tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15191772861343608182024-02-19T20:27:03.140+05:30The Swordor is the Pen mightier?Saif Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11944713761911834612noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519177286134360818.post-68334979072927436412022-07-20T12:58:00.000+05:302022-07-20T12:58:37.159+05:30NothingIt started with a search for good midrange phone to gift to my wife (since the phone she had was used as a brick-building exercise by our toddler). I had my eyes on Iphone12 or Google phone 6 for a while and had shortlisted these 2 till i heard of Carl Pei launching Nothing phone this month. A small peek into Carl's wiki will give you an idea that he was the driving force behind ONEPLUS till he left and creating NOTHING. It started my hunt for Nothing phone 1 launch date.<div><br></div><div>Enrolled for the launch and was invited soon for the pre-order launch. Bought it off Flipkart on the launch night (8gb 256gb Black). I did not like the white version as the glyph lights are yellowish in the leaks and hoped that they will contrast better on black (and they do!).</div><div><br></div><div>The delivery was super quick within 24 hours and the unboxing experience was great (only con is no cover/case provided). Had to buy a charger seperately as it is not sold with the phone. The build quality is Iphone sturdy and the weight is unbelievably light and balanced throughout the frame. The UI is the key element and this is what makes the phone standout in terms of stock Android performance. There is absolutely no bloatware and the UI animations are super smooth. I found the glyph lights and sound sync to be gimmicky but it's a developers delight and i see more stuff getting customized to this interface in future updates. The feel of the phone is flagship category. The primary camera is sharp and delivers crisp and contrasty photos (ala Iphone). Portraits are amazing with this sensor. Night mode is a little slow and videos are strictly Ok. The secondary camera has "more than regular" distortion at the edges and is Ok. The macro however is great in daylight. The front camera is good for the price but there is much scope for improvement in future updates. Overall if you are strictly looking for a camera phone with good video nothing can beat Google Phone 6 at 45k, but if you're at this budget you've a good set of cameras with scope for future improvement via software updates. The basic connectivity is good and the looks are an exclusivity (it will stay for few months). Battery life is good at this price point and the superfast charging is a boon. My wife and i aren't too keen on mobile gaming as we have tasted blood on console gaming and aren't going back, so this area is something that we haven't tested Nothing (pun intended).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDr92YPqMTXJpwHWBC_dPD0Efqu_Nfl1VRTzVDnbIZ0NtghEYKDPDfFVK-RX2Ie3TG_fCvOEjTLn6T6S8Se-Ts1g1LxwtgcVhKpL4wNNx-wIY4eazw1tjM-Kz7YlZaSQuF_h4IxfFHtA/s1600/1658302110861777-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDr92YPqMTXJpwHWBC_dPD0Efqu_Nfl1VRTzVDnbIZ0NtghEYKDPDfFVK-RX2Ie3TG_fCvOEjTLn6T6S8Se-Ts1g1LxwtgcVhKpL4wNNx-wIY4eazw1tjM-Kz7YlZaSQuF_h4IxfFHtA/s1600/1658302110861777-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUNjn7N20KKeVNVpXsPLuIitLm0wlPxQTkgs-0zD3VocTA9qtvP2u71m-O1VN4r2ADA9xR0wtkt0Cf2HMDiY5GARCcHSdx5x7iEvFHkGJgO8KWkXGDGaQ3_ptrH8ggCWlNlSZhuuLlec/s1600/1658302094294228-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUNjn7N20KKeVNVpXsPLuIitLm0wlPxQTkgs-0zD3VocTA9qtvP2u71m-O1VN4r2ADA9xR0wtkt0Cf2HMDiY5GARCcHSdx5x7iEvFHkGJgO8KWkXGDGaQ3_ptrH8ggCWlNlSZhuuLlec/s1600/1658302094294228-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Overall if you're looking for a jack of all trades phone at this price point just go for Nothing phone 1. I might even say that this phone with right set of updates can be "Apple of Androids" </div>Saif Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11944713761911834612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519177286134360818.post-75636848491133111132019-07-21T23:11:00.002+05:302020-07-08T18:50:58.777+05:30Trip of a lifetime!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ORkNsqH5aD9usptSCO6VwlQj2Hi68qDIX1NYZhIAlA-jR2WlgRR73ioBfE4DjsBVPtVgDFnJw98C3cAbrhIK1SjJKVYhBFhgEQlBNBzjsfiHL490uxH66P3jaQw-YAilTWKO1wI9lxc/s1600/IMG_20190801_222902-01i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ORkNsqH5aD9usptSCO6VwlQj2Hi68qDIX1NYZhIAlA-jR2WlgRR73ioBfE4DjsBVPtVgDFnJw98C3cAbrhIK1SjJKVYhBFhgEQlBNBzjsfiHL490uxH66P3jaQw-YAilTWKO1wI9lxc/s320/IMG_20190801_222902-01i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It all started with a discussion with wifey (Farheen) to go for a trip where there is disconnect from the daily routine. Since our trip-mates (Amitav-Priyanka) were looking for a relaxing trip too, suggestions started coming in for various destinations like Rajasthan (Ranthambore), Sikkim Etc. I knew i wanted to go where we could explore the destination ourselves and i wanted it to be an adventurous trip (since none of us are getting any younger!). I suggested Ladakh (why not!) and the idea was a hit as none of us had been to Ladakh (and all of us had planned to go there at least once in our lifetime). The planning (or the lack of it) started, tickets were booked in a hurry (the rates were going up by the minute) and everything that could keep us warm and safe was being hunted and purchased. It is always great to have an itinerary planned in advance and we had multiple inputs from people (believe me, after doing Ladakh you will know that any amount of expert advice cannot prepare you for Ladakh. It is an adventure to create and own, which will be highlighted in later part of this blog). Half-way into our planning Priyanka realized that they have a contact in Leh who plans itineraries for Leh-Ladakh. The name is Apte...Ajit Apte (better known as 'Leh waale Kakaji'). He owns Hotel Khandungla View in Leh <a href="http://www.khardunglaview.com/">http://www.khardunglaview.com/</a> and is your go-to person for anything regarding a Leh-Ladakh Trip. A genuine guy with loads of experience to share and great conversational skills.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6i7J7m7x4uDux-52ki2SeZfsLuwyZQQaj95DT8qpLMcQdhKUWAdxm_MDyoq0NKEdP7a4Bl-_-CJdNrSGLiaakmLfc0il54ZYjrc4rMifCwybds-OkKw1YPNpn__FoprlZbZNMQmBa_0/s1600/P1170135i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6i7J7m7x4uDux-52ki2SeZfsLuwyZQQaj95DT8qpLMcQdhKUWAdxm_MDyoq0NKEdP7a4Bl-_-CJdNrSGLiaakmLfc0il54ZYjrc4rMifCwybds-OkKw1YPNpn__FoprlZbZNMQmBa_0/s320/P1170135i.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH78mJfhIT1gMYjTaasF8RAP_T1kZyUw-tLeUXF-2sDfHaP3CdRBxJblsqzkRIaQEQAjkoo4cgupFjO_P5ndrRYXpZR1-9c1Cdt7zaNNWFHoNBwIcUQuKxkkcV6TaL-9wP9cJcS_Nb-o/s1600/P1170134i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH78mJfhIT1gMYjTaasF8RAP_T1kZyUw-tLeUXF-2sDfHaP3CdRBxJblsqzkRIaQEQAjkoo4cgupFjO_P5ndrRYXpZR1-9c1Cdt7zaNNWFHoNBwIcUQuKxkkcV6TaL-9wP9cJcS_Nb-o/s320/P1170134i.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Day arrived (7th July) and we were all excited and nervous (since we'd seen a lot of videos about AMS/Dangerous roads/etc.) Since it was relatively cheaper we bought a transit flight (Mum-Delhi-Leh). Needless to say, everything went smooth except the Delhi transit (the delhi airport authorities always try their best to ruin your day). Even before we reached Leh the flight was extremely satisfying and the views were mesmerizing. You get a feeling of money well spent (<b>TIP</b>: Take an early morning flight to Leh with left side window seats between rows 7 to 10 for a great view)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpfubkKYjjvmYsulf2bhDkycm-gykoyt6n4z7tn-5fNmVrYcdfddpVJG2hTQDzEVBo8gv6H4JsVAa3T1VxeRmCfK69PQ31nXTJmcofk8lkPQTxMNrk1p0HGl5jesW_Dl3fUNLtl-DaI8/s1600/20190708_052445i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpfubkKYjjvmYsulf2bhDkycm-gykoyt6n4z7tn-5fNmVrYcdfddpVJG2hTQDzEVBo8gv6H4JsVAa3T1VxeRmCfK69PQ31nXTJmcofk8lkPQTxMNrk1p0HGl5jesW_Dl3fUNLtl-DaI8/s320/20190708_052445i.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-EwFFvQbRju5YZULw6pNgAvlLkKtv05XnrmtJuWkzj8T8h-p6b_sHZXQTHuj1oIbPpQaHrZ3bikr82Cqpl_fhsEFWgJ8GHOhHgWcjIz3V-unS3IuTkJcSXW8i8ojek_WWp9lRgDd8Z0/s1600/20190708_055914i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-EwFFvQbRju5YZULw6pNgAvlLkKtv05XnrmtJuWkzj8T8h-p6b_sHZXQTHuj1oIbPpQaHrZ3bikr82Cqpl_fhsEFWgJ8GHOhHgWcjIz3V-unS3IuTkJcSXW8i8ojek_WWp9lRgDd8Z0/s320/20190708_055914i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgWn5el1S1xASMpZ-wZOqfqKtIIwYyCl6FRKj7XdRgw0WSp8P5ZkwrRpr-oxR_r6KyFMjlQlrXJmxQ9a7s_ue780KKUigMPGQqNVSrcka3rCnx8IslMka_dlFX605sZnTeXptQoQCJIg/s1600/20190708_060051i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgWn5el1S1xASMpZ-wZOqfqKtIIwYyCl6FRKj7XdRgw0WSp8P5ZkwrRpr-oxR_r6KyFMjlQlrXJmxQ9a7s_ue780KKUigMPGQqNVSrcka3rCnx8IslMka_dlFX605sZnTeXptQoQCJIg/s320/20190708_060051i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqAYyO8qdDwLnUQBpU4GeZxshiKFVMUgIVu_tF4FEVpV_KRsxBIoXcTIiI_frIwqyZBTyhLzV9LdcGaFo2OZ8mD-32CB51YFvG2HxpCWlaqfZZAa6LeC5TFMdagjOAyJyJ8iraw2QYkw/s1600/20190708_060929i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqAYyO8qdDwLnUQBpU4GeZxshiKFVMUgIVu_tF4FEVpV_KRsxBIoXcTIiI_frIwqyZBTyhLzV9LdcGaFo2OZ8mD-32CB51YFvG2HxpCWlaqfZZAa6LeC5TFMdagjOAyJyJ8iraw2QYkw/s320/20190708_060929i.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's a day-wise itinerary of our trip. None of it went as planned, but than whats the adventure in a planned trip!