For Now, Good Bye to Seoul

After a meaningful 2 weeks in Seoul, Korea, I am finally going back. My training has been a  great achievement. I had the opportunity of being trained by some of the best analysts in the world. At the end of our training, fours of us, -me and my friends from Bangladesh, Philippines and Sri Lanka, we all learned that report writing is fun but at the same time can be sensitive too. In my opinion, I think it takes a lot of experience.

Although, we thought that DSA of $30 was a lot of money in the beginning, somewhere in the middle we came to realize that it was little less. I had to skip some meals to adjust my budget. But however in the end, with the supreme hospitality of our hosts, Korean Customs and other RILO AP officials, we actually thrived on that $30. All of us had lot to shop in the Meongdong market, all of us bought a lot of beautiful Korean souvenirs. I remain ever grateful to all the RILO AP officials for being so so generous with us. Even in our drunkard state, we all agreed that we are humans beings first and we feel for each other, irrespective of our diverse nationality.

With Deputy Head of RILO AP (tallest in the group) 

I will remember those dinners, both private and official. Our drinking sessions with lot of sensual communications had been a truly a memorable one. I will remember Mr. Nasier of Bangladesh singing "Ari-ari rang- suri-suri-rang" and touching the hearts of our Korean friends. I will also remember the lively atmosphere our RILO AP Head and Deputy head  had created during our official dinners and luncheons. They are truly intelligent and witty people. Probably that explains why Korean Customs administration is one of the best in the world. 

Our cultural excursion was even memorable. I had the good opportunity of visiting some of the UNESCO heritage sites in Seoul. By the way, South Korea have 10 cultural sites and 1 Natural site listed as UNESCO heritage site. The geomancy of Korean architecture is truly spellbinding.  Starting from the roof top to window panes, each part have a holy and auspicious significance of  their own. For example, during the last King of Joseon dynasty, the palace for the Price was built in the east, because Korean people believed that Price is like a rising Sun.

With female Culture Guide

Tour guides in their traditional Chima (for ladies) and Majoga (for men) dress at the sites are even more enthralling. They display a lot of pride and happiness in their cultural heritage. Although its a second language for them, they speak flawless English. They do no fumble like some of our guides in Bhutan. To, me they are a living history book. they are the stars of Korean culture. 

Female Culture Guide

I was told that most of the cultural sites were once destroyed by the invading forces of Japan. However they were rebuilt to their original glory. Unlike in many other countries, they were not left to ruin. One of the guides told the Japanese people in our group to take it as History. She said, otherwise the Koreans love Japanese. You see, they are even diplomatic!  

with a male  Korean Culture Guide

With these beautiful moments, I would like to bid good bye to this beautiful country. But someday, I would love to come back again. Anneongi-gaseyo

Chang Deok Gung Palace of Joseon Dynasty

Few months ago, I wrote a short post on Joseon Dynasty of Korea. By the way Korea was ruled by the Kings of Joseon dynesty for good number of years. Today the dynasty is long dead and gone. But there is an air of respect and gratefulness which Korean people still show to the their long lost leaders. Some of the palaces built as early as the 13th century are still preserved as though the royal family were there the day before. 

The palace at the outskirts of Seoul city called Chnagdeokgung is one such palace built by the by the third King of Joseon dynesty in 1405. unfortunately, the palace was destructed by the Japanese invasion in 15th century. However it was recreated to its former glory in 16th century. For some reasons, known only to the King, it became his favorite palace. Later, king also created a secret garden, where royal family used it as a place to relax and rest. 

The tour was worth Korean won 8000 (excluding the transportation and lunch). Thanks to this trip I am now able to use the subway metro system. It was an amazing feeling to be able to travel in Seoul without any problem. I am finally starting to understand what world class public transportation system actually means. 

Its been quite a number of time that our Government has been fiddling with policy of vehicle import system. Sometimes they have put up a blind ban. This time they have now decided to impose an of abnormal import duty. I am starting to think that, if they really care and dare, then first thing they should do is to improve our public transportation system. May be we can take a lot of inspiration from Korea. 

