Global Nomad by Design

Friday, 23 January 2015

Osnat Tzadok

Fascinated by the paint technique of self taught Canadian artist Osnat Tzadok.

Paint pouring and wet on wet are popular techniques.

But Osnat's unique style is noteworthy.

(Pictures courtesy: Pinterest)

Sunday, 27 July 2014

Denmark, or Danmark, as it is called by the Danes, is a picturesque country. Beaches, lakes, fjords, woods and the charming tiled houses present an idyllic picture. Danes, place a lot of importance on "Hygge". Broadly translated it means "Coziness" but actually it is a lot more than that. It is an inherent tendency the Danes have to make everything cozy or to enjoy the moment. A valuable lesson learned in today's lifestyle, I think.

There is a lot that I like about Denmark, but this post is dedicated to old Danish farmhouses, most of them still functional. Quaint, colourful, unique and delightfully charming. The pictures below are from Denmark's Frilandsmuseet, one of the largest and oldest open air museums in the world. The houses, mills and farms here are from 1650 to 1940. The museum is situated North of Copenhagen.

Sunday, 29 June 2014

Ceramic factory, Cappadocia.

..Ceramic factory at Cappadocia, Turkey

A visit to a ceramic factory in Cappadocia is a must-see. If 'factory conjures up a vision of a dismal, concrete structure, you are in for a pleasant surprise.

The ceramic factories here are tucked away in caves dug into the mountain ranges.

A demonstration at the factory of an urn being made.

The urn is then fired, painted white and intricate designs are drawn on the surface.

These designs are then filled with colour and the product is fired again.

The end result is a work of art!

Pottery workshops are available for those interested.

The finished products range from decorative platters, urns and reliefs to dinner sets and other functional things.

(pictures by Global nomad)

Monday, 23 June 2014

Seal colonies

Seals are a common sight near the town of Kaikoura, New Zealand. You will find seal colonies on either end of the town. The seal colony to the south is a short walk from town. Parking is available if you decide to drive down. The landscape is at its picturesque best here and you will find seals lying on the rocks or swimming. And one can get to very close to them. The seals seem unimpressed by the tourists and show no reaction to the excitement they cause or to the pictures being clicked. I would, however, exercise caution in how close one gets to them. It would be a good idea to follow some wildlife safety guidelines. There are companies offering tours where you can swim with the seals.

I highly recommend a visit to the seal colony. It is easily accessible, the view is great, there always seem to be a number of seals, the seal pups adorable and it is an incredible experience for free.

(Photo courtesy: Global Nomad)

Sunday, 22 June 2014

Swimming with the Dolphins

Swimming with the dolphins off the Kaikoura coast is an incredibly exhilarating experience. There are various companies that provide these tours. We chose Dolphin adventures. In hindsight, it turned out to be a smart decision to make our bookings a couple of months in advance, as they were completely sold out three weeks before our trip. You have the option of either swimming with the dolphins or enjoying the tour from the boat. I strongly recommend the former.

The Dolphin adventures Team is thorough and professional. Once you are fitted with the necessary

wetsuits and snorkelling equipment, you are shown a short film on the dos and donts of swimming withe dolphins. It is made quite clear to the guests that we are entering the dolphins' environment and therefore it is imperative we do not harm or disturb them in any manner. The boat then takes us to 3 to 4 snorkelling sites. The professionalism of the Dolphin Adventures team comes through again on the boat. Guests with sea sickness are handled with expert ease and made to feel comfortable. They were people of all ages in our group, the youngest being 10 years old and the oldest in their 70s.

We encountered dolphins right at the first site. At the 3rd site, we encountered a pod of almost 300 dolphins. They are quite unafraid and extremely playful. It is recommend that you DO NOT touch the dolphins. But you will find that the dolphins swim around you, nudge you occasionally, dive over you, try to make eye contact and swim alongside you. Swimming with these gentle and friendly animals with a spectacular backdrop of the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain range is a surreal experience like no other.

And DO rent an underwater camera if you don't own one. These are available for rent with Dolphin Adventures. There are so many photo worthy moments while swimming with the dolphins that is it truly a missed opportunity without an underwater camera.

(Photo courtesy: dolphin encounter.co.nz, kaikouramotel.co.nz)

The Green Dolphin

A visit to Kaikoura is incomplete without dinner at The Green Dolphin restaurant. The breathtaking view from the restaurant is matched by the delicious menu that The Green Dolphin offers. The local crayfish is an absolute must-have. The restaurant is popular with locals and tourists alike, so advance bookings are highly recommended.

Monday, 18 November 2013

Pushkar- frozen in time

Pushkar

Much has been said about the annual Camel fair at Pushkar, Rajasthan. My first impression as we reached the outskirts, was that of a somnolent village tucked away in the middle of nowhere. I failed to understand what the lure to the place was. That impression did not last long. Pushkar is a village, for it is nothing more than a village, bustling with activity. You are assaulted by the sights, smells and sounds with such rapidity that it takes a while for things to register. What made the most impact on me was the people of Pushkar. The vibrant colours of their clothing enliven what would otherwise be a dismal landscape. The turbans and veils provide a much needed relief from the scorching heat of the day and the chilly nights. The laid back panache with which they carry themselves make them even more striking.