The REAL king of the jungle

The REAL king of the jungle

The challenges he faces are monumental. So monumental, in fact, that Arctic explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes has written to Ed to warn him that the stage in front of him – the deep Brazilian jungle – will be ‘difficult’. You can take it that this is something of an understatement, given that it comes from a man who once sawed off his own fingers after they became frostbitten.

His average day would kill most people. Up at dawn, he walks for around eight hours, until 3pm. At this stage of the journey he will be lucky to have covered 7km in that time. This is jungle, real jungle – and you pay for every step with will-sapping swings of the machete.

Former British Army officer Ed Stafford is well on his way to becoming the first person to hike the entire length of the Amazon river, from its source to its mouth. He’s been hiking for 612 days and hopes to complete the journey in August.

via | Man Hiking the Length of the Amazon River

Swiss Army Champion Plus Knife

Swiss Army Champion Plus Knife

Since I lost my amazing 'weatherman spanner multi kit, I was like a lost kid in many adventure trips though I didn't have to tame any python or tiger there :). Having one Swiss Knife in a trek bag is a necessary, specially on outdoor adventure for unforeseen reasons. I got this stud in good black-Friday deal this time.

A 'Victorinox Swiss Army Champion Plus Pocket Knife' is there when you need it. It is a combination of solid hand tool and inventive creativity. A characteristic feature of the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife is its multi-functionality, which makes it indispensible for many of life's situations.

Casio Pathfinder Atomic Solar Watch

Casio Pathfinder Atomic Solar Watch

Casio Pathfinder watch is a beautiful, handy tool for the true outdoors-man.

Though I also bought Suunto Core, I needed sports and adventure watch which I could use ruggedly on frequent use. When Raj bought pathfinder PAG80T-7V, my geeky instinct was itching to mount a pathfinder on my wrist top too :) so pocketed this lovely PAW1100-1V stuff in black-Friday dea :) This is an Atomic time sync capability stuff. Though there are no atomic sync stations anywhere near Bangalore, might come handy if I travel to those places.

There's one available with silver Titanium Band, I liked black Resin Band due to its sporty look and nature.

Pathfinder watches not only feature the look and feel of the great outdoors, but have distinguished themselves as “genuine tools” that’s equipped with sensors to help you observe Nature and monitor its changes. Whether you’re climbing a mountain or trekking down the local coastline, the Casio Pathfinder provides you with essential information you will need to tame the great outdoors.

Suunto Storm Alarm watch

Suunto Storm Alarm watch

If you think Finland is famous for Nokia, it's time to expand your horizon :). It has one more leading designer of adventure watches called - Suunto.

This amazing Suunto Core watch was there in my shopping radar for quite some time. I was stalking amazing watch over Camel price tracking since last year. And finally bought it on thanks-giving shopping phase in US. It's one of my treasured asset for my forthcoming adventures. 'Thanks Giving' shopping of this year is memorable with its sign on my wrist-top :)

All-Black-Core has a range of accurate data and information you need when exploring the wilder parts of the world.

Wrist-top computer watch with altimeter, barometer, compass, and weather indicator.Altimeter displays current elevation, shows ascent or descent, and records session.Intelligent storm alarm senses drops in air pressure and notifies of approaching storms.Barometer helps predict changing conditions; built-in weather trend indicator.

>> With umpteen features this has time keeping as well :)

Bend it like fire !

Bend it like fire !

I've always wondered the designs of fire flares and fire balls made by fire blowers. The way fireballs get clouded, moulded, moved, waved are awesome. They become so intricate designs yet they are not designed to be like that deliberately :) They are so natural, dangerously lovable !

Watch this amazing, lovely & breath taking 'slow motion' fire dancing with cool music in background at
>> Napalmdragon.com

Tao of War by Bruce Haley

Tao of War by Bruce Haley

War is an evil. so its tremors are.

There's no design to war when a bomb blasts. Death is the only measure of count. It's unbearable smell of gunpowder. Art has no place when patience is evopoated, eradicated. If you're a photographer- there's no perfect setting in war field. All you need is a high speed photography skill & rock solid heart to endure such painful scenes.

The recipient of the Robert Capa Gold Medal, one of the most prestigious photography awards - Bruce Haley has captured very touching war photos under the title -"Tao of War Photography".

