Preeti Shenoy's Blog, page 31
August 30, 2017
A special day (post 30)
Today is Satish's birthday.
We visited the Kamakhya temple, and Balaji temple and offered prayers of immense gratitude for all that is going right in our lives. I think it is extremely important to.
Till tommorow!
_____________________
ps: Get by books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
We visited the Kamakhya temple, and Balaji temple and offered prayers of immense gratitude for all that is going right in our lives. I think it is extremely important to.
At Kamakhya temple, Guwahati.India is so incredibly rich in culture, it will take many lifetimes to discover all of it. #travel #indiaA post shared by Preeti Shenoy (@preeti.shenoy) on Aug 30, 2017 at 8:41am PDT
Till tommorow!
_____________________
ps: Get by books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
August 29, 2017
Greetings from Guwahati (post 29)
Today we drove from Cherapunjee to Guwahati. On the way we stopped at Shillong peak, which is inside an Air Force camp. You have to give your original identity documents to be allowed to go inside. Inside, it is a beautiful campus, and I passed Kendtiya Vidyalaya Shillong, and it brought back fond memories as I have done all my school years in various KVs all over India. The uniform has changed now, from what it used to be..But Kendriya Vidayalas are truly amazing schools.
We checked into our hotal at Guwahati and explored Pan bazaar and Fancy Market. I discovered a book shop and wandered in. It turned out to be one of Guwahati's oldest book shops. The owner Mrs.Kumar was delighted to see me. She brought out all my books, and I signed them. It was wonderful chatting with her. There is something amazing about connecting with people you have never met,but who shower you with so much love, because they have read your books.
Guwahati is very humid and very hot, and you can see me all sweaty after walking around.
\
Here's me posing with my last baby---It's All In The Planets.
You can see the pride and joy on my face (despite the sweat!) . Do grab a copy if you haven't read it. It has sold over 35,000 copies (and still counting) in a short span of it's release.
All the best-selling books are on a 50 percent discount right now, and you will get this book too.
If you have read it, tell me in comments how you liked it, who your favourite characters were.
Fancy Bazaar is crowded, full of small shops that sell handloom sarees and a lot of other stuff. I bought three sarees, but I was drenched in sweat by the time I finished. I cannot say I enjoyed the experience. I disliked the crowds. Also, I did not like it that it was unclean. Garbage was strewn all over. People jostled to walk around. There was loud honking. In short---a typical overcrowded Indian city. I much prefer the nature.
The highlight of the day for me, was the painting I did in Cherrapunjee this morning.
More pictures and more travel tales tomorrow.
Don't forget to leave me comments! Then i know you are reading and enjoying my posts.(It gives me some motivation to go on, as I don't make any money from my blog).
Love you guys.
Till tomorrow, keep smiling.
Preeti
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
We checked into our hotal at Guwahati and explored Pan bazaar and Fancy Market. I discovered a book shop and wandered in. It turned out to be one of Guwahati's oldest book shops. The owner Mrs.Kumar was delighted to see me. She brought out all my books, and I signed them. It was wonderful chatting with her. There is something amazing about connecting with people you have never met,but who shower you with so much love, because they have read your books.
Guwahati is very humid and very hot, and you can see me all sweaty after walking around.
\Here's me posing with my last baby---It's All In The Planets.
You can see the pride and joy on my face (despite the sweat!) . Do grab a copy if you haven't read it. It has sold over 35,000 copies (and still counting) in a short span of it's release.
All the best-selling books are on a 50 percent discount right now, and you will get this book too.If you have read it, tell me in comments how you liked it, who your favourite characters were.
Fancy Bazaar is crowded, full of small shops that sell handloom sarees and a lot of other stuff. I bought three sarees, but I was drenched in sweat by the time I finished. I cannot say I enjoyed the experience. I disliked the crowds. Also, I did not like it that it was unclean. Garbage was strewn all over. People jostled to walk around. There was loud honking. In short---a typical overcrowded Indian city. I much prefer the nature.
The highlight of the day for me, was the painting I did in Cherrapunjee this morning.
More pictures and more travel tales tomorrow.
Don't forget to leave me comments! Then i know you are reading and enjoying my posts.(It gives me some motivation to go on, as I don't make any money from my blog).
Love you guys.
Till tomorrow, keep smiling.
