Ios Maps vs Google Maps India

Recently when we went to Bengaluru, we took our beloved unlocked iPhone 4s with us (idea was to try with an Indian Sim card) to help us with phone access during our vacation. With the data plan we figured we could use the navigation also. Considering the charging of the phone is such a problem in India, I was hoping against hope that the built-in maps of iOS aka Apple maps would work for in US, I have found them to be battery saver and have come a long way since introduction. 

As they say, India is completely different dynamics at play and the Apple maps I was so hopeful about was up to no good. I had to change tactics and rely on Google maps. I wasn't expecting this extreme of a difference but Google maps are a few light years ahead of Apple maps. 

In places where Apple maps was struggling with GPS lock on my location,  Google map was able to give me point to point and turn by turn directions including details on service roads and one way too. 

With the driver we had hired for Bangalore trip, we survived solely thanks to Google Maps.

On the same note, traffic overlays on Google maps is extremely accurate and I admit I have a new found respect for Austin traffic after encountering Bangalore traffic.

So, a piece of advice if you are interested in taking your iPhone to India make sure it has Google Maps.     

  

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas

A piece of knowledge from Sri Sri RaviShankar-ji on occasion of Christmas.

You are the Christmas tree that points upwards with branches on all sides. At the time of year when other trees are barren, you are green with many gifts to offer. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar 

Christmas gift for the homeless

Yesterday while driving back from office I got stuck at a signal, I had barely missed the signal because the car in front of me had slowed down a lot to make the left turn. 

While I was silently cursing that car/driver and was in the process of accepting what happened, I noticed another car on my left which had a green but had stopped conspicuously. I started to wonder what was wrong with that car and then the car slowly made a right turn and stopped.  The lady sitting in the car was waving towards the homeless guy begging at the signal. My small mind was saying, "why is she waving towards the homeless?," and "doesn't she know that she is blocking the traffic?" and so on. To be fair, the traffic was fairly light and she wasn't really bothering the traffic movement. 

Once the homeless guy reached the car, it was my turn to be awed. Out of the car came a big nicely packed gift box and after asking the guys size a jacket too, I am sure she wished him merry Christmas.

I was amazed at the lady and her organization for doing this charity. 

Now I know why I was stuck at that signal for an extra 2 minutes.

Our Art of Living volunteers also took part in a similar endeavor few days before Christmas. 

Avni's pumpkin painting

What would you do when you have an urge to paint the pumpkin and your parents are too busy to help you, you pick a brush per paint color – simple.

Images from Dubare camp

All images captured with Canon Xsi with 24-105 F/4 lens in manual mode. No editing whatsoever.   

Christmas at Bannockburn–snapshots of the season

This Christmas, thanks to Sandhya who has made this list of things to do during Christmas/holiday season, one of them happened to be performance at Bannockburn Church.

Considering Avni is following a new routine of sleeping at 8:00 and due to other unavoidable reasons we could only make time for the last show on Monday at 7:00PM.

If I had one word to describe the performance it would be, “wonderstruck”. The performances had people of all ages from kids to adults, the dances were extremely well choreographed, the singers had amazing voice, the lighting was just perfect, the artists were extremely talented and last but not the least the dresses they wore just lit the stage on fire.

The best part of the show for me was the myriad ways they performed for the song “Jingle bell, jingle bell … “. If I may divide the show into 2 parts, the first half was fun and joy and that was the part in which Avni had a blast and second part was performance on life of Jesus from birth to crucifixion and re-birth (after which I had to leave). Both parts were very beautiful and kudos to the production team for pulling this off with incredible precision.  

Many thanks to our Circle C ranch Facebook page and the residents who evangelized it. It was a wonderful performance and something I look forward to for next year.    

Dubare elephant camp

I had heard a lot about this place and by the time we finalized our trip to India, this one had become a must see places in our vacation. I was told the ideal way to visit is to book a day in jungle lodges Dubare and I say, yes they were right.

This was my first experience with jungle lodges and I have all praises for them. They had very clean and spacious cottages, wonderful food and friendly people. I must emphasize when I say clean, I mean not a single piece of paper or cigarette butt or any such things that don’t belong in the forest.

Our journey started from Mysore in the morning and we reached Dubare by afternoon, much to my surprise we took a boat to reach Jungle lodges, in essence we were a captive audience till we checked out next day.

After lunch and tea we were taken on a safari in the evening, lasted a couple of hours and we were lucky to see a bunch of peacock, a jungle cat, few elephants and a Gaur (Indian Bison). Returning from the safari there was camp fire, followed by dinner.

Next day started with a small guided walk through the jungle and a coracle ride followed by breakfast and Elephant interaction. Thanks to government of Karnataka for organizing “Tipu’s birthday” and which led to Coorg Bandh, we almost had exclusive access during elephant interaction. Avni had a blast bathing the elephants and feeding them.

All in all, it was a well planned 24 hours at jungle lodges Dubare. One can stay for more than a day but the activities would be the same.

I wouldn’t do justice if I don’t talk about the elephants in the camp. Some of the elephants are born there and most are caught/tamed to prevent human and animal conflicts. I was told the males do get into fights sometimes and it is a common thing. One interesting fact I found was that the medium of instruction for the elephants is Hindi. 

My recommendation for people visiting Dubare, spend the money and stay overnight and appreciate the nature.