Writing a book on Neilgherries

This has been a long long running thought.

To write a book on Neilgherries (called Nilgiris today).

Why?

• To satisfy the (poor?) writer in me
• I grew up there
• I love the place
• I want to tell the story of how wonderful it was 100-200 years back and how it is now
• I want to write something and can’t think of anything else
• I want to publish my own photographs of birds, animals and landscapes somewhere
• I want to dedicate something to my dad, and he will love my idea of a book on Nilgiris

What is stopping me?

• Time
• Laziness
• Confusion
• Work (at office)
• Lack of enough motivation

So, what now?

• I own www.neilgherries.com and want to make it a decent portal for info on Nilgiris, not the one the regular tourist knows, but the one that the British saw in the 1800’s. This website can serve as a pre-cursor to my book.
• Plan to finish the book before 2015… now, now.. that is long long away! But I feel I need the time!
• No compulsions! I may drop out anytime if I find it boring!
• Hey, its just an experiment. I don’t intend to make any money, quite the opposite, I am willing to spend some money actually.
• For now, felt making this wish public will motivate me better. So, wish me luck!
• See ya all in 2015!

Birding spots in Nilgiris

Nilgiris! The very name evokes a fantastic feeling in my heart!

Green grass, clean air, fresh green leaves swaying in the wind, giant trees that seem to grow to the sky, amazing landscapes, a stream of water every now and then, curvy roads through the blue mountains, deeply gorged valley on one side and a treat of greenery on the other, ….. I can go on and on. That is Nilgiris. The place where I spent my childhood!

The place is also a birders paradise. Many people have asked me about the various birding spots in Nilgiris. This post is an attempt to answer that question. This will be a growing post. As of now, I have listed a few spots without enough information. I will gather further information and update the post as time goes.

Given below is a list of birding spots in Nilgiris, ones I have visited myself. And I have also listed ones I haven’t visited too. Hopefully by end of this year, that list should move to the visited list.

View My favorite locns and routes in Nilgiris in a larger map

I have mapped these places on the map above. Do click on it and have a look at the larger format.
Read the rest of this entry »

Travel – to do

Here is a list of places I would like to travel to, within India, possibly by end of 2010.

1. Ladakh
2. Manali
3. Rajasthan – Kumbalgarh, Pratapgarh, Jaipur, Udaipur, etc
4. Maharashtra – Shivaji’s forts
5. Kanha sanctuary
6. Bharatpur sanctuary
7. Rantambhore sanctuary
8. Do these treks in Nilgiris
   1. Parsons valley – Porthimund – NWEA hut – Mukurthi peak – Mukurthi dam – back
   2. Parsons valley – Porthimund – NWEA hut – Western catchment WC 3 – WC 2 – Kolaribetta – Avalanche – back
   3. T R Bazaar – Pandiar – Nilgiri peak – Mukurti peak – WC 2 – WC 1 – Bridle path – Bangitappal – Sispara pass
   4. Emerald – Avalanche – Kolaribetta – Bridal path – UB earth dam – UB hut – Korakundah
9. Nilgiris – Nadugani, Sispara, Bangitappal, Emerald, Avalanche, Red hills, Billikal, Longwood shola, Naduvattam forest reserve, Cairn hill, etc
10. Ajanta & Ellora
11. Belur, Halebid, Hampi, Aihole , Bidar, Badami, Chitradurga fort, Pattadakkal
12. Shimoga, Jog, Agumbe, Keladi, Ikkeri, Banavasi, Dandeli wildlife sanctuary, Gudavi bird sanctuary, Mandagadde, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
    
13. Kaggaladu heronry, Kokkarebellur
    
14. Somnathpur, Srirangapatna
15. Nagarhole
16. Andaman
17. Lakshwadeep
18. Sulthan bathery, Lakkidi, Wynad
19. Melkote, Shravanabelagola
20. Temples of Tamil Nadu

Tour of Nilgiris – birding, cycling, photography & nature

Would anyone be interested in a trip to Nilgiris from Sept 18-25.

As of now, we are two people. Dev and I. We are looking for more company. The ideal head count would be between 4 and 6. If you are interested, do let us know.

We intend to carry our cycles on a car and do a lot of cycling as well. So, a cycle is a must for this ride. (If you dont have one, can be rented). Also, since cycles will be carried too, I think only 2 can ride in a car unless it has room for more.

The activities planned for this trip are:

• cycling
• bird watching
• nature and landscape photography
• Nilgiri mountain train ride
• street photography at places like Stephen church, Assembly rooms, etc

The itinerary is as follows. Have also mentioned the estimated cost, stay, etc. However, the final version could change too.

NOTE:  Would also appreciate your feedback for the plan below.

Mere paas ma hai!

The most easily taken-for-granted person in our lives.. mother!

The most easily taken-for-granted thing… her love!

The tour of Nilgiris – on cycle

Many of you would already know the TFN.

It is a 7 day 900 Km ride on the cycle from Bangalore to Ooty and back. Its not a race, it is a tour! A tour to spread the love of cycling.

I have always been a cycle lover. I had a Hero Ranger when I was very young, one which I rode for 9 years until I graduated to a motored bike. I took it to all parts of Ooty, valleys, peaks, forests, … But after high school, the cyclist in me went into hibernation.

For a brief while, I attempted to revive it. Even bought a cheap bike. But could not sustain it due to multiple reasons, laziness and lack of commitment being a couple.

Now, I would like to revive the cyclist in me. Yes, I am very serious this time! As part of this, I am buying a Trek bike next weekend from BOTS. But the biggest thing for me would be to complete the TFN this year.

To do that, I have a few glitches. My knee being one. I get a slight discomfort every 2-3 days in my knee. I developed this after a fall while playing cricket 3 years back. And sadly, I didnt follow the physiotherapy advice properly. But now, I need to get back on track. I need to practice and get myself fit enough in time.

I have made my wish public so that I have some pressure to get it done. Completing the TFN would be one really nice personal goal to sign off 2009 and to enter 2010 with renewed confidence.