Transmutation Routes (Extra Blended) of Saran

rickshaw

2008-07-27T16:12:00.001-07:00

Rickshaws (or rickshas) are a mode of human-powered transport: a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons. The word rickshaw came from Asia where they were mainly used as means of transportation for the social elite. However, in more recent times rickshaws have been outlawed in many countries in Asia due to numerous accidents.
Runner pulled rickshaws have mainly been replaced in Asia by bicycle rickshaws. They are also common in Western cities like New York City. In London they are known as pedicabs. The term "rickshaw" is today commonly used for those vehicles as well, but this article deals exclusively with runner-pulled rickshaws.
The word "rickshaw" originates from the Japanese word jinrikisha (人力車, 人 jin = human, 力 riki = strength, 車 sha = vehicle), which literally means "human-powered vehicle

Cherriat

2008-07-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

The Pallava kingdom (Telugu:పల్లవులు; Tamil: பல்லவர்) was an ancient South Indian kingdom. The Pallavas, feudatories of Andhra Satavahanas, became independent after the decline of that dynasty in Amaravati. Initially they ruled southern Andhra Pradesh, also known as Palnadu, situated in the Guntur district. Later they extended their rule to Tamil regions and established their capital at Kanchipuram around the 4th century CE. They rose in power during the reign of Mahendravarman I (571 – 630 CE) and Narasimhavarman I (630 – 668 CE) and dominated the southern Telugu and northern parts of Tamil region for about six hundred years until the end of the 9th century.
Throughout their reign they were in constant conflict with both Chalukyas of Badami in the north and the Tamil kingdoms of Chola and Pandyas in the south and were finally defeated by the Chola kings in the 8th century CE.
Pallavas are most noted for their patronage of Dravidian architecture, still seen today in Mahabalipuram. The Pallavas, who left behind magnificent sculptures and temples, established the foundations of classical Dravidian architecture. A Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchipuram during Pallava rule and extolled their benign rule.
Some sources[1] describe Bodhidharma, the founder of the Chan (Zen) school of Buddhism in China, as a prince of the Pallava dynasty, a contemporary of Skandavarman IV and Nandivarman I,[2] and the son of Simhavarman II.[3]

Buddy

2008-06-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

Cherry was laughing when the camera clicks...

Laughter is an audible expression or appearance of merriment or happiness or an inward feeling of joy and pleasure (laughing on the inside). It may ensue (as a physiological reaction) from jokes, tickling and other stimuli. Inhaling nitrous oxide can also induce laughter; other drugs, such as cannabis, can also induce episodes of strong laughter. Strong laughter can sometimes bring an onset of tears or even moderate muscular pain. Laughter is a part of human behaviour regulated by the brain. It helps humans clarify their intentions in social interaction and provides an emotional context to conversations. Laughter is used as a signal for being part of a group — it signals acceptance and positive interactions with others. Laughter is sometimes seemingly contagious, and the laughter of one person can itself provoke laughter from others as a positive feedback [1]. This may account in part for the popularity of laugh tracks in situation comedy television shows.

Golden Temple Car

2008-06-22T23:28:00.000-07:00

@Marudamalai, Coimbatore, TN, India.

Marudamalai is one of the most popular abodes of Lord Muruga and in importance it is next only to the Arupadaiveedu ("The six Fort-Houses of Muruga"), for Muruga devotees. Some people consider Marudhamalai to be the unofficial seventh Padaiveedu of Muruga, along with a few other contenders for the spot, including Kunrakudy, Sikkal and Vayalur.
Like most Murugan temples, Maruthamalai Murugan temple is situated upon a scenic hill that is a part of the beautiful lush green Western Ghats and is about 15 km from the vibrant city of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Cherry @ Boomerang

2008-06-22T23:22:00.000-07:00

Cherry

The word cherry refers to a fleshy fruit (drupe) that contains a single stony seed. The cherry belongs to the family Rosaceae, genus Prunus, along with almonds, peaches, plums, apricots and bird cherries. The subgenus, Cerasus, is distinguished by having the flowers in small corymbs of several together (not singly, nor in racemes), and by having a smooth fruit with only a weak groove or none along one side. The subgenus is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with two species in America, three in Europe, and the remainder in Asia. The word "cherry" comes from the French word "cerise", which comes in turn from the Latin words cerasum and Cerasus

Air Bean Experience

2008-06-22T23:04:00.000-07:00

Smile...

