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Hampi in Karnataka

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Just realised that when we were travelling, we hadn't the time to post the pix from Hampi. It's a Unesco world heritage site... Hampi dawns and sunsets can be spectacular, this is what we got! After jumping in a tuktuk at 4am, our driver dropped us off and said he would be back in couple of hours. We found ourselves at the foot of a mountain, with dogs barking and monkeys whooping. Whilst we started climbing in total darkness, we didn't know what we were going to bump into. I picked up all the stones we came across and probably wieghed a few more kilo's by the time we reached the summit. We declared to each other, once the ordeal was over, that yes, we had both been anxious. This shot was taken in virtual darkness with just a hint of light. But the long exposure makes it look brighter. A couple of minutes before the two of us, were wondering around trying to figure out which way was east.  We were so high up, we had an uninhibited view of dawn, so much s

Super Moon Eclipse from north Goa 31.1.18

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A Lunar eclipse So it's the last day of January and were in Vagator, north Goa. By about 3pm the temperature tops out around 37 degrees and there's hardly any breeze, so we can't sit out for long. But this evening is an event that last happened 150 years ago! Picture taken due west at 18:30 (IST or +05:30 hrs GMT) But by 6pm it's cool enough for us to climb to the highest point and watch the sunset over the ocean on this special evening.  With a 400mm zoom lens, this is a picture of the sun taken around 18:30 or less than ten minutes before sunset. The colour changes are caused by the amount of low level polution running off shore across the Arabian sea to the horizon.  Picture taken due west at 18:40 So although the sun hasn't dropped below the horizon, due to the polution, the sea and the sky merge into this man made industrial soup.  Picture taken due east at 19:40  But today is special as its not just a day when the moon gets closest to

Merry Christmas from Agonda xx

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 Well hello and Merry Christmas form Agonda, Goa xx So it's Sunday morning and Christmas Eve, we got here about a week ago and have settled into a routine, we're making the most of our chill out in the tropics.   We chose Agonda as it is the lesser trodden path, the beach is bigger, less populated and feels more open. We chose Velvet Sunset because it's located at the north end and meets with our requirements of space.  W hen the tide is in, we are only fifty meters from our bed to the breaking waves. But it can be tricky after eleven as the sand is too hot to walk on!   It's actually very quiet as there has been a steep decline in the expected number of tourists, of course this suits us but it's not good for tourism! However most of the seventeen beach huts here are occupied. There's a good reason for that as it's very shanti (relaxed) as they say down here. We are generally on the beach by 7:30 and have taken to an early morning run

Yala just kept giving and will always be with us......

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Whilst we we're driving out of Yala, I knew how much Donna was hoping to see elephants and leopards. Then as if by magic this lone male just appeared, he came out of the bush on our left and crossed the road. Whilst he was enjoying his breakfast of long grass, small branches, twigs and leaves, he hung out with us for half an hour.  To see a wild elephant is a very special time and it was the most rewarding moment for me, when I saw my lady's face and tears. Words cannot convey, so here's a couple of pix! I know I've said it so many times but Sri Lanka is truly beautiful and we would both be content to spend months exploring the island and it's secrets. However from the little bit that we did see, without any hesitation, Yala is the stand out  place. It wasn't just the animals....... the place is incredibly beautiful with diverse landscapes and amazing vistas. Being a pristine, uninhabited national park with