They are so ruthless that one of the viewer opines -
Some of the pictures are very graphic. Is it important to show such images to the world or is it exploitation of anther's misery? Maybe both.

Enough of words, you should watch -Tao of War Photography.

My Toughest Shot

My Toughest Shot

An eagle hunter in Xinjiang, China (courtesy of Philipp Engelhorn)

Outside magazine asked 16 photographers to share their hardest-won images and the wild, sometimes foolish, and invariably bold adventures behind them. From a nomadic Kutchi camp in Tajikistan to a frozen lake in Siberia, and everywhere in between, these pros show--and tell--how they got the job done.

They get the job done amazingly in 2009 Outside Exposure Special, My Toughest Shot

If you've more money, look no further. Gift this to me :)

If you've more money, look no further. Gift this to me :)

The Suunto X10 is an intelligent and durable wristop computer that builds on Suunto's 10 years of experience in creating cutting-edge outdoor devices. With the improved, faster GPS fixes - even under heavy foliage - and longer lasting battery power, you can navigate confidently and conveniently, while keeping your hands free. Once back at home, use the Suunto X10 to plot and share your treks on Google Earth™.

The day I saw this, I went crazy on the tasks it can handle and features it studded with. I'm saving money to own this :), But if you feel more love on me any point of time, let me know how can you send this to me :D

Visit this nicely designed site of suunto x10

Place to see before you die | Darvaza - Burning Gas Craters

Place to see before you die | Darvaza - Burning Gas Craters

In the heart of the Karakum desert of Turkmenistan the Darvaza Gas Crater or The Burning Gates give off a glow that can be seen from miles away during the dark night.

The large crater is a result of a Soviet gas exploration accident in the 1950’s. It was created when a Soviet drilling rig was drilling for natural gas fell into an underground cavern resulting in a crater which today measures roughly 60 meters in diameter and 20 meters deep. The huge crater was set alight shortly after being discovered and has been burning ever sinse. The smell of burning sulfur can be detected from a distance and becomes quite strong as you near the hot edge of the crater.

>> More info with photos

Queen of the sea

Queen of the sea

It was a mega event suppose to happen in 3 of our life. Last year September Raj, Nikhil & me were venturing into South east Asia trip.Marked Cambodia as a final destination. At the same time some one was also testing fate beyond cozy cubicle of software company. After hitting early morning dew soaked lovely Singapore aerodrome:

Raj said, "you know what ? If I'm not here, I would have been attending national geographic mission navy selection interview, if gets selected the winner can spend a full month in 'Indian warship."
I joked "chillax maga; not a big deal & it's not in your blood to be in warship :)".
He said, "but Chethu is going for it".
I looked at him for a minute; I thought it might be a guy since the name was boyish- Chethana.
I asked him, "you never told me about this guy"
He said,"it's not a boy, it's a girl"
I asked "who's Chethu by the way ?"
Raj said "she frequents swimming with us, you've seen her, shes works as an HR in a software company"
I was perplexed. "software girl & navy ?! and spending one month in the war ship!"

It was kinda unbelievable. Then I remembered a lean, silent girl with attractive cheek bones, who frequented when we were busy bisecting waters of swimming pool at NGV.

Mind you, this blog is not about our amazing trip to tallest Hindu temple complex in the world; but a tribute to a grittiest girl I've seen in the timid herd of fake safe harbor: Software Industry. Yes ! you heard me right :)

In Seam Reap of Angkorwat, while browsing internet there; Raj announced in huge voice, 'Maga, can u believe: Chethu, made it to final team of selection". I was spellbound ! Since, Indian Navy has involved in it I knew it's not just another boring & ordinary TV reality show,

Nat Geo has collaborated with the Indian Navy and is now all set to embark on a journey on the high seas with battle stations and live weaponry, for the mission of a lifetime. It will showcase the uncharted world of the Indian Navy, replete with warships, submarines and missiles.

When we hit Singapore domestic air lounge, we got to check free Internet. Raj yelled : "hey maga ! you got to believe it ? Chethu, has just moved to final confirmed team". I can imagine how he might be feeling with enthrall. he ushered - "Oh maga, i wanna be there, i wanna be there maga, it was my dream too"

Nat Geo Mission Navy will provide five civilians a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of the Navy. The civilians will be trained and imbued with the courage, grit and determination that is synonymous with the Indian Navy. The most resilient, deserving and valiant of the five finalists will have the Honor of sailing with the Indian Navy's Lehron Ke Sartaj on an international tour.

