Picture of the Week #76

A scene from the weekend when Toronto hosted the G20 Summit (June, 2010).  Never in the history of Canada were the police officers given such sweeping powers to arrest and detain anyone they liked.  I was almost arrested myself when the riot police surrounded a major intersection that had a handful of protesters and hundreds of spectators (like me).  The price-tag for the Summit weekend security?  Only a billion dollars.


I think the Indian police in Kashmir need equipment like this to fight the stone-pelting "little terrorists".

Picture of the Week #75

A monk talking about Buddha in Bago, Myanmar.  Seen in the background is part of the largest reclining Buddha in Myanmar (Burma).

Picture of the Week #74

This is the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon/Yangon, Myanmar (Burma).

Picture of the Week #73

This is the beautiful city of Toronto on a mid-summer afternoon... and look at it now - it's so cold!

Picture of the Week #72

Gotta love the vintage public transport bus (seen in Kolkata, West Bengal, India)!  The nice thing is it actually has an "emergency exit" as opposed to the newer buses.

Picture of the Week #71

Mingalaba from Burma!  That's 'hello' in Burmese.  I'm in Burma (Myanmar) right now with my wife. :)

Picture of the Week #70

As we draw a close to the year 2010... the weathering heights of the Sahyadri mountains.  I hope 2010 was a good year for you and hope you met your goals for the year.  Here's to reaching new heights in 2011!

Picture of the Week #69

Seen at a corner of a busy intersection in Girgaon, Mumbai.

Picture of the Week #68

A typical tut-tuk seen on the streets of Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic (also known as Laos).  The tuk-tuk has become a sort of trademark of travel in Southeast Asia.  It's cheap (don't forget to negotiate), convenient and fun to ride!

Picture of the Week #67

Entrance to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Picture of the Week #66

Mmmmm... mouth watering snacks seen on a road-side hotel on way to Aurangabad from Pune.

Picture of the Week #65

Today is the 2nd anniversary of Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorist attack on Mumbai.  Taj Hotel, seen here, was one of the many places where well-trained AK-47 wielding Pakis let loose their hatred on innocent people.  This time they came via the sea route to carry out the attacks.  I don't know whether to be more upset about the actual attacks or on the incompetent Indian government for doing nothing about the attacks.

Picture of the Week #64

Khotachiwadi - in the heart of old Mumbai (Girgaon).  Enter Khotachiwadi and leave behind the chaos of Mumbai.  I envy the people who live in this century-old Heritage alley.

Picture of the Week #63

Seen here are riot police on the weekend of the G20 Summit hosted by Toronto (June, 2010).  I was there to catch all the action on my camera.  I must say, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Seoul, Korea hosted the Summit of the G20 nations on Nov 11-12.

Why once-in-a-lifetime experience?  Because the G20 is anti-tourism.  Nobody goes to a city that is hosting the G20 Summit.  Toronto was a ghost town during the G20.

Picture of the Week #62 - Happy Diwali!

Happy Diwali and Happy New Year everyone!

Picture of the Week #61

A typical road-side chaiwala in India.  Between having tea in a 5-star hotel or at a road-side place, I would prefer this any time!

Picture of the Week #60

The glittering Thaniya Mall in Bangkok, Thailand.  All that glitters is not gold!

Picture of the Week #59

A shot of Girgaon Chowpatti (Mumbai) in the evening.  This has become a favourite hangout spot for the many migrant works that come to Mumbai from all over (North) India.

Picture of the Week #58

A place that I can never get tired of - Mumbai's Marine Drive.  In the monsoons, the atmosphere here is simply electrifying!  Come here with your loved one, and what more could anyone ask for?

Picture of the Week #57

Picture of a poster put up on a hotel run by a Tibetan family in Sikkim, India.