In physiology, a smile is a facial expression formed by flexing those muscles most notably near both ends of the mouth. The smile can also be found around the eyes ("#Duchenne smile"; below). Among humans, it is customarily an expression denoting pleasure, happiness, or amusement, but can also be an involuntary expression of anxiety, in which case it can be known as a grimace. There is much evidence that smiling is a normal reaction to certain stimuli as it occurs regardless of culture. Happiness is most often the motivating cause of a smile. Among animals, the exposure of teeth, which may bear a resemblance to a smile, is often used as a threat or warning display - known as a snarl - or a sign of submission. In chimpanzees, it can also be a sign of fear.

Outstanding

2008-06-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

Self Standing....

Standing posture relies on dynamic rather than static balance. The human center of mass is in front of the ankle, and unlike tetrapods, the base of support is narrow, consisting of only two feet. A static pose would cause humans to fall forward onto the face. In addition, there are constant external perturbations, such as breezes, and internal perturbations that come from respiration. Erect posture requires adjustment and correction. There are many mechanisms in the body that are suggested to control this, e.g. a spring action in muscles, higher control from the nervous system or core muscles.

First Kiss

2008-06-22T22:58:00.000-07:00

Its always a great pleasure, being a kissee than a kisser, first kiss of Cherry

In modern Western culture, kissing is most commonly an expression of affection. This is unlike many parts of the world where kissing may have different meanings. Some literatures even suggest that a significant percentage of humanity do not kiss.[6] An anomaly is India, where public kissing was once quite popular, as evidenced by the common portrayal of kissing apsaras and people in motifs commonly used around palaces and temples. British rule, and a Victorian ethics system pushed public kissing into a taboo act. However, post-independence, public kissing is not uncommon in India.
In Middle Eastern countries until recent times, kissing was only considered proper when between two men, two women, or parents kissing their children. Kissing was not looked upon as a sexual expression in the Middle East.
In Sub Saharan African, Asiatic, Native American and Polynesian cultures, kissing was relatively unknown until introduced by European and Western influence.[7]
With the Andamanese, kissing was only used as a sign of affection towards children and had no sexual undertones.[8]
In Eastern European countries until recent times, kissing between two men on the lips as a greeting or a farewell was as normal as the modern Western handshake[citation needed]. This custom has nearly died out due to Western influence. In the past, kissing wasn't considered sexual in Slavic and Muslim countries.

A Vietnamese romantic kiss
Between people of close acquaintance, a reciprocal kiss often is offered as a greeting or farewell. This kind of kiss is typically made by brief contact of puckered lips to the skin of the cheek or no contact at all, and merely performed in the air near the cheek with the cheeks touching. Such kissing is a common greeting in European and Latin American countries between a man and a woman or between two women but also by two men in parts of Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, such as Argentina. However, in most Western societies, it is often more acceptable for women to kiss each other than for men to kiss each other. People sometimes kiss children to comfort them or show affection, and vice versa. This usually takes place on the forehead or cheek.
As an expression of romantic affection or kissing involves two people pressing their lips together, usually with much more intensity, and for a considerably longer period of time. In more passionate kissing couples may open their mouths, suck on each other's lips or move their tongues into each others' mouths (see French kiss). Sexual kissing may also involve one person kissing another on various parts of the body (see Foreplay).
In some countries kissing booths exist; often at carnivals a person kisses people for money.

The First Beach Experience

2008-06-22T22:52:00.000-07:00

@Kovalam

Covelong (Kovalam) is a fishing village 40 km south of Chennai, on the East Coast Road enroute to Mahabalipuram. Covelong was a port town developed by the Nawab of Carnatic, Saadat Ali. It was taken over by the French in 1746, and destroyed by the British in 1752.
The Dutch built a fort in Covelong during the colonial times, which today has been made the Taj Fisherman's Cove, a private luxury beach resort.
Covelong beach is one of the few places in the East Coast where wind surfing takes place

Baby Sitter

2008-01-19T11:28:00.000-08:00

Ahemm...Ahem...

My adventurous days begins....

