Breakwater Sunset

The visit to Maravanthe beach this time, we intentionally chose mid of marine drive to behold the different perspective of the sea. This enabled to view the majestic Souparnika river bank meandering through the verdant hinterland. We also stood over the breakwater structure which provided an elevated view of the sea. It is pleasant to view the waves barging towards to the shore standing atop the structure. The leading lines of the structure provided perfect composition for landscape shooters.  The boulders acted as foreground objects for that alluring landscape composition. Here are few shots composed nearby Breakwater system while the sun was sinking deep into the horizon!

These were pictures shot during evening hours without the Sun in picture.

Beware of the orifices between boulders, they are quite dangerous for kids and your belongings. We struggled to pull out our mobile phone which fell deep into the gaps between boulders. These boulders are massive to be handled by humans. We fortunately got our phone back due to grace of unknown saviour :-). There is also high chance of fumble due to the uneven heap of boulders. So take care of your head too!

Souparnika hinterland sunrise

Dec 12, 2018

It was relaxing week. Despite having sufficient time, I had to forbore stroll along hinterland due to familial ceremonies. Alongside, it was difficult to plan when toddlers throwing early morning tantrums. One fine day, I broke the early morning sleep and walked straight towards the river to have that magnificent glowing sun raising behind the palm array. The visit was worth during sunrise which enabled me to capture river with curvy palm pointing at sky. The fishing boat complemented the landscape frame.

Sometimes luck raises when time and situation aligns (rationale aside). When I reached the location, the palm and boats were perfectly stationed on the rule of third grid. It felt like they just finished grooming for the imminent photo shoot. The sweeping trees in the backdrop, spruced up the entire scene!

Few minutes later while I was capturing jovial nature, fisherman arrived paddling his boat towards shore. He wakes up at 4am for his livelihood. While we snore, he hunts for fish in dark. The marine life fulfils your taste buds while it also ushers these fishermen lives. Hope his drudgery yields healthy returns.

Probably, dawn is ideal time for fishing in backwater when sea tides thaw and ripples on the river is minimal. Also during day the waters ebb which makes fishing impossible

Late winter sunrise was an added advantage. Had it been summer, the sun would be glowing bright enough to wash out the golden scene.

There is life beyond and work which is the lovely nature created by god. I don't regret forgetting the obligatory chores and  spending tiny moments with nature.

Waking up with bleary eyes never easy. It is getting chillier too here in tropics. However, when the image of that glistening sunrise conjures up in mind, the slumber is broken and journey begun!

Long time no see!

Dec 15, 2018

It has been two years since we drove along shiradi ghat road. Approximately for 7 months, the stretch was closed for recasting the road with fresh concrete and remaining 6 months due to the monsoon fury. Apparently, I was not knowing the right health of ghat road. Many commuters were fretting about the occasional traffic jams that lasted for hours during night. The traffic snarls were grave during holiday season when tourist influx was inordinate. On the other hand, the stretch between Bantwal to Gundya is being four laned. Unfortunately we heard that the construction is also stalled due to hurdles in land acquisition. Undeniably, this stretch will be miserable to drive during subsequent monsoon season.

Coming back, the newly constructed concrete stretch between Gundya to Maranahalli is simply  fantastic. This was first time we had seamless drive along Shiradi ghat section looking back in history :D. The roads are even and clean to drive. However, few stretches are incomplete which would have resulted in aforementioned traffic jams. The drainage work is not yet complete alongside guard rails. SOme of the monsoon landslides have not been restored completely. Only few sandbags are supporting as of now. Couple of sections in concrete stretch are cut to 80% due to landslides. Hopefully authorities will restore those soon.

Shiradi ghat was long time no see and we were happy to drive after years. I hope, the road lasts  long. Unfortunately, the road from Marenahalli to Sakaleshpur has not been reconstructed. Not sure if there is plan. We could spot pot-holes in this stretch.

Overall it was smooth and fun ride beholding the flamboyant western ghats and gundya river once again. With the four laning work outset from Sakaleshpur to Hasan, we could further have faster drives from Bangalore to Mangalore in near future.

Shiradi ghat road is now garnished with fresh concrete spread and hopefully robust. All weather roads are not difficult but authorities are disinterested for known reasons

Finally the picture of small waterfall rolling down from mountains which is fresh and abound with minerals.

The wooden craft stores are common along the western ghats route. They are considered as souvenirs of the region.

And yes, this stretch is not repaired yet :(

Finally a short 1km video of our drive along the newly laid concrete stretch through the canopy of rainforest!

Foggy humid morning

8th Dec, 2018

No no. This isn't a paradox. Today morning when I landed in my village such was weather. You feel chilled when fog descends onto the earth but today I felt somewhat tropical foggy weather. Such an uncanny weather. It is befuddling when you witness foggy weather with humidity. We had rains too couple of days back which justifies that sweltering weather still hovering. Strangely, the Arabian sea is still abuzz with massive cloud formation which sometime  strays into west coast of India bringing unusual weather. Unlike Bangalore, cloud formation here brings ancillaries like humidity and rains. Looking at pictures anybody could discern the chill over the fields but that's just illusion. It is easy to wander around the region by just wrapping a towel around the body.

The fog and hills create beautiful contrast in monochrome. It looks fabulous when black and whites are moved farther. These are two edits I did as an experiment

Conclusively, winter feel is still far-flung. While the atmosphere condensed into tiny pearls of dew, my body was dissipating tiny pearls of salt water!