I would like to share these 2 links with you.
The 1st is”Pros & Cons of Dating a Yogi” from the wordpress blog “the view from my mat“, check out:
http://theviewfrommymat.com/2012/04/06/pros-cons-of-dating-a-yogi/
The 2nd is a movie about a man who “made it back into life” through yoga, check:
http://www.godvine.com/Man-Barely-Able-to-Stand-on-his-Own-Does-the-Unthinkable-Amazing-1476.html
THE BEAUTY ABOUT YOGA:
IT STRETCHES AND STRENGTHENS YOUR BODY! 
Back on the road for just 1 day – the facts:
And I arrived at Pyramid Valley International – World’s Largest Meditational Pyramid.
It’s an beautiful amazing place – I enjoyed it very much and stayed there for 12 days doing my “Sadhana” – Spiritual Practice.
Meditation under the Pyramid is very powerfull.
If you want to know more, visit:
http://www.pyramidvalley.org/home.htm
The place is mostly visited by Indians from Andra Pradesh – so the atmosphere is quite different than when a lot of “travellers” are around – without judging it.
Here with my friend Koduri
Another dayride… actually the plan was to circumnavigate Bangalore on the ringroad to reach my next destination. But unfortunately bicycles are not allowed on that road and so I had to pass through Bangalore… Without a map and in limited time… I got lost already entering the city coming from the south and took the only right decision: MOTORRIKSHAW!
So I arrived in time and for sure more relaxed than after a crossing on my own at Dhamma Paphulla Meditation Centre.
10 days, 10 hours a day, noble silence… hard work and not easy, but a good experience. If you want to know more about Vipassana Meditation, check:
By the way – I was the only foreigner in this course. Probably because it’s quite late in the saison. So I was a lillte surprised – but then on the 10th when we were allowed to speak, it was really nice with all these Indians!
Back to the “real” world… BANGALORE!
“At least” there’s a REAL Bicycle Shop. These guys let me use their wheel tuning stand and they have even a tensiometer. I’m more than impressed! I got a new tail light and new brake pads. And I just enjoyed it to spend some time in the shop with these “freaks”! Thanks!
Amol – “another” Vipassana Meditator. Thanks mate, the next time I’ll visit your farm!
Mango season started.
The best book shop in Bangalore
This man can organise you every book!
A lot of big trees are still alive.
Getting around by motorrikshaw with Praveen…
… or with Khizer…
… on the back seat of his motorbike. Thanks mate, nice conversation and I learnt much knowing your point of view about many things in life!
Brigade Road – “the place to be”
Feeling tired? Just take a nap.
city cows
Do you need new shoes?
Kalim (in the middle) will have a suitable pair!
Actually after finishing the Vipassana Meditation Course I wanted to take a room in the city centre and get organised for my further travels.
But Praveen “took me home” and so I stayed for one week with his family a little south at Jayanagar. So I got organised from there and just had a great time. Really happy about that. It’s such a peaceful place and beautiful human beings. Thanks you so much for your kind hospitality – it was a pleasure and a great experience to stay with you!
Leela and Mohan
“Granny” – my bottle was never empty, she always refilled it with purified drinking water. “Namaste!”
Thanks as well to Dhawan, Praveen’s older brother, for nice conversation. Go on dude, you’ll make it up and if not, be happy!
One last photo with my friend Praveen. Thanks for the great time with you and your help. There are no words to thank you. Go on man!
The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training Course in February gave me a good base and I was very keen to learn more. So I decided to stay in March for the Hatha Yoga Teacher Course.
Between the courses I had a break of yogic lifestyle…
… and spent a nice evening with Maria and Adriano (an the other guys on the photos! ) in Opium Heavy Metal Bar.
Not to forget completely “the other side”. Mysore is pretty relaxed and there’s not much poverty… but there is.
Little Pallavi seems to be happy!
On the way home from the Shala to the appartment I used to exercise wheelies… and suddenly a guy was riding a wheelie beside me.
So we had fun riding wheelies together and then I continued with stoppies. The breaks of their singlespeed bicycle weren’t working properly and anyway, I couldn’t refuse to let them ride my Surly.
Here’s the Stoppie-King… still on the bike… not used to Shimano Deore XT V-Brakes… and in a split second later the Long Haul Trucker was on him. Both got some scratches, noting serious happily!
