Came across: In Print, in Singapore

I can't seem to keep my hands off travel brochures/booklets when I'm visiting some place. Recently when I was in Singapore, I grabbed a couple of these things in print and came across some pretty amusing stuff. The first one is called Know your Singlish and here's a scan of it:

I enjoyed reading the Singlish ... really interesting, lah. I'm sure this would have been very useful to me if I had spent more time (than I did) in this island city. Don't things like this make those travel booklets much more fun.

Don't miss the next. This one is sure to amuse you. This is part of a page that apparently aims at dispelling some popular travel myths that are doing the rounds in Singapore. Here's one from the list.

Well written and really funny. Jokes apart, SERIOUSLY? There's a myth like THIS? Who'd even believe that?

Jain Temple: History in stone

 A few kilometres away from Panamaram in Wayanad -- on the Punchavayal-Neervaram route, to be more precise -- lies this stone structure that stands testimony to Wayanad's long standing relationship with Jainism.

It is believed that Jains came to Wayanad in the Middle Ages. Considered to be among the first settlers in Wayanad, these Jains who came from Karnataka are said to have settled beside that part of Kabini River near Panamaram. To this day, Wayanad is home to a community of Kannada-speaking Jains whom the locals often refer to as Gowders. Wayanad is also home to a good number of Jain temples in several parts of the district, many of them functional with Jain priests to conduct the holy rituals. 

 Owing to its ancient history with Jains, Wayanad also has within its territory, a few age-old Jain temples that today attract visitors. Among these is this temple on the Neervaram road.

This Jain temple, now in ruins found its way into the tourism map of Wayanad just a few years ago. Due to its proximity to my place in Wayanad, I've seen this structure over a hundred times. However when we drove past this temple recently, I thought I should stop by and take some pictures for posterity.

Jutting out onto the road is a rectangular part of the temple that is sure to catch one's eye while driving this way. Right at the middle of this structure is the entrance to the temple. The sculptured doorway lets you witness an admirable stone mantap supported by sculptured pillars. Look further inside and you will see what must have been the sanctum sanctorum.

Partly concealed by coffee estates, this Jain temple, to us locals (if I may call myself that) has always been what we called it Kal Amabalam (meaning Stone Temple). It might be featured in several brochures as a must-see location but it is not one that is overflowing with tourists all day. Given its long life, the extremely quiet locale it is part of and the sculpture you find here, more travellers deserve to see this ancient site.

Breathtaking 'Gateway to Wayanad'

On the Western Ghats in southern India is a little green heaven called Wayanad. Cut out of the Northeastern part of Kerala, this district is one of the new hot-spots for travellers to South India. Of the many far flung attractions here, there is one thing you should not miss if you like scenic drives. I'm talking about what you could call the 'gateway' into this hilly district -- that is when  you are coming in from Kozhikode side -- the Wayanad Ghat Section. 

Locally known as the Thamarassery Churam (meaning ghats in Malayalam*), the roads through this ghat section  stretches upto a good 15 kilometres and is made up of 9 hair-pin-bends through rugged terrain. All the way through, you will see nothing but greenery and some exposed patches of the rocky Western Ghats.

The scene only gets better with the altitude. As you get into the ghat section you pass through some rubber and areca plantations and then before you know it, you will be surrounded by wilderness. 

You will get better views of the surrounding hills and the valleys in between them as you work your way up. By the time you get to hair-pin-bend 9, you get to see the mountain tops. And if it is a little foggy, there's nothing like it: you will see the mountains in different shades of green till they turn blue in distance, thanks to the fog settling down in the valleys. 

If it is just after the rainy season that you are driving this way, the road may not be in the best condition. But I promise you, the uphill drive will be totally worth it. 

When you reach the top of the ghats, stop, get out of your cars and set your eyes on the breathtaking view. The best part of it all -- try to get a glimpse of the roads in the lower levels. Check out how tiny the cars down there look. Oh! and those huge KSRTC* buses will look like match boxes. That is quite a sight.

