Wedding Cover

The first wedding photography which I loved learning with the pro's. 

Another Year To My Age

Yey, into the next age slab.

As usual, thanks to my dear for the wonderful cake surprise. And to mummy for her support. Loved the card which Isaac gave me. So touching and emotional :)

The priceless card from Isaac

Emotional and touching words...

Card from my dear Bro and Sis

Let's see who will cut this cake first...

Bangalore Turf Club Race Course Visit

It was a sudden plan to visit the Bangalore Turf Club Race Course. When checked with Ani, she was double ready for it. We took Isaac too along with us, so that he can see the live horses running around the place.

You can see the name of the Jockeys on the board.

Took 45 minutes to reach the club. The place was somewhat crowded as there was 9 nine races scheduled for the day. People with pen and papers were busy calculating something. It was Ani who gave some info about the betting part of the race. 

The area is divided into two parts. One for the club members and the other for the non club members. We thought of parking the car inside the premises, but was blocked by the people who were controlling the traffic at the club gates. Somehow found a place to safely park the car and headed towards the club.

There was three ticket options. INR 10, 20 and 200. We were about to take the INR 200 ticket, then from no-where, one old person came and told us to take the INR 20 ticket as there is no difference between the views from the galleries. So we went for the 20 rupee ticket on which we finally regretted.

For men the 20 rupee ticket will work fine. But having Ani and Isaac with me, I would have taken the 200 rupee ticket. People with family will be much more comfortable with that. Keep this as a tip while you visit the place.

The race started at 1:15 pm. In less than a minute, the race was completed. People were cheering up for their betting horse and could find mixed reactions to the end of the race.

Isaac was super excited to see the horses racing towards the finish line and the Jockeys in colorful outfits, he really enjoyed the view.

We didn't wait for subsequent races. Headed towards the exit. All the way back, we could find people analyzing various documents and brochures to place their best  bet for a good fortune. The betting platforms were crowded with lot of people and I could find the betting amount strip scrolling on the mounted televisions. From INR 5000 to lakhs and lakhs of rupees, there are many people who wins the bet and there are many who lose everything from it.

A good outing to a different world altogether.

Warm up before the race

People moved near to the fence out of excitement

People with books and leaflets to learn about the race and to try their fortune.

Goodie From TripAdvisor

Received a big TripAdvisor Magnetic Sticker yesterday :)

Mysore Palace & Dasara Memories 2013

The heritage city of Mysore is at its vibrant best during the 10-day Dasera festival, which continues a tradition started by the Vijayanagar kings in the 15th century. The festival starts with a procession of decorated elephants led by the Maharaja of Mysore – a grand spectacle. Every evening, the Maharaja’s Palace is dramatically lit up, while the town is transformed into a gigantic fairground, with concerts, dance performances, sporting demonstrations and cultural events. On the last day, Vijayadashami, the celebrations are capped off with a dazzling torchlight procession.
- Lonely Planet 

I wanted this travel for many reasons. And this time I didn't want to miss the festive moments at Mysore. Called up Nadheem and we decided to make the move. Ani didn't join this and she wasn't comfortable with the crowd during Dasera. 

We started from Bangalore by 5 in the morning. Took the route through the KR Market and headed on to the Mysore Road. After an hour and a half, we had a halt at one of the high way hotels on the way. That nice coffee and Iddaly made our day. So tasty it was. Yummy.

I was watching the traffic from the restaurant. Almost all the vehicles were commuting at a speed of 100 kmph. I felt like they are after some treasure hidden in Mysore. After 30 minutes, we got back to our road to Mysore.

Reached Mysore at 9:30 am. But the palace will open only at 10:30. We thought of spending time around, by having one more breakfast. We parked the car at that hotel and went for a walk. Took some pics walking around, took a horse cart ride, small shopping and then headed towards the hotel where we parked the car.

Got inside the palace by 10:50 in the morning (INR 40/head. No camera charges as they will not allow the camera inside the palace. You can click around the premises).

The Palace got the same old glorious look and feel. It shined like never before as a part of the Dasera preparations. Around a couple of crores are spend towards the maintenance of the palace every year. And it shows. 

Cultural shows, fun loving crowds, curios kids, royal processions and 1 lakh bulbs illuminated palace - everything together made our day...

The very first breakfast. Can you see that single spoon of butter on the iddly? He does a magic in the mouth...

Travel With Many Tasks

Ani was planning for this trip from last week. Not a pleasure trip, but a trip to make me to do the things that I've been skipping for months.

Started off by 11 in the morning. 10 km drive to Printo branch at Indra Nagar, then to PrintXpress Kormangala. Once done with the 'printing' related tasks, we geared up to Josettan's Mess. 

Frankly speaking, this is the only event proposed from my end. I LOVE THIS FOOD...Kerala rice meals along with Beef Fry + Sambar + Moru Curry + Meen Curry + Couple of Pappads + Payaru Thoran + Kaya Curry + Gooseberry Pickle...YUMMY!!!