Thanks guys for the moment!
Again… fun and STUDYING!
Mahesh in Padma Mayurasana – it’s the advanced variation of the Peacock Pose in Lotus.
Ely in Dhanurasana – The Bow Pose
Maria in Bhujapidasana – The Shoulder Pressure Posture
Me in Parsva Bakasana – The Side Crow Pose
Maria in Urdhva Dhanurasana – The Upward Bow or Wheel Pose in Iyengar Yoga Style, supperted by a chair.
Me relaxing…
… and Prateek even more relaxing!
We were just 3 students. Maria took the Ashtanga Course, Prateek and me Hatha. Intense – but a lot of teacher’s attention.
Traditional Hatha Yoga is not that phisical like Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. You go into the posture and then hold it for longer. If you’re familiar with the basic position, then you can start with (advanced) variations or just meditate into a posture.
We went through a sequence of Standing, Balancing (on the feet and hands), Sitting, Meditative, Backbending, Inversions and Closing Asanas. There are some postures you should do always include in your practice. But the sequence is not given and you can vary.
We had a lot of fun.
It happened on the way home. HOLI is a Hindu spring festival during the full moon of February/March – “the festival of colours” and I got involved.
Having a light tasty dinner at home, veggies with toast and sweet fruits.
One Sunday morning I decided to visit Chamundi Hills south of Mysore and arrived just by sunrise on the top.
Mysore down town…
… and observing bicycle repair men.
Maria please…
… it’s just Ayurvedic Medicine and can’t taste that bad…
… okey!
The 26th of March is a very special day. Yes – it’s my birthday. But that wasn’t the reason.
This year, I “danced” on a wedding on my birthday.
Josie from the Ashtanga Course in February met her fiance and son after finishing the course and they were travelling around India. Then they came to Mysore and got married in a Hindu temple.
Kiddies were around having fun with us foreigners.
Me, Brendan with their son Caelan, Josie, Ely & Mahesh, Prateek
Thanks for the invitation and the beautiful day! Felicitation and all the best! Hope to see you again in Venezuela!
More practice on the roof… me in the Peacock Pose…
… Maria in the Wheel…
… practicing variations of Sirsasana – The Headstand and we started trying to go into Vrschikasana – The Scorpion Pose.
In the background lighted Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel.
“Graduation”. On the way to the taxi…
… and what a taxi. Mahesh ordered an Ambassador…
… in which we had a nice drive to Brindavan Gardens, located 19km northwest of Mysore. And yes, you can transport a bicycle on a scooter!
“Brindavan Gardens” taken out of Lonely Planet:
If you’re familiar with Bollywood, these ornamental gardens might just give you that sense of deja vu – they’ve indeed been the backdrop to many a shimmying musical number. The best time to visit is in the evening, when the fountains are illuminated and made to dance to the accompaniment of popular film tunes!
Within the gardens are two hotels: the nofrills Hotel Mayura Cauvery and the swanky Royal Orchid Brindavan Garden, with lavish rooms and the strategically-located Elephant Bar, the best spot from which to view the light-and-sound shows while sipping on your poison.
Lady first – Maria got her certificate.
Prateek was successful…
… and I got mine as well.
Back in Mysore we went to the RRR-Hotel for an authentic South Indian Thali on a banana leaf…
… having fun and eating with the hand, just great!
Already this food is a reason to come to India!
Sunday and time to ride 2 wheels…
… to Kabani Reserve. It’s located 90km southwest of Mysore and takes around 2.5h…
… on a Royal Enfield Bullet 500.
Again thanks to Adriano and Maria and special thanks to Steffen for using your “Black Girl”.
Another 2 pics from Mysore – dogs sleeping in the shade…
… and locals having a coconut.
Maria surprised me with a delicous Tortilla.
Mahesh with his Royal Enfield Bullet 350 from 1971
Adrianos message! Thanks for the time with you and your generosity.
Steffen and his essential sausages. Thanks for the time with you too and especially the confidence given using your bike and appartment.
The “family” a last time together…
… Prateek really in action to get us a delicous breakfast onto the table.
Home made Chow Chow Bhath… mmmmm!
Almost everything has an end and unfortunately it’s time to say goodbye.
