PhotoBlog - Travel Pics



About Me

I'm Prashant. I am a Software Engineer by profession. I graduated as an  Engineer way back in 2006. After that I have worked and lived in Mumbai and Hyderabad in India and a brief stint of about 2.5 years in the United States. Here are some of my pics. Some have been clicked while at home in Meerut ( a town in North India ), some on weekend trips and holidays and others have been clicked during long and boring layovers at airports. Some of my photography has been done with the very basic camera of a Sony Walkman mobile phone, others have been clicked with a Canon Powershot 8MP and many of the recent photographs have been clicked with a basic DSLR Camera - the Sony Alpha 330, mostly with a 300mm lens.

Chrysanthumums in Our Garden ( Meerut, UP )
Building 16 - Microsoft Main Campus in Redmond
Taj Hotel Mumbai
Seattle, near the water front
Snoqualmie Falls
Space Needle Seattle


Things to do, places to see and visit in Singapore

posted Apr 7, 2013, 2:54 AM by Prashant Bhattacharji   [ updated Apr 7, 2013, 3:22 AM ]

1. Jurong Bird Park

My favorite place, in a quick three day tour of the country. An amazing bird park with rare species of birds from all across the world.
Jurong Bird Park Singapore - Macaw
 Jurong Bird Park, Singapore - African Penguins Jurong Bird Park - Yellow Parrots 
Jurong Bird Park, Singapore : Macaws near the Entrance
Jurong Bird Park, Singapore - Pictures of Flamingos
















2. Building and Skyscrapers around the Marina Bay; the Harbor Lion Fountain. To be admired both at night and during the day.



Singapore at Night - around the Bay ; Casinos, Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer
Singapore Flyer at Night

Corporate offices and Financial Services Buildings, Marina Bay Area, Singapore
Corporate offices and Financial Services Buildings, Marina Bay Area, Singapore

 
Building around the Marina Bay Area, Parliament, Harbor Lion Fountain - Singapore

You can enjoy swimming at the top of this, and you can also enjoy the panoramic view of Singapore from here.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino
Skyscrapers and buildings in Singapore - Clicked from the Marina Bay Sandpark
Fullerton Hotel, Singapore - Zooming in from the top of Marina Bay Sandpark















A nice way to get a view of Singapore, from the top.

Singapore Flyer - A Truly Giant Ferris Wheel



5. Singapore Botanical Gardens and Esplanade

(The two shell shaped buildings are the botanical gardens.)

Esplanade, Singapore
Marina Bay - Casinos and Esplanade
View from Marina Bay Sandpark- Esplanade



























6. The Parliament Building in Singapore

Something grand about this building.

Singapore Parliament Building

Mumbai: Places to Visit, Things to do and see

posted Apr 4, 2013, 4:52 AM by Prashant Bhattacharji   [ updated Apr 4, 2013, 5:06 AM ]

1. Famous Landmarks:

 The Crazy City of Mumbai


The Taj Hotel, the Gateway of India, the Air India building. Walking through South Mumbai and the Marine drive is a pretty soothing experience, once you experience the chaos and congestion of the other parts of the town.
The Hiranandani Gardens have some interesting buildings, restaurants and places for shopping.

Mumbai CST (VT), the Air India building, the Gateway of India:

cst_vt
Air_india_building
gateway_of_india


















The Taj Hotel:

taj_hotel














Hiranandani Gardens:
Hiranandani_at_sunset




















2. An extensive tour of the Victoria Terminus (VT), which is now called the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). And, the BMC building next to it.

Whether you're an architecture enthusiast or a history buff or a rail enthusiast or an Indian Railway fan, you will find something fascinating about this place, which is one of the very important points in the lives of many a Mumbaikar. 

Mumbai Victoria Terminus from outside
Mumbai Victoria Terminus
Lions outside Mumbai Victoria Terminus



















There's a different kind of world inside. Chaotic, noisy, crowded: unlike what the Gothic exteriors of VT/CST might suggest.
Inside Mumbai VT - Platforms




Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Building - near CST Railway Station
BMC Building
BMC Building



3. Antilla


Please do take a look at Mukesh Ambani's palace near the Mumbai Central station, and try to figure out why someone would spend over a billion dollars on building such a monstrosity.



Mukesh Ambani's Antilla - Near Mumbai Central Railway Station


4. Take a drive on the Bandra Worli Sea Link and appreciate the view from there. During the day, and once during the night time as well. 

I was quite impressed by it.



Clicked from the Bandra - Worli Sea Link


5. Visit the one and only "Green Lung" area in Mumbai. Sanjay Gandhi National Park, IIT Powai, Lake Powai and the Hiranandani Gardens next to it. 

Appreciate the greenery, the water and the small hills, while they exist. Thank the Hiranandi builders for giving us something significantly better than the eyesores which other builders create. 