Baby talk, motherese, parentese or child-directed speech (CDS) is a nonstandard form of speech used by adults in talking to toddlers and infants. It is usually delivered with a "cooing" pattern of intonation different from that of normal adult speech: high in pitch, with many glissando variations that are more pronounced than those of normal speech. Baby talk is also characterized by the shortening and simplifying of words. Baby talk is also used by people when talking to their pets, and between adults as a form of affection, intimacy, bullying or patronizing.

baba (bottle)
beddy-bye (go to bed, sleeping, bedtime)
boo-boo (wound or bruise)
bubby (brother)
dada (dad, daddy)
didee (diaper)
nappy (diaper - diaper is not used in British English)
din-din (dinner)
num nums( food/dinner)
icky (disgusting)
nana (grandmother)
oopsie-daisy (small accident)
owie (wound or bruise)
pee-pee (urinate)
poo-poo or doo-doo (defecation)
potty (toilet)
sleepy-bye (go to bed, sleeping, bedtime)
wawa (water)
wuv (love)
yucky (disgusting)
yum-yum (meal time)
mama (mom, mommy)
kitty (from cat or kitten)
puppy (from pup)
doggy (from dog)

Use with infants
Baby talk is more effective than regular speech in getting an infant's attention. Studies have shown that infants actually prefer to listen to this type of speech. Some researchers, including Rima Shore (1997), believe that baby talk is an important part of the emotional bonding process.

Charalatan - Alias- Cherry

2007-09-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

Name: Cheralatan Saravanan
Birth Date and Time: 10th Sep 2007 7:36pm PST.

The Chera dynasty (Tamil: சேரர்) was one of the ancient Tamil dynasties that ruled southern India from ancient times until around the fifteenth century CE. The Early Cheras ruled over the Malabar Coast, Coimbatore, Karur and Salem Districts in South India, which now forms part of the modern day Kerala and Tamil Nadu states of India. The other two major Tamil dynasties were the Cholas in the eastern Coromandel Coast and Pandyas in the south central peninsula. These dynasties began ruling before the Sangam era (300 BCE - 200 CE) during which the Tamil language, arts and literature flourished.

The Chera capital shifted at various periods between Vanchi, Muthur and Karur[1]. Their kingdom ranged from Coimbatore, Namakkal, Karur, Salem and Erode in Tamil Nadu, to areas closer to Kochi, the most probable of which being Thiruvanchikulam near Kodungallur in present day Kerala. Chera rulers warred frequently with their neighbouring kingdoms. They sometimes inter-married with the families of the rival kings as a means of political alliances. Throughout the reign of the Cheras, trade continued to bring prosperity to Tamil Country (part of which is modern Kerala), with spices, ivory, timber, pearls and gems being exported to Egypt, Rome, Greece, Phoenicia, Arabia, Mesopotamia and Persia. Evidence for extensive foreign trade from ancient times is available throughout the Malabar coast, from the Roman, Greek and Arabic coins unearthed from Kollam, Kodungallur/Muziris, Eyyal (near Trissur) and Kottayam in Northern Kerala. Muziris or Makotai (modern day Kodungallur) was a flourishing port on the Malabar coast and was the Chief port and sometimes capital of the Chera kingdom. Muziris, has been referenced by ancient writers, such as the author of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.

While Cheras had their own religion (Hinduism), other religious traditions came to this area during the period of the Chera kings. Both Buddhism and Jainism came to Kerala by the second century BCE.[citation needed] Trade with the West established early contact with Judaism and Christianity.

Source: WikiPedia

No Shower Wet! No Baby Born Yet!

2007-09-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

Taken during babyshower at our house, Vancouver, Canada

Golden Pixels

2007-07-31T23:23:00.000-07:00

A view towards Vancouver's Sky

Galvanic-tar

2007-05-13T20:47:00.000-07:00

@TomLee, Vancouver-BC, Canada.

