Swiss Family Robinson - Coonoor Edition::For this tale we go back a few years to a warm lunch in a cold Ooty afternoon, 2018 to be precise. My friends Deepa and Carlo Kern from Coonoor were over. Deepa is a highly accomplished painter and Carlo a Swiss who was born and raised in Nilgiris.  "Carlo … Continue reading Swiss Family Robinson – Coonoor edition →

Stories from Prospect, Panchgani ::I am with Shahram the affable owner of this beautiful 115 year old property. As our catch up conversations weaved he shared an old tale, one from the previous generations of those who originated from Iran.He began " My old uncle had shared this episode with me. You know in those … Continue reading An old tale from Prospect, Panchgani →

Conversations in Mysore:: Ben I came to Ahemdabad, India for the first time 3 years ago. I have a robotic company that services solar panels. The business conversations in India went really well and I went back to Israel. My company is small but with the deals and interest falling in place I spoke with investors … Continue reading Conversations in Mysore →

Sometimes one small impulse can lead to a cascading effect.As usual the first thing in the morning I drew the curtains to observe the surroundings. The mist was incredibly thick today.Normally I would lie on the sofa, read the news, do the wordle and track the bird calls on the Merlin app. But today the … Continue reading Treasure in a mist →

Happenstance:: It was supposed to be a quick short trip. Visit the nursery, pick up a set of two specific creepers and come back home.  The plan was to be plant the creepers along on a series of 5 foot wooden pole in the garden then put a mesh to connect these poles. In a … Continue reading Happenstance →

Mandhi Rice:: Several restaurants in Wayanad hold signs mentioning Mandhi as a delicacy. It was something that I had skipped so far not knowing what it meant. Last month while visiting my friend George's farm at Thalayad I had a chance to savour it for dinner. His old Chechi's had slow cooked the tender chicken … Continue reading Mandhi Rice →

Sunday conversation with a Forest Officer ::Last Sunday afternoon I jumped on my motorbike all set for my lunch destination. But that instant it started to rain. Swiftly I swapped the bike for my little car. I so hate getting drenched.I weaved through the sleepy Pozhuthana village and then the sprawling Chundale tea gardens to … Continue reading Sunday conversation with a Forest Officer →

Smile !Its Thursday evening and I feel I need a break from work. Soothe the fried brains and all that. I do the obvious thing of starting the engine and making the short 10 minute drive.I am headed to Taya Cafe and the trip winds through the Malabar forest on my right and the Chundale … Continue reading Smile ! →

Google Maps & Compost Bins::I open google maps and punch in "fertilizer shop closest to me' and then click on the first prompt. Hoping its somewhere close by.Bandra West - 21 hours it reads. I am flabbergasted at the response. So I take a deep breath to control my annoyance and type fertilizer shop closest … Continue reading Google Maps & Compost Bins →

-------Yesterday late evening while wrapping up the boardgames at the Birdhouse Backpacker Hostel we happened to speak about local eating joints."I am headed to Ramachandra Lunch Home tomorrow for breakfast. They make the most amazing South Indian food in Coonoor. Why dont you come along?. ", I suggested to Jeet.Sure, why not he nodded. "Great, … Continue reading My Random Wednesday Morning →