A-Z of Ramzan street side shopping in the old city of Hyderabad!
Beautiful everyday moments made tangible through my lens ...
Monday, July 28, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
~ When the elements aligned ~
When the classic five elements of nature - Water, Land, Wind, Air (Sky) and Light (Fire) aligned in layers ...
Alappuzha, Kerala, India.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
~ Lake Placid ~
Some days are as gorgeous as it can get and some moments just wait to be photographed!
MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Singapore.
MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Singapore.
Monday, July 7, 2014
A slice of Arabian adventure!
I lie on my back, relaxed, watching the puffy white clouds move one after the other beneath the canvas of deep blue sky. The surrounding peaks of the giant mountains tower right above, moving slowly in my visual frame as our dhow gently cruise in the boundless turquoise ocean. Suddenly a school of bottle-nose dolphins race past our dhow and the excitement doubles! I use our dhow as a makeshift diving board and throw myself into the deep blue water only to emerge out of a gorgeous emerald pool, shaded by green palm trees deep down a remote canyon. I hike all the way up, crossing a cluster of forgotten houses and later a beautiful village growing tropical fruits, only again to find myself standing at the mouth of an endless sea of red sand dunes with a few scattered camels for company!
Such mysterious was my dream when I read about Oman and slept the other night. I have never been to the sultanate of Oman before or for that matter any middle-eastern country. The closest I have come across any middle-eastern affair in my life is the mouthwatering delicacies I have had in the old city of Hyderabad, India. Being a curious travel photographer who is passionate about learning culture and lifestyle of the visiting places, I carefully choose the destination I travel. I prefer such places that retains old world charm and traditions in the changing times. I carefully avoid those places that has totally lost its roots to rapid urbanization, without any room for nature. I have explored various countries in Asia and really enjoyed the diverse culture they boast along with rapid progress they make. When I turned to middle-east, one place that easily outshined other places based on my preferences for Nature is the sultanate of Oman. Oman is a diverse tropical oasis with its ultra-luxury capital Muscat, beaches with their white sand and turquoise waters, majestic Hajar mountains and huge desert wilderness stretching limitless with its rolling sand dunes of different hues. There is enough to feed any adrenaline hungry adventure bones as well. If I get to travel to the sultanate of Oman any time in the future, I will try to travel the length and breadth of the country to immerse myself in its diverse culture, beauty and hospitality. Referring to various travel magazines and articles about Oman, I have carefully consolidated and framed a detailed itinerary that I plan to follow for the trip around the country. Thanks to Oman tourism development, it is pretty safe to travel around the country even as a solo traveler!
My trip would start from the capital city of Muscat, with its amazing international connectivity. I would prefer flying into Muscat in the month of February when it is at its celebratory best displaying its best of culture and art, at the Muscat Festival. I would take a tour of the Grand Mosque to appreciate the beauty in all the intricate details, with special focus on Islamic architecture. Next would be Bait al Zubair museum to get an insight on Oman's social history and the route it took to development. Evening would be dedicated for a nice stroll along the waterfront corniche exploring various food joints for local delicacies. Being at the strategic mouth of Oman gulf, marina Bandar Al Rhowda would be well worth a morning visit for a dive to explore the marine life above and below the water. It is said to be a true mix of flora and fauna of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. An evening dhow ride in the golden light would be perfect to enjoy the picturesque vistas of the city coastline and the volcanic hills surrounding the capital. Next a customary visit to the colorful Muttrah Souk to indulge in the garment shopping would happily bring an end to the day!
Having tasted the capital city a bit, I would embark on my journey to explore 'what rest of the Oman' has to offer. Barka, the sea-side fish market would be my first stop for the wonderful photographic opportunities of early morning fishing activities and understanding the causual lifestyle of the Omanis living outside the city circle. Sawadi fort set against the brilliant backdrop of the ocean would make a definite pit stop. It should be adventurous and challenging to drive through the remote Hajar mountains to the spectacular Wadi Bani Auf and thereafter to the most beautiful mountain village of Balad Sayt framed by the dramatic mountains. Then a visit to the picturesque Misfat Al Abreyeen, the still inhabited old mountain village will be interesting to see the lifestyle of the people living in such remote locations totally depending on the nature and their livestock. It will be heavenly then to retire at a temporary camp made in the jebel shams range with a wonderful views over Jebel Misht.
