1 It is too big to be covered in a photograph. what more to say? It is majestic and you really need a camera capable of 360degree panorama. Belgium Brussels bruss_grandplc 301 190 2 The Atomia in Brussels. I didn't like it much. Belgium Brussels bel_atomia 304 197 3 The Botanical Garden in Brussels. Nice and quite place. I really don't remember why I went there! Belgium Brussels bel_bot 304 195 4 A castle I saw while trying to figure out where the Metro stations are in Brussels. I liked this one. Belgium Brussels bel_castle 304 193 5 This is supposed to be a miniaturized version of Europe. Since it was evening when I got there, I didn't explore it further. Belgium Brussels bel_meuro 304 195 6 This statue is a very famous one. I think it is quite old. By the time I found out where it is and reached there, I fealt like cheated because it is such a small one:-) Belgium Brussels bel_piss 304 195 7 Another snap of the famous little boy. Belgium Brussels bel_piss2 304 195 8 At the main railway station in Brussels, about to board the Thalys to Paris. It is a superb experience, travelling in TGV or Thalys. Belgium Brussels bel_thalys 304 194 9 Another view of the Grand Place. Belgium Brussels bruss_grandplc2 304 194 10 A chateau on the shores of Annecy lake. Taken during a ride on a speedy boat France Annecy annecy_chat 301 191 11 Here is a picture of the floating restaurant in Annecy. It serves good food, is open during summer for lunch and dinner and you can have a taste of haute cuisine served in an elegant fashion while slowly drifting in the lake. The menu has reasonable variety, and if you earn in USD, it is cheap. If you earn in FFR, it is slightly expensive. You can enjoy the surrounding hills and the beautiful Semnoz. Semnoz is a famous skiing hill. The snowy peaks of French Alps grace the horizon. From some points in the lake, you can see Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. If you want to go up Alps, travel to Chamonix, a small town 80km away. From there, you can take long cable car trips to climb Alps. France Annecy annecy_fltrest 301 190 12 On the great hanging bridge on the way to Geneva from Annecy. Along with my friend Pratima. The view through the cracks of the wooden planks is spectacular since this bridge is across a valley. At times the clouds sail by beneath your feet. France Annecy bridge_pai 301 190 13 Fort Culoz, near Annecy. On the way to Geneva. French country side is dotted with old castles. Very nice. France Annecy fortculoz 301 190 14 Semnoz is a beautiful hill. You can ski there in winter, you can treck at any time, you can parasail when you feel like it or have a taste of crisp and fresh mountain air. During summer, there is a public bus service from the city center to Semnoz. From the top, you can see the Annecy lake, the city of Annecy, distant Alps and much more. It is such a lovely place that I miss it (though I frequently drive to the Skyline Drive in Virginia, it is no match for Semnoz). Here is a picture which was taken from Semnoz, when the whole city of Annecy was under clouds! Is it not a lovely sight? I felt weightless when I was above the clouds, with my feet still in terra firma. France Annecy semnoz 301 188 15 Here's Lovers' Bridge during the wonderful spring time! The fresh air and the lake and the geese really makes you feel romantic. France Annecy ancpont 301 197 16 This picture of Thiou Canal is taken from the far side of the old city, ie., away from the lake. The geese playing in water are really cute, though in this picture you can see only one. France Annecy ancthiou 301 193 17 The Lover's Bridge in Annecy. It is a small arch-shaped wooden bridge, over the Thiou canal. It is indeed romantic, and connects two sides of the lake-side park. The first picture was taken in summer, from the regular road bridge (the one from which the above two photos of the little palace were taken) and the second one in winter. France Annecy ancloversbrdg 301 192 18 This is supposedly an "island palace", but it is rather too small to be called a palace. Nevertheless, it gives a very serene view of the entrance to the old city. France Annecy anccast 300 180 19 Now, you see how different the little palace looks at night? That is the beauty of Annecy. Anytime, anywhere, it is lovely. Just like Paris is lovely in a gigantic scale, Annecy is lovely and quiet. After you cool off your heals on a boat ride, when your boat pulls over to the pier, you can see the lights coming on. You just have to time your ride in the evening. It is a beautiful sight. France Annecy anccastn 301 183 20 Another view of the bridge across the mountains near Annecy. You can see the clouds going under it. France Annecy ancbrdgcld 304 194 21 Here I'm at the small bridge across the Thiou Canal, to the old city of Annecy. The old quarter