tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25497553476238196152024-02-18T18:09:18.317-08:00Ginnupotter gets a life!!This blog is about a few eccentric thoughts and few more such thoughts.. :)Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-69669075001626845672013-07-16T20:43:00.000-07:002013-07-17T01:31:15.661-07:00Finally Leh'd my Punto<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">First an appetizers before I start boring you with the story
<br />
The picture for which I went to Ladakh:</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbl1b2k0yWsEg83h-xv4sZ_-lwAJjsFthXhBVdunWkI46UVq8EJ6Qrd3ouNXLDYE-jfvlapE5RHe4q6bxVNZxYwLr8P__CKVqAGY7YEsZanJDLu-VpEpjk_AQwXWrpMuOn6gNVniOmko8/s1600/IMG_20130618_151121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fiat Punto Leh - at Kyagar Tso" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbl1b2k0yWsEg83h-xv4sZ_-lwAJjsFthXhBVdunWkI46UVq8EJ6Qrd3ouNXLDYE-jfvlapE5RHe4q6bxVNZxYwLr8P__CKVqAGY7YEsZanJDLu-VpEpjk_AQwXWrpMuOn6gNVniOmko8/s640/IMG_20130618_151121.jpg" title="Fiat Punto Leh" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At Kiagar Tso</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It started back in 2011, when a colleague introduced me to <a href="http://bcmtouring.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BCMT</a>. Before that i was not aware that
such a beautiful place exists in India and is even approachable by road.
From then on BCMT became a drug that i couldn't be taken off. I used to
read travelogues whenever i could and dreamed about going one day
myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Did a few trips along the way to hills, Lansdowne, Dhanaulti, Kufri and
Corbett. But my heart was fixed on Ladakh. Became a Papa in 2012 and had
almost given up on making the trip anytime soon when the Chinese
intruded into our territory. Thus sitting in my company cafeteria i
joked with my Manager, we need to visit ladakh before Indians start
needing VISA, by 'WE' i mean me and a colleague, and asked him if we
could take a leave for 2 weeks in June. He laughed and said yes. That
became a trigger, i talked to my wife and she understood how important
it was for me to make this trip. Next day i dropped the mail with leave
dates and i got a reply that my manager thought i was joking <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/001_smile.gif" title="Smile" /> Still he sportingly agreed and thus started the planning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Bought a lot of stuff like tent, sleeping bags, Car invertor, Electric
Air Inflator, tow rope and Stove. Got the car serviced and felt good
about the car, GC and tyres. Then in last week i saw that actual ground
clearance of my car was only as much as the length of my phone i.e.
134mm and thus went ahead and got the GC upgraded 3 days before the
trip. Again was planning to do the trip on my existing tyres (35000km
run) but on last day before the trip found a huge crack on the inner
side wall of one tyre and thus got all changed just a day before the
start of the trip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
So after 40k/- worth of preparations we, Me, my friend and my brother-in-law, were ready to embark on the dream trip. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Day 0</b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>June 14, 2013- Friday</b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I call this day 0 as we did half day office and left Delhi around 1 PM
in afternoon. The plan was to try and reach Pathankot and if possible
then Jammu. The car was pretty full and the rear seat could hardly seat
one person who had to fight constantly with landslides of stuff at every
turn.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxgCF_3a8aEwzp1TCXArXnhn4yEDq2mTNje_lhyKThp20KCVUXROQxAflT21GI-QFKpxyRtJ8TmwXp0rkUs_S1qfyRT3k_rD1TDnz7MuFeoRgjShhbZJw5ObO5Swsi9GhAdjFTiY9eqQ/s400/1-IMG_0023.JPG" /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The condition of backseat</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The route was fine with crossing Ludhiana being the only Pain. Also it
started raining heavily around Pathankot but we were able to reach Jammu
by 10:30.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOyw22ILVTD8BrfzNl6rt_qAQ5uU2idshogaLXC_HJue3h6A62sBULqCH3GA7iPsQ_yKC-tXpS0PmuPo0tYPyqodpy7rypz57S0nCyuftq7UzV-XjhzcpAv9mu1Cn9s6bCeawX4RZ_MA/s400/1-IMG_20130614_230135.jpg" /></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not posting any pics from day 0 as we hardly found anything interesting.
The only time i felt like clicking a pic on the way was when at
ludhiana we had 3 puntos in a jam together, a rare occurrence anywhere
in India <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif" title="Razz" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Found an OK place on the highway, Choudhary Guest House, Room rent 700/-
for a non-ac room. During the night it was raining cats and dogs and we
hardly got any sleep due to lots of noise from thunder. But we were
happy at achieving our goal for the day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next days targets were: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Minimum: Sonamarg </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Optimistic: Drass</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><b>Day 1<br />
15th June, 2013 - Saturday</b></span><b>
</b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Woke up to lots of thunder and rain in Jammu. Were up and ready to leave
around 6:30 in morning and got almost half drenched getting to the car.
Started towards Srinagar. Was hoping that i will reach Sonamarg with
still some daylight to spare and decide if Zozila can be crossed.
However the continuous rain was making progress very slow.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8nw_HCC8L0Siarv34dRkzHenb2_pIsKcilL7Q8e2L3V2soVVs6Q8mFvgN1GYUCKFaw2E6sMJGPiMXv5or2MmtTC456O7tFmzsSrSkn3Hzq1FBczXO4aURq4q76Brb06UaDO-K1ny33s/s1200/IMG_0032.JPG" /></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just after Jammu</span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
The road is decent most of the way from Jammu till sonamarg however
there are sections which can get extremely muddy in rain and thus the
following condition of the car after just 100kms from jammu:</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j_aLIar2spWdGF0-fhJnlcpJrCUl_RsBKZhSJDtucmVxRWbb2Zfk2whlLeq-6qy9UuLuqOvTIYwwHHqGFkjD1k8AjTe3f1JUvubiCStWpesn4bXdYsmgL3UF0qndMX32YJ5hcfyeSYc/s1200/IMG_0039.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
The rain was now down to a drizzle and the weather turned beautiful. I
love the sight of green mountains and we had plenty on our way. </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--QsMr25vtFI/UcbfMH_fUII/AAAAAAAAGTY/8g7WeN4_uI8/s1200/IMG_0064.JPG" /></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">An interesting hill on the way</span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
We were now making good progress although there was substantial army
movement and we had a tough time overtaking a convoy. But all effort was
lost while we stopped for breakfast as everybody overtook us and got
stuck at a Jam at Ramban. Due to narrow road through Ramban and
excellent Indian drivers we had almost a kilometer long jam.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_o7TVtwpMnqIgElBR50C6MycSpQhGF0DAGFDzvSuEBiFYLv4RbUir8pQNtUuZ9Kt_XvQFPzRpQRvt5w-DZdUDHKtdrVY-JFhCpoqlqYzuxrfdIs7G4sL_topvkZns920y1x31O-scQTA/s1200/IMG_0071.JPG" /></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jam at Ramban</span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
This took around hour and a half to clear up but still due to convoy the
progress was slow now. This continued till Banihal where we crossed the
convoy. Next landmark on the trip was Jawahar Tunnel. As the weather
was pleasant our windows were rolled down, however inside the jawahar
tunnel we felt choked by the exhaust smoke. Rolled up the windows
switched on AC but still the smoke was here to stay and thus felt a bit
claustrophobic.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A tip for travelers: Switch on the AC before entering the tunnel as
otherwise a stuck vehicle in front of you can make you feel very
suffocated.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Titanic point just after the tunnel was a welcome break.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZH2KOHBrO8bVQHB1rDt90ZqJ4OKAvtNaZo1Iax-bsOpf6xcFBHHhPTkb9ccqZTOkywRfXRaymQrgFQS9uhG3b4esPobvSVagNnDw609KrtNcsgAFg6hdwnHkOBLbfYb6wEI3UXWnnmA/s1200/PANO_20130615_143238.jpg" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jRRNANsPd9j7SU_Fq5OJagqS0D3xaGyMzyWML68T_xxeudZzNtMz9-_lTT6sVB5TFiOTHnU9KItpnpPMZS7CD7inof2210JYWsfgJv_yfJyD26Ck9EBnrd1_g-nkJh7yY8I0eYpQI3k/s1200/PANO_20130615_143525.jpg" /><br />
Titanic Point</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thereon we picked up some speed and rushed towards Srinagar. Had a
pathetic lunch of daal-rice at a dhaba 50kms before Srinagar and planned
to continue till Sonmarg after that. Reached Srinagar around 4 PM and
tanked up. We were using Sygic for navigation on my Android phone and it
took me right through Srinagar bypassing the turn for NH 1. We went
through the main city including Lal Chowk and even after that via a
narrow road for almost 10 kms before we hit the highway again. We were a
bit apprehensive but just kept on going. </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Joining back NH was a relief and the road was excellent. The straight
road through valley had some excellent views and colors to offer. </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxOH-G5mo5-0dlYh5-vZCwgNtBkUHbuUVaZuax3fjbfc5AwO7BL_Kbl29KToVTZ1BA4eqU3wXWaC_V3m7ceiByB9cBUnPqvZhoSxtXGDZ8qEgAceYCQQ58-zc5xX6L2FsAbJdGTyeLYQ/s1200/IMG_0098.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfj8RYtYXumScsUIjkovokn8xjlGIBrbSLHxr7cE_AfwdBIcqlmqCQtiRVG_fkyXykWkS_TZ-bmGjQeHxGdKA3Hcx__ZTXNeZXHsqeF8TSCKqblCPSwqc4NFfDANOdfXGDj5Q8W_eef-w/s1200/IMG_0101.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
And then the mountains started again:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl82JHXPi5m2YPL0_9s9bocDGUUvPB5zFkoZIwNlPgAgJs5MluKUWmopTBNfaexU4dPSFHCjhGFJqGJLKLE21R5V89ZxBB67A89P0WIz4j6DwIL8vMDDvGi-DOsrbi2UIojtJ5QhaYIgg/s1200/IMG_0127.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Continued on and reached Sonamarg around 8:30 PM. Found a room in the
first hotel on the road Hotel Sunshine, Room Rent 1500/-. Had our dinner
and went to sleep, knowing little about the heavenly view awaiting us
right in front of the hotel.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Day 1 Trip details:</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg888Z2vQGA6t0kbOCu_SxtI_t2KoOl717Ww47z1GGZKYEpkNTztVV9jsevHNYjYEgDYy7K-Hk2L241TpZItzTEe7aNnU8tXNKVWkU8h0aV8p5J5oG3y63r-trHkZDvOKo9pqPUOZVf3o/s320/Screenshot_2013-07-07-00-38-39.png" width="192" /><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLYkDXMfSrr58kTqNweaESMyYbpekOiYKTKfj_ACoG7wXNZ3kfiX569MrW2nWoQa8Dq2tTiDetgu2ISVuXhTVa-fKyRW3GRUf6DdWe25ty3NbUjE8YnxZPH-o1X4MIEH-tJ6woAcBvBI/s320/Screenshot_2013-07-07-00-39-33.png" width="192" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Next Day Target: Leh</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 2</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
June 16, 2013 - Sunday</span>
</b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
So, we reached sonamarg late in night and thus did not notice the view
much. We were told by hotel staff that entry to Zozila road is only open
till 8 AM after which it closes for road repair, although we could not
confirm this but still to be on the safer side we decided to leave by
7:30 AM (the checkpost was hardly 1 km from the hotel)</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
So, i wake up at 6 in morning(to clean the car) and this is the view i am greeted with:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOU6dmSgWb7xR617P2iRwdwQ_KJ-TzvOw9ngMlzpEuBtVSRduY0DWWOgWJWY79TTbG19lOo_JBnTM9by93BuqGCkpFL5bZZhf1PyLn-t4_IhpZ8PqzLovmypUPDGwGpWy2fUqBmBzwyyU/s1200/IMG_20130707_114456.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGtV2PTtZbLL7fenbgxw2shjjeV1_6DimTBuQ2k192nifs6C1C7XZ2SsdFryri3D3_Igyv-nHPzfPaJkNXXjgultMSc02VDbnp0w7OxKGKntp7qT5rUUkTk7PP9IDRWq8zZrs2RFmBBc/s1200/2013-06-16-083.jpg" /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Behind our hotel</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
This is what i got up to clean - </span>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdNhux6phUR5COa0vHcCYawQMyPqYLBrAvi6iUi-tbfTBAAoSkJYfswM-wX7HIbJbis91ohypwNebpogmKEjQAxA-fRzIKp2uqSRWVg-Iu1cIPJNT3pVYwKoqrqb9iaWQq02Z_nyWXek/s1600/IMG_20130616_060447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdNhux6phUR5COa0vHcCYawQMyPqYLBrAvi6iUi-tbfTBAAoSkJYfswM-wX7HIbJbis91ohypwNebpogmKEjQAxA-fRzIKp2uqSRWVg-Iu1cIPJNT3pVYwKoqrqb9iaWQq02Z_nyWXek/s320/IMG_20130616_060447.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Two buckets and One handkerchief later</span>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGKPMhabaVntoUviIteuuqc57yA-WrD1mIUKY-fiBy86yOiLNpnDesWSxsjrL7jxAwdNe8IcYMDl4YdEHqq7jslitBxhuhNrDhyphenhyphenZIK1cK_Re-xh_CaULglnWCpVFxR_4kJ39zkwpDuBg/s1600/IMG_20130616_062613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGKPMhabaVntoUviIteuuqc57yA-WrD1mIUKY-fiBy86yOiLNpnDesWSxsjrL7jxAwdNe8IcYMDl4YdEHqq7jslitBxhuhNrDhyphenhyphenZIK1cK_Re-xh_CaULglnWCpVFxR_4kJ39zkwpDuBg/s320/IMG_20130616_062613.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
We have our breakfast and are ready to leave by 7:20 AM. Another pic just before we start.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKW2M5QpCkWzpT-Ot8pQ6fIIfsS3LfSf1P-EbKE1BxKUJ189STvI2fW8MJQomFfuURG9HItLrYpFR89OmKeAptsPnV8VCKfbpmqsKh_RYEVHHHsACu32RzsR5_FRSjuocR8vDjlWDU8c/s1200/IMG_0137.JPG" /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Horses in the mood <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif" title="Wink" /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
The road towards checkpost was blocked by trucks parked on both sides,
however mostly the checkpost is open for cars so we inquire and zoom
ahead as soon as we get some space. Thus we are finally on our way to
the famed Zozila. Now online people are always writing essays about the
toughness of Rohtang and at the same time they cross Zozila in a single
paragraph. Also lack of pictures and the lack of interest shown by
people in covering Zozila made me think it would be an unremarkable pass
with some moderate slush and climb. How wrong i was. Thus i will give
due respect to zozila as it almost killed us.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
It had already started raining by the time we crossed the checkpost and
thus we expected cloudy conditions. The start was gradual and although
we could see that road was not in a great condition but still it was
drivable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VF7vGhsU9m7dJtW7R8ZzQY-dx4aCXb2dcJCGiGvvZxUT9dM7I508sOOTbmfAr2-rrgpyhXNyKLZs2KXNWJY312pw_RdyqehABHv8AA52mcJxFpqwydzvQNTIw9fZXNLfTEB8EJoUhX4/s1200/IMG_0159.JPG" /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">View of Baltal at start of zozila climb</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
We had traffic from both sides and had to overtake a few trucks, soon
the cloud cover became prominent and visibility reduced to few meters.
We reached the point from where the two ways diverged. Enquired from a
few oncoming cars and started on the route meant for Cars.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15ko5KlbTveZKzc0mEHvOcxSo6Fi92vA0FAdHJWWn21tHBIxYYALZc-hgk9z2E9VvFianlekAb1ZRY7QfiH4l6VZbTPSx7Te7Tdr4foPATSEpogARUvG9TdWSkvN15lEMJu2dYkiGWMI/s1200/IMG_0160.JPG" /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Start of the new route</span>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This route hardly has 2 or 3 hairpins and those are also not too
steep, but still for the first time i felt AMS hitting my car. On bends i
could feel a bit of power loss and it took some effort to climb. The
road is mud track throughout till top and the rain made it into a big
slush-fest. From this point on till top i would need to paint the
picture with words as none of us thought about clicking pics. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Initially
it was muddy but hard road but as we climbed the rain became harder and
the road became narrower. Few trucks were also using the route and
leading to huge hump in the middle of the narrow sections. We got to a
place where Snow was melting on the edge of the road and there was
almost a foot deep water crossing. My friend had to get out and guide me
through it. Just after this we were crossed by a foreigner couple on
bike. We saluted their spirit and kept on going. A little ahead was an
even harder problem. Half the road was covered with mudslide and only a
narrow portion was left. Even here the hump was too big and the car was
skidding. I knew that with amount of slush and reduced power it might
get difficult to move again if the motion is broken. It was a long
stretch and as soon as i entered it i saw the biker struggling to move
20 meters ahead of me. I moved as slowly as i could to avoid breaking
but he was unable to get out and thus i had to stop. Also for the first
time underbody was getting hit by the hump. My friend got off to give
the biker a push but before he could reach the bike moved. I started and
thankfully tyres got traction and we moved. Crossed the stretch with a
few more underbelly hits and stopped on the side to take a breath. </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We moved ahead and had an even bigger slush waiting for us. Here again
it was a long stretch and i entered and suddenly saw a Santro coming
from front. That guy could see i had already entered the narrow stretch
and should have stopped as he had space. Again I had to break in the
middle of a bad section. My friend again got off to ask the Santro to
reverse. But he obliged on his own and reversed. Santro was slipping
like crazy and once he was parked on the side, i started again. It was
the most scared i have ever felt in my life, i remembered the advice
from BCMT to drive with two tyres on the hump but there was so much
slush on the side as well that if i moved to left (on right was the
valley) all my tyres would be in slush and i could risk losing traction.
