SEP 2010
Lost in Atlantis
Thought Greece was just about sunkissed beaches and exotic food? Here’s a side to this island that you only thought you knew
Desert Duets
From chuck wagon diners to forty-niner trails, two classic experiences in the American Wild west that you have been missing
The Ring of Fire An exclusive sneak preview of nature’s rarest and greatest spectacles captured from the beautiful islands of French Polynesia
Highway to Happiness India's tech savvy warrior ascetics at the world’s largest religious festival make us sit up and take notice
The The Land Land of of Bagpipers Bagpipers
Transit Transit in in London London
Songs Songs of of Dong Dong Jiang Jiang
Belgrade Belgrade Past Past Forward Forward
6 12 22 38 52
featured contributors Picsean members whose work has been featured in this edition
postcards Dream locations that are a must on your itinerary this year
lost in atlantis Magnificent yet mysterious, this legendary island is full of surprises!
the land of bagpipers Strange food to mythical beasts, discover the quirkier side of the highlands
desert duets America’s best kept secrets lie in unknown corners like these
70 84 100 112 122
past forward Boulevard of broken dreams? Here’s the side of Belgrade that you never knew
the ring of fire The greatest natural phenomena witness in French Polynesia
songs of dong jiang What lies beneath this misty quietude of China’s most beautiful river?
highway to happiness A peek at India’s tech savvy warrior ascetics as they emerge at the world’s largest religious festival
transit in london Pressed for time? Here’s our fantastic one day guide to live life like a Londoner
Cikaso Waterfall, West Java, Indonesia Rich green valleys, and lofty mountainous peaks are two of the few reasons that anyone would fall in love with West Java. Hidden in the heart of rural Surade sub-district in West Java, the majestic Cikaso waterfalls is West Java’s under-appreciated treasure. Come spring, when the landscape is blanketed with wild flowers and drenched in the freshness of morning rains, step out and have some hot tea in a Warung, small bamboo wooden stalls that sell just basic food to locals. Then wear your best shoes, and hike up to the falls. In the afternoon, enjoy a nice picnic and swim under a green canopy in the midst of nowhere. Photo by Agung Mardiyanto
postcards
5
Silently, a lonely boat or two bobble across the still waters of Dong Jiang, the most beautiful tributary of China’s Pearl River. What makes this picturesque riverside so stunning, evocative, and spiritually uplifting? We wonder Images by: Alex Goh Chun Seong, CK NG, Kim Chong Keat, Ooi KeanKok & Teoh Siang Hooi
Dotted with inlets and rocks here and there, the icy cold water from the lake is refreshing to soak your feet, on humid summer afternoons. From April to November every year, the mist quietly dissipates and the fragrance of wild flowers fills the air. A few from the village meditate on the rocky shores enjoying the quietude and children watch in excitement as boatsmen drift along the riverbend trying to get the best catch. Sometimes, a light drizzle catches you by surprise, and as you stand at the lakeside, look into the distance beneath green pines, by the beautiful Chenzhou trees, the mist descends again.
