Volcanic Island : Lanzarote

The First Look

 Volcanic Crater From  Distance at Timanfaya .

When I first landed in UK , I was like that new  kid on the block ,  super excited  about everything visual .

Every scene, road, colonial kind hut houses, country side, lush green woods, stone paths looked picture perfect.

I used to take out my camera at every scenic siting. It took some months for landscape beauty to sink in and look part of “normal”.

And hence, when planning a vacation , the said experience triggered one to explore a different side of Spain, which otherwise is popular for its bull fights, architectural marvel, medieval castles & Madrid-Barcelona.

PS0: All above is build-up, the real reason -> This was the only place in Europe to have higher temperatures (>20) in March ;) . Like other Brits we too were dying for Sun, you see.

PS1: I told you, one is incapable of writing kuchi koo , mushy  travel posts.

PS2: Growing older makes you blunt nai ?

PS3: But one did research a lot to zero –in on this Canary island and choose it over Barcelona and other cute looking Spanish contenders. Mind It!!

Now, I leave the readers to breathe taking mars -like views ahead.

With travel fact file in the end (yes one wants you to go through to the whole post  for that)

PS4: Btw, loved Spanish people!!they are vibrant, exuberant and extremely friendly lot.

Mars Like Lanscape
Of 18th Century Volcanic Erruption Remains At Timanfaya

Up And Close With Crater
Timanfaya National Park 

Island Hoping.
Lobos Island ,On The Way To Fuerteventura 

The Meta Data:

Where?

Lanzarote, Canary Islands , Spain.

Why?

While each island of the canary group offers a unique experience,

This was chosen for it having volcanic craters and its proximity to Fuerteventura, neighboring island offering white sand - turquoise blue beaches.

When?  

 If you reside in northern part of the globe, this is best budget place to escape shivery winter months.

 Spring, Autumn – best time, also avoids crowd.

 Summer – hot but not too hot.

 Winters – Peak season.

Things To Do?

• Timanfaya National park for up and close look at volcanic craters.
• Black and secluded Beach: Papagayo
• Island hoping – Ferry trip to nearby island Fuerteventura & Lobos for white beaches and turquoise blue water.
• For adrenaline junkies – Scuba diving, Snorkeling, Para gliding, Surfing.
• And for usual tourist stuff – island tour, resort offerings and street shopping.

At Adjoining Island .
Fuerteventura

Sandune Beaches
Corralejo

While Driving Along the Island.

Dandeli Thread Dump

This guest post was written recently for a group blog on word press started by author’s Bangalore gang.It died after two posts

Nevertheless, re-posting it here.

When we were a little younger and way too restless.( Not as young as in the pic above !).

Not that 2 years down the line from 27 (average age of the group) has made us older (or any wiser) in the literal sense, but psychologically those indeed were the carefree days.And we dedicate synonymously “summer of 69” to “winter of 2010”.
Our  Dandeli trip from winter of 2010 can broadly be categorized under following life altering cosmic incidents:-

• We got drunk at the born fire site: Actually just she got drunk.

Famous dialogue :-
Karthik :  "Sreekanth go and start the car , Sharan& Vasu take care of the ladies.
Dp wear that “pink scarf””.

• Water Water Everywhere Part1: Flooding of Hotel Room

The trip involved whole day vellagiri at outskirts and crashing for night sleep at hotel (well, calling it hotel would be a shame but nevertheless for the pretentious records).
On day 2 of the trip for unsaid reasons someone left the tap open and on our return the house was found flooded.An Indian Bai’s best friend: jhaado came to rescue and we high on alcohol did the cleaning job literally in gangu bai style.
 

• Water Water Everywhere Part2: River Rafting

• Water Water Everywhere Part3: Pond Rafting

So this is how rafting is done in a pond .Vasu with high on yin energy on that day showcased  intricate dance moves for then famous dhinchak items numbers Sheila and Munni.
Yes, we truly enjoy cheap fun. That’s what we are at core- real.
Live footage:  Readers discretion advised who will eventually thank authors for some serious rofling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCyfF5HZ_VE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkRlk4mDegM

• Dark Dark Everywhere: Jungle Night Trek.