So with lot of underbelly hits and minimal steering control i moved
ahead. At one point towards the end of the stretch the car slipped
towards the valley side and almost reached the edge but thankfully some
frantic (panicked) steering movements brought the car back and we were
at the end of the stretch. </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Again stopped to breath, talked to the Santro guy and advised him to
take the other route. We were almost at the top now. A few turns later
it was time to say hi again to second gear. The road at the top was laid
with stones, although it was badly broken at a lot of sections, it was
still infinite times better than what we had just crossed. Now we
relaxed a bit and cameras came out. The view was out of this world. I
had not expected to see a snowed out mountain top at such close range.
The vapors rising from the mountain just made the scene mystical.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25HCeWaOYHzm7QvK0GEuOOXfsFQ3nN1xWEQ3Nu7-VIYXrlXehN1_VLChgEoRj4dzUSkneuzRlJ6fjzkzdw-E4qloeK9OYpBR5KiFwjPXu6JGa5-_yor-yNV2kKsOLQb8esNPEDtrZBiY/s1200/IMG_0178.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EdZWdewmnUiJQE30Clr6UDyy3QcUa7_p9oj5DrgnCtiehNu-YkTtWjI_Y7O1_ABqPLnZTnPvRA8iF3q-H3-ElGCXsTWGaRBDDoAOwjvdYKVb1wSYFU09rtVlQnIhYGy0BqPoRm3iepY/s1200/IMG_19700102_060556.jpg" /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well done Sabu (my punto)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Although we did get hit on the underbelly in slush but still there was a
huge improvement with the GC upgrade. Also Due to the sump guard i was
also not too worried about engine damage. Traction was my biggest
concern and Bridgestones performed flawlessly.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was place like we had never seen before, we could not stop looking at
the mountains, grass, snow, mud and sky all in such beautiful colors.
Clicked a lot of pics here on the stretch after Zozila top.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg466xABPTCd5Viv1m7pXRnIUaVDUEVicf4SRylnezyaEmIgqkSBO-2QLAmryD6ywF4XjRd0sV-OFxiXrMDgMVWuG127tG51RBqm-ftbNUh1xj9FdoCe27MEGHGeQnzr__VdNecLxoQ6pA/s1200/IMG_0230.JPG" /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Clouds perfectly partitioning the white from green</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbDdZVdwkA6E7RSkQnwKjWpvpzf8h7Lkns6OL90s6TgFuZhQYqymMTSyg2r36JBBmvXeFcT7X4komsfYZRBQOHFZ7J2OvkZK02GhKp_eXKcQCDxPMzdfeQIHzsNLKka7o0HEZinR2mpU/s1200/IMG_0229.JPG" /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Snow still intact on road sides</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="Punto Zozila" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6k7e43LcyWRkPk5BU3iFQor3kc9sR-BPeOncsuO2QHQf7eIIf0alad6g7pAAC7zSAUKCrmnJCWOWNHtEVX8hzAIB21uUQ0qbfYK3-lo0c-jvJdCetehfqREn7ebzQZhQlNySNTtQt5Q/s1200/IMG_0237.JPG" title="Punto Zozila" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Promotional material for FIAT - (Please sponsor my trip)</span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Now the most important pic of the trip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTimOqewAnxTOiSTNv8ImX6SQ9xLRZtMtGgGK8oAH9-nXHCMpeAyCsWYeBmjWpn5VUU_Z8oE3pM5hw5A2vIsfjX9NXsAeaQUIls__KjjS5lsGQmra7g4ARVaXn045SC1T8OwoXO7sKys/s1200/IMG_0248.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
This is my friend's childhood friend. His parents bought this from
J&K 26 years back and it has been in his family ever since. He
brought him along on the trip as his family said 3 travelers is not a
good number and thus he was supposed to be our fourth traveler.
Unfortunately we lost him as on our return we could not find him
anywhere in our car. My friend specifically asked me to put this lost
and found notice. If anybody finds him, please return him to
Delhi. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So getting down from Zozila was relatively easy and due to amazing views
we were stopping alot to click pics. I must add that our cameras were a
Canon S2IS and two phones (LG Nexus 4 and a Nokia C7)</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT6_QPDcyYy9g6iWaND-_51XnHYtMAMbwykrSAZC0vavA2TYsIe8uIppYwtc51tfhGndc_5HF7KwHuEJAoFQ4E2ciNcIU_x5qm5NakPEjTKv6P2wHDu09_MOLVEqJ9snVjLOtLqomcC0/s1200/IMG_0223.JPG" /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We were now in Ladakh region</span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Here on the roads were mostly bad till we crossed Kargil. However we did have a few great sections:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TxhTPWdiJjYayz6fx6JgN_BLKuVVPnJzRQcbMFhBcHTlPfuevIDVetaPSqlKKLIV5bxPxUgT0ZnuTanTHDmrRpatBYXLjDGTIvlGApCYC1GIOp76_ep0HEWXYjz3DnSZGiQEctSq5Lc/s1200/IMG_0277.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Passed Drass on the way, it was a small town with not much stay options
visible. Enroute we stopped and spent a good hour at the Kargil war
memorial. Do stop here to learn about the heroes who laid their lives so
that we could enjoy this heavenly place. Each hill had it's own story
and sacrifices made by our soldier and their families.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirECceS2isYVl1IyI_ZEEY9ywHM33H9WuoBmMSFdKHaLAwbcdFmR9elamH8CbwSTBkzj6juN-9wdUECpQZ32vwct8P0Xmgzxsb8sb170Zq-gr-fYI5bKmSj5SzC_L3BfDeer70zTcVLYg/s1200/IMG_0257.JPG" /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Flag at Kargil war memorial</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
At the memorial, do visit the museum room on the right side which has
various artifacts and pictures from the war. Sharing one such
interesting picture.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZ7i4d8T50A85MK5A0aXzwXYWKZlRppxgSvjT1qLR7zDisJ7vMgmKwZpmUTXyW4Ng_ZdrwaoMngfe_SXTD5QhfLkKyyNwWa17KlFy9KFtPaG4MK-8GjYOdBENN-T-AjdgbdZ2UU3XZ8A/s1200/IMG_0272.JPG" /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/001_smile.gif" title="Smile" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDhaQMVewHeYP7dqhpHF0lF3PDEsx7jt7s6tD_9QQgjNGStIar36OhLTtvtj71gvFnBwxv-MGxTo59I8AqJW6fV6V0hGjLrPP7JPfvgxHsS1MqGthdEME2EU5Jw8yvQAoncQmAJFMznk/s1200/IMG_0273.JPG" /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tiger Hill</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakdob3Ghhp0ykCYbAIMOh_nCEtVcyEPczLhunKLoQ0HKPrwqDGFA5UzK6XcKsOpIi6TfFCZRbW07-oBr1ICZ7q5xEMAuMhzyLq2viIVihdOBqTl2TlumOQj8WH3BO3FQyGinrlwKFtLw/s1200/IMG_20130616_132517.jpg" /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Road Conditions near Kargil</span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
It was mostly bad roads coupled with Army convoys that slowed down our
progress. We got stuck with the Army convoy from opposite side at a
particularly narrow spot and had to park for a good half hour while the
trucks passed. Also the stretch around Kargil is very dusty.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After Kargil the true Ladakh region starts with barren mountains. A lot of interesting rock formations can be seen on the way. </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMciGrv2SaFjLqZztgz_S7EYe-5qsXvZtxIWhMTYEEtmuDNLrRpw6FnPrZNUUSm5zUWtW0byPZVut5LAwG19JFwVrWVu-6B8l4LtspZyRK0hs7EEBTLCMOL7D8eOZf8o_KuxsYMicVt_4/s1200/IMG_0282.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Indian Mount Rushmore with skulls instead of faces <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/001_smile.gif" title="Smile" /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EvXLxyNIeV7zH7dKoQEK3lFKhgyQQu6pNhFRW6K-vtfBrWcW967sgXxyU3RVZTKh_65EtzBc8J9fSAtWIsSJ71uUyZXhcxN2uTnhw-1-lYBuZV-7zfqZQeo6ARYl0Pr2e_qmvhlIIWI/s1200/IMG_0286.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rocks in form of Easter Island Statues on top of a mountain</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Imqe_zsmP6QOOTDXIm4Q23KPVjiP3f8F_ZI4NUikeXbOmbJlsyhoJSHjZGquagLWz8QAAldaSnfu68JldryYKZOofObiebl_HylvnkXMxqtbunJARO_qwekFUxVcAwQhSEO8UmnRLgs/s1200/IMG_0280.JPG" /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMJXbokzYhaxLzoek0lpdOTrj1vTu8bR71aMO6WYjblP_Gn0rLGWxVC-Kfu86FY9kZYRJ5XzhApe1wJ1NiB4QFI3uVujO07RtfUf4OhuZSRuv50mzvOtZopFowu-PGGVvx4YZuuU0FZg/s1200/IMG_0294.JPG" /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At NamikLa</span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfabyrLp3D7VrlqPi8OeBUZrzXfCsCERdedzZwkgEjOhIa3BjmdnrqVfuiBdGdbjQpat7Gf631ZnV6J-y7ZBV5u90BMGMtHy3Nt4IgHn7VH40mzxsYqnvtlIO5K2bnaCZGDX_G1efIuG8/s1200/IMG_0293.JPG" /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Namik La a different view - i love this picture <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/001_smile.gif" title="Smile" /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
The road to NamikLa was mostly good. Even on the great roads it gets
very difficult to maintain good speed as every turn brings with it a
better view and then you have to stop to capture it.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZHP4PaNUGMY5D-05HwhO7_IwdYgMDUcj4JLhNEblFPtA2lEdOpx9hRIP07UZmENyU0s5koBEgusLXCWCx7CPcDemGIIOPdMP2Wvx266uuL3DMa2r7CC65bNt7FmM6NSnXuJaruz9AW8/s1200/IMG_20130707_185315.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
We found one local car lying on it's head. Probably someone getting over-enthusiastic on the smooth tarmac.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAz33EHJASNcchQ3_ykU4OPa_TZSpq_sZEvZ4ZR_lgXOXW0lclvdHG-am9VH7W1yUt8l-2lSyQXTlToKH_N4qQxYmyEq9kLoUQcBR7rRFGeB1AJtmvLpKmfOqVxdI9o6bUacR7BMBqsUI/s1200/IMG_20130616_165603.jpg" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
I feel one needs to be over cautious on good roads on mountains as with
frequent turns and high speed, it would just take half second's
distraction to take you off the road into nature's lap. This had
happened hardly half hour back and we heard the driver was safe and had
already left to get help.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next up was Fotu-La, the highest point on the Srinagar Leh route. The
road from halfway to top and further down was all mud track but plain.
Also the road construction wark was going on and it should be a proper
road by now. Interestingly we experienced very fine snowfall at Fotu La.
It was exciting as well as chilling at the same time. The wind was very
strong and our caps were still packed in luggage. Thus without any
thing covering our heads and ears, cold started to get to me. We just
clicked a few pics and left from the Top.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuqFM7OPmxTHPhQbB9rVouXR9a9Pw7pLrSPnrHfLa_So6v99-l9DBBDS9dnCGLVHo41vvSeepsG5OE5b0xsEKYu8yToTbI8XPc_sBN5ZlBq1HarRB9Bhd3IriWfs-egH79qDVOrxVeco/s1200/IMG_20130616_172616.jpg" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwEYLyXP71uTNKk3ANdG1lL7_SJEG9UDc32AnPF1_i_1eyUmXv67a2n1BCXTNGwfZY5NVaFIAVCzv12FFvh28L1dW7RcjlO3M4nJip8GIb9Oqeg4FLbnL2wnlfMqTqJ2BeVJU8S2LKOA/s1200/IMG_20130616_172504.jpg" /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Road at FotuLa top</span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cFy6Uzh64FlwrXc1BDtRyNMYT5GDbx89NRbUazZHpRdmdKziX_xs99pBYIMRir6nK5BZt_ii-1kPsAPtsyJC67oFmXYp864Wq5AeDYH6AxRSsWVScFesrMmAWXUVb5ajW012OkQ6l_o/s1200/IMG_20130616_173218.jpg" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
After Fotu La the roads till Lamayuru were great. We had decided to
avoid driving at night and Lamayuru seemed like a nice place to stay at.
