An ordinary genius is a fellow that you and I would be just as good as, if we were only many times better. There is no mystery as to how his mind works. Once we understand what he has done, we feel certain that we, too, could have done it. It is different with the … Continue reading / view photos Ramanujan the mathemagician
Richmond and Kew
Whilst I was in India, through a strange sequence of events, I reconnected with someone I hiked with in the USA in 2019. We lost touch during the pandemic. We met a couple of times after I returned home. First, for a walk and picnic in Richmond Park and then again for a trip to … Continue reading / view photos Richmond and Kew
Wild garlic in Box Hill
Box Hill is a popular day hike from London. Many hiking groups go there. Set in the South Downs, it’s one of the hilliest places around London. On arriving at the nearest station, Box Hill & Westhumble, some people head straight up Box Hill. It’s a sharp and sometimes slippery climb. Alternatively, you can finish … Continue reading / view photos Wild garlic in Box Hill
Spring in Kew Gardens
I’ve been a member of Kew Gardens for many years. Although it’s on the other side of London from me, there’s an Overground train that goes there. We didn’t have the ingredients to make a picnic, so we picked up sandwiches on the way. It was a lovely sunny day. We were both getting used … Continue reading / view photos Spring in Kew Gardens
Back in London at Mildred’s
Returning to London has been quite an experience. The most notable change is the temperature. The other change is the quiet. After three months of incessant noise in India, London seems a quiet place! During my time In India, the average temperature was over 30°C. The last two days in Abu Dhabi averaged about 43°C. … Continue reading / view photos Back in London at Mildred’s
India 2025 itinerary
My geotagging app says I travelled 14,000km in India and Abu Dhabi. The longer journeys were on domestic flights. India is so vast that train and coach trips can last days, even without delays. My bus trips were local but I took many trains, which are my favourite means of transport (apart from walking!). A … Continue reading / view photos India 2025 itinerary
Seikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Most workers I’ve seen in the UAE are foreigners. So far I’ve spoken to people from Nepal, Pakistan, India, Philippines, and Rwanda. Several of the Uber drivers said to me that they can’t become UAE citizens. They have visas, which have to be renewed every two years. One Uber driver told me that Uber take … Continue reading / view photos Seikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Having arrived in the evening, I couldn’t get a proper look at my surrounding area. It was too dark. When I woke up, I looked out of the window. This was my view. Despite having two nights in Abu Dhabi, I had only one full day to see anything. I narrowed sightseeing down to two … Continue reading / view photos Louvre Abu Dhabi
Leaving India
The homeward journey required going from Bangalore to Kochi and then to Abu Dhabi. In the afternoon, I flew to Kochi. I was back where I landed three months ago. I checked into the same homestay that I stayed at on first landing. I’d got to know the owner, Babu, three months ago. He was … Continue reading / view photos Leaving India
The search for a tuk tuk
I wanted to buy something small to remember my trip. Tuk tuks (autos) are everywhere, buzzing around, getting you quickly to your destination, usually breaking the traffic laws. They are so abundant that it’s easy to forget that they are a symbol of India. Helene suggested buying a toy tuk tuk to bring home. Last … Continue reading / view photos The search for a tuk tuk