Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Trip to Andaman Island

After much planning, discussion and effort and first time in 10 years of my professional career, I and my friend Venketesh Joshi decided to visit Andaman We had zeroed on 2 places Lakshdeep and Andaman but finally were able zeroed on Andaman due to cost of ticket so we booked the ticket initially for 3 days but after couple of days we realised that its would not be sufficient. So we extended the trip for 2 more days and re booked our returning ticket once again.
We took early morning flight from Jet airways to Chennai and from their 9:30 flight to Port Blair. Two and half hour journey to Port Blair we spent peacefully mostly while sleeping however only first view of Andaman Island was breath taking. It was drizzling while we landed. We already had our travel packages booked and cab was waiting outside Port Blair airport. 

In couple of conversation with driver we had knew that people understand Hindi well there. We landed in our room and after a nice warm lunch our trip started. We went to visit sea museum, on the way we pass through Rajeev Gandhi sport complex and drive view was amazing. There was nothing much in the museum beside some marine life and some photos we haded to Corbyn Beach. We had some photo session and had long walk it was evening time and there were not many people on the beach. We came back and moved to cellular jail. after getting ticket inside the light and sound show was cancelled due to rain so we had museum and jail visit only. It was emotional experience knowing freedom fighter struggle and their trauma. We spend couple of hours and came back to hotel. In the evening we went to try some local sea food to lighthouse restaurant had dinner and crashed on the bed.

9th September
The whole day was booked for visiting couple of island. After break fast we headed to Rajeev Gandhi sports complex from there we took the ferry for Ross island. Ross island used to be residence for English governors during their rules. The island is now under Indian navy control and it 3-4 kms from main island around 20-30 minute ferry joinery. We saw old building water pool and deers roaming the island. Now its deserted and its broken houses gives it wild feeling. Next we moved to Viper island there was nothing much. It used for hanging prisoner during British rule. While cellular jail was being constructed some prisoners were kept here. We had lunch on the ferry itself which was included in the package.


On the way we saw many Indian navy ships and docks. Next we went to North Bay island (coral island) we took a glass bottom boat and short trip to corals we could see coral through boat glass bottom. we landed on beach and had snorkeling which was included in the package there was nothing on beach it had broken rocks and coral reefs, was not very exciting however we had fun of going in to the water. We came back it was late in the evening had dinner.
10 the Sept.

In the morning we went coral and one another museum. One was about island natives and other was about sea life corals and its inhabitants. We had lunch at blue island restaurant and went to catch inter island ferry for Havlock island. Indian shipping corporation run ships to Havlock island and its 2:30 hours sea journey. We were very excited about seating on cruise. Ship was bit humid and hot so as it stared we came on the deck had some photo. I spent whole ship journey watching around and passing by island, blue sea water while listening my ipod. As we landed our cab driver was waiting he took us to our our resort in havlock. Basically all the resorts in Havlock as located beside ea beaches and the beaches are named from 1-7. After getting refreshed we went to Radha Krishan beach which was around 16 kms. The car journey was through deep jungles and farms. It was getting dark when we landed there but we were able to see sun set view and it was once in life time experience. The waves on beach were exciting. it was already dark when we came back to our resort. In the evening we met couple of other foreign visitors while sipping beer and food.

11th sept.
We got early morning 4 am to see sun rise. Sun rise early in this part of the world. Although it has same time zone as Indian mainland. I walked few step to beach and sun was already out. The water in the morning at Beach was far away and i could walk around 1 km deep in side sea. though it was close to resprt in the evening.  I could see small fishes stuck in sand craters. We had some photos and had walk on the beach. We came back to hut. We decided go far scuba diving though I was bit scared but my cab driver encouraged us to take it. We went a near by Dive-India centre we tried with diving suit. There was 1 more Israel friend with us. We took the speed jet boat to go to Elephant beach which half hours journey. We stopped boat in the water and walked to sea shore it was all forest around and nothing else besides white sand and fishes.


A
fter couple of round of testing in shallow water and much effort and persuasion I was ready to go in to deep water with my trainer. I decided to walk in the water as i went deeper into the water the inside view was amazing. Different varieties of fishes swimming around me. I was surrounded by big and small fishes and tortoise. I was into a whole new world and it was amazing experience. I want in to 4-5 meter deep water twice and spend around 15-20 min each time. While coming back we again stopped to a deserted side of beach in shallow water, while other went for diving I played around with dead corals and stones. We came back around 12' o' clock, took bath at hut and came to our resort. It was getting cloudy and i order lunch to siting at beach side place. while my lunch was prepared sea had become amazing beautiful Cloudy blue sky and water deep green.  I had lunch and went hut to take some rest. We had plan to visit Radha Krishan beach but It was raining so we decided to called off that plan and spent time at resort only. In the evening I met couple of my people visitors and i went for a long run till other end of beach with one of fellow tourist and it was dark thrilling experience while returning back In the night invited couple of them to share my beer. We had long discussion about India and Israel about people and places.

12th Sept.
We got up early in the morning and went for walk on beach side sea was far away and i went deep for a walk. we had break fast and went to Radha Krishan beach.
RK beach is very big beach with high waves. We went for a long walk along beach side. It was sunny and bright day I could not wait any longer to jump in the sea. I spent around one hours jumping  and playing with waves and floating around. We came out in the after noon the cab took us island Port where we had our returning ferry waiting. We took the ferry to Port Blair promising to return Havlock island once again. Its nothing less than paradise on the earth. We reached to hotel put our luggage and got relaxed. Went for light and sound show in the cellular jail. It was a bit emotional experience. had dinner and slept.

