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  • Trip Report

    Hi Everyone,

    Banuthev was kind enough to invite me to post here my pictures from a whale watching trip in Sri Lanka. These images were taken in April 2011, off Mirissa, during a series of day cruises organized and lead by Dr Chas Andersson with Jetwing Eco.
    We had excellent sightings of sperm whales as well as blue whales and smaller cetaceans, with great photo opportunities.

    These are pictures I posted on Flickr:











    Here is the link to the complete Sri Lankan photo series at Flickr:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/vinczev...7626845642683/

    There's also a bigger picture gallery at my personal website at this URL:
    http://www.vinczevilmos.hu/fotoalbum.../srilanka.html

    I hope you'll like it.
    Cheers / Vilmos

  • #2
    Originally posted by Vilmos View Post
    Hi Everyone,

    Banuthev was kind enough to invite me to post here my pictures from a whale watching trip in Sri Lanka. These images were taken in April 2011, off Mirissa, during a series of day cruises organized and lead by Dr Chas Andersson with Jetwing Eco.
    We had excellent sightings of sperm whales as well as blue whales and smaller cetaceans, with great photo opportunities.

    These are pictures I posted on Flickr:











    Here is the link to the complete Sri Lankan photo series at Flickr:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/vinczev...7626845642683/

    There's also a bigger picture gallery at my personal website at this URL:
    http://www.vinczevilmos.hu/fotoalbum.../srilanka.html

    I hope you'll like it.
    Cheers / Vilmos

    Nice pics Vilmos! Thanks for sharing them with us!

    Comment


    • #3
      Trip Report

      Cuba





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      • #4
        Madurai - Pictures

        All pics credits : Madurainow.com

        Our Elephant Hillock:



        Our Meenakshi Tower:



        This was shortlisted in Top 30 new 7 world wonders voting

        Sculptures of huge values:



        Madurai Tirumalai Nayak Palace: (TajMahal of South India, Its sound and light show - one of the best in India)



        There are lots more, I will be sharing it in Phases

        Comment


        • #5
          Attractions nearby Madurai - Kodaikanal

          Kodaikanal (Princess of hillstations) : (115 km from Madurai, photos copyrights to the respective owners)



          Lake with boat house there :



          Some details on it :

          Kodaikanal, is also referred as the “princess of hills stations”. It is situated at Tamil Nadu in the hills of the taluk division of the Dindigul district. Kodaikanal, the name is in Tamil language, which means ‘the gift of forest’. ‘Kurinji’ a planting flower which is a specialty of Kodaikanal is in full bloom around December once in 12 years, and it bathes the valley in a beautiful sea of blue.

          It was last in full bloom in 2006; its next bloom is expected in 2018. Kodaikanal has an average temperature, and get some rain every month but January and February are generally dry. The season to visit Kodaikanal is from mid Aprils to mid June. But if you love your health then January-February-March is best, as the level of humidity is at its lowest.


          Attractions of Kodaikanal

          Berijam Lake: This is a lake where you actually find the combo of peace, nature and purity. The area is a plastic free zone (an area where no one is allowed to carry or use plastic bags or polothins) and if you want to visit this lake then you need to get permission. Entry is restricted into the Berijam Lake area; between 9.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Permissions need to be obtained on the morning of the intended day of visit from the forest office. Fire tower, silent valley, medicine forest, lake view are other attractions around the lake.

          Coakers walk:
          Constructed by Lt.Coaker in 1872, is a 1-kilometre (3,300 ft) paved pedestrian path running along the edge of steep slopes on the southern side of Kodai. A fascinating rare phenomenon called Brocken spectre can be witnessed, when a person can see his shadow on the clouds with a rainbow halo. It’s marvelous. Try the telescope near the main gate.

          Kodai Lake:
          Marked as Kodaikanal’s main geographic landmark and tourist attraction. This lake is very good for boating in the evening. Rowboats and pedalos can be hired at the Kodaikanal Boat Club with its main entrance near the only five-star hotel in Kodaikanal. Walking around this star shaped lake in night is one of the best walking experience you can have in your life.

          Bryant Park: On the east of Kodai Lake and 500 meters from the bus stand. The park was planned and built in 1908 by a forest officer from Madurai, H.D.Bryant, and named after him. There are 1857 Eucalyptus trees and a Bodhi tree which adds a religious significance to the park.

          Kurinjiandavar Temple: A temple, 4 km from the Kodai Lake and its presiding god is Lord Muruga. Kurunji flower blooms here once in 12 years. The view of Kodaikanal town and panali hills from the temple is quite good.

          Guna Caves: You can visit these caves at your own risk as it is very steep and risky to get in. It is a very good place to capture in camera. But if you are not a professional spelunker then your trip to this place can be your last also.

          Dolphin’s Nose:
          Dolphin Nose is flat rock projecting over a breathtaking chasm 6,600 feet 2,000 m deep. Orange juice vendors along the trail offer a welcome rest stop. . A short paved walkway leads from the road here to Pambar falls, which is also locally addressed as ‘Liril Falls’ after the famous Liril Soap Advertisement filming in 1985.

