The Bison

Kabini has been one of my favorite escapades over the last few years!  The lush green forest is about a good 4 hour drive from Bangalore and extremely rich in flora and fauna.  However, one thing that Kabini has to offer apart from this is the amazing landscapes during monsoon season.

Overcast most of the time, if you are on the banks of Kabini river, you can see dark grey clouds just about 20-25 feet above the river and mostly raining.  You wont see any colors apart from green, brown and grey.  But anything that you come across appears to be bright and for some reason happy.  Maybe its the rain!

For a change it was "The Bison" resort and not Jungle Lodges that we parked ourselves.  A little bit pricey but extremely friendly and happy staff always there to help you with.  There was no point in taking the safari since I was sure to spot only deers and cows at this point of the year.  However the trek through the few human settlements around was amazing with lovely green-yellow fields that grew tomatoes, ginger and chillies together - sounds more like growing a curry.

The Bison is a tented resort and as they rightly quote "the decor and ambiance of the camp recreates the adventurous decadence of a bygone era".  Wooden floors, some wonderful artifacts and some really good antiques add more to the beautiful "tents".  Perfect place to just sit and relax and listen to the silent kabini river.

The one thing that I enjoyed the most was the Coracle ride - just hoped that he would start singing.

Some more pictures from Kabini on my flickr Photostream!

Manchanbele

This trip had to happen - come what may! Having watched Prince of Persia and seeing off Sujith at 12:30 AM it was decided to meet up at 4 AM for a bike trip to Manchanbele. I made it at 4:30 AM though (half sleepy)

Manchanbele is about 30 Kms. from Bangalore, on the Bangalore - Magadi main road near the Thippagondanahalli Reservoir. Surrounded with lush greenery and hills in every direction, Manchanbele is one of the hot spots for serious birders.

Because of its geographical location with hills all around, once can see beautiful landscapes all around. Early mornings are beautiful with the sun rising behind the hills and gives you a clear view from the top of the many hills around and not to forget Manchanbele is infested with colorful Dragonflies and Butterflies apart from a dozen species of birds.

What I have always enjoyed about Manchanbele are the beautiful landscapes with lush greenery around the water body, blue skies and puff of clouds. Its quite a wait for the nature to build this up, however its worth the wait.

I have been to Manchanbele quite a few times. Its been a good get away form Bangalore apart form Nandi Hills. Its amazing to experience the serene atmosphere even if you are not with your camera here. The water is not too deep, so if you are a good swimmer, you can for sure take a plunge in the water. Kayaking is something that people have been coming to Manchanbele (I would definitely want to give it a try).

Its once place where you can take your time, set up a frame and CLICK! (what say Sujith :))

Was a great experience specially riding the Avenger to Manchanbele at 4:30 AM, chasing the sunrise after crossing the Big Banyan Tree, waiting for the blue sky, waiting for the puffed clouds, clicked the patterns and a sore arse by the time we reached Costa. All worth it!

Nandi Hills

Nandi Hills, an ancient hill fortress is about 60 kms from Bangalore used to be a retreat for the British and now Bangaloreans. Blessed with an amazing climate at the top of the hill pulls in a lot of people right from horticulturists to students to serious photography enthusiasts. Apart from a lot of things that Nandi hills is known for, the most interesting that has amazed me is the Tipu's drop (where Tippu Sultan threw his condemned prisoners to death) and the Secret Escape Route.

I have been to Nandi hills a lot of times and this place has always amazed me with its morning beauty. The best time I think is to go during the monsoon season, the climate at the hill is pretty clear and humid however the morning sunrise through the clounds is breathtaking.

Nandi hills is pretty much covered in mist or fog for about 8-9 months in the year (thanks to global warming, summers are absolutely clear and filled wiht haze). The trees, benches and flowers covered in mist is worht the sight. The temperatures are pretty low with the constant breeze sending you goose bumps all over.

Nandi hills has been a sight worth the visit every time I have come here. Its one place where I would keep coming back to capture the magical morning landscapes, beautiful flora and some macro photography.

Had a great time with Chitresh, Jatin, Souparna, Sujith, Megha and Yachna this time.  Yachna & Megha I know you people were completely bugged and bored given that 4:30 AM was a little to early.
Souparna, got to go climb that tower once again and yes with your batteries charged and my camera out.  I was just stunned with the view from up there.  Sujith, I think June/July should be the earliest possible time for some good amount of fog.  Jatin, thanks for the pose, some people found it funny but I loved it and its Christelle's blackberry wallpaper.

Nature Nirvana - A trip amidst clouds

The excitement was high and it was too late to take a nap. The clock stuck 4:30 AM and we were on our way to Chickmagalur. The journey was getting dull with nothing to see, no one to race with, no more choices of songs and no FM radio with completely confusing route markers. And suddenly you are traveling amidst clouds and the weather takes a 360 degree turn - chilly, misty and the clouds just embrace your face.

The energy is on an all time high and the excitement is building up. The journey amidst the clouds continue for a while on mud roads through coffee plantations and we reach Nature Nirvana.

Cricket, Volleyball, Basketball, Carrom, Scrabble, Hiking, Trekking, Sleeping, Eating, Dancing and loud Music hit Nature Nirvana for 23 hours.

Its been the most amazing two days this year for me. Not much of photography this time - thanks to the rain, however a portfolio shoot, new ways of taking pictures in absolute darkness and tons of fun.

Suraj, Madhu, Vishal, Sharath, Shashwath, Sudhi, Parari

Vandan, Manu, Amitha, Sharnitha, Christelle, Ruby, Nishchith, Krishna

read more on Christelle's blog

visiting the western ghats

Am off for the weekend to have a much needed break.

Have been down with a viral infection and fever for almost 5 days - sleeping and getting bored at home...

The moist air, the lush green paddy fields, NH 48, the curves at the ghats, the lovely evenings with mist and fog all around, the dark clouds and the occasional drizzle.... Just cant wait to be at the Western Ghats and the coffee plantations of Chickmagalur.

Hopefully, the rain gods will keep away for the weekend and the sun shines just at the right times to capture glimpses of my trip.

Off for the Weekend!

I will be on my way to Kabini in the next 5 hours.

The beautiful roads, the smell of wet soil, the green paddy fields and the hopefully blue skies...

Have a great Weekend!