Read this post on Ozy today and brought back fond memories of home. Where home = Chennai in Tamil Nadu. Where I was born, raised for a bit (kindergarten and high school), pursued college and corporate world and where I return to when I visit family in India. Although this story on the link shared is from a rickshaw driver in Mumbai, rickshaws are pretty much seen everywhere in India. 

The latest issue of TIME had an interesting image and caption on 'The floating waterfall' in their Big Ideas category - this is at the Palace of Versailles courtesy a Danish-Icelandic artist. You can see more on the link here.

I have not been to this floating waterfall but I have seen something similar in Dubai at the Miracle Gardens. It seems like the water is pouring out from nothingness in mid-air but if you get close enough, of course, you can see the mechanics behind it and the illusion remains no more. I was thoroughly intrigued by this spectacle and am surprised there aren't many around, or maybe there are and I don't know. Have you been to either of these two water-related sculpture attractions or seen something similar?

Always exciting to see my travel stories in print - Here is the May 2016 edition of Alpharetta Lifestyle featuring my trip to Japan with walk Japan!

Beyond excited to share I am off to Japan tomorrow on what will be a ten day hiking trip across smaller cities, islands and villages starting in Tokyo and ending in Kyoto. It will be my first time to the country and with a complete group of strangers so I am thrilled with the opportunity of new friends and a new experience in a new land. My journey has me transiting through Canada and the flights into and out of Japan will be mighty long but hope to get some sleep in and feel rejuvenated for the trip. More updates will be here soon enough so stay tuned.

My gallivanting around Chennai today included a mix of local and international. It is customary in India, and I assume in most Asian cultures, to never visit someone's home, be that a friend or family member, with empty hands. Some form of a gift is mandatory. It doesn't have to be expensive but it is the norm. Folks of my generation don't care much for it but being that most of my visiting was with my mom, I had to adhere to a few customs.