Reached Lamayuru around 6:30 PM and after some searching found a guest
house FotoLa, Room Rent 700/-</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lamayuru is a lively buddhist town full of foreigners and we had
difficulty in finding accomodation as everything was booked due to a
festival. Had our food across the road from Guest house and slept after a
bit of bakar.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tomorrows target: Leh and permits..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 3</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
June 17' 2013 - Monday</span>
</b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The hotel FotoLa was small but comfortable. I didn't quite understand
how the hotel was completely empty while rest of the town was full of
tourists with no rooms available. Anyways we had a good sleep and were
up by 7 AM. Had our breakfast and left by around 9:30 AM. The town
seemed beautiful with prayer flags all around.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVmSLDxSZnBUIe_sO2qkmIFQdYevKJ1PbsQPmmr-KgRhQTFK8UbgGV4zzZWxalpNa7MbuAoVBDhYbFoAPAYs-Hd78cjxZZkKiN5Ptt-Ok-lBS-AnAWVwo1hWoMwj9uZbReApAHuJn4A0/s1200/IMG_20130617_085021.jpg" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Got see some interesting architecture</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdxc0vBattCcsy6eqV8g5OlgGC32iYmGIEZE9J1-UUZS0DhZcCvRR7lGY_oukKzERKTTBINb76OyZZb6n2Xcfck7ikSL2MO-ZejpXnbIoKfpkk1JmvnxaK6_RqJiID5AHGhsRLa1mpjo/s1200/IMG_20130707_193053.JPG" /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The house is embedded within mountain</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Just after Lamayuru is this peculiar rock formation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3TlPcD_lmWGMxu1jQjpJLcyDii_2RI310O8aazqLSY_H_c_0AZWwES4BPIuVM8Pg2D0rhM374mrieGqjfrhCUUM3qn3QmoTAsEnJA67gHxjeJEzBKrE7SntpCzjAerrgI11TcbWfC3w/s1200/IMG_0319.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
A formation from above pic that looks like Lord Ganesha</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKJc6NFp3rFanfnqklzuj6q4TWh99ANrdD4EqCkhF1B_WJmqBQ7fjTtLEneCGtr8wQtExXBI1ohdL_qxKipRz5zM2z0cXcPV1_K9fT6YIBtxoAiI3jM13Hsn7R3fN2f0a_kW3eHOHr1k/s1200/IMG_0320.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
The roads between Lamayuru and Leh are spectacular with smooth surface
and great views all around. This was a particularly straight stretch
where i had to create another wallpaper for Sabu.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIBcAglMsjP0f21h5EZ3WWBRH7qvdIpDIkmchZ3bQbh81DNrcsz1-euGJgBZD_M-ljdXLYI6LqwM7NuEZ7mZ61xbnb6OYqfeGO0g6L2j6-geTdvO3p89iTVho02wMK_CnyBFwtJi1obI/s1200/IMG_20130617_105044.jpg" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sabu - The only Punto in Ladakh</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Next up was Nimmu - Confluence of Indus and Zanskar. Although the water
was muddy but still there was difference in color of the mud from two
valleys.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeuB-BAKZk305o6SY3fNc2HHV0xiehTQx29gpwlyj3wJhwE4S89-wrgVQhCr-NstHReLRR9j4VaXVwUO6ylZbx7CQ3EE1GsjyDZZQU6plzfSMJshHvdpRF4o5wX-SotJ0rvYCM4V_xwQ/s1200/IMG_20130617_111946.jpg" /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Nimmu</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Saw a Nano at Nimmu and it's color contrasted brilliantly with the surroundings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNs49F1Vl2V-9mtFzS9hRAT2-JcngKp3szhXrYG9Zz95v0t1KS49bIAnvW8ve5MRaIrz-V6hWtWV1Ddz_Q0oR-qLjZW8AkJJj1MYeHEd9NiUQdrS_YxBOji1sDpTrdZf6Dn7eYikPVLCM/s1200/IMG_0348.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
All my pictures were shot in Auto Mode with no processing (other than
cropping) still the landscape is so amazing that decent pictures come
out.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Further down the road we reached the Magnetic Hill. Now a lot has been
said about the hogwash that it is, even if its an optical illusion, it's
a bloody good one. I rolled a plastic coke bottle and it also rolled in
the same direction but if you see the below pic, Sabu was standing at
the Red dot i've marked on road and it clearly seems to be a downward
slope, but still the car moved backwards.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFyE7CRv2nhBPdBCTHn7KIWTAFMPJs4a3JQFjSFHuyo7TTn5oCCPY9AD6A0P02QgP5mOGZr0_ls2hfTyFr6T3pNFYjviDWHceoK8c9yGD_zCqLIP8bv4x6uKPoB-oSYLj96e-vfe0-38/s1200/IMG_0350.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
On the hill on right side you can see Tyre marks from Tanveer's White Elephant:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O-0Q9dzgXkEnwVl1SYGjtNVH82ciQybZNLaa4T1Cfe404rONI2nmNErpA3fAWA8ecnXqKSV6h0O6D5Dy6rbuMQ6dnLOIaYKkARd_iLlzGZjasQ6u3-zbDY4zUMosWoFYbEI-PQWn3Gk/s1200/IMG_0356.JPG" /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Will break the record someday <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/001_smile.gif" title="Smile" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aTIzb1CyUMOSTU8UNEL9PxRaPU9VFdtlOrIQRKwPq7UasToZB4AwJma_CR-khNihu0RK9ElUrV-HLvqGi6ajk00YC-dNqqiVkSZdb1R-xsVAION5WeGXcwHP2oibbrV3_L21O746wtI/s1200/IMG_0371.JPG" /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At Gurudwara Pathar Sahib</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
A warning on the way:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOUzpR8D9zJPZJhGl5viMZnXxeFdgxArUVdrGzyJxIZpfiyAZI7YtgLJj354xl82D6HUsIGhdsMFeueGUlbsiW2vtQHES-b5IBlOd9E0SOtmqPcl7joo95uzIRDtpQfStjs3QkPdwMzM/s1200/IMG_0379.JPG" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Finally after a lot of stopovers, we reached Leh around 1 PM. Called up
Shanti Guest House and they had a room for us. But first we had to
arrange permits. Went to the DC Office and it had not yet opened for the
day. Also due a festival we heard it may not open till afternoon next
day. Still we filled the form and got the proofs ready and by then the
office opened. After that it was a painful 1 hour of pushing around to
get the permits made. By 4 PM we were at Shanti Guest house checked into
our room.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Had our lunch and then went to the Maruti Service Station to get Sabu a
much needed bath. The receptionist there had a list of all the cars that
usually came for a wash and the charges that they would take. As
expected Punto was not listed there <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/001_smile.gif" title="Smile" />
She insisted on seeing the car before she could tell me the charges. I
had to pay 300/- (or maybe 400/-) for the wash including Air filter
cleanup. That took around 1.5 hours of our time. But the result was
good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0wexsyyaVv6T-8dIQWldRsW2ZEhcLrQ7MnV60bg9JKaTs7AkmReXakmrT8zTHlij2ZwX6MV_RN4s__slQew2CNDIqZzVmGFKMm6gZeNJb4gDxa-ZPzQF7h8_d4jaDtlpPgjYsrvtT1s/s320/IMG_20130617_160820.jpg" width="320" /><img alt="" border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdYUB_I709FUTHUhGeXXeK_V1oaB8tEqLSl4pihHcXtZHK_8so1hUpUJkOfZugtvXzWXTdo0SlLBRGkeCuiHsny1QJovIMSAI64_lWxT7SwbqpBFC9iCS_f96EwsJRdlzMRqSqgo31d4/s320/IMG_20130617_182450.jpg" width="320" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After that we rested a bit and went out for dinner to an Italian
restaurant on the changspa road. Came back and slept well. Although we
did realize in the night that we left our almost full bottle of Johnnie
Walker Gold Label in the hotel room at Lamayuru. I was indifferent
having a very specific taste( Pulpy Orange :P) but my co-travelers were
crestfallen. They occasionally kept on looking into the luggage and car
for rest of the trip hoping that the bottle would magically appear. <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/001_smile.gif" title="Smile" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><br />
The plan for next day was Nubra valley, however the weather seemed
dicey. Still we slept peacefully after the long journey from Delhi.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To Be Continued... </span></div>
</div>
Ginnuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270604389555676535noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-67624901100495535322013-05-29T01:01:00.000-07:002013-05-29T01:18:03.587-07:00A lifetime of 50 days!! - My Stay at NDA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How it happened?</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Frankly I don't know that myself.. After boards I had this NDA
written exam. My father pushed me to go. I went, gave the exam and
forgot about it thereafter. Then one fine day I get a Service Selection
Board call. Not worrying too much about the result I go there. And 5
days later I find that " I have it in me". Selected as an Air Force
Cadet to a place i'v seen my friends longing to go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Rest of the story.....</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On 27 Dec' 2002 started what is to be the biggest learning experience of my life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I had two friends from my SSB and we stuck
together during the induction process thinking that we'll get the same
squadron( NDA has 15 squadrons from A to O) but as the fate had it, all
three of us were put in separate squads. I got the LIMA squadron.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now i'm as much a civilian as anyone can be,
with no link whatsoever with armed forces in any way. So the shock of a
defence life started on day one itself. We were taken to the Cylce depot
at once and given a "bike" each (yeah thats what they call a cycle
there) and finally when we were dropped at our respective squadrons,
each of us had a 20 kg kit bag on our shoulders. Once in my room alone, I realized the fact that i was not gonna see
my family for 6 months, I was in tears before I knew and on first day in
academy I ran to the phone booth called my parents and begged them to
take me back!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next few days didn't go too well either. Its a cultural shock when
every senior around u calls u as 'Hey u ikki" and in a group you're
addressed with all sorts of foul words. We were taken for "Academy
Darshan" which turned out to be a torture as NDA is spread over 8000
hectares. And we had to go everywhere on foot, doubling all the time. We
used to think if this is before any training has started, what will it
be when its in full flow!! I cried a lot and called home whenever I
found a way, often making excuses to seniors that its my sister's
birthday or parents anniversary or anything that came to my mind. I felt
like a prisoner stuck in a prison which looked like heaven from outside
but turned out to be an entirely different place from inside.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In initial few days ikkis are not given any punishments. Each
first term cadet is assigned an overstudy which is the nearest third
term cadet. Its now his responsibility to teach us everything bout rules
and regulations of academy. If an ikki does anything wrong then senior
punish his overstudy and then the overstudy punishes the ikki.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are so many unwritten rules of the place like..</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A senior with whom you have anything in common (hometown, school etc) can become your Pal. A pal can't punish us. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can't look at a senior getting punishment except for your
Pal. You avoid the way if its happening in corridors and stay inside. If
you can't avoid running away then just become a murga on the spot till
the senior passes from there. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You have to learn the names of all seniors especially 6 termers( or in other words Chhakkas) </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All seniors outside squadron are pals i.e. they cant punish
you. This rule is specially put to test during the first movie we are
shown in academy. Chhakkas will call an ikki each and tell him to do
something. They will use all their anger and wits to scare an ikki but
the ikki has to stay put and refuse flatly. <i>In the end I was the only ikki in my squadron who remained standing, rest all succumbed to the stares of seniors.</i></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">By 5th of January my parents had booked their tickets to come back to
meet me. Most seniors were now aware that I was one of the ikkis not
taking the academy too well and even thinking of leaving. So whoever met
me said something to encourage me. My DCC (Divisional Cadet Captain)
called me to his cabin and had a friendly chat with me, all this while
he was taking 'Patti Parade' of 4th term cadets, and most of them were
grinning. I saw people getting severely punished but still coming back
smiling in the end. I was forced to think that maybe I'm panicking, and
this isn't such bad place afterall. With this thought in mind I stopped
thinking about going back and when my parents came to meet me on 12th
Jan i didn't even ask once to be taken back!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I realized that this was the life I had chosen and now there was no
turning back. I was nicely learning to survive the academy when one day I
was hurt on my knee while running. The pain continued for a week and I
was reffered to Kirki Military Hospital, Pune. The doc prescribed
various blood tests and as the fate has it..i was found to be RH
Positive which means that I had tested positive for Arthiritis. I was
sent to Command Hospital, Pune. Where after a lot of X-Rays and opinions
i was pronounced fit but with a rider that finally I may not become a
pilot as with RH positive I had no chance of clearing the Medical Test
which Air Force cadets must go through after 4th Term. There was a
strong chance of me being boarded out of academy on medical grounds in
next 2 years if the problem deteriorated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That was a hard time for me and my family. We had to decide whether
to stay and gamble upon luck or withdraw from the academy on my own
expenses, as a formal medical board out takes atleast 2 months and that
would have meant loosing another year. So i decided to finally leave the
academy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On my way back to Delhi, in train I was carrying my NDA trunk
with me which had my name and academy number written on it. Carrying it
through the coach was disturbing quite a few people, but as soon as they
saw NDA written on the trunk, their irritation turned into respect. It
was more heart breaking for me as I knew I no longer deserved this
respect. And it was a truth i had to come to terms with sooner or later.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today after more than 4 years of leaving the Academy, I can't say
I've done justice to my potential. I can just say that its been a long
journey since the day I joined the academy and life has put me through
various ups and downs, though its nothing to boast about, but I have
survived and plan to start living soon..... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thanks for your time..</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Note (29/5/2013):</b> I wrote this 7 years back about a part of my life that happened over a decade ago from now.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Ginnuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270604389555676535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-22612116533122567552013-03-23T09:32:00.001-07:002013-03-23T09:32:18.621-07:00A website for baby care and baby related products<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.papakehtehain.com">Papa</a><a href="http://www.papakehtehain.com"> </a><a href="http://www.papakehtehain.com">Kehte</a><a href="http://www.papakehtehain.com"> </a><a href="http://www.papakehtehain.com">Hain</a></p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JmegtxF4CnY/UU3Y8CiONqI/AAAAAAAAFt0/s1600/PKH_LOGO.png' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JmegtxF4CnY/UU3Y8CiONqI/AAAAAAAAFt0/s400/PKH_LOGO.png' /> </a> </div>Ginnuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270604389555676535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-88426421706991522402012-10-22T21:42:00.000-07:002012-12-21T06:13:07.922-08:00Punto MJD Emotion Pack - Long term review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Long Term Review - Punto MJD Emotion Pack</b><br />
<br />
It’s been over a year since I got Sabu. I went through a lot of reviews
and forums before finalizing on Punto and had promised myself that I
would write a long term review from my own experience for every year of
my ownership (or as long as FIAT is still selling in India, whichever is
sooner). So here goes.<br />
<br />
At the time of buying, I started with a budget of 2 lacs, to buy a
second hand Accent. However during the search I got bit by the BCMT bug
and thus I had to opt for something all terrain. Since SUVs were out of
budget, a hatchback had to be it. Now among hatchbacks Punto was the car
I fancied the most.<br />
<br />
Swift was never an option for me as I have never liked any maruti car
design except for SX4. Figo had the well know ground clearance issue
while i20 was too premium feel car which I thought would be difficult to
take off-road. Frankly I had the budget for i20 (D) but I did not even
take a test ride, as I was scared I might like it too much. J<br />
<br />
Thus Punto was finalized and brought home in August’11.<br />
<br />
<b>Interiors:</b><br />
I was driving a 1998 Zen for last 8 years and this was a huge upgrade
for me. The cabin gave a feeling of space and the front seats are the
most comfortable seats for a hatch in India (in its price range). The
engine sound in cabin is on the higher side but it’s not high enough to
be a deal breaker for anyone. The driver side footwell is a bit cramped
while the front passenger seat has ample leg room to accommodate a
fairly large person rather comfortably. The rear seat is also big enough
for three adults and I have on occasions had 4 adults and 1 kid at the
back seat without much complaints.<br />
<br />
Coming to the plastics, they may not be bad to look at but certainly
feel cheap to touch. The interior fit and finish is one of the worst in a
Punto with most inside door handles loosing paint/polish on the rubbing
edges, wiper and indicator stalks feel cheap to touch, infact my Zen
had better plastics than Punto. The glove box has a slight misalignment
which is a birth defect and I have to live with it. The car is so badly
put together from inside that within first 4 months the rear C-Pillar
panel, supporting the parcel tray, came off. It was probably glued back
and is now again coming off. The interior finish and lack of quality
control is the thing that puts me off the most.<br />
<br />
The Blue and Me system that came with the car is also a bag of mixed
emotions. Although I love having the controls on steering but the fact
that it has No A2DP or AUX support and also that USB can only be
controlled from steering controls, is a pain indeed. However the sound
quality and output is good enough.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Exterior:</b><br />
As bad the car may be in terms of interior fit and finish, it’s
absolutely top notch from the outside. Punto’s design is what makes it <i>one of the</i>
best looking hatch in the country and the paint and panel’s quality
does not disappoint either. Here again the plastic parts like one at the
top edge of the bonnet do disappoint. It turned white within first week
of buying the car. Otherwise car gives a solid feel from outside and
makes you feel safe inside. The bumpers are made of strong materials and
can take moderate impacts without damage. I had my car hit from behind
twice, both times while I was stationary at a red light. First time it
was an i10 which dropped its front bumper from one side while Punto had a
minor misalignment. Second time I was hit by a truck from behind, and
the impact made my car hit a figo in front, which again had a big crack
in the rear bumper while I had a scratch on mine, although my rear
bumper and tailgate had to be replaced after this incident. So I would
give full marks to Punto in terms of structural strength and as per my
study the only other car in same range that is structurally as sound is
Polo.<br />
<br />
<b>Driving:</b><br />
Driving pleasure is the forte of Punto. Here it gets full marks always.<br />
<br />
Punto’s hydraulic steering is said to be one of the well-made units in
business. It’s true. I felt its brilliance on my trips to hills and the
way car handled turns. Bodyroll is minimal and you can maintain good
speed on turns without the fear of car toppling over. The turbo kick is
also gradual and increases the pleasure of driving. There is no lack of
power in the car even on mountains if you learn how to keep it in the
right rev range. Braking inspires confidence and all round visibility
from the driver’s seat is also adequate.<br />
<br />
The only two things that might bother a new punto drives are: Large
turning radius and a harder steering as compared to the EPS units on
Hyundais and Marutis. However it does give you stability on higher
speeds.<br />
<br />
Punto is an out and out highway car. Its high speed stability is
amazing, many cars can touch speeds over 150 kmph, but few hatches can
give a sense of stability and control at 164 kmph with 5 adults on
board.<br />
<br />
<b>Ground clearance myth:</b><br />
I have heard a lot about people having a lot of issues with Punto’s
ground clearance, well I have emotion pack version with 15 inch alloy
wheels I would have hit the underbelly twice or thrice in last 1 year.
The only part where you need to be careful is, while going down/up an
abrupt incline as the front bumper’s lower tip may touch the road.
