Just About Everything

Even though this was my first trip to Paris, I found it quite easy to find my way around. All I needed was a good detailed map as well as Google maps on my smart phone, Although when I was outdoors the Google maps wasn't much use to me since I could not access any wifi connection:( The hard copy of the map came in handy when I was out and wanted to know my bearings. The first day I teamed up with a walking tour group and managed to see some of the popular landmarks. Since I was staying near the Latin quarters I could easily cover quite a bit by walking. The best part about Paris was the long days; even at 9 PM, in the month of May, there was broad daylight. I made the most of all the daylight hours and  found it extremely safe to travel on my own. I am sharing some of the popular landmarks such as Fountain near St Michel, Notre Dame, Académie Française, Grand & Petit Palais, View of the Pont Alexandre III, Pont Neuf lock gate, The Louvre, Joan of Arc statue, Tuileries G...

Billabong Sanctuary Townsville Australia Billabong sanctuary in Townsville Australia is a bit different from other sanctuaries. Not only do you get to see Koalas, Wombats, Dingoes, Crocodiles, Kangaroos, and various other wild animals and birds, but the best part is you get to feed them, hold them, watch interactive sessions with rangers, and much  more. Here is a video taken by my husband, Anirban, of a ranger feeding a male crocodile. It is amazing how high the crocodile lunges in an attempt to get the food! Never seen anything like this before!

Eiffel Tower at night Paris has been on my dream destination list for as long as I remember. And  it was such a wonderful experience to be able to make it to Paris, finally!  Although, I soon realized during my short trip to Paris that there is so much to see in Paris alone, that a three day trip will not do justice:(  I will need to go back to Paris again.  I did manage to see some of the places that I have been wanting to, and Eiffel tower was one of those places of course.  I loved Paris.  This was my first solo travel to Europe and it was so wonderful!  The very thought of travelling and seeing new places ...keeps me going:)  Eiffel tower Eiffel Paris Eiffel at night View of Paris from Eiffel Tower Night view of Paris 

Yumthang valley, Sikkim These amazingly beautiful and colourful Rhododendron flowers are found in abundance in Shingba Rhododendron sanctuary in Yumthang valley in North Sikkim. This sanctuary has around 25 species of Rhododendrons. Yumthang valley is also known as the valley of flowers. Located at a height of 3,564 metres, Yumthang is around 150 km from Gangtok. From Gangtok one has to drive towards Chungthang via Mangan and follow the road towards Lachung. Here are some pictures of Rhododendrons from Soma's album. The sheer variety and colours of these flowers are truly out of the world.                                                                                             Rhododendrons Shingba Rhododendron sanctuary Rhodode...

Waterfall near Lachen North Sikkim is breathtakingly beautiful. The landscape is so much like Ladakh. I am posting some more pictures of birds and the surroundings around Gurudongmar and Lachen from Soma Jha's album. Lachen Lachen, Sikkim Brandt's Mountain Finch Horned Lark House crow at 17000ft Rufous-necked Snowfinch Northern Raven Red-billed-and-yellow-billed Chough Ruddy Shelduck on the frozen part of Gurdongmar lake Snow pigeon, Sikkim