I am not much of a fan of Saif Ali or Deepika but this movie is quite well taken and breezy. Some of the songs are catchy too.
Showing posts with label Experience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Experience. Show all posts
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Friday, December 28, 2012
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary : Part 2 : What do you get to see?
I have split this travelogue to Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary into 2 parts - Part 1 : Getting there and Part 2: What you can see there. This is Part 2
Essentially, you get to be in a long walkway around the lake (around 2~3 kms on either side of the entrance).
The birds are around 200 ~500 m away and on a clear day you wont have trouble seeing them. It is preferable to carry your telephoto lens or binoculars if you are keen on having a closer look.
There are two watch towers too from where you get to see the birds and the view is very scenic from there.
Link to part 1 : How to get to Vedanthangal bird sanctuary
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
Part 2: What you can see there
The bird sanctuary is essentially a large lake (about 30 acres) with trees (mangrove type). The best season to visit is Nov - Mar . I went in Dec 26th and there were thousands of birds. (How to get to Vedanthangal bird sanctuary: Part 1)
Essentially, you get to be in a long walkway around the lake (around 2~3 kms on either side of the entrance).
The birds are around 200 ~500 m away and on a clear day you wont have trouble seeing them. It is preferable to carry your telephoto lens or binoculars if you are keen on having a closer look.
There are two watch towers too from where you get to see the birds and the view is very scenic from there.
 |
| Water spout in the form of a bird (and when I captured it - looked like it was catching the man!!!) |
Link to part 1 : How to get to Vedanthangal bird sanctuary
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary : Part 1 : A road trip guide with tips for those travelling from Chennai to Vedanthagal
I have split this travelogue to Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary into 2 parts - Part 1 : Getting there and Part 2: What you can see there
Part 1: A road trip guide with tips for those travelling from Chennai to Vedanthangal
The trip to Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is as interesting as the sanctuary itself. In this part I will cover 2 key parts - A)How to get there B) FOOD, Scheduling your visit and Logistics
A) How to get to Vedanthangal by road?
Distance from RA Puram (Generally considered 0 milestone as it is the center of the universe) to Vedanthangal - 75 kms
Take the GST road via Thambaram - Chingleput and when you are about 12-14 kms from Maduranthagam, you will see lots of boards pointing to Vedanthagal). Take a right and the road off the highway is pretty well paved too. Just so you know you are on the right track, I have excerpted the key boards and buildings close to the right turn - so you dont miss it.
 |
| About 12 kms from Maduranthagam - For those who do not know tamil prev board has English |
 |
| Take right turn here |
 |
| Well paved road throughout till Vedanthangal |
 |
| You have arrived! if you see this board! - Go on for 2 kms |
B)Timing your visit, FOOD and logistics:
If you leave early morning on a holiday (like 8 or 9 AM) you may want to do a "heavy" breakfast at Ananda Bhavan in Pallavaram or Balajee Bhavan in Chromepet (Both before Tambaram)
You will need about an hour or hour-and-a-half at the sanctuary (if you are not a avid bird (feathered type) watcher) - excluding Bajjee eating and Panan Kazhangu (Avicha or steamed and Raw)
 |
| The vertical stacks are panam kazhangu (Palm seeds steamed) |
Then on your return , you can eat at the Mahindra City food plaza that has Archana and Dhaba express around 2 PM. There are no restraunts at Vedanthangal , just a few roadside shops.
The best season to visit Nov-Mar and the place is open 6 am to 6 pm.
More pics hereSubscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Book review: The immortals of Meluha
Immortals of Meluha is a nice historical concept book - Woven Indian history and fiction . Gripping and worth a read.
This is my second ebook. Have a strange feeling with better ink, lower backlight I will switch to digital books.
Could have built a more complex web of characters and story - rather shallow and unable to sustain the next book (like Asterix or Hobbit)
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
This is my second ebook. Have a strange feeling with better ink, lower backlight I will switch to digital books.
Could have built a more complex web of characters and story - rather shallow and unable to sustain the next book (like Asterix or Hobbit)
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
Friday, November 2, 2012
Bose Bluetooth Headset 2 : Review - Music into my life again
For last 3 years I have been using various bluetooth and wired headphones for music and phone and almost never used them consistently. In fact, I have started music only during my exercise and mostly on shuffle and bluetooth for the phone while driving. I wanted to bring music back and also not carry an extra pair of phone accessories.
I realised that the following were my needs
1. Should be able to listen to music and voice
2. Should not be in 2 ears - looks awkward and also in an office setting you want to be able to listen to/be approachable to others
3. Should stay in the ear - even while running
4. Should not shut off noise and cause ear irritation like several in-ear phones
5. Should not be heavy
6. Should provide unobtrusive good voice clarity - the other person should not ask " Are you driving or am in on the speakerphone?"