We said bye-bye to Singapore after 15 days of rocking trip; first thing I did after reaching Bangalore is checking what is this 'mission navy' is all about.

All participants will undergo an interview round, followed by rigorous training to test their physical and mental attributes. The reality format will focus on the culture, working style and other facets of the Indian Navy.

The docu-reality show went on air in January 2009. On the first episode, they showed -all aspirants running 5 kilometers non-stop. One macho gym addict guy was yelling on the camera: " hello ! that's it, these are time passers doing beeline, look at my biceps who can compete with me ?" once the run is over, he was begging for the water in mid way :) !

Event was a real herculean task oriented. More tougher than expected. Very endurance demanding. Chethu climbed one by one step to get to top slot.

I couldn't just stop admiring when she jumped out of roaring helicopter and zoomed into dark ocean and swam to far off boat. I was observing her body language. She looked so composed & elegant when she was about to jump into waters. Imagine the monster waves evoked by helicopter on top of her head and the kind of breathing power one need while zipping fast into dark ocean waters ?! Then I thought, 'yes Chaitanya has it. She is the one & she is not just another lean girl, but she is the real macho. May be even macho's couldn't have done it !'

Finally, can you believe a Bangalore girl made it to national level show who is also our friend ?!

The hindu writes:
Life was very normal for her, leading a monotonous life and working as a HR executive till one day she decided to seek some adventure. And Chaitanya Datla went on to challenge her physical, mental and emotional limits to emerge the winner of the National Geographic Channel’s “Mission Navy: Lehron Ke Sartaj”.

One joke I had to share:
Other-day we friends met for the dinner at Bobby's dhaba at Ulsoor. I was kidding her, "hello my brother Chethu how are you ?". she said something, which was kinda real sarcastic comment as well "yes ! you are right I'm your brother. Because they thought, surely some boy might win at the end. so the award was named as -sartaj, which is meant for masculine :) "

But it was won by our own Chaitanya, the next door girl.

But the more cheerful news came in just today: An adventurous Chaitanya Datla won the Tenzing Norgay Adventure Award' presented by President.

Link : President presents sports awards to Chaitanya Datla

Motorcycle Diaries - a spanish delight

Motorcycle Diaries - a spanish delight

{ My movie of the week: Motorcycle Diaries a.k.a Diarios de motocicleta (2004) }

I am a big fanatic of the purity in movies & this is the finest exemplary of movie making. It's the dramatization of a motorcycle road trip Che Guevara went on in his youth, that showed him his life's calling. A sublime direction by a non-hollywood director Walter Salles.Interesting trivia is he knew nothing about the historical character 'Che Guevara' before shooting the movie :)

Ernesto's(Che Guevara) journey with his close pal Alberto to reach an leprosy healing center in some nook and corner thousands of miles distance from his town. He wrote diary on his experience all along their journey and this movie is based on the same.

Movie is completely shot in Spanish language. It's worth to note realization of Ernesto about Inca's intelligence in Machu Picchu. Even I felt the same about Khmer Kings who built largest Hindu temple complexes, clever architectures in the early 12th century in Angkor Wat, Cambodia. I feel I am lucky to been there.

Che's been portrayed as a sweet character both by persona, virtue and modesty. This is the fantastically designed character in rain clad backdrop of Brazil, Chile,Peru, Venezuela, and Spain with the setting of 1950's. It also touches deteriorated health, injustice and social issues in poorer counties such as Peru.

I love the way friendship is captured between Ernesto & Alberto. It reminded my journey to Cambodia last year with friends Raj and Nikhil. We spent having fun all along the local trains, tuk-tuks from Thailand to Cambodia. There's nothing like foot loose journey with friends like they did in Motorcycle Diaries.

Jolly trip turned horrible trip :)

Jolly trip turned horrible trip :)

{ Mag-Aso falls on the island of Bohol, Philippines }
This is a kind of eye opener, a true incident happened in Philippines.Rainfall elsewhere on the uphill forced a sudden gush in the waterfall caused 2 guys to drown to death in the water.

