Gudibande 26th June 2017

Posted by Poornima Belawaadi

Eid Mubark ! Yes 26th the Ramzan day, myself and Bharath my husband decided to take a drive to gudibande fort in Chikkaballapur district .The journey was around 1 hr 45 minutes about 90 kms from our home.We left home around 8.30 AM, an hour late than the decided time.It's ok,lets move.After about 45 minutes our stomach was craving for food hence we stopped at Nandini hotel for lip smacking breakfast.From there we headed to Gudibande with the GPS on.We could reach there by 10.30 AM.

The rock fort


The start

Byre Gowda, a local chieftain of Gudibande built this magnificent fort during the 17th century around 400 years ago. The fort is a paradise for trekkers and nature lovers. Gudibande fort is a multi-level fort said to be built based on the one in Madhugiri. It has an amazing example for water harvesting system, as one can witness various small pools for the storage.The fort has temples, caves and many secret passages, so that during any emergency the soldiers could save themselves by heading through the secret passages. The temples are carved from the huge boulders and rocks.On top of the fort is a Shiva temple.

Somewhere during the climb

Water Source on the top


Shiva Temple
Relaxing
We

It was not a hard climb though .Enjoying the breeze with pics around was cool.But there were no one around and quite scary too ! We managed to climb within half an hour.The wind was in it's maximum acceleration.Literally it could carry both of us.The temple was closed unfortunately.Fine, we explored around the hill top with some pics.

Butterflies

Zinnia plant


Jumping pic


Bharath was so very much interested in taking few plants with red flowers in it (Mom confirmed it as zinnia).As and when we started to decent, there were lots of beautiful butterflies.My camera was quite happy to have clicked them.It was quite a hot day.We were back to the base by 12.30 PM.I had also planned for Avalabetta but got to know that climbing to the cliff was banned due to some accident recently.We headed back to Bangalore buying Chakkota(pomelo) , Jambul or Jamun fruit and jackfruit on the way.Reached home at 2 PM after having lunch in the mess near our home.It was quite a tiring but satisfying day :) 

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Thailand, the land of Smiles June 8th -12th 2017

Posted by Poornima Belawaadi

Day 1.
The land of similes was awaiting with open arms to welcome me.It was FD 138 Air Asia flight from Bangalore to Don Mueang Airport , Thailand at 11.45 PM.With full enthu reached Thailandat 5 AM after a small nap in the flight. The visa on arrival was not a lengthy procedure when you have all the documents(Return flight ticket,boarding pass , hotel details and 10 k Thai Baht for individual and 20 k Thai Baht for family along with the 4*6 cm photo)Since my documents were ready , it was half an hour deal to get my visa in hand.Now after the baggage claim I took a sim for 300 Baht .The lady who was supposed to pick me was waiting with the board .I was initially scared that they may leave if I’m late.She also handed over a sim card which I did not use and took my pic along with it.I was taken to Pattaya in a car which was 4 long hrs journey.On the way, around 10.30 , Driver took me to Sri Racha Tiger Zoo.
The Zoo Entrance

Crocodile Show

Cub feeding

Pic with the Tiger

 One of it’s kind, the zoo is a huge area and  has number of activities around.The tiger show was mesmarizing and was the highlight of the day.You can also hold a cub and click pics with it by feeding milk.Also click pics with crocodiles and tigers.The crocodile and pig show was amazing . 
Inside the zoo

Tiger show

Zoo Entrance
That was a great kick start.Later I was taken to Grand Sole Pattaya Hotel .I had carried chapatis from India for the lunch and had those in the Hotel and rested for a while.By 4 PM, Nat my tour guide came to discuss about the next day plan.later I took a stroll near by and visited the central mall and purchased Silk shawls in the surrounding area.Later headed towards the other side of the hotel and found a souvenir shop where I shopped fridge magnets and bookmarks. 
On the way to Mall

Guitar shop in the mall

In the mall

Enjoying 

Night life Pattaya

Night Life Pattaya
From there I found a local restaurant which served Thai green curry.This was the moment.The real Thai green curry in Thailand was on my bucket list.headed towards the hotel with totally satisfied tummy .
Thai Green Curry
That was a happy day 1 with wildlife and local stuffs.


