More pictures of the flower show...

Hi everyone!

Again more pictures of the flower show... The flowers were really beautiful...

Cochin Flower Show

Hello Everyone!

Here is some snaps from the flower show which was held in our city... Hope you will enjoy them...

The Little Bird....

Yesterday, we had a very cute visitor... a kid house sparrow....

I found it by 5 O clock in the evening nicely perched on a small shrub. Since we have 2 cats on the prowl and 2 more in the neighboring house, I was afraid that this little bird won't survive the night. 

 So I carried the bird and placed it on the ventilation above a window. But it kept trying to fly away and eventually ended up on the ground.  Two time... three time... five time.... it kept jumping off the window.

Two families of house sparrows are currently living with us in two clay-pots mounded high up on the outside wall. The clay-pots are free from wind, rain, sun and occasional cats since it is very high up just below the sunshade and that portion of the wall comes under our Mango tree. So the nests are cool and the birds have lots of space to fly around.

What we initially thought was that, this little birdie belongs to any of these families. So we had tried to deposit the young lady inside each of these clay pots. But clay-pot parents protested and we found out that the little thing does not belong to any of the families on board.

So the determinant little bird kept searching for her parents by jumping of the window. I was getting fed up by this because I knew that it is very dangerous for the youngster to be outside on the ground after dark. Our mean meat-loving cats usually strolls around the house after their dinner. So I decided to keep the bird inside the house. I found an old shoe box and laid some scrap cloths in it and placed the birdie in it. It didn't protest. It didn't even make a sound. After 2 hours, it was nicely sleeping with its beak buried inside the feathers.

Today morning I placed the shoe box outside close to where I have found the little girl and started for work. Later I made a call to my mother to check on the bird. She informed that the bird's parents came back and fed the bird. It started to fly to short heights and climbed a shrubs and later  a jasmine whine and flew off with its parents....

Good luck my dear... You are a brave little bird... It was a pity that I hadn't taken your picture...

New Blogs I am following and some chit chat...

Hi Everyone!

Hope all are well. I have added some more interesting blogs to my list. Hope you stop by them also. They are just wonderful!

I am off to another trip to Bangalore this Sunday. I know that the travel experience to Bannerghatta Zoo in Bangalore is still pending to be posted. I just can't find the time to open my laptop once I reach home after office. I was eagerly reading Debbie Macomber's 'The Shop on Blossom Street' and finished it yesterday. Along with that I was knitting a scarf also for which I afraid I ran out of yarn so need to stop by the thread store this Saturday before I leave for Bangalore.

I heard the review of 'Life of Pi' by Ang Lee is very good. So me and my friends are planning to watch it next week in Bangalore. Today I did something spontaneously- I booked two tickets for the 3D version of the movie for my friend and her husband. C is a very hard working type.She really deserves a break after some strenuous weeks of traveling up and down states and she always finds it difficult to find time to have some fun. So I thought it is time she took a break...I am keeping it as a surprise for C today. I hope she enjoys the movie...


Take Care...

Mahabalipuram...Sun, Sand, Sea and Stone...Part7...

I think I have stopped with being at the Shore Temple.

Well one thing we notice is that, the old stone carvings in Mahabalipuram is not like regular temple carvings. They are so old and unfinished. Mahabalipuram was like a stone carving school in the late 6th and 7th century. So most of the carvings are not complete or perfect. Some stone structures are even not clear or meaningful. It is a total stone city(actually even the dust bins are made of stone).

The outer parts of the Stone temple is mostly eroded by the salty wind from the nearby sea. The day we chose to visit was beautiful, calm and we escaped with only a slight Sun tan. 

Archeological Survey of India has maintained the place very well. The surroundings are litter free and beautifully kept plants and lawn makes the stay a pleasant one.(And very clean rest rooms which is a very rare experience in India. My advice for future travelers- Don't use 'Pay and Use Bathrooms' in Mahabalipuram. Use the one inside the Shore Temple site. It is clean and free.)

From there we went to climb the rocky slopes which will lead us to the lighthouse. The slopes were beginning with lots of half finished mandapas. We saw lot of stone carvings here also. There was a legend of Lord Krishna lifting the mountain to shield others from rain, lion with a man's face evolving into monkeys, a man milking a cow...

Then we reached the lighthouse. It was a beautiful view from the lighthouse. 

Then we saw 'Krishna's Butter ball'. A huge stone balancing by itself on a slope. Then we went to see the Five Rathas which is said to be related to Mahabaratha. There was a huge statue of an elephant also. 

Since all these places were close by, we didn't require any transportation. We simply walked but the climbing had doused our spirits a bit. But luckily we had carried a lot of water and snacks in our backpacks. Mahabalipuram is a very hot place. Never leave the shade without a bottle of water in your hand. The weather is very dehydrating. We bought water from the local stands also, but had to pay extra charges along with MRP for cold water( which was not fair). Then there were ice creams vendors also. So forgetting our diets, we succumbed to the temptation because of the hot weather.

At last we went to the sea shore. There were street vendors who sold things made to sea shells. They were mighty expensive. But bought one or two things despite the price. I will share the pictures of the soveniers in my next post. I made a very beautiful hanging with one.

Sitting on the sea shore we relaxed for some time. Listened to songs from our mobile phones, ate ice creame again (twice), picked sea shells, played in the water and watched others who came to enjoy the waters. 

It was a nice experience. We enjoyed a lot. Of course there are lot of more photos which I will share soon. 

 The important things is- We felt free... relaxed... and content... with a mind full of wonderful memories we started our journey back to Chennai....

Mahabalipuram...Sun, Sand, Sea and Stone...Part6.....

The Five Rathas

Street Shop near the Sea

Another Mandapa

The Stories regarding all the pictures coming up in the next post.

Mahabalipuram...Sun, Sand, Sea and Stone...Part5...

This rock is known as Krishna's Butter Ball

The Light House

Buddha Statue

Light House on the Rocks