Hanging bridge of Nilambur - November 2012

Suspension Bridge upon Chaliyar river, Nilambur.

It was inaugurated three years ago by the then Kerala Forest minister Mr.Benoy Viswom. This suspension bridge constructed as part of the eco tourism project across Chaliyar River connects Conolly Teak Plantation with the main land; Nilambur.

It is regarded as the longest hanging bridge in Kerala spanning 143 feet. Watch the video I posted here, you can hear the jangling sound of the bridge swaying when people walking on it.

Video of Hanging Bridge, Nilambur.

Chaliyar River, Nilambur - November 2012

Muddy Chaliyar river (Beypore Puzha) flowing through Nilambur.

View from Nilambur teak plantation.

Video of Chaliyar River

Conolly's Plot, Nilambur - November 2012

Conolly’s Plot is located about 2 kilometers from Nilambur town. These teak plantations raised in 1846 memorialize the work of Mr, H.V.Conolly, collector of Malabar between 1841 and 1855. Sri Chanthu Menon , forest officer under Conolly, after a hard and forerunning strive nurtured the first 1500 acres of the Nilambur Plantation and thus laid the foundation for methodical forest superintendence in India. It is said that, he was laid to rest in this teak garden.

Video of Conolly’s Plot

Rubber Plantations, Nilambur - November 2012

Rubber estates on the way to Kurumbalangode village of Nilambur taluk in Malappuram district, Kerala. Rubber usually cultivated in large plantations that extent to several acres are a typical sight when travelling through rural villages of central and north Kerala. Some roads pass right across these vast estates and driving through these is an enjoyable experience. Rubber latex, the agricultural product of this plant is extracted from the fully grown rubber trees.

In place like Kerala, where coconuts are in ampleness, the half shell of coconut is used for gathering the rubber latex. When the rubber

Adyanpara Waterfalls, Nilambur – November 2012

Adyanpara is an astounding waterfall near to Nilambur about 12 kilometers from Calicut Nilambur Road. When we visited this place, although the water level was low, the wet rocks here are dangerously slippery. A sign board erected here says that lot of people who ventured into these waters have lost their lives in the past. Now the local administration has appointed a few female guards and male lifeguards for protecting these cascades and the lives of the tourists who come here for recreation. It is definitely a must see place for anyone who is visiting or passing through Nilambur. The negative side is, road condition from Nilambur to Kurmbalangod village where this falls is situated is not so good.

Video of Adyanpara Waterfalls

Aida Diva sailing from Kochi Port – November 2012

Kochi has become the sole turnaround port for cruise ships in India. Aida Diva, cruise liner called at Kochi on Sunday, 25th November 2012, bringing in 1,462 tourists from Germany.
They left for Germany from Cochin International airport and another 1,516 tourists landed here from Germany for embarking Aida Diva. Four chartered flights (Condor Airlines, Air Berlin and TUIfly) and other scheduled flights of Emirates were utilized for the turnaround operation. Aida Diva sailed from Kochi to Colombo in Sri Lanka on Wednesday morning.

Video of Aida Diva sailing from Kochi dated 28-11-2012.

Kochi to Mysore via Nilambur – October 2012

Total distance is about 350 kilometers. If you are travelling to Nilambur during day time and on working days, the traffic is a bit heavy and time consuming. Kochi to Nilambur is 198 kilometers. we took less than four hours to cover this distance as we started from Kochi at around 4 in the morning. Nilambur is just 26 kilometers away from Kerala Tamil Nadu border.An elephant & her baby crossing the road at Bandipur.

Houseboats at Pallathuruthy, Alappuzha

Kettu Vallams coasting through Vembanad Lake near Pallathuruthy (is a village in Kuttanad Taluk in Alappuzha District). Houseboats have evolved a long way from the time it was initiated in the Alleppey & Kumarakom backwaters more than a decade ago. Now the bigger ones have two stories, fully air-conditioned with conference hall, more than six bedrooms etc. Photographed at dusk on my way back from Trivandrum via Changanassery after an assignment.

Cruise ship Celebrity Solstice in Kochi – November 2012

Celebrity Cruiser Liner MV Celebrity SOLSTICE, one of the most magnificent and biggest cruise ships in the world arrived in Kochi on Saturday, 15th November 2012. The ship owned and operated by Celebrity Cruises, Germany, came from Muscat, Sultanate of Oman has 2.800 passengers and 1,250 crew onboard.
Over 1,000 guests disembarked the vessel in Kochi and visited various tourism locales in and around Kochi that includes Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Kumbalanghi, Vaikom, and Alappuzha. MV Celebrity

SOLSTICE left for Port Klang,  Malaysia on Sunday evening. View from Fort Kochi beach. Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

Fishing Trawlers, Kochi, Kerala - October 2012

Fishing boats come in different sizes and shapes mostly painted in bright colors. The demersal fishes of Kerala coast are exploited mainly by these mechanized trawlers which are 9 to21 meters in size with a large number of crew (15 to 50) needed for its operation. Usually these fishing boats spent 2 to 7 days in deep sea depending on the size and capacity before returning to their respective harbors with their catch. Trawling is banned for 47 days in Kerala during monsoon from June 15 as it is the breeding season for the fast depleting fishing stock and shrimps.

