എല്ലാ കൂട്ടുകാര്‍ക്കും സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യദിന ആശംസകള്‍ നേര്‍ന്നുകൊള്ളുന്നു
Monday, August 14, 2006
Monday, August 07, 2006
ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ട് തരംഗം...തുടരുന്നു
ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ട് ഇന്നു ഒരു പ്രതിഭാ‍സമായി മാറിയതിന്റെ കാരണം അതിന്റെ അതിവിപുലമായ ശ്രംഖലയാണ്. അഞ്ചാം ക്ലാസില്‍ കൂടെ പഠിച്ചവനെയും കോളേജില്‍ വച്ച് കണ്ടുമുട്ടിയ ചങ്ങാതിയേയും ജീവിതത്തില്‍ പിന്നെയും കണ്ടുമുട്ടാനുള്ള ഒരു വേഥിയാണ് ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ട്.
ആദ്യമായി നമുക്കു ഒരു Google അക്കൌണ്ട് വേണം. അതു വച്ചാണു ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ടിലേക്കുള്ള പ്രവേശനം. പിന്നെ ഒരു ചങ്ങാതിയുടെ invite കൂടെ കിട്ടിയാല്‍ ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ടില്‍ കളികള്‍ ആരംഭിക്കാം. ഒരു കൂട്ടുകാരനെ നമ്മള്‍ add ചെയ്യണം. പിന്നെ നമുക്ക് അവന്റെ scrapbook-ല്‍ message ചെയ്യാം. ഇതു യാഹൂ മെസ്സഞ്ചര്‍ പോലെ ആണ്. എല്ലാ members-നും പ്രത്യേകം scrapbook കാണും. മാത്രമല്ല നമുക്കും നമ്മുടെ കൂട്ടുകാരെയും add ചെയ്യാം.
ഇനി കൂട്ടുകാരുടെയോ ഒരു കോളേജിന്റെയോ ഒരു പൊതു താല്പര്യത്തിന്റെ സംഘം ഉണ്ടാക്കണമെന്നുണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ community രൂപീകരിക്കാം. അവിടെ community -ക്കു പൊതുവായ കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ ചര്‍ച്ച ചെയ്യാം. ചില community-യില്‍ ആര്‍ക്കു വേണമെങ്കിലും ചേരാം, ചിലതില്‍ അനുവാദം വേണം.
എല്ലാ members-നും അവരുടെ ഫോട്ടോ ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ടില്‍ upload ചെയ്യാം. മാത്രമല്ല 12 ഫോട്ടോകള്‍ ഒരു ആല്‍ബമായും upload ചെയ്യാവുന്നതാണ്.
ഇതിലെല്ലാം ഉപരി ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ടിനെ എല്ലാവരും ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നതിന്റെ കാര്യം അതിന്റെ സുതാര്യതയാണ്. ഏതൊരാള്‍ക്കും ആരുടെ കൂട്ടുകാരെയും ആരുടെ scrapbook വേണമെങ്കിലും ആരുടെ ആല്‍ബം വേണമെങ്കിലും കാണാം. യാതൊരു മറയും ഇല്ല. അതു കൊണ്ട് നല്ലൊരു നേരമ്പോക്കാണു ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ട്. scrapbook count-ഉം കൂട്ടുകാരുടെ എണ്ണവും ഒരു അഭിമാനമായി കാണുന്നവരും കുറവല്ല.
ആദ്യമായി നമുക്കു ഒരു Google അക്കൌണ്ട് വേണം. അതു വച്ചാണു ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ടിലേക്കുള്ള പ്രവേശനം. പിന്നെ ഒരു ചങ്ങാതിയുടെ invite കൂടെ കിട്ടിയാല്‍ ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ടില്‍ കളികള്‍ ആരംഭിക്കാം. ഒരു കൂട്ടുകാരനെ നമ്മള്‍ add ചെയ്യണം. പിന്നെ നമുക്ക് അവന്റെ scrapbook-ല്‍ message ചെയ്യാം. ഇതു യാഹൂ മെസ്സഞ്ചര്‍ പോലെ ആണ്. എല്ലാ members-നും പ്രത്യേകം scrapbook കാണും. മാത്രമല്ല നമുക്കും നമ്മുടെ കൂട്ടുകാരെയും add ചെയ്യാം.
ഇനി കൂട്ടുകാരുടെയോ ഒരു കോളേജിന്റെയോ ഒരു പൊതു താല്പര്യത്തിന്റെ സംഘം ഉണ്ടാക്കണമെന്നുണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ community രൂപീകരിക്കാം. അവിടെ community -ക്കു പൊതുവായ കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ ചര്‍ച്ച ചെയ്യാം. ചില community-യില്‍ ആര്‍ക്കു വേണമെങ്കിലും ചേരാം, ചിലതില്‍ അനുവാദം വേണം.