I have tried the Nokia BH-505, Philips SB9000, Motorola, , Sony in-ear wired phones and the Bose Bluetooth Headset 2. I compared with the Stone2 (Jabra) and the Plantronics M100
I am glad that I took the Right ear version of the Bose Bluetooth headset 2 (Bose offers it in 2 different versions) and it seems to be just perfect
The music is clear and great (it is a BOSE - atleast the price tag of Rs. 8.8K confirms it! - it is expensive). No one has asked me to repeat myself or whether I am in a car. The set is just too light (i think some sub 20 g) and I had fogotten I was wearing it. The StayHear (TM) stuff is great and I have listened to atleast 6 albums in the last 1 week on this set.
It pairs easily and detects far better than the other sets I have had. Only issue is that you may have to charge it almost daily if you are a heavy user of headsets.
Share
I realised that the following were my needs
1. Should be able to listen to music and voice
2. Should not be in 2 ears - looks awkward and also in an office setting you want to be able to listen to/be approachable to others
3. Should stay in the ear - even while running
4. Should not shut off noise and cause ear irritation like several in-ear phones
5. Should not be heavy
6. Should provide unobtrusive good voice clarity - the other person should not ask " Are you driving or am in on the speakerphone?"
I have tried the Nokia BH-505, Philips SB9000, Motorola, , Sony in-ear wired phones and the Bose Bluetooth Headset 2. I compared with the Stone2 (Jabra) and the Plantronics M100
I am glad that I took the Right ear version of the Bose Bluetooth headset 2 (Bose offers it in 2 different versions) and it seems to be just perfect
The music is clear and great (it is a BOSE - atleast the price tag of Rs. 8.8K confirms it! - it is expensive). No one has asked me to repeat myself or whether I am in a car. The set is just too light (i think some sub 20 g) and I had fogotten I was wearing it. The StayHear (TM) stuff is great and I have listened to atleast 6 albums in the last 1 week on this set.
It pairs easily and detects far better than the other sets I have had. Only issue is that you may have to charge it almost daily if you are a heavy user of headsets.
Share
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Saw: Fight club: Movie
Good movie - wierd theme but very well executed. Its in the top 500 in IMDB!
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Read: Angels and Demons: My review
The first book (or rather 2nd) by Dan Brown book Davinci Code was great. Angels and Demons was good to start with but became cliche and somewhere down the book , he did not know how to end the story.
Also, I feel that his SEO guru must have told him to start a controversy so that people will buy the book - he brings in vatican and exploits key people to get some publicity (but ahem.... it fizzles out). Acceptable except for the last few chapters.
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
Also, I feel that his SEO guru must have told him to start a controversy so that people will buy the book - he brings in vatican and exploits key people to get some publicity (but ahem.... it fizzles out). Acceptable except for the last few chapters.
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
Monday, October 8, 2012
Movies: Saw Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Saw butch Cassidy and the sundance kid
After all the hoo ha, the movie seemed just about average as it did not quite stand the test of time.
All the same imdb puts it at 8.2 and is in the top 5000!
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
All the same imdb puts it at 8.2 and is in the top 5000!
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
-->
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Interesting performance - Must see in Cochin - Kathakali Dance Centre
The Cochin Cultural Centre - Kathakali Centre is centrally located in Cochin(Kochi) and in Ernakulam and is a popular destination. You need to generally pre-book to get assured seats for the 5 PM Lecture Demonstration
I am not the dance-seeing type (ahem...), and resisted going to this show. However, since we had an evening to spare I went with my family. The show was amazing and for a person like me who did not know (or care) anything about dance, the color music beat and speed was captivating.
The make up (a very important part of the show) starts early and please dont miss it. Also the proceeds from the centre support Kathakali - a dying art form
We saw it in the one located off MG Road.
I am not the dance-seeing type (ahem...), and resisted going to this show. However, since we had an evening to spare I went with my family. The show was amazing and for a person like me who did not know (or care) anything about dance, the color music beat and speed was captivating.
The make up (a very important part of the show) starts early and please dont miss it. Also the proceeds from the centre support Kathakali - a dying art form
We saw it in the one located off MG Road.
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Movies: Saw: Kadhal Sodhappuvadhu Eppadi
Monday, July 9, 2012
What to see in Madurai: Thirumalai Rayar Palace, Famous Jigarthanda and Madurai Meenakshi temple and Mariamman tank (Part 2)
This is Part 2 of 2 of the trip to Madurai - Link to Earlier post (Part 1)
The evening visit to Mariamman tank was pleasant - actually that is the Chennai beach equivalent in Madurai. People generally land up at the tank to relax.
There is a avicha kazhangu there - tasted quite nice.
Finally the next morning e visited "THE" Madurai Meenakshi Temple. A quick tip - take the Rs 100 ticket - thats a no brainer but more important is that most people dont know that the ticket is valid for both Sivan and Meenakshi sannathis. That makes it really worthwhile and fast.Also there is a parking lot near the main entrance to walk down to the gopuram via a side street (The now famous HC case!)