Electric guitars can have solid, semi-hollow, or hollow bodies, and produce little sound without amplification. Electromagnetic pickups (single and double coil) convert the vibration of the steel strings into electrical signals which are fed to an amplifier through a cable or radio transmitter. The sound is frequently modified by other electronic devices or the natural distortion of valves (vacuum tubes) in the amplifier. The electric guitar is used extensively in jazz, blues and rock and roll, and was commercialized by Gibson together with Les Paul and independently by Leo Fender of Fender Music. The lower fretboard action (the height of the strings from the fingerboard) and its electrical amplification lend the electric guitar to some techniques which are less frequently used on acoustic guitars. These techniques include tapping, extensive use of legato through pull-offs and hammer-ons (also known as slurs in the traditional Classical genre), pinch harmonics, volume swells and use of a Tremolo arm or effects pedals. Seven-string solid body electric guitars were developed in the 1980s. Throughout the late 80's and 90's the seven string was popularized by the creation of the Ibanez Jem. The Jem was developed by Ibanez with close specifications and a specific feel that Steve Vai helped develop and master. Vai popularized the seven string and the seven string is heard in much of the rock music these days (earlier in jazz) to achieve a much darker sound through extending the lower end of the guitar's range. They are used today by players such as James "Munky" Shaffer, Dave Weiner, John Petrucci, Jeff Loomis, Steve Smyth, and Steve Vai. Meshuggah, Dino Cazares, Rusty Cooley & Charlie Hunter go a step further, using an 8 string guitar with two extra low strings. Although the most commonly found 7 string is the variety in which there is one low B string, Roger McGuinn (Of Byrds/Rickenbacker Fame) has popularized a variety in which an octave G string is paired with the regular G string as on a 12 string guitar, allowing him to incorporate chiming 12 string elements in standard 6 string playing. Ibanez makes many varieties of electric 7 strings.

Color of Canada

2007-04-13T11:40:00.000-07:00

Stanley Park is a 404.9 hectare (1,000 acre) urban park bordering downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is the largest city-owned park in Canada and the third largest in North America. The park attracts an estimated eight million visitors every year, including locals and tourists, who come for its recreational facilities and its natural attributes. An 8.8 kilometre (5.47 mile) seawall path circles the park, which is used by 2.5 million pedestrians, cyclists, and inline skaters every year. Much of the park remains forested with an estimated half million trees that can be as tall as 76 metres (250 feet) and hundreds of years old.[4][5] There are approximately 200 km (125 miles) of trails and roads in the park, which are patrolled by the Vancouver Police Department mounted squad. The Project for Public Spaces has ranked Stanley Park as the sixteenth best park in the world and sixth best in North America.

Courtesy: WikiPedia

Sciencified World

2007-03-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

@Science World, Vancouver, BC

In 1977, Barbara Brink ran mobile hands-on exhibits known as the Extended I around the Lower Mainland. Later, the temporary Arts, Sciences & Technology Centre opened on January 15, 1982 attracting over 600,000 visitors. Another 400,000 benefited from the centre’s outreach programs, which were delivered around the province.

Science World, Vancouver, B.C.Following the Expo 86 World’s Fair, an intensive lobbying campaign was launched to secure the landmark Expo Centre building for Science World. With much government backing, the geodesic dome, designed by Buckminster Fuller, was obtained from the province and a massive fund-raising campaign ensued. Donations from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, the GVRD, the private sector, foundations, and individuals contributed $19.1 million to build an addition to the Expo Centre, redesign the interior and fabricate exhibits. In 1988, in a four month preview, over 310,000 visitors came to see the new building. A year later, a 400 seat OMNIMAX theatre in the upper section of the dome was opened.

The centre entered its first title sponsorship agreement with Alcan Inc. in 1996, renaming its OMNIMAX Theatre the Alcan OMNIMAX Theatre. Alcan has since decided to sponsor the organization in different ways and the theatre has returned to its original name, the OMNIMAX Theatre. In January of 2005, the building was officially renamed "TELUSphere" as part of an agreement where TELUS gave a $9-million donation in return for the "naming rights" of the building. This new name proved universally unpopular. In the summer of 2005, TELUS and Science World officially changed the name of the building to the TELUS World of Science. This maintained consistency with other "TELUS World of Science" centres in Calgary and Edmonton that were named in the meantime. This name change has not affected the nearby Skytrain station and the general public still refers to it as Science World.

"Bill"-iards

2007-03-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

@Family Fun Center, Burnaby - With Intekhab

The origin of the Billiards family of games is partially shrouded in mystery but it is many centuries old and almost certainly derived from an out-door game of the croquet family played during the 14th century in Northern Europe. Even the word 'billiard' has a disputed etymology - but it is likely a French derivative coming either from 'billart' (mace) or 'bille' (ball).