Kodaikanal: Places to Visit and Things to See and Do

posted Apr 4, 2013, 12:22 AM by Prashant Bhattacharji   [ updated Apr 4, 2013, 4:29 AM ]


Kodaikanal- Upper Lake View


Kodaikanal is a beautiful and quiet hill station in the Nilgiris, in Tamil Nadu. One of the most beautiful hill stations in India. It is approximately a 3 hour drive from either Coimbatore or Madurai.

1. Needless to say, the famous Kodaikanal Lake. It is a beautiful lake, with sparkling water. You can also cycle around the lake on a rented cycles. 


Kodaikanal- Upper Lake View 
Kodaikanal















2. Boating in the Kodaikanal. Rent a paddle boat and enjoy the lake. Kodaikanal Boat house is one of the places from where you could rent a boat. In case you are at the Carlton, they might provide you with a mini house-boat.

Kodaikanal- The Lake, Boat Club, Boats

3. Visit the Pillar Rocks. They are a truly spooky sight. These are huge masses of stones 500 feet high. Between them, and below them, there are several caves. These rocks were formed due to high pressure and high temperature (between 700 Degrees C and 1100 Degrees C). These stones are of Charnockite and Granite types of rocks. 

Pillar Rocks Kodaikanal Pillar Rocks 

4. There is a lot of delicious home made stuff which you can buy near the lake. Cookies, chocolates, fudge and what not. Much cheaper than the overpriced branded equivalents available in the malls. Please try these out. The prices are very reasonable, and the feeling will be much nicer than the one you get after getting ripped off for purchasing a few milligrams of some branded eatables. 
Chocolates, Fudge, Raisin Choco and Butterscotch Cookies 















6. Kodaikanal International School is a famous residential school which has been around for a long, long time. The buildings are grand and the students have sprawling grounds to play.

Kodaikanal International School 
Kodaikanal International School























7. Go to the Carlton Hotel, have a meal there and enjoy the spectacular view of the Kodaikanal Lake, specially around the time of sunset. 
Carlton Hotel, Kodaikanal 
Carlton Hotel, Kodaikanal
Carlton Hotel, Kodaikanal















Carlton Hotel, Kodaikanal    Carlton Hotel, Kodaikanal


8. If there's more than one of you, this "double cycle" might be an interesting thing to ride around the lake.
Double Cycle - around Kodaikanal Lake



9. A view of the valley from Coakers Walk. There are some nice eating places around it. 
Coakers Walk, Kodaikanal
View from Coakers Walk, Kodaikanal Coakers Walk, Kodaikanal 





















10. Buy some of the handi-work and craft which you find along the Coakers Walk. Help support the local Kodaikanal economy!

Craft and decoration items, Coakers Walk Kodaikanal 

11. Coakers Villa. An interesting restaurant and dining place, with a Continental Menu, and a lovely garden. This is right at the beginning of the Coaker Walk.

Coakers Walk, Kodaikanal Coakers Villa, Kodaikanal 
Coakers Villa, Kodaikanal

12. Berijam Lake

This is around 20km from Kodaikanal. The quality of the water is excellent. This lake was created by a dam with outlets and it provides water to Periyakulam, a small town. 

Breijam Lake, Kodaikanal 

Breijam Lake, Kodaikanal
Breijam Lake, Kodaikanal

13. Churches in Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal has some beautiful churches. The most famous one being the Lutheran Church in Gothic style with stained glass (top 2 pictures).

Kodaikanal Lutheran Church Kodaikanal Lutheran Church 
Kodaikanal Church


14. Drive from Coimbatore to Kodaikanal through the Nilgiris.

Drive through the Nilgiris from Kodaikanal towards Coimbatore: This is a really enjoyable drive. Make sure to take some medicines along, because this is a very winding road, full of U-Pin turns, and you might feel sick on the way.
 
Drive from Kodaikanal to Coimbatore




 




























Hyderabad: Places to Visit and Things to See and Do

posted Apr 3, 2013, 11:40 PM by Prashant Bhattacharji   [ updated Apr 4, 2013, 12:08 AM ]


Whether you're a traveler or a resident, here are some of the things you might want to do in Hyderabad.

1. Standard things. Go to the old city and admire the Char Minar. Preferably, sometime during the night. Pictures of Char Minar, Hyderabad - Clicked the night before Eid 2011

Char Minar, Hyderabad
Char Minar, Hyderabad













2. The Chowmahalla Palace. Admire the arches, the architecture, the crockery and that ancient feeling.  


Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad Outside the Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad Inside the Chowmahalla Palace - Crockery


3. Hussein Sagar and Lumbini Park. There are interesting places to eat near the waterfront as well. Go and get a few pictures clicked under the statue of Buddha.

hussain_sagar_lumbini_hyderabadhussain_sagar_lumbini_hyderabadhussain_sagar_lumbini_hyderabad














hussain_sagar_lumbini_hyderabad      hussain_sagar_lumbini_hyderabad


4. Osman Sagar and the Balaji Temple. One of the main lakes from where Hyderabad gets its water supply. A cycle ride from Madhapur/HiTech area to Osman Sagar can be quite enjoyable.