is a really nice market place. France Annecy ancoldcity 301 190 22 There is one old castle near the old city of Annecy. Here it is as seen from a boat. France Annecy ancchat 301 192 23 A distant view of the funicular railway to the top of a hill at Grenoble. Grenoble is an industrial city, however there are some interesting sights there. France Grenoble grnblefnclr 292 188 24 At a hill overlooking the Mediterranean sea. The blue sea is really beautiful. France Nice nice1 301 189 25 With Mediterranean sea as the background. This is a garden atop a hill. It is a tough walk up there, but the view of the ocean, light house and the airport far away is worth it. France Nice nice2 301 189 26 Here, I'm at the beaches of Nice, the beautiful city on the banks of the blue Mediterranean sea. France Nice nicebeach 304 194 27 One of the best things to do in Paris is to take a cruise down the Seinne river. People are so jovial! France Paris seinne 301 192 28 I would say, this is the most majestic palace I've ever seen. No wonder the French revolted. Vive la Liberte! France Paris versailles 301 192 29 The most famous landmark in Paris. This is how you make tall structures, which so effortlessly and magnificently adorn the skyline. France Paris eiffelday 301 192 30 A nice building inside the botanical gardens. I don't remember what this building is, but I liked the look of it! Germany Munich munich_grdn1 301 190 31 With my friends, at the botanical gardens. On the left is Johny. To the right is Anil "Unix" K.G., my class mate during my college days. He does his PhD in Munich. Germany Munich munich_grdn2 301 190 32 Nymphenburg Palace is a nice place. Though not anywhere near Versailles Palace, Paris, it has sprawling grounds and wide open spaces. Here is a view from the palace. Germany Munich munich_nplc1 301 190 33 At the Nymphenburg Palace. Well, it was getting dark and I didn't have (don't have one now either) a good camera. Germany Munich munich_nplc2 301 189 34 Another view from the Nymphenburg Palace. This one is from the palace building. Germany Munich munich_nplc3 301 190 35 That was the time when Porsche introduced Boxster. So, when I saw one there, took a photo. Germany Munich munich_nplc4 304 194 36 With my friends at the Olympic Park in Munich. Germany Munich munich_olmp 304 193 37 The floating hotels of Amsterdam, taken during a boat ride through the canals Holland Amsterdam amsterdm 301 189 38 Another big floating restaurant. The hour long boat ride through the canals of Amsterdam is a really good way to get a quick idea of the city. Holland Amsterdam amsterdm_fltrest 301 190 39 At the Museum of Torture. Quiet a fascinating place. ABC's Who Wants to be a Millionaire is yet to be featured here:-) Holland Amsterdam guillotine 301 194 40 Here is a picture from one of the more "presentable" tourist attractions in Amsterdam, Madame. Tussaud's Wax Museum. I seem to be the only one , who is free of scandals. Then again, I'm not a politician. Holland Amsterdam amsterdm_wax 304 193 41 My wife and her dog, Poofy. India Coonoor ind2001_1 305 195 42 Poofy is my wife's pet - grand old dog. India Coonoor ind2001_3 305 195 43 Poofy and I got along pretty well. India Coonoor ind2001_4 305 195 44 View of the Pykara lake. I suppose in March/April, the water level will be higher. India Coonoor ind2001_10 305 195 45 Another view of the Pykara lake. India Coonoor ind2001_11 305 195 46 I just caught the Blue Mountain Express passing by - view from my wife's house. India Coonoor ind2001_13 305 195 47 The traditional Kerala lamp. From my wedding album. India Kannadi lamp 301 214 48 This is how it looks when I look outside from my sweet home in Kerala. I miss the green fields and the absence of sky-scrapers and McDonald's. India Kannadi kndfields 304 195 49 Here is a shot of the pond outside my house. It was a silly attempt to shoot the water lillies, with my amateur photography skills and a small camera. India Kannadi ind2001_9 305 195 50 One of the views on the road from Coonoor to Ootty. India Ootty ind2001_14 305 195 51 One of the views on the road from Coonoor to Ootty. India Ootty ind2001_16 305 195 52 On the way to Pykara, there is a small hill that you can climb. This is one of the views from that hill India Pykara ind2001_2 305 195 53 View from a hill on the way to Pykara. India Pykara ind2001_6 305 195 54 Another view from a hill on the way to Pykara. India Pykara ind2001_7 305 195 55 Still another view from the hill on the way to Pykara. India Pykara ind2001_8 305 195 56 My wife got in between the view and the lens! Well, there was a storm brewing, so that should explain the dark profile. India Pykara ind2001_15 305 195 57 On the way to Pykara, you've to cross a small river coming from the reservoir. This is a shot of that valley. India Pykara ind2001_12 