TANKS Travel Tales - a travelogue.......

While traveling to Loch Ness, I had the chance to briefly explore the Scottish Highlands. The highlands is a mountainous region north-east of Scotland. Bed and Breakfast Inn, Scottish Highlands, Scotland, UK (2011) My trip was too brief for me to even scratch the surface of the immense culture and history of this region. Even so, what I experienced during this brief sojourn through the highlands on my way to Loch Ness gave me an insight into the rich cultural and historical significance of the region. I shall plan and return on a longer trip  to explore the region. Until that entry in my travel bucket list is fulfilled, I will always look back at some of the photographs I took during my maiden trip through the highlands and  marvel at the magic that he region has to offer. The mountainous landscape that defines the Scottish Highlands, Scotland, UK (2011) Rolling meadows on the outskirts of Inverness, Scotland, UK (2011) Local inn, Scottish Highlands, Sc

The capital of Seychelles is Victoria. Located on the island of Mahé, Victoria was formerly the seat of the British colonial government.   History and Geography While the city itself was previously founded by French colonies in the late 18th century, the name Victoria was given to the city by the British colonial government in the 19th century. Due to its history, the local culture and tradition have strong hints of both French and English influences. This includes the local Creole language which incorporates both French and English words. Clock Tower, Victoria,  Mahé, Seychelles (2000) Climate The climate of Victoria is tropical which translates to year-round warm weather coupled with relatively high humidity.  The months of June and July are typically drier while the months between December to February usually bring more rain to the city, the island of Mahé and generally most parts of the Seychelles. My personal experience was that rain typically pa

Phuket is amongst one of my favourite holiday destinations whenever I craved for  a vacation by the sea. While I do not embark on snorkelling and diving trips during my visits to Phuket, I do enjoy staying at resorts located by the beach. Relatively mundane activities such as taking strolls along the beach at dusk and beach combing at night are typically on my things-to-do list whenever I am in Phuket. Another favourite activity is dining at the many eateries on the beach while at the same time feeling the sand on my feet and listening to the sounds of the waves. This definitely takes away the stress from my daily rat race when I am back at home working like crazy. Afternoon tea while on vacation is a relaxing past-time, JW Marriott Resort and Spa, Mai Khao, Phuket, Thailand (2016) History and Geography   Phuket is a southern province of Thailand. The province includes the main island of Phuket and 32 other islands located on the western coast of Thailand in the

Cameron Highlands in Pahang state of Malaysia is well known for its tea plantations. It is named after British geologist William Cameron who surveyed the district in 1885. My first visit to Cameron Highlands was in July 2018. Visiting the many tea plantations in the area, I was always very amazed by the relative symmetry that resulted from the way the tea plants are organised. I am quite sure this is for reasons relating to the subsequent cultivation and harvesting of the tea leaves, although I cannot confirm that. From afar, they looked to me like stacks of greenery, harmoniously placed in random yet orderly fashion. Taking photographs of the tea plantations became an immediate personal obsession during my trip. Viewed from photographs taken at ground level, eye level and from elevated level, the same tea plantation look similar yet unique. My favourite view is that from an elevated angle as shown in this photograph. Tea plantation, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia (

London's Natural History Museum has a vast collection of specimens and as its name suggests, the exhibits at the museum focuses on natural history. There are currently millions of items in the museum. These are grouped under 5 main collections; botany, entomology, mineralogy, palaeontology and zoology. While the exhibits were where I usually spent the most time viewing and studying on each visit, the building which houses the museum is itself an architectural marvel. The landmark building that houses the Natural History Museum, London, England, UK (2017) Designed by English architect Alfred Waterhouse, the museum building was built in the late 19th century. Located on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, the building's Victorian-style architecture is unmistakeable even to the casual observer. Surrounding the building are tall trees and neatly manicured gardens which are great for nice strolls. In recent visits, I had started spending more time walking around