Ooty Trip

Had been to Ooty with friends over the long weekend. As with all the trips we plan, or don't "plan" rather(as the planning part is always lacking :)) we started pretty late in the evening on Saturday night and Ooty was short listed pretty much only after the drive was well under way :P. Ooty is around 240 kms from Bangalore via Mysore road. On reaching close to Bandipur national park around 11-12 in the night, we were stopped by the forest guards at a check point saying the roads through the national park will remain closed during night time between 9 pm to 6 am, which meant we had to spend the whole night in the car, Guess thats what happens with all the road trips that are planned on the run :P. but aren't these moment, always the best part of the journeys, the ones which we remember when we are recounting it to friends :).We were only allowed to pass by around 6 in the morning, which turned out good as we had plans to take the ghat section with 36 Hair Pin Bends. The weather was good and the view was breathtaking to say the least :)

on reaching Ooty, went boating, visited the thread garden(that supposedly took close to twelve years to create), visited Sims park and tea estate. Yes Yes, couldn't take the toy train to Kunnur, but hanging out with friends always compensates for anything else doesn't it ?:)Few pics taken during the trip :)









I really liked the below one, some how looked like a perfect couple :)



Pics of the tea estate we visited :)

Kapu & Karkala

Few pics taken during a trip to Kaapu and Karkala.

Kaapu is a beach close by to Udupi and Mangalore, its around 12 Km from Udupi and around 45 km from Mangalore. The main attraction being the lighthouse. Built around 1901, it still stands tall magnificantly.




Karkala is located at a distance of 35 km from Udupi.

Experiment

Not much of an experiment really :P

Life's Little Instructions

Had received this list as a forward, no idea who compiled the list. But whoever it is, thanks a lot :). Heres the Life's little instructions:

1. Have a firm handshake.
2. Look people in the eye.
3. Sing in the shower .
4. Own a great stereo system.
5. If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
6. Keep secrets.
7. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
8. Always accept an outstretched hand.
9. Be brave. Even if you"re not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
10. Whistle .
11. Avoid sarcastic remarks.
12. Choose your life"s mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery.
13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
14. Lend only those books you never care to see again.
15. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
16. When playing games with ! children, let them win.
17. Give people a second chance, but not a third.
18. Be romantic.
19. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
20. Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
21. Don"t allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It"s there for your convenience, not the caller"s.
22. Be a good loser.
23. Be a good winner.
24. Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
25. When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
26. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
27. Keep it simple.
28. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
29. Don"t burn bridges. You"ll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
30. Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets
31. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you"ll regret the things you didn"t do more than the one"s you did.
32. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
33. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
34. Take charge of your attitude. Don"t let someone else choose it for you.
35. Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
36. Begin each day with some of your favorite music.
37. Once in a while, take the scenic route.
38. Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, "Someone who thinks you"re terrific."
39. Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
40. Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.
41. Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
42. Make someone"s day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
43. Become someone"s hero.
44. Marry only for love.
45. Count your blessings.
46. Compliment the meal when you"re a guest in someone"s home.
47. Wave at the children on a school bus.
48. Remember that 80 per cent of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.

Beauty

A few pics i had taken when i was in Naperville.

Mandu & Maheshwar

I got to visit Mandu and Maheshwar as i had traveled to Indore paying a visit to my cousin and niece who are quite settled in Indore. Mandu is a city in Dhar district of the Malwa region in MP, its located around 100km from Indore. Maheshwar is a town in Khargone district located around 90kms from Indore. Posted below are pics from these places :)

First pics from Mandu





These are the pics of the ruins of the fort of Mandu





I loved Maheshwar better, mainly because of the beautfiul carvings present on the temple. Omkareshwar Mandir is located on the banks of Narmada river. Few scenes from the movie Asoka(Starring Sharukh Khan) were shot here. In the late eighteenth century, Maheshwar served as the capital of Rajmata Ahilya Devi Holkar, ruler of the state of Indore. Maheshwar is also famous for the hand loom industries, Maheshwari saris in particular :)

















And as usual, a couple of pics of the flora :-P

Trip to Melkote

Had been to a trip to Melkote close by to bangalore, so heres some pics from the trip :)