Andaman trip memories of...

This was probably written around June 2006. Here are the pix: http://saiswa.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b356919aa415

...’s California Writing Skills Test (WST) Practice Essay-Andaman Honeymoon

Memorable journey

Intro :-

My most memorable journey is our honeymoon trip to the Andaman islands. The Andaman Islands are located near India. Three reasons why this trip which it is the most memorable one is:

1. It was my honeymoon trip
2. It was my the first time I visited an island
3. Our visit was around Nov 25^th, exactly one month before the killer waves tsunami hit the Andamans

Para 1 :-

1. After wedding left immediately landed in mainland Andamans. It felt The air in the island was so so pure and gave a relaxed feeling after the hectic wedding.

Para 2

Our first place of visit a cruise to an nearby small island called Big island near Andamans. It was famous for Corals, Snorkelling – A man helped me as I didn’t know swimming.

Para 3

We planned to visit a limestone cave. The cave was The different structures were very beautiful and naturally formed here was scenic surrounded by green trees mangroves, with the ocean very close, we the it trail was one of the most unforgettable trails I I have ever been. We crossed a bridge with a stream underneath and then suddenly there was a huge open farm. We walked in or in between the open farm and then again into the between the bushes and trees. After a The 2 mile trail it took us to the cave.

Para 4

Beach, light blue, white sand, coconut trees, we lied down in the sand.

Conclusion :-

The places are unforgettable I shocked abt Tsunami. I wonder if the places we went still exist. I later enquired about the Andamans indeed is my the most unforgettable trip in my life.

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JP Morgan Chase Run

http://saiswa.spaces.live.com/photos/cns!E2CB4DA67D75A9D0!309/

Sep 19 2007: Ran 6K in about 38 minutes. (Clocked 40.55 per the clock but the start was around 3 minutes, I was told). My best personal time for this distance.

While at it, check out the party photos on Sep 15 2007-the 1 year party for Akimbi people at VMware: http://saiswa.spaces.live.com/photos/cns!E2CB4DA67D75A9D0!289/

Yellowstone Plan-Fall 2007

1. Fri Sep 28: Fly to Salt Lake City (SLC). Drive to Idaho Falls (IDA) and stay the night. Booked Comfort Inn.
   
2. Sat Sep 29: Check out of hotel and drive to West entrance of Yellowstone. Explore geological activities in the west side of the park. Explore, driving east. Stay at east of park: http://www.yellowstone-lodging.com/ near Cody, WY. Prefer a Cabin. Booked: Shoshone Lodge: http://shoshonelodge.com/cabins.html
   
1. Lower Geyser Basin/Fountain Paint Pots
   
2. Old Faithful
3. West Thumb Geyser basin
4. Yellowstone lake (Boating: Cruise/Canoening/kayaking/motor boats) http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/boating.htm
   
3. Sun Sep 30: Check out of hotel. Explore north portion of park. Stay in a hotel on North, preferably Mammoth/Gardiner (Roosevelt Lodge?), or North-East at: Cooke City/Silver Gate. http://www.silver-gate-cabins.com/
   
1. Hayden Valley
2. Mud Volcano
3. Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
4. Tower Falls
5. Lamar Valley
   
4. Mon Oct 1: Check out of hotel. Explore north-west side of park completing north loop, and start moving South. Find acco near South of park (Flagg Ranch Info Station?). Jackson is an option.
1. Mammoth Hot Springs/Horse Riding (http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/horseride.htm )
2. Norris Geyser Basin
   
5. Tue Oct 2: Check out of hotel. Explore missed South Yellowstone attractions or skip. Explore Grand Teton national park. Cruise. Drive back to Salt Lake City/Boise (depending on which airport we choose) & stay the night. Booked Quality Inn.
   