1000 thanks to Maria, Prateek, Ely and Mahesh!
If anybody is interested in studying Yoga in India – I truly recommend Mahesh and Ely! They’re real yogis and beautiful human beings!
For more information have a look on this site: http://www.hathayogamysore.com/
The bike is ready and it’s time to make a move. GOODBYE!
I arrived in Mysore and manager Sunil brought me straight to the flat… a very fancy place. Coming from “the road” and the Ashram – it’s almost the opposite. So I was thinking if it really was the right decision… YES it was. Accept how it is, make the best out of it and enjoy it!
The courtyard…
… and me on “the top”!
With a swimming pool on the roof…
… view to the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel…
… to the bus stop…
… and beautiful sunsets!
May I introduce you to my flat mates?
Fernanda from Argentina
Claudia called Claudita from Buenos Aires too. Here with her famous fruit plate!
And my room mate Cristian from Cordoba in Argentina as well
Christine from London
Jamie from New York
A good team of 6 keen students… here some more pics.
Mama putifa – yes she likes brooms!
“No no, I don’t smoke”. I just close the window and the door and burn some incense!
Gringo Patasucia, negro culiado, negro pelotudo… Mi amigo, gracias por pasar tiempo con usted.
We had a quick visit to Gokulam, where the famous Patthabi Jois Shala is…
… and had the chance to visit the beautiful garden of the opposite building.
Shopping…
… and on the way back the motor riksha driver allowed me to sit next to him!
Visit of the Mysore Palace…
… togehter with David from Holland who was my bunk mate in the Ashram and passed in Mysore on his travels. Thanks my friend!
The lighted Palace on Sunday evening
Now you probably got the impression, I’m just having fun. YES – even the education with studying and practicing was fun, but a lot of hard work!
Here the schedule:
Monday to Friday
6:00 – 7.45 am Led Class / Mysore Style (Practice)
8 am – 3:00 pm Non-contact Hours (Study Break)
3:00 – 4:00 pm Asana Methodology
4:00 – 5:00 pm Pranayama Theory & Practice / Anatomy
5:00 – 6:30 pm Yoga Philosophy
6:30- 7:00 pm Meditation
Saturday
6:00 – 8:00 am Mysore Style (Practice)
Sunday is a holiday. :
Studying during my time “off”: Sanskrit counting, the sequence with 50 different postures, the names in English and Sanskrit, Philosophy and and and.
A few sentences about Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, especially VINYASA:
Movement Breathing System – Awakening The Fire Within
Ashtanga yoga wakes up the internal fire. It ignites the dormant flame of vital life energy within all of us. The vinyasa system works with the synchronization of deep, rhythmic breathing and movement. By linking the postures it creates a continous flow of energy that heats up the body, bringing oxygen to the blood, nourishing the glands and internal organs, cleansing and purifying the nervous system, releasing unwanted toxins through perspiration. As the heat goes up toxins are burned up and out of the system, creating a lighter and stronger body, and a clear mind. The heat is not only a physical experience, it is an internal spiritual fire that burns through the fog of illusion and ignorance.
Before starting practice you say a prayer. Connecting with the world of sound, you focus your attention inward.
Madonna studied Asthanga Yoga under Pattabhi Jois and here’s her performance of the Starting Prayer:
Our Guru Mahesh teaching Asana Methodology
Sometimes it was almost too much (not only for Christine ). 6 times a week 1.5h practice of that intense yoga is a real challenge for your body (or at least mine).
Almost the whole crew (including the Hatha Yogis) at Manus Corner…
… before going for a day trip to the Buddhist Monastery “Golden Temple” in Bylakuppe North of Mysore.
Young Moslems from Kerala asked me for a photo… just let your own beard grow guys!
Short trip to the city centre… Christine bargaining hard.
Vegetable market
Fragrance
Cristian with the certificate for Mahesh as Father Smurf / Papa Pitufo
A last photo of my 3 lovely Argentinians…
… and of “our flat”. Thanks to all for the good time with you! I wish you all the best and hope to see you again.
Big thanks to the faculty: Firdaus, Mahesh & Ely
The “whole crew” together for a last group photo and the month was over. Thanks to Josie from Venezuela who stayed in the flat with the Hatha Yogis and of course to the Hatha Yogis too!