13th sept.
Next morning we found that we cant go to Mud island as it was closed being that day monday. So we went to Mount Harriet a 20 km hill top journey after going to chttan shaw mill, the oldest Shaw mill in Asia as considered. we went to Wandoor beach located inside Rajeev gandhi national park, 30 kms from Port Blair. To my surprise this beach very clean and green and deserted. It was drizzling though I wanted to go inside deep water. We had a long walk and and photo session at the beach side. We came back in the night we went for dinner at Lighthouse restaurant

14th sept.
We had our returning flight back we went to near by shop for some shopping we did buy some pearl items and went airport, took our flight to Chennai and then Chennai to Bangalore in the evening...

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Life

Today I reveal my truest form
I always have friendship with storm

Don't want on my way wind cold and breezy
I suffer most when my paths are easy

A difficult hill excites me most
Tsunami waves are my only host

Even deep ocean cant bring inside me fear
Darkness and depth compels me to go near

A desert drives me only to walk
I find rest only in havoc

To get the sympathy is not my desire
I smile only when I touch the fire

Many times I defeated my destiny
I never asked for any one's courtesy

My blister are source to coolness
Thorns in my body gives calmness

Many times I have been fallen and thrown
I get flexibility by breaking my bone

My scars are nothing but pride
I considered them beautiful bride

I don't remember since when I am alone
Fighting the demons only I have grown

I always find myself in destruction
Where I take form of resurrection

Death is whom I often kiss
There I find most beautiful bliss

I get pleasure fighting cyclone
Obstacle are just another milestone

I prefer stone only to chew
Sympathy is what I always refuse

Battering only makes me better
They are my life's exciting chapter

I am always thirsty for my tears
How hard I try they never appear

My pains are just cheers to go ahead
I never listen what others had said

I am colorful when I bleed
That's the way I win and succeed

I never care about end of my breath
Life is only to facilitate my death

(C) Rakesh Kumar Oct 2010

Profession...

Welcome to the world of profession
You have come very far
Horizon was wide with money and fortune
World of excitement opened door ajar

Once you were too a shining star
On the course fought many battle and war
You dreamed and thought reaching high
You had passion and energy to fly

As times passed you sensed reality
You felt frustrated hopeless and angry
This is not for what you have came
Years after years you also learnt the game

People are looking to throw you on mat
Its races of rat and life of a cat
You were thinking of turning thing up and down
Slowly you found yourself in a world of clown

You tried to reach and win the crown
Fighting the battle you let your dreams down
Brunt your soul and passed your prime
Now you are just a victim without a crime

You are trapped and now want to scream
But you smile because you are part of a team
People smile when you walk in the door
You are just a means for them to score

Day and night you perform and work hard
End of the year you are unable to reach yard
They destroy your soul and call feedback
You need to be polite even in case of attack

A bit of improvement will do good to you
Fighting a battle you try to argue
Its hurt your pride but you keep inside
Surviving for living you avoid to collide

Always you walked on their written line
Though they were messing with your mind
This is not what you were aiming for
But this disease have got no cure

Now it doesn't mean anything to you
The way you have progressed and grew
Now you caught up with ageing
Tired of living a life faking

(c) Rakesh Kumar Oct 2010

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Changed..

Nothing has changed today
We are only pretending being okay

Our mind is thinking like an old music player
Producing same old tunes and flavor

After years of knowledge and answering whys
We are standing clueless and surprised

We lack honesty and integrity
Our vision is dark and cloudy

Truth is still defeated
On the name of tradition
Blind faith is repeated

Door of hope is closed
Justice is strongly opposed

An old mother is crying
Corruption is rhyming

Night is full of darkness
Youth is walking on road aimless

Farmer is praying for rain
A daughter is put for bargain

People are thirsty for blood
Friendship is only a bluff

Path of lovers are bumpy
A child is still hungry

After years no lesson learnt
For dowry a girl is burnt

We are watching people dying
But no one is crying

We are fighting for a temple
As a human we forgot being humble

Our hands are still holding stone
This is how we have grown

We are unable to adjust
Life lacks more trust

Life is sum of only our cheating
Though We feel our heart is beating

Why are we calling ourselves civilized
On this planet we are just a creature disguised


(C) Rakesh Kumar Oct 2010

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Racing Horse

I am horse of a derby race
Only runs to save others face

Every one has put bids on me
Who is telling that I am free

At the end my life will be rubbish
I am here to fullfill other's wish

I am running to meet their expectation
Thats the way my destiny has been chosen

Burden of expectation I can't speak
Deep inside I am feeling very weak

Before I was born they put me for auction
Their expectation only defined my life's action

I am tired while running since ages
Turned my life into useless ashes

Always I have to do well
Thats what I have been told

Everyone wants me alwyas to win
It seems I have not got my own will

Few want protection, few want affection
What I want has never got any attention

Few want culture and few want tradition
Following their rule my soul has been beaten

What is there whom I called my own
When my life is only for paying their loan

Neither win or nor loss is mine
To repay the debt is task assigned

(c) Rakesh Kumar Oct. 2010

New Biginning

Why not start a beginning new
Sit together and share minutes few
My heart beats only for you
Those who touch my life are only few

Looking for reason why our path crosses by
I feel lost while looking into your eye
I get distracted and start to think
Watching at your face my eyes don't blink

Today it may be just a small dream
It will be real how impossible it may seem
Just hold my hand I will never bow
Along the way I face fire or snow

Every moment I feel you are the one
Day and night I pray for our union
Create a world fair and lovely
Come lets start a new story

(c) Rakesh Kumar Oct 2010