I was at a local village primary school in Vang Vieng, Laos in December 2006. I saw this little girl and started talking to her. She kept frowning at me. I don’t think she understood a word I said and most probably thought I was cuckoo in the head for chatting away. I wanted to give her a big bear hug. Her threatening frown said “talk, but don’t you DARE hug me.” 🙂 Continue reading
Aah, that adrenalin rush! That sense of adventure in exploring unchartered, gruelling terrains and then coming back to tell the tale. For many travelling to South Africa, and to me, it simply means the Sani Pass. Continue reading
I am off on my first road trip in India to explore the Kutch district of Gujarat. The first of many more road trips I hope. 🙂 Travel essentials—my canon camera so I can bring back with me some of Kutch’s beauty, my blackberry (yeah, I am not an iPhone/smartphone person 😀 ) so I can SOS if need be, and my notebook to scribble along, jot down conversations, make notes and smileys. Continue reading
One of my favorite travel images. Taken in Yazd, Central Iran in October 2007.
I was at the Ateshkadeh (Zoroastrian fire temple) in the new city when a group of five young girls placed themselves in front of me. Five girls, with five different personalities. Five different emotions. At the same place, same time, same age, validating the richness of human expression and thought.
Clockwise: The imp, the assured, the serious, the shy, the open laughter.
A centuries old baobab tree in a Namibian village on the banks of the River Chobe, at the confluence of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.
Africa. It is only those who have traveled to it, who can feel its call.
The company of nature never disappoints.
Boulders is a sheltered cove with unspoiled beaches, 540 million year old granite boulders, and a thriving colony of African Penguins in South Africa’s Cape Peninsula. Starting off with just two breeding pairs in 1983, the colony now numbers about 3,000. The birds are monogamous and listed as a vulnerable species; the lifelong partners take turns to incubate their eggs and feed their young. Humans, I guess, can learn a lesson or two from them on loyalty and gender equality. 🙂 Continue reading
On one mid-afternoon, when the crowds are a little lesser, I went off to explore the platforms and escalators of the London tube. I knew the CCTVs were recording my every move as I clicked away. Even security was keeping an eye. But they were really sweet about it. Guess my enthusiasm was contagious. 🙂 Continue reading
I traveled through Iran in 2007. My last stop was the Behesht-e Zahra, the main military cemetery for the millions who died in the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988). The cemetery was beautiful. Calm and serene. I know, it sounds kind of strange to describe a war cemetery with such words. But death is not mourned at these infinite rows of flower covered tombs. But rather celebrated, with flags, banners and children singing songs. These are the country’s heroes, and they have not been allowed to be forgotten. The faces smiling from the pictures placed on the tombs are still alive. The dreams and ideals of the activists still ablaze. Continue reading
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