Preeti
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
August 28, 2017
Greetings from Cherrapunji --A heart shaped rock and other true stories (post 28)
We began our day with a trek down the mountains, through the pine forests. We didn't have a guide. Satish and I decided to explore the path on our own. It was slippery in many places, and we had to be certain of our footing, else we would have tumbled down. Tall coniferous trees formed dense canopies, through which sunlight couldn't trickle down. Ferns, spider-webs, mushrooms and pine-cones dotted the path. It was dark, damp, green and oh so pure. We walked down slowly, and a magnificent sight greeted us. I am sharing a picture I clicked.
We climbed back, contented happy souls. We found a vantage point from where we had a view of this very lake that we had trekked down to. I stood there and made a painting.
After breakfast, we left for Cherrapunjee.
Just before we reached Cherrapunjee, we took a diversion went to The Garden of Caves in Laitmawsiang. The sight is mesmerising, stunning, fascinating. It is a must-do if you ever visit North-East. The main attraction is the natural caves, surrounded by the forests.
There are many spots inside the garden, like natural heart shaped rock formation, many different water falls which are a sight to see.
In one of the biggest waterfalls in this garden, you can actually stand behind it, and not get wet!
In the evening, we visited Mawsmai Caves---and my heart is still thudding in my rib-cage. The experience was awe-inspiring, frightening, exhilarating ,remarkable and unforgettable--all at the same time.
The photographs truly do not do it justice.
When we set forth, we had no idea what to expect. It was deceptively wide. But as we entered it, it was rocky, slippery, wet and it looked like nothing I had ever seen before. At places, it was so narrow, we wondered how we would fit. There are lights throughout, but you have no idea whether to go on or go back---as it seems impossible to walk through them. The giant formations of stalactite and stalgmite leave you marveling at the work of Mother Nature. You realise at once that you are in the presence of something larger than life itself, and you are filled with a sense of reverence.
It is no wonder that the Khasi tribes considered it a sacred place.
The three photographs that I share here do not even show even one-hundredth of the formations inside. It was too scary to actually take pictures, as in many places, you had to climb over rocks carefully, crouching very low, almost bent over double.
We ended the day with a long walk to a tea-shop, and had some lovely black tea.
As I type this, I can see Bangladesh! We are at the border.
The view here is breath-taking. Meghalaya is truly a land kissed by the clouds.
And right now I cannot get enough of it.
More tomorrow! Join me :)
And if you like my posts, let me know by leaving me a comment below.
____________________________________________
Check out my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
We climbed back, contented happy souls. We found a vantage point from where we had a view of this very lake that we had trekked down to. I stood there and made a painting.
After breakfast, we left for Cherrapunjee.
Just before we reached Cherrapunjee, we took a diversion went to The Garden of Caves in Laitmawsiang. The sight is mesmerising, stunning, fascinating. It is a must-do if you ever visit North-East. The main attraction is the natural caves, surrounded by the forests.
There are many spots inside the garden, like natural heart shaped rock formation, many different water falls which are a sight to see.
In one of the biggest waterfalls in this garden, you can actually stand behind it, and not get wet!In the evening, we visited Mawsmai Caves---and my heart is still thudding in my rib-cage. The experience was awe-inspiring, frightening, exhilarating ,remarkable and unforgettable--all at the same time.
The photographs truly do not do it justice.
When we set forth, we had no idea what to expect. It was deceptively wide. But as we entered it, it was rocky, slippery, wet and it looked like nothing I had ever seen before. At places, it was so narrow, we wondered how we would fit. There are lights throughout, but you have no idea whether to go on or go back---as it seems impossible to walk through them. The giant formations of stalactite and stalgmite leave you marveling at the work of Mother Nature. You realise at once that you are in the presence of something larger than life itself, and you are filled with a sense of reverence.
It is no wonder that the Khasi tribes considered it a sacred place.
The three photographs that I share here do not even show even one-hundredth of the formations inside. It was too scary to actually take pictures, as in many places, you had to climb over rocks carefully, crouching very low, almost bent over double.
We ended the day with a long walk to a tea-shop, and had some lovely black tea.
As I type this, I can see Bangladesh! We are at the border.
The view here is breath-taking. Meghalaya is truly a land kissed by the clouds.
And right now I cannot get enough of it.
More tomorrow! Join me :)
And if you like my posts, let me know by leaving me a comment below.
