Last November (2008)

Leaving my job at Yemen by end Oct 2008 and taking a break this is what i have been doing all November,

1. 2 days in travel and a 3 days stop over in Dubai to meet my friends.
2. Cleared the un accompanied baggage cargo (the customs officer was a bit surprise to see a junk of books and used vessels taken from India).
3. Photographed a special breed of fish for my friend.
4. Attended couple of family gatherings.
5. Planned a 20 day trip (there were "n" number of options, rajasthan, agra, cape comorin, hills of south) and finally cancelled it due to various reasons.
6. Slept like a lazy brat (don't know how many days/nights I was sleeping without even having food).
7. Watched a good movie (Varanam Aayiram) in theatre after almost a couple of years.
8. Studied and reviewed future plans.
9. Visited a few green houses.
10. Learnt how to do day trading in stock market.
11. Intitate the bug on my wedding in the family.
12. Survived the floods caused by storm "Nisha".
13. Planned the activities of Dec 2008.

Spotted on the streets

As I mentioned earlier, I did always belive that photography means being geared up and an attentive search at all times.

I did stroll on the streets of Malaga, Rome and Vatican not only to enjoy the ambience but also to get some good shots on the life on streets. Taking a transport to the place of interest did not impress me; believe it or not I did walk from St. Angelo's castle to Barberni's fountain and from Colloseum to Spagna. My day long walks ended just after midnight, yet the results were breathtaking for me.

It's a please for me to share a few interesting things that I spotted on the streets of Malaga, Rome and Vatican.

A fine evening and a walk along the Torremolinos beach beside Mediterranean sea, one can spot a number of people making buildings, cars, animals and even I did spot a peeing boy made of mud, I offered a few cents for the sand architect (!) to ensure his co-operation .

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 50 mm, f/5.6, 1/30s

I did give a long pause spotting youngsters skating at Plaza de la Marina, Malaga on a public holiday evening, they were co-operative and I had no sign of protest in taking pictures of them so I did utter the word "Gracias" to them when I prepared to leave that place.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 44 mm, f/5.6, 1/125s

On the same square I did notice a guy dancing for his girlfriend, he too was co-operative to pose for a photo and I did choose an appropriate shutter speed to record a little movement which you can notice on this legs.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 38 mm, f/5.6, 1/160s

From Plaza de la Marina I decided to take the Calle Marques de Larios street which led to Plaza de Merced via Calle Granada street which took me around the Cathedral, the instead of walking through it, just because I have been there before and I want to see more of Malaga local life. The above mentioned stroll gave me a good opportunity for a plenty of pictures, not to mention the streets were fun filled on a holiday.

I spotted the mother of the kid gave him a few cents to offer the street musicians, without hesitating I made a request to the kid's mother and handed over a few cents to her, thanks to the co-operative lady she explained her kid to make another offering to the musicians which gave me time to get set and shoot.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 20 mm, f/3.8, 1/100s, flash fired

A few yards ahead I did notice this guy showing some fun with Yoyo's, drawing attention of not only kids but the grown up too.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 26 mm, f/4, 1/200s, flash fired

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 26 mm, f/5.6, 1/125s, flash fired

For sure the kids on that street were amazed with the clown show of this old man, I wonder if he does this every day for his living!

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 20 mm, f/4.5, 1/60s, flash fired

When I sat outside the refreshment shop at the junction of Calle Marques de Larios street and Calle Granada street I noticed these group strolling across the street playing music, being seated with all my camera gear off loaded gave me time to grab the camera quickly and take a snap.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 52 mm, f/5, 1/80s

When I took a detour from Plaza de la Merced on the same route I spotted these street musicians playing some good music for a few old people who were sitting on a bench in front of them. Though it was a little after sun set, the contrast colours of their music notes, their violins and their clothes compelled me to take a snap of them.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 22 mm, f/3.8, 1/10s, tripod mounted

Unlike Malaga, Rome & Vatican offered me a totally different experience. No doubt Rome can be seen at its best when seen on the feet; I hardly took a metro train or bus. From morning till midnight I did walk, walk and walk. I would have taken just 2 days for me if I would have taken a transport to all the popular places, but I would have missed a lot between them. It took 4 days complete for me to see 2/3^rd of Rome and Vatican, assuring me the best of my trip and promising myself for another longer trip to Rome, yes Rome has more to offer than we guess.

