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.