The Lazy Lion of the Sea — Galapagos Sea Lions
There are some creatures that make you question your life choices. The Galapagos Sea Lion is one of them... When I first arrived on the islands, I expected to be greeted by a ranger, a guide, maybe a pelican with attitude. Instead, I found a sea lion — sprawled on the beach, snoring gently, a flipper...
Antarctica Travel – Forbidding and Inviting – A Beyonder Journey
Did you know that Antarctica was the last place on this planet to be discovered? That too, by chance, when a Russian expedition saw the Fimbul ice shelf in 1820. The first confirmed landing on the continent was by a Norwegian team in 1895. That was the beginning of Antarctica travel. Of course, then there was...
Adaptation in Antarctica – the key to survival – Beyonder
How do animals survive here?
The simple answer is adaptation in Antarctica. Humans put on warm clothes and torches to survive. Animals do better – they adapt. The ocean-dwellers are protected from the extreme weather by the water… The waters are full-up with food and hence it’s a comfortable home… Some migrate to the northern climes...
The Penguins of Antarctica – Beyonder
The Penguins of Antarctica
When one speaks of wildlife in Antarctica, penguins come to mind immediately. In fact, of the eighteen penguin species in the world, eight live in Antarctica. Some call them awkward, ungainly beings, others call them cute. That’s subjective. What is indisputable is that they are fab swimmers. They use their flippers like...
Antarctica and its Seals – Beyonder
Antarctica & its seals have much in common - both are full of mystery and as alluring as forbidding. The seals of Antarctica are as much a draw for the curious traveler as the penguins. Let’s look at some of them…
Weddell seals
They reach a length of about 12 feet and a weight of 600 kg....
Palakkad – The Extraordinary under the façade of the Ordinary
Palakkad, Kerala, my Home-town
Palakkad (or Palghat as it was called earlier) is a small town in Kerala state of Southern India. It is a non-descript town with no pretensions to grandeur or historical significance. Naturally beautiful and simple, it boasts of a quiet, simple, laid-back life. It is my home town. And I love it. My...
Houseboat Experience in Kerala
The houseboat experience in Kerala is chief among the many attractions in Kerala, God’s Own Country. A few of these attractions are nature at its greenest, mountains, lakes, beaches, Ayurveda, culture and traditions… Oh, and food… Let me start by talking of the backwaters of Kerala. Where a houseboat experience is simply a must-do.
The backwaters...
Potala Palace in Tibet, the Forbidden Land
Why Tibet?
The Potala Palace of the Dalai Lama has always been a source of great fascination for me. In fact, all of Tibet, the Forbidden Land. The fact that it was a land that very few were allowed in (especially Europeans were prohibited entry!) was the base of its allure. This was compounded by a series...
Chopta – A Himalayan haven for all interests
Chopta is called the mini-Switzerland of India for a reason. This is a small region of green meadows at a height of about 2500 meters above sea level. In the midst of an evergreen forest that is part of the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary. In the middle of the Himalayas. Surrounded by snow-clad mountains. The views...