Marina Beach

This is a place where i grew up spending all my sunday's and vcacations .
When i school the beach followed by restaurant ritual was a must every sunday
my memories of Marina are
1.deserted near the light house
2.clean sand
3.clean water
4.lot of families playinng around and eating
5.kites and ballons
6.everybody goes home after dark
7.conversations happening between people

last week I again visited Marina for the first time with my baby and I was in for a shock
1.Its totally crowded - not with people who have come to visit but with vendors who have sporuted all over the beach selling everything from water,bajji,ice cream to pattani
2.The family atmosphere is lost because of the vendors and their shops and smells
3.At max i could see only few families most were lovers,college gangs
4.The entire beach is like a garbage bin , we couldnt find a spot to sit without litter
5.Absolutely no place to spread a blanket in private, sit and enjoy the sound of waves and the wind
6.Water was so dirty that I cringed to dip my feet in it

I feel some drastic measure has to be taken by the goverment to remove these vendors from the beach , there must be a area where they can sell , they just cant be all over the beach
Also some measures to clean the sand and water should be taken up

if the present state continues our Pride and Pleasure Beach will become another Koovam

GRT Temple Bay

Friday May4th 2007 was my first outing in the current company , about 100 of who report to one Super boss went to GRT Temple Bay
I dont know what to write about , the fun we had or the beauty of the place or the beach or the good organising

We left at about 1pm in 2 buses and a van , had some nice rocking vijay numbers playing in the bus and for the first time i danced some dapan kootu numbers in the bus

the organisers Catalyst had done a tremendous job , be it giving mazza when we boarded the bus or the ice breakers they had planned or the numerous gifts that were given and the team building activites like dodge ball , three legs, animal sounds, jiggles etc was fun and though was new to this team didnt feel lonley at all

comming to GRT Temple Bay
one word to describe it - its nice
its right at the entrance of Mahabalipuram , from the shore u can see the shore side temple of Mahabs and the view is worth the long journey from chennai

the property is big , the foyer and the lobby are well done keeping sea shore as the theme and the swiming pool is real beauty - overlooking the sea
they have a private beach with couple of beach activities thrown in and a pleasant and maybe a slightly expensive holiday is for sure

we got to have snacks and the usual indian dinner and suprisingly the food was good and the service was excellent

its a clean resort with good facilities , helpful people and nice ambience worth a check out on the ECR road .

Target Audience

Whats my target audience ??

i have already writtern 3 posts and yet am not clear on this vital aspect

Am I using this blog to just write down my memories about the various places I have visited or Am I targetting future visitors to that place by giving them important information about the place ??


Well onething is clear without me visitng the place i cant give information to others so to an extent am going to write my memories , but when we write only memories it is useful only for a small cirlce of family and friends who can relate to us but it has to reach a wider audience than i also need to make it informative

so I have come to the following conclusion
1. each post is going to consist of 2 parts
2.the first part is going to be my experience , my memories of the place,how i enjoyed it
3.this part is for information on the place, ideal itenary for the place , accomdation etc

by this am ensuring it has a personal touch also information

Belur Halebid

It has almost become a joke between me and my husband whenever I start saying Hoysala architecture he completes the statement for me by saying "Star Shaped temple" hahaha the reason for this is that the only thing i knew about hoysala architecture is that it is famous for its star shaped temples and carvings .

This place is perfect for a day outing from bangalore else u can also combine this with chickmanglur and make it a weekend getaway , chickmangalur is only 25kms from belur .

u can cover three things in belur halebid
1. Belur vishnu temple
2. halebid shiva temple
3. shravanabelagola - buddha statue

belur is 222 kms from bangalore and we visited this place by hiring a cab . it took us 3 to 4 hrs to reach this place
go well stocked with food ,water and juice nothing is available on the way nor in the places

there are 2 food stopovers on way where u get good food
1. kamat
2.mayura hotel
u get good idli , coffee and clean restrooms here

i went expecting lush greens on both sides , some scenic views and maginificent temples - was in for a shock

the land is very barren and very dry with only a smattering of greens here and there - u will be amazed at the scene change from bangalore and some 10 kms from bangalore .only as u get closer to chickmanglur u get cool breeze and some greenery to see

dont go in summer months as it is impossible to walk on the hot rocks

out iternary
1.morning left bangalore at 9.30
2.reached mayura at 11.30 had late breakfast

3.reached belur at 12.30 to visit the chennakesava temple meaning handsome vishnu temple

if u are expecting a huge temple u will be disappointed what u get to see is a beautiful temple that stands in midst of barren land and pulls u with its carving and beauty
if u dont have a passion for carving and architecture u will not like this place - u need to have imagination to enjoy this place - its huge - i could imagine the royal families of yesteryears comming here and paying homage to lord , ladies dancing in the courtyard for the king - the temple premises is big and beautiful , the carvings are exquisite and it is worth to pay for a guide . u have a pedestle and on it sits the temple in a star shape form . the guide tells us that the belur temple is famous for interiors and the halebid temple is known for its exterior carvings . the lions and elephants cardved out of pillars is something i will remember for a long time

4.about 17 kms from belur is halebid - the first impression u get on seeing halebid is well this is better tourist oriented place , its clean ,lawned and u have lot of people selling u things - halebid has a shiva temple and i liked the hugs nandi's, there is also a small lake/pond nearby giving toursit some relief from the sun .

imagine hundreds of artisans sitting and carving these rocks giving them life , and shapes just astounds the human mind .

5.we skipped out shravanabelagola as we were too tired

6. on way back again stopped at mayura for refill and reached bangalore at about 8 in the night .

this place is not a romantic getaway - u can probablu spend time together in the car ride , it is for people who want to appreciate our heritage .