Marina Beach - one facet of Madras

I'm still in awe of the Marina Beach in Madras and i dearly hold it close to my heart. Even though, i have various memories associated with the city, the strongest and the fondest memory i have is of myself sitting at the Marina. I remember visiting the beach on each of my visits to Madras. I won't miss a chance going to the Marina any time i'm in Madras. I love sitting there, taking in the ambience,being completely mesmerised by the vastness of the sea. There is something quite magnificent about the size of the Marina that i don't think can be put into words. Even though i have visited various beaches, i find that no other beach has come close to creating an emotional connection with me as much as the Marina has done What i heard was that during the early 70's and the 80's, the beach was not very clean. However, today, it makes for quite a breathtaking sight, as there are no more plastic covers lying around. And of course, who can forget the heritage buildings that stand in all their glory by Kamarajar Salai, as if gazing at the beach in awe? Whenever i travel by the beach, a palpable sense of nostalgia grips me, and probably always will.

Beetle Mania !

It was the year 1934 when Adolf Hitler announced that a car shouldn't just be a privilege of the wealthy. That's when he summoned a young Austro-Hungarian engineer by name of Ferdinand Porsche to talk about his plans for a car. Hitler specified the car should be small, durable and air cooled. Hitler christened it Volkswagen which meant the people's car. And that's exactly when the Beetle came into existence. Since then the little VW became the first car in Europe to pass the million production mark in 1955. It also pretty soon adorned a cult status making it one of the most popular vehicles around.Over the years, the Beetle's design has kept evolving, but it wasn't until 1998 that the little car received a total makeover. Based on the Golf Mk4 platform, the new 'Bug' was an all new car although it borrowed heavily from its predecessor in terms of styling. There have been no major changes on the design front since. But that's because it did not need any. The original VW Beetle was one of the most recognizable cars on the road and the modern day equivalent is a well-executed contemporary take on a classic which, ten years after its introduction, still looks fresh and eye-catching. Like the re-invented Mini and the Fiat 500, the VW Beetle is a stylish piece of retro-design which although harking back to its original form exudes a modern feel to it. The rainbow silhouette, the bulging fenders with the round headlights, in fact everything about the car emanates a charm like none other. When you stop in a parking lot, onlookers will swarm around, peek in the windows and bombard you with questions. If you love being the center of attention, Volkswagen's New Beetle is the car for you.

History of the Beetle

The history of the Beetle really goes back to pre 2nd world war Germany when Ferdinand Porsche had a vision of a mass produced vehicle that was affordable to the average German, an idea that was shared with the young Adolf Hitler who himself could not drive, but was a car fanatic. In 1934 he stated that his government would support the development of a 'people's car'. Impressed by Porsche's design capabilities, Hitler delivered him the design brief of a car that could carry two adults and three children at a speed of 100km/h with at least 15 kmpl and cost almost as much as a motorcycle. In 1937, the coachbuilders Reutter, based in Stuttgart, were asked to make 30 vehicles which would eventually be shipped to various festivals and fairs to entice the German public to buy. There were Saloons, sunroofs and convertible models. Hitler also introduced a savings scheme where the public could collect stamps that would eventually pay for the car. On the 17th February, 1972, the Beetle finally overtook Fords model 'T' as the most popular car ever made, later disputed by Ford who found new production figures, the Beetle went on to make sure there was absolutely no doubt. The last Beetle to be made in Germany left the production line in January 1978, bringing the end of an era. This was not the end of the Beetle though, production continued in Puebla, Mexico and the 20,000,000th Beetle rolled off the Mexican production line in May 1981.

Although, the Beetle has been an icon, but still there are reservations to this beauty. Its micro in size but macro while looking at the pocket size. The specs are good but the spending might not be that better. Try it.

There is a spark between us

Another one of Ousteri lake (Pondy) sunsets.

Deep in the woods

I would like to say I had to go deep into the woods of Auroville (Pondy) to get a shot of this beautiful waterfall.. I would also like to say that this place was not easy to reach as it was created at one of the French boutiques inside Auroville. (so much for being adventurous). This is a beautiful place. This is an artificial (and yet realistic) waterfall. I love this shot because looking at it gives you a feeling that this location is soothing.

Sunset canoeing

This shot was taken at one of the backwaters on way to Cuddalore (TN). Eventhough, i  have some sunset shots taken, this one holds a special spot because it reminds me of a song called "Paddle your own Canoe" in one of the Hollywood flicks . I wonder how refreshing it would have felt to the guy in the canoe after he finished paddling across this lake! It was so refreshing just to see him go across.

This picture is coming straight from the camera. No picassa touch. That's one more reason why I love it. I feel it is perfect the way it is!

Pipe dreams

This picture was taken at one of the theme parks coming up at Auroville (Pondy). This place is a photographer's dream. It has lots of beautiful sculptures, very colorful ones too. If you cannot make it from this picture, the arrangement here, called The Way is made up of 18 salvaged steel oil tanks and is 65 feet tall, 102 feet long, and weighs 50 tons. I have visited this place only once. I want to go back there again because they have new additions to the park every year.

I like the way this shot came out, especially since, all you see in this shot is green, red and blue (maybe a little bit of black)! Hope you like it as much as I did.

What do you want ?

I took this picture in Nehru Street (Pondy) in the summer of 2010. I kind'a thought that this dog was too big for the car he was peeping out of. He was looking all over the place, until he saw me. Then he would not take his eyes off the camera with a "don't mess with me" stare! That was great because I could get an awesome shot!  Hope you like it!