Bastei Bridge Germany

Die Goldene Dreieck : Stadt Wehlen - Kurort Rathen - Schwedenloecher - Bastei Bruecke (Bridge) - Neurathen Felsenburg - Bastei Bridge - Stadt Wehlen.

Click on Kommot to see more pictures 

Burg Hohenneuffen - Schwäbische Albverein

Hike route: Wanderparkplatz Raupental - Jusi - Hörnle - Schillingkreuz - Burg Hohenneuffen - Neuffen Marktplartz - Kohlberg - Wanderpark platz

Check out detailed Navigation at this link

Hike to Hoheneck , Ludwigsburg- Castle Ruins

 

Check out detailed Navigation tour https://www.komoot.com/tour/234397982 

Nature trail walk in Calw - OstSchwarzwald

Check out detailed Navigated Tour : https://www.komoot.com/tour/230743207

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh

It's time to explore a new place and I was doing my research to pick my next holiday destination.With the constraints of limited time for this holiday trip. Considering distance and time, holiday destination is in MADHYA PRADESH.

Madhya Pradesh surprises you with its beautiful Nature, Forest areas, Waterfalls, Hill station at Panchmarhi, History of Kings and Kingdoms at Orchha, Clear Narmada waters, Marble Rocks at Jabalpur, Hindu and Jain temples at Kajuraho, Wild life at Kanha national park. Incredible INDIA❤

Started off on a trip by road to Nagpur. It took good 13-14 hrs to reach Nagpur. Its a long day, checked into the hotel and straight to bed as the next morning after breakfast heading to Tamia.

Point of interests in Madhya Pradesh

1.Tamia:

Tamia is a picturesque forest destination that offers scenic and breath-taking views of dense forests and mountains. A must visit when you like less crowded and less explored place. Its on the hidden treasure, no commercial shops are available but there are cottages being built for the tourists.It is worth visiting Tamia hill top which offer panoramic views of the steep hills, vast greenery and deep valleys

on the way to Tamia

View from Tamia

After spending few hours at Tamia, the same afternoon started off to Panchmarhi.

2.Panchmarhi

Arrived Panchmarhi at around 7:30PM and checked into the hotel. Later, strolled through the streets of Panchmarhi (This gave me a feeling of Mahabaleshwar, Pune – may be from the temperatures in winter and those small streets for shopping & Eat-outs). As many other hill station destinations, Panchmarhi also offers many herbal products to shop ;-)

Private vehicle is not allowed into forest range therefore it’s a must to book a vehicle to vist the forest range area. Generally its also possible to check with your hotel owner/receptionist to arrange a vehicle (Jeep).

During a causal conversation with an omelet selling guy on the street in Panchmarhi , we made a deal to book  the Jeep for 2 days.

Next day, after breakfast we met the Jeep driver Guide. All Jeep drivers bring the tourists to Bison Lodge as a start point. The driver informed us to visit the Bison lodge while he would get the entry tickets for forest area.For kids, this will be an interesting museum and for adults a information center.

Pandava Caves:

5 hilltop caves believed to have been carved more than 1,000 years ago, with a formal garden below. According to local mythology, Pandavas lived in these caves during exile.

According to the locals, five caves were made for each of the brothers – Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Nakul, Sahdev, Bhima and for their wife – Draupadi. Draupadi Cave (Draupadi Kuti) is the most spacious and best ventilated one. Bhima’s Cave (Bhim Kothari) is the darkest of them all – Bhima was the toughest of all five brothers

"Panchmarhi" can be translated as "five caves" or also "five huts",thus the place named after Panchmarhi.

Queue to visit Pandava caves

Later the jeep drove into the forest area until one point and beyond one has to take walking trail. Its seems to be an easy trail walk while walking down the slope. During the trek we stopped by a few scenic spots.

Silver fall (a thin silver line farther way can be spotted on the Satpura Ranges) – beautiful to see with the naked eye. When you are lucky, you will spot one 'Crested Serpent Eagle'

Silver fall - 30th highest waterfall in India, only possible to view from a point

The trek to Apsara fall is tough for elderly people but the views are surreal and worth taking the pain. As per locals, British women used to take bath/swim here. Locals found them as Angels so is the name Apsara Vihar.

