Face Book

Even though I spent a 'hellottof' time on the Internet, I hardly looked at the possibilities of networking through sites like Orkut and Face Book. I have been receiving invitations from many friends over the years, but never managed to even look at those seriously pushing it away as "one-of-those-friendship-thingy".

Recently an old friend from school got in touch with me after she found out about me from another common friend who was there in one of the old school group in Orkut. (Although all she wanted to know was if the gossip about my marriage was true;)). Then came another surprising phone call from the USA from a friend with whom I had lost touch after school some 15 years before! (Gosh, time really flies..).

So I decided to venture into Orkut and registered my name. Once the initial curiosity died away, I quite didn't like the whole set up there. Well, now I have my profile in the Face Book and also set up a group called The Blue Yonder. Rather than posting for "God-Knows-Who", this rather helps me to post with in a structure.

More over, I find Face Book as a excellent way for social networking. A no-nonsense site actually! Excellent functionality, clean interface, user friendly and I could 'connect' with it, unlike Orkut or My Space.

One thing that was annoying me so much about One Tight Slap blog was the fact the kind of people who post comments with anonymous tags. Some time sweet, some time malicious. As an owner of the blog, I always have the freedom to decide to post or ignore those comments, still it hurts so much some times, to see that there are people who prefer to even make racist comments, and throw abuse just because she/he doesn't like what you do! This was one reason why I have not been posting any thing even though a lot of activity has been going on as usual.

I still like it around here, as this was where many of my friends were keeping track of our work. Since I am going to travel extensively in the coming weeks, I probably might be posting some travelogues to ensure that some sort of 'process documentation' goes on for the organisation.

If you already have a Face Book profile, then join us here and keep track of the work and let's expand our network. Will be great to see all the readers / blogger's there. Or if you don't have an account, create one here and then join us.

It’s been collective thoughts from around the world that ignited many ideas in our work.We believe in the synergy created by the meeting of minds to evolve as change makers. Idea of this group is to bring together those who have interacted with us in various capacities. If you had interacted with us earlier and /or would like to keep track of developments in Responsible Tourism, we welcome you to join us!

A lot has been happening at The Blue Yonder in the last month. Promise to keep you all posted!!
Bangalore © GP

July newsletter

pics: tby project with 'people and places' in alathiyoor

July newsletter 'from the blue yonder' is out today. For those who have subscribed, you should be getting it in the next three days in email format. Otherwise, you can check it out here:

July issue is covering Tootha river trails, TBY partnership with People and Places, an interview with our new manager Sandeep Sinha, destination introduction to Sikkim, along with some interesting news updates from around the world.

Thanks once again to Lotte and Asha for keeping up with the release date. Let me know what you think about the contents at gp AT theblueyonder DOT com

Bangalore © GP 2007

The Final call

Bantam press has come out with an excellent book on travel. Leo Hickman who writes regularly for The Guardian has researched extensively across the world to provide a sketch on the social and environmental cost of holidays. Just finished reading the un-corrected proof. The book will be available soon through Sankars in India. If you are serious about travelling and love it, then please don't miss it.

Those who are worried about the un-controlled growth of tourism in destinations like Kerala should re-read sections on the impact of house boat based tourism in the backwaters!

Bangalore © GP 2007

Folk-art forms from Nila

pic: 'mudiyaattam'

The last four days spent along Nila with our guests culminated with the time spent in Aarangottukkara. A quaint village bordering Palakkad and Thrissur districts is now one of the hotspots of responsible tourism in River Nila. The local community initiative to revive folk-art forms and traditional skills is now supported by The Blue Yonder and promoted as one of the highlights of Nila holidays.

pic: 'dhaarika vadham'

What our guests had to say about the last few days they spent along Nila.

"This visit to Nila is definitely the highlights of my India experience so far",

"Because of our previous interactions and especially the interview with Arun for the newsletter, I had come with high expectations, but let me be frank, what I experienced here has crossed all those expectations. The musical trail and the folk expressions you designed are far beyond anything that I have experienced!"..

pic: welcoming 'kuda chozhi' to 'valluvanad'

pic: reviving folk songs

Once I settle down in work, may be I should find some time to write more in detail on the background of the above pictures and related folk-art forms. Having stayed away from work means piled up office work!

May be it is time that I request guest writers to share their expertise.

Bangalore © GP 2007

Nila in the rain

Nila is celebrating the monsoon this year unlike many other previous years where it was struggling to touch both the banks. Two weeks of continuous rain has it banks flooded and it's a beautiful site to behold. Some images from yesterday and this morning:

Pic: One of the most famous temples along Nila: Tirumittakodu


Pic: Offering to the river Goddess. Bathing ghats of Nila

Pic: A scene from Kuttippuram.

Pic: Another scene from Kuttippuram. Just three days before we could swim until halfway across!!

Kuttippuram © GP 2007