          Thrills & Funs


          Cycling: This is a good to do thing. As you get a chance to tell your friend that you cycled around the Kodai Lake at Kodaikanal & also you don’t pollute the pure atmosphere of this place. Bicycles are available on hire at the lake on an hourly basis.

          Trekking: There are many Trekking scenic trekking spots at Kodaikanal. An easy trek is the Perumalmalai trek which is the tallest mountain that area. Trekking guides are also available to guide you for free who keeps telling you about all the trekking locations and difficulty level.

          Boating: Kodaikanal Boat Club is the place to get your boat. The main entrance to the Club is near the only 5 star hotel in Kodaikanal, the Carlton. It is a nice experience to have, if you like boating.

          Horse riding: A horse can be hired right near the front of entrance to the boat club. A horse with trainer and a horse ride around the lake, not at all a bad idea.


          Source : http://www.travelplanet.in/destination/kodaikanal/
          Some more pics :

          Waterfall there :



          Panoramic view :

          Comment


          • #6
            Some more clicks around Kodaikkanal :



            Clouds crawling over the mountain What a delight to watch? :



            The silver falls roaring :



            Ghat Road :



            Green everywhere :





            Lakes:



            Bryant Park :



            Coaker's walk (a good walkpath with nice mountain views throughout):



            What a view that is?



            Pine forests in Kodaikanal:



            Pillar rock:



            Dolphin's nose :



            Kurinji temple :



            For details on the above places, read this blog : http://kodaikanaltourismindia.blogspot.in/

            More to follow

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            • #7
              Azhagar malai: (20 km from Madurai)



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              • #8
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                • #9
                  ^^ Photos credits : Rajan Sadagopan/Picasa.

                  You may find them and some more here : https://picasaweb.google.com/1143634...2/AzhagarKovil

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Now I am taking you to Courtallam : (Three and half hours by train from Madurai, you need to take train from Madurai to Tenkasi or Shencotta and take town bus from there (5 km) ). Picture copyrights to respective owners.

                    One could do nice trekking here and going above the hills and bathe in the source of the falls i.e a river by name "Paalaaru" (meaning River of Milk).

                    Main falls :



                    Night view of main falls :



                    Another picture :



                    Five falls (five branches of water among which three are meant for men and two for women) :



                    Five falls in full flow :



                    Old Courtallam falls :



                    After 30 mins of trekking from Sitraruvi, you may reach Shenbaga devi falls :

                    Pic of it in full flow :



                    You may read more on Courtallam here : http://kutralam.in/?cat=3

                    Here's a post on what to do in Courtallam : http://kutralam.in/?p=75

                    A wiki on Courtallam : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtallam

                    See many more pics of Courtallam here : http://tripsguru.com/Waterfalls/Courtallam.html

                    More to follow from Madurai side
                    Last edited by SSCMK; 08-07-2012, 12:10 PM.

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                    • #11
                      Madurai Meenakshi Amman Gopuram in Red skies time :



                      Picture credits : Konni and Matt

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                      • #12
                        Kudladampatti Falls (a) Thadaganachiyar Falls.

                        Location : Kudladampatti near Vadipatti at app. 32 Kms from Madurai city.

                        Situated in Sirumalai hills, with 5-8 months Season,following RAIN at Sirumalai region

                        Credits for photos to respective owners.



                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Now, the Mother of Madurai people, Meenakshi Amman Temple :

                          People are advised to see the comments of users below each video in youtube to get an idea how it is.

                          Our guide describes the north tower(gopuram) at the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. Gods, demons, beasts and heroes are found all over the tower.


                          A sight seeing trip to Madurai Meenakshi temple. Students of Sund folkehøgskolen, Inderøy, Norway.Vedic Heritage Boutique Hotel is an eco-friendly house buil...


                          Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is the most beautiful temple I have ever seen in my life. I have travelled a lot and I have seen a lot, but this temple was b...


                          In this video you can see the long corridor within Madurai Meenakshi Temple, Tamilnadu, India.For more information on this video click - http://www.indiavide...


                          A unique journey inside one of the most sacred temple in India.


                          Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.


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                          • #14
                            Meghamalai - 130 km from Madurai

                            Location: on the Western Ghats Hills and around 5000 Ft above sea level

                            Climate: Very heavy monsoons from June to September. Annual rainfall 270cm.

                            When to go: Meghamalai is a pleasantly cool and refreshing place to visit at most times of year except monsoon season. During mansoon heavy rains and drizzles and leaches will lock you in the room Winters are cooooooooooold! And during monsoon days the downpour is steady.

                            For stay, you guys need to contact tea estate bungalows (Wild life spotting will be thrilling).

                            Now for the pictures (Credits to the owners and not me)





















                            Cumbum Valley view :









                            There are many tea bungalows to stay :

                            For example,

                            BeRenovate | Best WordPress theme for renovate companies


                            You guys must be able to get more using google search.

                            More details :

                            * http://meghamalai.blogspot.in/2008/0...alai-trip.html

                            * http://www.nivalink.com/tamilnadu/meghamalai.html

                            Many exotic pictures here :

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                            • #15
                              8 foods you should never eat before flying

                              What you eat before you board can make a big impact on how you feel once you're in the air - and even when you land.

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