Going on a ride.....

...in the toy train at Elephanta.

The toy train was a new addition since the last time I visited the caves, and it was supposed to be more of a joy ride than anything else.... We took the train one way for Samhith, and while returning, walked alongside, taking pictures!

Meanwhile, I am off again! No, not on any kind of train, but a ride nevertheless...

Learning the local language

When we first came to Bombay, the biggest challenge we faced was the language – we knew English, Hindi, Tamil, and a smattering of the other south Indian languages, but Marathi was truly an alien tongue then. And to add to that, our school had already started teaching Marathi, so I had to catch up too! We soon realized that the language was not all that hard to understand or to read – it was after all, not too different from Hindi, and thankfully the script was the same, but speaking was another matter altogether. Everyone in our vicinity insisted on being nice, and spoke to us in Hindi, even when we asked them to speak in Marathi so that we could learn the language.

Sky Watch Friday - Sunset along the tracks....

I took this pic from the train while we were returning from Aurangabad..... The sight seemed so apt... the sun setting over the horizon and the tracks going on and on.... theres so much to see, so many places to travel... and life is so short!

For more skies around the world, go to Sky Watch Friday!

Coppersmith Barbet

I keep hearing them all the time, but have realized that they are not all that easy to spot. Some time back, a friend reported that a pair seemed to be nesting on a tree outside her house, but I was unlucky again, for whenever I went there, they didn't make an appearance. I finally managed to get a good look at the pair sometime back when, thanks to the local temple celebrations, we spent hours on our terrace, partly watching the festivities, and partly birdwatching! Here are the pics of our colony's elusive Coppersmith Barbets....

I am back at last!

I am back, after a long hiatus...... and thanks to the gap, don't know what to write... Theres actually lots to write about..... Apart from my trip to Hampi, Badami, Aihiole and Pattadakkal, which most of you know about, I also made a trip to Ajanta and Ellora, and later even one to Elephanta. So now I have so many cave temples I want to describe, and I dont know where to start!! Apart from that, there have been lots more interesting things happening.. such as a book launch, the Kala Ghoda Festival, which is now over... and lots more.....