എല്ലാ members-നും അവരുടെ ഫോട്ടോ ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ടില്‍ upload ചെയ്യാം. മാത്രമല്ല 12 ഫോട്ടോകള്‍ ഒരു ആല്‍ബമായും upload ചെയ്യാവുന്നതാണ്.
ഇതിലെല്ലാം ഉപരി ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ടിനെ എല്ലാവരും ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നതിന്റെ കാര്യം അതിന്റെ സുതാര്യതയാണ്. ഏതൊരാള്‍ക്കും ആരുടെ കൂട്ടുകാരെയും ആരുടെ scrapbook വേണമെങ്കിലും ആരുടെ ആല്‍ബം വേണമെങ്കിലും കാണാം. യാതൊരു മറയും ഇല്ല. അതു കൊണ്ട് നല്ലൊരു നേരമ്പോക്കാണു ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ട്. scrapbook count-ഉം കൂട്ടുകാരുടെ എണ്ണവും ഒരു അഭിമാനമായി കാണുന്നവരും കുറവല്ല.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Orkut തരംഗം...ഇന്‍‌റ്റര്‍നെറ്റിലെ സുഹ്രദ് വലയം
ഇന്‍‌റ്റര്‍നെറ്റ് വളര്‍ന്നു തുടങ്ങിയ കാലം മുതല്‍ അതു വഴി എങ്ങനെ കൂട്ടുകാരെ കണ്ടുപിടിക്കാം എന്നതു ഒരു ആകാംഷയായിരുന്നു. ആദ്യം ഈ-മെയില്‍, പിന്നെ യാഹൂ മെസ്സെഞര്‍, അങ്ങനെ കൂട്ടുകാരുടെ വലയം ഒരിക്കലും മുറിഞ്ഞില്ല. ഇതാ ഇപ്പോള്‍ ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ട് (https://www.orkut.com).
കൂറച്ചു കാലം മുന്‍പ് google‘ലെ ഒരു എഞ്ചിനീയര്‍ അനൌധ്യൊകികമായി ചെയ്ത ഒരു project ആണ് ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ട്. അതിന്റെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനക്ഷമത കണ്ടിട്ട് google അതിനെ ഏറ്റെടുക്കുകയായിരുന്നു. ഇന്ന് അതു വളരെ വലിയ ഒരു ശ്രംഖലയായി മാറി കഴിഞ്ഞു.
ഇതിനെ പറ്റി നിങ്ങള്‍ക്കുള്ള അഭിപ്രായം ചര്‍ച്ച ചെയ്യുക. ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ടിനെ പറ്റി വിശദമായി അടുത്ത ബ്ലോഗില്‍ എഴുതുന്നതാണ്.
കൂറച്ചു കാലം മുന്‍പ് google‘ലെ ഒരു എഞ്ചിനീയര്‍ അനൌധ്യൊകികമായി ചെയ്ത ഒരു project ആണ് ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ട്. അതിന്റെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനക്ഷമത കണ്ടിട്ട് google അതിനെ ഏറ്റെടുക്കുകയായിരുന്നു. ഇന്ന് അതു വളരെ വലിയ ഒരു ശ്രംഖലയായി മാറി കഴിഞ്ഞു.
ഇതിനെ പറ്റി നിങ്ങള്‍ക്കുള്ള അഭിപ്രായം ചര്‍ച്ച ചെയ്യുക. ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ടിനെ പറ്റി വിശദമായി അടുത്ത ബ്ലോഗില്‍ എഴുതുന്നതാണ്.
കിഴക്കേ അമേരിക്ക ചുട്ടു പഴുക്കുന്നു
ജനുവരി ഒരു ഓര്‍മ്മ...
ലാലേട്ടന്റെ ആ പഴയ സിനിമയല്ല എനിക്കിപ്പോള്‍ ഓര്‍മ്മ വരുന്നതു, പോയ ജനുവരിയിലെ കാലാവസ്ഥയാണ്. കേരളത്തിന്റെ ഉഷ്ണത്തില്‍ നിന്നും വടക്കു കിഴക്കേ അമേരിക്കയിലെ കൊടും ശൈത്യത്തിലേക്കുള്ള ആ മാറ്റം തികച്ചും അപ്രതീക്ഷിതമായിരുന്നു. മൂന്നും നാലും ആവരണങ്ങള്‍ അണിഞ്ഞാലേ വെളിയില്‍ ഇറങ്ങാന്‍ പറ്റൂള്ളു. എവിടെ ചവുട്ടിയാലും ഐസ് അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ മഞ്ഞ്. Centralized heating ഉള്ളതു കൊണ്ട് ജീവിച്ചു പോയി.
