The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks, Port Campbell, the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.The site is a popular tourist attraction and has been part of many Bollywood and Kollywood movies. Originally the site was called the Sow and Piglets but was renamed the Twelve Apostles to attract tourists. The rate of erosion at the base of the limestone pillars is approximately 2 cm per year. The coastline is at constant war with wind and the waves thus giving us this spectacular view.
There are 2 routes to the 12 apostles, the scenic or tourist route from Torquay to Port Campbell, which is a spectacular but curvy route along the coast and the other a straightforward route through the country side that doesn't offer much.
In Bloom
It's spring in Tasmania and things have certainly changed a bit. The flowers are in full bloom but it is still cold, wet and windy on most days. On a not so cold day, a few of us set out to see the Wynyard Tulip Festival, an annual gala event and boy oh boy, we were totally blown away. Wynyard is located in the NW coast of Tasmania and is a 2 hour drive from Launceston.
The Table Cape Tulip Farm, the home of Van Diemen Quality Bulbs was certainly worth the visit. The tulips were a spectacular sight. A few Bollywood and Kollywood movie scenes did flash by but the Tulips were the bombshells on this day.
A must visit for everyone in October. Yes, It's spring in October in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Table Cape Tulip Farm, the home of Van Diemen Quality Bulbs was certainly worth the visit. The tulips were a spectacular sight. A few Bollywood and Kollywood movie scenes did flash by but the Tulips were the bombshells on this day.
A must visit for everyone in October. Yes, It's spring in October in the Southern Hemisphere.
Life is a Freeway...
September 20, 2009
Another Sunset, This time in Melbourne on the Freeway. The iphone camera probably can't do justice but I couldn't let this moment slip.
Mehndi
September 15, 2009
The Mehndi is now synonymous with any Indian wedding. The term Mendhī in Sanskrit refers to the plant Lawsonia inermis and the dye produced from it, while the word Hinna was used with the same meaning, in Arabic. Although these were originally synonymous terms from different languages, a distinction later arose between them, wherein Henna became the term for the dye and Mehndi for the related art form.
Intricate patterns of mehndi are typically applied to brides before wedding ceremonies. The bridegroom is also painted in some parts of India.
The henna paste is usually applied on the skin using a plastic cone or a paint brush.
Intricate patterns of mehndi are typically applied to brides before wedding ceremonies. The bridegroom is also painted in some parts of India.
The henna paste is usually applied on the skin using a plastic cone or a paint brush.
Entering Bass Strait
September 10, 2009
Sunset from the sky courtesy Tiger Airways. I'd always wanted to capture this but was thwarted by cloud cover before. Maybe it is now spring after all and the gods decided to give me a break. An exciting start to an even more exciting week wherein my cousin got married and we had the time of our lives.
The Gorge 1/3
July 25, 2009
Cataract Gorge Reserve, or ""The Gorge"" is a unique natural formation within a two-minute drive of central Launceston - a rare natural phenomenon in any city. This photo is shot of The Kings Bridge over "The Gorge" which was floated into place in 1867.
The Gorge 2/3
The Gorge features, The First Basin, on the southern side, with a swimming pool and an open area surrounded by bushland. This is Launceston's beach. The Cliff Grounds, is a Victorian garden where wilderness is created with ferns and exotic plants. There's a Restaurant and kiosk, rolling lawns and a rotunda, a pub with a view, a footbridge and chairlift across the river, peacocks in the trees, wallabies at dusk(if u get lucky).
This photo was shot along the pathway that looks down onto the Southern Esk River.
This photo was shot along the pathway that looks down onto the Southern Esk River.
The Gorge 3/3
Further upstream is the historic Duck Reach Power Station(Not shown here), commissioned in 1893, making it the largest hydro-electric scheme of its day. By 1895 it was lighting the city of Launceston.
This photo was shot along the pathway that looks down onto the Southern Esk River.
This photo was shot along the pathway that looks down onto the Southern Esk River.
Rainbow Bird
July 23, 2009
Shot at Jurong bird park, The Lory loft is a must visit for all tourists. Feeding the Lories is both interesting & exciting. The Lories don't ever get tired of being fed by tourists and vice versa.
Lories and lorikeets are small to medium-sized arboreal parrots characterized by their specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar and soft fruits. They are widely distributed throughout the Australasian region
Lories and lorikeets are small to medium-sized arboreal parrots characterized by their specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar and soft fruits. They are widely distributed throughout the Australasian region
Christ the Redeemer
July 22, 2009
Corcovado meaning hunchback is a mountain located in Rio Do Janeiro and is famous for this 125 feet statue of Jesus Christ also called as Cristo Redentor or Christ the Redeemer.The Monument was sculpted by French sculptor Paul Landowski and opened to public in 1931. Cristo-Rei in Lisbon is a replica of the one in Rio.
Strike a Pose
July 19, 2009
Shot at Jurong Bird Park, the Cattle Heron or the Cattle Egret seemed to at ease amongst the visitors and mostly targeted areas with food stalls. It never did shy away from the shutter bugs, a true celeb in the making.