Day 2.
Fresh morning with yummy breakfast in hotel was how I started my day 2.My driver arrived at 10.30 AM for Pattaya sightseeing. The first location was the big Buddha hill .It was a sort of hill station with literally big Buddha idol on the top after a few climb.
Big Buddha 

Sleeping Buddha

Poses

Poses

The entrance goes this way

Monuments

 Right opposite to that was the view point where the Pattaya beach was clearly visible. Super start with a super view. 
Pattaya beach from the view point

At the view point

Near the view point

 It was 11.30 AM. Next destination was the floating market .I reached there by 12 PM.He handed over the tickets to me and guided with the entrance.Later it was my turn to roam around. Pattaya Floating Market has long been a major attraction in Pattaya, and is the largest such destination in Eastern Thailand. Visitors flock to its quaint surrounds to enjoy shopping at 100 outlets, cultural activities, traditional shows and dining on local foodstuffs. Pattaya Floating Market is established under the concept of presenting cultures and traditions from the four diverse regions of Thailand: Northern, Southern, Central, and North-eastern. The concept covers how people from these four regions live, what their main activities are and what the main products from there are. 
Floating market Entrance

In the boat

Shops

With a fellow traveller

Big boat

When visiting the market, you can tour unique ethnic products, such as wooden sculptures, silverware, textiles, paper handicrafts, sailing boat models, wooden handmade bags, Thai silks an more. Not surprisingly, the place is great for buying souvenirs or gifts for friends and family back home. The jetties for the shops, which are housed in typical traditional Thai-style buildings, are all connected with bridged, and hence very accessible for pedestrians. Bistros and cafés offer a wide range of typical regional Thai dishes. Initially I was taken in a boat with few fellow travellers from Malaysia who were as excited as I was. The peaceful ride for 20 min was extraordinary .From there we were taken in a big boat to a place which was a sort of museum depicting the local culture of the people in Thailand. 
Lady serving juice

MOnkey show

Poses

Super cute vehicle for transfers 

 Monkey show after a 5 min massage was funny. Later in a small van we moved back to the floating market .What I imagined about the market was right in front of my eyes. Locals enjoying their food and drinks on the side of the lake was a treat to watck. Tons of shopping stalls caught my eyes throughout the journey. T shirts was something in my mind since I entered the market and bought 2 for myself.
Shops in the market

Shops

Shops

People enjoying their food

Poses

Poses
It was 2 PM and we headed to Sanctuary of truth. The Sanctuary of Truth is a gigantic wooden construction which covers the area of more than two rais. The top point of the building is about 105 meters high. 
Jumping with joy 

Sanctuary of truth temple complex

Inside the temple

Inside the temple

Front view
It was constructed to withstand the wind and sunshine on the seashore at Rachvate Cape, Tumbon Naklea, Amphur Banglamung, Chon Buri Province.The building was constructed according to ancient Thai ingenuity and every square inch of the building is covered with wooden carve sculpture. The purposes of decoration with wooden carve sculptures are to use art and culture as the reflection of Ancient Vision of Earth, Ancient Knowledge, and Eastern Philosophy. 
Wooden Carvings

Poses


Another jumping pic

 With in this complex, visitors will understand Ancient Life, Human Responsibility, Basic Thought, Cycle of living, Life Relationship with Universe and Common Goal of Life toward Utopia.It was a dream come true when I actually saw the structure .With hell lots of pics inside and out, I headed towards the hotel and had a late lunch in a Indian hotel nearby.It was a tiring but a satisfying day.

Day 3.
After a heavy breakfast in the hotel , There was lot of time for the driver to take me to Bangkok.So I decided to take a foot massage just opposite to the hotel.It was damn relaxing and worth 200 baht.by 12 PM driver picked me to the bus station.From the bus with the other travellers we moved to Bangkok.On the way just half an hour before the city we were again taken to different cabs based on the hotel area.Mine was the last stop unfortunately. 
Towards Emporium Mall

Emporium mall

Pic of the king

Shops on the streets

 It was 5 PM by the time I checked in .I thought of shopping so went to Emporium mall but couldn’t find the local stuffs.So enquired few pedestrians and took a tuk tuk to a market 5-6 kms from the hotel.bad luck again.Nothing of my choice.So reached back sadly to the hotel(Check in regency – Sukhumvit ) and again walked towards the other side of the hotel  to another mall.On the way I purchased a tuk tuk and had a lemon drink . The entire day was spent roaming around for shopping and gazing at the malls and streets.I was too tired so got some bhindi masala and methi parotta parcelled.

