Search This Blog

Saturday, November 27, 2010

November End Mt Abu

November End Mt Abu

Welcome to the misty Abode of the gods, the fine drizzling and the incessant rain have finally ceased. Do drop in to see this grand old hill station dressed in its finest attire. Do not forget your woollies so that you can feel at the top of the world, the climate has cooled down significantly but it’s a pleasure to tour this place right now. Have a look at this place through my eyes.


 Building up again

 From Kishangarh house

 It's cold and misty

 November rain

 Return of the monsoons

  Today I can see the sky


Blue sky today
 Finally cleared
The setting sun

Brown-headed Barbet

 Water snake

Black-lored Tit

Black-lored Tit

Brown-headed Barbet

Monday, November 22, 2010

November Rain Mount Abu

November Rain Mount Abu

The rainfall in India is variable, but now it seems the timing of the rains has also taken on a fickle stance. We are at the fag end of November and are still experiencing a monsoon type of climate. I have inserted a widget of the weather conditions for Mount Abu, from that alone one can see we are still going to be at the mercy of the rain gods. The night temperatures over the last few days have dropped drastically. I believe it went as low as 4 degrees C. Today I slipped on my rain gear and went out to experience the cool crisp and misty atmosphere of the Abode. Took some random snaps, have a look.

Balancing Rock
Cactus shoot
Opposite my place
November rain
Return of the monsoons
  Snipe
Can you see the moon taken on the 19 Nov?

The Old Monastery

Saturday, November 20, 2010

My Journey to Abu Road (Abroad)

The graveyard at Abu Road 

 
Aubrey, my younger brother, came over last week for a visit and to renew his expired driver's licence. When I checked my licence, I realised it was due to expire in January. Because both licences were granted by Sirohi, the difficulty of travelling there for renewal loomed. I had, however, heard about a new office on Abu Road dedicated to this purpose, so I phoned an agent there to confirm.

The agent told us to bring two passport-size pictures and our licences, and he assured us that it would ease the renewal procedure through his office. We set off on the trek on November 11th, only to find ourselves stuck in severe post-Diwali traffic in both directions. Despite the traffic jams, the nice weather made the annoyance bearable.

We were told to return in December for the renewal after visiting the agent's office and completing the relevant papers. They only processed renewals one month in advance. I couldn't help but sigh with relief at the prospect of not having to travel to Sirohi.

Aubrey, a devoted Catholic, expressed a wish to visit the gravesites of our maternal grandpa George Ernest Sarstedt and great-grandmother Florence Anvie Gaskin. The Abu Road graveyard, which was formerly a lovely area with well-kept flower beds and hedges until the 1970s, astounded me with its current state. Vandalism had taken its toll, and the church appeared to be neglected in its maintenance. It was distressing to see the lack of respect for the departed in today's society.



George Earnest Sarstedtt

Great Grandmother
Florence Anvie Gaskin

George Ernest Sarstedt

Wanton destruction


Desolated 
Ruthless & Barbaric

Fortunate for the standing ones

Friday, November 19, 2010

Latest news on Mount Abu

Soma Abu's Jungle man removes crocodile from lake


Soma Abu's Jungle man.
Soma Abu's Jungle man.
Photograph snapshot from TOI 


At long last yesterday, Abu’s jungle man ‘Soma Ram snared the wily crocodile’. Why he’s called the Jungle man is only known to a few Abuites. I believe he took on the task, as there was a handsome reward for the capture of this crocodile. Now the tourists can heave a sigh of relief and not be apprehensive about the devil lurking under their rowing boats. By the way, the auction or ‘Teka’ for the use of the lake waters for rowing went at a whopping 1Crore, 30 Lakhs. A group of locals joined hands and bagged the rights to the boating for 1 year.

The Diwali season saw hectic action as tourists thronged the streets of Abu hotels had a heyday and the tourists went away with mixed feelings. The local Abuites took full advantage of this hectic time to put up buildings and of dropping roofs with impunity, hoping the authorities would turn a blind eye to their notorious actions. Poor souls Build in haste and repent at leisure. Now that the season is over and the authorities are back at their desks the task team every morning and throughout the day make rounds to all these places to pull down these illegal structures, the area biggest hit is the famous Dilwara area where mushrooming of many building took place.

It’s really disheartening as it’s always the poor who suffer while affluence flouts the laws with impunity. It’s nothing new, the law of the jungle prevails in our jungles, and it’s the same in our concrete jungles. Have a position and money and both work.

This ugly scene will take some time to rectify itself as people learn to live with the inevitable, provided the authorities take just and reasonable action to solve the plight of Abuites caught up in this catch-22 situation.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Random Photographs in the month of October 2010 Mt. Abu

October is the month to be in Abu the Abode


October has always been a fascinating month in the Abode; this October has been more so as this year October had 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays, a real treat to weekenders. The beautiful sight of Abu can be seen by tourists who make it up the hill during the monsoon season. The different shades of green blend into each other and create a regal view. Come indulge yourself in watching my random photographs.

 
taken this October.

"Scaly-breasted Munia,perched on a date palm branch."
Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata


"Indian Scops-Owl - Otus bakkamoena,perched on a date palm tree."
Indian Scops-Owl - Otus bakkamoena


"Common Hawk-Cuckoo summer visitor."
Common Hawk-Cuckoo - Hierococcyx varius

Kunwaari Kanyaa

Scaly-breasted Munia 
Scoops  Owl

The Romantic Balam  Rasia
Shiv-ling behind Dilwara 

Water snake Torna stream
Woodpecker Lesser Goldenbacked
A colourful chap
Blue Mountains 
Camel Rock

Drongo
Reminds me of the boys
 Just out of reach
To leap or not to leap
Water snake Nakki lake
In the school chapel
The school chapel
 Blue Bell ready to bloom
Dragon flies
Dragon orange
Water skiers
Hanuman worshipers
Let me in  Hanuman I need my  Prasad
I look handsome