Tag: Waterfall

TTL: Dudhsagar – The eventful day

The sun rose at about 0615h and so did we. We got busy clicking photos of the fall.

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Next we took a safe, albeit a tad scary route to the bottom of the falls where the water makes a pool, before gushing further down. Now, this is a spot where one DOES NOT get in the water. No mater how tempting it may look to be, or how amazing swimmer you may believe yourself to be, DO NOT go into the water.

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We lazed around and were nagged by the feeling of being watched constantly, and soon the watchers came into clear view with evil motives. They wanted our chocolates, and we would not part with them without a fight.

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So, we had a stand off, 4 of us versus 3 of them. Without incurring any casualty on either side, we climbed back to the top, to the railway tracks.

Here, we waited for at least one train to pass by, so that we could venture into the tunnel and walk on towards Sonalium (LIM) and ultimately towards QLM.

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Once the train passed by, we went into the tunnel, only to hear the whistle of the second one approaching from the other side.

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With the other one gone, we knew we had a lot of time to walk to the second view point. Its about a kilometer walk to the viewpoint, located directly opposite the falls.

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We waited on a cement bench for a train to pass by the falls. We waited for an hour, and then….

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Now, we had the following options: one, we walk to LIM, then find transport and go to QLM; two, we walk to QLM; three, we hail the train and take a lift to QLM. We took option three.

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Thus, we visited the Dudhsagar Falls and then hitched a ride on a goods train and made it to Kullem. The return trip was scheduled at 1635h from QLM and it was just 1045h yet. So, we went to the town, a tiny one that is and had breakfast. Then we lazed about and made our way to the station and waited for our ride back home.

On the way back, we saw something quite beautiful too…find out in the final part of the trip 🙂

Cheers!!

by Categories: TravellingTags: , , , , , , , , , 6 Comments

TTL: Dudhsagar – The Planning

Hi there all,

It has been quite sometime since the last post. In the time lapsed between, some significant changes have taken place in my life. The preparations had kept me too busy and I am happy to share that the results are in the positive.

Now, coming to the matter at hand, Dudhsagar Falls.
Located not far from the border of Goa is this waterfall where the Mandovi river takes  a 600ft dive . The river is a rainfed one, hence, during the rainy season, she is a roaring beast, while during the summer, shes way more timid. This is one of the few tourist spots which have not been spoilt yet my heavy commercialization. The falls came into limelight when a scene from the movie, Chennai Express, was shot here.

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I wanted to visit the falls since time immemorial and almost always, things would stay just till the planning phase. One fine day, a few months back, me and Ankita, we decided that enough of planning and wishing, this time, we shall make it through. And then, she had an operation done, so the plan was scrapped.

A few weeks ago, the plan was put to motion once more, and the conditions looked favourable. So, the train tickets were booked, from Pune to Kullem. We would board the 12780 H.Nizamuddin-Vasco-Da-Gama Goa Express from Pune (PUNE) station at 1635h on Friday, and reach Kullem (QLM). From Kullem, we would hike back to the Dudhsagar falls using any means available in our budget. The return train from Kullem to Pune was the 12779 Goa Express of Saturday, boarding at 1535h. The distance from Kullem to Dudhsagar (DDS) is about 12kms . So, as per plans, we had a 24 kms hike, and 11 hours time.

I had my own check list ready:

  • Camera (2) – Nikon D3100 (mine), D5200 (Tanaya’s)
  • Battery (3)
  • Lens (2) – 18-55mm on the D5200 primarily, 55-200mm on the D3100
  • Silica Gel packs
  • Power Bank
  • High Power Torch
  • Knife of a sort
  • Lighter
  • Tissue papers (Both dry and wet)
  • Hand Sanitizer and Face Wash
  • Dry Food ( Chocolates and Biscuits)
  • Salt (for the Leeches :p)
  • Bluetooth Speaker
  • Tripod
  • Water Bottles
  • Extra pair of socks

These fine details of the trip would not have been possible but for the input from the amazing and experienced traveller, Dipanwita.

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To an enthusiastic mind, the numbers seemed doable. So, with a plan in place, the tickets were booked and we were waiting for the Friday, 21st of October, 2016 to come.

There are differences in plans, and executions, we experienced it first hand. Coming up soon 🙂
Cheers!!

by Categories: TravellingTags: , , , , , , 5 Comments

TTL: Tamhini Ghat

It had been planned by the group that we must go on a trip. So, a group of about 40 photographers, varying from novices to professionals, we made our way towards Tamhini Ghat. About 60 kms out of Pune, this place is known for the lush greenery and the numerous waterfalls.

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It is here, thanks to one of the members, that I got to use the Tamron 90mm macro lens for the first time, and I simply loved it. The lens is not a speedster at acquiring focus, true, but once you manage to focus it right, you are in for a treat. The following images ought to convince anyone who would be doubting whether or not to get a macro lens towards the lens.

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Now, this lens can also be used for shooting the perfect frame too. Its all about how you choose to use it.

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A huge thanks to the Pune Photography Lovers group for the trip. Special thanks to Medha for lending me the macro lens and to Rutuja for being my model 🙂

Till the next trip, cheers!

by Categories: Photography, TravellingTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 5 Comments

Slow!

For the love  of smooth milky waterfalls!

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Shot at Elephant Falls in Shillong, Meghalaya. A lot more to come soon!
Cheers!!

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Toxic

Hi there all,

Of the numerous requests I receive to make a photo in a certain way, few of them materialize in the way we want it to be. Here is one of the rare cases, when things went favorably. A little less windy, and results would have been marvelous.

Parul, I hope breath is illustrated here, though toxic in nature  🙂

As the name of the post suggests, cigarette smoking is toxic, and it will cause health issues for anyone who inhales the smoke, active or passive. So, kindly refrain from smoking in company of non smokers, let them live, and yeah, quitting helps too!

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The model here, is my buddy since we were toddlers, Archit Dutta! Thanks man, for posing and being patient.

Related to this post, is my entry for the Weekly Prompt for Intricate. I find the ash to have a very interesting pattern, unique, and intricate. Have a look at the other takes here.

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Keep shooting!

Cheers!!

by Categories: PhotographyTags: , , , , 2 Comments