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>8th July</b> - We landed at Leh (KBR Airport). As soon as you disembark the flight, the weather and smell of freshness all around is the first thing that will overwhelm you. It may be the smallest airport i've seen but with far better co-ordination and welcoming attitude of the locals, it felt like you're always welcome. Also this was the first time, we experienced power outage in an airport. Cautiously (with AMS at the back our mind) we proceeded to our location 'Hotel Rezang-La' <a href="https://bit.ly/30My4nc">https://bit.ly/30My4nc</a> in a Maruti Eeco as arranged by Mr. Apte. Hotel Rezang-La is a beautiful place (15 minutes from main market. This place is well-maintained with a beautiful lawn, garden and has one of the best cooked food in Leh. Since we didn't sleep due to our transit flight, we had our breakfast and went to sleep quick (<b>TIP</b>: Always rest the first day in Leh even if you feel relaxed, as you never know when AMS will hit you. It hit Farheen the very first day and than later Myself and Amitav on 3rd day at Khardungla-Top). Evening was spent with a casual stroll in the alleys of Leh and on the terrace shooting time-lapses and great landscapes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodaxnHTAy4dwVlsSvVHayOA4SHEWA9Vfyaj6lbnMXaShROlnnrgi_fL5enp47XlYedfUoPhyWM_4fM2dENH5Z1CCfIJiI-P7a9vMoJddZ0OwLT7qhF1O8vfqJ3O0DeX8Yh2ykXjCz06c/s1600/20190708_074929i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodaxnHTAy4dwVlsSvVHayOA4SHEWA9Vfyaj6lbnMXaShROlnnrgi_fL5enp47XlYedfUoPhyWM_4fM2dENH5Z1CCfIJiI-P7a9vMoJddZ0OwLT7qhF1O8vfqJ3O0DeX8Yh2ykXjCz06c/s320/20190708_074929i.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8RjL0TkuTaPRMUTlg4FqCeGyGOBrNSgIw8_h-34c4fSmpI13PJDgCzD4ugqM01B0XGX4pu7nStwmA-Cicz6dyq1NrUFhE0E5TB2IaE5ENrCecuVbCs84XJZBR3fnK7mi7bQd6E1smbI/s1600/20190708_143855i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8RjL0TkuTaPRMUTlg4FqCeGyGOBrNSgIw8_h-34c4fSmpI13PJDgCzD4ugqM01B0XGX4pu7nStwmA-Cicz6dyq1NrUFhE0E5TB2IaE5ENrCecuVbCs84XJZBR3fnK7mi7bQd6E1smbI/s320/20190708_143855i.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXOsldVuyyq0B0_KFn0oL15gHc2xT1Hs9GHefvLFB-Jep9jGgRB99iZ4yLe1FRFOYiUxjNXGesPyb8IkYjYot54dPBUqKNYuhQvuSTjCtLnpTIv8Z0tu6Ztr8wQy20UJlw2ItWdRFNQ4/s1600/20190708_144636i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXOsldVuyyq0B0_KFn0oL15gHc2xT1Hs9GHefvLFB-Jep9jGgRB99iZ4yLe1FRFOYiUxjNXGesPyb8IkYjYot54dPBUqKNYuhQvuSTjCtLnpTIv8Z0tu6Ztr8wQy20UJlw2ItWdRFNQ4/s320/20190708_144636i.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRG2vesSkbJr24eaC9u2jqTQaVnLnNykwb9fbvTol3BQmrUG0S64RKIkPPd3ZxTyqLlB22R5NRYDCzjTtUe6-dGVt7f9gIsyiCL4_NVrGWq58KhIXMsjrYMRPhWI1h2C5ZuaYEmC2pDs/s1600/P1170110i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRG2vesSkbJr24eaC9u2jqTQaVnLnNykwb9fbvTol3BQmrUG0S64RKIkPPd3ZxTyqLlB22R5NRYDCzjTtUe6-dGVt7f9gIsyiCL4_NVrGWq58KhIXMsjrYMRPhWI1h2C5ZuaYEmC2pDs/s320/P1170110i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmnywLg24_wsfiQMxfiIdb7t0U5-93HgLp7O8kNSQwphqWAzgKmck63A5Gw-GRQNBcfEYXa2WN0qY0HBxse2RGIcOd5k69J7GlRjjxBf4RbvZ6FjG3S9bxWHe1Fbj8UBgcqqfg3Xvl8U/s1600/20190708_150141i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmnywLg24_wsfiQMxfiIdb7t0U5-93HgLp7O8kNSQwphqWAzgKmck63A5Gw-GRQNBcfEYXa2WN0qY0HBxse2RGIcOd5k69J7GlRjjxBf4RbvZ6FjG3S9bxWHe1Fbj8UBgcqqfg3Xvl8U/s320/20190708_150141i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAxNdwxxtgpzbIiA8NwbsTZRiPKwh_41jbeq0wg_vuMwuiRB2iLvw0HWTGrVSfqZ_gHW1LyprvXbRpNkJK_vmgS5WwvkJ7pPpYVebKxNxau39SKDy6bEVPg0vIYgq7PKdnc_oGE3qiGE/s1600/IMG_20190709_084740i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAxNdwxxtgpzbIiA8NwbsTZRiPKwh_41jbeq0wg_vuMwuiRB2iLvw0HWTGrVSfqZ_gHW1LyprvXbRpNkJK_vmgS5WwvkJ7pPpYVebKxNxau39SKDy6bEVPg0vIYgq7PKdnc_oGE3qiGE/s320/IMG_20190709_084740i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>9th July -</b> A quick call back home Mumbai made us realize we were very lucky as there were flights getting canceled due to heavy rains in Mumbai. The weather in Leh was bright and sunny. This was our bike-test day with local sight-seeing (we'll be using these bikes for the rest of our trip). We had 2 RE Classic 350's (with Ladakh carriers) waiting for us to start our trip. The plan for the day was Leh Palace, Thiksey & Hemis monasteries. The roads were beautiful throughout (special thanks to Border Roads Organization) and we spent some quality time riding for these places. (<b>TIP:</b> These places have lots of stairs/slopes, so be hydrated and if you start feeling breathless, stop, relax & breathe from your nose. Those Oxy/liv cans don't do anything, so don't stuff your luggage with them. Our organizer had arranged a proper Oxygen cylinder with mask on 1 of our bike carriers, which helped us a lot). We came back evening feeling excited for our looong trip to Turtuk the next day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDr7yPKoOVyvlz-cIlboieN9DcvYdqHpm7sPyqGNsLAQzCCKUfdlOI40_AC6T7k6-009v2AZSbxa6B2V-Eqjpa6Z1KGmmvnJoEzjQ0H-SnOn8R9r8PQwKYX6sjsDH2w257WWn6o3Vj-k/s1600/20190709_104546i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDr7yPKoOVyvlz-cIlboieN9DcvYdqHpm7sPyqGNsLAQzCCKUfdlOI40_AC6T7k6-009v2AZSbxa6B2V-Eqjpa6Z1KGmmvnJoEzjQ0H-SnOn8R9r8PQwKYX6sjsDH2w257WWn6o3Vj-k/s320/20190709_104546i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFd2pdMrtPSP24QTK6Ed8bwD3hopUdRj80SDwUNuyD0JiMBsI1y15M5YIZBeayYtiC-J7FAzZd0IyUdobrojdM5CYwYyY8ah4KfTY-spskG4zhiCeKe_EYkrUtfFA7LiMEuThg2TdyMhY/s1600/IMG_1344i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFd2pdMrtPSP24QTK6Ed8bwD3hopUdRj80SDwUNuyD0JiMBsI1y15M5YIZBeayYtiC-J7FAzZd0IyUdobrojdM5CYwYyY8ah4KfTY-spskG4zhiCeKe_EYkrUtfFA7LiMEuThg2TdyMhY/s320/IMG_1344i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMq4mJJjr5aRg-N_EN59iaBluMX36IaKcwiq-IozW4ndpl4GsvqU6rt9zdDzFk6MBXcPqBRSdlp1EJvbnwZoY64DXexjrzQHdPLXyvwQ7VTNgPnB1LX-LrVcdyASpm2_wwc99-KU5sVI/s1600/20190709_122923i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMq4mJJjr5aRg-N_EN59iaBluMX36IaKcwiq-IozW4ndpl4GsvqU6rt9zdDzFk6MBXcPqBRSdlp1EJvbnwZoY64DXexjrzQHdPLXyvwQ7VTNgPnB1LX-LrVcdyASpm2_wwc99-KU5sVI/s320/20190709_122923i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywyuJt6_nTtza5czu5mKzVyXPu7r4tnD4eb5fWlE_2ojNLZiFe7fAJHz5DeHk1Wuil4h_LkAdKhaplxhu779-H3Oaext4deeT2HsnLK1hp_IUAtDT9r07KZXKopTwdaHfQhHg-LyhJ7I/s1600/20190709_124524i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywyuJt6_nTtza5czu5mKzVyXPu7r4tnD4eb5fWlE_2ojNLZiFe7fAJHz5DeHk1Wuil4h_LkAdKhaplxhu779-H3Oaext4deeT2HsnLK1hp_IUAtDT9r07KZXKopTwdaHfQhHg-LyhJ7I/s320/20190709_124524i.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc99CicXkB5zU8CBppQ3rJ6RCEH6U5Vo4cJB0NI5dxZADYfXAwCLtJzhgaAaOPWTMWmRR0IvFr-7NbynDd6e9jrZquSEjNYo5c38n_klsUdDcO7i09aOo9afQb6-EtRX_SiGwnoTEanxg/s1600/20190709_135323i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc99CicXkB5zU8CBppQ3rJ6RCEH6U5Vo4cJB0NI5dxZADYfXAwCLtJzhgaAaOPWTMWmRR0IvFr-7NbynDd6e9jrZquSEjNYo5c38n_klsUdDcO7i09aOo9afQb6-EtRX_SiGwnoTEanxg/s320/20190709_135323i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p1siEYg4yHRLL5fanI5vBp3WfDXaSP_8KF3UbCu0olbBuguhjI80nTPaOxr86lSCE6BwJwbqbgrdpENQ7VMOfjqAhJi41h_Q_GLT3C6brYRpGhN1FOQZp1AIySvdwSgnPO135ubbvXA/s1600/IMG_20190709_134934i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p1siEYg4yHRLL5fanI5vBp3WfDXaSP_8KF3UbCu0olbBuguhjI80nTPaOxr86lSCE6BwJwbqbgrdpENQ7VMOfjqAhJi41h_Q_GLT3C6brYRpGhN1FOQZp1AIySvdwSgnPO135ubbvXA/s320/IMG_20190709_134934i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>10th July - </b>This was the official start of the trip and we had to do 200+kms from Leh-Turtuk (including Khardung-La). Since we were over-excited we slept late and started late @10:30 am (a big mistake for any bike travel in Ladakh is starting after 9am, since ice starts melting rapidly after noon and than you've bigger/stronger streams to cross). Our todays itinerary was Leh-NorthPullu-KhardungLa-Khalsar-Diskit-Kharu-Bogdang-Turtuk which is easily doable in 8 hours with breaks. I was hit hard by AMS at KhardungLa-Top but the excitement and some oxygen kept us all going on. After some photo & oxygen sessions, we left for our destination feeling proud to have done one of the highest motorable roads in the world. Considering the amount of melting-ice and land-slides BRO does an amazing job of keeping the roads decent enough to ride. What we were amazed to see was some cyclists scaling Khardung-La. We had some stop-overs for Yak spotting, restrooms and Thukpa. We reached Diskit for a petrol refill at 6:30pm which made us worry as it starts getting dark after 8pm and we could see some bad weather in front of us with 100kms still to go. We encountered some strong winds with rain and dust storm near Yagulung which reduced our average speed further. The scenes were reminiscent of 'Caradhras' from LOTR. After crossing Bogdang, we encountered a gypsy coming from Turtuk who informed us that few kms ahead there is a big water crossing which could make it impossible to cross with our bikes. He was not wrong. We encountered this raging monster around Chalunkatang and somehow made it on the other end of the stream with no road lights and half-drenched with freezing water (and no mobile network). With Adrenaline pumping we marched ahead to reach our destination at <a href="http://www.ashoorguesthouseturtuk.com/">http://www.ashoorguesthouseturtuk.com/</a> which is by-far the best place to stay in this small and beautiful village. Mr. Abdul Rehman greeted us with warm tea and we took our drenched luggage and selves to dry. (<b>TIP:</b> All remote villages in J&K do not have electricity & most of the day, so keep your power-banks and cameras charged for the next day. Any mobile network you receive will be BSNL or Airtel but very patchy, so keep your relatives informed prior). After settling down, we received the bad news of India's loss to NZ in WorldCup, so this was the topic for the rest of the night with servings of delicious Paneer Makhani (hands down one of the best I've ever had). Strangely, being a Muslim dominated small population, no one in Turtuk ate non vegetarian (even at weddings). The proximity of guest house to Shyok valley (the sound) makes you sleep peacefully through the night....