A Bagpiper gently blows a mellow tune into his pipes
The Land of
World over, Scotland is known for its poets, pints and bitter weather. But Ayon Mandal discovers a whole new side to the captial city of Edinburgh Images by AYON MANDAL, BABUL BHATT, PHIL CREAN & RICHARD NICHOLLS
I
blinked several times as I thought that this was a dream. But clearly, I was not dreaming. I was in the Scottish Highlands, a rugged country of mountains and lakes. The lake in front of me stretched into the endless blue, the sky was dotted with white clouds, and the mountains rose majestically at the back. As I watched this in silence, I was reminded of a scene from The Mel Gibson Hollywood blockbuster ‘Braveheart’. As the strong breeze raged through my hair, I heard a mysterious but melodious tune drifting over the mountain landscape. When I got back to my car and rolled up the windows, I found a solitary piper playing a tune on his bagpipes wearing a traditional Scottish kilt. This image, was something I could never forget. Scotland may be a relatively small country but its history, culture, tradition and its landscape makes
it a favourite holiday destination for many. The people here are an odd mixture; there are writers, painters and photographers seeking inspiration from nature. There are scientists and explorers trying to solve the mysteries of Loch Ness and intrepid mountaineers who seek adventure in the peaks of Ben Nevis. There are nature and wildlife lovers seeking beauty and solitude in their long hikes in the highlands and whisky connoisseurs interested only in whisky distillery trails. There are people seeking the hustle and bustle of cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow and others who like the quiet. And lastly, there are people like us – who want to discover as much of the country as possible in a short span of a few days. A land of mystery Picture this: on a chilly night in the heart of a Scottish town, a cold wind whips your face while wild screams resound in narrow alleys,
and stumbling figures stagger into the darkness. Or on an overcast day a giant long-necked monster raises its head above the tranquil waters of the lake in front of a boat full of people. Innumerable myths, mysteries and spooky tales revolve around this country; it seems that this land is a favorite of ghosts, spirits and yes, even monsters. But ask anyone in Scotland and they will ask you to visit Loch Ness not only for its natural beauty but to chance upon ‘Nessie’, the worldfamous Loch Ness Monster. For those who call themselves pragmatic and refuse to accept the existence of any monster in today’s world, here is some trivia: Scotland’s monster tourism brings in around ten million pounds every year in the surrounding area of Loch Ness. It all started back in early 1930s when a physician allegedly photographed a monster with a long neck emerging out of the waters of the lake.
Pretty little flowers often adorn whitewashed traditional Greek houses in Santorini
Fancy blue steps lead up through a small neighbo
The majestic blue dome of the The Agios Nikolaos Church is a proud symbo
pwards orhood
s ol
LOST IN
ATLANTIS Glorious sunsets, exotic food and an amazing nightlife is not all that Santorini has to offer. It is only to those who dare to dig deep into its past, that the island reveals its best kept secrets. IMAGES BY: Angelo Bosco, Ljupco Smokovski, Andrew Wood, Giuseppe Finocchiaro & Subhashish Dasgupta Here’s the truth – Greek Gods still live here. So if you thought that Santorini was a typical sun drenched, laidback isle of romance with no dimensionality, you’ve got it mostly wrong. Twisting rows and columns of white and blue houses, perched on black cliffs, in stark contrast against a spotless blue sky and a cerulean sea is enough to fool anyone. But this Mediterranean getaway is a lot more than just an air-brushed tourism advertisement; it is a potpourri of refreshing elegance and fiesta. Throw in the grandeur of Italy’s Puglia, Ibiza’s Santa Gertrudis, France’s plush extravaganza, and Menorca’s feistiness and you pour out the hot, sizzling paradise island that is Santorini. Many argue that Santorini is the mythical island of Atlantis. Those who
live here believe so. Though there is much dispute over Plato’s claim about the existence of this mythical land, the island of Santorini is a result of exceptionally rich natural phenomena that you can’t help but wonder about its divine connection. It is the furthest of the Cyclades islands, and is so far down South from the Greek mainland, you are often bound to question if it was intentional. In ancient times, Santorini was known as ‘Strongili’ (Literally meaning – The Round One) and was a victim of an enormous volcanic eruption in 1500 B.C. This eruption is said to be so huge that it had caused the destruction of the entire Minoan civilization that existed on the island then. After the liberation of Greece in 1821, ‘Thira’ (also spelt as Thera) became the official name of the island. Despite
Desert Duets
Some of the greatest wonders in the American Southwest lie hidden in unexpected places where one might never stop to look twice Photos by Alex Calderon, Alisa Ferris, Allen Maestas, Anindya Chakraborty, David Kiene, Harry Kikstra & Jim Patterson
Beauty is omnipresent. A lone photographer delights in capturing the magnificence of the desert
