst the heaviest flying birds, the number having dwindled to 300, critically endangered now, amongst clumps of sewan grass and ker trees. The ‘Godawan’ is the state bird of Rajasthan, endemic to India. Also viewed vultures, eagles, chinkara, coursers, wheatears…
Pabbar Valley Trail is an offbeat excursion in the apple belt of Himachal Pradesh (India). Lying in the lap of virgin nature below the breathtakingly beautiful Chanshal mountain range, Pabbar Valley ahead of Shimla and Narkanda, near Rohru is a haven for offbeat travelers. At 13926 feet, Chanshal Pass remains open from May to October.
Sasan Gir near Junagadh in Gujarat (India) is home to the Asiatic Lions found only here in its natural habitat. Gir National Park is a declared sanctuary since 1965. Gir offers both the Gir Jungle Trail in the core forest area and the Devalia Park Safari which is more like an open zoo.
At 8000 feet, Binsar in Uttarakhand (India) surrounded by alpine flora, offers excellent views of the greater Himalayas. The 300 km spectacle of Himalayan Ranges are dominated by the massifs of Nanda Devi, Nandakot, Pachachuli, Chaukhamba. The forests of Himalayan oak, rhododendron and pine are excellent for trekking. The place to stay is within The Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
We had gone to Gangotri in the summers. The power and purity of Bhagirathi overwhelmed us. Three months later at a hamlet, near Rishikesh, one morning I was sitting by the Ganges. Its beauty catapulted thru’ my eyes and mind onto paper. The humble, spontaneous words which spilled, I somehow managed to gather and ensemble.
Shoja in the Seraj Valley of Himachal Pradesh (India) is 5 kms from Jalori Pass (10500 feet) and a gateway to the interesting forest treks to Serolasar Lake and Raghupur Fort with a 360 degree view of the Himalayan Ranges. Slopes of majestic cedars, in various hues of green, rising upto the treeline characterize Sojha.
Baris is a fine dining Turkish restaurant tucked away in the Masjid Moth, Greater Kailash 2 neighborhood market in New Delhi (India). The cuisine is largely Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean without European influences snooping in.
Adrift Couple 