Otherwise even with high load on bad roads I have never had an issue of
ground clearance. It may not be the same case for models with 14 inch
wheels. Also the only thing that gets hit in the underbelly is the
engine guard, which is there for exact same purpose.<br />
<br />
Please Note: I am still going to go for the GC upgrade as I think no amount of clearance is enough for Ladakh <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/001_smile.gif" title="Smile" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Maintenance & Mileage:</b><br />
Coming to the cost of ownership part. Although it has its flaws when it
comes to interiors, it also covered well by the warranty and you would
not have to argue for getting a faulty part replaced as that is the
first thing they do themselves. Also the parts and spares for Punto are
very competitively priced. I have been maintaining a sheet detailing all
my expenses on fuel and service till date and my overall mileage is <b>15.86 kmpl. </b>Please
note this figure is low as my daily office commute is 25 kms (total)
out which around 10 km is spent in bumper to bumper traffic. When I
commute from my East delhi home, the mileage goes up to 17-18 kmpl.<br />
<br /><a href="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/attachments/diesel_tracker.xls-320283d1350714151">Link to the sheet</a><br /> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Vital Stats from the sheet: <br />
<br />
<b>Total Fuel (litres) </b><br />
1,498.94 <br />
<br />
<b>Total Distance (km) </b> <br />
23,729 <br />
<br />
<b>Total Fuel Cost (Rs) </b><br />
62,249 <br />
<br />
<b>Total Mileage (km/l) </b><br />
15.83 <br />
<br />
<b>Running Cost Per KM </b><br />
2.62 <br />
<br />
<b>Total Cost of Running including service and Maintenance </b><br />
69,855 <br />
<br />
<b>Overall per km Cost </b><br />
2.94 <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Final Words:</b><br />
There are so many reasons to select a car, my reason was I fell in love
with its looks. The pleasure to drive part was realized after buying the
car. I am still in love with it and would make sure is travels the
length and breadth of our country (maybe even beyond) as long as it is
with me.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRK8ArzkEN_pIROG6l3mguRq0QfBBjf1sC9XZS0im6p4ltqxomLuh39_MYBZnpYx7LWXobtrWMFIYE5UyUgj8u9_4mXeqBtl4q0h-Ib-P4ffodN7xTHvzUwwssFf4w0TrK_7iv457i64/s640/IMG_0716.JPG" width="640" />
</div>
</div>
Ginnuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270604389555676535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-48552625441763135462012-01-31T22:42:00.000-08:002012-02-01T21:24:20.632-08:00Kufri/Mashobra - Did someone order Snow!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
I had decided last year, this winter I am going to see snow at least twice. So here is the first one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyLjEElSCNk7QPRgAfA8Az9CK11gHc5oCVmtKoYY-Ov05GCGk9bNcylUrAOWREdE0n6eOFjAarubrnlwwngklliirugpcxN1sMNeSwVh7tqeIyjx-K1OAUTQq5jfEe-zLLtczThF1zuM/s800/IMG_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyLjEElSCNk7QPRgAfA8Az9CK11gHc5oCVmtKoYY-Ov05GCGk9bNcylUrAOWREdE0n6eOFjAarubrnlwwngklliirugpcxN1sMNeSwVh7tqeIyjx-K1OAUTQq5jfEe-zLLtczThF1zuM/s640/IMG_0486.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUgy7bOQeH_wRiY6HPjfnzkfy9Md3ODlbibU9AHLijG35TvxmUhFOUwXGn-abaP6wRpMXFEi9oyPoM0lMjclWp-7zqhQz5gj6p1lCms2NWNzOBabhEnK3hmwnhn_iLQA9UoPCP8QGKqs/s800/27012012763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUgy7bOQeH_wRiY6HPjfnzkfy9Md3ODlbibU9AHLijG35TvxmUhFOUwXGn-abaP6wRpMXFEi9oyPoM0lMjclWp-7zqhQz5gj6p1lCms2NWNzOBabhEnK3hmwnhn_iLQA9UoPCP8QGKqs/s640/27012012763.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Republic day holiday was just at right time, a one day leave meant we had 4 days with us. The place decided was Mashobra, a little town 15 kms from shimla. Always plan to stay outside of main tourist towns if you want to experience the peace and tranquility of hills.</div>
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Left Delhi at 6AM, thankfully no fog. Reached Savoy Greens near Karnal at around 8 for a breakfast at McD and Subway. Started again at around 9 and reached starting of hills around 12. The highway was in great shape all through. Even the diversions due to construction work are well made and you are able to cover up miles in good time. The roads on the mountains towards Shimla is wide and smooth. It is a good starting point if someone want to try their hand at driving to hills.</div>
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It was very sunny and quite hot. We were not sure if we were gonna get any kind of snow in such clear weather, especially when it had last snowed almost 10 days back. We took a left through the Victory tunnel as soon as we reached Shimla, and there it was, at the back side of the town, where Sun was not able to reach, snow, lots of it. The sight cheered us up and we were sure to find more at Kufri the next day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxFp760-PBGA9VLGmht1MBZOcTJNEb7s9Kzw0GGx5i7WVgkB0nuMn1XClvG-ZWLhMQeoXbJJrfHV8YJA4BX6eSynUhRBwjo16gC6qutSx0RObNhT-ZdHMeO-Pkqrai_KJhQ3PyCnqHwA/s800/26012012736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxFp760-PBGA9VLGmht1MBZOcTJNEb7s9Kzw0GGx5i7WVgkB0nuMn1XClvG-ZWLhMQeoXbJJrfHV8YJA4BX6eSynUhRBwjo16gC6qutSx0RObNhT-ZdHMeO-Pkqrai_KJhQ3PyCnqHwA/s640/26012012736.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the way to Mashobra</span></td></tr>
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Our destination for the trip, Mashobra, is a small town on the road from Shimla to Naldhera golf course. Our stay, Whistling Pines, a nice cozy hotel perched atop a hill 5 kms before the golf course. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkk1tjD9uUwVPjOz-nnHSO7TbVXgkyuTjbIvPugY3l-s2RtPatL5k8ISfKaHntu5hEdpBAQj9x1N4psf1uWIbq-DxNijA7wLg7FZ-muUOmbxBXhL9qWllU9Ts_tX1scGAr32O9mt3T5Y/s800/27012012752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkk1tjD9uUwVPjOz-nnHSO7TbVXgkyuTjbIvPugY3l-s2RtPatL5k8ISfKaHntu5hEdpBAQj9x1N4psf1uWIbq-DxNijA7wLg7FZ-muUOmbxBXhL9qWllU9Ts_tX1scGAr32O9mt3T5Y/s640/27012012752.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whistling Pines</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgbIsfCbW56XxFWB_9BkJGKj3d75adkMAkYG-1pZhUVaZ2gAJA3mjMg9e3lUBXB6Cq-ND3tkWjOUg7veAHhcBYcFW_VT4S5cG5RgqYO3e3dryDSfCC5G2Co46T6a9ksnvjCYLkrpYRn4/s800/IMG_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgbIsfCbW56XxFWB_9BkJGKj3d75adkMAkYG-1pZhUVaZ2gAJA3mjMg9e3lUBXB6Cq-ND3tkWjOUg7veAHhcBYcFW_VT4S5cG5RgqYO3e3dryDSfCC5G2Co46T6a9ksnvjCYLkrpYRn4/s640/IMG_0470.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from our Window</span></td></tr>
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The hotel is at a secluded location and thus no noise from anywhere excepts for monkeys and birds. The rooms are well insulated and staff really well behaved and courteous. The food served was very nice and homely or in other words, easy on stomach. Overall a great place to stay.</div>
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By the time we were done with our late lunch, it had already started to get dark. So we decked up like an arctic expedition with atleast 4-5 layers of clothing on each and got down to the lawn for a bon-fire with some hot soup and crispy pakoras. :)</div>
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Some shots around the sunset.</div>
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Since we did not have any snow around hotel, we decided to go to Kufri next day. Got up lazily and were ready to leave only around 11 AM. Had to drive back towards Shimla till the point where we have to take the road going up towards Kufri. Due to the bright sun, the snow was melting and the road was full of muddy water. Also it was quite bumpy and broken. We reached a point where we had two ways to go. One went towards Chail via Kufri, the other went towards Fagu. The road going to Fagu was in a very bad shape at that point, with a lot of mud and undulations. Still we could see quite a few cars going that way, so off we went.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Road to Fagu</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anybody needs a truck-full of snow?</span></td></tr>
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We drove for sometime and we found a lot of snow all through. Frankly we had not expected so much snow and were really excited. We were wondering how great it would be if we stayed at Kufri or Fagu for the night, but our luggage was at Mashobra, so we drove further and stopped at a point where a walking path was going up towards Kufri Fun World. Parked the car, rented snowboots for everyone and started our walk up the hill.</div>
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The view from Fun World was amazing. Snow all around in bright sunshine. </div>
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There is a Karting track at Fun world, they say its the highest karting track in the world, but its not much as its just an oval track with Kart moving at glacial speeds. We took the entry only ticket for the fun world, which is 100/- per person. It was totally worth it since we got to make our first snow man(or snow-boy).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meet Bablu</span></td></tr>
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If we go further up the hill from fun world, we reach the same spot we would have come to had we continued toward kufri. Its a crowded dirty spot with lots of people and even more food vendors. Thank god we didn't climb from Kufri side.</div>
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On our way back to the car, stopped at a small shop for Maggi but as luck would have it, after waiting for almost half an hour, the stove mal-functioned and we had to leave. </div>
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As we had a majority of ladies on our trip so a shopping spree had to be included and thus we set out for the mall road. Had our fill of Maggi and Aloo tikki on the way in kufri itself. Reached the lift to the mall after a harrowing time finding place to park. At the mall, after a bit of shopping we went into the restaurant of Hotel Combermere. Its slightly over-priced but a great place to eat if you want some quality international cuisines. We tried Burritos, Quesadillas, Pasta and Sandwiches. Everything was tasty and after the meal, price won't pinch you at all. Started back for the hotel in dark and reached within an hour. </div>
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Next day was the return journey and we wanted it to start as early as possible. But some laziness in the morning again and we were able to leave only by 10AM. Drove at good speeds on the way down but due to traffic in Delhi and a long lunch stop, we were able to reach home by 9:30PM.</div>
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A special mention for my Car, this was its first stress test on hills with 5 adults and boot full of luggage. Punto never dissapointed in terms of power and pulling capacity on inclines. Especially the climb from road towards the hotel was a steep rocky path, still it was managed easily without a single hiccup both times. </div>
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A few pics clicked early morning at hotel:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before Sunrise</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ1DJW6Xr5ls9xRFTxYOrxbC0UQy33kS_a_tvMGCVEIS5Vwz_-V71rQ7_DqmmwXibwNAYeUKO23FE1EC9xpvwRw3mkiCx1zpTgWK3-hqWnWc-mqK-tV83BmnMlSe6Oyi0Ijz9LfQCn_Y/s800/IMG_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ1DJW6Xr5ls9xRFTxYOrxbC0UQy33kS_a_tvMGCVEIS5Vwz_-V71rQ7_DqmmwXibwNAYeUKO23FE1EC9xpvwRw3mkiCx1zpTgWK3-hqWnWc-mqK-tV83BmnMlSe6Oyi0Ijz9LfQCn_Y/s640/IMG_0456.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunrise from Hotel Window</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Crow or a Raven</span></td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enough monkeys around hotel for a takeover!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfuX-0JAGGNH-DepqUqrubFnLW9IY81xTyvVNHGhphDGR7x8trk004yaymmMUVqQlNnKZldU0tRxbRhH6N0wVF5c_5LYugoJi8RyMuVyQYj66N3O873XrNxXPPpE95J06pV3fIcYuJOM/s800/BNW27012012762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfuX-0JAGGNH-DepqUqrubFnLW9IY81xTyvVNHGhphDGR7x8trk004yaymmMUVqQlNnKZldU0tRxbRhH6N0wVF5c_5LYugoJi8RyMuVyQYj66N3O873XrNxXPPpE95J06pV3fIcYuJOM/s640/BNW27012012762.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks to <a href="http://bcmtouring.com/">BCMTouring.com</a> for the inspiration and encouragement in helping me make these trips. I owe you a lot.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for your time :)</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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</div>Ginnuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270604389555676535noreply@blogger.com2Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh, India31.1296226 77.228345331.116030600000002 77.2086043 31.1432146 77.2480863tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-41006075820186512122011-12-28T20:24:00.000-08:002012-04-24T02:59:19.104-07:00Dhanaulti - A Wandering Celebration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Made our second trip to Hills on the occasion of our 2nd anniversary(second week of December).</div>
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The way for Dhanaulti cuts around 4-5 kms before Mussourie and the road from there till Dhanaulti is beautiful to say the least.</div>
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I'll let the images do the talking about the road:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YJUeZpGfiGBJGXpYSmP-SVlI-eYc8PaPm15GXv67pV3I7NmBofvbC73rchW7g5bk4yuabMXhzCH9TR5XrTAjWm5hGOCp-L3gDFRVbfc-2qP-k4L-3bpssMJq_0ZU0vbPzvs0kTk8YEA/s800/IMG_0244.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YJUeZpGfiGBJGXpYSmP-SVlI-eYc8PaPm15GXv67pV3I7NmBofvbC73rchW7g5bk4yuabMXhzCH9TR5XrTAjWm5hGOCp-L3gDFRVbfc-2qP-k4L-3bpssMJq_0ZU0vbPzvs0kTk8YEA/s800/IMG_0244.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 600px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00xi9N3j7bbnQRApw8mCdR2iGl-yA_k0EYTaCfyT8hExDR6j1F7muQrHStJudwgqGrTTo1HAliaKWoQH1Yn-Dlqs0zYkkPRO4SEwFQvzsN5bQNCHiQ0JgjhY8-_9a8-90lUyj0WVKTq8/s800/10122011560.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00xi9N3j7bbnQRApw8mCdR2iGl-yA_k0EYTaCfyT8hExDR6j1F7muQrHStJudwgqGrTTo1HAliaKWoQH1Yn-Dlqs0zYkkPRO4SEwFQvzsN5bQNCHiQ0JgjhY8-_9a8-90lUyj0WVKTq8/s800/10122011560.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 449px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">There were clouds to the side of the mountain. Just the road was clear.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMspp_bwTmX2coLLQ1-BNRV3_4iDLKpFq22lSDQ19B1eNogpSWNHuK6LNFd0UHCNz-6WnercVr5DjtOZE_C5yU_WN0R-kktYcUwwqoHq26khVO_Tddy4U9-7ROIDziMbche6BhF6ZnVE/s800/IMG_0257.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMspp_bwTmX2coLLQ1-BNRV3_4iDLKpFq22lSDQ19B1eNogpSWNHuK6LNFd0UHCNz-6WnercVr5DjtOZE_C5yU_WN0R-kktYcUwwqoHq26khVO_Tddy4U9-7ROIDziMbche6BhF6ZnVE/s800/IMG_0257.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 600px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">Need i say more</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">I call this a wandering trip coz all three nights we stayed at different places, that is when we wanted it to be a relaxing trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">First day we stayed at GMVN's Hotel Dhanaulti heights. It was nice clean and very cold. The rooms were not exactly insulated and we could feel the cold air inside the room even with doors and windows closed. The food was above average and nominally charged. Overall the experience was nice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Next day the plan was to go to Tehri and find another place to stay at. While leaving Dhanaulti we spent some time at the shop inside the Eco Park and got some really good woolens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">On the way to Tehri:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AYqQWogfMonCeScj7lw1hs5AFpyl5EvFI0rrQgD23us9HtPjOBF3PnXTUmglz7kAqNkRVTjQ8VhNglIx7Pk443aMoVCLviXI-GzT_xidenBZYgji3bWMPzDEkbcbzcQpyeSl6z7XHeo/s800/11122011615.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AYqQWogfMonCeScj7lw1hs5AFpyl5EvFI0rrQgD23us9HtPjOBF3PnXTUmglz7kAqNkRVTjQ8VhNglIx7Pk443aMoVCLviXI-GzT_xidenBZYgji3bWMPzDEkbcbzcQpyeSl6z7XHeo/s800/11122011615.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 449px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">A nice view-point on the way to Chamba</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ot8nwol9OTS6-AdZOXRO-aLwgyiCOib5qwJzSbQXUg5DAKqxAQ7bik2YucZg9NWCTazy1H5-Fw9y5n-F2XB8eHhsevLPpDTn7MiMvhCU8qfYDW5Qe4XU9bZzQcwo_-dPbNEdZZbHrq0/s800/IMG_0320.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ot8nwol9OTS6-AdZOXRO-aLwgyiCOib5qwJzSbQXUg5DAKqxAQ7bik2YucZg9NWCTazy1H5-Fw9y5n-F2XB8eHhsevLPpDTn7MiMvhCU8qfYDW5Qe4XU9bZzQcwo_-dPbNEdZZbHrq0/s800/IMG_0320.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 600px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">Between Chamba and Tehri</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOjZWYLrsv0xikXGUnYtqx_-c5cGdBd4v0UXC-qpy0uSyoJRh0JdEe-qFRhUFDoHjD5otMQmaJvejtbxou0HVo3WuiC0Hn8zDQJEpvYKp5Ark2OR1P3CkYjk1ut73VVfUeeVLjfaSFgo/s800/IMG_0335.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOjZWYLrsv0xikXGUnYtqx_-c5cGdBd4v0UXC-qpy0uSyoJRh0JdEe-qFRhUFDoHjD5otMQmaJvejtbxou0HVo3WuiC0Hn8zDQJEpvYKp5Ark2OR1P3CkYjk1ut73VVfUeeVLjfaSFgo/s800/IMG_0335.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 600px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">The Tehri Reservoir from a distance</span><br />
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We were a bit hungry by the time we reached Tehri, so in search of a restaurant we moved towards New tehri and found a Chaat stall from heaven. We started it as appetizer for lunch and by the time we finished we had eaten 14 Aloo Tikki Plates, 4 Plate Gol Gappas and 2 Papadi Plates among 7 of us. All within 200 bucks :)</div>
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So after this sumptuous lunch, we headed towards the dam reservoir. There is a way to reach almost till the waters edge with a car. I didn't take the car to the edge coz the way was damp and i didn't want to risk it. Still we went near the lake and it was very serene and calm seeing such huge expanse of water. Although i must warn that it is also a makeshift cremation place, something we realized after sometime(<span style="font-style: italic;">didn't stay there very long after that</span>).</div>
