Off the beaten track- Bishnoi and Pali villages in Rajasthan

From Jodhpur, just 25KM away is Guda Bishnoi village in the middle of the desert with sparse vegetation. The village is known for the migratory birds and endangered Black Bucks (an Indian antelope). The place became popular when a celebrity was beaten up by the poor villagers for shooting and killing two black bucks. The villagers then filed a police complaint for the same. And so it is not a place for anybody to get caught while hunting!

Colorful Skies- Clouds over Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is one of its kind. Though not so popular like other national parks in California it has a beautiful desert landscape. The blue sky and the cotton-y clouds in the afternoon make make the place spectacular.

Birds- Flamingoes from SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld in San Diego is one popular amusement park with some breathtakingly amazing shows and intense rides. It also has a large collection of marine creatures and aquatic birds on display. One beautiful sight was a flock of American Flamingoes.

Heritage- Jodhpur, the Capital of Kingdom Marwar

During my road-trip to Rajasthan, from Jaipur I made my way to Jodhpur which is popularly known as Blue City. Because, most of the houses are painted in blue. This second largest city in Rajasthan is also called Sun City because of the bright sunlight! Yes, quite bright to wear sunglasses! The main attraction in the city is the seven storied Mehrangarh Fort majestically standing on a hilltop.

Colorful Skies- Sunrise seen from my home!

I have posted a couple of pictures earlier on the sunrise and sunsets seen from my terrace. Here is one more! I woke up early in the morning for a brisk walk and I see this from my balcony. Without any delay I took a picture. The sun looks like molten gold behind the silhouette of the trees. A delight to watch.  

This year has been very unlucky for me in terms of travel. Early this year my mother had a knee replacement surgery. By the time she recovered I was sick- I had some problem with my bones. They hurt very bad. Doctors complained on my veggie diet. I do not have enough nutrition. Now I am perfectly okay eating the same food :) I was all ready to rock and Himalayas started flooding enough to scare my parents and they forced me to abort the plans to visit Himalayas. I thought of going on foreign trips this fall and value of rupee hits rock bottom! No wonder I am enjoying sunrises and sunsets from my terrace :) 

Birds- Wing-drying Anhinga at Everglades

As I have mentioned in my earlier post on Everglades National Park one can sight many alligators and anhingas on Anhinga trail. Anhingas nest on the lower branches and so one could sight the chicks in the nest too! It is a sight to behold ... a wing-drying anhinga stretching its long neck out with its wings spread. 

Heritage- Udaipur, The City of Lakes

Paradise for architecture lovers vibrant Rajasthan is an incredible destination popular for its formidable monuments, colorful culture, golden sand dunes and the desert! Magnificent monuments silently tell the tales of prosperity, gallantry and tragedies of the bygone era. I have been to Rajasthan few times. Early this year too I went on a road trip to those popular cities of Rajasthan just to rejuvenate myself with  the unique experience with desert and tradition, some color and spicy food! 

Colorful Skies- Clouds over Mt Denali Range, Alaska

Alaska is one mysterious place and Denali National Park in Alaska is a wonderful place. Vast tundras, green rolling hills and behind all this hiding are the snow capped mountains. The thick clouds in the sky add to the beauty of the place. 

Interesting India- Holy Mice!

Traditions are part of our lives. They have special significance in the local life usually associated with a legend. India is rich in such traditions and beliefs, sometimes they are too very interesting. One of them I know is veneration of mice/rats. I first came across this temple a couple of years ago in Udaipur.

Amusement Parks- Universal Studios, Hollywood

The same way I love National Parks I have a craze for Amusement Parks! Especially the ones with those craziest rides! It was my third trip the Universal Studios and I wasn't bored of those noisy rides. I watch movies and I was really interested in knowing the tricks and the setups used to make those action filled movies.

Colorful Skies- Blue sky over Charley Young beach, Maui

Hawaii is synonymous with beaches. If you go by guidebooks, finding a beach with no crowd is a challenge :) There are places which are beautiful and not crowded. The key is- avoid the beaches that are mentioned in the guidebooks or recommended on internet. 

Birds- White Ibis at Everglades National Park

I have posted so much about Everglades National Park and I have so much more to share! It doesn't seem to end very soon! Here is one picture of back-lit white ibis. I took this picture from the boat in Gulf Coast area of Everglades.

Amusement Parks- The Shamu show at SeaWorld, San Diego

Well, one of the most popular attraction in Southern California, The SeaWorld in San Diego is definitely a must see. I am not a big fan of confining and training wild animals for human entertainment. Still I am amazed by the power of humans to tame and teach these massive creatures to perform to the perfection. 

Colorful Skies- Clouds over Crater Lake, Oregon

Crater Lake National Park is one of the spectacles of Oregon. When I saw this lake for the first time in person it left me speechless! Blue water in a rocky bowl- that's how it looked. I always refer it as an immeasurable beauty! When I was there few beautiful clouds accumulated over the lake to add a bonus.

Travel Talk- Whats wrong in visiting touristy places?

During my backpacking trip in India I visited few very interesting places. One of them was Khajuraho. I was amazed by the beauty of those temples, the stone carving and that amazing architecture. I kept wondering how grand it would have been during the medieval period when all these temples were functioning. It never occurred to me that I was in a 'touristy' place which is visited by thousands everyday. There were so many other tourists, domestic as well as international, who too were mesmerized by the temple complex. If you are one of those so called 'travelers' who say you dislike visiting 'touristy' places then you are missing something, IMO!

The Bloom- Antelope Valley California Poppy Revserve

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is one of the amazing things I have seen. The state flower of California- Poppy blooms on the sloppy grasslands in Mohave Desert. In good weather conditions the rolling hills are draped with fields of wild orange poppy blooms.

Colorful Skies- Beautiful sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the natural wonders in USA. Red hoodoos standing high in the natural amphitheaters is a sight to behold. Sunrises and sunsets are one of the must experience items! Here is one of the sunrises I witnessed in the park.

Travel Talk- Why eat Street Food?

It is a common question to most of us travelers/tourists ... what makes us travel? And one of the most common reasons is to 'experience local culture and cuisine'. But, how many of us really experience the local authentic culture and cuisine? The package tours, expensive hotels and similar usually arrange some events which are 'tailor made' for the tourists, so where is the authenticity? And these are sometimes not affordable to the budget travelers. When you want the real experience go for street food or semi-street food! If you ask me why? here are my reasons ...

Waterfalls- Jog Falls, The pride of Karnataka, India

Recently I received an email from one of the readers and he addressed me as a Non-American blogging on America. Well, it reminded me to write on India too! So here is one post on India- a destination from my own Karnataka. Jog Falls (830ft), one of the tallest plunge waterfall in India is located in the state of Karnataka. This is one of the major tourist attractions that comes to life during the monsoons. River Sharavathi plunges down 830ft in four segments to create this magnificent beauty.

Colorful Skies- Blue sky over Three Patriarchs of Zion

Zion National Park is home for high sandstone cliffs and peaks. One could see as many but still there will some more left to see. And each of these cliffs are named with interesting names.