We went together for a nice dinner and the next day everybody left, except me.
Actually I wasn’t that keen to get a certificate – I did it more for my own progress – but it’s nice to have it and I’m a little bit proud.
Here the impressions of 7 days and 650km of riding from Neyyar Dam to Mysore mainly in the state of Kerala.
The first 3 days I rode up North on the Highway 47 with “enough” traffic especially through cities and villages. So I passed Kollam, Alappuzha and Cochin.
Then I had the pleasure to stay for 2 nights in Jaiva Campus, where a Yoga Teacher Training Course was going on. Good people, nice location and delicous food. I really can recommend this place – if you’re interested to spend some time in a “protected environment”, check:
http://www.hathayoga-meditation.com/
(no pictures “available” – I was too busy practicing yoga there )
Then I left the highway and was cycling on smaller not so busy roads through villages and I was close to the people… 1st photo session…
… 2nd…
… 3rd…
… and then I had the biggest room ever. In Nilambur the local priest allowed me to sleep in their community hall.
Till here it was more or less flat… while entering Mudumalai Wildlife Sactuary means climbing the Western Ghats…
… 4th…
… and 5th. Yeah, India is intense… very nice “Kerala people”, usually good English, so communication is easy.
I think this sign means “don’t cut the curve”… but I’m not sure.
The road is ok, there was not much traffic and the landscape is beautiful. My best day of cycling in India so far…
… and yes, not just the sign. I’ve seen “real” elephants!
And then I entered the state of Karnataka and Bandipur National Park.
Beside funny monkeys I got not shy deers onto my lens.
The vegetation changed from very green with a lot of palms and trees to a dryer one, more like a kind of savanna.
Coconut water – it not just keeps you going. It contains “everything” you need and it’s delicous!
And then I entered Mysore on a CYCLE LANE. They probably had enough space. The road is wide enough and there’s actually no real need for a cycle lane… anyway, it was a real surprise and enjoyed the ride!
And here’s the 2nd song.
Amazing flow with deep content from MC GURU over an unique beat from DJ PREMIER… GANG STARR 4EVER!
Intro
“Knowledge is power, and knowledge can be the difference between life
or death…you should know the truth and the truth shall set you
free.”
Verse 1
I was raised like a Muslim
Prayin’ to the East
Nature of my life relates rhymes I release
like a cannon
Cuz I been plannin’ to be rammin’ what I wrote
straight on a plate down your throat
So digest as I suggest we take a good look
At who’s who while I’m readin’ from my good book
And let’s dig into every nook and every cranny
Set your mind free as I slam these thoughts
And just like a jammy goes pow [FX: Gunshots]
You’re gonna see what I’m sayin’ now
You can’t be sleepin’
cuz things are gettin’ crazy
You better stop being lazy
There’s many people frontin’
And many brothers droppin’
All because of dumb things, let me tell you somethin’
I’ve been through so much that I’m such
a maniac, but I still act out of faith
that we can get the shit together so I break
on fools with no rhymes skills messin’ up the flow
And people with no sense who be movin’ much too slow
And so, you will know the meaning of the Gang Starr
Guru with the mic and Premier raise the anchor
swiftly, as we embark on a journey
I had to get an attorney
I needed someone to defend my position
Decisions I made, cuz now it’s time to get paid
And ladies, these rhymes are like the keys to a dope car
Maybe a Lexus or a Jaguar
Still, all of that is just material
So won’t you dig the scenario
And just imagine if each one is teachin’ one
We’ll come together so that we become
A strong force, then we can stay on course
Find your direction through introspection
And for my people out there I got a question
Can we be the sole controllers of our fate?
Now who’s gonna take the weight?
Verse 2
The weight of the world is heavy on my mind
So as my feelings unwind I find
That some try to be down just cuz it’s trendy
Others fall victim to envy
But I’ll take the road less travelled
So I can see all my hopes and my dreams unravel
Relievin’ your stress, expressin’ my interest
In the situation that you’re facin’
That’s why I’m down with the Nation
Spirituality supports reality
We gotta fight with the right mentality
So we can gain what is rightfully ours
This is the meaning of the chain and the star
Land is power, so gimme forty acres
Let’s see how far I can take ya
Original invincible
That’s how I’m lookin’ at it
I use my rhymes like a Glock automatic
Any means necessary, I’m goin’ all out
Before the rains bring the nuclear fallout
So let me ask you, is it too late?