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3g0Hw00pArEgIEjXvQj9VPrpZt67DuARBuNumE05DPq3psP9JFLKulKB42lAzg5kc7bTeILeMBxyRaHOg25SvJ9jnrtRSXGpbfOV787sDjv0A6cqRhI4v4gy4JbikGJ4DFqpcPbL7-8/s1600/20190710_112459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3g0Hw00pArEgIEjXvQj9VPrpZt67DuARBuNumE05DPq3psP9JFLKulKB42lAzg5kc7bTeILeMBxyRaHOg25SvJ9jnrtRSXGpbfOV787sDjv0A6cqRhI4v4gy4JbikGJ4DFqpcPbL7-8/s320/20190710_112459.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-w0JPcPQXjfIDpOvpgtI0LN_HJMl-FuZlK3Y9CSzWmafhkDSott712MfozzXi6Ug6ZSPBiRqvSGjcvF3COjgVzBejnnk-OZWeujZJ3Em3DZMTuIwRcbqiJIPesiM_N6gw5Z5E3OxybO8/s1600/P1170151i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-w0JPcPQXjfIDpOvpgtI0LN_HJMl-FuZlK3Y9CSzWmafhkDSott712MfozzXi6Ug6ZSPBiRqvSGjcvF3COjgVzBejnnk-OZWeujZJ3Em3DZMTuIwRcbqiJIPesiM_N6gw5Z5E3OxybO8/s320/P1170151i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrdFzM-BWKpuCH5Dmnp7gp7TP0Gzl4ue-8GzoFl_TQ-2wSdRjlOvJTzNg2-E4laUUiw3UTCPa3ZZzmJWv6IHHdulDOiSL5JrdNUJwmbCGv4cFuvSsnJSZ0BGrDRxM1zOPUDsHsHaTeFc/s1600/IMG_1387i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrdFzM-BWKpuCH5Dmnp7gp7TP0Gzl4ue-8GzoFl_TQ-2wSdRjlOvJTzNg2-E4laUUiw3UTCPa3ZZzmJWv6IHHdulDOiSL5JrdNUJwmbCGv4cFuvSsnJSZ0BGrDRxM1zOPUDsHsHaTeFc/s320/IMG_1387i.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN5tHz100Je1lsHmysPdNpmPofiWXp-4rbDap-5qzQqjNY3DnQLrpuRUp5pqogiSKNOVQ8cgt3fJ9V7kF-Xxx1nE883veTdBxHwu5BAU_8ku7cnQ2-tdq4S6N-KO1nZNHf5hnDpM-l5w/s1600/G0170385i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN5tHz100Je1lsHmysPdNpmPofiWXp-4rbDap-5qzQqjNY3DnQLrpuRUp5pqogiSKNOVQ8cgt3fJ9V7kF-Xxx1nE883veTdBxHwu5BAU_8ku7cnQ2-tdq4S6N-KO1nZNHf5hnDpM-l5w/s320/G0170385i.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6RYlOqVNeWEfF7FXHwVlC21rxwKxSCvsjDlp9adPrfPX3UgLPeMYGCyQcqCKw9PPYnvY3CrrPO-TWxnKQ9FlJFOEoeAxgDQnaEq7mol1tiviPLXM8SecvLxLtTvXuttbOxeQgbYlwa4/s1600/IMG_20190710_131723i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6RYlOqVNeWEfF7FXHwVlC21rxwKxSCvsjDlp9adPrfPX3UgLPeMYGCyQcqCKw9PPYnvY3CrrPO-TWxnKQ9FlJFOEoeAxgDQnaEq7mol1tiviPLXM8SecvLxLtTvXuttbOxeQgbYlwa4/s320/IMG_20190710_131723i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHplK_jVEp8DznkavVJvVdspo0FNbPbUaTwK8xwn-34mPPfXuW4BTtudM93J_F8fG7RMCl9bX2v6_gkc2WgXOc_5Kl4OlSSYZVQ3Ce4m6j7GuBFMqyNzbBkuXgczD98d-rwp9k6KJL8U/s1600/IMG_1453i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHplK_jVEp8DznkavVJvVdspo0FNbPbUaTwK8xwn-34mPPfXuW4BTtudM93J_F8fG7RMCl9bX2v6_gkc2WgXOc_5Kl4OlSSYZVQ3Ce4m6j7GuBFMqyNzbBkuXgczD98d-rwp9k6KJL8U/s320/IMG_1453i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzb2po42_09H9vFjnz_DDAZULVZtUOy6VQ5AhrXItJy3A-qDqLgDWJT6rVXkNjZTg26sHKYZzAL758x2NtASPLo4Z_6qz7bM7gaE6jst5cMsvpxib-06IwjL8i3BS93sH2UZO2t098yQ/s1600/20190710_203029i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzb2po42_09H9vFjnz_DDAZULVZtUOy6VQ5AhrXItJy3A-qDqLgDWJT6rVXkNjZTg26sHKYZzAL758x2NtASPLo4Z_6qz7bM7gaE6jst5cMsvpxib-06IwjL8i3BS93sH2UZO2t098yQ/s320/20190710_203029i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>11th July - </b>.... only to wake up and realize that we could see POK Karakoram ranges out of our window and we were hardly 5 hours away each from Pakistan, Afghanistan & China. We met Mr. Ghulam who was to be our advisor for the rest of the day. We left our hotel at 9am and had a beautiful walking tour of the village on foot (as there are no roads inside Turtuk village to demote commercialization). For the entire tour (read trek) of around 4-5 hours we never felt tired, there were numerous natural water outlets which felt fresher than Evian (Mr. Kohli hope you're reading this). Pink cheek children's & old (young at heart) were excited to have their pictures taken. After long GoPro & Photography sessions, we came back to the guest house at 2pm for a lovely lunch and head-out to see the last stop on India-Pakistan border to view LOC & PAK posts. The road (or not) to Thang is purposefully rocky to keep tourists away. The army gives us good guidance of what lies ahead and there are some pre-defined spots marked which can be viewed using binoculars. The place gives you a sense of pride and you can constantly feel that Pakistan army is watching you from the top. After taking lots of beautiful memories from Turtuk we thanked Mr. Ghulam and Mr. Abdul for making our stay pleasant and memorable. We left Turtuk with a big smile and our next destination for Diskit. We made it to Hunder Sand Dunes by 5pm where wifey wanted to experience double-humped back camel ride. After the camel safari, we were all tired and went to Diskit after a petrol refill where we had our stay at <a href="http://www.hotellhasthangnubra.com/">http://www.hotellhasthangnubra.com/</a>. This place has a beautiful view of Shyok River & Diskit Gompa, has electricity 24x7, is the first place where we had fast wi-fi (only at reception area). This was the turning point of the trip as we had a plan of Pangong the next day, but the shortcut from Diskit to Pangong had 2 overflowing streams due to which the roads were closed. A discussion over dinner led us to a decision that we would postpone Pangong a day and do Khardung-La to Leh to get our bikes serviced (as my friends bike started giving problems). After a nice dinner and major Wi-fi calling we went back to our rooms to enjoy a good nights sleep. P.S. - My Gore-tex shoes still didn't dry from 10th Night.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpoTWu976SbLjoy-NUVkqjOlc8enVntngQDSLxT1Q_MYaHrIy0kdtmZwhQBwPjWMb1Z2E9pjaiDf-fsL2f5YZOYf2cLrObBGdY3FITOAqKAGmWNZlwvYGiVqG54PurTsdgdY0FwFJhA0/s1600/20190711_094839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpoTWu976SbLjoy-NUVkqjOlc8enVntngQDSLxT1Q_MYaHrIy0kdtmZwhQBwPjWMb1Z2E9pjaiDf-fsL2f5YZOYf2cLrObBGdY3FITOAqKAGmWNZlwvYGiVqG54PurTsdgdY0FwFJhA0/s320/20190711_094839.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFhosSzEyFH54bAY7nxNyPxZ8Gq1_FXU1hB1MsIqmb5kEm-cZb9FcZ9tzv68lXHZRu3KHrrykjP_Q4sLHoZOKjML_daa9CxnjbzxNzwB5LjCRmowQLcmwAo1Xl_JIrhU6WLKcGBiG0cQ/s1600/GOPR0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFhosSzEyFH54bAY7nxNyPxZ8Gq1_FXU1hB1MsIqmb5kEm-cZb9FcZ9tzv68lXHZRu3KHrrykjP_Q4sLHoZOKjML_daa9CxnjbzxNzwB5LjCRmowQLcmwAo1Xl_JIrhU6WLKcGBiG0cQ/s320/GOPR0421.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlRM4h0Hn7y0hGgtlbdmcwyMJNtqKp4_YeDeT4Czsz4DwyJOj6aUbBVWQOZzKVrOaHzq6UgUOw2g-FbAyxnLInSTq3aW-D_nIO57S12usmq2_oSJ_3T2SwcDr_sjNZ5icNiQhdSqOmD8/s1600/20190711_102941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlRM4h0Hn7y0hGgtlbdmcwyMJNtqKp4_YeDeT4Czsz4DwyJOj6aUbBVWQOZzKVrOaHzq6UgUOw2g-FbAyxnLInSTq3aW-D_nIO57S12usmq2_oSJ_3T2SwcDr_sjNZ5icNiQhdSqOmD8/s320/20190711_102941.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGHE0ynrU8HFk33huBQFPisyqukyIdFdaGKXNRKL6KHJEW9dd6cr8fs6YV3mhwxh0dhS7rvA0EW1Z6Yn_FMMcenNlGOq7x22VyIhus_Ur3UyyCyTFD9d7-HSvdFM4LfpoL9MuwD8B6d8/s1600/20190711_140310i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1600" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGHE0ynrU8HFk33huBQFPisyqukyIdFdaGKXNRKL6KHJEW9dd6cr8fs6YV3mhwxh0dhS7rvA0EW1Z6Yn_FMMcenNlGOq7x22VyIhus_Ur3UyyCyTFD9d7-HSvdFM4LfpoL9MuwD8B6d8/s320/20190711_140310i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZr8B8VhqzbH6iU5QjcAeGatJ_XaIP6D0XnGqSFKo7kraauBmPTDQ97-Goawoa8QzFLJFrCUUz63SaVGCyKoDCtNOdku07JcB7dEo7ai9le4ZeD9z7ej4_oLdI6vqtBN_BmLI3fgIXBM/s1600/20190711_140717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZr8B8VhqzbH6iU5QjcAeGatJ_XaIP6D0XnGqSFKo7kraauBmPTDQ97-Goawoa8QzFLJFrCUUz63SaVGCyKoDCtNOdku07JcB7dEo7ai9le4ZeD9z7ej4_oLdI6vqtBN_BmLI3fgIXBM/s320/20190711_140717.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNWsnia3hCDRs5s3-Br9McZ2u2DXIDbUP93ni9r09ul47vOOQPgV-PjHKAgwt_He9B3OyjY7SS0edlODB8QOEyyuXCRWOyyBIjn3Kq-MhuDmckEMDhQ8jZ-YmU26J9qH8SNkoK2-i3B8/s1600/GOPR0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNWsnia3hCDRs5s3-Br9McZ2u2DXIDbUP93ni9r09ul47vOOQPgV-PjHKAgwt_He9B3OyjY7SS0edlODB8QOEyyuXCRWOyyBIjn3Kq-MhuDmckEMDhQ8jZ-YmU26J9qH8SNkoK2-i3B8/s320/GOPR0455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7O-fckud27lVxkx-JTN_OUM29nravbOKd_HooBZvXmOD569f0ezAXLzv5bj5WjfEfzo-lbZZ3tDMn63C_n9Et_DpcKIOawpjhqPtZIMkc38wdasXf_BV_HD_ppNRGGGh5wv7_IohM8Q/s1600/IMG_2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7O-fckud27lVxkx-JTN_OUM29nravbOKd_HooBZvXmOD569f0ezAXLzv5bj5WjfEfzo-lbZZ3tDMn63C_n9Et_DpcKIOawpjhqPtZIMkc38wdasXf_BV_HD_ppNRGGGh5wv7_IohM8Q/s320/IMG_2081.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TLfQImjrRmQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TLfQImjrRmQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<b>12th July - </b>This became our buffer-day (<b>TIP</b>: Its very important to have a buffer day in your itinerary specially if you're using rental bikes). We went back the same Diskit-KhardungLa-Leh route and were proud to do KhardungLa twice within 2 days. After a photography session at K-top i wrapped us fast to descend due to less oxygen (read AMS). While descending it started snowing than raining than harsh sunlight in a matter of 20 minutes. Once i reached near North Pullu post, i couldn't see my friends bike, so thought of waiting for a while. After waiting for 5 minutes, we decided to go back but as soon as we turned we saw our friends coming back. They had a puncture and were helped by passer-by backup vehicle. We than reached Leh and were now staying at Mr. Apte's http://www.khardunglaview.com/. We spent the rest of day relaxing and having a great lunch at Tiffins on SkaraRd. The rest of evening was spent explaining http://www.goldeneagleexpedition.com/ the issues with the bike. We rested for the night for leaving to Pangong via ChangLa early the next day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xG14YsVkO3L66xcVWdKOcPa-1OjmoAFQZBb5960JAqIMfbWuOR7Y8FNyf0xJS2vMhr_8rNxXUST9xRw_JThWDajZQO6qFOWKmN-09UrUdWPY2i6k2Jf3XyON8WoJ9nM6kTsXpv6nsTA/s1600/20190712_120707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xG14YsVkO3L66xcVWdKOcPa-1OjmoAFQZBb5960JAqIMfbWuOR7Y8FNyf0xJS2vMhr_8rNxXUST9xRw_JThWDajZQO6qFOWKmN-09UrUdWPY2i6k2Jf3XyON8WoJ9nM6kTsXpv6nsTA/s320/20190712_120707.