ഇപ്പോളിതാ നേരെ തിരിച്ചും. ഒടുക്കത്തെ ചൂട്. ഇന്നലെ താപമാനം മൂന്നക്കത്തില്‍ എത്തി, 100 °F അതായതു 38 °C. ഇതേ ചൂടു നാട്ടില്‍ സഹിക്കാം, പക്ഷെ geographical location ആണു പ്രശ്നം. Equator-ന്റെ വളരെ മുകളില്‍ ആയതു കൊണ്ട് സൂര്യരശ്മികള്‍ക്കു കാഠിന്യം കൂടും. രാവിലെ വീട്ടില്‍ നിന്നു ഇറങ്ങി കാര്‍ തുറക്കമ്പോള്‍ അടുപ്പിനകത്തു നില്‍ക്കുന്നതു പോലെയാണ്. A/c ഇട്ടാലും അതു ഒന്നു പച്ച പിടിക്കാന്‍ കുറച്ചു സമയം പിടിക്കും. Parking lot-ല്‍ കാര്‍ park ചെയ്തു Office-ലേക്കു ഓടണം. അകത്തു കയറിയാല്‍ പിന്നെ ആശ്വാസമായി. ആ ദിവസം അങ്ങനെ പോകും. വൈകുന്നേരം പിന്നെയും പഴയതു പോലെ.
ദൈവമേ, ഇതു എന്തൊരു ജീവിതം!
ലാലേട്ടന്റെ ആ പഴയ സിനിമയല്ല എനിക്കിപ്പോള്‍ ഓര്‍മ്മ വരുന്നതു, പോയ ജനുവരിയിലെ കാലാവസ്ഥയാണ്. കേരളത്തിന്റെ ഉഷ്ണത്തില്‍ നിന്നും വടക്കു കിഴക്കേ അമേരിക്കയിലെ കൊടും ശൈത്യത്തിലേക്കുള്ള ആ മാറ്റം തികച്ചും അപ്രതീക്ഷിതമായിരുന്നു. മൂന്നും നാലും ആവരണങ്ങള്‍ അണിഞ്ഞാലേ വെളിയില്‍ ഇറങ്ങാന്‍ പറ്റൂള്ളു. എവിടെ ചവുട്ടിയാലും ഐസ് അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ മഞ്ഞ്. Centralized heating ഉള്ളതു കൊണ്ട് ജീവിച്ചു പോയി.
ഇപ്പോളിതാ നേരെ തിരിച്ചും. ഒടുക്കത്തെ ചൂട്. ഇന്നലെ താപമാനം മൂന്നക്കത്തില്‍ എത്തി, 100 °F അതായതു 38 °C. ഇതേ ചൂടു നാട്ടില്‍ സഹിക്കാം, പക്ഷെ geographical location ആണു പ്രശ്നം. Equator-ന്റെ വളരെ മുകളില്‍ ആയതു കൊണ്ട് സൂര്യരശ്മികള്‍ക്കു കാഠിന്യം കൂടും. രാവിലെ വീട്ടില്‍ നിന്നു ഇറങ്ങി കാര്‍ തുറക്കമ്പോള്‍ അടുപ്പിനകത്തു നില്‍ക്കുന്നതു പോലെയാണ്. A/c ഇട്ടാലും അതു ഒന്നു പച്ച പിടിക്കാന്‍ കുറച്ചു സമയം പിടിക്കും. Parking lot-ല്‍ കാര്‍ park ചെയ്തു Office-ലേക്കു ഓടണം. അകത്തു കയറിയാല്‍ പിന്നെ ആശ്വാസമായി. ആ ദിവസം അങ്ങനെ പോകും. വൈകുന്നേരം പിന്നെയും പഴയതു പോലെ.
ദൈവമേ, ഇതു എന്തൊരു ജീവിതം!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Life's defining moments
At 2 pm, Sun was shining at its usual in Sunshite state. In the grass field and the wooden steps near that, people were anxiously waiting. There was a small stage in front of us, where one guy was answering the questions. Besides there was a screen which was showing a region far from we were sitting. A countdown pad there in the screen.
29 minutes past 2, an announcement came from the stage "Countdown has begun, T minus 9 minutes" Does it make any sense? It kept on decreasing and when it reached less than 60 secs, the crowd slowly stood up. Screen was showing the event getting readied. Finally, 5...4..3..2..1...