By the way, I took few pictures in the Palace compound, Please enjoy the beauty of palace.

At the main entrance gate of the palace

That's me in crocs and and shorts. Mind you crocs cost Won 69,000 (=USD 69) in Korea 

I with beautiful Korean Girls. They  look more like the statues (I mean the beautiful statues) we have in our Temples

Entrance point of King's secret garden. Once upon a time,
Nobody entered this gate without King's permission

One resting place of King inside the secret garden

The beams and the pillars made me think that King must have well been the reincarnate of Zow Vishu Karma. 

Another resting place for the King and his family 

I am mesmerized by the palace compound, and more by the striking similarity Bhutan shares with Korea 

We, the Tourist

The stone steps now closed for public. may be the stones are getting worn out

Paro Tsongdue Lhakhang Now and Then

Paro Tsongdue Lhakhang Now
(2014)

Paro Tsongdue Lhakhang Then
(Around 1918 ?) 

Tulip called "Queen of Bhutan"

I don't know from where I got the seeds, but it took me and my family, an agonizing 6 months to finally see this plant bloom to its fullness. Few notorious rat nearly devoured the plant in its sprouting stage. You can very well see the remains of damage on the tip of its leaves. Meanwhile I heard about how one of my neighbor mistook the seeds for an onion. She used it in Emadatsi curry! Its non poisonous, I believe.

Anyways , Queen of Bhutan tulip has its origin in Netherlands. Through Kuensel archive, I came to know that it was named as queen of Bhutan and then handed over to Bhutan in 2012. Lyonpo Dago Tshering had these words to describe the flower; "the tulip is indeed a beautiful flower of grace, warmth and radiance of Her Majesty the Queen of Bhutan". Who would doubt his words! 

Faces From Shingkhar

I bought my nikon D90 some three years ago and I was never able to put it to use. So this year in Shingkhar, that too during the Rabney, I was able to use it to the fullest. I tried to capture the images using various modes. I think i got some good images. But sadly of the thousand shots that I took, only few images are of good quality. Please bear with me. 

Pictures From Lemjakha

Here are some pictures I captured in Lemjakha. Lemjakha is actually my wife's place. It is under Toeb Gewog of Punakha. For slow walkers, it takes little over 30 min from Thinleygang town. It is connected with Thinleygang town by a farm road, that looks more like a drain. But when the weather is dry, it takes little over 10 min for average car to make there.

Some Similarities Between the Korean and Bhutanese Architecture

I took the pictures below in Suwon, another city in South Korea south of Seoul city. All the pictures are in the vicinity of King Jungjio's palace. By the way King Jungjio was the 22nd King of the Joseon Dynasty. The guide told me that King has been the most powerful and popular king of all time. However he lived a troubled personal life because of his political rivals. Surprisingly, the rival was his own grandmother, who was just 16 yrs old that time. The place is full of history.   

Most of the structures, I was told were rebuilt after being destroyed. Once in Korean war one by the invading forces of Japan. It is now UNESCO heritage site. 

Pictures From My Chelela Camping

Name it.

Random Pictures from Lamperi Botanical Park

As suggested by my fellow blogger Passu, today I was able to make a brief visit to Royal Botanical Park in Lamperi. My wife, who loves nature more than me, was totally awestruck by the absolute sereneness and total tranquility there. It captured her attention, so much that she almost left her purse there. 

We did not have time to enjoy all the fun there. But our brief stopover there has already inspired us to take our entire family for a grand picnic some day. I took the following pictures in my tab and it surely doesn't look that good. But I would like to inform all my readers that, those are the pictures with no editing and Photo-shopping. They are in their raw form like the nature itself. So please enjoy.. 

Random Photographs

Cotton flower in my campus

Cotton

Those are actually leaves, but looks like flower

Dead fallen leaves

Sweet Daisy

My Heritage Walk in Ahmedabad

Last Sunday, I had one of my most memorable days here in Ahmadabad.  Thanks to my Gujarati friends, I was able see some of the most significant and beautiful historical places here. Its in the city which is otherwise known for its over crowded streets filled with sweating and stinking people. Most people call it Lal Darwaza. 