Starting my day at the Coliseum and planning to end the first day at Pizza Fontana di Trevi I did spent 3 ½ hours there. After enjoying the ambience for a while, amid the large crowd I was looking for a location to place my tripod (the tough task at that place where there is enormous crowd round the clock). Just before spotting the location to mount the tripod, this young photographer did draw my attention, I caught him shooting the fountain.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 40 mm, f/5, 1/30s

I was waiting for the sunset as well as the lights of the fountain to go on, when I was setting my camera to shoot the fountain with night lighting I did spot this Bangladeshi selling flowers, I did dare to override the camera settings since there was no time to change the camera settings or else I should have missed this shot.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 95 mm, f/5.6, 1/30s

When I did start to wind up my camera gear from Pizza Fontana di Trevi this guy just did arrive there with his wind pipe, since I was in a mood to end the day at Spagna at midnight, I did not think twice whether it is worth shooting this guy playing his wind pipe. Thanks to my DSLR, I wouldn't have dared it with my film camera which will eat away my purse with the cost of the film rolls.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 24 mm, f/3.8, 1/25s, hand held

I was walking from Pizza del Popolo to see the Pantheon I felt kind of lost and then I spotted this guy drawing a painting with colour powder, what did attract not only me but other tourist too to him was not only his sketch but also the lost tourist information that he had written beside the sketch. If you can read the lost traveller information kindly have a closer look, there is something interesting about it (click on the image to see a larger view).

All it says is ,

"Every day lost tourists keep asking me the same questions, so here are the answers.....
Pizza di Spagna – 2 minute walk down via condotti
................................................
.........................................
Nearest Mc Donalds - so......you travel to a new country to experience a different culture, famous all over the world for its food and wine and you want to eat at Mc Donalds.."
Quite interesting isn't it ?!!!

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 18 mm, f/5.6, 1/50s

Passing this guy when I reached the Pantheon it was announced to be closed for 2 hours, so I did walk down to the Pizza Navona. There too I was disappointed to see the main fountain closed for maintenance, yet I decided to sit at the plaza for a while to catch up with the ambience. The wait turned out to be worth it.

In a few moments the cyclist below arrived and gave a little retreat to all the tourists.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 75 mm, f/5.6, 1/100s

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 75 mm, f/5.6, 1/100s

His show lasted for a few minutes and moments after it ended all tourists headed to the direction where the music came from, not far from the spot where the cyclist performed his tricks to discover another old man starting his puppet show.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 135 mm, f/6.3, 1/25s

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 135 mm, f/6.3, 1/125s

After the puppet show and before moving to the Pantheon, I spotted this guitarist. I sat down to take pictures of him and when I finished shooting him I spotted a east Asian female sitting just next to me with the same camera and lens that I held (!), just that similarity at that moment made me reciprocate a broader smile to her as I packed my gear.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 70 – 300 mm f/4.0 – 5-6 @ 85 mm, f/6.3, 1/30s

Nikon D80, Nikkor 70 – 300 mm f/4.0 – 5-6 @ 85 mm, f/4.2, 1/125s

On my last day of the trip I did visit the Vatican City, though I was there early in the morning to take a ticket to the Vatican museum, a mile long queue trailed outside the Vatican compound. I joined the queue letting more tourists to tail behind me. Spotted this lady selling shawls, do note the image of St. Peter's Basilica on the shawl that she displays for sale.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 52 mm, f/5.6, 1/60s

I'm sure that you might have felt that every photo above has its own story to tell!

I will be thankful to receive your bouquets and brick backs on this photo compilation.

Colours

Some elements surprisingly turn out to be quite interesting for a photographer.........



....................no wonder photography means being geared up and an attentive search at all times!