____________________________________________
Check out my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
August 27, 2017
A postcard from Shillong (post 27)
Life is really slow in Shillong. It hardly moves, just like the placid waters of the numerous lakes that flank it.
I sketched this morning, when a beautiful antique cupboard caught my eye, at the resort where we are staying. Here's what I painted.
And I sketched in the evening too.
I would have loved to share that as well but the wi-fi is very slow, and it takes forever to upload. Hence I shall share it when I get back to Bangalore. You can follow my Instagram art handle for more of my illustrations.
We wandered around in Shillong market place today.
In Shillong market
I love exploring new places. I shopped for some local wooden handmade stuff. One thing you see in Shillong is perfectly carved wooden eggs! I bought a set for myself.
We had a lovely, leisurely lunch at beautiful place called Cloud nine, which had large open windows that gave us breathtaking views of the Khasi Hills. They had a live band as well, and the singer was mellifluous in his rendition of some great classic numbers.
All in all, a excellent, rejuvenating, refreshing, relaxed sunday.
Come back tomorrow, and join me on my travels.
Good night/ Good day :)
_______________________________
buy my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
I sketched this morning, when a beautiful antique cupboard caught my eye, at the resort where we are staying. Here's what I painted.
And I sketched in the evening too.
I would have loved to share that as well but the wi-fi is very slow, and it takes forever to upload. Hence I shall share it when I get back to Bangalore. You can follow my Instagram art handle for more of my illustrations.
We wandered around in Shillong market place today.
In Shillong marketI love exploring new places. I shopped for some local wooden handmade stuff. One thing you see in Shillong is perfectly carved wooden eggs! I bought a set for myself.
We had a lovely, leisurely lunch at beautiful place called Cloud nine, which had large open windows that gave us breathtaking views of the Khasi Hills. They had a live band as well, and the singer was mellifluous in his rendition of some great classic numbers.
All in all, a excellent, rejuvenating, refreshing, relaxed sunday.
Come back tomorrow, and join me on my travels.
Good night/ Good day :)
_______________________________
buy my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
August 26, 2017
Meghalya --kissed by the clouds (post 26)
Greetings from Meghalaya. True to it's name, it is a place kissed by the clouds. As I type this, from my picture window, the rain falls gently outside making a pitter-patter sound. It feels like I am living inside a poem.
We drove from Shillong to Mawlynnong, which has earned the moniker of Asia's cleanest village. The drive itself was arduous, as the mountain roads are terrible. Since I ave been so many times to the Western ghats in South India, this just seemed like a poor cousin in comparison. The roads in South India are much much better. After a bone-rattling torturous car ride, we arrived tired and hungry. We ate at a small restaurant (sticky rice, watery dal and some kind of delicious chutney made of onion, tomato and green chillies loosely pounded). Then we began our walk to see the living root bridges.
That was AMAZING. It is a sight worth seeing. I felt the forests in Avatar movie had come alive from the sets and had been resurrected here. I couldn't help marvelling at the ingenuity of the Khasi tribes which had woven these bridges.
The photos truly don't do justice to it. Please do watch the BBC documentary for more.
The highlight of my day was this kitten I petted :)
Anywhere I go, animals just come to me. Anyone with experience of cats don't come so easily to people whom they don't know. But for some reason, I am an exception to this rule :)
Can you see him/her bending backwards to enjoy being petted?
I carried him after that :)
More tomorrow!
_____________________________________________
Buy my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
August 25, 2017
Greetings from Assam! (post 25)
Those of you who follow me on Twitter and Instagram know that I am on a vacation, in the North East of India.
It's a BEAUTIFUL place! For lots of pictures and real-time updates, follow my Instagram stories.
I am sharing two pictures with you that I clicked.
Isn't this heaven?
More tomorrow!
__________________________
check out my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
It's a BEAUTIFUL place! For lots of pictures and real-time updates, follow my Instagram stories.
I am sharing two pictures with you that I clicked.
Isn't this heaven?
More tomorrow!
__________________________
check out my books: http://preeti.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
August 24, 2017
For my friend's mother. (post 24)
Death puts many things in perspective. All of us know it lingers just around the corner, yet we live in denial of it, not thinking about it, not considering it, as it is not a palatable topic. Rarely do we discuss it in detail, as it is not your average dinner-table conversation, slipped in between the starter and the dessert. Death is always feared, revered, and if at all talked about, it is in hushed tones, a lowered octave, and with a sombreness to match the gravitas of the unavoidable.