  

A word of caution: before you enter the Ghat Section, just make sure your fuel tank has enough gas to take you up the 15 kilometres; remember that it is an uphill drive that you are about to go on. There are no fuel stations within the ghat section, as such. However, there are cooling stations for you: places where you can pick up some cool drinks or even cool your vehicle's engines. There are a couple small waterfalls by the roadside where you will see some vehicles stop for some cold refreshments for their fuming radiators (it is an uphill climb, afterall).

If you are travelling during the monsoons or the winter months, you might be in for some thick fog and some really cold weather. But worry not, there's hot tea available at the chaya kadas (tea stalls) in 2-3 places on the way. Hey, and look out for the monkeys too. You'll find plenty of them.

Whether you are going up the hill or down -- I repeat -- don't forget to stop at the top and look down the ghat section. The scenery will take your breath away.

Have a great drive!

PS: Be good. Yield to uphill traffic and don't forget to honk when you get to the blind curves; there are way too many of them. 

*Malayalam - The language spoken in Kerala 

*KSRTC - Kerala State Road Transport Corporation 

You might also want to read 'Growing up in nature's backgroud' (What it is like to grow up in a plantation in Wayanad)

Chained here is an unsettled spirit

The Chain Tree in Wayanad is a stop for many a curious traveller on the Kozhikode-Wayanad* route. The chain hanging from it was not put there by accident neither was it meant to be decoration. This tree has a story to tell.

This story dates back to the time when India was under British colonisation and there was no motor-able road through this part of the Western Ghats. It is believed that a tribal youth by the name Karinthandan who knew the way through the dense hilly forests helped an English engineer through these ghats. Once they were out of the thicket, the Englishman is said to have killed his adivasi escort so as to take credit for discovering the-almost-unnavigable-stretch between Kozhikode and what is now Wayanad District. 

Legend has it that the spirit of the slain tribesman began to trouble passers by, so much so that a holy man had to come and tether the troubled soul to a tree.

The Chain tree or Changala Maram stands in a place called Lakkidi in Wayanad District and can be seen on the left side of the road just after the Ghat Section, if you are travelling from Kozhikode to Wayanad (NH 212)*.

*Kozhikode and Wayanad are districts in Kerala, India
*NH - National Highway (India)

To see pictures of this Ghat Section visit the post - Breathtaking 'Gateway to Wayanad'

A sneak peek at Singapore

On my recent trip to India and back, I got to see a little bit of Singapore, thanks to the stopovers at the Island Country at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. It was only a sneak peak that I got, not quite fulfillling my wish to tour this city named after the lion. Now, who doesn't want to pose for a picture pretending to take in the water coming out of the Merlion's mouth, walk the impeccable streets, hop onto the Giant Flyer, get to see upclose the birds in Jurong and all that?

Although it was just a few hours that I got to spend there, I took in every bit of what I saw in scintillating Singapura.

It was around midnight that our flight from San Francisco landed in Singapore's Changi International Airport. As friends picked us up from the airport and took us to their home in Serangoon, I saw that although the streets were quiet, it was not deserted considering the time; just what you would have prayed for if you were in a new city and all on your own.

After catching a few hours sleep in the wee hours we made our way to Suntec City: to see the huge fountain there and walk around the Mall. Called the Fountain of Wealth, this fountain is indeed a piece of Singapore's wealth. Not only is it believed to bring in wealth (the waters that flow inward denote just that, in accordance with the rules of Feng Shui), but it is also supposed to be the world's largest fountain, which found its way into the Guiness Book of Records in 1998.

This bronze structure has another small fountain in the middle. Walk around this little fountain three times and and make a wish; belief has it that your wish will be realised. Don't ask me if it is true; the security person there did not let me do it. He said it that was only late in the evenings that one was allowed to go in. :(

 On the way to the Fountain, we made a brief stop at a Bosai Garden just outside Suntech City Mall that is home to the fountain. There I couldn't help being impressed by the wooden furniture that had some seemingly authentic Chinese work on it.