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The water:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHHZq9YJj6bv4pd86arKwEh7ZUKy0LiGR7W9rjXjqeKd656C2wl49V1OUMwjH4YcqmfgYasccT1CfSCgB5YPsuclnlpwJ0AFoac66TuNwuYjVjCscxTvdvw3NM8hVv7LhHwI9qSUZOw4/s800/IMG_0382.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHHZq9YJj6bv4pd86arKwEh7ZUKy0LiGR7W9rjXjqeKd656C2wl49V1OUMwjH4YcqmfgYasccT1CfSCgB5YPsuclnlpwJ0AFoac66TuNwuYjVjCscxTvdvw3NM8hVv7LhHwI9qSUZOw4/s800/IMG_0382.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 600px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAWktxO1hVBQ-iXUvfq83EjKBCtTJ0D-h2A7lM-ifcXcr0F7FUjsMwGrK_QEb60JjeLEsskE_gWErEkqvyf2GP7MKgY3AotMli4-SuEmx5wbsmbQ8WkiH4ufEk8TEXWxxzlraD60gf0E/s800/IMG_0375.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAWktxO1hVBQ-iXUvfq83EjKBCtTJ0D-h2A7lM-ifcXcr0F7FUjsMwGrK_QEb60JjeLEsskE_gWErEkqvyf2GP7MKgY3AotMli4-SuEmx5wbsmbQ8WkiH4ufEk8TEXWxxzlraD60gf0E/s800/IMG_0375.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 600px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><br />
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Left Tehri in search for a place to stay, we had planned to look for places to stay on our way to Dhanaulti and in case of nothing on the way we planned to try the Apple Orchard Resort in Dhanaulti. Fortunately (<span style="font-style: italic;">or Unfortunately as we later found out</span>) we found The Hermitage in kannatal. Its a cozy little 10 room hotel with a beautiful setting reasonable room charges. Since it was sunday evening and no rush was expected we were able to bargain for the rooms. Also as there were no other places around we had to have food there itself.</div>
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The place was great and to be frank the best part of our trip only spoiled by the exorbitant food bill we got in the end. We were in fact planning to stay another day if it weren't for the 5000 that we were charged for two meals. We paid more for food during a single night stay than what we paid for stay(3 deluxe rooms) itself.</div>
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Few pics of the hotel:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-bU0jIWTqXx0kdvJayZGiQNSGESUqfacRSUE_J-SzSg4TL2Jn9pXWDV92olHqIbKP4mxsn7gK2bBccTMK6_ZjqFkJYCb9bzUOnjhmtSCRZgSohGC4yLr_x6tGgluoIqv150-0rtbWuw/s800/12122011650.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-bU0jIWTqXx0kdvJayZGiQNSGESUqfacRSUE_J-SzSg4TL2Jn9pXWDV92olHqIbKP4mxsn7gK2bBccTMK6_ZjqFkJYCb9bzUOnjhmtSCRZgSohGC4yLr_x6tGgluoIqv150-0rtbWuw/s800/12122011650.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 449px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The small hut in left side of the above pic is the dining room. We had loads of fun singing songs during the night and since it was the eve of anniversary we sang till 12 in the night and it was the probably the best evening of the trip.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-CgoN_yslq4PnXYSSFvtucw0IH0XpCdD7uXgNS5ik9POfY0okpSZk4HEcslPxQNrVUNxqxEWLy-qzo-aJiFRX_cLUwBCQTOyAUaQ7zrKrOL6x8b9OlrQe_iHPZstNEuctP9cMHLe06Y/s800/IMG_2571.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-CgoN_yslq4PnXYSSFvtucw0IH0XpCdD7uXgNS5ik9POfY0okpSZk4HEcslPxQNrVUNxqxEWLy-qzo-aJiFRX_cLUwBCQTOyAUaQ7zrKrOL6x8b9OlrQe_iHPZstNEuctP9cMHLe06Y/s800/IMG_2571.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 600px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><br />
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I would still recommend the place to anyone wanting to have a good time, but the only advice would be, get a package that includes the meals or order carefully and ask if anything extra is served :D</div>
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Monday morning we got up, had a great breakfast, paid an even greater food bill and left for Surkanda Devi. It is indeed a strenuous climb till the temple and one advice i would give is, take the short cuts to climb up wherever possible, it would save you a lot of distance and effort.</div>
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A few pics:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_ikW0x8QsWGKH9uIy7ZjNWZ16neZpDtLrlnNqKHfBtNWC5hk3sFMmK-l00WjitUo9EVRpUlUDAQuEW0DMBdBR6ZoLzU0OE-yqAa4VF-ssifHvCSkqgCnl7Cm9QKbp5ISAzIcM7mzS_E/s800/12122011666.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_ikW0x8QsWGKH9uIy7ZjNWZ16neZpDtLrlnNqKHfBtNWC5hk3sFMmK-l00WjitUo9EVRpUlUDAQuEW0DMBdBR6ZoLzU0OE-yqAa4VF-ssifHvCSkqgCnl7Cm9QKbp5ISAzIcM7mzS_E/s800/12122011666.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 449px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">Still a long way to the top</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KFPv96rvClC-xUFQmojm4Rw35I8mBloEJdiXYwNH8dXSl9eJ4EeTDjsIFI4ysqL3p7Io-RoOm8-a4X0cSt5TayBAk1VTULlL5d1AtrnAm-1DVNYdifdpx1izsZewi4l0EySCpaC3SyI/s800/IMG_2625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KFPv96rvClC-xUFQmojm4Rw35I8mBloEJdiXYwNH8dXSl9eJ4EeTDjsIFI4ysqL3p7Io-RoOm8-a4X0cSt5TayBAk1VTULlL5d1AtrnAm-1DVNYdifdpx1izsZewi4l0EySCpaC3SyI/s800/IMG_2625.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 600px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">The view from the top</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ9d8tBbkYo9WTn9bpMOoB6YWEfEYzzj0voghC3aiDnxtXxPwE8_gJxC_DFkoftzsChFwQpRDWSp-fiOB9lcEjjZFyncwUD4sx_ZZex6EIT92UTl4dR6NBhUyrV4dClu4LAi458FwtUQ/s800/12122011672.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ9d8tBbkYo9WTn9bpMOoB6YWEfEYzzj0voghC3aiDnxtXxPwE8_gJxC_DFkoftzsChFwQpRDWSp-fiOB9lcEjjZFyncwUD4sx_ZZex6EIT92UTl4dR6NBhUyrV4dClu4LAi458FwtUQ/s800/12122011672.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 449px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">Saw the only kind of snow at that time in the region, frozen dew. It was in the shadow of temple where sunlight could not reach</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Came down and moved towards Kempty village, our cost effective stay(complimentary actually, thanks to my bro in law). The place had a great view of the kempty falls and delicious food.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqioGyS8IwOquh2ioUg4wp3_SqPcUiPnMqISjezvpbuzP9r9tR7QV3xfWtW56RLbrRMovM1j8C04PajDEpik7TpYGdvovWAF02_HaEn4hy82vFKDqvq9jp-CXBaVQdsbfLYg7XDDFuDD8/s800/IMG_0402.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqioGyS8IwOquh2ioUg4wp3_SqPcUiPnMqISjezvpbuzP9r9tR7QV3xfWtW56RLbrRMovM1j8C04PajDEpik7TpYGdvovWAF02_HaEn4hy82vFKDqvq9jp-CXBaVQdsbfLYg7XDDFuDD8/s800/IMG_0402.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 600px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 800px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">View from the balcony of our guest house</span><br />
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Stayed up late into the night talking about ghosts and mythology. Got up early in the morning and left for Delhi by 6:30 AM.</div>
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Another little trip completed. thanks for your time :)</div>
</div>Ginnuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270604389555676535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-24416832080220505262011-11-30T09:23:00.000-08:002012-04-24T02:58:02.994-07:00Lansdowne - Come hear the Silence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhVBE8oUMIoDAvHL-emHsWi_oNI40DHGYNCdAYIgGoM9VAAcQMzjDfiuX3WzCj9-ycibK1YvymDX1vu99dSsIra3xCrhSn7ZL9X-PsLoQbz1hALd6Sv8GHWO26tFJNj5OKRBEjX0lZpw/s800/19112011450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhVBE8oUMIoDAvHL-emHsWi_oNI40DHGYNCdAYIgGoM9VAAcQMzjDfiuX3WzCj9-ycibK1YvymDX1vu99dSsIra3xCrhSn7ZL9X-PsLoQbz1hALd6Sv8GHWO26tFJNj5OKRBEjX0lZpw/s640/19112011450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir65XevwqpzArxZxkNw_CKB6VIzn4GkQ2FZC-YtwXogHxDsmxpGcztRWdLoAgw48skNRBkIL3DnbLZ9JjQAmzIP52_LsBy9CaVGe2tRmQpMoUJJaUSQOkeIa9M7KzhY-XMIOAiHMYfu3s/s800/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir65XevwqpzArxZxkNw_CKB6VIzn4GkQ2FZC-YtwXogHxDsmxpGcztRWdLoAgw48skNRBkIL3DnbLZ9JjQAmzIP52_LsBy9CaVGe2tRmQpMoUJJaUSQOkeIa9M7KzhY-XMIOAiHMYfu3s/s640/IMG_0053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wanted to take this trip since long. Cancelled last year when we planned to go via train, instead went to Kasauli. However two weeks back we were sure that we are going to Lansdowne. Asked all the couples we knew, but everyone was busy. We were a bit hesitant going alone since this was our first driving trip to the mountains and I am the only driver. But what the hell, i am planning to go to Leh next year and so Lansdowne should not be a worry. Fueled up on Friday night and we were off to Lansdowne at 5:30 AM in morning.</div>
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Encountered a fair bit of fog till Modinagar. Road conditions were fine with occasional potholes and lots of errant truck drivers. Still by 8:40 AM we were at Monty Millions restaurant near Meerapur. Had some butter toast and tea with the home made sandwich and we were off again in 20-25 minutes.</div>
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Reached Kotdwar around 10:45 AM and from there on the road was a bliss to drive on. From Kotdwar we went towards dugadda and then on to Pauri Road.</div>
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Just after Dugadda, there is a T junction with lots of hoardings of Lansdowne hotels(forgot to click a pic ) now you can either take a right straight towards Lansdowne or take a left on the pauri road. I took the pauri road as described in the directions for my accomodation - Oak Grove inn.</div>
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As you carry on towards pauri after around 15 kms you again get a U bend to your right with board again saying Lansdowne(10 kms from this point). Oak Grove inn is midway towards Lansdwone from this point in a small village called Jaiharikhal.</div>
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<b>Oak Grove Inn</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEwcYLUrBFPZT1RkTB8oXcpsp351ai9vPgdNL3mdm-O97YPnyzPzB5HuzUWmKeGfl7Hi9xZDnEELoPEQk_jUZTmPdVWQM4aTGLhNGTKg_oZKBA2ehIJ5Hoxg3PYRwK5S2shQZ6ILqMfY/s800/20112011464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEwcYLUrBFPZT1RkTB8oXcpsp351ai9vPgdNL3mdm-O97YPnyzPzB5HuzUWmKeGfl7Hi9xZDnEELoPEQk_jUZTmPdVWQM4aTGLhNGTKg_oZKBA2ehIJ5Hoxg3PYRwK5S2shQZ6ILqMfY/s640/20112011464.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>On the way to Dugadda</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOIy1fi9EHj3LBdJvMlECiPFic7I_138ixEcIZ3E5aR4ZzXM4WrMhwZeQdX2yuQN_btENsp8-gMyjYG526WeN-x26oku_iCTd7JH2-C13Cjp6hbtlmOLZnuHLj0LVwnsQgXTw-wl_SkM/s800/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOIy1fi9EHj3LBdJvMlECiPFic7I_138ixEcIZ3E5aR4ZzXM4WrMhwZeQdX2yuQN_btENsp8-gMyjYG526WeN-x26oku_iCTd7JH2-C13Cjp6hbtlmOLZnuHLj0LVwnsQgXTw-wl_SkM/s640/IMG_0044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Oak Grove Inn</i>, a little background about the place:<br />
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It is run by a Retired Col. Rawat and his wife. Located in a village called jaiharikhal at a very convenient distance from Lansdowne. City being 5 kms , when going towards Lansdowne you enter at a place from where the only two tourist spots, Bhulla lake and Tip n Top point, are just a stones throw away. <br />
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On reaching the guest house, you may feel disappointed at first but as soon as you take your first meal and chat a bit with the owners you would start feeling right at home. Rooms are basic but clean to say the least. There is a dining room where the meals are served (no room service for meals). All in all it was a great place to stay. Tip n Top point has unarguably the best location in Lansdowne, but it felt a bit desolated, still, may try it on the next trip.</div>
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<b> </b></div>
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A few pics from guest house:</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgRy1fZ-WfPsqrISTEDbQtYvPPy5F3eJEMPo2_hds4mt-kXyv8IMg4qO-oL_3W5lNnExl9FCfZsTpGTiY-B_FX1FoBHe4yFJTDD1JJC7zaV0cx3pbAu2QKrqkR8ku1edzJhbRtH-ZRow/s800/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgRy1fZ-WfPsqrISTEDbQtYvPPy5F3eJEMPo2_hds4mt-kXyv8IMg4qO-oL_3W5lNnExl9FCfZsTpGTiY-B_FX1FoBHe4yFJTDD1JJC7zaV0cx3pbAu2QKrqkR8ku1edzJhbRtH-ZRow/s640/IMG_0073.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><br />
Entrance to our room</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQ2fgmv3jzBNFYZIHNprY-jSUUjTIz8dQMnyYToDs8h9Z8vkBJTTkDctkcgT-N13rsmrJROrUUgC2y0UUDDgg1YGENDgmbIGnfxk03etxs5WoFC28qBnWy_nHPsYFOCUBOkPNtGr82ls/s800/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQ2fgmv3jzBNFYZIHNprY-jSUUjTIz8dQMnyYToDs8h9Z8vkBJTTkDctkcgT-N13rsmrJROrUUgC2y0UUDDgg1YGENDgmbIGnfxk03etxs5WoFC28qBnWy_nHPsYFOCUBOkPNtGr82ls/s640/IMG_0150.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Front Porch of Colonel's house which has a sitting area to enjoy the sun. This is a part of the tree roots. Looked like a sculpture from distance:</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26KBIyFA9CH9YrJy5A6Wf7B8ZmR_X6nEfXmhb4SoAqHid9ha3c5FudfYDyPasKkpzJfcqyDBwKAfTQf51H0Z47V6BBwRKj8sTBAb7v67VGKN7X0sAME1j5cqS6zDgjAq60hgj02VnfEk/s800/IMG_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26KBIyFA9CH9YrJy5A6Wf7B8ZmR_X6nEfXmhb4SoAqHid9ha3c5FudfYDyPasKkpzJfcqyDBwKAfTQf51H0Z47V6BBwRKj8sTBAb7v67VGKN7X0sAME1j5cqS6zDgjAq60hgj02VnfEk/s640/IMG_0145.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting Area to soak in the Sun</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjBvBKq-BhVhnaL7BT-6IF8UVKjTHLt9gp-llDl1rIXFAnisAhcePlN1pzdHJviPuEtGbgJvIVSwWOhW6kAP8l0TN61mZBcGgveueyv1L1KpbtdCb6iEOqJWdexK1xlEO41IUFzh7CuI/s800/IMG_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjBvBKq-BhVhnaL7BT-6IF8UVKjTHLt9gp-llDl1rIXFAnisAhcePlN1pzdHJviPuEtGbgJvIVSwWOhW6kAP8l0TN61mZBcGgveueyv1L1KpbtdCb6iEOqJWdexK1xlEO41IUFzh7CuI/s640/IMG_0147.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying my hand at some Photography</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<b> </b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibknZciBs0uY6LXNF3NbTTA4S-GH9JNXVFNdgLq8DvRCIkVHBVJ4IvVV27w6XhbJszG4O6Ngo4OiFmDOTm1G-tlVLiLmtERICk1-mor5i_XL46DR0GdbuQRMHyh9MvjEyLpYMyjcqVoW0/s800/IMG_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibknZciBs0uY6LXNF3NbTTA4S-GH9JNXVFNdgLq8DvRCIkVHBVJ4IvVV27w6XhbJszG4O6Ngo4OiFmDOTm1G-tlVLiLmtERICk1-mor5i_XL46DR0GdbuQRMHyh9MvjEyLpYMyjcqVoW0/s640/IMG_0142.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonel's wife has a great sense of decoration and she loves plants, they have a plant growing in possibly every kind of vessel from ceramic cups to plastic cups to old kettles</td></tr>
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The first thing that struck us in Lansdowne was the silence. We could feel a loud beep in our ears which are accustomed to city noise. Anyways, had tea and an hour later lunch. Lunch is served in the dining room and it was a simple home like food, Dal, Palak Paneer and Aloo Gobhi, all tasted good(Charges 100/- per meal per person). <br />
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The weather had already made me forget any tiredness i had from driving, so we decided to go to Bhulla Lake and Tip n Top point. We took the road towards lansdowne from hotel, at the entry we had to pay a parking fee of 13 Rs. At the point we enter main road of lansdowne, we take a right for the Bhulla lake and Tip n top point and a left for the main city. Both are within a km from this spot.<br />
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<b>Bhulla Lake:</b><br />
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Bhulla lake is a small man made resvoir lake which was built by Jawans of Garhwal Regiment. It is nice clean place with an option of boating (Charges: 30/- per person / half hour). The whole area is maintained by army and you can always see a few Jawans constantly working to keep the area clean.<br />
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<i>One request to anyone who visits the lake, there is a cage full of rabbits near the lake, please do feed them some biscuits or food, they seem to be grossly underfed and were literally climbing over each other to get the biscuits we were offering them.</i></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0WnW4Bh6smbADqwmBwVyHNWGTnKYGSiwsA9Q_FwW44yCecuBUNWftVfOMdBQcF0h0KkXzvFbjd0WF-AkxXkalzF9ZGb9jyBz3YSHb1ZgnEgD_Xf3yIxAInHXPVmmuwfj5NlRMTgDxvk/s800/IMG_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0WnW4Bh6smbADqwmBwVyHNWGTnKYGSiwsA9Q_FwW44yCecuBUNWftVfOMdBQcF0h0KkXzvFbjd0WF-AkxXkalzF9ZGb9jyBz3YSHb1ZgnEgD_Xf3yIxAInHXPVmmuwfj5NlRMTgDxvk/s640/IMG_0101.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hungry Rabbits</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qMnPkXJqMP0/TtMWr9JXbMI/AAAAAAAADQc/t2HB-R7SaxA/s800/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qMnPkXJqMP0/TtMWr9JXbMI/AAAAAAAADQc/t2HB-R7SaxA/s640/IMG_0116.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Resident of Bhulla Lake</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2SLWO9E0kjiI46OxnUdRyie0GTT6Yc8HtdFwE1uhLBV7WJVKOURFvBiVx4OItdUfnDOdXktsiFb8oodlHOKa8G673FCuXvdkXMJuKlW7SVyx6S3dPHxHoBrxtnvaJRp8ZT8IRL5A3Fg/s800/IMG_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2SLWO9E0kjiI46OxnUdRyie0GTT6Yc8HtdFwE1uhLBV7WJVKOURFvBiVx4OItdUfnDOdXktsiFb8oodlHOKa8G673FCuXvdkXMJuKlW7SVyx6S3dPHxHoBrxtnvaJRp8ZT8IRL5A3Fg/s640/IMG_0121.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rock which can be seen at distance from lake. We called it the Burger Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6c-EEcUkmUi5HjQ4r0C-1lJYNgibB-vTNs6BuZu5Y-6jnjOG4qvgJ7Skr3kZkIm866n1IAfe2ktQNGX3hOrbVaFjuB_7tNUom9JaeRx7g1dqmXYGD7a1y2lfCyv3bpE618fb-qvpGog/s800/IMG_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6c-EEcUkmUi5HjQ4r0C-1lJYNgibB-vTNs6BuZu5Y-6jnjOG4qvgJ7Skr3kZkIm866n1IAfe2ktQNGX3hOrbVaFjuB_7tNUom9JaeRx7g1dqmXYGD7a1y2lfCyv3bpE618fb-qvpGog/s640/IMG_0127.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't resist posting a pic of my car coz i love the looks of it in this location</td></tr>
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From Bhulla lake we went to Tip n Top Point:<br />
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<b>Tip n Top point:</b><br />
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This is the other tourist attraction of lansdowne for the excellent view point, although all we saw was a white haze <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_mad.gif" title="Mad" /><br />
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The GMVN guest house is situated just above this point and seems to be a bit desolate but excellent location. We had a badly made maggi here clicked a few regulation pics and came back to Guest house.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzL1_KkXH6z-rE5hKpLD1CW0NM1c8O5V1DT-34bkcz5WvGKHRkEt1o23u2kyGdtCmChvhgLDHPrBxMlt_O1dUDQeVikl3bunMVWSVFka5oOeNR5Jpz4aulGjHC3l89iA2ii-S4K9jcAk/s800/IMG_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzL1_KkXH6z-rE5hKpLD1CW0NM1c8O5V1DT-34bkcz5WvGKHRkEt1o23u2kyGdtCmChvhgLDHPrBxMlt_O1dUDQeVikl3bunMVWSVFka5oOeNR5Jpz4aulGjHC3l89iA2ii-S4K9jcAk/s640/IMG_0135.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the road from Tip n Top point</td></tr>