305 195 58 View of the Pykara lake. India Pykara ind2001_5 305 195 59 In front of the palace of Prince Rainier of Monaco-Monte Carlo. If I look nervous because the palace guards were quite amused at my adventures with the camera and they all had loaded (I guess) guns. Monaco Monaco monaco_plce 301 190 60 At the city fair. Fun place to walk around. Monaco Monaco monaco_casino 304 194 61 Another view of the palace at night. Monaco Monaco monaco_plc2 304 194 62 Mom and child watching the birds on a quiet evening on the shores of Lac Leman, Geneva. During weekends I used to go to Geneva - 45 minutes by bus from Annecy - and walk near the lake. Nice city. Switzerland Geneva geneva_lak 301 190 63 A park on the shores of Lac Leman, towards city center. Switzerland Geneva geneva_prk1 301 190 64 A nice mansion on the lake-side park. No idea what this mansion is! Switzerland Geneva geneva_prk2 301 190 65 I do not remember what this statue represents, but kind of cute! Switzerland Geneva geneva_prk3 301 190 66 Watch that Ferrari zooming by the park boulevard! I was pleasantly surprised that I got it in my camera. Switzerland Geneva park_ferrari 301 190 67 There are quite a few renowned watch makers along the shores of Lac Leman in Geneva. So, this didn't surprise me. Switzerland Geneva floralclock 304 194 68 A train approaching Grindenwald railway station. This is the base camp for the journey up to JungFrau. Switzerland Grindenwald grndnsbb 304 195 69 A train leaving Grindenwald for the journey up to JungFrau. Switzerland Grindenwald grndntrain 304 194 70 This was taken while on a train to Interlaken. The tracks go along side Thun lake for some time. Nice view. Switzerland Grindenwald thunlake 301 192 71 At the Senecca Creek Park in Maryland. Very quiet and nice place. USA Maryland meva 301 192 72 A quiet scene from the Senecca Creek park. The lake is a very pleasant, though not as good as Annecy Lake. USA Maryland senecca 301 194 73 Well, it is really quiet and nice at the Senecca Creek! Even after 6pm it doesn't feel as if it is within Washington DC area. USA Maryland senecca2 301 190 74 National Farm in Maryland is right across Mount Vernon. You can take a ferry too. From here, Potomac looks really wide. It is maintained with its 18th century air. Here is a farm house. USA Maryland farmhouse 301 183 75 Here's the lifelong monkey on my back. We went to the farm with our friends. USA Maryland monkeyonmyback 302 183 76 With fellow malayali, ex-infoscion, ex-rapidigmian and Nature Conservancy colleage, his wife and daughter. USA Maryland sgpandme 301 183 77 My wife and I with my friend's daughter at the pier. The boat that takes tourists across the Potomac to Mt. Vernon is a small one and on that day it was getting tossed around by waves. USA Maryland withrevu 301 183 78 On the ferry from Manhattan to Ellis Island. All in all, I would say the 3 hour waiting period, then 20 minutes ride and then another 3 hour waiting for getting inside the Statue of Liberty is not worth it. USA New York newyork 301 190 79 The famed skyline as seen from Ellis island ferry. I don't know what people find beautiful in this kind of architecture. USA New York manhattan 299 194 80 Another view of Manhattan. USA New York manhattan2 301 195 81 This is a fine piece of work. Ah, the French. They know how to make monuments. USA New York stliberty 302 195 82 Another view of the Statue. USA New York stliberty2 301 195 83 Yeah, this is how New York looks from the top of World Trade Center. USA New York topofworld 300 194 84 Here is the bridge from USA to Canada, at the Niagara Falls. USA Niagara brdg2cnd 302 195 85 You can take an exciting boat trip to the very toe nails of Niagara Falls. It is really awesome. USA Niagara niagara 301 195 86 Almost full view of the falls. USA Niagara niagara2 301 193 87 At the Manassas Battlefield park. Another quiet park near Washington DC. USA Virginia va_bfpark 301 194 88 I frequently visit the Skyline Drive at the Shenandoah valley. It is a nice quiet drive early in the morning. USA Virginia atskylndrv 304 194 89 At the Great Falls park in Northern Virginia. This is very near to DC and a good place. USA Virginia gt_falls1 301 194 90 Once we had a stupid idea to try hiking at Great Falls. Needless to say, it was too tiring. My wife had the humor to take my photograph. USA Virginia gt_falls2 301 194 91 At the Capitol building. One of the few building in the USA that I like. Well, I'm not a big fan of skyscrapers which look like toothpaste boxes. USA Washington DC dc_capitol 301 191 92 My wife and I at the Capitol, with the Washington monument far behind. USA Washington DC dc_monument 301 191 93 My wife and I at the Roosevelt Island. A small island in the Potomac river with a park about the late US President. USA Washington DC dc_rsvltisland 301 191