Being an adventurer enthusiast, I've done so many adventure trips with my friends. Since we've traveled across and know how to do adventure activities with lot of care, we've never stumbled risk as such. However safe you're sometimes it's beyond the control of self.

Recently we did one risky but amazing river water rafting adventure in Kali River in Dandeli in monsoon season. We tried swimming in swift current areas with lot of care in a right place. After seeing this picture blog, I am forced to relate this adventure with such kind of water borne adventure activities :)

Nature is such a wonderful magic, unless it turns tragic. Nevertheless: not everything is as per your design, nature has its own design for you !

>> Watch this amazing photo blog fore more details

Scuba diving in Netrani

Scuba diving in Netrani

My travel partner, Raj asked me sometime in mid of march, 'how about a scuba diving in Netrani island this month' ? I was kinda skeptical initially & juggling with dual thoughts to go or not. By then: Raj booked for scuba in Netrani island. Was wondering - ...with the kind of beaches of coastal Karnataka...what kind of scuba we gonna do ?

Netrani Island is in Arabian sea & about 18 KM from the shores of Murudeshwara, Karnataka. The fact that this Island is isolated from mainland and people do not visit this place, the sea life is so colorful! It was treat to eyes and adventurous to explore scuba diving.

I call it a coincidence. Just the next day, I got a chance to watch hollywood flick 'into the blue' in star movies. I couldn't even loose a minute of concentration, as my favo babe - Jessica Alba flashing zingy figure in deep blue underwater. Movie is extensively shot in the beautiful and mesmerizing deep waters of Bahamas. This movie thrilled me with the imagination of scuba diving in sucha crystal clear underwater. I couldn't resist the idea of scuba and instantly gave a call to Raj to make sure I am there in the scuba league.

Team of enthusiastic 30, in a delayed bus travel, unplanned breakfast stop over in rain-soaked Mudigere, lovely traverse in the beautiful green curves of Chickmagalur, hot-trenched Bantwal journey took us straight into swimming pool of dusky evening of Murudeshwar hotel. It was almost a drizzling twilight. Planned as a practice time for gonnabe scuba divers of next day. I was puzzled to see heaps of pipes running to and from big oxygen cylinders. It was a serious 'scuba' preparation...

The dusky dark evening, rarely twinkling lights, pool covered with green hillocks, drizzling chill air, slippery floor, and the lean & thin scuba instructors taught us the art of breathing & underwater surviving tactics. With lotta scuba gyan we made our way to not-so-great hotel which was allocated for us. It was a pitch black night when we logged into hotel room in Bhatkal to catch some sleep.

Next morning, our life jacket wrapped gang was waiting for the boats to pick us up in the temple beach of Murudeshwar. For the first time I was traveling for so long on the ocean. Gradually muddy water of the shore transformed into crystal clear turquoise blue water as moved towards the island. It was cool realize; were moving inside the Arabian sea and 18 km away Netrani island was seeming in the same shape since we've started. It was an awesome journey; vested with the great feeling of being nowhere.

Finally, in less than hour of boating we landed (rather, stranded) near the famed Netrani island. Raj & me were ready with the cam tripod and super zoom lens to clinch shutterbug thirst, but sadly, there was no beach as guessed in that island. It's a mammoth rock peeping out of the vast water mass. Boats were anchored right besides the island on the water. Ditto into-the-blue movie types.

What I call a heavenly day kicked off with few of us wrapped in a life jacket, dived into sea water. Wow ! floating on salty and crystal water snorkeling looking into deep sea, was out of the world experience. Two scuba experts started scuba diving with 3 of us each. Not bad, Indian Arabian sea is a vast pool of underwater beauty with lotta cute and colorful fishes & wonderful reef inside. I managed to spot beautiful variety of never-seen-before fishes, blue and yellow lined fishes, variety coral reefs, beautiful but odd shaped stones etc., After my scuba dive, spent long hours floating on the water looking at cloudy sky. Felt like 'if there's anything called - nirvana, this is it'.

I was wondering about the scuba technique of controlling breathing with oxygen cylinder and waving fins attached to feet, which makes you float and swim underwater even if you don't know swimming. It was certainly a godly experience to see exhaled air creating randomly shaped bubbles going up in lovely designs under clear waters of ocean. Never knew the scuba dive in Netrani takes one to sucha lovely destination under the ocean.

