Cycling to Uran – Dronagiri Hill Fort – Migratory Birds
Uran is a fishing village 90 km south of Mumbai and has a lesser known Dronagiri fort – also enroute see migratory water birds at Airoli and Ranjanpada Read more →
Posts in Category ‘General’
General interests in various spheres of life
New Year Celebrations at Snehasadan – shelter for homeless kids
To celebrate the new year’s eve of 2013, a group of friends and their families came together at Snehasadan, a shelter for homeless children at Jogeshwari Read more →
Cycling to Nalasopara – Buddhist Stupa and Chakreshwar Mahadev Temple
Nala Sopara or Shurparaka was a major cultural center since 1500 BC. The Chakreshwar Mahadev Temple and the Buddhist Stupa are scanty evidence of its past glory Read more →
Cycling from Mandwa to Murud – Janjira Fort and Khokari Tombs
One of the most scenic cycling routes along the Konkan coast from Mandwa jetty to Murud culminating in Janjira Fort and the Khokari Tombs – and beaches all along Read more →
Dealing with a teenage kid is learning to be an adult
I learned that the most difficult part of bringing up a teenage son is to accept the transformation from a boy to a man – not only in the kid but in yourself Read more →
Cycling to Sewri Docks and Sewri Fort
Sewri on the east coast of Mumbai island is a great place to catch the sunrise, and flamingoes on the mud flats. And not to miss a visit to Sewri Fort! Read more →
Cycling to Korlai Fort – Morro de Chaul
Korlai Fort is a picturesque Portuguese fort at the mouth of the Kundalika river near Revdanda on a hill jutting out in the sea called Morro de Chaul Read more →
Review of Women’s Skechers Gorun 2 by Shimul Bijoor
Anyone looking for a new pair of running shoes? I suggest you give the Skechers GoRun 2 shoes a shot – says Shimul Bijoor, a national level (inter-school) middle distance athlete Read more →
OxFam Trailwalker 2013 – an experience of a lifetime!
OxFam Trailwalker 100 km completed in 30:58 hours! Saw beautiful countryside around Mulshi lake, trekked through Tamhini hills, open meadows and dense forests! Read more →
Cycling to Ambernath Shiva Temple (Ambreshwar)
Located within 50 km of Mumbai, nestled in the fast growing town of Ambernath near Kalyan, is magnificent Shiva Temple that has some exquisite stone carvings preserved through the ages Read more →
The Cycling Gypsies of Rajasthan – a late night encounter in Mumbai
I was driving back from CST station after dropping off my son Rohan for his football camp and when I reached the Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) I saw ahead of me, 3-4 cyclists – not our normal cyclists these … Read more →
Cycling from Bangalore to Manchanbele Reservoir via Big Banyan Tree
During my visit to Bangalore in September to speak at a big data conference, I took the opportunity to do some cycling on the following day, as it happened to be a Saturday. I did a bit of research to … Read more →
Cycling to Bhaucha Dhakka or Ferry Wharf, Mazgaon
After a day spent in the hills checking out the route for our OxFam trail, while driving back to Mumbai I got a call from good friend Rakesh Bakshi asking if I was interested in cycling to the docks early … Read more →
OxFam Trail Recce – walking through Tamhini hills and around Mulshi lake
This weekend three of the “Walking Souls” team – myself, Gautam and Swati – went to recce the trail that we are to follow during the 100km OxFam walkathon in November. We drove down to the starting point via Kolad, … Read more →
Walking in Mumbai – a new perspective
While walking through Mumbai during my practice for OxFam Trailwalker 100 km walkathon next month, I saw Mumbai in a different light – at the pace of walking, you get to see many things that are normally not visible when … Read more →
OxFam Trailwalker – Walking Souls – our 100 km walkathon!
I am thrilled to be part of the “Walking Souls” team of four, and we are participating in this 100 km walktathon organized by OxFam India. To be able to qualify for the participation, we need to raise at least … Read more →
Trek to Harishchandragad and Kokankada – spectacular route and views
4,691 feet above sea-level, with ruined fortifications and ancient caves tracing back to the Microlithic age, Harishchandragad fort is a perfect trekking destination in the Sahyadris. There are several different paths up to the fort. There two routes to reach … Read more →
Worli Fort, Mahim Fort and Bandra Fort – guarding Mahim Bay
After visiting Sewri Fort on the east coast and Sion Fort to the north or the erstwhile Bombay Island, I wanted to visit the other three forts on the west coast. Worli Fort and Mahim Fort were on the British … Read more →
Sion Fort – guardian of Bombay Island
Sion Fort is situated on a hill within a non-descript garden in the middle of the bustling suburb of Sion, that you would normally pass by without noticing. But in the 18th century, Sion Fort was one of the most … Read more →
Mandapeshwar Caves – Borivali – legacy of a tumultuous past
Mandapeshwar Caves is cut out of a hill in the quiet suburb of Borivali, hidden in a nook behind an open plot of ground just behind the “Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church”. It was built around 550 AD, around the … Read more →
Veloraid 2013 – Amateur cycling race – Mumbai, Thane
Twelve teams of 6 cyclists each – all amateurs – participated in a race with a beautiful route with a total distance of 180 km. Starting from Thane, the route goes along the Mumbai Nashik highway till Atgaon, then branches … Read more →
Polyglot Persistence Case Study – Big Data Architecture
I was invited to speak to a big data innovation conference in Mumbai this week. I chose to present a case study to illustrate how we use Polyglot Persistence – or in plain English – using more than one database … Read more →
Independence Ride 4 (2013) – Cyclists in Mumbai ride together
On the occasion of India’s Independence Day 2013, over 300 cyclists rode their cycles peacefully from various places in Mumbai to Prabhadevi, hoisted the national flag, then rode to Worli Sea Face and Bandra. No agenda, no fuss, just riding … Read more →
Cycling to Jogeshwari Caves, Mumbai
In the heart of the city at the junction of the Western Express Highway and the Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR), among the shanties of Prabhat Nagar lies an ancient and forgotten cave. This is one of the oldest known … Read more →
Cycling to Nandi Hills, Bangalore
Last week, I had a business visit to Bangalore for a day and it happened to be a Friday. I took the opportunity to stay back for an extra half day and used it to cycle to Nandi Hills, the … Read more →