The Cattle Egret can be a potential safety hazard due to its habit of feeding in large groups in the grassy verges of airports and it has been implicated in the spread of animal infections.
The Cattle Egret can be a potential safety hazard due to its habit of feeding in large groups in the grassy verges of airports and it has been implicated in the spread of animal infections.
Blue & Gold Macaw
July 16, 2009
Shot at Jurong Bird Park, Singapore. The Macaw is generally found in South America. It is an endangered species in certain South American Countries. They are intelligent birds and can talk and are kept as pets.
The Peacock
Shot in the Gorge, We went in search of Wallabies but found the peacock instead. The peacock which comes from the peafowl family is well known for its brilliant tail feathers. The female or the Peahen is duller in comparison. It is mostly brown, with pale underparts and some green iridescence in the neck, and lacks the long upper tail feather coverts of the male. There is also a White Peacock but I haven't seen one yet.
I had to literally tip toe behind this one to get a good shot that too with an Iphone 3G.
I had to literally tip toe behind this one to get a good shot that too with an Iphone 3G.
Monkey Business
July 10, 2009
Shot outside Kollur Mookambika Temple, which is located in the western ghats. This sort of reminds me of how Lord Hanuman must have troubled the Asuras in Lanka before setting the Island Kingdom on fire.
Crane
July 09, 2009
Shot at Jurong Bird Park, loved the majestic pose and the clear water. Jurong Bird Park was a lovely experience, a must visit for everyone.
Mynah
July 05, 2009
The Common Mynah or Myna is a common feature in India. Shot at Singapore, Jurong Bird Park, the bird seemed to be enjoying itself especially around people & food. The Mynah sadly is considered an invasive pest in Australia. It was introduced in Australia to control insects like grasshoppers and cane beetles in the late 1800 but soon it's population spread. Saw one this evening in Tasmania which prompted this post.
Port Suez
July 02, 2009
Another shot on the journey through the Suez Canal. Guess I'm a sucker for sunsets and coloured skies.
Bridge Across the Suez
June 27, 2009
The Suez Canal Bridge, also called the Egyptian-Japanese Friendship Bridge or Mubarak Peace Bridge, is a high-level road bridge at El Qantara. It has a 70-metre (230 ft) clearance over the canal and was built with assistance from the Japanese government. The bridge, which has a 70-metre (230 ft) clearance over the canal and is 3.9 kilometres (2.4 mi) long, consists of a 400-metre (1,300 ft) cable stayed main span and two 1.8-kilometre (1.1 mi) long approach spans. The height of the two main pylons supporting the main span is 154 metres (510 ft) each. The towers were designed in the shape of Pharaonic obelisks.
The clearance under the bridge is 70 meters, which defines, therefore, the admissible maximum height of 68 m[2]above the waterline (Suezmax) of ships that can pass through the Suez Canal. - Wikipedia
The clearance under the bridge is 70 meters, which defines, therefore, the admissible maximum height of 68 m[2]above the waterline (Suezmax) of ships that can pass through the Suez Canal. - Wikipedia
Falcon aboard !
Onboard, you get a lot of visitors in the form of Migratory birds including Albatross, Pigeons, Owl's & eagles. This falcon joined us in Mexico and waited till i got it on camera before flying away.
Mount Fujiyama
June 26, 2009
or Mount Fuji or Fujisan, is a symbol of Japan. It stands at 3,776 m high and is an active volcano. This picture was shot on a not so clear morning whilst approaching Tokyo Bay. Was thrilled at the sight of Mount Fuji that I almost missed taking a photo. I have been to Yokohama, Tokyo, and Chiba, all possible places to get a glimpse of this mountain but so far managed to see it just this once.
Suez Canal Sunset
June 24, 2009
Crossing the Suez Canal from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean or vice-versa is a journey through history. The Canal has been in operation from 1869 and was built by the French. The canal was later controlled by the British & is now run by the Suez Canal Authority. Many Pharaoh's have previously built canals to connect the Nile to the Red Sea in Egypt's glorious past. The canal is 192 km long. The maximum depth of the canal is 66 feet (20 m). It is a single-lane with 4 passing places[and contains no locks, unlike the Panama Canal. Read more on Suez Canal
Arctic Sea Smoke
June 23, 2009
Weather.com defines Arctic Sea Smoke as a type of advection fog that forms primarily over water when cold air passes across warmer waters. Shot at Canaport, Canada almost 10 years ago. I remember clearly, the temperature being - 20 C. If you notice the aft deck, it's covered in ice. I made sure i stayed indoors as the winter gear provided couldn't keep me warm. This photo was taken with a Canon Sure Shot PRIMA AF-7.
Fisherman's Cove !
June 22, 2009
Shot at Murudeshwar, this is the fishing zone next to the temple. Fishing boats are a menace at sea. In places like China & Japan, there are a million fishing boats, around which you have to zig zag your way through. Imagine Ranganathan Street, Chennai and get the picture.
Rockin' Rio
Shot from atop Corcovados. Gives you a spectacular view of the beauty that is Rio. Shipping sure did make me go and see places and I'm forever thankful. Seen here is the Sugarloaf mountain & the Botafogo. Paradise is here !