All of us were looking at a distant spot covered by trees. It took some secs for us to see one of the best moments of our life, that too first time. An orange-red flame emerged up above those trees. With a roll and pitch, it turned upside down and cruised up at 1.7 miles per sec. It seconds, it vanished out of our eye sight to be reduced to some smoke in the sky. Finally we saw a small star in the sky which persisted for another some seconds. In 10 minutes, it has reached its destination which orbits mother earth at an altitude of 220 miles.
We were watching Discovery space shuttle launching from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on July 4th 2006.
29 minutes past 2, an announcement came from the stage "Countdown has begun, T minus 9 minutes" Does it make any sense? It kept on decreasing and when it reached less than 60 secs, the crowd slowly stood up. Screen was showing the event getting readied. Finally, 5...4..3..2..1...
All of us were looking at a distant spot covered by trees. It took some secs for us to see one of the best moments of our life, that too first time. An orange-red flame emerged up above those trees. With a roll and pitch, it turned upside down and cruised up at 1.7 miles per sec. It seconds, it vanished out of our eye sight to be reduced to some smoke in the sky. Finally we saw a small star in the sky which persisted for another some seconds. In 10 minutes, it has reached its destination which orbits mother earth at an altitude of 220 miles.
We were watching Discovery space shuttle launching from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on July 4th 2006.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Niagara, the beauty
| Morning 4.30 on a Saturday … A Maine state registered Chevy Uplander rushed through the Interstate-495 South expressway. A devotional song going on in low volume was very refreshing. Fog acted as a carpet to the expressway. Odometer showed a constant 65. Much to our surprise, dawn seemed to come too early to greet us. At 5, sky was visible with dim sunlight. Still, gentlemen in the backseat were doomed to sleep. Later on in the day, dusk was not that peaceful. We got used to that roaring sound. But … it was truly colorful … |
| A day later … Are we in heaven? That too so soon? Standing in the amazing world of white water droplets, hardly anything was seen. The shattering sound deafened us from any sound in the world. And if we dared to see up above, a semi-circular periphery showed up. Water was cruising from high up making a mist which made the whole area invisible … |
| Hours later … A 100 year old lift took us 170 feet down. Wrapped under a yellow plastic translucent coat, we were screaming slogans as water from up above shattered on the boulders nearby. We extended hands to reach the steam, while watching the beautiful small rainbow formed in front of us … |
…and we bowed before that 12000 years old natural wonder, beauty undefined shared by two big nations; a donum ex dues – a gift from almighty to the human race
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Goodnight, thank you…
Goodnight, thank you…
Well, you would think what’s so great in these words. Can’t be blamed, it’s natural. But to me, those are beauty.
It was back in last winter, in the peak of which I came to US. Just getting familiar to the onsite work and life, I found every thing very exciting. From snow instead of sand and tissue instead of water jugs, all were revelations. Sun goes to sleep early before 5 in the evening. Lucky guy doesn’t have any offshore calls at night. L
Snow it was, Watch in Bulk
Shiver rings bell, Walk out and Yell
Vintage time, Winter Rocks ...That was Winter
Time changed, Life changed, Lifestyle changed
Snow bores, Weekend screws, I became nuts
Gloves must, Jacket necessary, heater essential ...that WAS winter
In those days, while leaving from office, I heard “Goodnight, thank you...” just before exiting the building. That came from the security window. I saw a young man, waving hands at us. We too wished him the same. In US, every single guy greets when he see others, but this was a special one. We hear this only when we leave for the day. After the end of a tiring day, we’ll be all alone as people leave early from office here. So it’s really heartening to hear someone greeting us. This young man will be doing his part time job may be. But still he enjoys his work. We became used to his style of waving at us and the special words.
Days ran away, Snow melted away
Summer came into its way, Humming all the way
Still, "Good night, Thank you…" continues.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
പ്രവാസി ജീവിതം
പ്രവാസി ജീവിതം വര്‍ണശബളമാണോ അതൊ വെറും അക്കരപച്ചയോ???