In America the word Billiards has different meanings. It can again mean the entire family of cue games played on a table. However, because there are two sorts of table - those with pockets and those without, the American games are divided in two. The generic term for games played on a table with pockets is either 'Pool' or 'Pocket Billiards' while games played on tables without pockets are referred to as just plain 'Billiards' or 'Carom Billiards' or just 'Carom'. Not only does this further muddle the term 'Billiards', it also overlaps with the quite different Indian game of 'Carrom'! This is just too confusing so on this website the word Billiards will not be used when describing American games - games played on tables with pockets will be 'Pool'; games played on pocketless tables will be called Carambole or Carom Billiards.

In Europe and some other parts, Billiards or Billard simply refers to Carambole, the primary game that is played there. Again, the term Carambole will be used for this family of games so as to be clear.

But still on the Rail-Track

2006-12-23T16:34:00.000-08:00

In the SkyTrain...On the way to Science World, Vancouver

The SkyTrain in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is an Advanced Rapid Transit system operating fully automated trains on two lines, the Expo Line and the Millennium Line. The system is mainly elevated (hence its name). It has no human drivers on board, but has neither derailed nor experienced a collision because of this.[2] With 33 stations, it moves over 220,000 people a day along the 49.5 km (30.8 mi) of track. Built for the Expo 86 World's Fair, it has since become the world's longest automated light rapid transit system utilizing the world's longest transit-only bridge, the SkyBridge. The system uses the same family of linear induction motor-driven trains as the Scarborough RT line in Toronto, the Putra LRT in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Detroit People Mover in Detroit, and the JFK AirTrain in New York City.

The Canada Line and the Evergreen Line are under construction. The former will be complete in 2009, and the latter in 2011. The Canada Line will run from downtown Vancouver to Richmond, with a branch to the airport. The Evergreen Line, a light-rapid-transit system, will run from Lougheed Town Centre to Coquitlam Town Centre.

SkyTrain cars reach speeds of 90 km/h (56 mph).[3] When including wait times at stops, the end-to-end speed is 35 km/h (22 mph), three times faster than a bus and almost twice as fast as a B-Line express bus.[4]

SkyTrain operates on a proof-of-payment fare system and is policed by the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service. Passengers are subject to random fare inspections and those caught without valid fare are subject to a $173 fine. TransLink believes it loses about $6 million in unpaid fares.

Burger Facts

2006-12-12T14:45:00.000-08:00

Swiss Veggie Deluxe Burger with Karthi :-)
@Brentwood Town, BC

Components :
Veggie burger patty, A&W Seasoning, Swiss cheese, wheat bun, light Ranch dressing, pickles, sliced onion, lettuce, tomato

Details :
Veggie Burger: Portabello mushroom, water, mushrooms, wheat flour, modified cellulose, onion, textured soy protein, rehydrated textured soy flour, canola oil, butter, isolated soy protein, salt, garlic powder, autolyzed yeast, spice. Seasoned with A&W seasoning.

Swiss Cheese: pasteurized milk, bacterial culture, salt, microbial enzyme, calcium chloride

A&W Seasoning: salt, spices, sugar, dehydrated garlic & onions, corn starch, dextrose, silicon dioxide, whey, flour, colour, maltodextrin, flavour, soybean oil, canola oil, citric acid, sulphites

Wheat Bun: enriched wheat flour, water, whole wheat flour, yeast*, cornmeal, vegetable oil (Canola or Soybean), oat flakes, glucose-fructose/sugar, salt, vinegar, caramel colour (contains sulfites), flavour (contains sulfites), calcium propionate, sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate, sorbic acid.

Pickles: cucumbers, water, white vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, sodium benzoate, seasonings, polysorbate 80, turmeric, tartrazine. May contain potassium sorbate.

The Tiny Version of Magnanimous

2006-12-12T14:38:00.000-08:00

@China Town - Stadium, Vancouver, Canada on 10th Dec 2006

This is North America's second biggest Chinatown, after San Francisco's. Mandarin and Cantonese are the mother tongues in 30 per cent of Vancouver homes, which makes Chinese the largest "minority" ethnic group. There are lots of interesting markets with many varieties of fresh and dried seafood and mushrooms. You'll also find inexpensive houseware and traditional Chinese medicine.