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn21jl4HnsnMIEG_AgxtnCLI9Hb63H1tYi5UVFhEoRyzVh5ooTCnLctTcwsqKh1iwPsrl9BzcRd1_bmx3GnoD-QmGSoKK_nnlfi3DdhAwiOfY0hxfUVjVMh792PXp16p7b3r5rQQedzv8/s1600/20190708_070916i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn21jl4HnsnMIEG_AgxtnCLI9Hb63H1tYi5UVFhEoRyzVh5ooTCnLctTcwsqKh1iwPsrl9BzcRd1_bmx3GnoD-QmGSoKK_nnlfi3DdhAwiOfY0hxfUVjVMh792PXp16p7b3r5rQQedzv8/s320/20190708_070916i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3xibR1clQiFU2UAA3yP1XXNj38oTXyRAbC2SUMlI8uoU-2LpEynXR9TgejDchAL5fFhVENSaN9RGrObV-UStuH9mqhTrROu2k2FnpeF9CNkwVmxp7R_2YBshklx6RChoYgJiUh3BH_c/s1600/20190710_161219i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3xibR1clQiFU2UAA3yP1XXNj38oTXyRAbC2SUMlI8uoU-2LpEynXR9TgejDchAL5fFhVENSaN9RGrObV-UStuH9mqhTrROu2k2FnpeF9CNkwVmxp7R_2YBshklx6RChoYgJiUh3BH_c/s320/20190710_161219i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>13th July - </b>This was the most taxing day of the trip. We left early at 9am for Leh-Karu-Sakti-Zingral-Tangtse-Lukung/Pangong which is 220+ kms. G.E.E. ruined this ride by servicing the bikes extremely badly, we could hardly climb anything with pillion. Our pillions were tired of getting down at places and climbing on foot. The road (or lack of it) from after Chang La pass till Tsoltak was so bad that after riding it you can do <span class="st">Yungas Road in Bolivia with your eyes closed. My friends bike got punctured (again) and we lost some time due to this. On the way we encountered some wild horses which was a high point. Eventually we reached Pangong Lake and our first reaction was 'this place is a hype'. It was nowhere close to what you see in the images. Yes, the water is crystal clear and yes you see reflections of sky & mountains but nothing that great. In-fact our own Pawna lake looked similar (when we visited about 10yrs ago) before it became commercialized. After some time-lapses and photo session the temperature dropped suddenly from 15 to 7, the winds were very strong and we had a stay in a tent at Spangmik overlooking the lake at <a href="https://bit.ly/2JIFTUY">https://bit.ly/2JIFTUY</a>. The staff was courteous and the tents were sturdy and we slept as the sky was overcast with no stars visible. The temperature dropped till 4 degree C in the night and it was the most chilling night of the trip (with no electricity and wind gusts it felt like Blairwitch Project)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyMoPtRuMQcvLTwt9KzmL2dihqIcihWvw4Yqeo94_qjfWKf_vKmRzxFm8w68goPZjwvnZTQKzgSiJ2-9-oHUK5ne6HaCqyQ2GW3AFDrIp2dOVzsXQ3Cc3_MaVH2Ur-_0EcKpGyDGGo1Q/s1600/20190713_121101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyMoPtRuMQcvLTwt9KzmL2dihqIcihWvw4Yqeo94_qjfWKf_vKmRzxFm8w68goPZjwvnZTQKzgSiJ2-9-oHUK5ne6HaCqyQ2GW3AFDrIp2dOVzsXQ3Cc3_MaVH2Ur-_0EcKpGyDGGo1Q/s320/20190713_121101.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOaeth4vMyTHQsoLjNzPEm6VwYUluL3qT6kwXmqCCzV2RAPMB7NeIVP-zSpXnQuynU7rPpLp8RMr9JtJcj4Hfmix3-ZNu0AQBI6yU7fbtKX818QCIwuhPiUXfVDZO0BE4GwrhlNvwB4E/s1600/20190713_133817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOaeth4vMyTHQsoLjNzPEm6VwYUluL3qT6kwXmqCCzV2RAPMB7NeIVP-zSpXnQuynU7rPpLp8RMr9JtJcj4Hfmix3-ZNu0AQBI6yU7fbtKX818QCIwuhPiUXfVDZO0BE4GwrhlNvwB4E/s320/20190713_133817.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-83bAuRspmzpyHuPpBvFK9KEH8eqL4qiO72p9VyLq58N4mx2_hxLVoLE5ogABcFW3EFw8ejqg7eX20cVxRD6adP5EuE60NZiMBJlObcDCyWcXKkhFRRaLXfcd2wIt8gl0hqUf7h9VZnE/s1600/20190713_162446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-83bAuRspmzpyHuPpBvFK9KEH8eqL4qiO72p9VyLq58N4mx2_hxLVoLE5ogABcFW3EFw8ejqg7eX20cVxRD6adP5EuE60NZiMBJlObcDCyWcXKkhFRRaLXfcd2wIt8gl0hqUf7h9VZnE/s320/20190713_162446.jpg" width="180" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87-L7NI5Q-oxST6EWGW7wOW_cjvQjIlSyDPaGlmAUrpDl2L8fzDQXNl7tvuoGoVPFKa3udtA5AAnO3zpwAF1y924Pzsc-Iwn59V_PILg9ZcKC7Vp-L0S5Kh6eaK7MqMgtYLWMuQzOX-8/s1600/20190713_135944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87-L7NI5Q-oxST6EWGW7wOW_cjvQjIlSyDPaGlmAUrpDl2L8fzDQXNl7tvuoGoVPFKa3udtA5AAnO3zpwAF1y924Pzsc-Iwn59V_PILg9ZcKC7Vp-L0S5Kh6eaK7MqMgtYLWMuQzOX-8/s320/20190713_135944.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3sE1MSgKqbp2J4DG3skh76ztlXwY42QeLsX3zh7Ahp-Q2Inmu-XlDXsCcuO_yyy8v0jPv57muuagBsrMxsUkMoiqdAIe2wY3FyCutWZ0LoqhPNXnaCu2l86CNO4tGcQ_YZfixZ0EpLY/s1600/20190713_193508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3sE1MSgKqbp2J4DG3skh76ztlXwY42QeLsX3zh7Ahp-Q2Inmu-XlDXsCcuO_yyy8v0jPv57muuagBsrMxsUkMoiqdAIe2wY3FyCutWZ0LoqhPNXnaCu2l86CNO4tGcQ_YZfixZ0EpLY/s320/20190713_193508.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="st"><b></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xnU6sYnFJBs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xnU6sYnFJBs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span class="st"><b>14th July - </b>We left after breakfast knowing we had a tough day ahead. On the way we encountered Himalayan Mermots for a quick photo session. The bikes were giving up on the steep climb to Chang-La and we had our pillions transferred on different vehicles till up the pass. The bikes huffed and puffed to make it to Chang-La pass where it was snowing heavily. The descent was decent enough and we made it to Leh with 1 minor fall. After reaching Leh, we were very tired and had a big trip coming in (Kargil) the next day. As my friends wife got sick that night, they decided that they will not accompany us to Kargil the next day and we had a change of bike to RE 500 for the next day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbvjwhRozOUliJKYyVBIR-Wf4Q4rTbdKxd7PVioJ2Ibws0MPUA-ujwqCGFgjJtKPtPBTxHvhhj4PEebxm5SCyiN-unMfBmHBmonel7Fk-HyZPEmul1EZKSD4cmcH-5PDsegzUQFp5Mao/s1600/20190714_090310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbvjwhRozOUliJKYyVBIR-Wf4Q4rTbdKxd7PVioJ2Ibws0MPUA-ujwqCGFgjJtKPtPBTxHvhhj4PEebxm5SCyiN-unMfBmHBmonel7Fk-HyZPEmul1EZKSD4cmcH-5PDsegzUQFp5Mao/s320/20190714_090310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzjpr3A68bS6DWubFGTBTNXZhvAB3Cjvn9AqatI_Jph0GYdCGmLFf3hC3jqMXv2fNN26CLs4N1yZmT_UiLd37JVqahNw8eLK48K2dAhNtsGuICb8WTDJ5SOIH0mgrMOC7T-g6sO_SM4w/s1600/20190714_114121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzjpr3A68bS6DWubFGTBTNXZhvAB3Cjvn9AqatI_Jph0GYdCGmLFf3hC3jqMXv2fNN26CLs4N1yZmT_UiLd37JVqahNw8eLK48K2dAhNtsGuICb8WTDJ5SOIH0mgrMOC7T-g6sO_SM4w/s320/20190714_114121.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="st"><b></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="st"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee-vbbL4xrsLyKiv9ReAE2NK6ELqDVgOg3Gt6Pcqxzwiplyyg1YT4YQROFsICEKK-l7Q2pgQBJOndjVE7WtBhVwlTg6Mc20U8M2f8PF3EdCO4YAWwruSX43ss7t6KFqs7LQBrRba9s9s/s1600/20190713_114316%25280%2529i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee-vbbL4xrsLyKiv9ReAE2NK6ELqDVgOg3Gt6Pcqxzwiplyyg1YT4YQROFsICEKK-l7Q2pgQBJOndjVE7WtBhVwlTg6Mc20U8M2f8PF3EdCO4YAWwruSX43ss7t6KFqs7LQBrRba9s9s/s320/20190713_114316%25280%2529i.jpg" width="240" /></a></b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-ebYwLUdCjpuPK0y06vMOdfHeEYVJ5R4SSQ1zit3p5Tsu70XkB3EMs3pKy1yzgkVB4PYM1NpNsLKBAQ2xpDzzIzSzbP6O6FZrOSeP9ESzoNskN_LmTvl3EkQ7NFh1yMKzcnQaVH7RJE/s1600/20190714_113445i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-ebYwLUdCjpuPK0y06vMOdfHeEYVJ5R4SSQ1zit3p5Tsu70XkB3EMs3pKy1yzgkVB4PYM1NpNsLKBAQ2xpDzzIzSzbP6O6FZrOSeP9ESzoNskN_LmTvl3EkQ7NFh1yMKzcnQaVH7RJE/s320/20190714_113445i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="st"><b>15th July - </b>This was an overcast day and we started with 2 riders on their Avenger 220 who were going to Kargil too. We had a long 280km ride ahead for Leh-Saspul-Khalsi-Lumayuru-Mulbek-Kargil-Dras. The roads were buttery smooth and 500 glided like an eagle all the way to Dras albeit with 2 punctures on the way. Despite the punctures we reached Dras Memorial at 6pm and were able to witness flag downing ceremony. (<b>TIP</b>: Visit Kargil memorial and Leh Hall of Fame once in your lifetime to experience what Indian Army and Airforce are capable of and are doing for your safety). There are beautiful mosques, raging valleys and aromatic frangrances on the way between Dras to Kargil which refreshed my mind on way back to Kargil. We stayed at <a href="http://hoteldzojila.com/">http://hoteldzojila.com/</a> which has great decors and lively ambiance not to mention 24hrs electricity and fast Wi-Fi. This was the only place in the entire trip where we had a fan (<b>Note</b>: There are NO fans in entire LEH/LADAKH as there is no need for one, but if you're someone who needs to hear the sound of a fan for sleeping than better download fan noises). We had a serene dinner and slept in peace at this lovely hotel.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNPX7RDUdEzOAP1ZEeCGx-E0YIHw_NDfzuOmShUHP-eaXcssMhws1jwik1QS7LmXrrhZEBf9i7Wo0rBGWFRSjqjRSCPgWw39SUxtxaxa7hl-UJ1_OHI1xscbwu96VNVR2bwx15K8pr_E/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNPX7RDUdEzOAP1ZEeCGx-E0YIHw_NDfzuOmShUHP-eaXcssMhws1jwik1QS7LmXrrhZEBf9i7Wo0rBGWFRSjqjRSCPgWw39SUxtxaxa7hl-UJ1_OHI1xscbwu96VNVR2bwx15K8pr_E/s320/IMG_1648.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-58Dybd6Yhky_2RAKXhqcxEDXh31ToXnhZVKteJq4yakwMR2VpDyx-jK2GKmYPJlPPHkwT6PVEpQtHctMnUTx9b8PnaGZvIPKNx0ZDBq5E9vY9FAiO1Y92wY0ZNmNbnH5NVUnLt6eJY/s1600/20190715_194352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-58Dybd6Yhky_2RAKXhqcxEDXh31ToXnhZVKteJq4yakwMR2VpDyx-jK2GKmYPJlPPHkwT6PVEpQtHctMnUTx9b8PnaGZvIPKNx0ZDBq5E9vY9FAiO1Y92wY0ZNmNbnH5NVUnLt6eJY/s320/20190715_194352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnNZIKoPZ8au4M3bSfrjalrCPxMCXK_R82_eRqKrHyLCSOG2GQ1bea3DjkeB-zNMj5csBwQaf29TfmSnusl4lnwtxXzOfDUuX0nG7aPvgDMGpCXBsa46o5YqwR2X3sanH2zrduaXCiXc/s1600/20190715_183606i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnNZIKoPZ8au4M3bSfrjalrCPxMCXK_R82_eRqKrHyLCSOG2GQ1bea3DjkeB-zNMj5csBwQaf29TfmSnusl4lnwtxXzOfDUuX0nG7aPvgDMGpCXBsa46o5YqwR2X3sanH2zrduaXCiXc/s320/20190715_183606i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st"><b>16th July - </b>Our RE 500 decided to breakdown overnight and Mr. Apte promptly arranged for our pick-up to Leh via shared taxi. This was the day i was not riding, so took lots of time-lapses and photos on the way from Kargil to Leh. Since it was a shared taxi the driver took his own sweet time and we checked out Lumayuru and Magnetic Hill on the way till we reached Leh in evening. We decided to rest the remaining of the day at the hotel and completed packing as we had a flight back on 18th Morning.