20- 25 വ‌ര്‍‌ഷം ലോകത്തിന്റെ ഒരു കോണില്‍ താമസിച്ചിട്ടു എഴ് കടലും താണ്ടി ലോകത്തിന്റെ മറു കോണില്‍ വന്നപ്പോള്‍ ജീവിതത്തില്‍ ഇത്രയും മാറ്റങ്ങള്‍ വരുമെന്നു വിചാരിച്ചില്ല. മണിക്കൂര്‍ സൂചി പിന്നിലേക്ക് തള്ളപ്പെട്ടപ്പോഴും മണ്ണീനും മണലിനും പകരം മഞ്ഞു കണ്ടപ്പോഴും തീരെ പ്രതീക്ഷിചില്ല. ജീവിതം മാറി, ജീവിതരീതികള്‍ മാറി, സമയം മാറി...ഇനി എന്തെല്ലാം മാറാന്‍ കിടക്കുന്നു...
തുടരും...
20- 25 വ‌ര്‍‌ഷം ലോകത്തിന്റെ ഒരു കോണില്‍ താമസിച്ചിട്ടു എഴ് കടലും താണ്ടി ലോകത്തിന്റെ മറു കോണില്‍ വന്നപ്പോള്‍ ജീവിതത്തില്‍ ഇത്രയും മാറ്റങ്ങള്‍ വരുമെന്നു വിചാരിച്ചില്ല. മണിക്കൂര്‍ സൂചി പിന്നിലേക്ക് തള്ളപ്പെട്ടപ്പോഴും മണ്ണീനും മണലിനും പകരം മഞ്ഞു കണ്ടപ്പോഴും തീരെ പ്രതീക്ഷിചില്ല. ജീവിതം മാറി, ജീവിതരീതികള്‍ മാറി, സമയം മാറി...ഇനി എന്തെല്ലാം മാറാന്‍ കിടക്കുന്നു...
തുടരും...
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
A Gr8 Weekend
<One of my old travelogues>
It was indeed a gr8 weekend, relieved from all the dirt of the busy professional life, spending time with god and nature, that too alone.
I reached Mookambika (Kollur) around
If you happen to go to Mookambika, visit Souparnika and Kudajadri too. I have been there earlier. Souparnika is a sacred river comprising all the medical elements and it’s believed that a bath will relieve u of any diseases. You have to take a jeep to go to Kudajadri and there is a
Kudajadri is a peak, at the top of which Adishankara established a temple. Brahmin boys will b taking their Upanayana in that temple always.
Around
I reached Sringeri around 6pm. I took a room and went to the centuries-old Sharada peetham, established by Adishankara on the bank of Thungabhadra. It’s believed that he lived in the 6th century AD (there’re many controversies regarding this). And he came to this world to renovate the Sanathana and Advaitha dharma, which were deteriorating due to the negativities of Buddhism. Such a peaceful atmosphere, you’ll love to stay there for days.
Adishankara is the reincarnation of Lord Shiva and he did the prathishta of Saraswathy Devi here. Sharada Devi (Saraswathy) is being worshiped there and also Lord Shiva. Dhyana mandira is depicted with the story of Adishankara. Now it’s the 36th Jagadguru of Sringeri, Bharathitheertha and he stays on the other bank of the river in Narasimhavana. After the prayers, I had the food there in the temple itself.
Next day morning, after the morning prayers, I was on my way through the Kudremukh national park. The famous Karkala is also near. Nice forest and dazzling sceneries!!! I went past the Netravathi river, which also is considered sacred.
Around 11.30, I reached Dharmasthala. People come there mainly for the mundhan. After 2 hrs of queue, I had my darshan, the main idol being the
Two days theerthadana thus came to an end. Though the whole journey was covered with rain, I felt it as nature’s happiness!!!
After reading this, if you felt like going, then I’m blessed!!!
Monday, April 17, 2006
New York Rocks - Prelude
Not all dreams transform to reality. It’s even sad when a lot of hard work and expectations were put into. At times we come across experiences which we never thought off, which we never expected or desired. Then it’ll be a pleasant surprise, won’t it be? Have you ever felt like that? I did!
That’s how I felt when a cold breeze cuddled my face as I was watching the entire city standing in the 86th floor of one of the world’s tallest buildings
That’s how I felt when I walked against the heavy wind on a bridge that was constructed 100 odd years before
That’s how it felt, when a sandbar shark and I was separated by nothing but a glass window
Yeah,
-A city that never sleeps-
-Prelude-
Nothing was planned when I suddenly got a 4 day weekend i.e. weekend plus Monday holiday for President’s day (can you believe, it’s celebrated hereJ) plus a day off for my hard work on a holidayJ. It was just about a month me and my wife came to US and almost got settled. Also winter was looking dangerous with frequent snowfalls and nasty winds. Sunny Uncle, my father’s friend was there in NY and has called us once to visit their home. Also we had no other choice of places too. The idea struck and we passed the billJ. Finalizing travel plan was confusing. Interstate transportation is not that efficient in
New York Rocks - Kickoff
α. Kickoff - Friday 17th
Kaushik picked us from our home at
New York Rocks - Expedition
β. Expedition -Saturday 18th
We took 10’o’clock ferry and then the subway to
You want to know how the zoo started. It started when people began to drop unwanted animals in the arsenal ranging from swans to bear cub. Quite funny isn’t it? Near the entrance, there’s so called “Retirement Tank” in the central garden with California Sea Lions. We rushed here to take a quick snap, but in vain. These guys will keep on somersaulting in the tank and keep us waiting. We can see them going down through the glass windows of the elevated tank. But is a fun the way they are playing in the tank like kids. Usually found on the West coast of US, they use their long flippers to move in land and water. We then moved on after tireless attempts to take a good photo.
