Connecting again with Nature

Connecting with nature is the best way for me to relax. On a holiday weekend while we were in the northern California countryside, enjoying its pristine natural woods, streams, hills and lakes our eyes fell on a sign board which led us to this un-believable experience. 

Taking off from Interstate - 5 onto a state highway and then finally on a couple of miles of dirt road, we land up in the mesmerizing backdrop.

After a refreshing and warm welcome with lavender infused lemonade, a warm summer day couldn't have asked anything more. The husband and wife duo started this farm with a passion to not only grow lavender in this beautiful backdrop but also provide an experience to visitor of hand picking their own lavender. This was just the best thing a child could have thought. 

We picked our own lavender from the field and Mount Shasta couldn't have looked better. Lavender farming is big in Europe, however there are not many on the west coast of this land. This hidden treasure is certainly one of the best maintained and managed.

If you ever are traveling to the northern california country, visit this farm in July-August

http://www.mtshastalavenderfarms.com/ 

Birthplace of Orange County

A lot of times we forget that, a hidden gem could be nestled a stone throw away from where you have lived for years. One sunny morning a short drive took us to the coastal city of San Juan Capistrano. An arterial freeway dissects this relatively young city carrying millions through its multiple lanes. Nestled between is the Mission. Built in the late 1700s, it is an interesting amalgamation of Native American, Spanish, Mexican and European architecture and culture. 

This place is also regarded as the "Birthplace of Orange County". Until the early 1800s, the Spanish occupied this mission. It was their outpost where they brought people from their homeland to form colonies. The Spanish also believed they could transform the Native people into good Spanish citizens.

However this was a daunting task and it wasn't easy for the Spaniards to communicate and convert them to Christianity. The native learnt a lot about new technological advances that was already developed in Europe.

After the big earthquake in southern california in 1800s and independence for Mexico, the mission lost it significance and declined. Today the ruins of the old stone church, Mission walls include the early adobe barracks, Friars' quarters, olive millstone, cemetery, aqueduct system, and gardens attract many visitor to the historic place.

Some of the artifacts and paintings in display takes you back in time when the south land was bursting with orange groves and winery. The gardens and fountains are captivating  and create  tranquil moments. Ringing bells create a wonderful vibration. It was certainly a place worth visiting and enjoy a day in the hustle and bustle of Southern California.

A quick glimpse of the mission through my eyes can be seen at

http://worldunfolded.smugmug.com/History/Mission-San-Juan-Capistrano/29510316_kMKzxf

Spring Sparks

Long winter months forces fauna and flora to hibernate or transition into a dull state. It makes life realize on planet earth that mother nature rules and can restrict what each one can potentially do.

As we enter the month of March, there is a restlessness in atmosphere and in all life form as they start a ever slow count down to welcome Spring. Green grass replaces dull and brown ground, dry and dead trees suddenly bloom up with flowers, colorful fruits attract birds and energy springs back in all of us.

A vibrant and colorful surrounding makes us step out from closed doors and spend hours enjoying the warmer weather observing nature bountiful diverse life.

During the last few short strolls around the neighborhood, my eyes could not refuse these wonderful sights. I wanted to share these captured moments with all my friends.

Wild can be wonderful and fascinating. Pictures speak a thousand words and I hope you all like these too

Colors can certainly stimulate our senses

Sometime we ignore the hidden treasures close to our proximity and hunt for the unknown. Here are a few more

Road trip to Kanyakumari - Southern tip of India

Driving hours in traffic can be extremely frustrating and painful. Traveling in a luxury private mini coach with super comfortable and reclining seats, cozy bunk bed, entertainment system and above all not having to drive is relaxing. As a family there couldn't have been a better self paced journey from the ancient temple town of Madurai to the culminating point of three seas - Kanyakumari.

As we walked out of the Madurai airport, I was pleasantly surprised to see the new airport building and its facilities. Our coach was waiting and we were greeted by our driver. Luckily few of my family members spoke and understood  tamil (the local language). Hats off to the man behind the wheel who cleverly managed to maneuver smartly through the traffic. Rameswaram, a holy temple town along the eastern seaboard of India and around 50 kilometers from Srilanka was our first destination. As we passed through the small towns and villages, the changing landscape and road side shops and not to forget the movies on board made our 7 hour drive look short.

