Singapore is good place to lurk around alone, the amicable people who are ready to help when you request them to provide the directions on reaching a place or which train you have to board. But some unlikely questions do pop up!

"Are you traveling alone?"

"Hmm, yeah."

"Which place are you from, in India?"

"I am from Bangalore. Thanks"

"How old are you?"

"I am as young as I am. You take a guess li."

***wry smile and scoot the place*** 

I have encountered this question from many Singaporeans during my stay in SGP. Next time I visit, I have an answer, ready la.

I love monsoon ever since I was a child. I would get drenched in rain and sometimes, we as kids, would jump into the puddle on the streets or even dance in the rain on terrace. Some people go out and explore while cuddle with a pillow at home, sipping the hot tea with shimla chilli bajjis during the evenings.

*All of the images are from google search

 One of my fond memories was a trip to the Jog Falls, created by River Sharavathi, in Karnataka during the peak monsoon season with a friends family. My friends father drove an SUV vehicle starting at midnight from Bangalore and we safely reached the Jog falls next morning. It takes 6-7 hours to reach Jog falls from Bangalore. As her father drove the vehicle, rest of us happily slept while traveling in the Western Ghats.

As I opened my eyes in the morning, I was awe stuck to witness the gigantic "roaring" falls namely: Raja, Roarer, Rocket and Rani. There is a famous Kannada movie song mentioning the name of these falls. There are steps to reach the bottom of the falls but it is considered to be very risky as the stairs are slippery and require a stamina to climb more than 1,000 steps! I once again had a chance to jump into the puddle and hold the rain water in my palms while the water falls roared at its pitch, with no competitors.


As we sat in the car, all ready for the next destination, shivering with cold as were we wet. We dried ourselves in the car and were ready to reach the next stop, Agumbe, which receives the second highest rainfall, surrounded by lush greenery in the Thirthahalli Taluk. I could see green farms on either side of the tar road. The altitude was so high that I touched the clouds for the first time and see only mountains covered by mist. I shouted my name and the mountains echoed and repeated what I said. Unfortunately, I had no camera nor a mobile phone and don't have a single picture of the trip but the memory of the trip is still fresh.

Agumbe

Jog falls

I would revisit the Jog falls with my family members, traveling in a Renault Duster which would make the journey smooth on the curvy roads in the Western Ghats. While we breathe the fresh fragrance from Lavender Ambi Pur Car Air Freshner during the long drive playing antakshari so that the driver doesn't dose off. ;) As we drive along the curvy roads of the mountain to reach the top, which appears like a spring, on the Ghats, people who are not used to travel experience giddiness and sometimes puke out as well. It is essential to carry sickness bags, mineral water, some medicine and glucose as an instant remedy.
I would chose a route covering the below places sown in the map and take a few tea breaks so that I don't fall asleep and boot loaded with the snacks. ;) I would choose to drive during the day so that I can click some photographs of the green farms and the village life, which I missed during the last trip and this was the lesson I definitely learned: Never travel without a camera. We will stop at few places, especially, at the sunset point lookouts.


I am going to jump into the puddle, float paper boats in the puddle. During the night, I would set up a tent, and dance around the camp fire at our own tunes. This will be my ideal trip.

This post is written for Indiblogger's 'The Perfect Road Trip Contest' in association with Ambi Pur India.

I received a postcard today from Deutschland today, "Statt Vitaminen" literally means
Instead of Vitamins with mandarins on it. Mandarins are called Mandarinen in German.

Holland is famous for the beautiful tulips. I received a card today from Holland with the purple flowers.

Netherland Stamps

I am sharing what 'I Saw and I Learnt' at BlogAdda.com in association with DoRight.in.

I am sharing what 'I Saw and I Learnt' at BlogAdda.com in association with DoRight.in.

It was a bright sunny day and I sat there alone in the park, watching the chirping of birds, kids playing cricket which remind me of childhood. I wish I re-live those days again.

A kid hits a ball and I catch it. The child comes asking, "Can you play with us?"

... and I blushed.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

I like the color pink and when it comes to nail polish, I grabbed this new launch by Lakme, Absolute Fuschia Pink.

Cost: Rs 175




The nail color stays for a week.

Rating: 4/5

A beautiful postcard from Belarus and a lovely stamp.

XOXO ~manasa~

During my stay in Australia, I somehow managed to collect a handful stamps without going to the post office. There are many websites that offer online shopping with free shipping whether you purchase the goods within the country or from Honk Kong (HK). I admit the packing sent from HK were neat and the goods were undamaged though it delayed the delivery by a week. I, often purchased from the seller within Australia and would receive the item within 2-3 days.

I have collected the below stamps from the envelopes and have keep it safe.

Australian stamps are so colorful

My first postcard from Italy arrived today and I was glad to see the view of L'Altere della Patria, Rome, Italy, built in the memory of their first King  Victor Emmanuel.

L'Altere della Patria, Rome, Italy

Italy postage