Scorpio VSeries with Cruise control

The famous Mahindra Scorpio had a new launch called VSeries with advanced engine and feature. Out of the packed hi-tech features , Cruise control is one.

If you read wikipedia pages, Cruise control system is used to automatically maintain constant speed. It is useful for long drives across sparsely populated roads.

A couple of question to the makers -

1. Do we get to see any sparsely populated roads in India?
2. Are there any highways in India where you can cruise uninterrupted?

Answer to the questions will be obviously a big NO. Then why this feature? Is this just to increase the price value?

Photography competition

As a part of annual day celebrations at my work place, a Photographic competition was conducted. I was more than happy to participate and show some of my good photos.

Interesting facts that I observed are that there are lot of enthusiastic shutter bugs in-house. Most of them own and use a DSLR (either Canon or Nikon).



Withering Flower


Coffee Estate


Butterfly Solo


Dilapidated Fort


Kaup Beach


Light Rays


Misty River


Spider Web


Shades of Green


Flower


Honey Bee

Sloppy Billa music review on Rediff

Rediff has published music review of "Billa (new)" by Pavithra Srinivasan.

Frankly, the review sucks big time. Personally I didn't like any of songs of Billa. The review has given a 4 star. The review seems pretty much exaggerated.

How is public money spent in Karnataka

From the rediff article on how the public money gets wasted by the so-called elected politicians...

"A political crisis is viewed as disastrous in terms of development of the state. Investors are scared to invest, projects hang in balance thus giving the people an additional headache. However if there is someone who is happy is the old car dealer.

Thanks to unstable governments and new netas occupying the chair every now and then due to political instability, 125 official cars have been auctioned off.

The reason -- new ministers refuse to use the cars used by their predecessors for superstitious reasons."

"Each time the government changes, the state coughs up at least Rs 10 crore on new cars, sources said."

"The maintainence of the cars used by all the ministers comes up to a whooping Rs 3.5 crore a month."

Source: Rediff news

Aquaguard - Another bashing at their poor service

When you are a proud owner of any of the aquaguard water purifiers, you ought to face the shoddy customer service. I have inova model and this is my experience.

1. On the first year of the product, you are deemed to get free service every 6 months. This won't happen automatically with aquaguard, you have to remember your service cycle and pester them repeatedly to get their attention.

2. The service guy has inadequate knowledge about the parts and has to get telephonic support

3. Better be vigilant while the service guy performs the service. In my case, we found that the filter is broken, the service guy notified that to us. Then he spoke to his manager and reverted back saying that the filter is normal. On pushing, we found that he has been asked by his manager to tell so. Secondly he promised us to replace the filter and later we found out that his intention was to replace using a used spare filter. On being adamant of getting a fresh filter, he promised one by pulling it out of a fresh product.

4. Service guy has no tools. He doesn't carry any plumbing tools.

Any reviews on how the Philips Water purifier is performing?

Only at bangalore

You get to see this only in bangalore, when you travel to Residency Road via Double Road, there is a flyover and right on the middle of the flyover is a traffic signal.

Doesn't it sound beating basic purpose of having a flyover?

Coorg

I wanted to visit Coorg (aka Scotland of India) for a long time. Finally I made it with a 3-day trip. For this trip I made self-arrangements for stay and commute (Guys, if you want to know the contacts, get in touch).

Stay:
Home stay @ Temple view estate
(The ideal choice will be a nice home stay in a reclusive coffee estate. But there are plenty in Coorg in various tariff ranges)
The host were very cordial and friendly. They served us a very sumptuous breakfast and dinner.

Commute:
Indica
(It is better to have a car at your disposal)

Route:
From Bangalore - Mercara is around 250kms.
Bangalore - Srirangapatna - Ranganthittu - Hunsur - Mercara
I stayed in Biramada (near Ammathi). So I took a diversion after Hunsur that takes me to Virajpet.
Places to see:
Coorg is a district and there are lot of places to see. Mercara is the capital.

Mercara:

1. Abby Falls
2. Raja Seat

KushalNagar:

1. Nisargadhama is place where cauvery forks and rejoins to create a small island with bamboo forest
2. Golden Temple - It is in Tibet settlement area. The temple has a 62ft Buddha statue covered with gold plates.
3. Harangi Dam - Huge dam with a span of ~2500m across cauvery. This has very nice view.

Dubare:
Dubare Elephant camp is place where the elephants are tammed and trained. You have to cross the wild cauvery river to reach the camp.

Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary:
En route you can spare some time to do bird watching

More info:
TravelCoorg
CoorgTourism

Photos: (Canon PS A720 IS)


Estate house @ Temple View Estate


Withering flower @ Temple View estate


Flora @ Temple View estate


Flora @ Temple View estate


Pepper Plant @ Temple View Estate


Rain drops @ Temple View Estate


Rain drops @ Temple View Estate


Dew drops @ Temple View Estate


Coffee estate @ Temple View Estate


Coffee Estate @ Temple View Estate


Estate @ Temple View Estate


Private road at the estate


Coffee beans @ Temple View Estate


Raja Seat


Sun Set @ Raja Seat


Panaromic view @ Raja Seat


Dry Tree @ Raja Seat


Abby Falls


Abby Falls


Abby Falls (increased Shutter lag)


Big spider @ Abby falls


Another one @ abby falls


bamboo forests @ Nisarghadhama


Hanging bridge @ Nisarghadhama



Cauvery @ Nisarghadhamma


Harangi dam gates (closed)


Harangi Dam from longshot


Golden temple tower


Golden temple entrance


Buddha @ Golden Temple


Cauvery @ Dubare


Cauvery @ Dubare


Dubare Elephant camp


Cauvery @ Dubare


Birds @ Ranganthittu


Birds @ Ranganthittu


Lily @ Ranganthittu


Birds @ Ranganthittu

Canon Powershot A570 IS

Canon Powershot A570 IS has been reviewed by dpreview.com (after a long time, since this camera was released sometime during Feb 2007 time). The verdict is that this camera packs a lot of features for a very lower price.

Cauvery Fishing Camp

Last Saturday, our work team did a outing to Cauvery Fishing Camp, a fishing resort run by jungle lodges and resorts. It is located at about 100kms from Bangalore near Muttatti village. The camp is very calm and serene with lush green vegetation all around. One could hear the river flow sound all the time.

Day trip:
Rs 850 per head (includes lunch and high tea and activities)

Activities:
1. Trek to a near by peak (amazing view from the top of the hill)
2. Coracle ride on the river

Photos: (Canon PS A720IS)


Butterfly Macro


Tree in the water (long exposure)


River flow (long exposure)


Cauvery Panaromic


From the coracle


Dragonfly Macro



Eastern ghats Panaromic



Way to the camp


Lush Green


Reflections


Trek path


View from the peak


View from the peak


View from the watch tower at the peak


View from the watch tower at the peak


View from the watch tower at the peak


View from the watch tower at the peak


View from the watch tower at the peak