Sunset Panorama at Dona Paula
Elton’s post, Sunset at Dona Paula, brought back pleasant memories of the time we reached this spot at the right photographic moment. A cloud filled sky at dusk with a couple of ships at the horizon and an expanse of water all around. I got my camera into its panorama mode and cherish the output till date.
Posted in Nature Photography, Panorama images, Pic-o-the-day
Tagged Dona Paula, Panorama, Pic-o-the-day
At times, what we wish and yearn for is what we have already…We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.– T.S. Eliot
Imagine you had three wishes, three hopes, three dreams and they all could come true.
If I were given 3 wishes, what would I wish for…? There is a tiny exchange between Aladdin and the Genie that says a lot:
Aladdin: So, three wishes. I want them to be good… what would you wish for?
Genie: Me? No one’s ever asked me that before. Well, in my case… ah, forget it.
Aladdin: What?
Genie: No, I can’t. I…
Aladdin: Come on, tell me.
Genie: [sigh] Freedom. Such a thing would be greater than all the magic and all the treasures in all the world.
And there I found my answer. At times, what we wish and yearn for what we already have…
It's Ferrero Rocher for you...
What did I do this weekend? Ate chocolates! Lots of them! No treks… no trips… This is just an excuse of giving myself a shot at Product Photography! 😉
No one can eat just one!
Gone too soon
Photography is about being there at the right moment… and not wasting a moment to capture it! That is the story of this chameleon who was spotted just outside a window…one moment he was there and the next… gone!
Photography is about being there at the right moment… and not wasting a moment to capture the it!
When you run out of ideas for a weekend trip… there is nothing like a quiet evening.
When you run out of ideas for a weekend trip… there is nothing like a quiet evening.
It was time for a fresh perspective and I headed for the 16th century chapel on the mount at Old Goa.
Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount
The chapel is picturesquely located atop a tiny hillock.
Green arches
There's more
With it numerous arches and buttresses there is no end to the creative photography.
Inside out
Snakes and ladders
The chapel commands a breathtaking view. The surrounding hills, the tributaries of the Mandovi river snaking their way around the islands of Divar and Chorao.
Work in progress
This place is also home to a number of birds and rare wild flowers.
Home is where the twigs go
Was lucky to get this picture of this kite/eagle taking twigs to its future home.
Holy Pan
[Click the panorama for a larger view]
A panoramic view of Old Goa, with its major historical sites of the St. Augustine tower, the Se Cathedral and St Cajetan church (Left to right)
There is one word to describe this place… Fresh!
Posted in Panorama images, Photo stories, Weekend trips
Tagged Old Goa, Our Lady of the Mount Chapel, Panorama, Photo trips, Rare flowers, Religious, Thoughts, Weekends
Does it really take a hero to change things around? Who is a ‘hero’?  The lead actor was in no way a hero… but just did what he knew he had to do… and be true to himself and the belief that when something is worth living for, it is worth dying for.
It’s interesting to know that the name of the protagonist, D’Leh, is spelled “Held” backwards, “Held” being the German word for “hero”. Roland Emmerich (the director) chose this name as an easteregg for ‘the hero within’.
As for historical/geographical accuracy, don’t go looking for it in this film. This is not meant to be a documentary 😉
Despite the bashing this movie received from the audience, I would like to commend just one dialogue:
A good man draws a circle around himself and cares for those within. His woman, his children. Â
Other men draw a larger circle and bring within their brothers and sisters. Â
But some men have a great destiny.
They must draw around themselves a circle that includes many, many more. Â
Your father was one of those men. You must decide for yourself whether you are, as well.
All the world’s a stage and all  the men and women merely players
– Shakespeare (As You Like It)
This movie exemplifies this beautifully. Three lives entwined in luxury, fame and the suffocation that comes with it, and one which comes as a breath of fresh air for them all in the form of an ordinary girl.
The words of the grandmother reflect this irony:
I always loved luxury.
But as I couldn’t  afford to live in it,
I went to work in it
Posted in Film snapshot
Tagged Fauteuils D'Orchestre, Film comments, Orchestra seats, Thoughts
Common sense is not so common
– Voltaire (Francois Marie Arouet)
Came across this ad in the local daily, The Navhind Times, and it brought a smile to my face.
It also reminded me of an interesting article floating around the internet, that makes quite an interesting read.
Obituary of the late Mr. Common Sense
Sunday, May 4, 2008, 5:29 PM
Interesting and sadly rather true.
‘Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Â Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral, because so few realized he was gone.
There is a new addition in the D’Cunha-Fernandes clan 😀
A miracle called - LIFE!
My sister had a baby and I was there in the evening taking pictures to my hearts content.
The baby was so tiny… so fragile… so amazingly beautiful…
Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle.
You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.
– Willie Dixon
Giovanni... on record 
Heat: Film snapshot
The battle of good v/s evil, splendidly woven into a story where you begin to question the very beliefs that you take for granted all the time. There is black and white with shades of gray in between where we live our lives most of the time.
Neil McCauley (De Niro) is an ex-con and expert thief has centered his life around the creed (which I found really catchy!)
“Do not allow anything into your life which you cannot walk out on in thirty seconds flat if you spot the heat around the corner.”
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Posted in Film snapshot, Ramblings
Tagged Film comments, Heat, Thoughts