Beautiful Boston

Boston Harbor

In the month of February this year-2016, I was in Boston.  The weather was cold often snowfall.  One day there was even alert that due to extreme cold people should not go outdoors unless it is an emergency. 

My favourite pastime would be to watch through window
and click these squirrel

 Occasionally there would be sunshine but the temperatures would be very low.  Whenever I had to go out I would go in full winter wear just my eyes exposed, that too covered with my spectacles. The glasses would get misty due to my breath.  I also constantly would have leaking nose when outside. 

As it was sunny, I went for a walk along the river.
For the first time I experienced the power of wind.

Because of cold weather I could not go out much.  On sunny days I used to walk along the roads of Cambridge (stayed near Harvard square in Cambridge) watching students and other people going about their chores. 

Church in Harvard

Boston is a beautiful city along the banks of River Charles.  It is the hub of educational institutions; the world best institutes Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are situated here.  The old and new buildings of these premier institutes are architectural splendours. I had a free tour at MIT and toured alone amidst Harvard buildings.

One of the MIT buildings

View opposite MIT library

 My visits were to the museums and an aquarium.  I also visited a chocolate factory in the city outskirts. 

Cocoa pods

Here are few photographs of my Boston visit.

Museum of Fine Arts:

This exhibit impressed me a lot.  I went round and round about it.
Tried to take a photograph without my appearance in it.
But could not.

The beads of this necklace are made of human hair

Foog Harvard Art Museum:                                                                                                             

                                                                                                   

The exhibits of  modern art are awesome at mfa and foog HMA

Made with discarded articles

Harvard Museum of Natural History:                                                                                                          

                                                                                       

Glass exhibits were simply marvellous

Fossil

The mineral rock exhibits are wonderful

New England Aquarium:                                                                                                                            

Creation of sea environment in the aquarium

A colorful fish, there were hundreds of different fish

Sea horse, so tiny

Penguins having a meeting!

Feeding the penguins in order

?Coaxing the turtle to its place above

The red fruits against the lush green leaves attracted me

International Day Of Peace

World celebrates International day of Peace on 21st September every year.  First time it was celebrated in 1982.  A specific theme is adopted for that day and UN works to fulfill that goal.  This year's theme is "The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace"Absence of war is important for peace, but peace will be in the world only when human rights are protected and every person can have his/her basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, health, education and employment are fulfilled.  All the governments in all countries should take steps to provide it to all its citizens as basic right.

Emirates

In the early part of this year I travelled to US by Emirates.  I had to take flight from Hyderabad to Dubai and from there catch another flight to Boston.  I heard that Dubai is a big and beautiful airport.  I thought when I get down at Dubai I can see the airport.  But as the time was very less after getting down at Dubai I had to rush to the designated gate to catch the link flight.  I was just an hour before the boarding time at the gate.  I could not see the airport; I had to glance sideways as I move forward walking briskly to reach my gate. I hoped to see the airport during my return journey and I did see it to some extent then.  I could see the city in fog during forward journey and in lights in return journey.  (I posted some pictures of this journey in my previous post.)

Dubai in early hours

The Emirates flight attendants are friendly and helpful.   Once everything is settled and flight takes off, the passengers are provided with wet, warm, lime scented napkin towel.  Wiping face and hands with that towel not only makes one gets rid of the accumulated dust on the face during waiting in the airport, it also makes one feel fresh.  The cool lime drink that is provided completely relaxes the passengers and they are ready for their long journey.  The hospitality and cuisine on Emirates is good.  I like their cheese omelette the best.  Cheese omelette and a serving of fruits make a wholesome sumptuous breakfast.

Dubai City at night

Once I travelled by Air India. I don’t remember any welcome drink or warm tissues/towels to wipe.  I don’t know how many flights give warm napkins and a cool welcome drink to the passengers after boarding, but I was very much impressed by this service by Emirates.  That begins the journey on pleasant note.

