I was on the road when I was nominated for the ‘Travel Your Way‘ contest by Kathryn from Travel with Kat, and didn’t expect to make the September end deadline. Viveka’s kind nomination last week made me realise that the last date had been extended to October 31. So here I am, with just a couple of days to spare…..
Travel By Air:
We fly often – at least one return trip every month or more – to Bangalore, and I will go to great lengths to ensure I have a window seat, just so I can gaze out at scenes like the ones below.
This sunset takeoff, was shot with a point and shoot from my onward flight last week!
And here is a shot from our hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, that completely slipped my mind until I read Tony’s comment below! Breathtaking does not begin to describe that unmissable experience.
By Rail:
One of my most memorable train journeys was the one that took us to the town of Aguas Calientas, enroute to Machu Picchu. We were fortunate enough to bag front row seats to nature’s breathtaking spectacle, all the way up!
That blur of motion in the second image is the platypus nosed Japanese Bullet train. I couldn’t get over how, the passing countryside didn’t seem to whiz by any faster than in other slower trains!
Then there is the Maglev in Shanghai (not the greatest photo, but just to give you an idea). The magnetic levitation line, that connects the city to the airport. The speed indicator registered that incredible figure in under four minutes, before depositing us at the airport (at a distance of 30km) in seven minutes flat! Talk of high speed!!!
By Water
I am not a cruise person and neither is my husband thankfully. We hate the idea of sitting around on deck when we could be people watching in a cafe on the ground. What we do like however, and have enjoyed on many occasions, are serene private boat rides on local rivers and deltas. They never fail to take me back to my childhood home by the river. Below is a gallery of boats from the Nile, the Tigre delta and the Ganges.
By Road:
We are just back from a 1700km domestic road trip, and I do not have any photos of our vehicle to share!
On arrival in any destination, our favoured mode of exploration is walking, combined with public transport and taxis. But we do enjoy using quirky, and touristy local transport, when our aching feet need much needed breaks. (The horse cart is more for effect :-))
Since I have barely managed to beat the deadline, I think I should refrain from burdening any of my readers with nominations. But you are all free to participate if you so wish. You have just two more days to be eligible for the prizes. All the time in the world if you just want to do it for fun. Here are the T&Cs
Thank you Kat and Viveka. And good luck to all my friends that are participating.
The Urge To Wander 
Reblogged this on idealisticrebel and commented:
Perfect for the armchair traveler! Hugs, Barbara
Thank you Barbara.
Good one Madhu ππ
I have shortlisted to tweet on the same in days a head … Train Air Water Road
Good luck, Madhu! Great photos, and I love the horse cart!
Thank you Angeline. That horse seemed too handsome for that tatty cart.
Great photos of different forms of travel. It is obvious you have done a lot of traveling. π
Thank you Pat. There is still so much to see and so little time π
So true.
awesome photos! i love them all, but really drawn to the sunset. i love the window seat, too, watching the take off and going thru the clouds. great post!
Thank you Paula. I was kicking myself for not having taken my DSLR along on that trip.
You sunset in flight is worth the trip alone. π
Isn’t it? The boys actually tore away their noses from their Ipads to admire that view! π
A buffet of travel modes – lovely.
And all the very best with Travel Your Way
Cheers,
Eric
Thank you so much Eric. No illusions about winning. There are way too many fabulously skilled photographers around π
Ah, the picture of the felucca in Aswan sure does bring back some pleasant memories. I absolutely love reading your blog!
Oh that is such a lovely compliment Andrew! Thank you so much. I am glad this stirred fond memories. Why am I not able to access your website?
Oh, I changed my URL. It should be this: sphinxairways.wordpress.com
I see these pics and I think you are one of the fortunates who find their calling. Your insights during travel are unique… bless you for the seeing eye!
Keep flying! Keep regaling us with your lovely pics. π
And you my friend are truly biased….but who’s complaining π
I never asked you what happened to your interview. Hope everything went off well.
Yes, thanks! It was fine. I might have one in the bag soon. π
That’s great Meenakshi! Calls for a celebration π
Fantastic job, Madhu – I understand now that I should have done as I first thought – mention all categories, I read it time after time … but it’s what it’s. I will you the best of luck. I knew you would give us a magical post about your travel. I wish the best of luck, Madhu.
Oh no, your photos were fabulous Viveka! I was thinking I need to try clicking from more interesting angles like you do π Thank you for the good wishes.
I think we are suppose to mention all ways to travel – sea, train, road and fly – and I read it time and time again … very unclear, but done is done – maybe I can win because of Michael Buble *laughing.
You never know! π
Fabulous Madhu, oh how I’d love another tuk-tuk ride π
Thanks Gilly. I am not a fan in this heat, but those Tuk Tuks are quite nifty when I want to avoid the hassle of finding parking space on very crowded streets.
Great selection, Madhu – as ever beautifully composed and shot. Best of luck!
Thank you Sue π
Wonderful, wonderful pictures! That Maglev is incredible! π
Thank you Ken. I remember the excitement over capturing that Maglev speed display was near comical π
Wow, beautiful photos! Sunset takeoff…is the best! π
That was the best my little camera could do Nandini. It was like an ocean of gold!!