The next morning I would drive down to Al Khitaym for an easy hike to the old village of Sab Bani Khamis. This route supposedly offers wonderful views of Arabia's version of Grand Canyon and the highest point of the range. Back at Al Khitaym, I would drive to the beautiful village of Al Hamra with its characteristic mud houses and then to the old capital of Nizwa. Being the cultural capital, I will spend the entire day exploring the legendary fort with strong traditional architecture. Nizwa Souq will definitely make an interesting destination for photographing and catching local market action!
If I happen to be at Nizwa on a Friday morning, I would definitely consider myself lucky to experience 'Souq Al Jumaa', the friday market that brings in people from remote mountains to Nizwa. The experience would be totally Arabian and a great feast to my camera and the photographer in me! Next drive would be to the most scenic Wadi Bani Khalid, known for its deep blue pools. I would hike down the canyon starting from the village of Bidah for the most beautiful views of canyon valley and finally a relaxing swim in the gorgeous pool of water. I can spend countless hours photographing the wadi. Final destination as per my plan would be Rimal Al Sharqiya to enjoy the magical sunset over the dunes. It is a photographer's delight to watch the ball of fire slowly disappear behind the vast expanse of sands! A bit of dune bashing and settle for a camp stay in the remote part of the dunes, just to experience the wilderness under the complete starlit sky!
For me a long walk across the dunes early in the morning will mark a perfect start to the day! If possible, a trip to any nearby Bedouin village will be perfect to see and document the lifestyle of Bedouin tribes. Later I would drive down to the coastal town of Sur with its rich seafaring heritage. It will be interesting to see how dhows are still built in the traditional fashion. A visit to the dramatic Sinaysla castle and the narrow lanes of pretty whitewashed village of Al Ayjah will make a perfect setting for photography!
Wadi Shab will be my next destination. Known for its spectacular geography, this wadi will be a definite visit before I drive down to Wadi Al Arbiyeen, known for its splendid mountain formations and gushing streams. Muscat will be the last destination for the day.
My trip to Oman would be incomplete if I don't visit Oman's sleepy exclave, Musandam peninsula. A quick flight would take me from Muscat to Khasab. I will utilize the day for a four-wheel-drive up to Jebel Hareem, the peninsula's highest point. It will be interesting to visit the Bedouin villages and other remote settlements on the way. Views from the top overlooking the Straits of Hormuz lit by the setting sun should be well worth all the efforts. Next day I will take a full-day dhow cruise to Kumzar, the northernmost inhabited settlement in Oman. I have heard a lot about the spectacular fjords of Musandam often compared to the fjords of Norway, it will be fabulous to see and experience them in reality!
Finally, just to experience the magnificent remote wadis of Musandam, I will hire a taxi for a round-trip from Khasab to Bukha and will spend a day photographing the landscape and people in those remote regions of the peninsula. Back in Khasab, a flight back to Muscat would happily bring an end to the satisfying trip around Oman!
Oman Ministry of Tourism - http://www.omantourism.gov.om/
Such mysterious was my dream when I read about Oman and slept the other night. I have never been to the sultanate of Oman before or for that matter any middle-eastern country. The closest I have come across any middle-eastern affair in my life is the mouthwatering delicacies I have had in the old city of Hyderabad, India. Being a curious travel photographer who is passionate about learning culture and lifestyle of the visiting places, I carefully choose the destination I travel. I prefer such places that retains old world charm and traditions in the changing times. I carefully avoid those places that has totally lost its roots to rapid urbanization, without any room for nature. I have explored various countries in Asia and really enjoyed the diverse culture they boast along with rapid progress they make. When I turned to middle-east, one place that easily outshined other places based on my preferences for Nature is the sultanate of Oman. Oman is a diverse tropical oasis with its ultra-luxury capital Muscat, beaches with their white sand and turquoise waters, majestic Hajar mountains and huge desert wilderness stretching limitless with its rolling sand dunes of different hues. There is enough to feed any adrenaline hungry adventure bones as well. If I get to travel to the sultanate of Oman any time in the future, I will try to travel the length and breadth of the country to immerse myself in its diverse culture, beauty and hospitality. Referring to various travel magazines and articles about Oman, I have carefully consolidated and framed a detailed itinerary that I plan to follow for the trip around the country. Thanks to Oman tourism development, it is pretty safe to travel around the country even as a solo traveler!