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Back at the guest house by 5 PM, we had tea and chatted up with the owners at the sit out place. There was another family from Delhi whose kid was totally busy playing with Owner's dogs Archie and Fifi.<br />
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Owners left for some social engagement and we got a bonfire going sitting with the other family and just chatting at leisure. <br />
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An interesting conversation we had:<br />
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We were talking about how women drivers have it easy in terms of they can get away with almost anything, the lady told us an incident of her in which she was stopped by a traffic policeman. Their conversation went something like this:<br />
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<b>Policeman: </b>Madam, Kagaz poore nahi hain, pollution kahan hai<br />
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<b>Madam: </b>Arre baki sab to poora hai bas ek pollution hi to nahi hai na. <br />
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<b>Policeman: </b>Arre Madam apke papers bhi original nahi hain, photocopy hain.<br />
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<b>Madam:</b> Arre to original kaun rakhta hai gaadi mein, matlab agar gaadi chori ho jaye to kagaz bhi jaye, wah ji.<br />
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<b>Second Policeman:</b> Arre madam aap jao, <b>(to first policeman)</b> yaar isliye main kehta hu, ladies ko mat roka kar. <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/grin.gif" title="Very Happy" /><br />
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Wonder what policeman's reaction would be if a guy said something like this. <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" title="Very Happy" /><br />
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Anyways, had our dinner and went to sleep by 11 PM.Next morning left for Delhi by 1030 and reached home by 7:30, all thanks to Jam between Meerut And Modinagar.</div>
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Although this is a small trip but it gave us immense confidence in ourselves and the car. </div>
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Technical Details:</div>
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Car: Fiat Punto MJD</div>
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Total Diesel Used: 29 litres approx</div>
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Total Kms driven: 509 km</div>
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Total cost of trip including fuel, food and stay < 5000 Rs. :)</div>
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Untill we meet again</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz6i892uL2blIATReUlfPJTtCK-6GaA8F9QZgvqElvCeLfWZB1RH7IZHrZqdIrx7B8U74uSqQQ3JDQTVtxXtAx0n4oQYhJzt8zhXxSG9O9ViVtDsuo-6j6_zerUIHPLiqjh3XbMm8KzA/s800/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz6i892uL2blIATReUlfPJTtCK-6GaA8F9QZgvqElvCeLfWZB1RH7IZHrZqdIrx7B8U74uSqQQ3JDQTVtxXtAx0n4oQYhJzt8zhXxSG9O9ViVtDsuo-6j6_zerUIHPLiqjh3XbMm8KzA/s640/IMG_0186.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-22665775658837355582011-08-22T08:53:00.000-07:002011-08-22T08:53:19.824-07:00Jan-Lokpal and beyond....While coming home today, i noticed a few residents of my society standing outside the society gate and shouting slogans in support of jan-lokpal bill and Anna. I also joined them.<br />
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We were just raising slogans by the side of the road. Not blocking any way not asking people to join us or causing any inconvenience apart from the noise of our voices. And i could see a lot of people passing by the road were joining in the chants of Vande-Matram. A few slowed down and a couple joined in as well. While it was very heartening that people were showing solidarity for a cause, what stuck me were the things i observed people do.<br />
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- A car slowed down, the occupant raised slogans with us, a few meters ahead, he opened his car door and let out a stream of spit.<br />
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- Another car with doctor's symbol on windshield crossed us and went wrong side on the road to avoid a long but legitimate U-turn.<br />
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Everyday on road i see people throwing things out of their car widows, everyday we see people haggling with policeman for bribes over petty violations. How can a lokpal help India if people are glad to be let off with a 40 Rs bribe instead of a 100 Rs fine! <br />
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Will lokpal show effect at the grassroots where people are so habitual of bribes that no work is done without the extra-constitutional-fee. The state of Indian society with respect to corruption was aptly described by the CVC before Thomas, he said:<br />
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<i>"When we were growing up I remember if somebody was corrupt, they were generally looked down upon. There was at least some social stigma attached to it. That is gone. So there is greater social acceptance."<br />
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"if somebody has a lot of money, he is respectable. Nobody questions by what means he has got the money."</i><br />
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With so much concentration on passing of lokpal bill, has anybody thought if such powerful position is possible in reality. How can we be sure that the lokpal would be incorruptible, how can we be sure that a lokpal would not sway from its principles. Anyways, this is not what i wanted to say. All i wanted to say is, if you really care about the country and want to do your bit to make it a better place, please start caring for it like your own house.<br />
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See the lawns around India Gate on a Sunday evening they are full of all kinds of garbage and things left by people who came for picnic. How can you spoil the very place to which you go to enjoy. Next time you have a choice between a short wrong side drive and a long U-turn please take the latter. Follow the traffic rules and if caught breaking them, please prefer to pay the fine with a receipt. Roll down the windows of your car only to get fresh air, not to throw empty wrappers or bottles, they might lead to an accident for some two wheeler rider behind you. Keep your cool on the road, if somebody brushes against your car, please don't start throwing abuses. There is no confrontation that can't be solved by a dialogue. When you need to get something done in a govt office, please take out time and get things done yourself.<br />
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India is a great country, but with very misguided people. I just hope that this new found nationalism and solidarity does bring some change and leads to a slightly better India.<br />
Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-16584842973320213352011-01-04T09:05:00.000-08:002011-01-05T02:30:48.997-08:00Dear SRK,<br />
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Thanks for the most boring interview ever!!!!<br />
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Yours Sincerely<br />
Dissapointed Koffee With Karan viewerVarunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-50687722639617537602010-10-08T12:37:00.000-07:002010-10-08T12:37:09.735-07:00INDIA.... Be a MAN!!India is generally considered as feminine, even among its citizens as Mother India. But considering the current scenarios where its territorial integrity is being questioned from various sides, no matter how small, it seriously needs to consider a sex change operation. <br />
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We had an instance of google maps depicting Arunachal Pradesh as a part of China, again it repeated the blunder by depicting POK as a part of Pakistan. Then we had iPhone 4 doing the same with Arunachal Pradesh again and now the most recent being FAO, a UN body, showing Arunachal and POK as independent entities.<br />
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Why hasn't anybody ever shown some chinese territory in India by mistake, why is it that while drawing borders on maps, the line invariably goes inside India rather than China or Pakistan. Well its more to do with our impotent government and self centered politicians than actual errors on part of Map makers. To be frank this should not matter if we are sure about our abilities of protecting our borders. No offense to our Armed forces, but in case China tries something audacious on the eastern border, our Government would hesitate to give a response and tie up our Armed force's hands, seriously affecting their ability to counter. Our soft spoken, spineless and immensely learned PM would look towards 10 Janpath for directions, where the Queen bee would probably be packing bags for the next Alitalia flight with the born to be PM prince in tow. <br />
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Our country, as it stands currently, is without a leader. <br />
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Even Kargil became a huge task for our Army as government chose to ignore credible intelligence and lingered on taking action thereby eventually increasing the causalities among our brave soldiers who had to pay for our politicians incompetence as Pakistan consolidated its positions.<br />
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If China can force Apple to show Arunachal as a part of it in lieu of letting it sell iPhone4, why can't India force similar conditions on it to make it show what is the truth. Why can't we impose restrictions on any company questioning our territory. It's time we did something concrete about such instances, it's time we barred chinese embassy from issuing stapled VISAs to Indian nationals from J&K and Arunachal via restrictions on its operation. For once think of country's pride rather than a possible backlash from Dragon. Show an iron resolve and some guts to let them know we won't take such things lying down. And most of all.. <br />
<br />
<b>Be a MAN!! </b>Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-7037993509335087552010-08-22T22:18:00.000-07:002010-08-22T22:18:44.539-07:00Foreigner's Guide to IndiaPlanning to come to India in near future, may be for Common Wealth Games, well here's a ready reckoner to find your way around.<br />
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1. Try to have a mobile which has at least Google Maps with location finder feature. That might help you get an idea of where you are and where you are heading while commuting.<br />
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2. Try consuming Mineral Water to as much extent. Because unlike the developed world, in India... Tap water is not same as bottled water!!<br />
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3. Be careful about your luggage and belongings when outdoors.<br />
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4. Try wearing casual floaters or slippers as they would be the most comfortable in case it rains or even otherwise.<br />
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5. When you reach airport, rather than coming out and taking an Auto Rickshaw, for the feel of it, just book a cab from the terminal itself as the Auto Driver would surely overcharge you to the tune of a A/C taxi fare. You can find info about various radio cab services on Google for eg: Meru, easy-cabs etc.<br />
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6. Keep an Indian acquaintances number handy to help in case of an emergency or even just to ask directions. Don't hesitate to ask any passerby in English, if they know the language, they'll surely respond.<br />
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7. A lot of governments like Australia, have issued a long list of diseases prevalent in India, as if we are ogres living in swamps. Its not that bad at all. Just eat at proper places and drink clean water and you would be fine.<br />
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8. Our government suggested that you carry your own toilet paper or tissues as our public toilets are not clean enough. Well this is a problem even in western world, I rarely found a clean public toilet even in Amsterdam shopping malls during Christmas.<br />
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9. Don't worry about the health care in case its required. You would find world class health care facilities in India.<br />
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10. For any flight or Hotel bookings. try the travel sites rather than going through travel agents as they will surely try to rip you off.. There are a lot of good websites which may help.. For example: <a href="http://yatra.com">yatra.com</a>, <a href="http://cleartrip.com">cleartrip.com</a>(Train Booking Also), <a href="http://makemytrip.com">makemytrip.com</a> etc. You'd find that in terms of Online services/bookings/shopping, India is far ahead then what you might think.<br />
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Let me know through comments in case you need any specific info... Enjoy your stay! :)Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-76755883423847717592010-04-09T12:07:00.000-07:002010-04-09T12:08:26.598-07:00My Baby..Did you see “Baby Geniuses” or “Look who’s talking” or “Baby’s Day Out” all these movies had babies as the lead characters, thus giving us an experience of what a baby think of. Babies have not seen much world, their thoughts and perceptions are not cluttered by the pre-conceived notions or fears. And this fact makes a baby’s perspective as the freshest and least biased.<br />
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<br />
How wonderful it would be to get such a perspective from a baby itself. I am lucky enough to be living with one such baby. She looks at everything in terms of colors, freshness and her own parameters of good and bad. When she praises a mobile phone she saw somewhere and I ask her which one it was.. she says "A red one". When I ask her if she remembers the route she used last week.. she says " yes yes, there are green green trees on the sides and pink flowers on the road divider". She would anyday choose a pink nano over a white BMW.<br />
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<br />
All these little things keep me smiling even when I am not with her, there are not enough hours in the day I can spend with her.. :)Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-681380905239266942010-04-09T02:49:00.000-07:002010-04-09T03:17:57.343-07:00My music is music, Your music is noise!!What is music.. a sound which is pleasing to the senses.. Although this definition has remained same over the years, but its perception has changed drastically over the years. Especially in terms of Hindi film music.<br />
<br />
Gone are the days when you could find meaning in each and every word of a song, when lyrics were as important as the rhythm, when song writers had enough words to put in between bits of music and when melody was enough to attract listeners.<br />
<br />
Nowadays, all that a song needs to have is a catchy main tune, a few words related to love or lust and you have a winner at your hands. “Kaho na kaho” or "Bheege honth tere" from movie Murder are a case in point. The songs have only one tune which is repeatedly fit on all the stanzas and still the songs were major hits. Hard beats and Bass has become so prevalent in all sorts of songs that sometimes even rhythm doesn't matter if the song has loud enough beats.<br />
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There is another peculiar type of Hindi movie songs, one that seems to be melodious and deep(or atleast having some meaning), but when listened carefully is actually crap lyrics fit over a good tune, for ex. most of the songs of "Kuch kuch hota hai" and for the deep seeming song example, "Ya Rabba" from Salaam-e-Ishq.<br />
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There are still great songs being made, just that the frequency has reduced to hardly 10-15 an year. But.. if you want to savor the beauty of words meshing in with the tune along with minimalistic use of instruments, then listen to “Abhi na jao Chhodke” from movie Hum Dono. It’s a classic duet song with least amount of instruments involved and most playfully written lyrics. How I wish we had more writers like these, and less of music directors like we have today (except A.R Rehman).Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-39840444840609719922009-03-28T13:12:00.000-07:002009-03-28T13:49:37.317-07:00The (NOT-SO) great act!!What the hell is happening to our politicians. They are bloody loosing their touch. Earlier around elections, they used to put up acts for public, but made it subtle or less obvious. But with this Varun Gandhi drama, the act has gone as bad as any RGV movie can go. <br /><br />Even Varun is not sure about his making the alleged speech!! First he profusely said that he did not make the comments.. it went on like this for two days... slowly support started pouring from entities like Shiv Sena and SRS.. so now with prospects of gaining political mileage out of the issue, BJP has projected Varun as a hero of hindutva! But a few things aren't clear, why the hell is he courting arrest for his principals or faith when he is still maintaining that he didn't make that speech. Does his ideals tell him to go to jail for a crime he hasn't committed?? He says the CD is doctored, and then goes out to say that he can die for his faith!! Mr. Gandhi, pls explain how the two things are connected?<br /><br />Anyways.... with this drama being made the big issue for this elections, i really don't see the point of BJP indulging in such an elaborate and obvious pretense. For i myself prefer BJP over congress, but with this useless indulgence i don't see BJP's popularity getting a push in the right direction among youngsters.<br /><br /><br />I just hope whatever government is formed, is formed with an absolute majority for a single party (Either BJP or Congress, NOT THE THIRD FRONT), so that politics of appeasement is given rest for atleast next five years!!Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-70790822759365435302009-02-06T11:52:00.000-08:002009-02-06T11:57:42.677-08:00Shri Ram Sena k side effect!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkadd08CP2wnWlVr9tpSs1tFR4DiF9Pc7T9kG80VAT2vWIof5yxqQ-xJ8UuCtV-0lnyKBAjj8kOTbnIvg6pkbXNE8P27AbpLhAIdvwI25TlofPubahBfIr-xkLcduhyphenhyphenRMth-iwRQkkSxY/s1600-h/vDay.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkadd08CP2wnWlVr9tpSs1tFR4DiF9Pc7T9kG80VAT2vWIof5yxqQ-xJ8UuCtV-0lnyKBAjj8kOTbnIvg6pkbXNE8P27AbpLhAIdvwI25TlofPubahBfIr-xkLcduhyphenhyphenRMth-iwRQkkSxY/s400/vDay.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299774750715731810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of the best works of <span style="font-style: italic;">Jophy Joy</span>, an accomplished cartoonist at Infosys,Pune.