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdXE5SbZezku3w9b8oyqi-7aoLDxhCQUdagA2KIzGHGUkIocvEBlPgRL7K6rmSfwy5eLd7wvVoG5EOq2Zz0-KJYniR8ZxOCntck8ie2gZuf5FK7aC3HKb1QjDVeNZlnS5MWodcByV3bc/s1600/20190716_132124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdXE5SbZezku3w9b8oyqi-7aoLDxhCQUdagA2KIzGHGUkIocvEBlPgRL7K6rmSfwy5eLd7wvVoG5EOq2Zz0-KJYniR8ZxOCntck8ie2gZuf5FK7aC3HKb1QjDVeNZlnS5MWodcByV3bc/s320/20190716_132124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMufnPAar2T91MYntKlu-yp2O0uhXlUQFHfOh78zYsa7JpEJ18u0iYSrDLywag_AL0FlgSrM2FkWAwXiuBJTOjZRYdzuCVhTVYi4jd1iW47LOPWu0x-7eWA6DUMVDpFtoXQ-7G3jpyvNo/s1600/20190716_113424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMufnPAar2T91MYntKlu-yp2O0uhXlUQFHfOh78zYsa7JpEJ18u0iYSrDLywag_AL0FlgSrM2FkWAwXiuBJTOjZRYdzuCVhTVYi4jd1iW47LOPWu0x-7eWA6DUMVDpFtoXQ-7G3jpyvNo/s320/20190716_113424.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMHeufcozwtN44vYZHBXp1UVHxgDtcGGMyzocj7tu3clwM2Kd1uNXjFTwv_Oi7r0AIqYiCl40KDyxicPM6rfuxF1BzP7ewtGC_DLojjNw3ImqUePv7nHVwjG-ZdCF57CdBIXKKcdecyk/s1600/IMG_20190710_145719i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMHeufcozwtN44vYZHBXp1UVHxgDtcGGMyzocj7tu3clwM2Kd1uNXjFTwv_Oi7r0AIqYiCl40KDyxicPM6rfuxF1BzP7ewtGC_DLojjNw3ImqUePv7nHVwjG-ZdCF57CdBIXKKcdecyk/s320/IMG_20190710_145719i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="st"><b>17th July - </b>This was our penultimate day in Leh and we completed Hall of Fame and Shanti Stupa in evening. The majority of the day was spent shopping. Leh market is a great place for shopping and as per me you need at-least 2 days to complete entire market (<b>TIP</b>: Tibetan markets are a hype and visit them only if you know how to bargain). We wrapped the day by wrapping our luggage to leave the hotel next morning. Since this was our last night, Mr. Apte had arranged for Pani-Puris at the hotel which were delicious.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuUMvSaTosBmQsMksc2Oeg5o5mzkRCeZeWCeTdWN3tBYPAEH7ALuMLImfxFDtUNc6gaagb2Ho-Fz7c4CBTQuyaEhe88lfbnXP3ZZZVEsLfwGVX2M1UTJWzBNyspN0jJ_a_AtmIH6di1A/s1600/P1170173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuUMvSaTosBmQsMksc2Oeg5o5mzkRCeZeWCeTdWN3tBYPAEH7ALuMLImfxFDtUNc6gaagb2Ho-Fz7c4CBTQuyaEhe88lfbnXP3ZZZVEsLfwGVX2M1UTJWzBNyspN0jJ_a_AtmIH6di1A/s320/P1170173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOicpy_nEaZ3vdhz_8T2PJkBeZjqW-5-XDYEgPMmxBFTiC6YFZ4PeFyH-8GZIU53F2uW_ILC-8An3W0AKhHrh0RTBxqjIRgSC4NYRFuQEsUP43tRusns4j_jD7rm54PmYEVViJODHquuc/s1600/20190717_112525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOicpy_nEaZ3vdhz_8T2PJkBeZjqW-5-XDYEgPMmxBFTiC6YFZ4PeFyH-8GZIU53F2uW_ILC-8An3W0AKhHrh0RTBxqjIRgSC4NYRFuQEsUP43tRusns4j_jD7rm54PmYEVViJODHquuc/s320/20190717_112525.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlci1zmYKdyiIUGgioJ3kbzedl30EJKnBn4tkuCxEerVE28t9Sjy94dxng9W_nB-oFUxvULPNyqgX7iBcEszzj-mkNuanmM7X3SOUc_G8GDMRpNZ0f-tUZMNeanN644nmsmC5iy6LKfE/s1600/P1170168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlci1zmYKdyiIUGgioJ3kbzedl30EJKnBn4tkuCxEerVE28t9Sjy94dxng9W_nB-oFUxvULPNyqgX7iBcEszzj-mkNuanmM7X3SOUc_G8GDMRpNZ0f-tUZMNeanN644nmsmC5iy6LKfE/s320/P1170168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHC0CkRzPbHZvaYlsRUIfWKo0deSk3ql6BkX_fXBB4zZia8u_ndW-hdzYp8DosP5aSK3-sWylqUgqquhLQmbHD0sh6s0tnA3ky0Dk2ZWuJJ2iheE3op1g8hEvgmWScdjcvzrXrJilT1I/s1600/P1170169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHC0CkRzPbHZvaYlsRUIfWKo0deSk3ql6BkX_fXBB4zZia8u_ndW-hdzYp8DosP5aSK3-sWylqUgqquhLQmbHD0sh6s0tnA3ky0Dk2ZWuJJ2iheE3op1g8hEvgmWScdjcvzrXrJilT1I/s320/P1170169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCVaTBkqFPXbjlc76TpVgUXh1I_jUPERCTh2E6pl_x1FYJMWZwQLYqboRaylJQikPK9Qk4ibwtbb_yRgL5HxT1G38tLxAec_bljbokthV3IEZrgK097shTVJyndisldS_s2X593mt5TI/s1600/P1170195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCVaTBkqFPXbjlc76TpVgUXh1I_jUPERCTh2E6pl_x1FYJMWZwQLYqboRaylJQikPK9Qk4ibwtbb_yRgL5HxT1G38tLxAec_bljbokthV3IEZrgK097shTVJyndisldS_s2X593mt5TI/s320/P1170195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/h9bFPgQE8Yg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h9bFPgQE8Yg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st"><b>18th July - </b>Early morning flight. Bye Mr. Apte ji. Thank you Leh for giving us a heavenly experience.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z9wUukI2XPlXNcBWwVHab9NjL4DrnAe62WHhThNaW901144RE229L6HvvxN139fWtzCg5vGumau4Z6t6zpEMNg1wPGO36suPUgUQbjgJZ14rHWQgL1CDskm6i_1DOMnSIyRSIFhJX5A/s1600/20190718_164519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z9wUukI2XPlXNcBWwVHab9NjL4DrnAe62WHhThNaW901144RE229L6HvvxN139fWtzCg5vGumau4Z6t6zpEMNg1wPGO36suPUgUQbjgJZ14rHWQgL1CDskm6i_1DOMnSIyRSIFhJX5A/s320/20190718_164519.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">All thanks to dear wifey Farheen for being through the good times and the bad. <b><i>Without the support of our pillions, we both would not have a enjoyed the journey as much.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiietrGiEt3iEsAWDN02eGh3u5rBWT7nRVNRDMSrrLK9Kz9oxpgrRiiX02oBLizBevLL0nv_TdCqAUgdX8g2E9-ahRJm_EI7nNca7UFDIjY6VMmFcNJG3tJX27PNfm3o-uufsGN5z-XKW8/s1600/20190710_150440i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiietrGiEt3iEsAWDN02eGh3u5rBWT7nRVNRDMSrrLK9Kz9oxpgrRiiX02oBLizBevLL0nv_TdCqAUgdX8g2E9-ahRJm_EI7nNca7UFDIjY6VMmFcNJG3tJX27PNfm3o-uufsGN5z-XKW8/s320/20190710_150440i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span class="st"><u><b>Follow me on</b></u>:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="st"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="st"><b>Instagram</b> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/saifahmedphotography/" target="_blank">saifahmedphotography</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="st"><b>Facebook</b> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/saifahmedphotography/?ref=settings" target="_blank">saifahmedphotography</a></span><br />
<span class="st"><b>Twitter</b> - <a href="https://twitter.com/saif71184">https://twitter.com/saif71184</a></span><br />
<span class="st"><b>Youtube</b> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkJ6px3CLcnNg5vSkAfA3XQ?view_as=subscriber" target="_blank">safar</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Saif Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11944713761911834612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519177286134360818.post-30607244650799174742010-02-20T04:46:00.004+05:302010-02-20T04:54:43.992+05:30O Tiger, Where Art Thou?"Just 1411 Tigers left in India"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqcBD99vjdLy5QnVwstaIAE_v2kSuAw5p7ve9ZcEvQ7vluoWSAjfX_MfBvShk_2cMOzVMoWKRClLvs7cIzkg_VImisgruKaTTAVWogBrGptaJ_pZWDt9LMh8XPXGETVBkXLBdHhmXlhw/s1600-h/A_tiger_in_Pilibhit_Tiger_Reserve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqcBD99vjdLy5QnVwstaIAE_v2kSuAw5p7ve9ZcEvQ7vluoWSAjfX_MfBvShk_2cMOzVMoWKRClLvs7cIzkg_VImisgruKaTTAVWogBrGptaJ_pZWDt9LMh8XPXGETVBkXLBdHhmXlhw/s320/A_tiger_in_Pilibhit_Tiger_Reserve.jpg" /></a></div><br />
India has the world's largest number of tigers in wild. Poaching (Hunting of Wild-Animals) is a very serious offence, but still it continues to be the case here in India. Our neighbor China is the largest illegal consumer of 'tiger-products' for medicinal purposes. Now you are smart enough to make a connection between poaching and illegal use.<br />
<br />
Almost four-decades ago in 1973, a wildlife conservation movement was initiated know as "Project Tiger" (<a href="http://projecttiger.nic.in/index.asp">http://projecttiger.nic.in/index.asp</a>) which aimed at tiger conservation in specially constituted tiger reserves throughout India. The sole responsibility of "Project Tiger" was to increase the number of tigers by building reserves around their natural habitat and thus providing them safety from concrete-madness. Now the big-question is 'did it work?'<br />
The answer is Yes and No.<br />
No, because there were reports that these reserve officials themselves got involved in some poaching cases. Yes, because, if not for these reserves we would have been looking at a figure of some hundreds left today. So 'in the bigger picture' Project Tiger is a success. But as usual our government failed to capitalize at the right moment, by not building attractive reserves which will attract tourists and some funds for wildlife conservation, making stringent laws for poaching any wildlife and so on...<br />
The result is we are severely lacking good tiger reserves and infrastructure (ill-maintained park vehicles, irresponsible drivers and guides etc.). I have had a first hand experience of this on my last visit to "Melghat Tiger Reserve" which is government maintained. The basic rule of a Wild-life Reserve is you never throw rubbish or honk or get out of your vehicle inside the reserve area. This rule was blatantly broken by our driver and guide until he heard a mouthful from us, after which he got back to his senses.<br />
<br />
