நிலா-உலா. Wander to discover

18/04/2022

Covid lockdowns helped me to explore the beauty of Queensland. Mackay and it’s surrounding regions especially the Finch Hatton Gorge, Eungella ( Don’t Miss a nice lunch in the Chalet with the lovely view of the terrain) and Cape Hillsborough

06/02/2022

As someone who loves travelling always wanted to sneakingly drive in the passion into my kids. Travelling enables kids to understand world , life and human kind through practical knowledge gained from visual and emotional process that triggers reasoning. My kids have seen life in every extremities. Happiness, content, poverty, hard work, greed , so on. They will still continue to learn. They witness beauty of this world and the pollution and corruption on its beauty. To continue encouraging their love for travel I add flavour through their interests like “ fun places” too.
Disney land anywhere is fun. It’s full of admiration how someone’s imagination brings joy in lots.
These are some memories from
Los Angels
Hong Kong
Japan
Disney lands. ❤️

30/12/2021

Kerala- India “ God’s own country”.
My first visit to this beautiful land was along with my uni friends. Greenery , living with Mother Nature and adoring self is the beauty of this land.
Ruled by the Tamil kings “ Cheras” the land holds a close relationship to the lifestyle of the Tamils, especially the Ealem Tamils. It has a great mix of Tamil words and the delicious coconut based culinary.
The cool green hills draped with clouds and the sea salt fragmented coastal lands are never to be missed.
But my all time favourite is the Allepey or Allapula, the backwaters. Staying overnight in the houseboat, enjoying the lifestyle of the natives, feasting on the locally caught and freshly cooked seafood- divine!!! The God’s own country❤️

04/12/2021

Hong Kong- A busy city where time and people move fast but with vibrance and productivity. Apart from the commonly visited main city- I enjoyed the authenticity of the Tao O fishing village. Houses on poles raised in the ocean, narrow walking bridges to each home, the smell of dried fish and salt, friendly faces, roaring boats- great experience.
As known for innovation- the Jumbo floating restaurant in Aberdeen was yet another unique experience. Live choices to eat in. Queen Elizabeth 2 had also visited this restaurant in the past. Not to forget mentioning the yumm stuffed crab and the chilli garlic fried squid.
பழமையும், புதுமையும்- அனுபவம் தரும் பாடங்கள்.

09/11/2021

Shanghai- A city that impressed me.
A blend of history- it’s pride and the majestic advancement in the modern technology.

Chinese is a language and root a group of people just like Tamil that has stood up over the centuries proud with its culture and history.

I could not resist saluting the people who walked fast, talked fast and worked fast - so goal focused - this contributing to this big time advancement of their country. System and disciple prevailed every where. The queues , carrying green tea , morning parks occupied by energetic 80s plus using the gym instruments , and more. The love they had for babies especially when they crowded around Naatia was a very different experience for me.

Had my first experience of travelling in a bullet train - around 350 km/ hr speed and the railway station was splendid and organised like a first class Airport.

Vision is important. This country and its business world people had a vision for their country. Was well seen.

And not to forget my favourite Fish head with green and red chillies. I still try this dish for Christmas almost every year at home. Such a mouth watering dish.

World is beautiful- when the soul wants to experience!!

04/11/2021

Spiritual wander !- Happy Deepavali 💐💐🎆🎇🎉

On this special day of Deepavali-I recall my soulful connections with the Divinity, Family and Friends.

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple🙏

The temple that was put on the list to be nominated for the seven wonders of the world.
Lot of unfold mysteries over centuries hidden in this gem.
Science- architecture- engineering- mathematics….

Located in Madurai , Tamil Nadu , South India - the temple that was built in 12 th century stands tall speaking volumes of the history and life of the proud Tamil race through the around 3 million carvings in the temple. Each statue is unique to detail. The statue with “Veena”- a musical string instrument can demonstrate the details of ribs carved in stone. There are statues with minute details of veins. The musical pillar is A Solid stone pillar which when tapped creates music and there’s seven pillars creating various music.

The temple is dedicated to “ Meenakshi Amman” - the goddess who abide there with her equal half Sundareswarar proudly declaring the independence and capability of a woman to be a leader- ruler- protector.

I take every opportunity to make my kids witness and learn from history solidifying their identities. And we never cease to enjoy the vision of colourful garlands, smell of the incense, music of the bells and even blessed touching of the majestic elephants. And not to miss my all time favourite- food. Yes Madurai always reminds me of a lovely feast hosted by my friend Dr Alagu Ganesh and his wife Dr Selvi Alagu Ganesh. Including the famous Jigarthanda- the milk based almond flavoured drink.

தீபாவளி வாழ்த்துக்கள்🙏🙏

30/10/2021

30/10/2021

30/10/2021

Paronella Park- Innisfail, North Queensland.

As I was searching to visit a place near home that had a history - story talked for ages- this mesmerising place struck my eyes.

It’s a heritage listed tourist site that wins an award for Tourism every year.

The walk into the green woods, witnessing history covered in beautiful green moss, the continuous applause by the majestic falls talks stories about Jose Paronella - a man who chased his dreams. He did not wait for a magic. He made the magic.

Migrated to Australia to work as a labourer in a sugarcane fielding 1913 - Mr Paronella made his vision come true by his own efforts of building this beautiful place for tourism in the midst of a thick rainforest.

As I say Travel teaches me lessons.
You get what you want
When you know clearly what you want❤️

உனக்கு வேண்டியது
உன்னிடமே உள்ளது
தேடாமல் அழுது என்ன பயன்?

அடைந்த கனவுகள்
கடந்த காலமாய் தொலைவதில்லை..❤️

30/10/2021

Travel is my energy button. A charge station to make me rethink
*my love for this life and world
* to know my limits and abilities
* to adventure my insecurities
* to heal my soul
* to find my purpose
* to reaffirm life is beyond a monotonous work- home- saving money- family responsibilities-sleep
* to know the importance to love and appreciate every stone, building, plant, human, food and culture as how it is. And to take the responsibility not to corrupt it.
And the learning from my travel experiences continues as the universe of travel continues its teaching …
I decided to share few of my travel experiences to evoke in others- life is beyond home. And search where home is?
Coz It plays an immense role in mental health - of oneself and thus of the community.

வாழ்கை ஓட்டங்கள் நிரந்தரமானவை.
எதனை நோக்கி ஓடுகின்றோம் என்பதில் உள்ளது இறுதி மூச்சின் அமைதி!
தேடலில் தொடங்கிய என் பயணம் சொல்லித்தந்த பாடங்கள் பல.
விண்ணைத் தொட இறகினையும்
மண்ணை முத்தமிட இதயத்தையும்
பாலை உள்ளத்தின் அழகையும்
சோலையில் ஒளிந்த நூலகத்தையும்
அலைகளின் முயற்சியும்
மலைகளின் திமிறும்
பறவைகளின் தோழமையும்
தோழமையின் சரித்திரங்களும்
இணைந்த கைகளும்
அடைந்த சிகரங்களும்
தொலைத்த அடையாளங்களும்
தொலைவானமான முகவரிகளும்

என் பயணங்கள் சொன்ன பாடங்கள் பல!

நிலா உலா…
ஒரு மனவளம் நோக்கிய பயணம்….