A Day in Violet at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, California
Pigeon Point lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California
It was a dark and dreary day at the Highway 1 that runs along the beautiful California coastline. The rains have been around for a long long time, and there was no sign of letting up. We just had to get away. As we crossed the Santa Cruz mountains, the rain disappeared, but the dreariness remained. There was a chill in the air, the waves were rising, the day was winding down.
It was just gray all over.
Or, was it violet?
- March 26th, 2011
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Faces of Karnataka, India
The faces say it all.
You don’t need to say much when the faces breathe life, and the story of their lives. What always amaze me in India is the inner happiness that spills out from even poor people. Look at the face of the Auto-rickshaw driver, who possibly gets by with an equivalent of a few dollars a day. Look at the kids. No, they don’t have Nintendos or Barbie dolls; Some are possibly thankful for having enough to eat. But, mostly, they are thankful for a life in which they know how to be happy. May be we can learn from them, that secret recipe of happiness.
- March 1st, 2011
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Getting to know Srirangapatna
Looking out into the garden of Dariya Daulat Palace, Srirangapatna
I remember from a long time ago, I was on a bus to Mysore, and this beautiful idyllic place passed by my eyes. It was a deep color of green, and the air smelt sweet. The early morning sunshine played with the gentle waves of the paddy fields. There was a river passing by it, not once but twice (it was a river island, you see), and I thought, oh my, this is so beautiful.
I would pass by that place many times over the course of next few years, seeing that idyllic scenery progressively dulling out in front of my eyes. There were more people, more noise, more pollution …
That place is called Srirangapatna.
- February 26th, 2011
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Piilani Highway : Driving the back road to Hana
They said not to do it!
They said to take the Hana Highway (State Highway 360) all the way to Kipahulu, past Hana, and then drive back the same long winding way, even if the curvy road makes you sick.
The guidebooks cautioned against driving on the Piilani Highway, despite it being the most obvious, shorter and faster, way to come back to West Maui from Kipahulu. The rental car company said it would void the rental agreement, and we would be on our own in case the car breaks down. The numerous websites cautioned against falling rocks, flash floods, unpaved and crooked roads, livestock on the road, and, failing all the above, the wrath of God in various forms.
But we knew we had to see what Piilani Highway was all about.
And glad we did. For it remains our most memorable drive in Maui, along with the Kahekili Highway drive along the north west Maui coast.
Piilani Haighway (also known as State HIghway 31), is the road south of Mount Haleakala approximately between Ulupalakua and Kipahulu. On our trip to Hana, and beyond to Kipahulu, we drove back to West Maui on Piilani Highway. And we lived to tell the story. Believe me, Piilani Highway not half as scary as it is painted out to be, unless you are traveling the road after a rain-storm, or at night. Yes, its bumpy, one-and-a-half-lane-hugging-the-cliff at places, but its what memories are made of.
- December 25th, 2010
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The long and winding road to Hana
I knew about the “Road to Hana” long before I even stepped foot on Maui. In fact, I knew about the road long before I even thought of visiting Maui. An article about the road appeared in a travel magazine I was reading, which described eloquently with vividly wordy imagery the travails and the wonders of the road. Cliff-hugging narrow strip of winding road, lush green rain forests, wild oceans, black sand beaches, it was far too exotic not to merit the highest compliments.
So, with much anticipation, M, R and myself embarked on our epic journey on the road to Hana (also known as the State Highway 360) one Christmas (early) morning during our visit to Maui. We perhaps read too many travel brochures about the road to Hana by then. The road was windy and long, we were warned. Be aware of possible car sickness, we were told. The speed limit is 15 mph, there are 600 odd turns, 50 odd one-lane bridges, the locals drive like maniacs, it’s a drive of a lifetime, one of the best drives in the world, etc. etc. And, yes, while you are at it, buy our CD guide on the wonders of Hana. And, don’t forget to pick up the picnic lunch from the place we told you about. And, did I mention the free cooler for the day? :-)
So, did the road to Hana live up to all the hype?
Like everything else in life, there is no easy answer. :-)
- December 25th, 2010
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