We went on to stroll through some malls around there and finally stopped at Esplanade Mall and walked across to its waterfront to catch sight of the Merlion on the other side. So what, if it is a sight from afar? We were on a little stopover and I'm just glad I don't have to be ashamed of having been to Singapore and not having set my eyes on `the' landmark of Singapore.*

*Thank You Josna, Lyju and little Ayana for taking us around. More than anything else, thank you for the quality time we got to spend together.

Singapore from floor 64

During our recent stopover in Singapore, I had a one-of-a-kind view of Singapore; this one from the 64th floor of Swissotel The Stamford. With over 70 floors, this hotel on Stamford Road claims to be the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia. Here's sharing the spine-tingling sight with my readers:

Port-o-call: Singapore's Changi Airport

Changi Airport: all dressed up for Christmas

India through Tipsy from the trip

A few days back I was going through my old photographs with the intention of taking those hard copies and scanning them for preservation sake, when I came across some pictures that I ought to share on this blog. (As most of them are photographs taken in India, it is only right that I put them here especially for the bigger chunk of my readers, who are not from -- and probably haven't visited -- India)

Come see India (even if it is vicariously. You just might want to go there for your next holiday :) ). 

What better way to start than with the simply-sublime Taj Mahal.


(added later: India Gate, A picture from the Agra Fort, Rajghat,Qutub Minar ,Qutub Complex, Viceregal Lodge (IIAS),Sudha Car Museum, Charminar, Rajasthani dolls/ puppets Patwon ki haveli, Pictures of Rajasthani dancers, Desert Safari in Jaisalmer,Jodhpur- Blue City  ...)

PS: To see other India posts published in Tipsy from the trip, click here

Driving by Mysore Palace

How can you pass this landmark that is Mysore city's pride and not take pictures of it?

I have lost count of the number of times I've driven past this magnificent construction. Yet every time I see the Mysore Palace, I'm filled with awe.

This sprawling royal abode is just unmissable. It has several gates around it, approachable from different parts of the city.

Today, Mysore is known as the Cultural Capital of Karnataka but it once was the capital of a kingdom itself. This city was the seat of the Wodeyar Dynasty that ruled the area from the 14th century right up to mid 20th century when India got its Independence from the British.

To this day, the biggest attraction in this city is the official address of the Wodeyars. Called the Mysore Palace, this colossal home is built in a style that is the coming together of the Mughal, Rajput and Gothic architectures.

Visit this palace over the weekend or during the Dasara festival and you will be in for a visual treat of countless little lights outlining this massive and magnificent building. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of the palace at night, but I do have a link that will give you an idea of how it looks with all of those lights. Check out this beautiful sight here - Mysore palace at night.

I also do not not have pictures of the inside of this elegant structure as photography is prohibited indoors. Believe me when I say there is so much to see. You will need at least half a day to see the inside of this royal residence for within its walls are ornate walls and pillars, specially crafted doors and artistic ceilings apart from the furniture that belongs to the royal family.

There are paintings and a miniature version of the old palace that burnt down in a fire accident. There are artifacts from the royal collections and there is the golden Howdah (the elephant-top carriage that the ruling king traversed the city at Dasara.) There is so much more in there.

If you absolutely cannot see this palace in person, and might want to do a virtual tour of the Mysore Palace, try this http://www.mysorepalace.tv/Mysore_Palace_Virtual_Tour.htm

Driving through South India - V (Bangalore n' Mysore)

Two cities
One - the official capital of Karnataka, the other - the Cultural Capital of Karnataka.
Each with a character of its own; both, so very dear to me.

Driving through South India - IV ( The countryside)

 Shots from the other side - the country side

Most of these pictures were taken when we had to take a detour from the well-paved Mananthavady(Wayanad)  -Nagarhole - HD Kote route to Mysore, because of some road repairs. Anyway that was an opportunity to capture some of rustic Karnataka.

The picture of the pots on a bicycle was taken on the Gundlupet (Karnataka) - Gudalur (Tamilnadu) route.

The watch tower (the last pic. in the post) is from Wayanad. This area borders the forest. As such, the farmers get to watch their crops from these tree-top watch houses keeping them from harms way --in this case--wild elephants that go astray from their regaular path in the jungles.