We entered the Polar zone to see Gentoo penguins brought from
While we were moving to the next region, we saw something on a huge glass window. When we went near, some creature was licking the foggy window. It was a Cotton-topped Tamarin. They are small monkeys resembling a squirrel and have a long thick tail and white hairs surrounding the head. These funny creatures hail from Central and
Tropical region was the next to see. The conditions of a rain forest are replicated perfectly with a riverbank, cave, towering tree trunks, and a 20-foot roaring waterfall. We saw Mouse deer found mainly in
Enough of wildlife, we got out of the
We then ate from a Chinese restaurant nearby the park. Quite a good number of limousines were seen plying. After lunch, we proceeded to
We then went to Grand Central Terminal. It’s a monumental gateway built in 1900s. It is the largest train station in the world by the number of platforms – 44 with 67 tracks, situated on 2 underground levels. The main attractions are Vanderbilt hall, a magnificent central hall and Omega watch board.
Our next destination was the Crossroads of the World –
We then headed to
Though not satisfied completely, we left as it was getting late. We took the subway and ferry later on to reach the house.
New York Rocks - Follow up
γ. Follow up - Sunday 19th
Instead of taking the usual path to
New York aquarium was nearby beach which was opened in 1839. My desire since childhood to see sea animals underwater came true here. A large water tank was recreated to show the oceanic conditions. Beautiful coral reefs and color fishes were attractive but the real star was a Sting Ray which reminded me of Stealth Aircraft. It kept on moving in the water and there were 3 or 4 of those. Belize barrier reef, extinct species of Lake Victoria and species of Lake Malawi were the next exhibits. Anemones, Star fishes, Jelly fishes also followed. Piranhas from Amazon and other South American rivers which can eat anything from cattle to parts of human and reduce them to skeleton in minutes was yet another attraction. They don’t kill their prey; they just start eating the victim alive. They venture out in schools and when they are in a feeding frenzy the water appears to boil and churn red with blood.
Then we saw Pacific walrus, a large semi-aquatic mammal from Arctic regions. It was a treat to watch those biggies playing in water, spraying out water and making sounds occasionally. These younger ones didn’t develop their characteristic tusks. But they had a superb moustacheJ. Then there was
We then moved to an underground area called Sea cliffs. We could see Striped Bass and Leopard shark. But the best part was watching walruses, sea lions, sea otter and seals underwater. What a fun it was to watch them playing. Walruses resemble hippos, that big they are. We saw Seahorses. They are specialJ. While linked in the mating embrace, the female forces the eggs into a pouch on the underside of the male, where they are fertilized and where they remain until they are expelled as miniature versions of the adult. Unlucky guys! Different varieties of them are present like pipe fishes. We also saw Octopuses and Lobsters.
Sharks, Turtles and Giant sting rays formed the next section. It was truly amazing to see the sandbar sharks moving like a rocket close to us. Last section was Alien Stingers which comprised of Moon jelly fishes. They are translucent and beautiful as they were kept in blue light illuminated water. Also there were Elephant nose fishes and Electric Eel.
It was almost 12.30 when we finished the aquarium part. We then took subway to
Our next destination was American Museum of Natural History situated on
We headed towards
New York Rocks - Curtains
δ. Curtains - Monday 20th
We slept for long hours. We started from Staten Island at 11am and got the bus from Port Authority terminal. We took the Peterpan bus via Hartford and Worcester. 3 connecting buses were there in total and we reached Nashua at 7.30 pm. We got the city bus luckily and reached home fast.
Thus a journey which will linger in our mind for ever came to an end. Now I knew why New York is one of the world’s preferred tourist spots. A well planned and superbly connected with subways and buses, this is certainly worth one more visit.
Kodai Trip, a sequel
An early morning in the June first week of 2005!