Ayo, who’s gonna take the weight?
I really would like to share this song with you.
Actually the whole album called “DISTANT RELATIVES” released in 2010 is a great creation. If I compare these 2 guys with other musicians I really used to like… they’re changing as well, but I still like them or even more… they’re true to themself! Great beat, great content and the flow is amazing!
Here we go… check the lyrics too!
HOOK (Sample: MAMADOU & MARIAM, “SABALI”)
Some of the smartest dummies
Can’t read the language of Egyptian Mummies
An’ a fly go a Moon
And can’t find food for the starving tummies
Pay no mind to the Youths
Cause it’s not like the future depends on it
But save the Animals in the Zoo
Cause the Chimpanzee dem a make big money
This is how the media pillages
On the TV the picture is
Savages in villages
And the scientist still can’t explain the pyramids (huh)
Evangelists making a living on the videos of ribs of the little kids
Stereotyping the image of the images
And this is what the image is…
You buy a khaki pants
And all of a sudden you say a Indiana Jones
An’ a thief out gold and thief out the scrolls and even the buried bones
Some of the worst paparazzis I’ve ever seen and I ever known
Put the worst on display so the world can see
And that’s all they will ever show
So the ones in the West
Will never move east
And feel like they could be at home
Dem get tricked by the beast
But a where dem ago flee when the monster is fully-grown?
Solomonic linage whe dem still can’t defeat and them coulda never clone
My spiritual DNA that print in my sould and I will forever OWN (Lord).
HOOK (Sample: MAMADOU & MARIAM, “SABALI”)
VERSE 2 – JR. GONG
(Huh) Are we born not knowing, are we born knowing all?
Are we growing wiser, are we just growing tall?
Can you read thoughts? Can you read palms?
Can you predict the future? Can you see storms… coming?
The Earth was flat if you went too far you would fall off
Now the Earth is round if the shape change again everybody woulda start laugh
The average man can’t prove of most of the things that he chooses to speak of
And still won’t research and find out the root of the truth that you seek of
Scholars teach in Universities and claim that they’re smart and cunning
Tell them find a cure when we sneeze and that’s when their nose start running
And the rich get stitched up, when we get cut
Man a heal dem broken bones in the bush with the wed mud
Can you read Signs? Can you read Stars?
Can you make peace? Can you fight war?
Can you milk cows, even though you drive cars? (Huh)
Can you survive, AGAINST ALL ODDS…Now?
HOOK (Sample: MAMADOU & MARIAM, “SABALI”)
VERSE 3 – NAS
Who wrote the Bible? Who wrote the Quran?
And was it a lightning storm
That gave birth to the earth
And then dinosaurs were born?
Who made up words? Who made up Numbers?
And what kind of spell is mankind under?
Everything on the planet we preserve and can it
Microwave it and try it.
No matter what we’ll survive it.
What’s Hue? What’s Man? What’s Human?
Anything along the land we consumin’.
Eatin’, deletin’… ruin.
Trying to get paper.
Gotta have land, gotta have acres
So I can sit back like Jack Nicholson
Watch niggaz play the game like the Lakers
In a world full of fifty-two fakers,
Gypsies, seances, mystical prayers…
You superstitious? Throw salt over your shoulders
Make a wish for the day ‘Cuz
Like somebody got a doll of me
Stickin’ needles in my arteries
But I can’t feel it
Sometimes it’s like “pardon me, but I got a real big spirit”.
I’m fearless… I’m fearless
Don’t you try and grab hold of my soul
It’s like a military soldier since seven years old
I held real dead bodies in my arms
Felt their body turn cold (Oh)
Why we born in the first place…
If this is how we gotta go?
Damn.
HOOK (Sample: MAMADOU & MARIAM, “SABALI”)
My 2nd dayride in India brought me from the beach in Varkala to Neyyar Dam. The main road back direction Trivandrum was busy. But then I left it inland and enjoyed friendly locals asking “what country?” and telling “welcome to Kerala”.
Passing Mosques…
… Hindu temples…
… and signs of Christianity.