Cover to Cover

It took a week for me to read the below book from cover to cover amid the tight schedule and the paradigm shift that I'm undergoing,

It was an interesting fiction voyage through the seven ancient wonders of the world; especially I was amazed by the author's imagination about the hanging gardens of Babylon.

In fact this reading gave me time to freshen up my thoughts, on completing the above book I was able to relax and pen down the my plans to re-align my path to destiny.

Now I get back to my schedules with the following books, the economic times of India (online), vikatan (online) and not to mention the daily brush up of the subjects.

Coca Beach - The Coral Beach of Yemen

A day's picnic and a few pictures on the beach with coral reef, yet rememberable....

It's not just those coral reefs that were facinating

Also the kids gave me interesting clicks !!!

Flamenco - a Spanish delight !

Flamenco is a genuine Southern Spanish art. It is a Spanish musical with strong rhythm is often accompanied with an impassioned style of dance with graceful execution, as well as intricate hand and footwork. Flamenco actually originates from Andalusian region of Spain. The roots of flamenco are not known precisely, yet it is generally said that flamenco grew out of the unique interplay of native Andalusian, Islamic, Sephardic, and Gypsy cultures that existed in Andalusian region prior to and after the Re-conquest. Latin American and especially Cuban influences are said to be important in shaping several flamenco musical forms.

Flamenco exists in three forms: Cante (the song), Baile (the dance) and Guitarra (guitar playing). Early Flamenco seems to have been purely vocal, accompanied only by rhythmical clapping of hands, toque de palmas.

I was lucky enough to enjoy Flamenco at its birth place, can say it a gift of life time.

I did (so as every one) really enjoyed the Baile form of Flamenco.

A little about El baile flamenco, it is a highly-expressive dance form, specially known for its emotional sweeping of the arms and rhythmic stomping of the feet. While flamenco dancers (bailaores and bailaoras) invest a considerable amount of study and practice into their art form, the dances are not choreographed, but are improvised along the palo or rhythm.

In addition to the percussion provided by the heels and balls of the feet striking the floor, castanets are sometimes held in the hands and clicked together rapidly to the rhythm of the music. Sometimes, folding fans are used for visual effect.

Shooting flamenco dance was really challenging for me, especially the low lighting and the fast movements of the dancers. I ruled out the use of flash since it might not only put the dancers and audiences into discomfort but also will spoil the ambience which I wanted to capture as it is.

Now I present you the authentic Spanish delight captured through my camera lens.

Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 38 mm, 1/30 F4.5, ISO 100

Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 38 mm, 1/30 F4.5, ISO 100

Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 38 mm, 1/30 F4.5, ISO 100

Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 22 mm, 1/30 F5, ISO 100

Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 62 mm, 1/100 F5.3, ISO 100

Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 70 mm, 1/40 F5.6, ISO 100

Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 40 mm, 1/100 F4.5, ISO 100

Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 80 mm, 1/100 F5.6, ISO 100

Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 80 mm, 1/30 F5.6, ISO 100


Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 58 mm, 1/60 F5.3, ISO 100


Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 58 mm, 1/20 F5.3, ISO 100


Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 70 mm, 1/20 F5.6, ISO 100


Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 58 mm, 1/125 F5.3, ISO 100


Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 50 mm, 1/60 F5, ISO 100

Nikon D80, 18-135mm lens at 44 mm, 1/30 F4.8, ISO 100

A foot note, one more challenge I had in shooting the above pictures was that I used a new camera that i have handeled only for 2 days.

Tag game!

I have been tagged by V and here we go,

1. LAST MOVIE U SAW IN A THEATRE? Mmmmm..............let me recollect.......mmmmmmmmmmm..............aaaaaahhhhhhhh...........Sivaji.....(the 2nd day matinee, coz I have to catch my flight next day)
2. WHAT BOOK ARE U READING? Rich dad's guide to investing - I'm on page 63
Jeffrey Archer's False Impression - I'm on page 14
Teach yourself Spanish - I'm on page 29
Richard I’ Anson’s Travel photography - Random reference

