Nandi Hills

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I have always been in love with Mountains and their mystic magical powers. Because of this Nandi Hills was on top in my list to visit places around Bangalore. Fortunately after 8 years I got the chance to start off visiting places from my list...

Experience of Nandi Hills at Sunrise…

It was heard that, we should see the place early in the morning before sunrise to see magical clouds unfolding mystic mountains of Nandi Hills.

We planned to leave the resort on Sunday morning at 5:45 am and drive to the hill and reach there by 6:15 am to witness the sunrise. To the surprise at 6:00 Am road to Nandi Hill was packed with vehicle and instead of whistling from cool breeze of hills we were able to hear the hocking from bikes and cars.

It was too much of expectation and demand from a typical tourist destination to provide me with silence and serenity. As soon as we reached to the entrance we realized that we it’s not what we were looking for and we should be ready to be disappointed this time as we are in a long queue to cross the entrance and here also we have to struggle with parking issue as we do in the city.

Parking Area at the Top of the Hill..

Crowd waiting to see the sunrise, climbing the wall and posing for a picture.

At this point of time I asked myself that why dint I know it before. The only reason could think of is that of fascinating stories of Nandi Hills and its view which I heard from the people who have been there. But for the person like me it was a bad surprise...

Those fascinating stories seemed to be unrealistic

as there was an untold hidden reality behind it.

Echo of the wind blowing across the hills was lost in the shouting and screaming of the crowd while they were posing for the pictures. The magical clouds were unfolding the mountains but the magic was lost behind the wall of crowd and there was a small window to witness the magic.

Wall of crowd, busy making a small window for those who are left behind,

to witness the magic of could and Mountains.

Experience of Nandi Hills at Sunset…

With few friends we started on Saturday morning from Bangalore and reached to the resort located on the base of Nandi Hills. Driving away from the hustling bustling of the city had filled me with hope that now I would be experiencing the serenity and mystical powers of the mountains.

We reached resort, had lunch and relaxed for some time. Around 4 pm we started to Nandi Hills, it was a beautiful driveway with deadly yet thrilling curves. I was driving on such a road for the first time and that made me even more excited and thrilled.

We reached on the first entrance of Nandi Hills. After reaching on top I was very much disappointed as the road here was in such a bad state that I felt that no one cares if accident happens or even if anyone dies while driving on these roads crafted with pot holes and huge stones.

Anyways very soon this feeling of disappointment faded away as we reached to the second entrance with the view of mystical beauty of the mountains from the top of the hill. We parked the car, clicked some pictures. 

Thinking that we might capture this mystic beauty in a 4x6 frame

I guess A foolish thought...

Once we realized that the magic of these mountains can’t be captured, we started experiencing the cool breeze blowing from the mountains carrying its fragrance and allowed ourselves to be mesmerized by its mystic beauty. 

At that moment, nature was at its best of creativity and its beauty was marvelous.

It was the time of sunset and sky as filled up with all shades of red as if rejoicing and celebrating the end of day. Slowly slowly Sun was going below the horizon and hiding behind the red sky.After the soul enriching experience we set off for the walk.

A day ending

We heard the whistle while walking around the hill; security guard was warning everyone to leave the hill area as it was closing time. We drove back to the resort where we stayed with wonderful scenic memories of Nandi Hills.

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Mele Cascades Waterfall

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An amazing experience of Mele Cascades waterfall!!

It always reminds me of my childhood when I fell in love with rain for the first time, same tender and soft experience repeated here. In this busy life I see the rain either from office window or my room. Mind dwells in yes or no and by the time I calculate pros and cons of letting rain drench my soul it goes far away to the place it belongs to. 

It left me with refreshing childhood memories of swimming in fresh blue crystal clear water. Thunder sparks of water and tiny-tiny water sprinkles made it like a rain in a sunny day.

The Mele Cascades Waterfall is a series of rock-pools, winding its way through cool lush tropical rainforest. At the top is the spectacular fall cascading down over 50m to the rocks below.  It can be reached by quick bus ride about 15 minutes south of Port Villa.

It’s a rewarding experience. At the entrance to the falls you will see blue water and a path leading upwards. Follow the path up the hill past lots of small pools and the sound of water. Near the top the path crosses the stream and there are stairs cut into the rock which are in the water flow. At the top there is a pool under the waterfall.

It’s not just one to witness from far you can hop into the pool at the base and swim under the cascade itself. It’s the outpouring of an underground spring so the water is cool, clear and refreshing. There are five pools at the top to jump into. Have a high powered massage shower or relax in the waterfall pool.

There is a unique abseil adventure too that lets you explore the whole of the spectacular Mele Cascades Waterfall from top to bottom. Edge Vanuatu Abseil .

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Port Vila

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A place where I lost myself in the mesmerizing beauty of paradise!! And connected to my soul!!

Wandered in deserted thoughts in search of my lost soul and when found; it was as clear as the crystal clear blue water of the sea.

  

isn't it breath taking ?

Now let’s get to the detailed beauty of the place!!

  

Port-Vila is the capital of Vanuatu. It is on the island of Efate in the province of Shefa situated on the south coast of the island of Efate. Port Vila's population is a multi-cultural mix of Melanesian, European, Vietnamese and Chinese. The blend of French and local Melanesian cuisines has given rise to some superb cafes and restaurants, making Port Vila a great destination for wine and food lovers. 

 

Port Vila's primary street, Lini Highway, is exactly where you'll discover most of the duty-free shops, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, travel agencies and banks. Local Market bring an added vibrancy to Port Vila with colorful dresses , rows of tropical fruits, vegetables, flowers, shells and souvenirs and delicious aromas of coffee, freshly baked pastries. 

  

Vanuatu Cultural Centre and National Museum where on permanent display in the museum are fossils, pottery, prehistoric shells, scale models of outrigger canoes, and many traditional artifacts. There are also birds and animals on show from every island in the archipelago. 

  

And my favorite Seafront side, where I used to walk along with sea and my heart used to beat on its melodious music.  Along with the beauty of Port Vila this sea front had lot many activities for tourists like snorkeling, swimming, water sports and play pool for kids.

And finally my all time favorite, Moonlight Cinema on the Seafront Port Vila at Nambawan Cafe. It’s a Café with Bar and Internet. Have pizzas and wine with Moonlight Cinema, I don’t wish anything else other than this, just relax and get soaked in the chilled waves.

  

Out in Port Vila's harbour, the island resorts of Iririki and Erakor are ideal for snorkeling and swimming or venture beyond Port Vila for a tour of Efate Island.

Here are more pics from Port Vila

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Hideaway Island & Mele Bay

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Hideaway Island is famous for having one of only a few underwater post offices in the world, which is open daily and allows visitors to post letters that are postmarked in a waterproof manner.

   

Hideaway Island is a relaxed paradise for divers and snorkelers. It has around 15 dive sites all within 15 minutes of the shore. This island is surrounded by clear turquoise water, coral reefs and thousands of fish. Coral reefs ideal for snorkeling or scuba diving right from the shore are home to thousands of 'tame' fish who are more than happy to show you around. As well as snorkeling and scuba diving, you can try sailing and beach volleyball.

Here are more pics from Hideaway Island and Mele Bay

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