Apsara Vihar

After visiting few other small waterfalls around, we had to drive back into the panchmarhi city for lunch.

Right after the lunch, we drove to Bee falls. Such a mesmerizing waterfalls at a height of 35 meters,  one has to get down many many steps to get the view (may be around 600 (?) – I dint count) and trail route through lush greenery.

Bee Falls

..on the way to Bee falls..

Dhoopgarh – beautiful sunset to witness

reached Dhoopgarh just before the sunset, there already a lot of people waiting to enjoy the beautiful sunset. Its cold , the temperatures started to drop down and very windy. We are at an elevation of 1,352m ,the highest peak in Madhya Pradesh.

Yet times in life, we forget to appreciate the smallest things around us, being busy in fulfilling day to day chores.These are the moments I take the opportunity to appreciate and be grateful to life what God blessed us with.For me, these nature events are even more special - to watch sun set down at hill-stations or on the beaches. I love sunset ❤

Beautiful Sunset at Dhoopgarh, Panchmarhi

That’s a wonderful end to the day at Panchmarhi

Next day morning, after having samosa, namkeen and Poha for breakfast with a delicious chai (Tea) and started off to Orchha (a good 10hrs of travel by road). Arrived Orchha around 9PM checked in to the hotel.

3.Orchha 

Orchha was founded in 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chief, Rudra Pratap Singh, who became the first King of Orchha, and also built the Fort of Orchha. Other sightseeing places in Orchha are Lakshmi Narayan temple, Chaturbhuj temple, RoyalChhatris (memorial of royals) on the bank of Betwa river.

It’s good to hire a guide to know the history of Bundelkhand and stories they tell about fort and other private rooms of the King and his Queens. 

Orchha Fort Complex 

Lakshmi Narayan temple is one of the huge temples in Orchha. The Mural inside the temples are well preserved. They not only charm the visitors but also preach the spiritual lessons and from the life incidents of Lord Rama and also seen paintings of avatars of Lord Vishnu.

Lakshmi Narayan temple, Orchha

Murals from Lord Vishnu 

painting of  a couple in the hallway of the temple

These Royal Chhatris are built in the memory of former rulers of Bundelkhand dynasty.

View of Royal Chattris along the Betwa river in the beautiful sunset

Later visited a light and sound show at Raj Mahal,The show engaged for about an hour explaining the history of King Rudra Pratap Singh and how Mughals attacked.

Details:Venue: Raj Mahal , Hours:English 6.30pm, Hindi 7.45pm Oct-Mar, all timings  an hour later Apr-Sep

After a long day at Orchha, we are off to Kajuraho and arrived after midnight.

4.Kajuraho:

Kajuraho is more than just about erotic sculptures. Only ~20% of the sculptures are erotic , there are other sculptures of the guardian dieties, the gandharvas, the shiva ganas, the astha dikpalas, apsaras,  human emotions or activities like dancing, playing drums and much more to appreciate the sculpting art.

Kajuraho is divided into Western,Eastern and Southern complexes. The Western complex is well maintained and also of more temples. Tourist guides are quite expensive but here better not to count on money.

Not sure how the idea or whose idea to make such sculptures during Chandela dynasty. But there are many mythological stories to it. During 13th century when Delhi Sultanate seized central India, only 22 temples survived.

Hindu temples often have erotic sculptures on the outer walls but not explicit as it is Kajuraho or Konark. There is a reasoning in Hindu Mythology why different sculptures or paintings are on the outer walls exist.

I remember reading the Hindu scripture at some temple (not in Kajuraho):
Moksha is attained when one leave all the materialistic pleasure on earth.  As per the Hindu Mythology,the outer most layer (walls) of a temple is the zone of demonic influence  (paisachika pada) where people spend their lives for the selfish desires. The next zone or layer of the temple is humans (manushya pada) where the thoughts are drawn towards him (God). The third zone of temple has more stronger  influence to wards the deity (deva pada) where the carvings and paintings of his creations ornate the walls and pillars of the temple. The fourth zone is the where the diety is placed (Brahma Pada).