…Woods are lovely dark n deep
And Miles to go before I sleep…
Yeah, Cool Guys are going out for a tour of 3 days. Read on, a sequel to our Ooty Trip.
…Things changed much after the Ooty trip. Ranjith moved to
And there came an inner call that we have to go for yet another outing for 3 days. It was with everyone and Ranjith keeps on asking when we will go.
Kodai Trip, a sequel - 1
Wednesday
Finally we decided that we’ll try to go on June 1st week. It’s not that easy as we have to arrange our leaves and after June 1st week, it wont work out this month as Bastian will be having a training program. So I asked for leave and it was on hold as I didn’t get it easily. I have to wait. On May 23rd, my leave was confirmed. Bastian and Gijoy had no problem with the leave. And here comes the turning point of the tour. We have one more man – The one and only Sreeram, called affectionately as Pattar. He was no there with the Ooty tour due to some reasons and he was so sad about that. So we decided we’ll take him at any cost. We played around him and threatened not to take for tour. It’s prank anyways.
Thursday
Bastian and Ranjith came early morning. He bought the package of the tour – Chivas Regal. Can you believe it? Ranjith got us the Sony handy cam from Gijoy’s brother, but he forgot to bring the cassette. Pattar came with his luggage in the evening. Then Bastian and Gijoy went out to take car. Pattar, Ranjith and I went to forum to buy camera’s battery and cassette for handy cam. We got the battery, but the cassette bought was inappropriate. So we all went out again on our car to Forum. We were arguing and literally begging to take the cassette back and the shop owner was not yielding. Finally we decided to buy the proper cassette. Then we saw pattar asking the details of the digicams. We thought it was his usual “killing”. To our surprise, he was serious and finally ended up in buying an
Kodai Trip, a sequel - 2
Friday
I woke up at 2 and began to wake up everyone. Pattar made black tea for all and we were ready to go at 3.30. Bastian took the driver’s seat and took the Kanakapura route to go to
We reached Palani by
Kodai Trip, a sequel - 4
Sunday
We woke up much earlier and Ranjith even went to buy milk along with Aziz Bhai in car. We started at
Thus a fun-tour came to an end, mainly filled with Pattar’s bashing.
Kodai Trip, a sequel - 3
Saturday
When Pattar woke up at 6, Ranjith was not there in bed. Later we found that he has gone for a walk. Only god knows his purpose. He made some important findings after this walk that no two storied buildings are allowed in Kodai and Aziz bhai is a rich bhai. We got ready by 9.30 and then one folk at the cottage told us the sightseeing places. We want to visit
Friday, March 17, 2006
Ooty Tour - Prologue
…Things won’t happen the way we want; rather it will take the other track, much more interesting.
Prologue
As the Beautiful Garden city was sleeping in the frigid morning of the weekend, A KA04-A-5945 White Indica a/c with yellow numbering was racing along the Bangalore – Mysore road for its final destination; the ever-green, breath-taking Queen of the Hills, Ooty. Radio city 91 FM started refreshing the air. Inside it was seated four aspiring young professionals from God’s own country who were still adapting to the reality that their dream was finally coming true.
Things weren’t the same three days before…
Ooty Tour - Chapter 1
Chapter 1
October 2nd week
Anna Sandra Palaya,
An always impatient Bastian threw an idea that at first seemed to be a time-pass, “Da, Randu divasam engottenkilum tour pokam”. Nobody responded at first and finally Ranjith backed him. Even I did, as I was also longing for a break from the tiresome and boring Office – Room – Keerthi - Surabhi routine and non-coinciding shifts of ours. Gijoy as usual, nodded and nodded. Things took a fast turn as we decided to give it a shot and everyone got a half chance during the last weekend of October. It will be holidays for me, Bastian and Gijoy will adjust the shift and Ranjith will somehow do something J (wait n see to make it happen). We planned for a
…And the wind blew our direction, when on 27th October, I got some links from internet and finally strike gold with International Travel house offering Indica A/c diesel at a worthy 100 bucks per day and unlimited mileage. Wasting no time, I and Bastian went that evening and booked it for the weekend. Coming back, we discussed the different strategies for the trip. Finally we decided the
Bastian took the magic key; we went to Madiwala and fueled ourselves from Mas, caught Ranjith from Koramangala, took cash from Domlur and reached room by 22.30 hrs. Gijoy put his two-wheeler inside the room first. 1000 bucks per head was deposited with the Finance controller i.e. myself. Not even a penny will be spent from others for the whole trip. Putting the beats on, we went ahead with the travel arrangements. It was decided by our travel committee to take three pairs of T-Shirt and Jeans and one pair of semi-formals. We took jackets, towels, cassettes, perfumes, camera, this and that and finally the attraction of the whole trip, Panasonic Handicam. We were even discussing whether anybody will come back or if only one came back, how he will live in that roomJ. And the urge to pack things fast and prepare for the 3 dream days was ultimate.