Osman Sagar, Hyderabad Osman Sagar, Hyderabad


5. Ameenpur Lake is a quiet and somewhat unknown lake, not too far from the BHEL Area. Another good destination for cycling enthusiasts.

Cycle Ride to Ameenpur Lake - 1

6. In case you are an Airliner or an Aviation buff, you might like to go and stand near the Airport and click a few pictures of planes landing and taking off. Apart from that, you can also do
Go-Karting near the Hyderabad Airport.








7. In case you're an Indian Railways Fan, or in general, a railway enthusiast, the Hafeezpet Bridge as well as the Secunderabad Railway station (which has a variety of railway engines always lined up) are good places for Train-Spotting.


Indian Railways - WAP 7 Electric Locomotives at Secunderabad


8. Visit the newer parts of Hyderabad, where the IT companies are based. The ISB and Microsoft campuses are quite nice; Hypercity/Inorbit malls are quite close by and are good places for shopping.

hyderabad_inorbit_mallHyderabad_hitech_areahyderabad_hitech_area













hyderabad_gachibowli_and_hitech_cityhyderabad_gachibowli_and_hitech_city hyderabad_gachibowli_and_hitech_city












9. If you get a chance, drop by the Novotel Convention Center, sit in one of their bars or restaurants, or simply chill off next to the pool.
Novotel Hotel at night






 



Kodaikanal- The Lake and the Boat House (which was established in 1890!)

posted Dec 2, 2012, 11:03 AM by Prashant Bhattacharji   [ updated Dec 2, 2012, 11:07 AM ]

Nov 2012


Kodaikanal- The Lake, Boat Club, Boats


 Kodaikanal- The Lake, Boat Club, Boats Kodaikanal- The Lake, Boat Club, BoatsKodaikanal- The Lake, Boat Club, Boats















Kodaikanal- The Lake, Boat Club, Boats
Kodaikanal- The Lake, Boat Club, Boats 

  
Kodaikanal- The Lake, Boat Club, Boats
























Kodaikanal- Upper Lake View

posted Dec 2, 2012, 10:50 AM by Prashant Bhattacharji   [ updated Dec 2, 2012, 10:52 AM ]

Kodaikanal  

Kodaikanal
















Kodaikanal- Upper Lake View











Drive through the Nilgiris from Kodaikanal towards Coimbatore

posted Dec 2, 2012, 10:37 AM by Prashant Bhattacharji   [ updated Dec 2, 2012, 10:38 AM ]

Nov 2012

Drive from Kodaikanal to Coimbatore Drive from Kodaikanal to Coimbatore Drive from Kodaikanal to Coimbatore\
Drive from Kodaikanal to Coimbatore Drive from Kodaikanal to Coimbatore Drive from Kodaikanal to Coimbatore

 
Drive from Kodaikanal to Coimbatore





Kodaikanal Lake

posted Dec 2, 2012, 10:27 AM by Prashant Bhattacharji

Nov 2012

The main attraction of Kodaikanal- the lake. It is a man-made lake and its construction was supervised by Vere Henry Levinge in 1863.
You can take a paddle boat and go into the lake. If you're staying at the Carlton Hotel, you might want to take the shikhara (semi-house boats of the kind in the fist picture).
 

Kodaikanal Lake
Kodaikanal Lake
Kodaikanal Lake

Kodaikanal Lake


Peace Park, Kolkata

posted Dec 2, 2012, 9:58 AM by Prashant Bhattacharji   [ updated Dec 2, 2012, 10:07 AM ]

 Nov 2012
A few pictures of the Peace Park, in front of Victoria Memorial, Calcutta. A nice, green and quiet spot.

Peace Park, KolkataPeace Park, KolkataPeace Park, Kolkata















Peace Park, KolkataPeace Park, Kolkata 
















Victoria Memorial, Kolkata

posted Dec 2, 2012, 9:01 AM by Prashant Bhattacharji   [ updated Dec 2, 2012, 9:22 AM ]


Nov 27th, 2012- I had a few hours to spend in Calcutta, so I took a  tour of the Victoria Memorial. Unfortunately, you can't really click photographs inside.
The laws, ponds, gothic-style architecture made a sunny November afternoon, most enjoyable. A few pictures of the Victoria Memorial building, the Lion in front of it. St. Paul's Cathedral, Howrah Bridge and the Tata Steel building in the background.

Victoria Memorial, Kolkata 

Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
















Victoria Memorial, KolkataVictoria Memorial, KolkataVictoria Memorial, Kolkata
Victoria Memorial, Kolkata














Victoria Memorial, Kolkata   Victoria Memorial, Kolkata

Victoria Memorial, Kolkata   
Victoria Memorial, Kolkata


























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