As you all know (thanks to media), our current situation regarding tiger population is critical. How many times since last wildlife census have you heard "Just 1411 Tigers left in India"?, too many times right? and how many of you visited the site or atleast gave it a thought? Few..and yes, just updating your status on Face-Twit-kut-space does not count. Go to http://projecttiger.nic.in/index.asp or <a href="http://www.saveourtigers.com/">http://www.saveourtigers.com</a> and take it from there. I wont suggest visiting the former website, as it seems to have lost its plot with no good tips or navigation. The Aircel initiative website <a href="http://www.saveourtigers.com/WhatCanIDoLeadtheChange.php">http://www.saveourtigers.com/WhatCanIDoLeadtheChange.php</a> is the answer for anything that you can do to help out the Tiger. I know we hardly have time to manage our personal life and issues, but just a small thing like 'being a responsible tourist the next time you visit a wildlife reserve' can help a long way. If you can, Donate, <a href="http://www.wwfindia.org/help/donate/">http://www.wwfindia.org/help/donate/</a> it does not have to be a big amount. I know we live in a corrupt society, but imagine this 'even if 500 out of 1000 rupees get through to the initiative, its a big thing'.<br />
<br />
Act NOW and Who knows the tiger number might triple as we are a populace loving country.<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
Thanks for Reading.Saif Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11944713761911834612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519177286134360818.post-77200169767192563182010-02-13T01:09:00.001+05:302010-02-13T04:53:21.118+05:30Top 10 '2D-Animated' MoviesThanks for all the comments and response on my previous posts; as promised, here's a list of my top 10 2d animated movies, also from now on, i wont write a short synopsis review about each one of them, just simple 'good' and 'bad' like pro's and con's, to be initiated from this post following.<br />
<br />
Some of you must be wondering why distinguish animation between 2d and 3d. I feel the need to explain this difference is very important, and in simple words 'watch Avatar in 2D and 3D' and you will be able to distinguish by yourself. If for some reason you "haven't can't won't" watch both the versions, here's an explanation. 2D animation is flat (involves drawing on a flat surface like a sketch and than it is shown in frames i.e. flip-book animation) referred to as 'cartoons' (Simpsons, Tom&Jerry, Aladdin). 3D animation is modelling (constructing in a software) which has no viewing limitations from any angle, you can see all the sides of a cube (in 2d only one face can be seen at a time). The main element of 3D is 'adding depth with whole environment of lights, textures and animation' which makes the image photo-realistic (e.g. Transformers, Incredible Hulk). Enough of the explanation, so lets get on..<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>10)</b><b> <span style="color: black;">South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999):</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnj5nKbnZMifD3WLyEQ6_thO4l9ANBy4YRPmnvmrKF9m1Qsd3_DQVIKnu8X2r4FABMHnJ1DmRwEW_b_VhVzh4z42ZZqXelfPoCRCgj93aBulmIxFuNFV6779YiZZyIhmnZkEl7H2Yw5kk/s1600-h/south+park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnj5nKbnZMifD3WLyEQ6_thO4l9ANBy4YRPmnvmrKF9m1Qsd3_DQVIKnu8X2r4FABMHnJ1DmRwEW_b_VhVzh4z42ZZqXelfPoCRCgj93aBulmIxFuNFV6779YiZZyIhmnZkEl7H2Yw5kk/s320/south+park.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i><b>The Good : Song Lyrics, Terrence and Philip, Canada, Dialogues.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The Bad: Too Short.</b></i><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b> 9) </b><b>Beauty and the Beast (1991):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRV7BOwTQco3y5ZqOYb_SaGiLWVRUGbOxBM6wtLRgg2yedsR4Qo4eGpMy_nd4dHkUNYKDgpSwYc83tzRzT2DhOEUy5_HdmByrhVa6dqaeOwbCGtE_TYwlGXg2StWPx67zMbK_8C7pse_g/s1600-h/wallpapers-beauty-beast-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRV7BOwTQco3y5ZqOYb_SaGiLWVRUGbOxBM6wtLRgg2yedsR4Qo4eGpMy_nd4dHkUNYKDgpSwYc83tzRzT2DhOEUy5_HdmByrhVa6dqaeOwbCGtE_TYwlGXg2StWPx67zMbK_8C7pse_g/s320/wallpapers-beauty-beast-800.jpg" /></a></div><b> </b> <br />
<i><b>The Good: Visuals, Classy Animation.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The Bad: None.</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>8) </b><b>Grave of the Fireflies (1988):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTs_kkDSQS5-iWBaIgkWiSMkajDq1t81P8Mn4BcfJC1MCzDJYlhhXpPYbrUZLgPothvGMGFl3ZOByMoEHDzUMqSKahit6tU7BxTzuxn3RDgpfTNz32H6lszJnyXB2mm4SsjIZyVG__SU/s1600-h/hotaru0058004dn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTs_kkDSQS5-iWBaIgkWiSMkajDq1t81P8Mn4BcfJC1MCzDJYlhhXpPYbrUZLgPothvGMGFl3ZOByMoEHDzUMqSKahit6tU7BxTzuxn3RDgpfTNz32H6lszJnyXB2mm4SsjIZyVG__SU/s320/hotaru0058004dn.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b></b><br />
<i><b>The Good: Details, Story, Characters</b></i><br />
<i><b>The Bad: Very Depressing.</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>7) </b><b>Princess Mononoke (1997):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L8YKfAyT3kwFNZ7D2-5wZjT2j-K6vEu7yKyUTlN50yaKy03D-983tmUgW0XgCoSTqyvMHmcIQKYhYpQugGOSA4ad_EGt-rbVrsWremcAVumAby7KQgX7lCXXxi4_vx-x9xcQaLwla2M/s1600-h/princess-mononoke-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L8YKfAyT3kwFNZ7D2-5wZjT2j-K6vEu7yKyUTlN50yaKy03D-983tmUgW0XgCoSTqyvMHmcIQKYhYpQugGOSA4ad_EGt-rbVrsWremcAVumAby7KQgX7lCXXxi4_vx-x9xcQaLwla2M/s320/princess-mononoke-800.jpg" /></a></div><i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b>The Good : Kill-Bill of 2D, Direction.</b></i><br />
<b><i>The Bad: Addictive to watch.</i></b><br />
<br />
<b>6)<i> </i></b><b>The Little Mermaid (1989):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDJ3f_EtszYLTKeVgFHVCRczuTpDb1s_lR00_PZvf08-7TygSzGgdrdLycH40w2zKQGMIFOEH40R-laYZ6wYI1NMqzZBXN5W1MbCSs7C0BtU6i6sT4yGmDl8eQ3oVcxSLhfeIFyuWoMg/s1600-h/thelittlemermaid-1-717762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDJ3f_EtszYLTKeVgFHVCRczuTpDb1s_lR00_PZvf08-7TygSzGgdrdLycH40w2zKQGMIFOEH40R-laYZ6wYI1NMqzZBXN5W1MbCSs7C0BtU6i6sT4yGmDl8eQ3oVcxSLhfeIFyuWoMg/s320/thelittlemermaid-1-717762.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>The Good: Visually Perfect.</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>The Bad: Tad Boring in some parts.</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>5)</b> <b>Aladdin (1992):</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPZIp3bH_MTUmgumfv5_Aa8ELM9_e8ws_xCVmWMbZsg_6GEY5b8ToEqR07AaUMrJODwNhiSNjcl9LhCCf4Vlf6XTbUR46zuJOboEPGNxmWaIfHmGIh8KtxkzIFFf_ZfgfHiSJFkFoBcQ/s1600-h/aladdin-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPZIp3bH_MTUmgumfv5_Aa8ELM9_e8ws_xCVmWMbZsg_6GEY5b8ToEqR07AaUMrJODwNhiSNjcl9LhCCf4Vlf6XTbUR46zuJOboEPGNxmWaIfHmGIh8KtxkzIFFf_ZfgfHiSJFkFoBcQ/s320/aladdin-3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<i><b>The Good: Lovable Characters, Repeat Value.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The Bad: Absolutely None. </b></i><br />
<br />
<b>4)</b><i><b> </b></i><b>The Princess and the Frog (2009):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkwFRns9T2qGwOt68oR0vGpj-oKtXx9B0ttNKZFHyEbSWf-ezNeTFv6qh-RWY2B0Xa2ZqKhDtfx1y0UiMNSISRmGslcsJzwA2t2R4EwkS-39Hi4WIhPi6QUvvBfLXgxAtCJAdb9uLNcs/s1600-h/princessandfrogukpl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkwFRns9T2qGwOt68oR0vGpj-oKtXx9B0ttNKZFHyEbSWf-ezNeTFv6qh-RWY2B0Xa2ZqKhDtfx1y0UiMNSISRmGslcsJzwA2t2R4EwkS-39Hi4WIhPi6QUvvBfLXgxAtCJAdb9uLNcs/s320/princessandfrogukpl.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>The Good: Disney's belief to make a mainstream 2D in 3D CG world, Stunning 2D in a </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b> </b></i><i><b>looooooong time.</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>The Bad: Predictable, Mediocre Direction.</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>3)</b> <b>The Lion King (1994):</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b> </b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4musC0-0yJVdcEWsrDYZ5OkCHvkoFHh1wAvWUKjJDYmS5Na0Vl7SlpYNouydgh6X-HYSiuS5Xp6zpBHJ8lzfXlvbLZZYUqZaqC2IOxvCUo3yRGXJTFp3g48-1I9R91dE7v_H54B-SVdU/s1600-h/800x600_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4musC0-0yJVdcEWsrDYZ5OkCHvkoFHh1wAvWUKjJDYmS5Na0Vl7SlpYNouydgh6X-HYSiuS5Xp6zpBHJ8lzfXlvbLZZYUqZaqC2IOxvCUo3yRGXJTFp3g48-1I9R91dE7v_H54B-SVdU/s320/800x600_4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b></b><i><b>The Good: Lovely Characters, Excellent Dialogues, Hakuna Matata.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>The Bad: No 3D version yet!</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2) <b>Spirited Away (2001):</b></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJh1I1hNePMZSwkgQ1JMe74iNrQK22VfeweENyiB_S5ENrD5MZIE7ffqykWgiyrFGZaeiD8HC1GxVlb5H0ZGfu4EyNAHLsZlBpYBvvEpueuSarUAXqM0ART8sCzGqc_XTykTSYJtkRY8/s1600-h/spirited-away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJh1I1hNePMZSwkgQ1JMe74iNrQK22VfeweENyiB_S5ENrD5MZIE7ffqykWgiyrFGZaeiD8HC1GxVlb5H0ZGfu4EyNAHLsZlBpYBvvEpueuSarUAXqM0ART8sCzGqc_XTykTSYJtkRY8/s320/spirited-away.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <i><b> </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>The Good: Adventurous Plot, Perfect Direction, Lively Characters, Beautiful Animation.</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>The Bad: People who don't like watching Anime (Japanese Animation). It's an Excellent Movie to start with. </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>1)<i> </i>The Iron Giant (1999): </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b> </b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfMqnEFcevfC1dKEqqVOM9uPHD05XWu2bQ8lns1nt0hdSwALm2FfkTYhtzLHU89dCH0rRDDHEfXitpPJBauQDopGPg0iDNj9VtQqCLNAgP37aNOi5BwkkCvDFRc1csiNnD5PcL-QIe-4/s1600-h/The-Iron-Giant_a8924c66_1_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfMqnEFcevfC1dKEqqVOM9uPHD05XWu2bQ8lns1nt0hdSwALm2FfkTYhtzLHU89dCH0rRDDHEfXitpPJBauQDopGPg0iDNj9VtQqCLNAgP37aNOi5BwkkCvDFRc1csiNnD5PcL-QIe-4/s320/The-Iron-Giant_a8924c66_1_.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><b>The Good: Funny, Touching, Delightful, Intelligent, Ages 8 to 80 viewable.</b></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><b>The Bad: Zilch.</b></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><b>Thanks For Reading. </b></b><b><i> </i></b></div>Saif Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11944713761911834612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519177286134360818.post-89312218351214340322010-01-25T00:21:00.008+05:302010-01-29T15:54:14.932+05:30Top 10 '3D-Animated' MoviesThanks alot for all your responses and comments on my previous posts, i want to start a 'top-list' series of posts which every blogger is tempted to post! So starting off with something i'm dedicated to....<br />