Rameswaram is considered to be one of the four holy pilgrimage sites, where legend says that Hindu god Rama built a bridge,across the sea to Lanka (now Srilanka) to rescue his consort Sita from her abductor Ravana. The Ramanathaswamy temple dedicated to the hindu god Shiva is located at the centre of the town. The following day started with a visit to the temple. We were lucky to have some very knowledge guides who explained the historical significance of the temple and took us around the magnificent galleries and corridors. Waves from the Bay of Bengal washed the shores of this small island town. Thousands of devotees took holy dip in the sea and the 21 wells within the temple compound in the faith that this will wash away all their sins.

Paying abide to this holy place we headed south to Kanyakumari, en route the magnificent Pamban bridge, which connects Rameswaram to the mainland. This is an architectural marvel by itself. As we drove down south, lush green banana plantations, coconut groves, green fields and lakes with lilies painted a beautiful canvas. We stopped to enjoy fresh coconut and palm kernels. This experience took me back to my childhood when these local delicacies thrilled me.

At the end of another long day we relaxed at our hotel in Kanyakumari and enjoyed some southern cuisines. I woke up each hour to make sure we did not miss the sunrise. The captivating and mesmerizing sunrise from the horizon was worth waking up at wee hours. The golden rays on the water sparkled each and every wave. Fishermen were busy getting ready for their venture into the open oceans. The view of the Vivekananda rock and surrounding three oceans from the terrace cannot be described in words.

After a quick visit to the Kanyakumari temple, we all planned to take the boat ride to Vivekananda rock. Swirling ocean waves and strong winds made our ride a little choppy. Calm and peaceful atmosphere inside the memorial hall was worth every effort.

Later than afternoon we headed to our final destination, Trivandrum. Colorful houses, churches and temple along the route was quite interesting. The backwaters were ideal for boating. Progress and growth was prevalent on this stretch of our journey. I was told that villages are now replaced with big buildings and resorts. Luxury cars replaced small two wheelers. As the sun dropped in the horizon we reached the coastal city of Trivandrum to spend our night at the hotel before we could board our flight next morning. 

It is certainly difficult to pen down the experience in this blog. A few captured moments can be see in my smugmug site.

http://worldunfolded.smugmug.com/Travel/Cities/Kanyakumari-and-Rameswaram/27785259_xv8RBM

Architectural Marvel - Temples of Kiradu

Given an opportunity I would like to be in a place lesser known to masses with cultural or historical importance. Somehow, lady luck takes me to such places once in a while and my eyes popped open when I got to see these ruins of 11th century marvels.

Located about 50 kilometers from Barmer enroute towards the border town of Munabao in western Rajasthan, these temples are hidden in the desert terrain. Look for the sign on the state highway or make sure you ask the helping locals before you know you have crossed the diversion. 

As you walk down a few hundred meters from the gate into this archaeologically protected area, one gets the glimpse of these sand stone marvels nestled in a back drop of green baboor and kikar trees (local desert trees that have deadly thorns). They are not tall nor are they spread out, yet these temple captivate your eyes. I have see many beautiful and giant temples which have sprawling landscape and can take off any man's imagination as to how these were built hundreds of years ago.

The pillars, geometrical shapes, sculptures, designs and idols will certainly mesmerize the visitor and wonderstruck at the amazing craftsmanship . Time and tide has taken a heavy toll in this heritage site. However the effort and restoration work makes one feel happy that we are taking time to preserve our history for generation to understand and appreciate the kind of artistic capabilities our ancestors had. Science and modern machines can churn out wonders, but it is the incomparable skill, courage and passion of geniuses that brought these temples to life in this worlds centuries ago.

A few more images of these magnificent Kiradu temples can be see in the link below

http://worldunfolded.smugmug.com/History/Temples-of-Kiradu/27618507_WKHS2j