The Travel Connection

Badami Or Vatapi is in the rugged region of North Karnataka. The red sandstone outcrop greets you the minute you drive out of the train station. You feel you have transported yourself to wild west and any minute a gun wielding  outlaw or a cowboy could greet you. Our conquest of Badami began with a bumpy ride in the local stage couch or the Indian Auto rickshaw. Our stay in the Dry and Arid North Karnataka was made better by the wonderful hospitality of Krishna Heritage and its green surrounding of fields. The location was a gold mine. Gold mine for Bee eaters, Coucals, Silver bill,Brahmini Starlings, Indian rollers, Kingfishers, wagtails, sparrow larks, Munias, Bulbuls, Babblers, parakeets and many more residents and migrant visitors.  Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark Large Grey Babbler We started the exploration of Badami with a visit to Banashankari Amma temple. An incarnation of Goddess Parvathi,kuldevi of chalukyas  resides in the refurbished t...

Dream come true! Nothing more Nothing less!  A perfect safari of 4 hours through the park with supposedly lucky sighting of almost all the prominent inhabitants. Only disappointment was that most of the flamingos had moved to another lake. So we didnt get to see the pink carpet covering the expansive lake. But nevertheless , one of the best 4 hours of my life. I hope to have many more such hours!   Speke's weaver Water buck and Zebra   Black Backed jackal, Gazelle, Impala The Big 5 - Lion Ostrich Grey crowned crane, Spur winged plover, Black smith plover/lapwing, Pied Avocet  Flamingo, white pelican Rhinoceros, Buffalo Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Augur Buzzard, Lilac Breasted Roller, Common Buzzard, Martial Eagle juvi?,secretary bird Giraffe, Baboon, Vervet Monkey Date : November 2014 Place : Lake Nakuru National Park, kenya Tip : Let go and enjoy! First : Africa, Lion, Rhino, Af...

I had not heard of Tiger's nest till about a year ago though I spend a good time browsing about travel. My cousin mentioned the mysterious monastery up in the sky and I was totally blown away. At that instance Bhutan dropped into my bucket. My fitness level has always been questionable . So my treks and hikes have been limited and easy. Tiger's nest would be my first high altitude hike on the mighty Himalayas. The monastery is considered an important pilgrimage for Buddhist and many a times listed under top ten places to visit for the avid traveler. The monastery is perched on a vertical cliff at about 3150m/10250 ft above sea level. Considering that I have already traveled to Leh which is at 11,500 ft and Khardungla pass at 17,500 ft, Tiger's nest didn't seem very close to the heaven. But the fact that we were were going to hike the moderately difficult trail from an altitude of 7400 ft to 10250 ft made it different. As suggested by every travel book and ...