<br />
<b>Top 10 '3D-Animated' Movies </b><br />
<br />
Technicalities<b>: </b>An animated feature film is defined as a motion picture with a running time of at least 70 minutes, in which movement and characters' performances are created using a frame-by-frame technique. In addition, <b>a significant number of the major characters must be animated</b>, and animation must figure in no less than 75 percent of the picture's running time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b>10)</b> <b>Madagascar (2005): </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyUK-lg0Q84wtmtAPPuspUzlqhpBnKnEokpBVHCQF_45Dz21uxy-no8WuWCwbVbym9HKM33LLON1RSsf5vznpFt_wz-hegb0jWSJcvJjxFgOenJwGSUebj8eRRxa8rL2c_TWZ7xNbssc/s1600-h/madagascar-escape-2-africa-1614i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyUK-lg0Q84wtmtAPPuspUzlqhpBnKnEokpBVHCQF_45Dz21uxy-no8WuWCwbVbym9HKM33LLON1RSsf5vznpFt_wz-hegb0jWSJcvJjxFgOenJwGSUebj8eRRxa8rL2c_TWZ7xNbssc/s320/madagascar-escape-2-africa-1614i.jpg" /></a></div>Madagascar is one of the funniest movies ever-made. It has some amazing voice-over artistes which lend it a big-movie feel. Animation is an unconventional mix of 2d and real-life which is visible in both original and sequel. This is one of those popcorn movies, which you are never tired of watching again and again.<b><br />
</b><br />
<br />
<b>9) </b><b>The Incredibles (2004):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjD2dIt_IHCiFDnbrs_bZlb0rh5u3bYX5kx5uUzn9v_wKYqFdFdAjFcy8dGUniW3obEimieW-xM61sHKG6_V7LC3uAxUT8uFc_obJpJi8xCrEH7yIUTddL35KpmJXDclHJkB3rcZflNbA/s1600-h/the-incredibles-wallpaper-photo-2560x1600i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjD2dIt_IHCiFDnbrs_bZlb0rh5u3bYX5kx5uUzn9v_wKYqFdFdAjFcy8dGUniW3obEimieW-xM61sHKG6_V7LC3uAxUT8uFc_obJpJi8xCrEH7yIUTddL35KpmJXDclHJkB3rcZflNbA/s320/the-incredibles-wallpaper-photo-2560x1600i.jpg" /></a></div>The Incredibles was an excellent parody to superhero movies, but at the same time highlighted the hardships of being one. It was beautifully animated and every character had some kind of impact on the story-line which is a feat less achieved by movies amongst any genre. A great family watch!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>8) Up (2009):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLh-PZtn1aBDQfVHSWx4Tyhw5yUgYin7zP-dXFeQH75WPryqaxDnC6qtf563maqkGqP3U0iVEN5JsLjH1vnJ6ih6wptdGFdeqxRSj-7orlNtUgwoK-zbkfxwLUba4C8BmxlLPDpuVETRk/s1600-h/up21i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLh-PZtn1aBDQfVHSWx4Tyhw5yUgYin7zP-dXFeQH75WPryqaxDnC6qtf563maqkGqP3U0iVEN5JsLjH1vnJ6ih6wptdGFdeqxRSj-7orlNtUgwoK-zbkfxwLUba4C8BmxlLPDpuVETRk/s320/up21i.jpg" /></a></div>If adventure is your thing, you should watch this movie. Very rarely is a movie this adventurous, funny, inspiring and beauuutiful at the same time. Bold use of colors make this movie look like an artist's imagination painted on the screen, which is how an animated movie should be. On second thoughts.. even if adventure isn't your thing you should watch it. <br />
<br />
<br />
7) <b>WALL·E (2008):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNnbcwMnqXQY23fealuTbV7OJCZXpV5tXBIvL5J0bPcA-UQq5TcMhPR5HIVn2iJbhX3YHZsUj7eu8i-U9YzYZRPzeNm3IhugdGVHDz4wU6U65vsn_tgLYJTbUjof241_AFpfb-SWwLOQ/s1600-h/Wall-E-EVE-1640i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNnbcwMnqXQY23fealuTbV7OJCZXpV5tXBIvL5J0bPcA-UQq5TcMhPR5HIVn2iJbhX3YHZsUj7eu8i-U9YzYZRPzeNm3IhugdGVHDz4wU6U65vsn_tgLYJTbUjof241_AFpfb-SWwLOQ/s320/Wall-E-EVE-1640i.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nobody, until Pixar, thought of making a full length animated feature-film whose lead-characters have no dialogue and are purely characterized based on their emotions. Flawless Animation, Brilliant Visuals and the best example of Pixar's path breaking story-telling!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><b>6) The Polar Express (2004):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESjqyDQlecJ6gVX3jynyEto6APa6GngqmuAcFicbk7J4CN4-HluKdFi-5Uzc1X2HZlo6mG-3DnGIi4vwnylJKQsSxUeb0Co0Wci9qZ0bEYf8DX0c34aGSYV-9k3zz7NuGD7ENgcHMaJo/s1600-h/the_polar_express_001i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESjqyDQlecJ6gVX3jynyEto6APa6GngqmuAcFicbk7J4CN4-HluKdFi-5Uzc1X2HZlo6mG-3DnGIi4vwnylJKQsSxUeb0Co0Wci9qZ0bEYf8DX0c34aGSYV-9k3zz7NuGD7ENgcHMaJo/s320/the_polar_express_001i.jpg" /></a></div>'The Polar Express' is one of the most under-rated animated movies according to me. It is a roller-coaster ride which has better animation than very few movies to-date. Zemeckis-Hanks Duo, Excellent dialogues, voice-overs, lighting and a beautiful soundtrack makes this one of the best holiday movie ever!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>5) </b><b>Ratatouille (2007)</b><b>:</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimef91_HGHcUgdQUcovS3wjmDeWsF3-H59joFVRszJdzzH6GE_U460KEQ_z_WWERS1rHg7WNjpnNINM5CFzcAON25oGsPP98nwoMamx2ZnXeuS8fZ66O_K5b3aXqqA89U10z-D1GEgVds/s1600-h/Ratatouille-wallpaperi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimef91_HGHcUgdQUcovS3wjmDeWsF3-H59joFVRszJdzzH6GE_U460KEQ_z_WWERS1rHg7WNjpnNINM5CFzcAON25oGsPP98nwoMamx2ZnXeuS8fZ66O_K5b3aXqqA89U10z-D1GEgVds/s320/Ratatouille-wallpaperi.jpg" /></a></div>Easily one of the best Pixar creations. No surprise, that it should entertain both the young and old as well. Just like all great films, Ratatouille is alive, and full of passion. At it's core are messages about friendship, family, compassion and determination.I loved every minute of this film. The characters were real and endearing. The bad guys had real motivation and also provided a lot of comic relief. The movie was as beautiful as "Nemo" and as heartwarming as "Toy Story".<br />
<br />
<b>4) Cars (2006):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8UPwZFTm3R26OXXqlHrcpHnEqNr2Edc_wCkgnHogguCrMmCy-wXGQ0Dj5CPSvG4ymP1mLA8qxgVeqcGM1-jy-PAwVkpefbSeAhciEbJIcWFHB-PWBl2zncOyQ0GD5sZ4kQksPWV6olI/s1600-h/ad_onesheet_largei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8UPwZFTm3R26OXXqlHrcpHnEqNr2Edc_wCkgnHogguCrMmCy-wXGQ0Dj5CPSvG4ymP1mLA8qxgVeqcGM1-jy-PAwVkpefbSeAhciEbJIcWFHB-PWBl2zncOyQ0GD5sZ4kQksPWV6olI/s400/ad_onesheet_largei.jpg" width="270" /><br />
</a></div><b> </b>One of the things you'll notice first about this movie is there are no humans whatsoever. Pixar does a job so well that you would have hardly noticed this. Everything from a slick gear-shift to a bad-silencer is so well animated that it will appeal to a wide range of audience from petrolheads-to-those who aren't. The main thing i love about this movie is that it goes on with its subtle messages without preaching, and that is an achievement!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3) </b><b>Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009):</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEN8JzZTtcNzR_Wwln5CRhjyyKpmKW1d7tw4_aAWtTViFBIj5J_SglYPlJHQfJTnOEMlmWWWp1SJdZXUFHt1cdk4ZeEXZPkVEgT9GAz7q22mB2Ol4dFh_hl8s7gnXGUMx1W1Q5P_DIRo/s1600-h/fantastic+mr+fox+movie+review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEN8JzZTtcNzR_Wwln5CRhjyyKpmKW1d7tw4_aAWtTViFBIj5J_SglYPlJHQfJTnOEMlmWWWp1SJdZXUFHt1cdk4ZeEXZPkVEgT9GAz7q22mB2Ol4dFh_hl8s7gnXGUMx1W1Q5P_DIRo/s320/fantastic+mr+fox+movie+review.jpg" /></a></div><b> </b>Fantastic, Absolutely Fantastic. There have been many stop-motion movies like Coraline, Mary and Max..but none is as stunning as Fantastic Mr. Fox. I haven't read the book so i wont comment on the screen adaptation, but one thing for sure is that Roald Dahl couldn't have got a better screenplay for his book. George Clooney takes away this masterpiece with his excellent voice and beautifully animated shots sans 3D. Quite the 'Pulp Fiction' of stop-motion animation this one!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>2) Finding Nemo (2003):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NyAR44P59cMaPx6EfNrJrC405GAJ7Yyp_9c0KYpGYqo01LfSwEaPjlDEdxTHCsTdmLDaCbmef9uDFUBM7qHI7HeeQ-fqzJ228-zW101Af29Afzdqw-9UoXkdHSrHwE0xKVr5qq8-v-4/s1600-h/NEMO-finding-nemoi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NyAR44P59cMaPx6EfNrJrC405GAJ7Yyp_9c0KYpGYqo01LfSwEaPjlDEdxTHCsTdmLDaCbmef9uDFUBM7qHI7HeeQ-fqzJ228-zW101Af29Afzdqw-9UoXkdHSrHwE0xKVr5qq8-v-4/s320/NEMO-finding-nemoi.jpg" /></a></div>Finding Nemo is a movie i've seen many many times and it still feels as fresh as ever. It is as beautiful as visual animation can be, can only be compared to Avatar's 'Pandora'.<b> </b>While this film may not be a masterpiece, it's the next best thing to it. That's because the artwork is superb, unparalleled and unmatched. The colors, textures, lights, and shadings are the finest that have ever been done on any animated film ever, before or since...<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1) Toy Story (1995):</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYo7TYrvEWV9eYO_lBQmV0Qf7yOoKphBQkL_W9D_lx2UizcZiEncfMFC1KjDcn5wPV2IrnWhXFhjxaUG5SZwPHBIAa-2T_7tA9Z0vNBk5J3EUJ_U2-eQR9ih3uh4mvQvoCImlYbtly8g/s1600-h/Toy-Story-2-pixari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYo7TYrvEWV9eYO_lBQmV0Qf7yOoKphBQkL_W9D_lx2UizcZiEncfMFC1KjDcn5wPV2IrnWhXFhjxaUG5SZwPHBIAa-2T_7tA9Z0vNBk5J3EUJ_U2-eQR9ih3uh4mvQvoCImlYbtly8g/s320/Toy-Story-2-pixari.jpg" /></a></div><b> </b>Pixar's second-ever feature-film and they made a classic which is incomparable since. This movie is one of my inspirations to get into animation as a career, its that good!<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading. Next post <b>Top 10 '2D-Animated' Movies</b>..Saif Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11944713761911834612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519177286134360818.post-16977003828246985152010-01-22T16:02:00.002+05:302010-01-22T16:05:13.640+05:30Pulsar vs Unicorn<b>How i chose My Bike between Bajaj Pulsar 200 and Honda Unicorn.</b><br />