Frankly speaking that was just a walk, but we fancy calling any walk >30 min by our gang as “trek”.

PS1: Skeleton of the post is ready. Readers are requested to contribute further drama.
PS2: I am not capturing the mesmerizing beauty of the Western Ghats, as travel blogging is not the intent of this post. Mountains and rivers can be captured in a photo and uploaded which alone can talk lengths.Humanly experiences are to be written about.
PS3: Owing to greying of hair and geographical displacement I don’t remember much. So facts are missing and require your contribution. Also content may appear twisted at current present time.
PS4: Any objection related to copy rights or privacy owing to celebrity status of most of us is declared invalid pertaining to section 9999 in the Indian penal code.

In Conversation with My Driving Instructor

Me   : So do we need to know swimming to attempt Scuba Diving?

Nigel:  Always better. With deep waters and high pressure it’s advisable. 

Me   : Hmm, well! We definitely needn’t learn flying for Sky Diving though ………

Nigel:  gives a look then falls out laughing loud.

PS0: Yup I am still shedding chunks and chunks of money to learn driving which looks like forever

PS1: Why? I just get 1 hour per week na!

PS2: On top of that long vacation breaks

PS3: Even the best Indian drivers fail the test at least once in UK , such are the norms I tell you !
PS4:Though, one can drive (almost) and possess a valid Indian DL ;)
PS5: Hi :)

No Title , actually.

SAP at 40 , author at 3:18s - Cliché

P.S0: Whats in fame frame ?
P.S1: Done with big companies , back to start-up culture . Gaming it is and a  little bit of gambling .

Sher To Ghazal

Arz Kiya Hai..........

Panon se nikal kar lafz mere,
Sajey honton pe tere.

Nikharay sur-se-tere , saaz pe
Rang-e-mehfil jhoomay. 

- Yours Truly

Neela Aasaman

 Seagull On Hunt

           When one runs out of words , photos come to rescue. Pictures from Felixstowe beach , UK 

When Seagull(s) Are On Hunt They Are Not Alone

Elderly Couple Enjoying Their Weekend With Their Curious Dogs 

Jonathan Livingston Seagull , Almost!

"Hello Sea"- Teaches,  A Mother

On a poetic note :

Laherain bole kinaron se,
Tu bhi toh kabhi milney aa.

                       -Yours truly.

And I Stop By To Say Hi

My first cycling expedition.

Through Zig- Zag Terrain

Place      : Ullswater , Lake district , UK
Distance : 22km ( does this sound easy ??)
Terrain   : Mountain  ( Ahh this is the catch!! )
Level     : Medium challenge

I am not good at travel posts(errr i am also not sure what posts i am good at , as it been ages i stumbled upon here)so  keeping it to the point.

Cylcling Route

Hire bike at Pooley bridge ( other end of the lake)> Follow U path through the hills  > Finish  at Glenridding ( start point of the lake) > Take streamer at Glenridding back to Pooley bridge  and return the bikes.

On shores of a smaller lake on the way

He even had to carry my cycle for a while. Did i not say build stamina

Lost Our Ways

Scottish and super expensive hotel on the shores of the Ullswater lake

Only cycling i did all my life was to and fro to my maths tuition eons back. So this was a challenge . However mountain biking is not for the weak hearts .One needs loads of  stamina, gear changing tricks , right clothing and what not. Also this was an unknown route , so using compass and map was required. Though i tricked the actual route for more downhill paths .

Lesson learnt:-
1. Always optimize the timing , we almost missed our last streamer to the port.
2. Wear right clothing i.e padded cycling pants (else everything down under aches!!), helmet, gloves and windcheater is a must  
3. You will fall , no matter what , so be prepared for some wounds.
4. Have a sense of direct to use maps and compass. Sign boards might not be handy always :P

PS0: Butt aching .
PS1: Have used "i" instead of  referring oneself  in third person "author". hmmmm
PS2: Mind doesn't wander anymore, but to create ...wandering is a must , is it?
PS4: Ok , i just read the post. It's  as bland as English food , so enjoy the pics :D