Looking At You

Picture taken on the summit of  Doddabetta, 8,650 ft above sea-level, in The Blue Mountains of Tamil Nadu.
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An Adieu

The twilight tryst:
The separation.

“I must climb alone, dear friend:
Yours is a different path to fly.”

The nervous embrace of new, and separate, adventures:
The wry acceptance of an awkward au revoir.
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Picture taken on the seafront, Fort Cochin.

“I guess that’s why they call it the blues..”

Picture taken in Fort Cochin, while experimenting with my camera’s recently downloaded “partial colour” firmware.
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(Title borrowed from Elton John)

Punting With Poise

Our lazy afternoon drift along the backwaters showcased various schools of punting:

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Power, comedy and effortless grace.
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Pictures of Jaimon, Anu and Robin, punting on the Chellanam backwaters, Kerala.

Carnival Crowds

While the New Year’s Eve beach celebrations had been attended, almost only, by men,
our New Year’s Day’s Carnival in Fort Cochin was enjoyed by everyone.

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Among those watching this spectacle were Anu, and Shaji & Dalila with their youngest son, Fabian.
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A Transition

As an old and weary year makes way for something new, Fort Cochin celebrates on the beach.

Happy crowds assemble.
Police, in high-profile but good humour, watch over events.
Fireworks, friendship, cameras, laughter, singing, and even space-restricted dancing, all play their parts.

The previous year’s “Santa Claus” is set alight:
a custom I have seen nowhere else!

Then, as the final fireworks die, an excited but tired crowd quietly fades,
like ghosts of the recently departed year.

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This celebration of memories, hopes and dreams is over.

Happy New Year!
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Pictures taken on Fort Cochin Beach at midnight, New Year’s Eve.

A Cruise For Christmas

or
Four Men In A Boat

Christmas Day was spent with friends.
Robin invited Anu and I to join his family’s celebrations.

The fun started immediately:
Robin and his brother, Jolly, took us in one of their fishing canoes through the canals and lakes which back onto the family home.

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Beautiful scenery, gentle warm breezes, just a few bottles of cool beer, and a lot of laughter.
All served with the companionship of kind friends.
It’s the perfect recipe for a very happy Christmas.
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Pictures taken in Chellanam, on Christmas afternoon.

Looking For An Answer

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Pictures of Robin – my kind helper, travel companion and friend – taken in Rumtek Buddhist Monastery, Sikkim.

Care In The Community

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Pictures taken in Rumtek Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, Sikkim.

Teatime Treats

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When a friend returned from a trip to Ooty I was very pleased to see him.

When he presented me with four caddies of Nigiri, single-estate teas,
I was delighted!
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