A compulsive wanderer being confined to a limited geographical area due to multiple physical issues maybe akin to keeping a tamed elephant chained close to forest range. I guess, few BHP-ians who had gone through my previous writings were aware of the multiple issues faced by me limiting my travels. Over last 2 years, some of the issues got interlinked further curtailing my trips, at times, drying me out. The saying goes “Light at the end of the tunnel”, but it has been like riding through a tunnel, with no end in sight and refusing to buy that option of ‘no light’, I started making pores in the tunnel to let some light through within confinement. I’ve learnt to observe the ‘smaller things’ around and started to appreciate how such small things gives big joys. The one-off trips undertaken now has become ‘journeys’ and wish to share such moments with fellow BHP-ians. This is not a travelogue in its structure, but a collection of thoughts/ feelings/ emotions that pass through me along with the sights I see.
Journey begins at home - View from romm @ my home, sweet home
Framed frame - A window from the remnants of British era tea-estate near Trivandrum seems to have outlived elements of nature. With a view to the unbroken Western Ghats and valleys on the opposite side, lucky were those who were behind the window on those glory-days.
Nothing like watching sunrise from the side of NH 44 near Madurai. NH 44 remains one of the most beautiful NH in my personal opinion
Morning at NH 44 - Moments close to sunrise have a theatrical feel as the lights start to play past the blue hour into the golden hour. As the blue hour fades, the palms seem to be like spectators in awe while the golden hour rays light up one of the most fascinating characters on the stage called Earth.
Never look solely at the final destination alone, for the elements that come up in the path may hold even more stories. Observe, experience.. Mist clad Western Ghats tower above the tranquil Peppara reservoir at Trivandrum. The famed Agasthya Biospere falls under this range
Memoirs of a pluviophile - sitting atop a culvert, you watch the clouds gently roll over the mountains, watch the sky change colors, feel the pure breeze caressing you, enjoy the silence being broken by the laughter of kids playing around. All the while, as you wait for the first rain-drop to hit. Rustic scene from Sundarapandiapuram near Thenkasi. Sundarapandiapuram is famed for the vast sunflower fields during July - August.
Earthy autographs on the hands those turns the wheels of life - Come mid-Juy and the vast fields of Tamil Nadu becomes active with the paddy cultivation activities. Tilling machines have replaced the conventional bullock tilling at some places. Yet, the mud remains the same
It seems an expression of Joy by Earth, asby mid-July, rain has drenched the parched fields and tilling throws up mud in all directions
From time immemorial, it was the greatest paradox - of beasts releasing all it's energy to remain free, of men wanting the beasts to release the wild energy so that men could control such unbridled energy through the need for dominance. Times have changed, but certain instincts haven't..
Panorama from NH 44 near Valliyoor (TN). The unbroken mountain range to left provides numerous photo-spots especially during sunset.
The Wait - Neither time nor age can take away the beauty of an eternal anticipation. It was in a fleeting moment that I saw this gentleman waiting there for someone. His persona was as timeless as the century old door beside him and the color of his T-shirt/ tinted glass matching the color of the door. It was an off-center shot, as I was not in ideal position to click, but a moment later, I could've missed him as he walked off.
Curiosity drives them, their hearts travel across the endless horizon, searching for answers. Journeys turns out to be the best teachers as they answer the questions through experiences. The setting sun throws golden light as Junior looks out into the wide NH that offers him glimpses of sunrise/ sunset/ people/ culture
Certain ironies can turn absorbing, like a moment when windows, instead of giving a clear view to what lies ahead, gives a stirring view of what’s behind you. At a late-evening tea-break during a drive in NH 44 near Thirunelveli, the actual sunset was about to be marred by the clouds and I was wondering how to capture it's essence, when, I found the reflection in the restaurant window in front of me. It provided a more dramatic view of what was happening behind
The scene for setting was perfect as we waited for the sunset to begin. However, nature had other ideas as huge mass of clouds floated into the mountains to obscure the setting sun. Yet, the sun refused to go down without giving us something special – In one moment, we were treated to a brilliant final glow of sun from behind the clouds. Even the sky seemed to enjoy the madness as rays criss-crossed the gaps between as if extending towards us in the backdrop of intense coloration of sky. The sun did reach across the sky to us.
Homecoming – one of the most beautiful moments is when you get back to your loved ones especially after a journey. Smiles on faces, stories to be told, experiences to be shared, tug of hearts – moments of pure joy. Ever wondered how the Sun sets on its solo journey every morning, waking up the earth in golden-hour? As the sun starts it journey, it lights up each element one-by-one in the varying light & shades. Doesn’t the earth, long for the moment when sun would get back near again? Sun does get back completing a journey, bathing earth in its peaceful orangish-yellow hues. Those hues create a grand canvas of multitude layers to etch the stories, be introspective & contemplative in the same moment.
As for a traveller, homecoming can also be the moment when he/ she reach a point that beckons repeatedly to make them recount the stories from a journey, be themselves as the waves caress gently to the shore like a lullaby from Mother. You can see yourself as that windmill – standing tall, assured, graceful, and purposeful. As the sun sets deeper, it radiates the glow inside you too.