Sun's up & Shining !
June 21, 2009
Cape Town treats you to some fabulous views. This one was shot onboard the BW Lion. I had completed my midnight to 4 am bridge watch but chose to stay awake to take in the spectacular view the Cape has to offer and it didn't disappoint. This Sun Rise is one of the best I've captured to this day. The sun rising behind the mountains, burning away the fog and finally revealing itself was fun to watch.
Sun Light at the end of the Forest
June 20, 2009
I guess, I can go on and on about the Sharada Peeta at Sringeri and it's beauty. The surrounding forest encompasses the Peeta and extends toward the banks of the Tunga on one side. The other side of the Tunga, which is where the entrance is located hosts the other two famous temples, Sharadamba Temple & Vidyashankara Temple.
Maangalyam
June 19, 2009
Well, was a bit surprised to see a Maangalyam at the Dallas Museum of Art, of all places. This one belonged to a Royal Dynasty long long ago. Over the ages, the maangalyam has shrunk in size and also lost it's value. With modern women choosing not to wear it 24/7, what does the future hold for this important symbol of Hindu Weddings ?
4th of July Sunset
June 17, 2009
Shot at Manhattan Beach, LA. This is the biking path that Aishwarya & me went cycling on, she on a brand new cycle & me on a broken one without brakes. I was totally comfortable, given the way we drive back home ! Apart from the beautiful Sunset & the ever lovely wife in tow, there were these other curvaceous bikini bods who made it impossible to keep my eyes on the road. It was a party atmosphere all round given that it was July 4th. Our L.A trip was most fun and memorable.
Monkeys
June 16, 2009
One thing we saw on our trip to Valparai were lots & lots of monkeys. On our way back down 21 hair pin bends, one such hair pin bend played host to this cozy family.
North Atlantic Winter
is severe and December 2008 was no different. With Chilly winds and rough seas, The Danube was tossed all over the place with us spending sleepless nights
BW Danube
Part of the new series of Product Tankers brought out by my company. This photo was not shot by me but by a professional hired by my company. I was onboard this ship from Aug to Dec 2008.
More photos at http://bit.ly/YDuBE
More photos at http://bit.ly/YDuBE
Water Spout
Shot somewhere in the Atlantic, onboard the BW Lion. The water sprout isn't big enough to damage ships or to pick them up from the water.
Sunset in The Indian Ocean
Shot underway just after the Sun goes below. The amazing bunch of colours that can be seen here sure is a pretty sight.
Sunset
Sunset in the US gulf in all its Glory ! This was shot in peak summer ! Sunsets & Sunrises are quite important especially when we do long voyages ! Advancing or retarding of clocks onboard are determined by this daily phenomenon
Sunset in The Malacca Straits
Shot underway in the Malacca Straits. Not as spectacular as the one in Basrah or the Indian Ocean.
Sunset at Basrah
Everytime I've been to Basrah terminal in Iraq, I've been treated to wonderful Sunsets. With the ship at Anchor and awaiting berthing schedule, this is surely a way to relax and pass time. The haze caused by the sand blown into the sea adds to the beauty.
Lizard
Shot at Corcavado, Rio De Janeiro. Was waiting for Jesus Christ to come out of the clouds when i spotted these two lazing around nearby.
Sand Dune
This was shot at Sidi Kerir during Cargo Operations from inside the bridge. I was struck by the colours available - the blue & gray sky, the green ship, blue sea & the huge brown sand dune.
US Gulf
Sunset again in the US gulf. The metallic object in the horizon is a disused rig. There are plenty of these in the US gulf.
Angra Dos Reis, Brazil
Shot outside the GEBIG Oil Terminal at Angra Dos Reis. Angra Dos Reis means Kings Cove.
Angra Dos Reis, Brazil
I was way too excited to see this view from the bridge. The rays of the Sun trying to pierce its way through the clouds. I'm excited to see this photo now.
Sringeri
Sunset on the banks of the Tunga river at Sringeri. I highly recommend Sringeri to everyone. Whether you are the pious type or a nature lover, Sringeri offers you both. My late Grandfather never wasted an opportunity to talk about this place and now i know the reason. I wish I had visited Sringeri when he was alive !
Hibiscus
Shot at Sringeri, the hibiscus drenched in the monsoon rains against the thick grey monsoon sky.
Vidyasankara Temple
When Adi Shankaracharya was walking by the Tunga river, he saw a cobra with a raised hood, providing shelter from the hot sun, to a frog about to spawn. Impressed with the place where natural enemies had gone beyond their instincts, he selected the site as the place to stay and teach his disciples. The Vidyasankara temple architecture is an exhibition of the astronomical expertise of medieval south Indian temple builders. The main temple hall features 12 pillars designated for the 12 signs of the zodiac. Windows and doors along the temple walls are arranged such that equinoxes sunrise views reach the deity. The northern and southern gates enable the surise view from the hall during solstices.
Snake on the roof
Karnataka temple architecture or is it Kerala temple architecture? The temples that we visited were mostly square shaped with a pyramidal roof and with the exception of a single temple, had this snake perched at the 4 ends of the roof to probably protect the deity inside.
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