During the summer, on weekend evenings, Keefer and Pender Streets become a busy open-air night market. If you have time for a leisurely meal, try dim sum at one of the many small restaurants. It is an inexpensive, multi-course culinary adventure. Relax in the peaceful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, or marvel at the ornate Millennium Gate - just steps away on Pender Street. Visit the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum, or participate in one of its many activities.

Vancouver's Chinatown is the place to visit for a taste of Chinese culture:

Browse through the fascinating shops
Stroll through the fresh market
Consult a traditional Chinese medicine herbalist
Stroll through the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Take your photo in front of the massive Han Dynasty Bell in Shanghai Alley
Take one of the many walking tours: shopping, cuisine, architecture, culture.

Snow Bee.. Itz Burnaby

2006-11-27T12:35:00.000-08:00

Karthi in the parking area at Burnaby, BC on 26th Nov 2006

Burnaby occupies 98.60 square kilometers (38.07 square miles) and is located at the geographical centre of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. Situated between the City of Vancouver on the west and Port Moody, Coquitlam and New Westminster on the east, the City is further bounded by Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River on the North and South respectively. Burnaby, Vancouver and New Westminster collectively occupy the major portion of the Burrard Peninsula. The elevation of Burnaby ranges from sea level to a maximum of 1,200 feet atop Burnaby Mountain. Overall, the physical landscape of Burnaby is one of hills, ridges, valleys and an alluvial plain. The land features and their relative locations have had an influence on the location, type and form of development in the City.

Recepmania

2006-10-24T13:58:00.000-07:00

@ the reception/marriage hall on June 15, 2006

Earlier main wedding function use to take place on a mandap, which is normally decorated with flowers. Today modern Indian wedding decoration is a mixture of Indian ethnicity, richness and Western culture and custom. Mostly today's Indian wedding decorations are theme based, as people mainly don't have the time or resources. The mandap is decorated with red color cloth because red is considered auspicious for the wedding occasion. Hire a henna artist a day or two before wedding to entertain out of town guests and get them in the mood of the wedding. Flowers have always been a part of Indian wedding decorations. So there is an extensive use of flowers of different kinds like roses, jasmine, and many more. Decorative tents or "shamianas" are often rented for Indian weddings celebrations.

Different pattern of tents are available like bandhani print, Gujarati work and ethnic mirror work and satin cloth depending on the budget and theme of the wedding. The full wedding place is decorated with elaborate carpets to line the tent. Gold and red are the colors associated with Indian wedding decoration so most of the décor is of these two colors. The tents are lighted with Indian inspired lanterns and candles. Exotic incense stick is burn in the room to create a refreshing and pure atmosphere. In true sense the Indian wedding decoration is an amalgamation of Indian culture, tradition and custom and encompasses all the senses, which makes it an occasion to remember for lifetime.

Mappillai azhaippu

2006-10-24T13:43:00.000-07:00

Mappillai azhaippu by Pradeep (Brother-in-law)

Taking the groom to the venue of marriage is called Mappillai azhaippu. In the earlier days a well-attired groom was taken in a twin horse-drawn carriage around the main streets of the town. Friends and relatives of both the sides, dressed in their best, went along in a procession. A very traditional Nadhaswaram accompanied them. On all the days of the ceremony the Nadhaswaram played a vital role. There was a time when the groom was carried in a well decorated palanquin. Then came open cars. Now, it is not a surprise when some of the mappillais refuse to go in a procession. These functions enable both the brides' and the grooms' party to know each other better.

Double Dreams

2006-10-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

Two dreams of my life in a same snap :-)

The drive from Chennai on the East coast road is a wonderful experience. It is one of the few toll roads in India and maintained well. Also, it runs parallel to the coast of Bay of Bengal making it a scenic driveway

Houseboat Escape

2006-10-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

Inside the houseboat top-deck...One of the best Island escape for Honeymoon.. on June 25, 2006

Traditionally, the Houseboats was called Kettuvallam, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievably it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a ketuvallam. Jackwood planks are joiined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashewnut shells.

There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in kettuvallom or houseboat construction. Today, an innovative holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique culture and with them their makers.

The Kerala houseboats that cruise these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country barges which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by.