Ooty Tour - Chapter 2
Chapter 2
October 30th. 03.00 hrs
Anna Sandra Palaya,
I got up early and woke up Ranjith, the others still enjoying the sleep as they have already taken their bath the day before. We took the bath, woke up the two sleeping idiots and got ready by
Encircling the hairpin bend,
Slow and stylish up us went,
Fog and Mist and chilling wind,
Companying us till the end!!!
Around 1’o clock, we reached our destination. Driving past the tea plantations, through the mist filled roads, it was real enjoyment. And there came, the major turning point in the holidays, Indu Nivas. It was cottages under Hindustan Photo Films HPF. We thought it’ll prove costly. But to our amazement, it worked out real cheap, just 500 bucks. It would have been a great loss if we missed out that cottage. We didn’t think further and took the Cottage No. 5. Some horses were there in front of the cottage to welcome us. It was an awesome cottage and very big. There was a big living room containing big sofas, then two big bedrooms, kitchen, dining room and bathroom with geyser attached. After putting our luggage, we went to buy food along to accompany the Energy drinkJ. We got some real tasty food, Chicken Fry, they said. But anyhow it was not chicken; I hope its Dog meat, manL! I think it was an AlsatianJ. Anyhow we went back to cottage and started our first drinking session along with dog. Most of the beer bottles were shaken and so they frothed out. It was chilling cold and it was difficult even to go to restroom. And we took beer and slept for sometime. At 4’o clock, we went out for sight seeing. We went to Durga restaurant, which afterwards became our exclusive restaurant. The Dosa was delicious and not at alike the usual stuff in other restaurants. We had Dosa and went towards lake. The time was over and we went to Commercial road. Myself and Bastian bought jackets. We also had some Home-made chocolates which is a specialty in Ooty as the climate is best to preserve. Then we went to Blue Hills bar. The video shot there resembles an English film. Bastian and Gijoy took VSOP brandy while Ranjith and I took Director’s Special. It was not so good and we ate Chapatti, Noodles, Chilly chicken and Egg burji along with that. Our first bar session was disappointing and it started raining after that. It’s hectic to have a combination of Fog and RainL. We almost lost in the rain and were roaming around the town for another 10-20 min. We went here and there and it was a sort of adventurous trip. Finally Ranjith called up the cottage and asked for the way. Finally we somehow managed to reach the cottage. One security came and welded usL. Then we chatted for quite a long, mainly about girls (need not mention) and went to bed. We first thought of sleeping two per room but nobody was daring to sleep alone as we started ghost stories. We even couldn’t go to the other rooms for taking things. Finally Bastian, Gijoy and I went to one room and Ranjith told he’ll sleep in the next room. But within a minute he came back to ours and we slept discussing ghost stories, hoping we’ll see the daylight next day :).Ooty Tour - Chapter 3
Chapter 3
October 31st 08.00 hrs
Ooty
Ranjith, Bastian and I went for a morning walk and Gijoy slept some more. Before leaving, Gijoy took a video session of the whole house. Then at
Ooty Tour - Chapter 4
Chapter 4
November 1st 07.00 hrs
Ooty
Kerala Piravi (Also Karnataka and Andhra birthdays)
We woke up a little early and started the morning walk, this time all together. We came back and informed the cottage authorities that we’ll be vacating it morning. Then we got ready and left our golden cottage by 09.00 hrs after taking some snaps. We went to Durga and had a heavy breakfast, this time with more variety. We took one snap and left. From there, we went to the Centenary Rose Garden. As it was not the season, the roses were few. We took a snap near one of the poetic engravings. We headed to another exotic locale, Coonoor. The road was fully fog-filled and we went through
Yeh Dil Mange More!!!
Ooty Tour - Epilogue
Epilogue
Hewlett Packard, Electronics city
A totally exhausted guy in deep sleep was awakened by his colleagues from the dormitory. He went there at
Crew:
Bastian Peter
Ranjith P.B
Gijoy Mathew
Mukesh G (Narrator)
Courtesy:
International Travel House Ltd,
Indu Nivas, Hindustan Photo Films Manufacturing Company Ltd, Indu Nagar, Ooty
Durga Vegetarian restaurant, Ooty
Blue Hills Bar, Ooty
Edassery Bar, Ooty
Thursday, March 02, 2006
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