Actually all the time everywhere along the road it’s again a Temple, then a Church, a Mosque… these pictures are just 3 examples. It looks very peaceful, all these religions together and beside each other . Later I got told that reality isn’t alwys that peaceful without tensions. But for me very still amazing.
Here we go. To be honest, I was a little bit nervous because I had no real clue what to expect.
The following text about the Ashram I took from the beautiful book “YOGA IN INDIA” presenting the 24 best places in India to learn Yoga, ISBN 978-3-00-036221-7. The author brings it to the point, I spent 1 months in the Ashram and couldn’t express it better.
***
The Sivananda Ashram, Neyyar Dam (officially Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram) provides a perfect introduction to yoga, and to India, for anyone who is new to one or both. This is a gurukala system, a Hindu practice whereby students and teachers live together, incorporating the spirituality of yoga into everyday life.
Asana classes are based on 12 basic poses. This is an unusual yoga style, but one that is easily learned, allowing rapid access to yoga by newcomers. The variations on the basics are taught after the initial course of study, around the second week with (for example) deeper instruction in the five possible ways to complete a headstand.
Stepping foot onto the ashram means bearing witness to the sight of hundreds of students engaged in asanas on the shore of the almost ridiculously beautiful lake. This is the first and best place to learn the basics of yoga. A series of statues illustrate, and name, the small number of asanas that Sivananda yoga is made up from. No pre-existing yoga knowledge is assumed, so newcomers to yoga will never feel ignorant here.
Every student level is catered for at Sivananda, with the Teacher Training course and the Yoga Vacation being the two most popular courses of the extensive range. This is yoga not only for the devotee, but also for the curious backpacker who is looking for a little tranquility and education on his or her Indian journey.
The founder of the ashram, Swami Vishnu Devananda, set a philosophy in motion that stays true to his guru – and the enduring spiritual force behind the Sivananda ashram, named in his honour – that can be summed up in six words: serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realise.
This way to enlightenment (giving to receive) is an evidence in every part of the ashram life, with all members contributing to the harmonious running of the centre. Days begin early here, with the bell ringing at 5.20am and like most all yoga centres, coffee is strictly forbidden, along with tobacco, drugs and meat. Abstinence of all kinds leads to a fast purification of the body and soul, so be prepared for a deep cleansing of the highest order. This doesn’t mean that the body is ignored – one student, a self-confessed foodie, describes the fare here as being THE best South Indian food she has tasted.
The ashram also has a historical tradition of Ayurveda. The Sivananda Institute of Health (SIH), present on site, has a resident ayurvedic doctor with free consultations, comprehensive treatments and Ayurveda training courses.
The gently restrictive program also extends to the amount of time permissible outside the centre. It is expected (indeed, it is compulsory) for al students of the centre to return to the ashram each night of the course duration, and to seek a pass to leave the grounds on every day of the week except Friday.
Despite this, it should be noted that of all the ashrams in the Top 24, this was the most relaxed and permissive. An ashram is not a holiday resort; it is a holy retreat, and stringent rules about interaction with the outside world are commonplace in Indian yoga centres.
While this may at first chafe at the independent nature of many who journey here, the ashram does not seek to limit the lives of its attendees. Rather, it seeks to redirect the path of independence and discovery to a quieter, deeper, and infinitely richer inner place. Not so much of a sacrifice after all. Also, because of Sivananda’s popularity with Westerners, there is a festive and dynamic feel to this ashram full of travellers, which nicely counterbalances any feeling of being locked down.
About the area
Sivananda Ashram is in Neyyar Dam, in the Western Ghats – the mountain range that stretches almost from Mumbai down the western coast of India. This is a forested region, and the blue of the ountains, along with the huge, cool lake, provide a place of complete serenity from which to escape the turbulence of the outside world. The ashram is completely surrounded by natural beauty, although there are a couple of small conveniences on-site like the health cafe and small shopping centre to ensure a ready supply of creature comforts. Ashram visitors may be surprised to hear the roar of lions on a still evening – luckily, these are not creatures of the wild. The sounds come from the safari park just across the lake.
***
So now you can imagine what I did there. Great experience for me…
… and the food is already a reason to go back!