</span></div>Ginnuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270604389555676535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-82810770288323759942009-01-18T06:21:00.001-08:002009-01-18T06:32:04.930-08:00The Last Rites (or wrongs)Recently a very dear aunt of mine passed away due to cancer. The death though imminent was a bit sudden. The various rituals performed and yet to be performed tasks made me think about the business of death which various priests run in the name of religion.<br /><br />Death, in india or to be more specific in Hindus is as elaborate as wedding. As soon as the news spreads about the sad demise of an individual relatives, friends and neighbours start streaming in for mourning, to share the grief, often causing more grief by crying in front of immediate relatives who've already cried their hearts out. Even after the day of cremation, people will keep on visiting the family as per their own sweet convenience.<br /><br />The family is required to perform various prayers for long period of time and provide an year's worth of food to the priest conducting prayers. The meeting(kriya) organised after 12 days of death is visited by most of known people and is an elaborate occassion requiring setting up a caterer for food. The family which has already lost a member is lighter by a few thousands before all the rituals are over.<br /><br />Relatives or visiting people are the least of botheration that a family goes through, the botheration comes from the various rituals that are deemed mandatory by our religious scriptures, without which the deceased will not attain moksha or mukti!<br /><br />So a recently widowed/orphaned person has to perform numerous tasks and chant umpteen verses before the pyre is lit with holy fire.<br /><br />Death is the point where all scientific logic and reasoning becomes irrelevant. Almost every religion has some beliefs related to life after death, or the concept of heaven(swarg) and hell(nark). It is these beliefs from which these rituals are born.<br /><br />The family of deceased may not be totally convinced by these beliefs but still most people prefer not to take chances in case some small effort from them might improve the afterlife of their loved one.<br /><br />It is this fear of unknown or concern of ours which some godmen may take advantage of.<br /><br />So at the cremation, after every little ritual, relatives are asked to pray and put some money at the feet of deceased. Money which the priest promptly picks up before next ritual.<br /><br />At the time of flowing of ashes in the holy river ganges, the local priests will list out the denominations of prayers that they'l undertake for the deceased's well being in the afterlife. They'l unashamedly say that the costlier the prayer the more is the degree of moksha attained. I can't believe that our scriptures link attainment of moksha with amount of money spent by family on rituals, wasn't it all about Karma.<br /><br /><br />Death of a loved one is an emotional moment for us but for them its their livelyhood. Every ritual ends with some money going into a godmans pocket, so being the more scientific n logical generation, if indeed we want to do something for the peace of our minds and our loved one's souls then rather than maximizing godman's profits and earnings, its better to feed a few poor people whose true blessings might indeed help the deceased..Ginnuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270604389555676535noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-3698585184267924062009-01-09T21:19:00.001-08:002009-01-09T21:19:18.837-08:00$ Slumdog Millionare $One of the best movies i've seen in a long time.. Slumdog millionare deserves every accolade its been receiving worldwide.. The director has made mumbai slums look artistic.. Although the movie could've been more researched but still the few holes in the plot are filled by exceptional performances, especially by the child artist playing jamal.. He was as convincing as any senior actor without resorting to overacting, something which every kid in indian movies does.<br /><br />Its a story of slum dweller jamal.. Who catches nation frenzy as from a chaiwala in a call center.. He goes on to win a million rupees on game show..<br /><br />He is suspected of cheating and picked up by police.. Then begins the movie where the boy explains how each question he answered had somehow been answered in his life..<br /><br />The only noticeable flaw for dumb critics would be.. Jamal talking in hindi as a kid and in accented english when adult.. Anyways.. The movie is too gud for these minor niggles to stop u from enjoying it..<br /><br />By all means.. Go for it.. :)Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-51041902830552713882009-01-09T07:44:00.001-08:002020-04-28T03:26:16.131-07:00Somebody save me..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
M on my way to home and accompanied by the most irritating family i've ever met.. The lady keeps chatting up anyone and everyone about anything and everything. The gentleman keeps playing with the camera clicking pics of his wife or just lighting up the flash.. But the most annoying is their cute little 2.5 foot tall daughter who keeps on shouting from the depths of her lungs and bumbling here n there all the time. This is really scaring me about my future n having kids.. There should be some school where the children could be sent once they reached this annoying age n brought back once they are again of sensible age..<br />
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Lets hope i'm not annoyed to the extent that i start pulling my hair (or little girl's)<br />
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May god give the kid some sense and calm.. Or atleast a volume control knob..!!<br />
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I'm posting this via mobile from a train.. So this is my live ordeal.. :(</div>
Ginnuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270604389555676535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-44982984063079681322008-12-01T20:59:00.000-08:002008-12-01T21:07:44.255-08:00Letter to Our PM<div align="justify">Got this as a forward:<br /><br />Dear Mr. Prime minister</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">I am a typical mouse from Mumbai. In the local train compartment which has capacity of 100 persons, I travel with 500 more mouse. Mouse at least squeak but we don't even do that.<br />Today I heard your speech. In which you said 'NO BODY WOULD BE SPARED'. I would like to remind you that fourteen years has passed since serial bomb blast in Mumbai took place. Dawood was the main conspirator. Till today he is not caught. All our bolywood actors, our builders, our Gutka king meets him but your Government can not catch him. Reason is simple; all your ministers are hand in glove with him. If any attempt is made to catch him everybody will be exposed. Your statement 'NOBODY WOULD BE SPARED' is nothing but a cruel joke on this unfortunate people of India. </div><div align="justify"><br />Enough is enough. As such after seeing terrorist attack carried out by about a dozen young boys I realize that if same thing continues days are not away when terrorist will attack by air, destroy our nuclear reactor and there will be one more Hiroshima.<br />We the people are left with only one mantra. Womb to Bomb to Tomb. You promised Mumbaikar Shanghai what you have given us is Jalianwala Baug.<br />Today only your home minister resigned. What took you so long to kick out this joker? Only reason was that he was loyal to Gandhi family. Loyalty to Gandhi family is more important than blood of innocent people, isn't it? </div><div align="justify"><br />I am born and bought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me corruption in Maharashtra is worse than that in Bihar. Look at all the politician, Sharad Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Bal Thackray , Gopinath Munde, Raj Thackray, Vilasrao Deshmukh all are rolling in money. Vilasrao Deshmukh is one of the worst Chief minister I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fisherman so they can build concrete house right on sea shore. Next time terrorist can comfortably live in those house , enjoy the beauty of sea and then attack the Mumbai at their will. </div><div align="justify"><br />Recently I had to purchase house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligent agency & CBI you and your finance minister are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.<br />If this has been land of fools, idiots then I would not have ever cared to write you this letter. Just see the tragedy, on one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent and on other side you politician has converted nectar into deadly poison. I am everything Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Schedule caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Schedule caste, Creamy Schedule caste only what I am not is INDIAN. You politician have raped every part of mother India by your policy of divide and rule. </div><div align="justify"><br />Take example of former president Abdul Kalam. Such a intelligent person, such a fine human being. You politician didn't even spare him. Your party along with opposition joined the hands, because politician feels they are supreme and there is no place for good person.<br />Dear Mr Prime minister you are one of the most intelligent person, most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost expose all selfish politician. Ask Swiss bank to give name of all Indian account holder. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolf among us. There will be political upheaval but that will better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day. Just give us ambient where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of.<br />Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">---------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><em>PS: I wanted to write something very badly about the current situation, though this peice is too soft voiced, but still it puts forward my emotions very aptly.</em></strong></div>Ginnuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270604389555676535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-80149156873309114852008-02-08T03:44:00.000-08:002008-02-08T03:55:08.685-08:00I Miss...........<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BdMpIUgi1EiskJg-XsK89pNC7BTE3LGcO-tIaauNkcxwDlum4EmgSUhI1B30nnJKhyphenhyphen1DHeIifDDjtmMLa4El3AA1GETMHhR7f-bRvO5rmAA9-F9aSuGUhAajUBkgZ3A_Of25akbFrjs/s1600-h/f_s139-missing-you.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164574568257223426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BdMpIUgi1EiskJg-XsK89pNC7BTE3LGcO-tIaauNkcxwDlum4EmgSUhI1B30nnJKhyphenhyphen1DHeIifDDjtmMLa4El3AA1GETMHhR7f-bRvO5rmAA9-F9aSuGUhAajUBkgZ3A_Of25akbFrjs/s400/f_s139-missing-you.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss the familiarity of my home...<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss my parents who are all alone at home!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss being carefree about meals...<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss those weekends which meant mom made Aaloo k paranthe and Snacks in evening..whereas now its getting up late and having bread-butter with powdered milk tea!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss my car..... here its generally on foot or if i'm lucky then a pink Lady Bird cycle :D<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss my gugu and her idiosyncracies....<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss being with friends i really liked....Friends with whom i could be what i want to be...friends </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">who would listen to what i'm saying..without compiling the errors in my speech and reporting them there and then!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss paying for watching movies!!(:P)<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss Dilli ki Sardi!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss Indian Style Toilet Seats!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss living off a pocket money!(not that what company pays me is anything more than just a pocket money!)<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss Pao bhaaji of kar kar dooma!:(<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss Mc Donald's Veg Surprise with Lemon Ice Tea!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss nizaam's Egg Role with aloo masala.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss Delhi's traffic, Pollution and Metro!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss having the freedom to go wherever whenever i wanted!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss hanging around with frns doing nothing.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss the time when Friday, Saturday Sunday were just another days of the week!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss those mass bunks which i loved to initiate in college!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss my pathetically slow PC which has been with me since past 7 years!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss the noisy family get togethers!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss all the friends whom i don't know when i'l be able to meet!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss having so many places to go out to eat!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss drinking clean unsalty soft water.<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss watching season by season of FRIENDS non stop and laughing my heart out!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I miss my daily dialogue with god when i used to switch off the light of the mandir at home at night!<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">And MOST OF ALL I MISS.....</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;">:) :P :D :/ ('_') (::'_'::) (':') o(:-) (</span><a href="mailto:"><span style="font-size:180%;">'@'</span></a><span style="font-size:180%;">) ('*') :( :@</span></div>Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-14866514117817721352008-01-07T19:21:00.000-08:002008-01-12T02:30:45.628-08:00All the Monkey Business!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKxa_dcjN86mBZnp14KmGUyUz1zRODsWYtNJcctQhSRkTrIQOj0PCvCJU6L71npPPtNzuoZksBa2-vKXoPlXbb9TVm9nT9DDavL70Uc8tju0i-7UEbfsmND5TunVBtychxJiO0y8ArBs/s1600-h/mbs_slur_narrowweb__300x368,0.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152941835410221426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKxa_dcjN86mBZnp14KmGUyUz1zRODsWYtNJcctQhSRkTrIQOj0PCvCJU6L71npPPtNzuoZksBa2-vKXoPlXbb9TVm9nT9DDavL70Uc8tju0i-7UEbfsmND5TunVBtychxJiO0y8ArBs/s320/mbs_slur_narrowweb__300x368,0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Australians players have stooped to new lows in their pursuit of creating world records.. The way the 2nd test was played just shows that alongwith being the best playing team they are also best at cheating n manipulating. As for the racism row, i think that ponting should be banned for beinga racist as this monkey business is simply a figment of his imagination, and symonds i guess is in team not only for his batting prowses but also for being from colored origin, which gives australia the opportunity to blame others for being a racist.. Even in indiawhen people impersonated monkeys in a match i'm sure they were not aware of symonds being black, we just thought that he was simply a case of overtanning. People targeted him as he was the most aggressive of players and as indians don't know how to give it back onfield, the spectators were doing their bit to unsettle the aussie! His race must not have been on their minds at all. But alas, our authorities prefer to please the foreigners even if it means troublingthe local people.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">All the events that took place during the last test have raised a lot of emotions among indians world over, one interesting mail i came across was about new rules of cricket prescribed by ICC, someone has put a lot of thought into it.. heres the mail:</span></div><div align="justify"><blockquote></blockquote></div><blockquote><p align="justify">(1) Ricky Ponting – (THE TRULY GENUINE CRICKETER OF THE CRICKET ERA AND WHOSE INTEGRITY SHOULD NOT BE DOUBTED) should be considered as the FOURTH UMPIRE. As per the new rules, FOURTH UMPIRE decision is final and will over ride any decisions taken by any other umpires. ON-FIELD umpires can seek the assistance of RICKY PONTING even if he is not on the field. This rule is to be made, so that every team should understand the importance of the FOURTH UMPIRE.<br /><br />(2) While AUSTRALIAN TEAM is bowling, If the ball flies anywhere close to the AUSTRALIAN FIELDER(WITHIN 5 metre distance), the batsman is to be considered OUT irrelevant of whether the catch was taken cleanly or grassed. Any decision for further clarification should be seeked from the FOURTH UMPIRE. This is made to ensure that the cricket is played with SPORTIVE SPIRIT by all the teams.<br /><br />(3) While BATTING, AUSTRALIAN players will wait for the ON-FIELD UMPIRE decisions only (even if the catch goes to the FIFTH SLIP as the ball might not have touched the bat). Each AUSTRALIAN batsman has to be out FOUR TIMES (minimum) before he can return to the pavilion. In case of THE CRICKETER WITH INTEGRITY, this can be higher.<br /><br />(4) UMPIRES should consider a huge bonus if an AUSTRALIAN player scores a century. Any wrong decisions can be ignored as they will be paid huge bonus and will receive the backing of the AUSTRALIAN team and board.<br /><br />(5) All AUSTRALIAN players are eligible to keep commenting about all players on the field and the OPPONENT TEAM should never comment as they will be spoiling the spirit of the AUSTRALIAN team. Any comments made in any other language are to be considered as RACIALISM only.<br /><br />(6) MATCH REFREE decisions will be taken purely on the AUSTRALIAN TEAM advices only. Player views from the other teams decisions will not be considered for hearing. MATCH REFREES are to be given huge bonus if this rule is implemented.<br /><br />(7) NO VISITING TEAM should plan to win in AUSTRALIA. This is to ensure that the sportive spirit of CRICKET is maintained.<br /><br />(8) THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: If any bowler gets RICKY PONTING - “THE UNDISPUTED CRICKETER WITH INTEGRITY IN THE GAME OF CRICKET” more than twice in a series, he will be banned for the REST OF THE SERIES. This is to ensure that the best batsman/Captain will be played to break records and create history in the game of CRICKET.<br /></p></blockquote><p>Well whatever Ponting might say, the truth was for all to see, lets hope that the rest of series is remembered just for good competitive cricket!</p>Ginnuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270604389555676535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-9504705487084594842007-10-27T01:42:00.000-07:002007-11-09T08:40:02.898-08:00sCAR FACE!!