<br />
This is my archived post on www.xbhp.com which got deleted in server crash, so am posting it again.<br />
This post is purely based on my experience and observations, so please don't start brand-wars and try to keep it clean .<br />
<br />
January 2008: I finally convinced my parents that i can ride a bike safe enough and started a tedious hunt for a good/reliable bike under 75k ( non-flexible ,which nullified heavyweights like ZMA and P220)<br />
I was pretty much head-over-heels on P200 and was in no mood to compromise and go for any other bike, i closely followed P200 thread here on xBhp and was in touch with Sandeep K Ram ("Bike Advice Guru" as i like to call him, most of the seniors here know him very well. He "formerly" owned a P200, Now has a ZMA). After numerous chats with him, i was convinced to give some other bikes a try. I went to various showrooms and short-listed 3 bikes namely RTR 160 Carb, P200 (didn't consider P150/180 since P200 was the best amongst them and well within my budget) and Honda Unicorn.<br />
The show-rooms were kind enough to lemme test-ride the bikes (especially TVS which allowed an extended ride )<br />
Here is my feedback after Test-ride of all the three:<br />
<br />
RTR: Revvy engine but at the same time vibrations are too much, was superb to flick around corners, a great track-bike but needed some refinement and above all ride postion was a great dissapointment (am 5'10).<br />
<br />
P200: You can just keep looking her all-day and never get tired ( i rode a friends bike few times before), excellent throttle response, sofa-suspension, only drawback was heavy front-end handling (traffic flickability being an issue).<br />
<br />
Unicorn: I never saw the newly launched 2G unicorn in flesh (only in mags and web), really caught my eye with tht beautiful monoshock and flow of curves. After riding both RTR and P200 was amazed to ride such an amazing silent/refined mill, was trying hard to find some flaws but could not except the "over-chrome" use and erratic Honda service guy as pillion.<br />
<br />
Two things were quite clear from the test-rides: <br />
1) Every person who is buying a new bike should compulsarily test-ride before making a decision.<br />
<br />
2) RTR was out, and now i was searching for reviews and comparisons of P200 and Unicorn (until i found out that a friend has bought a Unicorn).<br />
<br />
I quickly planned a ride to lonavla with both my friends on P200 and Unicorn. I rode both the bikes (P200 all the way till lonavla and Unicorn all the way back). This is what i came to conclude:<br />
<br />
P200: Pros: Crowd Puller, Responsive Throttle, Pulsar-Grunt, VFM.<br />
Cons: Vibrations, Not-so-Refined, Front Heavy.<br />
<br />
Unicorn: Pros: Monoshock, Economical (though it didn't matter to me), Excellent Cruiser, Refinement, Its a Honda.<br />
Cons: Chrome Patches, Could have done with a 6th Cog.<br />
<br />
Notes: Both the bikes were few months old and just had their first services and run-in done. I had severe wrist-ache after riding the P200 and its electricals kept breaking down, also my friend had really bad experience with PBK Svc here in Mumbai. Brakes on Unicorn are Progressive and not spot-on as with P200 and took some time getting used to.<br />
<br />
So finally i made a decision and bought a Red Honda Unicorn (Mar-08) and i dont regret it.<br />
<br />
To sum-it-up: Pulsar is a Wild Stallion whereas Unicorn is a Race-Horse, and i'd prefer latter..everytime!Saif Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11944713761911834612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519177286134360818.post-11704966871206767502010-01-20T17:34:00.000+05:302010-01-21T00:05:10.167+05:30PMP vs Multimedia Phone!Have you noticed how many "Ipod vs Cowon" or "Ipod Touch vs Cowon S9" or 'to be more geeky' "Ipod Touch 3G 16GB vs Cowon S9 16GB" videos have surfaced on video sites like youtube, googlevideos; to name a few. As am sure, most of you "Gadget freaks" like me, love watching these "comparison" videos. We always prepare ourselves, by comparing such products, in advance, so that when time comes we make a right decision and buy the "winner".<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">But is it so? Are these reviews, previews and comparisons enough to make up our minds about investing a large sum of money into some gadget, that we may not use for more than 2-3 years at maximum (2-3 months being minimum).<br />
For e.g. I am currently stuck in a dilemma on whether to invest in a decent multimedia phone or a pmp (<i>Portable</i> Multimedia Player for the non-geeks)<i></i>. I own a 5 year old <span style="font-style: italic;">albeit </span>very well working Sony Ericsson W900i. <span style="font-style: italic;">Yeah i know some of you thinking that calling myself a Gadget Freak and owning something for more than 2-3 years is quite contradicting, but i'm sure most of us have that special attachment to a certain gadget, specially phones coz it lasted through your thick and thin, so thats that!</span><br />
Back to reality; I also have a Ipod Nano 1g 2gb which was gifted to me by my brother (GG Gadget Godfather as i like to call him). What i want now is a PMP with a really good (read LED) screen with good battery life so that i can watch movies/videos "on-the-go".<br />
Ipod Touch was certainly in contention with its blistering UI and Touchy touch, but than i came across Cowon S9 and it hands down beats Ipod Touch in terms of screen quality, display resolution and sound. So i should have bought the S9 and saved you the trouble of reading this stupid Blogpost; Right?<br />
Nooo, thats where my Indian-bang-for-buck-mentality comes in and gives me a third alternative which was invincible before. Why not go for a Multimedia Phone? So i start researching and infact come with hell of lot of alternatives. After much permutations and combinations (we invented "0", didn't we), i came to a two-way tie between Cowon S9 and Samsung S8000 Jet phone (koreans are aware of our needs, might be due to our proximity). Now Price-wise both are almost similar, feature-wise Samsung is way ahead (better screen resolution 480x800, 800 Mhz processor, 5mp excellent camera, HD video Recording, FM, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3G, Micro-SD slot), only cons compared to S9 ( samsung not capacitive touch, sound sligthly better, battery life better). So the Pro's definitely outweigh (infact bury) the Con's!<br />
So here i am, extremely satisfied with my decision to go for Samsung. Gone are the days when Samsung was just regarded as another cheap korean manufacturer (Apple uses Samsung <i></i> NAND for the <i>iPhone</i>)<i></i><i></i>. Some of you might say why i left Nokia 5800 or ZuneHD out. Nokia; because Symbian is the the most buggy software out there since Microsoft Windows ME (Millennium Edition) and ZuneHD (because of their weird ignorance to not sell it outside United States).<br />
Now don't go searching for Samsung Jet vs Cowon S9 videos. Firstly you wont find one, because no one is "stupid" enough to compare a Multimedia Phone with a PMP or <span style="font-style: italic;">no one wants (you) to</span>!!<br />
I'll leave you thinking at that, Thanks for reading.<br />
<i></i><br />
</div>Saif Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11944713761911834612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519177286134360818.post-23651626344015195162010-01-19T04:20:00.000+05:302015-09-20T22:32:44.205+05:30Avatar 3D<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've had this account with Blogger for two years now, but i seldom felt like writing; partly because i was too lazy and partly because i felt it wasn't that important to share.<br />
But today after Watching AVATAR 3D for third time i had to share what i feel and couldn't think of anything better to start with.<br />
Avatar is what you dream. Not a fairy tale, not a comic sci-fi, but a real-life adventure which is etched into your mind. Pandora, which is home to the Na'vi race in the movie, is what we have as visuals in our brain when we think of dreams. I would not delve into story much as most of the human race has watched it already and for those who haven't; please watch it regardless of anything; this is not a movie, this is not something that i like and you may not, this is something which connects the masses, and that is defined as cinematic experience.<br />
Every single object is rendered with such detail that you want to watch it again and again, to notice that thing you missed last time. I was never a huge fan of James Cameron. I enjoyed his previous block-busters, but that's it, i enjoyed..never felt them. But with Avatar, once you sit and wear those glasses, you are hypnotized into a world of photo-realistic imagery and such fine cinematography, that you only realize you are in theater once the lights come on!<br />
It's easy to criticize the cliched story-line, but this is the first time in my life that I've read so many reviews by hardcore critics who gave it a 10/10 purely based on the overall experience and rightly so.<br />
I have given this a lot of thought; For me, this is the best movie experience I've ever had till date, bar none, Period.</div>
Saif Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11944713761911834612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519177286134360818.post-12392704272152220492008-10-25T05:06:00.000+05:302008-10-25T05:07:11.736+05:30To Be Posted Soon.........Saif Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11944713761911834612noreply@blogger.com0