Australia tour - Part 1

At the outset I must apologise to readers, who are regular visitors to this blog, for my inability to both post replies to your comments and also my infrequent visits to your blogs.

I have been preoccupied with lots of official as well as personal work during the past couple of months. On the latter front, a lot of work was related to the upcoming Aussie trip, which finally has begun, with the touchdown at Sydney airport Sunday night 9 pm.

My son, a school friend of mine and his wife were at the airport. The last time my wife and I met our son was about an year and a half ago, when he  came to India during university semester break. 

We were quite tired, after the 14 odd hour flight combined with the jet lag (Sydney is five and a half hours ahead of India). 

Monday, Dec 16

We took a metro to Circular Quay. What better way to begin the tour than a visit to the most famous of Sydney landmarks - the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge - - stunning pieces of architectural and engineering marvel. We also went around the nearby botonical garden.

We then headed to The Rocks Discovery Museum. It was amazing learning about the history of Sydney - right from the pre-European times when the place was inhabited by the Cadigal tribes - through English colonization to the current times.

Tuesday, Dec 17

We took a 'Light Rail' to Pyrmont to visit Darling Harbour. After lunch at one the restaurants there, we headed to the Australian National Maritime Museum. 

With a ticket of $20, we got to see the inside of the submarine HMAS Onslow and ship HMAS Vampire - - a first time experience for me. 

The museum also has documentaries on how the sailors worked in very difficult conditions in the submarine and the ship. Hats off to them. 

The engineering that has gone into submarines that travel so many miles under water, doing surveillance and collecting valuable information is mind boggling. 

The museum has plenty of literature on maritime treasures. It was worth the visit. I really enjoyed it. 

We walked around the place, had some refreshments and sat for some time soaking in the ambience and cool breeze. There are so many white doves out there, knowing well that some kind hearted tourists will feed them. 

We also got to watch a comedy-cum-magic show by a street artist who regaled the crowds with his jokes as well as some deft acrobatics. 

We then headed home later after dinner at a Malaysian restaurant Mamak.

Human Library, breaking stereotypes

Image courtesy:
Human Library

Recently, I came across a wonderful concept called 'Human Library'. It's simple - instead borrowing books, people 'borrow' humans from this library. In a sense, they are 'books' that talk to you.

I was curious and did some research. This is a Copenhagen, Denmark, based non-profit organisation, started in 2000 by Ronni Abergel and his brother Dany and colleagues Asma Mouna and Christoffer Erichsen. Today, it is operational in 80 countries across six continents.

The basic concept is to create a "safe space for dialog where topics are discussed openly between our human books and their readers", says the website.

So who are the books? It says, "All of our human books are volunteers with personal experience with their topic. The Human Library® is a place where difficult questions are expected, appreciated and answered."

Regular meetup are held, where the 'books' talk, and discuss difficult and complex issues. Efforts made to break stereotypes, and to understand different people, their thoughts, and their lives.

Stereotyping is natural, but it's not desirable. We have to understand and respect differences among of us. This wonderful world is not made up of only one type of people. It is heterogeneous and diverse; and we learn from one another, and live together in harmony.

I found that there are branches of Human Library in India, in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and even in the adjoining smaller city of Mysuru, where the first event was held recently on December 8.

I am yet to speak to someone who has been associated with it. But on the face of it, it sounds like a very good, innovative, healthy and positive activity.

I am keen on finding more about it; and volunteering for it. One of the to-do activities in 2020.

Have your heard of Human Library, or are you one of the 'books'? Would love to know your thoughts.

Tea or coffee?

Image courtesy: Cliparts Zone

It is said there are as many varieties of tea as there are people who want to drink it. It just means there is no one single way of making tea, and everyone has his or her preference on how the drink should taste.

This is one reason why I often choose coffee when I am asked if I would like to have tea or coffee. The taste of coffee doesn't vary too much irrespective of the way it is prepared, at least for my palette.

Whether it be tea or coffee, I don't like it too strong or too light. Ideally, it should be a fine balance between the two, but a bit on the lighter side is way better than being on the stronger side.

The first cup of drink in the morning is two glasses of plain water. Then, a little later coffee without milk. Then after a bit of workout, along with breakfast, tea with milk.

India is the second largest producer of tea in the world, after China. A number of places in the state of Assam, which produces the largest amount of tea in India, Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal, Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, Munnar in Kerala, Kodagu in Karnataka are some of the major places where we find tea plantations in India.

Coffee is more popular in south India, and tea in north India.

There are umpteen ways of making tea. But in India most people let the tea leaves or the tea dust brew in boiling water or in very diluted boiling milk.

How strong or light the tea would be depends on many factors like: 1. how much tea leaves is added, 2. how much milk is added, and 3. for how long the mixture of tea and water/milk is allowed to boil.

This is the most tricky part, because all this varies depending on the brand of tea. So it is all a lot of trial and error until one gets the right combination.

We at home decided to try out a new brand. And I think I got the right combination with the tea I prepared this morning. Finally!

How about you? You like tea or coffee? With milk or without milk? There are many people who don't take either; they prefer just plain water.