My trip would start from the capital city of Muscat, with its amazing international connectivity. I would prefer flying into Muscat in the month of February when it is at its celebratory best displaying its best of culture and art, at the Muscat Festival. I would take a tour of the Grand Mosque to appreciate the beauty in all the intricate details, with special focus on Islamic architecture. Next would be Bait al Zubair museum to get an insight on Oman's social history and the route it took to development. Evening would be dedicated for a nice stroll along the waterfront corniche exploring various food joints for local delicacies. Being at the strategic mouth of Oman gulf, marina Bandar Al Rhowda would be well worth a morning visit for a dive to explore the marine life above and below the water. It is said to be a true mix of flora and fauna of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. An evening dhow ride in the golden light would be perfect to enjoy the picturesque vistas of the city coastline and the volcanic hills surrounding the capital. Next a customary visit to the colorful Muttrah Souk to indulge in the garment shopping would happily bring an end to the day!
Having tasted the capital city a bit, I would embark on my journey to explore 'what rest of the Oman' has to offer. Barka, the sea-side fish market would be my first stop for the wonderful photographic opportunities of early morning fishing activities and understanding the causual lifestyle of the Omanis living outside the city circle. Sawadi fort set against the brilliant backdrop of the ocean would make a definite pit stop. It should be adventurous and challenging to drive through the remote Hajar mountains to the spectacular Wadi Bani Auf and thereafter to the most beautiful mountain village of Balad Sayt framed by the dramatic mountains. Then a visit to the picturesque Misfat Al Abreyeen, the still inhabited old mountain village will be interesting to see the lifestyle of the people living in such remote locations totally depending on the nature and their livestock. It will be heavenly then to retire at a temporary camp made in the jebel shams range with a wonderful views over Jebel Misht.
The next morning I would drive down to Al Khitaym for an easy hike to the old village of Sab Bani Khamis. This route supposedly offers wonderful views of Arabia's version of Grand Canyon and the highest point of the range. Back at Al Khitaym, I would drive to the beautiful village of Al Hamra with its characteristic mud houses and then to the old capital of Nizwa. Being the cultural capital, I will spend the entire day exploring the legendary fort with strong traditional architecture. Nizwa Souq will definitely make an interesting destination for photographing and catching local market action!
If I happen to be at Nizwa on a Friday morning, I would definitely consider myself lucky to experience 'Souq Al Jumaa', the friday market that brings in people from remote mountains to Nizwa. The experience would be totally Arabian and a great feast to my camera and the photographer in me! Next drive would be to the most scenic Wadi Bani Khalid, known for its deep blue pools. I would hike down the canyon starting from the village of Bidah for the most beautiful views of canyon valley and finally a relaxing swim in the gorgeous pool of water. I can spend countless hours photographing the wadi. Final destination as per my plan would be Rimal Al Sharqiya to enjoy the magical sunset over the dunes. It is a photographer's delight to watch the ball of fire slowly disappear behind the vast expanse of sands! A bit of dune bashing and settle for a camp stay in the remote part of the dunes, just to experience the wilderness under the complete starlit sky!
For me a long walk across the dunes early in the morning will mark a perfect start to the day! If possible, a trip to any nearby Bedouin village will be perfect to see and document the lifestyle of Bedouin tribes. Later I would drive down to the coastal town of Sur with its rich seafaring heritage. It will be interesting to see how dhows are still built in the traditional fashion. A visit to the dramatic Sinaysla castle and the narrow lanes of pretty whitewashed village of Al Ayjah will make a perfect setting for photography!
Wadi Shab will be my next destination. Known for its spectacular geography, this wadi will be a definite visit before I drive down to Wadi Al Arbiyeen, known for its splendid mountain formations and gushing streams. Muscat will be the last destination for the day.
My trip to Oman would be incomplete if I don't visit Oman's sleepy exclave, Musandam peninsula. A quick flight would take me from Muscat to Khasab. I will utilize the day for a four-wheel-drive up to Jebel Hareem, the peninsula's highest point. It will be interesting to visit the Bedouin villages and other remote settlements on the way. Views from the top overlooking the Straits of Hormuz lit by the setting sun should be well worth all the efforts. Next day I will take a full-day dhow cruise to Kumzar, the northernmost inhabited settlement in Oman. I have heard a lot about the spectacular fjords of Musandam often compared to the fjords of Norway, it will be fabulous to see and experience them in reality!
Finally, just to experience the magnificent remote wadis of Musandam, I will hire a taxi for a round-trip from Khasab to Bukha and will spend a day photographing the landscape and people in those remote regions of the peninsula. Back in Khasab, a flight back to Muscat would happily bring an end to the satisfying trip around Oman!
Oman Ministry of Tourism - http://www.omantourism.gov.om/
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