Then headed towards to SP Road near City Market. What was that place? I never seen such a crowded and narrow roads in Bangalore before. Had a tough time

Baked Potato Wedges with Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing

A quick and easy dish for snacks. It was easier than expected. And the Raspberry dressing gave it a wonderful flavor.

Try it out in four simple steps:

1. Place the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes.
2. Turn the potatoes over and microwave for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Check for doneness. If potato is still not fully cooked, continue microwaving potato in 1 minute intervals until fully cooked.
4. Garnish as necessary.

And it's done!!!

Spicy, Juicy, Tangy Chilli Chicken

Seems like I am liking cooking as much I love travelling...This time spicy, juicy, tangy chilli chicken.

The Famous Biriyani Recipe

Was watching the movie Ustad Hotel yesterday and few memories kicked in then. I believe, Kareemikka's biriyani is an actual copy of kayika's biriyani. It was Thomas Muttithodathil who took me to kayees hotel, while we were in college. We have gone there several times to get the parcel, in his signature gypsy and ate it at his home, enjoying the taste of each and every rice in it. 

Want to realy try kayees biriyani recipe. But am sure there will be one part missing - the secret ingedient. Only his grandson knows what it is...

2013th Onam

Situations made me to skip this Onam. If I was in Kerala, this would have been a celebrating day now.

Anyways - Happy Onam to all...

North Weds South

Today for lunch, it was a special blend of North & South factors. This time we decided to try out the Seer fish curry (Chef: Ani Denny Mandy) and mutton curry (Chef: Antony PF) with white rice and loooots of curd.

And the result? Awesomely delicious lunch and utterly satisfied stomachs.

Drooling Birthday Treat

Kerala food is always an obsession for me and Ani. When Cechi decided to give us the treat at Kayal Restaurant, we accompanied them to share the joy of the day. A wonderful lunch treat...

Nettipattam of a Caparison elephant

Yummy lemon pickle inside

So welcoming...

Beef Ulathiyathu

Kili meen fry

My all time favo - Kondattam

Where to start from...

The real kerala flavors all around...

The that comes from all these combinations - unexplainable...

Lot of kondattams and payasam

Sambar and boiled rice

Kakka and Beef

Kakka Erachi...

Night Out With Friends

It was a quick plan for a tiny farewell party. A black current cake made the party taste great. 

Time With Nature

Few pics from the last Kerala trip. I didn't want to miss any natural subject around me this time. And every morning, I was spending time to click those flora and funa around.

Marine Drive Boating

Few pics from the Cochin boating.

That's Why I Call It, My Home

The view with a visual treat

10 days went just like that. Every morning had its specialty waiting for me and Ani.

Hanging garden by my mom :)

Hanging garden in rain

The Monsoon Trail

Journey to home town after 4 months. When we went last time, the climate was so humid. But this time, my Kerala was a real heaven. 

These pics were taken near to Coimbatore. The western ghats just started coming out from the fog filled sky.

Chasing An Emotion On A Weekend

Escape to the greenery is an emotion these days. Especially in Bangalore, people search for close relationship with nature. 

Last time when I went to the Cubbon Park, I was surprised to see the number of people who were there. Some people were behaving like it was their home. They were cooking, combing the hair, lying on the mat under the shade of the tree. They weren't the people who lost their homes in the natural disaster. They were enjoying their weekend. Literally the place was crowded, very much over crowded, which made me to think for an alternate place to visit. 

Like any other people around, I too wanted to spend time in a park. Which took me and Ani to the ITI park, which was very near to the place where we stayed, but a never explored attraction.

The place wasn't much crowded. Still there was fresh air to enjoy. The atmosphere was lively and full of joy. 

Enjoyed the evening walking around, clicking some pictures and climbing a tall tree. Ani practiced driving for sometime. 

Some moments in life are free and priceless. Just need to have a heart to enjoy the beauty around.

Climbing Up The Tree

If there was a game during the childhood days, it was always around the big trees in my home ground. I don't how many varieties were around. There were a lot. And those who climb up to the top of the tallest, were the hero's in the group. 

From the college days, those games went extinct. Last Sunday, I went to those memories once again, when I climbed up on one in the ITI park.

Ani tried first and then she pushed me to climb up. There were lot of people around, looking at us thinking - "aren't these people grown up yet?". But still that didn't stop us from enjoying the memories of our childhood.

The Reflection At Night

The sky above reflects what lies beneath. Over my hometown in Kerala, it is dark at night. But here in Bangalore, it is Orange.  Sodium vapor lamps at every nook and corner, contribute to this look.

I thought of trying some long exposure settings yesterday night. The pictures below have an exposure of 2.5+ minutes, which brought out the real color in the frame.