<span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00oaif7hKFtKXcb1BqCwkDdPMKPxl46Jq_1UBT8eD0vlkuiv0gAE3nl1k0rJ_Gkx_jqOYcOyHRjY-ElwBduNQrSbc2iu1d3RKOfZZ-Lzd3XTo9p6-tWx40zUMOspHMxJ9e-LiOA3ctaU/s1600-h/cars.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00oaif7hKFtKXcb1BqCwkDdPMKPxl46Jq_1UBT8eD0vlkuiv0gAE3nl1k0rJ_Gkx_jqOYcOyHRjY-ElwBduNQrSbc2iu1d3RKOfZZ-Lzd3XTo9p6-tWx40zUMOspHMxJ9e-LiOA3ctaU/s320/cars.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130740260482125730" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Have you ever felt that your car smiles at you whenever you look. Have you ever felt that the headlights are kind of its eyes and the Grill is kindof a mouth. Well i do, everytime i see any car, i see a face, somehow the concept of eyes at the level of mouth is freaky but thats the way i see it. In the movie Cars it was shown that cars were alive with grill as mouth and windshield divided into two eyes. Well in real life the windshield is single piece so it has to be my way.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">There are different types of faces for cars. Some are straight faced<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqXgHiLNu9wbNWxbm7Y23HA_9x2sYeA18UlZ1zgdii2bZR8HamFazHjOPHyJzJJTQ3qaEJdSJju8LM7XoAADo0pKRA3PXckCHdQvgko3_yzpapTfkjjlKTE1Nf6fCJLYZD9l9_IisIG0/s1600-h/Maruti+800.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqXgHiLNu9wbNWxbm7Y23HA_9x2sYeA18UlZ1zgdii2bZR8HamFazHjOPHyJzJJTQ3qaEJdSJju8LM7XoAADo0pKRA3PXckCHdQvgko3_yzpapTfkjjlKTE1Nf6fCJLYZD9l9_IisIG0/s200/Maruti+800.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130737026371751698" border="0" /></a> cars like Zen and Maruti8<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fVB2GSQIZdFdk-PUojaPLIM4OfYWRRGvtkdhSBrWF2zBQ28A9ZpkLiT_E2fUpFvjVckiMhdDoMH-DMcdOo_UuJORsjaQi98vacXGb29EuhjIEWV82ZUHqUcRwX6rFXmiN83PJONWxHk/s1600-h/maruti_zen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fVB2GSQIZdFdk-PUojaPLIM4OfYWRRGvtkdhSBrWF2zBQ28A9ZpkLiT_E2fUpFvjVckiMhdDoMH-DMcdOo_UuJORsjaQi98vacXGb29EuhjIEWV82ZUHqUcRwX6rFXmiN83PJONWxHk/s200/maruti_zen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130737829530636082" border="0" /></a>00, these are the work horses who are just okay about there job of being a car. They feel there engines are not powerful enough to let them be taken for a spin and they are just plainly overloaded and overworked and they bear all this with a straight face!<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscyBQHn2KP5mp-28UzTjh82NdXn8fTmSJicVOMtfIa0YAY-netmNFHP23NlDkb1os8cx9AiBfgIfLEa0ry6qkDBsvSZDnnuxZ-ntyzyjWFDyW8BNTOsfNZG1xaoUuRUdEto3sHe9U6sU/s1600-h/santro.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscyBQHn2KP5mp-28UzTjh82NdXn8fTmSJicVOMtfIa0YAY-netmNFHP23NlDkb1os8cx9AiBfgIfLEa0ry6qkDBsvSZDnnuxZ-ntyzyjWFDyW8BNTOsfNZG1xaoUuRUdEto3sHe9U6sU/s200/santro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130738306272005954" border="0" /></a>Then there are smiley cars like Indica and Santro.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8A4KKNKYG9N-JGN28Pv3OqbBs6UN97qjx_BhZb2HfeN7ysA-ZGN7HzNFnh-1MKUjnT8cZN30naVINV7sw-N5PQ0wmNj0bR4iuS8RWzbnVvizT_0XvUjU99CPAz7wC9D22nSmDKGoxwo/s1600-h/indica.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8A4KKNKYG9N-JGN28Pv3OqbBs6UN97qjx_BhZb2HfeN7ysA-ZGN7HzNFnh-1MKUjnT8cZN30naVINV7sw-N5PQ0wmNj0bR4iuS8RWzbnVvizT_0XvUjU99CPAz7wC9D22nSmDKGoxwo/s200/indica.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130738499545534290" border="0" /></a> These are in a slightly better position, they are new in styling, have better height in case of Santro and a good engine in case of Indica and thus they are happy about it.. While indica has a wide toothy smile santro(Xing) has a small rabbit like smile :p<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO5vpE5YZCP-Pgc6Mm-Bm9qFxVYQy0nOHnFf38nr4AkP_2OOmT5Zh0wvFdbWWFlIZC2g5ImfWbAL9bxutibSGxxgGG1kzWQuZEu_eqkyvX3a_50VBW3biAvQJgfy6jVn8Oof2BbnTQLY/s1600-h/toyota-camry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO5vpE5YZCP-Pgc6Mm-Bm9qFxVYQy0nOHnFf38nr4AkP_2OOmT5Zh0wvFdbWWFlIZC2g5ImfWbAL9bxutibSGxxgGG1kzWQuZEu_eqkyvX3a_50VBW3biAvQJgfy6jVn8Oof2BbnTQLY/s200/toyota-camry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130738959107034978" border="0" /></a>Now comes the rich pack, these are the high end cars which are<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReUc021FsXYW7-_hGdNaJEp65Vha3dCtkOtuoNc5XTASqViTl2MpmgvrBmOFzWFX9F5EwWpCDXqfyBlszhLzXg97DfXUrjlrJCMh6syGAV5IMPSBaahAEfJgBqeTczwoTCT40dbFUaH0/s1600-h/Honda_City.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReUc021FsXYW7-_hGdNaJEp65Vha3dCtkOtuoNc5XTASqViTl2MpmgvrBmOFzWFX9F5EwWpCDXqfyBlszhLzXg97DfXUrjlrJCMh6syGAV5IMPSBaahAEfJgBqeTczwoTCT40dbFUaH0/s200/Honda_City.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130739152380563314" border="0" /></a> meant for speed and luxury, like Honda City, Toyota Camry. These are driven by and for the elite, they have the best of engines and features in them they know it and thats why they have a Snobbish Wry smile, as if mocking at other cars!! See for yourself!!<br /><br /><br />So much for the good and rich ones, now for the Baddies.. Most SUV's come in t<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_i_gBAt1SySt-HmNtT6N9ZFpKXvIfP6SkVKk49ALhMe70DTJHrKd-c-r6LchQHO2g02R4sHxJy1yHJSmDLxr-zff2ePIxWlFIr6ABVY38pBcLePoS4e7Jm_6vCB5YI9DPqmFn-JH6EY/s1600-h/scorpio.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_i_gBAt1SySt-HmNtT6N9ZFpKXvIfP6SkVKk49ALhMe70DTJHrKd-c-r6LchQHO2g02R4sHxJy1yHJSmDLxr-zff2ePIxWlFIr6ABVY38pBcLePoS4e7Jm_6vCB5YI9DPqmFn-JH6EY/s200/scorpio.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130739491682979714" border="0" /></a>he baddy look, the big size, the menacing stare and the strong jaw line. The meaniest look is that of Scorpio with protruding grill resembling spaced teeth. Many movies like Khakee and Main Hu Na where it is shown as vehicle of choice for villians supports my inference!!<br /><br /><br /><br />And now last but never the least.. the meanest of them all.. the Kings of the road.. The Moustached Monsters.. Blueline buses!! They are rugged in every way with lots of scratches all over there bodies from their infamous encounters and a Mustache which hides there mouths and has lights on both ends, huge glasses as the eyes with a mean guy sitting behind and controlling the monster! What we get is a killing machine which can make most movie villians look like little red riding hoods!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCBidbbicLScQoxV83xbbGQVG3N6VsuRkOiV3csro5FQNFKCut5sVWR1kY3mICx74gyflgn7NlOeSYHsf9K8y0ypDy2K325eyByeDEsIjvKKFdI-iEVyo5dBCu_p-xKs9UQPhLm4a53c/s1600-h/bluelinebus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCBidbbicLScQoxV83xbbGQVG3N6VsuRkOiV3csro5FQNFKCut5sVWR1kY3mICx74gyflgn7NlOeSYHsf9K8y0ypDy2K325eyByeDEsIjvKKFdI-iEVyo5dBCu_p-xKs9UQPhLm4a53c/s200/bluelinebus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130739959834414994" border="0" /></a><br />This was a crazy thought i have every time i look at a vehicle, and it feels great to have shared it with the world. I hope u have a tough time deciding the look of your car and may you be bothered with this thought for the rest of your lives!! :)<br /></span></div>Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-61608214649288980922007-10-21T23:44:00.000-07:002007-10-22T00:40:14.684-07:00:D :D Kimi Rules!! :D :D<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEohA5rGlV9EB_7dp9sh2xlDBOsBwn3wEud2moemPIagKrOMJA9BgqIOJxP4rTX4B2BgyvlgjS9Div7xBWoqsTIKK709JeHUQnwTXYAgAeZohfvmraR3DPQe_tzXD3D_B7oj_6gRhtX8/s1600-h/kimiwin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEohA5rGlV9EB_7dp9sh2xlDBOsBwn3wEud2moemPIagKrOMJA9BgqIOJxP4rTX4B2BgyvlgjS9Div7xBWoqsTIKK709JeHUQnwTXYAgAeZohfvmraR3DPQe_tzXD3D_B7oj_6gRhtX8/s400/kimiwin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124059069600623730" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally something i'v been praying for whole year.. Something that gives me a joy comparable to India's T20 cup victory.. Something that no expert could've predicted a month ago and something every Kimi fan was waiting to see for such a long time. <span style="font-size:130%;">Kimi Raikkonen has won the drivers championship by one point in the very last race of the season.</span> Everyone was banking on Hamilton to win the title with ease this sunday, but an aggressive move by alonso saw him going out of the track and falling to 8th place before a gear box trouble put him further down to 18th place. His chance were over then and the it was left for Kimi and Alonso to fight it out.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Some might say that Massa helped kimi in winning the championship, well the only help he gave kimi was to come second and which meant depriving alonso of the extra two points. Massa did not give up his track position, Kimi took it by pure racing. A commentator said that after second pit stop massa didn't push harder but i don't think anybody on the track has what it takes to overtake Kimi when he has a car without any sort of trouble.<br /><br />Now theres another controversy that the BMW and Williams cars were illegal and though they've been spared from a penalty, McLaren is going to appeal as a decision against BMW and Williams might mean that Hamilton can still become the champion. The likelihood of that happening is less but if that happens then this win for hamilton will be as farcical as some say is the ferraris constructor's championship victory.<br /><br />Hamilton is a good driver and what he has already achieved is commendable, but its Kimi who really really deserved to win the championship. He has come from behind and done what Schumi couldn't do last season. This will surely be remembered as one of the best seasons of Formula 1 with the best end which was possible for it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgkSmCkPf3kfLE6vgWPyjdWIJ-q3kHsJW_cdkBz99rwpzUCFNvYIBVH-IhVryZoIkTGMUBheXeiuEl5KOOW3c-lNepqv4cUcnuj2WPhHqP7ZuscQ0dU6aqxujKH2tkaiPpyuCKUNGVf8/s1600-h/ferrarilogo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgkSmCkPf3kfLE6vgWPyjdWIJ-q3kHsJW_cdkBz99rwpzUCFNvYIBVH-IhVryZoIkTGMUBheXeiuEl5KOOW3c-lNepqv4cUcnuj2WPhHqP7ZuscQ0dU6aqxujKH2tkaiPpyuCKUNGVf8/s320/ferrarilogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124061174134598786" border="0" /></a><br />Hail Iceman!!!! :)</div><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span>Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-54132550832160513572007-10-08T09:47:00.000-07:002007-10-09T04:13:06.878-07:00Mc Laren beware... The Iceman cometh!!<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV4tqvKMkDAUY9dwIl-LcblLDEZK8N_iGAfzk3GVuPxAkJxunebhkFd5YiXcKouXPH7bM_KlePWqu1mPd4OdL-abi6K21BKGGraOlis5B9jN7W6zupx64t68_EmrhYHlT5Ewa3as_KhM/s1600-h/alonso+out.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV4tqvKMkDAUY9dwIl-LcblLDEZK8N_iGAfzk3GVuPxAkJxunebhkFd5YiXcKouXPH7bM_KlePWqu1mPd4OdL-abi6K21BKGGraOlis5B9jN7W6zupx64t68_EmrhYHlT5Ewa3as_KhM/s200/alonso+out.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119021304890649586" border="0" /></a>The last two races had two of the most special moments in them. First in Japan we had the moment which every Ferrari fan craves for, Alonso crashing out of the race! :) Then came the Chinese Grand Prix where everybody was waiting for Hamilton to seal his championship, but instead we saw the rare mistake by Hamilton and McLaren which saw him sliding out of the race at the most inappropriate of places. This was the second moment i was talking about.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDrEZ0spkOV02_XIjB-qiq8_7M6dl9tSACm91dcxbbLxQkbuT36uZob2AZO4N3ODJZLKsS9BWq3xkvqy03wrsU4W01N4Pn3G2xGIKJFJ2fG-xS43ctLGpavXUm95jGKUXuLqNSZZ4Gvc/s1600-h/hamil.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDrEZ0spkOV02_XIjB-qiq8_7M6dl9tSACm91dcxbbLxQkbuT36uZob2AZO4N3ODJZLKsS9BWq3xkvqy03wrsU4W01N4Pn3G2xGIKJFJ2fG-xS43ctLGpavXUm95jGKUXuLqNSZZ4Gvc/s200/hamil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119021584063523842" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Well i have nothing against Hamilton, and i half heartedly agree that he might deserve (<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">little bit</span>) to win the championship, but one thing that everybody (including hamilton fans) will agree to is that if theres one other guy who deserves it and perhaps more than hamilton, its Kimi Raikkonen-<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">The IceMan</span>.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span>Kimi is one of the best drivers in Formula 1, he has been with the two most competitive teams in the sport in last two years and unfortunately let down by both of them. Fo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISv_CXJ6MUb8ZUA3mVausaKJ8hAwSu4B1Oa5hH5N54qDOU80Say9PRimSl7985zliTjbopr6gBl-HTTylJ438Il7ebet6WZ6MW7zNJu0ey9CTjQx7HevbBIRYtqZJmigatv6cCUXlLl4/s1600-h/ferrari.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISv_CXJ6MUb8ZUA3mVausaKJ8hAwSu4B1Oa5hH5N54qDOU80Say9PRimSl7985zliTjbopr6gBl-HTTylJ438Il7ebet6WZ6MW7zNJu0ey9CTjQx7HevbBIRYtqZJmigatv6cCUXlLl4/s200/ferrari.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119292368866634850" border="0" /></a>rmula 1 is about so much more than just driver skill and thats where Kimi has been unlucky. Last year McLaren were not able to provide a competitive car to him while this year he has had retirements due to Car trouble (Ferrari unreliability). Thats something Lewis has not had to face at McLaren. Just imagine how the situation would have been if Ferrari had done there work well.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Anyways Kimi is a great driver and i'm sure he'll get the championship soon.<br /><br />So heres my prediction <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(deepest wish)</span> for Interlagos, Alonso crashes into Hamilton at the first corner or some other part of race and Kimi and Felipe take P1 and P2 <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">( Even P2 is enough to give Kimi the title) </span>and we will then have a fitting end to one of the most memorable season of Formula 1.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0NPyGPJ3exqjFF-LxeKCV0jzQhLmHcqzXzd8mQTuDaAnd6TORcDaiGDiH9JWnQmtKvuZUJFEq1wsIdLl8cvzuXAepaHqAt_ZP9ospY54vlPjMDzpEjjwwiFMSgNmQ-PwMH_vusALnkM/s1600-h/86675.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0NPyGPJ3exqjFF-LxeKCV0jzQhLmHcqzXzd8mQTuDaAnd6TORcDaiGDiH9JWnQmtKvuZUJFEq1wsIdLl8cvzuXAepaHqAt_ZP9ospY54vlPjMDzpEjjwwiFMSgNmQ-PwMH_vusALnkM/s320/86675.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119022589085871170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></div>Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549755347623819615.post-35936551502031440552007-10-04T06:07:00.000-07:002007-10-06T07:11:21.017-07:00FIA Sucks!! Hamilton Cleared with no penalty!!!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWJYfctKTzx68BlpRndVMK7PWmzqn8WIXbi5A4Iu88S6ym9HabbCl25xG4UijIB1A5-Pv8p8NCyh8ZzGyeOMKn7n2Se7gTHOCYnVKZwb5aHdQMVmLGHHqABVrcLlQCLqYdcowd2a4c9U/s1600-h/85820.jpg"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxhjIZyrQ_kEWNzf9pkSV9ev5UdwcfWOggAvwgGloY1Mhi_Zm69_wycRnOI7C3gyVq6IUmD59l3Ru31LC9bcQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a><br /><br />Have a look at a video from Japanese Grand Prix. To download click <a href="http://www.blogger.com/video-play.mp4?contentId=313d225c34a10450&type=video%2Fmp4">here.</a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWJYfctKTzx68BlpRndVMK7PWmzqn8WIXbi5A4Iu88S6ym9HabbCl25xG4UijIB1A5-Pv8p8NCyh8ZzGyeOMKn7n2Se7gTHOCYnVKZwb5aHdQMVmLGHHqABVrcLlQCLqYdcowd2a4c9U/s1600-h/85820.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117499924395191218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWJYfctKTzx68BlpRndVMK7PWmzqn8WIXbi5A4Iu88S6ym9HabbCl25xG4UijIB1A5-Pv8p8NCyh8ZzGyeOMKn7n2Se7gTHOCYnVKZwb5aHdQMVmLGHHqABVrcLlQCLqYdcowd2a4c9U/s400/85820.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Steve Slater was busy praising hamilton for the way he was slowing everybody down in the last sector of the lap at Japanese Grand Prix during safety car period, but now due to a well shot video from a spectator it can be clearly seen that Hamiltons erratic driving was a reason for the Webber-Vettle crash. In the video hamilton can be seen going wide of the racing line and very slow almost as if he's retiring from the race, prompting webber to brake hard as he wouldn't want to cross during safety car period, in this vettle was caught unaware and crashed into the back of Webber. From what i can see, two people are responsible for the crash, hamilton and webber but unfortunately the penalty was imposed on vettle instead for not seeing webber breaking hard in the spray that he was getting from him and crashing, leading to outster of both of them. Stewards are investigating the hamilton role now, i hope he's given something like vettle, but this time the punishment will be well deserved.<span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)">(Hamilton cleared without any penalty, lifes so unfair!!)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_46BHtMxQv7bT6j_WzE84BCIojJlrdBhFkdJTolIjJuSYQbqHHkAoH1_jlBKy3C_lMcu0qUY5RncI60V9MRiS0ALzkSWJvJ6HjWCWVm6eDY2G6wAgkcKhT42AabAtTPYqs1ZuVvd7P3c/s1600-h/hamilton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117500319532182466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_46BHtMxQv7bT6j_WzE84BCIojJlrdBhFkdJTolIjJuSYQbqHHkAoH1_jlBKy3C_lMcu0qUY5RncI60V9MRiS0ALzkSWJvJ6HjWCWVm6eDY2G6wAgkcKhT42AabAtTPYqs1ZuVvd7P3c/s320/hamilton.jpg" border="0" /></a>Hamilton has said that he radioed his team to get the message to Red Bull to get Webber back off but still the way Hamilton was slowing down and accelerating according to his whims was not in right spirit as for people in the middle it was really difficult to see such sudden changes in speed in such treacherous conditions.<br /><br /><br /><br />Hamilton said after the race, <blockquote>When we were behind the second safety car, I was constantly on the radio to my engineers to tell the Red Bull team to get Mark [Webber] to make a little more of a gap because I couldn’t go any faster because the pace car was in front of me, so I was trying to keep the distance with him and then I’d move over because I couldn’t see Mark and then he’d just appear alongside me, so he kept out-braking himself. I felt something was going to happen, and I guess my instincts told me right. </blockquote>Heres what Webber had to say about Hamilton's driving style, <blockquote>It definitely contributed to Sebastian hitting me up the back because he [Hamilton] wasn’t doing what he was supposed to be doing, clearly.</blockquote>Whatever these two might say the only one punished was Vettle, the one for whom the crash was most tragic as he lost the opportunity of Podium. Anyways, i hope he overtakes atleast one of the other two people in rest two Grand Prixes.<br /></div>Varunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974309843568397495noreply@blogger.com0