In February 2012, two Fishermen working in these type of trawlers were shot dead by Italian Marines aboard the oil tanker Enrica Lexie off Alleppey coast thinking that they were pirates. Italian marines involved in this case were arrested by Kerala police and are facing trial in India. This incident lead to a diplomatic scuffle between India and Italy.

The Church of Our Lady of Hope: A Historic Landmark on the Shores of Vypeen

The Church of Our Lady of Hope (NOSSA SENHORA DE ESPERANCA) is a centuries-old church located on the picturesque island of Vypeen, off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, India. The church was built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century and is believed to have been blessed in 1605 A.D. by DOM ANDREA de SANTA MARIA O.F.M., a prominent Franciscan missionary.

The Church of Our Lady of Hope is an architectural marvel that showcases the unique blend of Portuguese and Indian styles. The church's exteriors are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, and the interiors boast beautiful paintings, murals, and religious artifacts. The church's unique location overlooking the Cochin Harbor provides a breathtaking view of the Chinese fishing nets of Vypin and the bustling shipping channel.

Over the years, the Church of Our Lady of Hope has played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of the people of Vypeen. The church is a symbol of hope and faith, and it continues to attract pilgrims and tourists from across the world.

Visitors to the church can witness the unique blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures and admire the stunning architecture and art. They can also participate in the religious services and gain a deeper understanding of the church's history and significance.

In conclusion, the Church of Our Lady of Hope is a historic landmark that stands as a testament to the rich cultural and religious heritage of Vypeen. The church's unique location and stunning architecture make it a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Kochi.

Top Station, Munnar - Canon EOS 5D Mark III, September 2012

Top Station is the highest spot were one can reach by a car from Munnar as the tarred road ends here, covering Mattupetti and Kundala dams. Tea estate covered mountains and the breath taking view of Tamil Nadu state from here is astounding.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III ISO: 1600 Lens: EF17-40mm f/4L USM

Kundala Dam, Munnar - Canon EOS 5D Mark III, September 2012

Kundala Dam arch dam on the way to Topstation, Munnar.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III  ISO: 800 Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM

Eravikulam National Park - Canon EOS 5D Mark III, September 2012

Eravikulam National Park, Rajamalai in Munnar, Kerala which is the dwelling-place of Nilgiri Tahr, the mountain ungulate threatened with extinction. When I visited the park this time, I could not see any herds except a solitary male Tahr in the proximity.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III ISO: 800 Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM

Munnar - Canon EOS 5D Mark III, September 2012

Tea estates of Munnar, Kerala with mist capped mountains in the background.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Lens: EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Focal length: 24mm, Shutter speed: 1/1600 sec
Aperture: 5.6, ISO: 1600

Oil Tanker Ship - Enrica Lexie – February 2012

Images of  Italian Oil Tanker vessel Enrica Lexie, from which on board Italian Navy personnel shot dead two Indian fishermen in their boat off Kerala coast misunderstanding they were pirates. Valentine aged 50 and Ajish Binki aged 21 belonging to Neendakara fishing village in Kollam district were the fishermen killed. The incident took place at 4 pm on 15 th of February off the cost of Alleppey, Kerala in the Arabian sea.

This ship now under the custody of Indian Coast Guard and Kerala Police for further interrogation, is
docked at Cochin Port Trust oil tanker berth near Marine Drive, Kochi city.

Wayanad Trip – January 2012

Panoramic View of Thamarassery Churam (Mountain highway with several hair pin bends between Kozhikode and Kalpetta).

Kalpetta in Wayanad is 270 kilometers away from Kochi – my home town. We started at 1.00AM and

reached here at 7.00 AM where we had our breakfast. I prefer to travel at these early hours to avoid traffic block on highways and also at Thamarassery Churam.
Road Block at Thamarassery Churam. Took these photos on our return journey: 

What I felt about Wayanad: Major towns are Kalpetta, Mananthavady and Sultan Bathery, Of these Kalpetta and  Sultans Battery is on the Kozhikode – Mysore National Highway NH 212 (new no. NH766). Comparing with tourist centers' and cities in other parts of Kerala, hotels and home stay tariffs are much cheaper for the same standard.

Sony Cyber-shot HX100V Sample Photos – January 2012

Sample images & videos taken with Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V super zoom camera.

Shutter speed: 1/400 sec,Aperture: 6.3,Exposure mode: Av,Exposure compensation: -2/3,Metering mode:
Multi-segment,ISO: 400,Focal length: 6.2mm.