Best of luck, Madhu! I love all your types of travel – exceptional shots! π
I suspect you are biased too, but thank you my friend π
When your friends deserve it, you have every right to be biased! π
The sunset taken from the airplane is a great capture.
Thank you Sally. I should have tried a shot with my Iphone as well.
Good luck with the contest! You have some of the best travel pictures I’ve seen. I love your airplane window ones: I wish I could photos out of the window to turn out like that. π
You are too kind David π Thank you for your good wishes.
Great entries! I didn’t realise they had extended the closing date. That was handy! Glad you had the chance to enter.
Me neither! Thank you Kat.
No hot air balloon, yet?
Yes of course!!! I completely forgot that one π
Just added one from our balloon ride over Cappadocia….thanks Tony!
Summary of some of your awesome travels. It’s always nice to look back at your adventures. Er… where’s the rickshaw? π
Thank you Rommel. We call that yellow motorised three wheeler an auto rickshaw if that is what you were wanting to know.
Ooops, sorry. Didn’t see it and the one on top of it. Looks like the “driver” is enjoying hid exercise around the city.
Good luck!
Thanks Niranjan.
Great entry! Best of luck, I really like the hot air balloon one, I’d love to go in one of those one day.
Thank you Lorna. Great to see you here π
I should have known you’d travel, and document it, so stylishly. I was quite pleased with my “through the window” shot till I saw yours! Fabulous π And that felucca shot on the Nile is to die for. I don’t think you need to be wished good luck, Madhu. You’ve got it π
Aww, you are a darling Jo. Thank you my friend π
Oh my gosh, that sunset picture near the start of this post is breathtaking! Thanks for sharing these little pieces of the world with us.
Thank you for your visit and comment π
That picture from the hot air balloon looks like something out of a fantasy movie. So surreal! Thanks for sharing it.
That was an unforgettable experience Julian! You should try it sometime, preferably over Cappadocia.
Wish I could join you some day on your adventure,.. let me know,. if you are in US anytime,..
As always,. its feast to read and look at your blog pictures,..
Thank you Rishi. Have never been to the US if you can believe it! Despite having a sister in new Hampshire π
Excellent choices for the theme, Madhu. ‘Sunset takeoff’ has to be my favourite. Stunning view!
Thank you Uday, mine too. Although someone like you might have done a better job with the capture π
living near the coast, your water pictures are my favourite of all
Thank you Dallas. Hope Dad is feeling better.
I see the winner :D. Fantastic journey, Madhu π
That is because you are a biased friend π Thank you Paula.
Not really biased, but I am a friend π
Thanks again π
Love your photos, Madhu, and the sunset is my favorite, just gorgeous and a fantastic shot!
Lauren xx
Thank you Lauren.
You have presented us with so many wonderful adventures Madhu but how breathtaking is your balloon shot!!!
As happy as I am that other people enjoy cruises I am more than happy to let any cruise ship sail without me but I could be tempted to sail the seas on a merchant ship.
Ah, a girl after my own heart! A mercahnt ship would tempt me too π
What a striking shot of the sunset outside of the plane! Wow!!!
It was unbelievable Nicole! Hadn’t seen anything quite like that before!
Great travels and stories!
Love, DIna
Thank you Tina. Glad you enjoyed it π
How wonderful for all of us that you photograph your travels, whatever method of travel. Thanks for letting us tag along. Amazing view from the balloon ride!
Surprised by how well that turned out with a tiny point and shoot! Happy to have you tag along Ruth π
Reblogged this on yasarnorman.
Thanks Yasar.
Good luck to you Madhu! I love the shot of the sunset from above the clouds, a very interesting perspective. Your photo taken while hot air ballooning brought back some happy memories for me.
Thank you Luann. Glad this stirred happy memories.
Lovely..! There is a story behind every photograph. Especially, Happy To see The Ganga from your eyes.
Appreciate the compliments Maulika. Thank you so much.
gorgeous pictures π
Thank you Joshi π
Great post – as usual.
Judy
Oh, thank you Judy, for the visit and kind comment.
Love the hawk’s eye panoroma over the rail. And there’s something about that track shot with the blue mountain in the back. Just lovely.
Thank you. Those are my two favourites too π
Great shots – especially like the felucca boat picture. Good luck in the competition!
Thank you Lucy. It was great fun compiling this gallery π
Great pics Madhu – we were actually in Pub Street last week and just got back from Thailand today! I agree that a balloon flight in Cappadocia is unmissable too π Lovely images and good luck!
Thank you Suzanne.
Welcome back. Can’t wait to read all about your exotic honeymoon π
Excellent captured photos, they are amazing and very inspiring… π
Thank you Ledrake π
Wow, hot air balloon ride! What an experience!
You haven’t been on one? Then you absolutely must Amy! it is an experience of a lifetime π
Awesome… I will keep in mind π
And if you can do it over Cappadocia, it will be even more so π
Yes, yes, yes… Cappadocia is on my list, I have to push it up π
A fabulous post! Thank you for taking us on some of your travels here, Madhu. I’m just amazed by the hot air balloon ride. I’d love to try it, but am terrified.
Thank you for coming along and for the kind words Fergie. Much appreciated π
A wonderful series, Madhu!
Thank you Naomi π
Such a beautiful blog! Namaste. . . .