If you are visiting in September, the pristine expanse of white is dotted with color because the Annual Hot Air Balloon festival that happens at White Sands lights the Tularosa basin in a flash of bizarre hues, and is a great time for photographs. If you want to soar high above the clouds (not that there are any) check yourself into one of the local balloon clubs in the locality. Wind is dominant in this part of the world, and unless you want to have your hair knotted and tied in a crazy tangle, wear a hat or tie your hair in a band. The Balloon
festival is the perfect event for first timers at the desert as it comes with scheduled activities from before sunrise to events that stretch well into the evening. You will have so much to choose from that you will have no trouble settling in at all! If you wish to see the balloons up close and personal, then you will love the Balloon Glow, an evening event where all the Hot Air Balloons are inflated and then tethered to the ground, creating swaying walkways of brilliant colors. While some people clearly stay
The leaves of the Yucca, a rare desert shrub found here, can be used to make rope, baskets and
away from the wildlife in the desert, rangers offer tours to those who wish to see a bit of the creatures that live and breathe within these sands. These gypsum sands are home to some of the strangest creatures on Earth. Even in such a high heat environment with no nutrition to thrive on whatsoever, some creatures survive. There are a variety of rare plants and animals that you might not see anywhere else in the world. The Skunkbush Sumac and the Yucca are two plant species that you would encounter. Other rare animal species
Ever so often, the dune flats are flooded by monsoon rains. Flowers bloom from the parched, dry sands and the desert is
that you are bound to see are the Oryx and the Pocket Mouse. There are various other animals that come out at night, but be aware of every one of them or you might have a few nasty surprises! Here’s the most amazing fact about White Sands – the sand is always cold. No matter what time of the year you visit it, you can always take off your shoes and walk in the sand because gypsum does not absorb the sun’s energy and remains cool to touch. So you are free to hike anywhere you want, completely barefoot, without a care in the world. Of course, make sure that you carry lots of water, wear your sunglasses and
carry a compass. It is easy to get lost in the desert because unlike normal sand, you do not always leave footprints on gypsum; it is way too crystallized and loose in certain areas and you may find that tracking your way back might be difficult. However, it is advised that you wear shoes, because the gypsum beneath is as hard as cement in most areas, and you won’t be able to sink your feet in all areas just like in normal sand. Hiking is a popular activity, and if you want to discover the dunes with your friends on a pleasant morning, try the popular Alkali Flat Trail. Though it is a fairly challenging trail, it gives hikers a good view
TRANSIT IN
LONDON Flight hopping in London and not sure what to do? From haunted castles to beer swigging, here’s how you could pack the joys of Merry England in good ol’ British style all in a day’s time. Just have a day in London on transit and want to make the most of it? The best part about this fantastic city is that even if you have only a day’s time, you could squeeze in everything you like with the right plan. Wake up early, wear your best outfit, grab a sandwich and head out into the morning in typical British style. If you must, carry an umbrella because unannounced summer showers could soak you to the skin! No one jokes about the weather here. Remember, London is a very pedestrian friendly city, many times making it easier and faster to get from one point to another by walking rather than using public transportation or a regular cab. So when you step onto the streets, smile - your journey has already begun.
Images by: Anuradha Sarup, Ayon Mandal, Babul Bhatt, Lenka Paul, Paulo Penicheiro, Rakesh Shelar, Sudipto Das, Wojtek Gurak, Rakesh Shelar, Sudipto Das & Wojtek Gurak
Everyone says that Belgrade hasn’t moved on, but nights in the city tell us secrets that the world is yet to know IMAGES BY: Vlado Marinkovic
Two men walk quietly along the banks of the
words and images by Prashanth Vishwanathan They walk the streets of civilization, once every twelve years. Yet, amidst chants and shouts, India’s ancient warrior ascetics seem to make their way to salvation with a touch of chic modernism during the Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest spiritual gathering From the deepest snow caverns of the Himalayas, caves and forest retreats, they emerge – these warrior ascetics of India. Referred to as ‘Naga Sadhus’, it is a rare sight when these spiritual monks who normally live in quiet isolation, descend to the banks of India’s most holy river to take part in the world’s largest festival, once every 12 years. The roots of this great Mela dates back to the myth of Samudra Manthan, where Gods and Demons fought over a pitcher of immortal nectar. A few drops of this divine nectar is said have spilled on four places on Earth - Haridwar, Allahabad, Ujjain and Nasik. Thus it is across these places, that the Maha Kumbh Mela takes place.