Most of the time my camera was in the safe keeping…
… here we took a goodbye picture with Alex from Sydney. Alex is 73 years old and startet now with Yoga and Meditation. He has a stiff leg and can’t do a lot of postures, but he can modify them or just did what is possible for him. Great great great, it’s never too late!
View from the men’s dorm
One morning we jumped at 5.15 over the wall and had a walk to the nearby temple to watch the sunrise…
Special thanks to Sandra from Germany and Tom from Canada!
So after the sunrise it’s the sunset: this time we left the Ashram on a free Friday officially…
… without missing dinner! India, China, Japan, Russia, Germany, Austria and Switzerland together! Special thanks to Wendelin for the idea and to Yin taking pictures with my cam. And all others, Tomo, Lukas, Manju, “girl from Russia” and “other Indian”, thanks for the moment!
That’s it. I had a beautiful goodbye from the Ashram and Daniela, who left Switzerland by bicycle, walked in Turkey and had a great time in Iran.
Mysore I’m coming!
It was a short hop from Colombo to Trivandrum. This time I flew business class (I think I got a kind of upgraded because economy was fully booked) and it was no problem to have several pieces of luggage.
After the baggage claim I prepared my bicycle… put the pedals on, turned the handlebar and packed it. Then I went through the customs without problems and all people working there were so friendly – it was a very warm welcome to India. And then I was on the road direction North…
… passing a pink mosque…
… fruit stores…
and arrived in VARKALA. There I had the pleasure to help decorate the christmas tree in Hotel Saraswati.
Before leaving for another room we had to take this picture!
And then Fabe arrived…
… and we spent 4 good days together, cycling Indian style…
… doing yoga on the beach early morning, swimming, enjoying good food and shopping…
… in Varkala Beach. Actually it’s very touristy, but really relaxt and I had to adapt to this rhythm.
But for me it’s not India and not reality. I enjoyed it here and will take the chance to go to Sivananda Ashram in Trivandrum.
http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam/default.htm
I would like to say thank you for reading my blog and wish you merry christmas and a happy new year!
I collected my passport with a 6 months double entry visa. And then I was on the road again with other cyclists…
… passing a nice bicycle shop…
… and meeting road cyclists. Most of these guys are riding a classic Indian bicycle just without mudguards and rack, but with system pedals and wearing cycling clothes. Cool!
Towards the hills…
… to Kitulgala, where I spent the night in a tent (not mine, I wasn’t carrying it) close to the river. Great.
And I had a great breakfast too, coconut rotty with sambol.
In Kitulgala I had a chat with locals…
… and left the main road and followed a secondary road in bad condition…
… through tea plantations…
…to Delhouse. Just 46km, but 1500m uphill through rural area with relaxt locals and almost no traffic. This was my best cycling day in Sri Lanka.
The whole town was preparing for poya day. Full moon when a lot of pilgrims will climb Adam’s peak. It will be very very very busy this time. I was happy to be there before.
We were a good group of travellers from the White House hostel and left at 2.30 am and arrived with a tea break before sunrise.
Here we go…
… women in the temple on the top…
… view with the shadow…
… and our group: Australia, USA, England, Germany and Switzerland!
Great view on the downhill… actually just stairs which was challenging.
Here I had a nap in the afternoon on a stone out in the river. A little bit like Sensee!
Then it rained again, but I was under the roof…
… having a good rice and curry together with Stefan from Germany and the lovely Dutch couple Dynke & Maty.
This guy joined us too!
Brenda asked me for a picture – of course!
I climbed over the mountains direction South… in the morning the weather was good, then I had rain again. I wasn’t surprised.
Back in Colombo I had a nice chat with Christoph Bitschnau from Switzerland.
My second last day I went for a ride with Angel and his road cyclists to Hikkaduwa and back. I had to push and to be honest, I was riding all the time in the wind stream. It is possible with 26×2″ touring tyres, so I was once again really happy how I’ve built up my bicycle, this time especially about my Salsa Woodchipper handlebar.
Thanks to Claire and Angel for staying with you and having good last days in Sri Lanka!
On one hand I really like Sri Lanka. It’s very green, beautiful landscape and mountains with relaxt locals. On the other hand it was too touristy for me. Everybody tries to rip you off and you have to bargain hardly.
Because of wet season I didn’t go to the North and the East… so I didn’t explore Tamil area – capitulation of rain. But it’s okey.