Journey Above Clouds

Present day we have many number of transport modes.  Depending on the availability, affordability, duration and urgency mode of journey is selected.  One can travel in one’s own vehicle, two, three or four wheeler or choose bus, train or flight.  Every mode of travel whether public or private has its own advantage and disadvantage.  If reserved seat and berth is available I find train journey will be interesting.   If it is continuously for more than 16 – 24 hours may become tiresome.  In such conditions air travel is preferred.  Even if air travel is long, more than 12hrs it will be borest of all types of travel. 

Travel on two wheeler is risky, subject to exposure to elements and accidents.  Traveling by own vehicle removes the fun of journey when it is for a jolly trip.  Traveling by bus limits movement and train is my preferred choice.  Here one can enjoy journey sitting comfortably or lying down.  Also it will be learning experience watching people all around, reading or watching the train pass through forests, tunnels, cities and villages.  Every railway compartment is mini India and people in compartments discuss wide range of issues from a village dog to world political scenario.  Various discussions will leave one with wider knowledge and different perspective of every problem and situation.  Traveling in unreserved compartment will make one very wise and adaptable to this world in any condition.

In contrast however short or long the air travel will leave us only with tiredness and jet-lag if it is a long journey.  People here rarely talk to one another, always appearing serious, reading or working on laptop or watching entertainment programs otherwise trying to nap.  There is little space to walk; there will not be much to see other than clouds. 

Travel time for me is relaxation time; time to watch people and their habits, to watch out through window, particularly when journey is on land.  I love to watch the trees moving past behind me, the different flora that can be see, the new cities, villages, the people and dressing.  If ever I read, I read news paper.  To buy eatables and other things in train will be good pastime.  Scared of contacting infections I am always hesitant to eat outside, street food.  But in the train when samosas are hot I love eating them.  Samosas that are sold in Indian railways are unique and tasty. 

Whenever I travel I try to occupy window seat.  Watching out through the window and feeling the breeze is heavenly for me.  Even while traveling in flight whenever there is opportunity I occupy window seat even pushing my daughter to another corner.  During takeover and landing and also during the course of journey I watch out.  Even if window shields are down midway, I often lift it up and watch out.  Journey above the clouds will wonderful and watching clouds in different shapes and groups and moving is lightening experience.  In long journeys passing above the deserts, seas and oceans, having a glimpse of dawn and dusk from above clouds, cities in night lights will ever memorable experiences of travel. 

Finally any journey is beautiful if only we watch around and enjoy nature.

A Visit to Hyderabad

I live about 135Km away from Hyderabad, capital of Telangana.  I visit this city of mine very frequently either for shopping or social functions.   As a child when I lived in this city I heard about some places of tourist interest and visited few of the prominent once.  In the recent times I hear about new places that have come up and are developing as tourist spots.  So I made it a point to visit these new places once.

As I was itching to use my DSLR I wanted to visit gardens or lake which can present nature in all its splendour.  I read about the beauty of Durgam cheruvu, forest in the middle of concrete jungle – KBR Park, wonderfully developed botanical gardens in the outskirts of Hyderabad.

I was very enthusiastic about this visit and bought one extra memory card thinking that I will be able experiment with various modes of camera and take loads of photos.  But I returned home very much disappointed for memory card in my camera was not filled even by 10%.

Durgam Cheruvu

This supposedly beautiful fresh water lake is considered as secret as it is surrounded by mammoth granite rocks of few thousands million years old.  The residents of Golconda used this as source of drinking water during the rule of Qutub Shahi dynasty (1518-1687).    In 2001, the then Andhra Pradesh Government initiated to promote it as tourist destination by developing attractions such as fishing zone, artificial waterfalls, floating fountains, sculptor parks and art gallery for artists and encouraging rock climbing and trekking for tourists.  Amphitheatre with a capacity of 1500 people also constructed.  Few pictures I have seen on the net also showed some beautiful water birds too.

Rock canteen

Keeping the scenery in view I decided to visit it after 3PM so that I can see the sunset if possible, and the waters and birds in the sunset light.  I asked the driver (we engaged cab and driver in the city) to take us to Durgam Cheruvu.  His expression was bit puzzled.

Bench to sit and relax

“Madam it is for couples” he said.