To  be close to the God, we humans should leave all the worldly temporary pleasures.

Goddess Kali 

 Jain Temple

Varaha stone Statue with many other carvings on it.

Later in the evening , we headed toward eastern group of temples.If you do not have much time and interest, one can skip Eastern complex. At around 6 PM, had a good lunch+early dinner, off to Jabalpur – yet again 7hrs drive.
Overnight stay at Kajuraho would have been more relaxing but as we started off late. we had a make a stopover even before reaching Jabalpur for  the night's sleep.

5.Jabalpur:

Next day morning after breakfast started our journey to Marble rocks. On the way visited Rani Durgawati Fort.

Rani Durgawati Fort :

It is situated atop of the hill in Jabalpur town is a small but enchanting fort of the Rajgond rulers.It is well associated with Rani Durgavati the Gond Queen and her son Veer Narayan. Rani Durgavati eventually died fighting the Moguls and is hailed as a martyr in Indian history. Only Ruins can be seen and a small fort.

Lamheta ghat and Ghughra Falls :

Situated on the banks of Narmada River. Lamheta Ghat can be an option to visit. Its really nice to enjoy and relax at Ghughra Falls.

Ghugra Falls, Jabalpur

Bheda Ghat:

One can enjoy a boat ride at Bheda Ghat in clear, transparent and calm waters of Narmada River bounded by Marble rocks. Don't miss out on a boat ride as it is as well entertaining with the commentary and stories (on few Bollywood film making here) fro the guide and helmsman.

Marble rocks at Bheda Ghat, Jabalpur

Sunset at Bheda Ghat , Jabalpur

Dhuandhar Water falls:

Here, Narmada water fall from a height of 95meters, with a loud sound. These waterfalls are extraordinary to watch.

Cable car over the Dhuandhar waterfalls, Jabalpur

At around evening, started off to Kanha National Park. Google maps are not the best option during our visit due to construction deviations. Its another adventure we ended up at the dried up river in the middle of the night. We have no choice but had to take U-turn. An advice is to check with your hotel at Kanha National Park to choose the route.

6. Kanha National Park

No advance booking is required.One can wake up early in the morning  to stand in the queue at ticket counter or check with hotel staff to arrange the safari booking.

This moment makes it all worth. Tiger sighting in wild life Safari's are one of the best moments.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"

Srilanka

Srilanka

Sinhala Kingdom (සිංහල රාජධානිය)

Sinhalese Culture, dating back to 2600 years and has been long influenced by Theravada Buddhism passed on from India. The history of colonial occupation with Portuguese, Dutch and British has intermingled the various traditional facets of Lankan culture.

Srilanka is one of the beautiful Islands and a perfect destination to make a wonderful trip with your loved ones :)

Check out my YOUTUBE link : https://youtu.be/iTRTPU7Q1EQ

Itinerary: - Click  here

What can you expect from Srilanka ? ☺☺

Here you go -

 Ancient ruins, Cultural shows, Hill stations, Tea plantations, National park, Beaches, 

Whale watching, Dutch colonies, Buddha temples .....

1. Anuradhapura

It's was the ancient capital of Srilanka. The historical complex has a rich culture of archaeological and architectural wonders like Stupas and Royal pools

Abhayagiri Dagoba in Anuradhapura

Isurumuniya temple in Anuradhapura

2. Polonnaruwa

Its a second most ancient city of Srilanka and declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.The ancient ruins are well preserved and maintained.

TIP: If you have less time choose Polonnaruwa over Anuradhapura.

The Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu

3.Sigriya Rock

According to locals and historical past, King Kashyapa selected this site for his kingdom and built the fortress above the massive rock nearly 200m high. The Royal Palace was abondoned after kings' death. Later, this was used as a Buddhist monasetry.