1000 pillar hall
Some sculptures...
This is Part 2 of the trip to Madurai - Link to Earlier post (Part 1)
As I started this post Madurai got famous for all the wrong reasons for its Mutt/Adheenam ;-)
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
The evening visit to Mariamman tank was pleasant - actually that is the Chennai beach equivalent in Madurai. People generally land up at the tank to relax.
 |
| From Madurai_Palace_JigarThanda_Temple |
 |
| From Madurai_Palace_JigarThanda_Temple |
Finally the next morning e visited "THE" Madurai Meenakshi Temple. A quick tip - take the Rs 100 ticket - thats a no brainer but more important is that most people dont know that the ticket is valid for both Sivan and Meenakshi sannathis. That makes it really worthwhile and fast.Also there is a parking lot near the main entrance to walk down to the gopuram via a side street (The now famous HC case!)
 |
| From Madurai_Palace_JigarThanda_Temple |
1000 pillar hall
 |
| From Madurai_Palace_JigarThanda_Temple |
 |
| From Madurai_Palace_JigarThanda_Temple |
 |
| From Madurai_Palace_JigarThanda_Temple |
This is Part 2 of the trip to Madurai - Link to Earlier post (Part 1)
As I started this post Madurai got famous for all the wrong reasons for its Mutt/Adheenam ;-)
Subscribe to A.Karthiks blog
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Tall trees is a great place - review and photos
Where to stay in Munnar ? I stayed at Tall trees and found it to be a great placeThis is a very nice place. Nestled inside a near 70 acre forest greenery and a little away from the Munnar town (approx 4 km)
They offer beautiful cottages that overlook a green forested hill side. The campus is tastefully done and the staff is helpful. Its very peaceful..... note that I did not say silent - the cicadas and birds and frogs go all day long but I am sure you dont mind it ;-). The cottages are well done and furnished / maintained well.
Reception
They have a restaurant "Hill spice" that served Buffet Dinner and Breakfast. Very unique setting with glass ceilings. The only downside is that you need to walk up a hill (by city people standards) about 300-600 m to reach the restaurant .... well it builds up an apetite
There are lots of things for the children to do too - TT/Carrom/Rock Climbing/Play area/Shuttle and for some grown up types too - Ayurveda , Fitness walk
(PS: I even heard Edavapathi movie is being shot in Munnar when we were there. Wonder what the movie name means!)
Saturday, June 9, 2012
What to see in Madurai: Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal Palace, Famous Jigarthanda and Madurai Meenakshi temple and Mariamman tank (Part 1)
Madurai - Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal or Palace, Famous Jigarthanda :
What to see in Madurai: (Part 1)
(Also referred as Thirumalai Naicker or Nayakar Mahal)
Many of us have solved the travelling salesman problem but the same is faced by nearly every tourist (especially when faced with triple constraints of time wife and kids ;-) [See my earlier post on how to get to Madurai by bus]
So for those who want to spend a day in Madurai and dont want to strain yourself (i.e. want to nap in the afternoon and only do visits in the morning and evening)
Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace - Nice large hall worth visiting and will take about 2 hrs. I was pleasantly surprised with the the tamil language has evolved - it was quite a simple script with much reuse (modular language ;-))
As you finish the Palace and are feeling quite hot - head out to the "Famous Jigarthanda" - yes... thats the name of the shop. The Jigarthanda drink out here is amazing.
Its as good as the stuff thats available at Chennai Murugan Idly albeit the ice cream is filled with ice flakes
<<End of Part 1>> see Part 2
Share
(Also referred as Thirumalai Naicker or Nayakar Mahal)
Many of us have solved the travelling salesman problem but the same is faced by nearly every tourist (especially when faced with triple constraints of time wife and kids ;-) [See my earlier post on how to get to Madurai by bus]
So for those who want to spend a day in Madurai and dont want to strain yourself (i.e. want to nap in the afternoon and only do visits in the morning and evening)
Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace - Nice large hall worth visiting and will take about 2 hrs. I was pleasantly surprised with the the tamil language has evolved - it was quite a simple script with much reuse (modular language ;-))
As you finish the Palace and are feeling quite hot - head out to the "Famous Jigarthanda" - yes... thats the name of the shop. The Jigarthanda drink out here is amazing.
Its as good as the stuff thats available at Chennai Murugan Idly albeit the ice cream is filled with ice flakes
<<End of Part 1>> see Part 2
Share
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Pantnagar to Haldwani: A very picturesque journey: Photos
You may also like to read my post on how to reach pantnagar from chennai
 |
| From 20110410_Pantnagar |
 |
| From 20110410_Pantnagar |
 |
| From 20110410_Pantnagar |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)