I was with my husband.  I understood what he meant by saying it is for couples.  He meant it is for lovers, probably who want to be secretive.  I didn’t say, “Are we not a couple”?  and embarrass him.  We have to be with him for two more days. 

”I heard about the lake.  So I want to visit it.  Today after lunch we will visit that place”.  I told him.

That day, after 3Pm we started to Durgam Cheruvu.  Reached it by 4Pm.There were few people.  A group of boys and two (?) ‘couples‘ were there.  The staff in the cabin asked us to take entry tickets and said that we should come out by 6Pm.  The most disappointing instruction is not take any camera inside.  They said no photography allowed inside. “Can we take a mobile phone and take pics?” I asked.  They said okay.  My plans shattered I walked in with disappointment written all over my face.  My husband encouraged me that we can take photos with our mobile.  He always uses his mobile and shares his photos immediately.  Many times I don’t carry my mobile in my outings , or else I keep it safely inside my bag.  I like to use digital camera which I own since 2007.  I never took interest in mobile photography.  I felt the rule as weird.  Mobile photography is allowed but no other gear to be used for photography.  In fact we have to deposit our gear with them and collect before leaving it.

Rock Sculptures

This is a lake beautified with various tourist attractions.  People who visit beautiful places want to keep memories of it forever by taking family photos.  It’s an open place and Google maps show details of our interior streets too.  What secrecy do these people want to maintain I don’t understand.  As ‘couples’ frequent here, do they want to protect them or any other illegal activity?  Photographers are bound by rules about photographing people.  If they do any illegal activity action can be taken against them.  When the place doesn’t hold any national or security secret is there any sanity in allowing mobile photography but not others.  Anyway this incident made me take interest in this modality.  I decided to know various functions of camera in my mobile.

Lotus Pond

Though summer hasn’t started the lake was dry.  I saw only water hyacinth with patches of water here and there surrounded partially by the encroaching concrete jungle.  The less said about the maintenance the better.

Stage and amphitheatre area

KBR Park - Kasu Brahmananda Reddy Park

This is a jungle amidst concrete jungle of high profile residential area in Hyderabad.  Azam Jah had built Chiran Palace in 1960 in 400 acres area and presented it to his son Mukaram Jah on his coronation in 1960.  Then in Andhra Pradesh, the state government got permission from central government to declare it as National park in 1968.

Finally an agreement is reached between the Nizam and state government to exclude an area of 6 acres and 16 other pieces of scattered areas over Park exclusively for Mukaram Jah; forest department and general public will not have access to these areas.  Rest of the area including Chiran Palace is notified as part of National park and land to be handed out to the prince was struck out of the part.

This park has 600 species of plant life, 140 species of birds and 30 different varieties of butterflies and reptiles.  There are also few water bodies that supply the needs of beings in the park.

Here also photography is prohibited but mobile photography is permitted!  We can keep our gear with us.  If we use it CC cameras will record it and we have to pay a fine of Rs. 25,0000.

The maintenance of the place is good.  Ticket is must for entry.  The hours are for the benefit of walkers of that elite area, few hours in the morning and evening.  Plantations were good.  I could only see peacock and two or three bird species.  Couldn’t spot any butterflies.

Hyderabad Botanical Gardens

This known as Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy Botanical Gardens occupying an area of 120 acres is developed by forest department in Madhapur village in the outskirts of Hyderabad to preserve natural flora and fauna in this region.  This is divided into 19 vanams or sectors each with different types of plant species including medicinal, ornamental, bamboo, palm and aquatic plants. Has more than 600 species of plants.   It has natural rock formations and water bodies.   

As the state had no rains in the past two years the water bodies dried up.  Because of lack of water the small plants were withering away.  The maintenance is poor.   Few bird species were seen.  Bamboo palms were attractive. 

Entry ticket essential.  Also ticket price is variable depending on the type of camera.  Mobile camera doesn’t need a ticket. 

The drought that affected Telangana had its effect on these gardens and lake.  I felt I visited it in the wrong period.  Once rainy season starts I hope Durgam cheruvu fills up and the gardens will turn green hosting birds and butterflies.

The information about the parks and lake is from Wikipedia.