Climbing up this Sigriya Rock is fun and as well challenging. It offers beautiful views of greenery and another Rock called Pidurangala which is less populated with tourists.

Sigiriya Rock from the main public entrance

on the top of Sigriya Rock

Pidurangala Rock from Sigiriya Rock

3. Dambulla Cave Temple and Golden Temple

Pagoda and The Golden Buddha Statue (Dambulla Golden Temple), downhill from Dambulla caves

The Golden Buddha Statue

Dambulla cave monastery remains are best preserved and dates back to first century. Inside the caves, beautiful murals are painted by Buddhist monks related to Gautama Buddha and his life. Budhha Stautes and Paintings are spread over five caves built at the base of 150m high Dambulla Rock.

4.Kandy

Kandy is the home of the Temple of the tooth-relic, one of the most sacred place in Buddhism. On the wall paintings, the story of how and who brought the tooth relic of Gautama Buddha to Srilanka is depicted. Its also interesting to read that the tooth has been protected under different rulers, kingdoms and how the enemies wanted to destroy it. 

Royal Botanical Gardens

If you are really a fan of variety of plants, flowers, trees and then it is a must visit. Make sure you have plenty of time to walk through the Gardens in Kandy. This botanical garden is spread across vast area and divided based on plantation. Definitely worth to see Orchid families - never imagined that there are many varieties.Enjoy walking through the palm trees towards the Maheweli River 

Kandy is also a place to attend the cultural show. This event will be held in a hall near the Kandy lake. After the event, its a good idea to visit the Kandy tooth relic temple - for the aarti (evening prayers) 

Shopaholics : Kandy is a good place to indulge yourself in shopping.

There are few vegetarian Dosa centre's in this city. For a South Indian like me,I thoroughly enjoyed eating Dosa with Sambar :) Yummy !!

5. Nuwara Eliya

This morning we started off to Nuwara Eliya by road. I read many blogs saying its a beautiful train journey from Kandy to Ella, takes about 8hrs. Due to lack of time in the plan,opted to go by road. Nevertheless,  it is beautiful with tea plantations, greenery all around. In my view this place is like Munnar in Kerala ( one of my favourite destination in India). Visited a Tea factory and also a place to buy the varieties of Tea.

On the way, stopped at a Hanuman temple ( Its important to wear right clothing any temple visiting -no sleeveless, no shorts) Its a good idea to carry a scarf always.

Its a small temple on the hill and very serene place with a huge Hanuman Statute. The Surroundings are so beautiful to indulge in a small talk over cup of coffee while enjoying the nature. On a holiday, where there is no time pressure, its best to enjoy the moment.

Next Sightseeing is at Ramboda Falls - one of the highest waterfall in Srilanka. You can watch them only from a farther distance.  I must appreciate our tourist guide+driver for taking us to the best view points.

Ramboda Falls

Finally arrived in Nuwara Eliya - It was planned to spend some time along the Gregory Lake.But first we made a brunch lunch or early dinner break- whatever you say. we should eat something as we dint get to stop-by anywhere on the way. After fueling, visited a post office to buy post cards and there's also an opportunity to post them (for little money). 

Its a beautiful hill station and worth to spend a day. At around 6 PM , started to be foggy and chill weather. Just visited Sita Ram temple. At last, I found some evidence to Ramayana :) But hardly locals talk about Ramayana in this country.

Missed to hangout at Gregory lake, may be next time !! After a long exhausting drive on the hair pin bends, I was very much looking forward to rest and reach Ella.

6. Ella

I tried hard to get the pronunciation right but it always sounded funny whenever i say it. even now while writing this :)

Fully energized to climb up Little Adam's Peak.

Little Adam's Peak 

Trek down to view the Nine Arch Bridge, constructed during the colonial-era. Beautiful to watch with the greenery in the nearby hill sides.

Nine Arch Bridge

Stayed in a nice hotel with the beautiful views. Each Penny is worth it !!