In my two years time, I have already been to that place. Thrice to be precise. I thought I have seen most part of the town. Although infested with mosquitoes, the streets of Lal Darwaza always fascinated me. I have all the good memories of buying second hand books and fake Bata shoes there. I also have memories about how tasty Pani puri in the street made me sick. (or did I over eat?)

But one thing I never knew was that, Lal Darwaza had lot of hidden treasures in it. It is obvious that the city has progressed materialistically, but one thing I never knew about it was that it is equally rich in terms of culture, tradition and history. Look at the pictures below. Aren't they mesmerizing? Through some of the pictures, I can see lot of architectural similarities between Bhutan and the ones they have in Lal Darwaza. Coincidentally, most of the structures in Lal Darwaza are also built around the time, when Terton Pema Lingpa and Zanbdrung were busy building Dzongs and Lhakhangs in Bhutan. Look at the pictures.

  

By the way, my heritage walk lasted for two hours. There were a lot of foreigners too. Among them were the most beautiful looking French girls. I have seen people in the heritage site glaring non-stop at them. But you know my attention was else where! My urinary bladder was full and I was looking for a loo. It was a near emergency case.  God, I nearly had to pee like an Indian man !!  Finally when I found one public rest room our program has also come to an end. So if the pictures aren't good, please bear with me. 

Long Long Time Ago.

Thank you unknown photographers for capturing my moments, which otherwise would have been lost forever. 

One Boring Wednesday

Last year, we did not allow a pair of pigeon to nest in our kitchen. Because they stink and create mess. Those pigeons, somehow managed to prepare a nest just above our door, laid eggs and later even hatched a pair of pink chicks. We saw them grow fast. But sadly in their third week both of them were mercilessly devoured by a crow.

We felt very sorry for the chicks. After that we changed our minds and allowed those bereaved pigeons to nest in our kitchen. We have shown them the highest level of compassion possible from a human beings! We adjusted with their mess.Their appalling smell that would make an average people throw up. And in six months time I have seen 3 batches of chicks reached their maturity and leave the nest. The ones in the picture are the fourth batch. 

For now I am waiting for them to grow up fast. We want to put a ban on nesting in our kitchen. Looks like those pigeons do not even have a season! They keep on producing chicks after chicks. Chicks after chicks means mess after mess in a place where we cook. So I am thinking, its high time for them to display their fertility else where. I have seen enough of it. 

Some More Pictures

Squirrel

We call it Tor Tor La.
In my locality this tiny animal is
often known for its restlessness.
And  as a child myself; 

You know what?
 My dearest father 

once nick named me

as Tor Tor La,

Perhaps for being 

restless 

I gave them enough water to drink
And in turn they gave me this pose for my photography.
Thank you dear birds.

Sun is setting.
And the Birds taking final rest of the day on the tree.

One type of crow found abundantly in Gujarat.
They are very naughty.
They are even known to steal things which they cannot eat.
Like Pen from one of my friend while she was studying.

My Try at Photography

Another bird in my neighborhood, whose name I know not. 

Male Peacocks shed their colorful tail in Winter.

Clicking Randomly

I don't know the name,
 I mean the Biological name of this bird?
Any ways, my friend Sonam suggested
 it to be named as "William Shakespeare"
So I name the: William Shakespeare

Master Shefu.... From Kongfu Panda.
Honestly this guy surprised me. 

I presume this is female Pigeon.

And I presume this is male Pigeon.
He was even trying to dominate
 the lone squirrel who, I presume
came looking for some grain

This is my first shot of my elusive neighbor.
Is this a Rat Snake?
and
Is it venomous?
If not i want to try catching 
its tail next time....Lol

My another neighbor who nearly bit me
while I playing with her puppies.
and I nearly beat her in return!
Now that  her puppies have grown big,
we get along very well.
 she looks camera shy with me now.