PAYANIGA

I Was Here: Mattu beach

Sep 19, 2011 I Was Here 3 Comments

I was in Mattu beach in first week of March 2008 during my bike ride to West coast. I was not aware of the name of the beach when I visited and quite recently got to know that it’s called as Mattu beach.

More about the place here.

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Statues and the sea gulls

Sep 15, 2011 England, Scotland, UK Leave a comment

One of the common sights one gets to see in cities and towns of England and Scotland is statues. Statues of Kings & Queens, Dukes & Duchesses, royal family members, war heroes, prominent historical personalities, literary giants and many more. These statues blend into the surroundings so well as if they are integral part of the place. During my first visit to England, I failed to notice a statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel for almost two weeks. But at the same time some of the statue stand out and command ones attention towards them. The intricate details on the statues, be it a stone one or bronze attracts and makes anyone to ponder about the effort & time taken to bring out such a beauty.

When you are living in a city and you are to see the same statue almost everyday, the interest gradually goes down. But what makes these statues more interesting are the flying artists aka sea gulls (or pigeons if you are not staying in a coastal city). They sit on these statues day in and out to come with their own art. Be it head, shoulder or forehand. and when there is a heavy rain, everything gets washed out and there is a fresh canvas for the sea gulls. And the painting begins again. :)

Edinburgh castle

Sep 9, 2011 Castle, Scotland, UK 4 Comments

My first visit to Edinburgh was two years ago on supposed be a summer weekend. But I was greeted by cold wind and it was a completely overcast. An optimum day for me to do anything else but go out there and roam around. As I walked around the castle, I felt as if looking at any other building. The overcast skyline and the lack sunlight somewhat subdued the vastness of the castle rock and the fortress. As I roamed around the castle last month, the views I got were amazing. I could easily distinguish between my first impression of the caslt and the one now.

Clear blue skies, all over

View that I got when I was in Edinburgh in April 2009, taken almost from the same place that of first photo.

A unique audio guide

Sep 7, 2011 England, London, UK 2 Comments

One of the common sights while visiting museums or castles is, most of the visitors walking around with audio guides glued held on to their ears (which looks like as if everyone one is talking on cellphone). Put the strap around your neck, hold the audio guide to your ear and start exploring – that’s the routine while visiting these places. After a while I started carrying my ear phone, when I figured out that one can plug them in the jacks (if available) and keep the hands free. One the last day of my one week stay in London I visited Florence Nightingale museum. When the person at the museum asked whether I need an audio guide, I replied affirmatively and started fishing out for my ear phones. Before I could reach the ear phones, a stethoscope was handed over to me and the lady started explaining how to use the audio guide. I was sort of puzzled look at the stethoscope which was actually the audio guide of the museum. What a fitting way to salute the ‘Lady with the lamp’. Using a stethoscope as audio guide was fun. There was no need search for the number near an exhibit and punching in the guide. Just put on the stethoscope, place the diaphragm on the circle in the wall next to an exhibit and listen to the commentary.

Florence Nightingale museum, though a small one, tells the story of her life, her contribution to nursing profession and about her work during the Crimean War. in Victorian England as well as celebrating the nursing profession. Some of the exhibits in the museum include Florence Nightingale’s medicine chest which she took to the Crimean War, her lamp which got her the name “The Lady with the Lamp” and a rare photograph of Florence. The museum is very close to the London Eye and one can reach this place by walk from either Westminster or Waterloo tube station.