Had late breakfast and then started off to Yala National park for the next adventure which was to sight a Leopard.

view from the hotel, Ella

Again Lipton's seat is a miss due to time and long distance to drive and also trek to the Diyaluma Falls (It was advised not to trek as it's been raining in the past days). One more additional day of stay in Ella would have worked out to do the above mentioned activities. on the way to Yala National Park, stopped at Ravana Falls and Diyaluma Falls

Ravana Falls

Diyaluma Falls

7.Yala National Park

Its a beautiful safari experience unlike my past experiences in Ranthambore and Kanha National Parks. 

on my research , I've learnt Block 1 has more chances of Leopard sighting. 

I prayed and wished to see a Leopard. As our safari driver was very slow, I thought may be the chances are low. But here comes the experience in action.Never underestimate anyone and nature teaches you to be patient.And I learn it better each time when I'm in nature.

we were one of the lucky crowds who did see the Leopard that day.. It was remarkable experience.

Not just Leopard, but Yala offer much more Flora and Fauna (Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, ..)

Patanangala, rock outcrop in the Yala beach

Locals said, in 2004 when Tsunami hit this area, no animal was dead or trapped as they predicted the environmental changes and moved to safe place. This proved animals do sense danger in environment before humans.

After the Safari, now its time to head to Beach.. Yeah.... I was all excited to Soak in the Sun.

On the way, visited a Turtle Hatchery.

Turtle Hatchery:

Its interesting to learn how these hatcheries rescue the wounded, disabled Turtles. These disabilities are sometimes caused by us - humans (they hit by the boats and the nets used for fishing etc - loose the arm to swim or sometimes the outer shell is damaged that the Turtle cannot float anymore). Its really sad to hear stories.

We as humans should learn to coexist on this planet. While I'm writing this blog, whole world is hit by COVID-19. I really hope that we all learn to give importance to the nature and our cohabitants on this planet. Only then our Universe will have balance. Else, ......................

8. Hikkaduwa beach  - Soak in Sun and Salt

Seven days spent sightseeing in the country, its time to rest and relax.Soak in the Sun and Salt.

This area Hikkaduwa is famous for surfing. One can also get the classes to undergo training. Beautiful beach , less crowded and very clean.

9. Mirissa (Whale Watching) 

Got enough sun tan and Vitamin-D in 4 days ;) now its time to do whale watching at Mirissa

Blue whale is the largest mammal ever known and Mirissa is the only place to see these amazing creature in the South Asia.

We headed to Blue Whale Safari early morning 5am. Around 6 am we boarded the ship. Its a good idea to take sea sickness tablet if you are having sea sickness. It's crazy how the ships are raced against each other in the ocean for the blue whale sighting. Also, the ocean offer you to see Dolphins, Sperm whales.

But the Blue whale sighting is incredible. These creatures are amazingly awesome. The euphoria I get when I had tiger sighting in my earlier trips and now Leopards and Blue Whales in this country cannot be explained in words.

10. Galle Fort

After whale watching at Mirissa, freshened up at the hotel and then headed to Galle Fort. A  beautiful small town can be covered on foot.

Galle Light house in the background & Galle beach on the side

Whale watching is a trying activity. Though Galle was interesting, there was no energy left to roam around. Hence, decided to head to Bentota to rest and relax for another two days along side the back waters.

11. Bentota

Reaching Bentota felt like a bliss. Stay was awesome with the beautiful sunset views along the Lagoon. Bentota beach as well a nice,quiet beach.

12. Negembo + Colombo

Final destination is Negembo. 

But what is missing - Colombo. Yes, a day trip to Colombo before we relax at Negembo. 

 Negembo Beach

 Colombo Lotus Flower, Colombo

Gangaramaya Temple 

Located on Beira Lake, a mixture of modern culture and architecture. There are many gifts (Buddha - Idols , Statues, Paintings) from other parts of the world where Buddhism is followed.

 Gangaramaya temple, Colombo

 Independence Memorial Hall, Colombo

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, Colombo

Srilankan Cusine :

String hopper, Boiled Rice Cakes,  Coconut + Jaggery pan cakes (yellow)

“Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets” ~ Oscar Wilde