New Hyderabad Airport

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport also known as Hyderabad International Airport is located in Shamshabad, about 22 km distance from the twin cities of Hyderabad & Secunderabad.I visited this city last week to attend a business conference and was amazed to see this fabulous airport.It is truly a world class facility,in fact considered amongst the world's Top 5, comparable with Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong & Beijing in terms of Airport Service Quality. The airport project is a public-private joint venture between GMR group,Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad and both Government of Andhra Pradesh and Airports Authority of India.Present passenger handling capacity is 12 million/annum - set to grow to an astounding 40 million on completion of phase 3 of the Airport project. An excellent multi lane highway connects the airport to the twin cities. Aero express is a non stop Shuttle Service from the Airport to various destinations in the city.These AC coaches offer safe, secure & comfortable travel at reasonable rates.Tariff one way is Rs.200/-. Here are some pics taken at this magnificent airport.                                         

1.A beautiful maiden welcoming visitors to the airport

2.A battery operated cart to convey senior citizens/handicapped passengers

3.Whats a Lunar buggy doing at the airport ?

4. Its no moon buggy - its a hydraulic crane with long extendable boom for airport maintenance

5. Tuck into delicious burgers & ice creams

6.Awesome view of airport at exit point

7.Sleek stylish plush passenger shuttle

8.A Blue Dart Cargo Aircraft

9. Impressive Entrance driveway to Airport

10.Check in Counters

11.Book shop to browse

12.Foreign exchange counter

13.Lounge  relax with a beverage in hand

14.ATM machines

15.Amazing & Intricate Roof Architecture

16.Clocks display world timings above a Glorious India panel

17. Resting his weary body besides telephone kiosks

18. The SpiceJet Aircraft by which I flew Coimbatore-Hyderabad

19.SpiceJet Aiport shuttle

20. Stroll and shop at Shoppers Stop

21.Crossword to sharpen your brains

22.Popular Karachi Bakery - Whats this doing in India ?

Antique Shop Ooty

This is a continuation of the Ooty trip.While returning from Doddabetta (previous post) we chanced upon an antique shop at an elevation from the road level. There were several signboards announcing the shop: "Rose'N'Teak Furniture" "Antiques"  "Durries"  "Lithograph"  "Garden Furniture" etc. We parked our car on the road side and walked up the winding path leading to this antique palace. Unfortunately the main building was closed for lunch and we could only see what was displayed outside. But this was fascinating enough - a veritable feast for the eyes. I could not restrain myself from from taking a series of pics which are posted below. Wonder what treasures would be hidden inside the building. I suppose I would have to wait till my next visit. As we were about to enter we saw a rhesus monkey staring at us. He made an excellent subject to be photographed. I suppose the owners name is Z.A.Master & the name of the house "Dilkush as per the faded name plate  near the entrance gate. This is a must see place for any visitor to Ooty.

 

Doddabetta - Ooty

This is a continuation of the previous post. After spending wonderful time at Pine forest we motored on to Doddabetta, which is the highest mountain in the Nilgiri Hills, at 2637 metres (8650 feet). There is a reserved forest area around the peak. It is 9 km from Ooty,on the Ooty-Kotagiri Road.It is a popular tourist attraction with road access to the summit. The name "Doddabetta" traces its roots from the Badaga/Kannada language translating into 'Big Mountain'. There is an observatory at the top of Doddabetta with two telescopes available for the public to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the whole district. Here are some pics taken during the trip:

1.Lady vending groundnuts:
2.Woolens on sale
3.Fresh delicious carrots:
4. Assortment of colorful hats5.A caricature artist seriously at work with a crowd of curious onlookers
6.The subject of the caricature
7. Crowd atop Doddabetta
8. The Observatory & Mermaid garden
9.Huge crowds queuing up to see of the panoramic view
10. The scintillating panoramic views
11. Our family posing for some snaps & tasting Nilgiri tea !
12. Pics of the Locomotive which powers the tiny Nilgiri Mountain Railway(pics taken at Coonoor)