3. FAVOURITE BOARD GAME?
Scrabble, Trade, Chess (I still remember them and looking for a real leisure game with friends)

4. FAVOURITE MAGAZINE?
Ananda Vikatan & Nanayam vikatan (online)
Outlook traveller (has been more than 4 years since i stopped the subscription, it is the best travel guide in India for a tough travel buddy like me)
Readers Digest (was my favourite since school days, lost interest since i read the first 2 localized editions in India, it lack's the originality and touch)

5. FAVOURITE SMELLS?
The smell of earth during first rains, after summer.
Smell of the wild blossoms and nectar spread out in a garden (last I smelled in Villa Borghese Garden).
Smell of fresh hot black (filter) coffee
Smell of the news paper (how many of you have enjoyed that fresh smell apart from reading fresh news?)

6. FAVOURITE SOUNDS?

A solo Guitar's rhythm
The cuckoo’s sound in a garden at a calm evening
An infant’s speech
The chill sound of Jalatharangam
Beats of Congo drums............the list is endless

7. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?

Feeling alone

8. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN U WAKE?

How bright is the dawn and where is my watch/mobile (I hate alarm near my bed)?

9. FAVOURITE FASTFOOD PLACE?

Can count years since I had fast food

10. FUTURE CHILDS NAME?

First let me find my life partner.

11. FINISH THIS STATEMENT—’IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’D’

Convert my dream investments into a Vision and family fortune, do some charity, travel like a nomad and before that completely build my photography kit.

12. DO U DRIVE FAST?

If the road is safer for a fast drive.

13. DO U SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?

Let the animals sleep peacefully.

14. STORMS–COOL OR SCARY?

Cool unless it's devastating!

15. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?

Let me choose when I decide to buy one for me, b'coz travelling alone I prefer the public transport for 2 reasons, one I gives my camera the best opportunities and two I have a serious concern of earth's fast depleting energy resources.

16. FAVOURITE DRINK?

Tender coconut and lime soda

17. FINISH THIS STATEMENT-IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD...

Walk a little more to get more fresh air, continue my education, travel, lie on a exotic beach by reading a book, hear some good music on a windy night.....

18. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?

Depends on how hungry I am and how soft the stems are

19. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY OTHER COLOUR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE?

Vote for natural black, will stop applying henna when I’m as old as Richard Gere!

20. NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS U HAVE LIVED IN?

Neyveli - Salem - Chennai - Pondicherry - Karakikal - Mangalore - Trichy - Patteeswaram - Mukalla - Hodeidah

21. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Rather will play shuttle, board games or hang out with friends’ until unless I’m in a group.

22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?

A busy bee

23. WHATS UNDER YOUR BED?

The floor

24. WOULD U LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOUR SELF AGAIN?

May be ill get a chance to correct many things about myself.

25. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?

Depends upon the geographical location.

26. OVER EASY OR SUNNY SIDE UP?

Something between the two!

27. FAVOURITE PLACE TO RELAX?

Costa Del Sol or a Spa (a traditional Indian Ayurvedic).

28. FAVOURITE PIE?

The apple pie I had in Mc. Donald’s at Luxor

29. FAVOURITE ICECREAM FLAVOUR?

Vanilla with Chocolate or Pista.

30. OF ALL THE PEOPLE U HAVE TAGGED, WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?

Vijay prakash

I tag

Vijay Prakash

Naren

Soaps

Thanigaivelan

Biju

Europe's Favourite Holiday destination – Malaga

It did not take me long to understand why there were so many flights every day from Madrid to Malaga as well as from the rest of Europe to Malaga.

The Costa del Sol of the Mediterranean Sea was evident enough to make me understand why this part of Andalusia attracts so many tourists.

Though my hotel was booked in Torremolinos (12 Kilometres from Malaga), i just fell in love with the location.

While I checked in at Melia Costa del Sol, I did insist that I need a sea view room. Of course who will not prefer such a room in a hotel located on the ocean front?

The reproduction of Picasso's Two Dancing Ladies facing the sea at Torremolinos impressed me at night than in day.

Though I was too tired on the evening I landed, the cool sea breeze and the vibrant atmosphere made me walk for 3 hours straight along the coast line.

