[ssambyal1980]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Friday morning. Was feeling restless. The heat and dust and traffic of Gurgaon can sometimes be overwhelming. Decided to leave office early, around 3 pm, and drive away. Some place where I could immerse myself in nature. Called up a contact I knew, he said that yes, a tent is available for that day and the next. Rushed back home. Took 10-15 minutes for packing. Grabbed the camera bag and checked whether batteries were more or less charged (they were, from a previous trip). Bison – my old but capable 4WD Fortuner - was ready, like always. OT: Reminds me of Field Marshal Manekshaw's famous quote to Indira Gandhi "I am always ready, sweetie".

Sir what an amazingly captivating narrative it is. Once began reading couldn't stop until completed. Virtually felt like a co traveller with every line read. Impromptu trips always beckon. The real happiness lies in the thrills and the unexpected which such unplanned trips throw up. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful experience. The photographs which deserve special mention are the Bison in the mist, The empty chair and The late afternoon walk. Justifying the proverb 'A picture is worth a thousand words', all the photographs are a mystic filled narrative within themselves. Eagerly waiting for another masterpiece from your end. Keep posting. GODSPEED.

[Abhinav V]

A perfect example of man and machine in perfect harmony. I was never into SUVs, but after reading most of your travelogues, I am yearning to drive a fortuner.
It feels really good to see a Fortuner in its home terrain.
All my life, I have seen fortuners mostly in city - especially government vehicles .
To say you are an amazing photographer is an understatement.
It takes a lot of patience to be meticulous in each and every capture.
Please, for the love of god, do not sell your Fortuner

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by ashikthomson

Waahh! What a write up, felt like immersing myself in a jungle fiction rather than a travelogue. To the point, yet hiding a bit to allow the reader to do a little guesswork.
And I was really stunned by how easily you are expressing the desire to meet with a leopard
I would have easily stayed back, thinking the possible dangerous outcomes. I'm still not out of the shock of confronting a rogue elephant unnecessarily, near to mettupalayam, a few years back.

Oh, leopards are fine, as long as you don't provoke them. Though, dynamics depend on the region. I mean, leopards of Bera are different from leopards of Kumaon forests :-)

Originally Posted by alphadog

Those photos are truly surreal. I could almost feel the cold, damp, misty, silent ambience on my skin. Not to mention the eerie feeling that a
wild beast could jump at you at any time. I love your style of narration too.

I too am one of those kinds who can survive in the wilderness without much creature comforts, as along as the place is soul stirring. So, I totally understand that bit.
I have looked up your instagram link, as suggested and I am feasting on the amazing photography.

Thanks for sharing the experience. Looking forward to your next write-up.

Cheerio!

Thanks. Many more adventures after that...need to sit down and write :-)

Haunted forest rest houses, tiger calls, leopards, close encounters of the Panthera tigris tigris kind, blue sheep in Spiti, 6500 km roadtrips...

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Oh, leopards are fine, as long as you don't provoke them. Though, dynamics depend on the region. I mean, leopards of Bera are different from leopards of Kumaon forests :-)

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Thanks. Many more adventures after that...need to sit down and write :-)

Haunted forest rest houses, tiger calls, leopards, close encounters of the Panthera tigris tigris kind, blue sheep in Spiti, 6500 km roadtrips...

Sublime captures as always! Look forward to the account of the haunted forest rest houses....
I remember Corbett's account of his night at the forest rest house in the Thak Maneater. Gave the creeps!