While coming back in the evening, it started slowly drizzling followed by heavy downpour. I enjoyed every bit of it sitting on fore tip of the boat. A mild weather, shadowy and dusky light, no sign of any boats as long as one can see on the ocean. A solitude married to creamy weather. I was drenching for hours till we reach the shore. My mood was humming...

Rain Clouds in the sky, I don't know why
They make me blue, when I'm thinking of you
Maybe they want to cry, As I walk on by
Hiding my tears, in a world of good byes

Rain drops and dance, strange kind of romance
I don't know why whether to cry out loud, But I'm feeling fine
Watch the rythm of the rain falling down

...Indian Rain from Colonial Cousins. It was Wow !

In the evening, we few of us went to Murudeshwar temple and took darshana of Lord shiva. Ironically aatma linga in the temple is so-tiny compared to the mammoth shiva statue evoked behind the temple by a business tycoon. Towering idol of Lord Shiva believed to be the tallest in Asia.

It was a long journey way back to Bangalore, a long night melted with mast dance and masti of Nishant for a Kannada HMT remix ! He could make anyone & everyone rocking with his well timed wits, mannerisms and puns. Finally for his sansani entertainment speed he was named as -aajtak ;D

>> View scuba gallery

'Lass' Vegas

'Lass' Vegas

Last week I was holidaying in most coveted nightlife destination in the world - Las Vegas. It's all about fun, frolic & masti in a wonderful place which is also known as sin city !

After spending marathon hours in Las Vegas finally I came into this conclusion: Las Vegas is nothing, without - Lass, Lighting & Looting.

Lass ? Seems ridiculous ? you got to agree :) Lass, as you know means gals. I bet if you don't get tuned to the core if you're in Vegas. The ultra babe crossed you either in Casino, night club or on the pavements of lovely Vegas strip gives you sure shot thunderstorms - be prepared for it if you're in Vegas! I've traversed from Bangkok to Bombay, London to Frankfurt, Singapore to Sunnyvale, but there's nothing like Las Vegas when it comes to beautiful gals. It seems all beauties have gathered in Vegas for one or the other reason !

Next one is Lighting. A structure which dunno how to use lighting is gone for toss here. I was bowled over by the interior & exterior lightings of The Venetian, Wynn, Bellagio etc.,

If you come all the way to Las Vegas you have to come to The Venetian hotel. It's amazing, these people have gone to a great extent to reproduce many of the landmarks of Venice in a truly realistic way. Of all the hotels I visited in Las Vegas The Venetian was the one that impressed me the most. It can't be hold in words one got to experience it. This has one of the most breath taking casinos in Vegas, and on my top 3 list for casinos. Its a must see. The Venetian has also some of the best shopping I found in Las Vegas. The cafes, the ambiance, the sky, everything has an Italian feel.

The spectacular example is 'the day sky' inside the hotel. Believe it - the sky looks like you're hanging around in Venice at 3 in the evening though it's 11 in the night. You will see an always blue sky with a few white clouds which was modeled on the early evening sky in Venice except of course it never rains here ! Every 15 minutes or so the "sky" turns from daytime to nigh time just like that! The clouds also look like they are moving when you walk down the streets inside - great illusions ! They even have the water channels, with gondolas and the gondoliers singing "Oh sole mio". It's cool to see an artificial canal running inside hotel which takes people for a short float. I wanted to try it, but they said you got to book at least 14 days before ! Oh man, the canal looks like a real blue water flowing inside Venice city ! I was thinking- If I get married & have onsite opportunity in US; Las Vegas Venice's Gondola ride is A must and its very romantic I'm Sure.

Looting ? What looting ? yes I am talking about casino's of Vegas. Either you get looted by casino's or you'll loot casinos if you're vested with the luck ;) But by default, it's always casino's who come prepared to empty your pocket ;) You never know how smoothly loose your money. As I said lucky gamblers makes money here. amongst zillions of casinos of Vegas. I lost a little & made a bit too. Kind of break even gambling ;) ! Since I was on budget tour de Vegas- ensured I've enough bucks to catch a cab back to Airport ;)

Finally, I've heard a lot about him, been mesmerized with his composing, I dreamt of shooting like his photos & finally I happened to see his fantastic wall level blowups at his Venetian gallery:

>> Peter Lik-shots