Noticably there were too many Indian restaurants for an European holiday destination (I spotted 11 numbers in one locality of Torremolinos) , all filled with European tousits mostly.

Even after my dinner I did manage to stroll down for 2 hours, through the pedestrian-only Calle San Miguel, which is lined with shops, and runs from the centre of town down to the beach.

I was lucky enough to get the glimpse of a fun fair just above the train station. The lower half of Calle San Miguel is a winding stair-stepped path, and is fun to descend as well as to climb! Even at the late hour the place was crowded with tourists.

The lady at tourist information centre though was good only in Spanish which I was not conversant by then, was very helpful in handing over all English leaflets and did explain to me in her minimal English that for the first timer the best way to get around Malaga city was by the city tour bus.

She did insist me to travel to Nerja caves, Lobo park and Gibraltar, but since my trip was limited to two days I tried to get the best of Malaga city

As guided by the lady in tourist info centre I did stroll down to Torremolinos city centre and took a bus to Malaga, as mentioned by her at the far end of the bus station I was able to locate the girl(a student of the Malaga art school!) who was selling the tickets. I did buy a 2 day ticket along with which she gave me a map of Malaga. I boarded the colourful tourist bus which arrived in few minuets, picked up an ear phone, climbed on the open top and located myself on the far end (good view to use my camera).

The best part of this bus service is you can get down at any tourist point you want, spend as much time you want and wait for the next bus to arrive (almost after every hour you have a bus at any point).

Passing through the city monuments, I got down at Castillo de Gibralfaro on the top of a mountain which dates back to the early 14th century when it was built by Yusef 1 of Granada on a former Phoenician site and lighthouse.

All that remains of this historic monument today is the series of solid ramparts which rise majestically among dense woods of pines and eucalyptus.

The small museum at the fort had few interesting things for my camera.

From the Castillo de Gibralfaro there were magnificent views of the town, bull ring and the harbour.

My next stop was at Picasso Museum, out of this works there were few paintings to my interest and quite lot of his work having reflections of his instincts. Remember strictly no cameras allowed inside the Picasso museum.

After having a sandwich and a draught beer (San Miguel, available all over Malaga), I sat at the Plaza de la Merced, where I could spot a lot of locals. My camera had a good feast.

My last stop for the day was at the Picasso Foundation, which is in fact the apartment where Picasso was born. Plaza de la Merced is just at the entrance of this building.

The next day morning, I did spend more than 3 hours at the interesting Malaga Cathedral which was built between 1528 and 1782.

I learnt that the original plans were for two towers, lack of funds resulted in completion of only one tower, by which the cathedral is affectionately named as, La Manquita ( vaguely interpreted as "one armed woman").

Entering the Cathedral through the “doorway of Chains”, the interior has influences of the Renaissance and baroque styles.

The main chapel’s structural decoration dates to the 16th century, consisting of sculptures on the upper portion of the pillars.


The notable 17th century choir stalls is made of mahogany and cedar wood and has the 42 finely carved statues of the saints behind each stall.

Also on the choir are two huge 18th century organs, each are said to be with 4,485 pipes.


More over there are 15 side chapels inside the cathedral, each one unique of it kind, decorated with sculptures and paintings like the below 19th century painting which depicts "the passion".

A short walk from the cathedral leads to the solid fortified walls of La Alcazaba fort, which dates back to the 700s, but much of the structure belongs to the mid 11th century. The entrance is through the gateway known as the Puerta del Cristo (Christ's Door), where the first mass was celebrated following the Christian victory over the town.

The pathway leads up through attractive landscaped gardens punctuated with bubbling fountains.

Just below the entrance to the Alcazaba are the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre, which dates back to the second century AD.

On my way back to train station, I came across a series of florists and got an opportunity to shoot the beautiful photo below.

When I checked in at Malaga I realised that there are lot more I couldn’t see/ enjoy at Malaga, like the mini golf clubs, dolphin watch, Aqua land……………….may be I will spend a long vacation there some other time.

Can’t stop thinking about the delicious fresh pescaíto frito (sea food) I enjoyed at the beach side restaurants of Torremolinos.