A new lens

I just treated myself to a new lens. The Canon 35mm 1.4 L.

It's amazing how good glass feels - so effortlessly sharp, so easy to focus and just all around great. I'm a 28mm fixed focal length photographer (unless on assignment) and felt increasingly irritable with the inability to get what I wanted from my image. I gave into temptation, overstretched my pocket, my wallet, everything really... and found myself in pure ecstasy.

TO-go-TO LIST!

These are a few of the places I've been drooling over in the recent past -

1. Zanzibar, Tanzania

2. Peru

3. Laos

4. Andamans

5. North-East India

6. Bhutan

7. West Gujarat

8. Eastern Europe

9. Cuba

10. Bolivia

My top 10... err 5

I travel a lot. I also tend to 'fall in love' with a lot of places, things or just moments... the moments that come out of being in a new place :)

This a list of some of my favorite places, in no particular order -

1. Kadikoy, Istanbul, Turkey

Kadikoy is the better part of Istanbul I'd like to think. Istanbul is divided into two parts, the European side and the Asian Side. Kadikoy is a large cosmopolitan district on the Asian Side. I was in Turkey for a workshop in the summer of 2010 and Kadikoy came to be our 'home'. Its less touristy, more 'real' interms of people, prices, food etc. Since most of the tourist attractions (blue mosque, hagia sophia) are on the European side lesser tourists venture over to Kadikoy... which to me is AWESOME! Little do they know what lies on the other side of the Bhosphorous (shhhh don't tell them!)

View from the ferry to Kadikoy

© Mansi Midha

2. King's Cliff, Ooty, India

A long-ish drive from Central Ooty (long if you are used to short distances and short if you come from Mumbai) will bring you to the charming King's Cliff. It's a stunning property set amidst tea estates and panoramic views. The restaurant, Earl's Secret is the finest in Ooty.

Small intimate dining areas and private living rooms complete with a fireplace make it a must visit if you are in the area. Oh, and they even encourage you to carry your own spirits.

Imagine a cool winter evening, watching the sun go down over the hills, sipping red wine, a bunch of awesome people, an old-home, old-world, creaking-wood-under your-feet type of feeling, a fireplace and the best-est tiramisu. Sold?

3. Mumbai, India

Oh MUMBAI - you crazy crazy thing!!! What can I say?! Nothing really, except that I'm not a Delhi-ite who would take part in the Delhi-Mumbai war because I'm unsure if my loyalty rests with my home ground!

4. McLeodgunj, India

McLeodgunj, the home of calm and home to the Dalai Lama.

I visited McLeodgung in 2009 and stayed at Pema Thang. I don't know what it is about McLeodgunj that attracted me to it, it was probably the people and the heavy buddhist presence that brought about a sense of calm the minute I set foot in. Not to forget a chance meeting with the Dalai Lama himself and the blessing of my camera.

5. Rabbit Island, Cambodia

Read this.

... to be continued.

Happy New Year!

© Mansi Midha

Wishes for a fantastic year ahead!

With the new year I hope to blog a bit more regularly. I seem to be missing out on narrating a lot of great experiences and moments! With 2011 I look forward to spending a considerable amount of time working in the South of India on a personal project and then in South America.

A lot of things brewing at the moment - looks like it's going to be a good one. Salud!