Day 4.
I knew that this day was the most awaited day of the entire trip.Lots of temples to look around. I was geared up at 7 AM with a heavy breakfast in the hotel.Me along with few other travellers were taken to Grand palace .We were given 1n hour time to spend which was not at all enough. The palace has been the official residenceof the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace         until 1925. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX),           resided at Chitralada Royal Villa and his successor Vajiralongkorn at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, both in the Dusit Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year. 
Grand Palace

Palace complex

Monuments

Me

Me

Jumping pic

Cool
The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand. Rather than being a single structure, the Grand Palace is made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. Its asymmetry and eclectic styles are due to its organic development, with additions and rebuilding being made by successive reigning kings over 200 years of history. It is divided into several quarters: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; the Outer Court, with many public buildings; the Middle Court, including the Phra Maha Monthien Buildings, the Phra Maha Prasat Buildings and the Chakri Maha Prasat Buildings; the Inner Court and the Siwalai Gardens quarter. The Grand Palace is currently partially open to the public as a museum, but it remains a working palace, with several royal offices still situated inside.What a palace !! So different from the palaces in India.Beauty at its best.My love towards buddhism grew after looking at the Emerald Buddha so purchased a small green colour buddha souvenir along with a Thailand glass souvenir.

 I decided to roam around by myself so informed driver to drop me to Sleeping Buddha temple  or Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha).It was quite a huge complex with a big sleeping buddha idol. The Wat Pho or “Temple of the Reclining Buddha” is one of Bangkok’s most attractive temples. It is a much visited temple complex due to its location immediately South of the Grand Palace and the huge Reclining Buddha image it houses.The temple that is officially named Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram is one of the six temples in Thailand that are of the highest grade of the first class Royal temples. The Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple complex in Bangkok, it houses more than 1,000 Buddha images which is more than any other Wat in Thailand. Most of the images were brought over from abandoned temples in places as Ayutthaya and Sukhothai by order of King Rama I.After the foundation of Bangkok in the Ko Rattanakosin area in 1782 and the construction of the Grand Palace, King Rama I ordered the construction of the Wat Pho. The temple was built on the site of an older, Ayutthaya era temple named Wat Photharam right next to the Grand Palace.During the reign of King Rama III the temple complex was renovated and enlarged which took over 16 years to complete.
Wat Pho

Sleeping buddha

Sleeping Buddha


Temple complex

Jumping Pic

The arena was so peaceful and calm.Fine, shopping time again.Shawls and  pants were in the bag within 5 mins! From there I has to take a boat for 1 min ride to Wat Arun or Temple of dawn. he main feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (Khmer-style tower) which is encrusted with colourful porcelain. This is interpreted as a stupa-like pagoda encrusted with coloured faience. The height is reported by different sources as between 66.8 m (219 ft) and 86 m (282 ft). The corners are surrounded by four smaller satellite prang. The prang are decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China.
Wat Arun

Wat Arun Complex

Around the temple

Poses

Golden Buddha

Golden Buddha

Temple complex

Poses

Poses

The central prang is topped with a seven-pronged trident, referred to by many sources as the "Trident of Shiva".Around the base of the prang are various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the Hindugod Indra riding on Erawan. In the Buddhist iconography, the central prang is considered to have three symbolic levels—base for Traiphum indicating all realms of existence, middle for Tavatimsa where all desires are gratified and top denoting Devaphum indicating six heavens within seven realms of happiness. At the riverside are six pavilions (sala) in Chinese style. The pavilions are made of green granite and contain landing bridges.
Next to the prang is the Ordination Hall with a Niramitr Buddha image supposedly designed by King Rama II. The front entrance of the Ordination Hall has a roof with a central spire, decorated in coloured ceramic and stuccowork sheated in coloured china. There are two demons, or temple guardian figures, in front. The murals were created during the reign of Rama V.After making a visit to the temple. I hired a taxi back to the hotel.Had a yummy pizza at the hotel nearby .Now was the time to check out from the hotel since my flight was at 9 PM .Driver picked me at 5 PM .Air Asia FD 138 safely landed in Bangalore at 12 AM on 13th June.When ever I think of Thailand, it makes me smile.Wish to visit again .

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Location: Thailand
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