Yet, it is only when we accept the possibility that it could be just round the corner, are able to fathom the urgency to live life to the fullest, and be in the moment, not worrying about the infinite possibilities and the what-ifs.
One of my closest friends( we have been friends since we were 10) lost her mother yesterday. I feel so sad as I write this. Aunty was one of the sweetest people I knew. Whenever I visited my friend, aunty would be ever-smiling, ever-welcoming. It is rarely that someone who is not a family member, who was a part of your childhood, still manages to be in your life, long after you have gone into adulthood and had your own children.Aunty has visited me, and even carried both my children. Of course they have no memories of it, as they are nearly adults themsleves.
I said a prayer for her today.And my thoughts are with my friend.
______________________________________________
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
August 23, 2017
Across the miles (post 23)
My post for today is a poem I wrote for Conde Nast traveller
**************************
If there were no borders
No visas or passports
And if countries were not
Guarded like forts
If distances were traversed
As easily as thoughts
If life wasn’t a mass of
Tangled up knots
If unravelling a thread
Didn’t lead to mayhem
If there was only us
And if there was no them
If I was free as a bird
And at will I could fly
Then no force would stop me
In your arms I would lie
Or if I could teleport at will
I’d turn up every day
We would talk face to face
You would ask me to stay
Instead I count the days
Till I see you again
Each moment that ticks by
Brings a fresh wave of pain
We promise each other
That we will meet soon
We exchange countless texts
And gaze at the same moon
Across thousand of miles
With each other we converse
The laments we bury
The desires we nurse.
And yet above all,
Two hearts thud in unison
In secret they opine
I am already yours
You are already mine
**************© 2017 Preeti Shenoy
For more poems click here. Some poems have already appeared in print. Kindly do not reproduce without permission.
© 2014 Preeti Shenoy
For more poems click here. Some poems have already appeared in print. Kindly do not reproduce without permission. - See more at: http://blog.preetishenoy.com/2014/08/...
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
August 22, 2017
My day in pictures. (post 22)
Sharing four photos from my CRAZY HECTIC day yesterday, which began at 4.30 am and ended past midnight.
At the lounge at Bangalore airport.
Spotted Rajini mama!!
Delhi Airport.
Delhi is so hot and humid compared to bangalore.
More tomorrow.
Today I am EXHAUSTED.
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
At the lounge at Bangalore airport.
Spotted Rajini mama!!
Delhi Airport.
Delhi is so hot and humid compared to bangalore.
More tomorrow.
Today I am EXHAUSTED.
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
August 21, 2017
A magical fairy garden (blog marathon post 21)
Some days back I had blogged about a miniature garden I had created.
Today, I made another one!
Here are the pictures.
I made the mushrooms, and the house with clay! Then I painted it :)
The above gives you an idea of the size.
I am so pleased with these tea-cup gardens.
Since they do not have a drainage hole, there is a lot of layering to be done---activated charcoal, pebbles, horticultural fabric, potting soil mixed with perlite etc.(I bought all of those things today, from a local garden store)
It was such fun putting this together. Now all I have to do is wait for the fairies, pixies and gnomes to arrive ;-)
I have an important meeting tomorrow (pssst--it has to do with my next book!).
And I have to wake up at 4.30 am as I have an early flight to catch.
How is my tea cup garden? Tell me in comments!
Till tomorrow, may your day be magical.
Good night!
_________________________________________
check out my books: http://preei.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
Today, I made another one!
Here are the pictures.
I made the mushrooms, and the house with clay! Then I painted it :)
The above gives you an idea of the size.
I am so pleased with these tea-cup gardens.
Since they do not have a drainage hole, there is a lot of layering to be done---activated charcoal, pebbles, horticultural fabric, potting soil mixed with perlite etc.(I bought all of those things today, from a local garden store)
It was such fun putting this together. Now all I have to do is wait for the fairies, pixies and gnomes to arrive ;-)
I have an important meeting tomorrow (pssst--it has to do with my next book!).
And I have to wake up at 4.30 am as I have an early flight to catch.
How is my tea cup garden? Tell me in comments!
Till tomorrow, may your day be magical.
Good night!
_________________________________________
check out my books: http://preei.io/amazon
Grab It's All In The Planets: http:/preeti.io/3
http://preetishenoy.com/
