Blogs from Bhuj, Gujarat, India, Asia

No mobile coverage, no proper signposting, a big lake infested with large crocodiles, dense jungle littered with ruins of ancient dwellings and a 3 km trek leading to an ancient Shiva Temple where the deity is in a subterranean cave and most importantly very little mention on the net and not listed in Wikipedia- does seem unreal and straight out of a horror movie set. But Chavda Rakhal- the hidden gem of Kutch is anything but that. Off the beaten track, this hunting ground of the erstwhile ruler of Kutch State still remains a private property of the Jadeja Royal Family of Kutch. Just about 15 km from Bhuj, the headquarters and biggest town in the Kutch District of Gujarat, Chavda Rakhal which literally means ‘Chavda’s Estate’ can be reached by following the Bhuj –Mata Na ... read more

Benvenuti in Gujarat, la terra di Gandhi e del probabile prossimo primo ministro indiano, uno degli stati piu' industrializzati del paese ma allo stesso tempo ultimo rifugio per animali in grave rischio di estinzione quali l'asino selvatico ed il leone asiatico, patria della cucina vegetariana piu' raffinata e soprattutto luogo ancora poco visitato da turisti stranieri: sara' qui che il Mercante trascorrera' le ultime settimane di questo viaggio in terra indiana. Ahmedabad, la capitale dello stato, e' una grande metropoli di quasi 5 milioni di abitanti in continua espansione, e la grande vetrina in cui esibire tutto il meglio di cio' che e' stato raggiunto in venti anni di sviluppo economico esponenziale; per il semplice turista tutto cio' si traduce in un traffico infernale ed un caos totale. Facile a dirsi, il luogo piu' adatto dove ... read more

Dear Readers, Greetings from Kutch Adventures India Exploring Chinkara (gazelle bannettis) Sanctuary in Lakhpat-Kutch with my 2 cousins, Neerav and Chetan, on motorbike which was our best companion to take us through forest area. Let me define the word Forest in Kutch. It means nothing but 8-10 ft. tall bushes of local Kutchi vegetations found in wilder area where Chinkaras lives beside other animals such as Blue bulls, Jackals, Hares, Mongoose and Wild boars and protected by Gujarat Forest Department. Ironically Government allowing cements factories and thermal power plants to establish their businesses around this sanctuary to let them make money and pollute environment and cornered these species in smaller area gradually. They says it’s “Development” while environmentalists calls it “Destruction” The idea was to pass across... read more

After a few days in Mumbai we decide to head up North to Bhuj. Brecht, the Belgium guy we met at the Bollywood studios comes with us. He's so laid back, will stop and talk to anyone and get's a lot of attention being 6ft 9 and looking like Peter Croutch!! The three of us catch a taxi to Bandra train station. The roads are packed and we still can't get over how people drive here. The taxi weaves in and out of the traffic hooting his horn at any bike, rickshaw or cow that gets in his way. Brad's in the back nearly hyperventilating with every second word beginning with 'F'!!! As we approach the train station we pass the smell of the slums which takes your breath away, even the taxi driver covers his ... read more

Hello and Namaste!! It's pleasure to be back in Country and exploring places. Enjoying Winter more than ever I did before though sometimes Sunlight that I missed more than anything else in England, scares me when I imagine temp. will reach more than 40 C in Summer.. Don't worry.! I can survive.. :-) As I wanted to, I had almost 3 months Holidays doing nothing other than wandering here and there into the Wild, met various spices of Birds, Animals, Insects and most interesting outcome was that I found the secret to be a "Wildlife Photographer" don't tell anyone else.. ;-) it's a Secret ... You only need to be an Adventurous, love Nature and its creatures. and of course, a Camera ;-) and you are one of the Wildlife Photographer... Why people go to University/college?? ... read more