TSO MORIRI-THE HEAVEN ON THE EARTH-17th June, 2012

THE TSO MORIRI-First time I am finding shortage of words to express the Tso Moriri, out of the world, the most beautiful and memorable place, while writing this I can feel I am sitting on the lap of Tso Moriri, I can recollect each and every moment I lived at Moriri.

The lake Moriri near Korzok Village, sits between Ladakh, India to the North in Changthang area, Tibet to the east, and Zanskar in the west. The creation of lake is from the springs and snow melt from mountains, The road winds through moonscapes, sand dunes, the ever flowing Indus on one side, the rocky towering mountains on the other and in the distance, the ever present snow-capped mountains, Monasteries, prayer wheels, prayer flags all dot the road with a timed regularity.

But the landscape keeps on fascinating you, your eyes keep drinking in a splendor you know you will not see again. There is such variety within the monotony that the senses keep reeling, the eyes keep darting from one wonder to another.

The first indication that you are close to Tso Moriri is the sudden widening of the stream that flows into it. The entire valley turns into a spacious bowl. The rocky mountains open their arms to include within its blossom a green meadow which spreads on and on with the central motif of the bubbling stream. This is also the area which breeds the Pashmina sheep and herds of them are a common feature.

And suddenly you happen onto a small fresh water lake, the Tso Kar, where the clouds have bent down to kiss the surface of the blue waters. The panorama is as startling as unusual. Green meadows spread out from the lake; an enchanting sight; a spot, which invites you to step down from the car and rest your limbs while the soul gets refreshed for a lifetime.

Rested you continue the short distance to Tso Moriri, following the course of the stream, the miles of meadow inviting you to meander where you will, till the blue lake starts winking at you in the distance. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains, the lake itself is this royal deep blue, and the green grass around the lake only makes it even more stunning.

That along with the cold and the dead silence was an idyllic ending to this heaven on earth, Tso Moriri was the most peaceful place we saw in Ladakh, which says a lot.

Korzok Village

THE LARGEST BLUE WHALE IN ASIA (2nd January, 2013)

Again and again nature gives us the Surprise, this time it is the skeleton of THE LARGEST, THE BIGGEST ANIMAL, THE BLUE WHALE, unbelievable and unexpected, we saw it with our bare eyes.

 

While returning from Bhuj to Mumbai, the last place which we visited, which was not in our itinerary, The Hill Garden (not known to many), is now the home for the skeleton of , THE LARGEST, an 85-feet-long, 150 tonnes in weight, dead Blue Whale, which was found in the Sir Creek area in 2007. The tongue of whale was as big as elephant.

 

It was displayed in a specially-made dome shaped structure with a huge view gallery, with 35-feet-high and 95-feet-wide beam tower along with other view of the sea animals.

 

It was very difficult for our camera, who wanted blue whale in its one frame.

 

Worth visiting this place atleast once in your lifetime.

 

 

India's largest Butterfly Park, Sarthana

 

Our next visit to nature was on 10^th of December, 2012 at the India’s largest butterfly Park, Sarthana.

Known to very few, the beautiful, India’s largest butterfly park of Sarthana, is 9 km from Surat, Gujarat. The park is being developed by Surat Municipal Corporation(SMC) as part of Surat’s famous Sarthana zoo. SMC has used 15000 square metre to develop the Butterfly park.

 

Around 10,000 plants and trees consisting more than 100 diverse varieties are planted to create suitable atmosphere for butterflies. Artificial water falls, ponds, rock garden and pathways are developed inside the park for public amusement.

 

It is estimated that there are about 1,50,000 different species of butterflies and moths in the world. Surat Butterfly park will have presence of 10,000 butterflies consisting 30 different species.

 

This Park is a hidden treasure trove of nature’s wonders, the instance you enter this park, you will get the fragrance of innumerable varieties of flowers.

As you walk past clusters of food plants and feeders in the almost jungle-like layout, you can spot butterflies of various kinds. Starting from the Striped Tiger, the most common variety, to the Blue Tiger, you will see nature’s magic in abundance. The rare colors of these magnificent creatures simply awe the mind.

Some of the butterfly species that would be presented in the park are Tony Coaster, Common crow, Indian Cupid, Pell Grass blue, Blue Tiger, Striped Tiger, Common Serulin, Red Pirot, Blue Pensi, Common Coaster, Common Leopard, Common Gull, Common Nawab, Peacock Pensi, Dinide Egg fly, Common Bluebottle, Grey Pensi, Lime Butterfly, Lemon Pensi, Common Rose, Great Egg fly, Blue Mormon, Yellow Pensi, Crimson Rose, Common Mormon, Tailed Jay, Common Emigrant, Red Halon, Common Grass Yellow, Common Jazzble.

