A trip to Batu Caves !!

"Elongated forms of various minerals deposited from solution by slowly dripping water. A stalactite hangs from the ceiling . The dominant mineral in such deposits is calcite (calcium carbonate), and the largest displays are formed in caves of limestone and dolomite. eg Batu caves in Malaysia"

I sat there on the first bench listening to my Geography teacher & imagining , how a stalactite would look in real. That was 17 years back.

Last week , work brought me to Kuala Lumpur and I got the opportunity to see the stalactites in real. The Batu caves can be seen from far distant. There is a magnificent 140 ft tall, Golden statue of Lord Murugan at the base of the cave. That is sure enough to captivate you. If it doesn't, all you need to do is walk 340 steps to enter one of the most amzing cave in the world. The enterance to the cave and the view inside the cave are full of stalactites, amazing stalactites, a bit different from your books and mysterious enough to have your cameras clicking.

For all those religious people, there are few temples of hindu Gods inside. There is one function during the year where close to fifty thousand people Welcome Thaipusam Chariot and tourists from across the world come to watch.

It was a rare treat . A worth visit to all who like to travel and, yes if you are in Malaysia or flying over it, the Twin Towers are amazing at night .

HAppy Travelling !!!

Marine Drive - Mumbai

I can't forget the day, It was monsoon....... I was walking along the marine drive with a bright Sun shining directly over my head. A girl was smoking cigarretes in the most fashionable way just 25 meters away from me. I saw again , she looked pretty. A pretty girl smoking cigarettes all alone generated enough curiousity, to force me to take a break. As I stood there watching the sea, the sky turned dark & within seconds all I could see was a heavy downpour and water all around.
Mumbai is known to have uncertain weather during monsoons . One moment it's bright and sunny and the next it's raining cats and dogs. I saw people around me running here & there for a Cover , and then I saw this girl , an extinguished cigarrete still in her mouth , but her hands wide open as if to welcome the rain . It was a perfect moment to describe a completely different sort of freedom, rather an act of defiance. I wished , I had a camera to capture this moment. After some time the girl turned back, got into a Toyota ( i still remember the car) and went away. Just vanished .
I was in Mumbai only for a Day but I stood there in the rain , enjoying every moment of it. Three years later I came back again to Mumbai and have been here since last six years enjoying the beautiful rain every monsoon. Marine drive till date remains a favourite place in my heart. I often used to sit here alone, looking at the sunset and the vastness of sea. Even , with a friend , we sat down in silence for hours & hours just watching the sea & everything going around. When I bought my Nikon F80, the very next day I shot the sunset at marine drives and later did night photographies. As years passes by the frequencies to MD became lesser and lesser.
Yesterday , I came to Marine Drive after a long long time. I stood there in front of the vast dark sea, with my arms open (just like the girl i saw on the first day)
Try it during the Monsoon and you will Love it !!

Dreaming

" Dreams are true while they last,
And do we not live in dreams ?"

I dream , I like dreaming ... that's the optimistic way of saying I like sleeping. I sleep extensively during weekends and I sleep longer so that I can dream longer, may be to enjoy myself with my very own selfish figment of realities.
While sleeping, I live in Imaginations , Fantasies, Thoughts which are unbiased & pure, thoughts which are controlled by my subconcious mind, thoughts which reflect my true self.
That's what dreaming is all about.....

journey

"Alice - Which road do I take
Cat - Where do you want to go ?
Alice - I don't know ?
Cat - Then it doesn't matter"

( From Alice in Wonderland )

Life is all about perceptions . To some, If you don't have a goal, your journey is purposeless. On the other hand , if Alice knew where she had to go , she would not have enjoyed the wonderland.

My experience says .... Enjoy the journey with a goal or without a goal.