6. Wed Oct 3: Fly back in the morning.

Telescopes & Observatories

hy dont we buy a telecope / binocular
from cosco and use it tonight from a park - central park santa clara /
benton park / los palmas park.

http://www.foothill.fhda.edu/ast/special.htm
- Foothill observatory should do this once in a while on friday nights 9
p.m - 11p.m - free. It doesnt mention about tonights special event. I
called but goes to a recorded msg...can someone dig in.

http://www.ucolick.org/public/bayarearesources.html
http://www.planetarium.fhda.edu/ - Deanza planetarium
http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/tourism/spacetour_sf.html
http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/planetarium/ - Berkely planetarium
<http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/planetarium/>
http://www.chabotspace.org/ - chabot space and science center
Lick observatory

Horse riding in the Bay Area

Half Moon Bay:
http://www.horserentals.com/seahorse.html
8AM-6PM (back by 7 PM)
1 hr: $40
1.5 hrs: $50
2 hrs: $60
Check for coupon

http://www.garrodfarms.com/
8:30 AM-4:30/5 PM
.5 hr: $25/30
1 hr: $40
.5 hr lesson: $49

Weekend of firsts

A weekend of firsts.
After work, had spicy eggplant at Amarin Thai with S, H & M. Had Gelato ice-cream for the first time, and the owner actually kept out the one ice-cream without egg by himself. After the ice-cream was my 1st experience in a bar at night. There was muted lighting for ambience, loud but some good music playing, and it gradually got packed as the night went on. Gradually people started dancing, flirty et al. I had a good mix of aerated orangeade/lemonade mix.

Woke up early in the morning for a movie! Then, saw a preview show for the first time of Shrek 3 with R, S et al. Was a very imaginative & creative movie.

Visited Villa Montalvo and walked a bit with S. Villa Montalvo is a nice place to just hang around. Then, visited Saratoga downtown for the first time, had some specialty chocolate (how does Grapefruit honey sound). It is upscale & expensive; a spa store had a very expensive small body wash for $12, a body mist for $15 etc. A nice place to hang around, though.

Visiting Canada from USA

Point Reyes Travel Plan

March 17-18 007 (Saturday & Sunday)
Drive to Ken Patrick Visitor Center located at Drakes Beach and take the shuttle. For people over 16, fees apply. Shuttle tickets are available from 9 to 3.

Year Round Programs

On Shaky Ground: 2:00 pm, Every Saturday-San Andreas Fault-start of Earthquake train (1km-0.6 mile) walk

Kule Loklo Walk: 2:00 pm, Every Sunday-This lesiurely 1.3 kilometer (0.8 mile) tour introduces visitors to the Coast Miwok and their history and culture. Meet at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. Lasts one hour.

Lighthouse

A Look into the Lens: 2:30 - 4:00 pm, Thursday - Monday, April through December
See inside the Point Reyes Lighthouse and discover its history and function with a Park Ranger. Access requires a strenuous descent and ascent of 308 stairs. Stairs close when weather and winds are hazardous. The lens room is open with a Ranger present from 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Whale and Elephant Seal Season Programs

Journey of the Whales: 1:30 pm Weekends, January through March. Meets at Lighthouse Shuttle Stop if shuttles are operating. Otherwise meet at the Lighthouse Visitor Center. Join a Ranger to learn about gray whales as they migrate past Point Reyes. Learn about their habits and adaptations, and hope for a whale sighting from the Observation Deck. Lasts one hour. May require a 0.6 kilometer (0.4 mile) walk.

Experience Gray Whales: Date: Every Sunday Weekly & Every Saturday Weekly from 12/31/2006 to 4/28/2007 Time: 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM Location: Lighthouse: Details: Weekends January through April, weather permitting. Docents at the Lighthouse Observation Deck 11:00 am - 4:30 pm. View gray whales through binoculars and scopes. Volunteer docents available to answer questions about gray whales.


Woodpecker Trail: Near Bear Valley Visitor Center 1.2 km / 0.7 mi

Pierce Point Ranch and Tule Elk Reserve


Whales and Wildflowers
Date: Every Sunday Weekly & Every Saturday Weekly from 3/4/2007 to 4/28/2007
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Location: Chimney Rock Trailhead

Details:
2 pm, weekends in March and April
Take a moderate 1.2 mile round-trip hike with a park ranger to a beautiful ocean overlook. Watch for gray whales as they make their northward journey and admire wildflowers along the trail. Wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes. Bring binoculars and water. In good weather you must take the shuttle. Inclement weather cancels this program.
Program lasts two hours.
Fees: Free

Contact:
John Golda
415-464-5143

Monterey-Recommended place to stay

SpinDrift Inn.