 

This park deserves much more attention and government aid to expand its efforts to conserve innumerable varieties of butterflies.

 

 

 

 

Taj Nature Walk – Discovery of hidden Nature (23rd June, 2012)

Just one day before our Wedding Anniversary, we got surprising gift from Nature, in the form of Taj Nature Walk, we discovered nature at its best, unbelievable and unexpected, place out of our tour plan.

 

The Taj Nature Walk at the foot step of east gate of Taj Mahal. We entered this place thinking it will be small Garden maintained by locals, who charged us Rs. 10 as entry fees. As we started moving ahead we realised that the Nature walk is huge area. It took us almost 3 hours to complete one round.

 

This place is a platform to enjoy beautiful views of Taj Mahal from different angels from high towers (some are under construction)

 

We met so many friends in this nature home.

 

 

Our first friend was this colourful lil insect.

 

We saw shy monkeys as well

 

 Lovely squirrels, wanted to make love  

The first view of Taj Mahal

 

The colourful peacock

 

The wild Cow 

 

The group of Seven

 

Girgit, giving pose for click







So many different varieties of Birds

Taj Nature Walk provided us a unique opportunity for First view of Taj. We found ourselves more educated about our nature, wildlife and forest.

Birthday Blast at Vihi (July 30, 2011)

I was one more year older on this day- 30^th July, which added one more feather in my life. We decided to go for Waterfall Rappelling at Vihi, thrilling and exciting and out of the world experience. We realised the meaning of fear, meaning of life.

Waterfall Rappelling is an activity in which one descends by rope depending on the flow of waterfall. Full force of water and slippery wall gives you tough challenges when you rappel down.

We joined offbeat Sahyadri group at 6.00 a.m. near Dadar station. Entire team took lot of efforts to make this event safe and enjoyable. We reached Vihi at around 11 a.m.  The first view of lush green Vihi was amazing.

It started drizzling. When we reached the top of waterfall, two other groups had already started rappelling. We were all set and we were allotted serial numbers, we were almost in second last batch. Till that time we were free to roam around. We got enough time to capture Vihi village in our mini camera. We enjoyed in small waterfall, got drenched in water.

Now the time had arrived, it was our turn, we were excited but now we felt butterflies in stomach and wobbling knees. We were asked to tie ourselves with two ropes, wear harness, helmet and hand gloves and two people were supporting us, one from top of waterfall and other from base. We waited to see few people rappelling down, many were scarred like us, few got minor injuries as well on knee and elbow. One of our new friend who was almost last (rappelling under heavy flow of water) rappelled very nicely. Actually you need to develop few techniques for rappelling down smoothly. You actually need to balance your body while coming down. We all knew this, but fear plays its role and we invite pain.

With the first step, I realised the meaning of strength, strength of water, water was in great force, it was difficult to maintain balance, we managed to stand for few seconds and after that we were lost in water and here we understood importance of our life. Volunteers really helped us to get out of this situation.

After that we went down to see waterfall through which we did rappelling, it was a giant waterfall with height of apprx 120 ft. We made an attempt to rappel this waterfall!!!!

It was overall thrilling experience and enjoyed and had a blast.

Romance at Rajmachi (February, 2011)

We decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day at some secluded place called Rajmachi. Rajmachi is a small village in the rugged mountains of Sahyadri. It has a very famous fort located near two famous hills Lonavala and Khanadala. It is about 15 km from Lonavala.

 

We travelled from Mumbai to Lonavala by Volvo bus. From Lonavala we were picked by jeep provided by Captan’s Resort, place where we wanted to celebrate our Valentine day. After a short ride, we reached at the Resort, It was really exciting.

 

After refreshment, we took a short walk within the Resort and found unknown and exciting things. Pictures speak more than words, have a look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After having lunch, we decided to take a trail towards Walvan Lake, right in the backyard of the Resort. Soon reaching the backyard we were surrounded by the most amazing vistas and nestled away in a nook of the hillside offering us total privacy from the rest of the world. We experienced a whole of new world. It’s a nature lovers dream.

 

 

 

Canvas of Nature

 

 

Walvan Lake

 

 

 

 

We managed to return almost when nature was dark, filled our stomach with delicious food and had some fun with our camera:

 

Next day morning welcomed us with heavy breakfast accompanied with glance of outbound training of one corporate group. After checkout in morning we started moving towards Rajmachi Fort and captured sunny views of beautiful surroundings.

In the afternoon we were back in Lonavala and spent some time in Ryewood Park, located very close to lonavala market, The Park is blessed with many varieties of trees which are decades old.

 

Finally we headed towards our home in the evening, with one of the fondest memory, which will remind us beautiful and priceless time shared together.