Kettik: Showing all Stories by Saravana http://www.kettik.com/ http://saravk.localhost:3000/ destinations/%20list 2010-06-15 05:33:22 UTC Kettik: Showing all Stories by Saravana Rishikesh http://saravk.kettik.com/go/Asia/India/Uttarakhand/Rishikesh/stories/47 2010-06-15 05:33:22 UTC http://saravk.kettik.com/go/Asia/India/Uttarakhand/Rishikesh/stories/47 Saravana Review: Btwin bike bag (or.. how to pack a Surly Long Haul Trucker) http://saravk.kettik.com/go/stories/45

Usually people transport their bikes in cardboard boxes, but i felt that having a dedicated bike bag would be better as it is more compact, has more room for accessories and most of all because of the reason that the bag can be stowed away easily at a left luggage counter or in a hotel and can be used for the return trip as well. That last item was the major selling point for me as i didn't want to run around looking for cardboard boxes especially on the return leg of my journeys. The Btwin bike bag being sold in Decathlon looked perfect for my needs so i went ahead and bought it. And here is its review..

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2010-06-05 02:06:07 UTC http://saravk.kettik.com/go/stories/45 Saravana
the packing challenge.. seeing what fits and what doesn't.. http://saravk.kettik.com/go/stories/46

 

The question: How to pack everything above (laptop + tent + sleeping bag + sleeping pad + stove + utensils + tripod + camera + 3 lenses + accessories + bike tools + winter clothes + summer clothes + toiletries) into two medium sized camera bags, a stuff sack and a small handlebar bag for my bike.

Its important that i figure out the answer for my question now itself before its too late.

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2010-06-03 12:19:46 UTC http://saravk.kettik.com/go/stories/46 Saravana
the search for the ideal travel gadget.. iPad vs Adam vs Netbook.. http://saravk.kettik.com/go/stories/44

 

Usually on short ~2 week trips, i never feel the need to take my laptop along. A pen, a pad and a couple of decent sized memory cards should take care of all my computing needs. Which is to keep a record of my travels through words and through pictures.

 

For anything longer than two weeks, i would really feel the need to carry some sort of computing device. For exactly the same reasons quoted above. The memory cards would eventually run out and your own memories wouldn't fare much better either. And also there is this added burden of pouring through thousands of pictures after your return. Editing, cataloguing, putting a name to the faces & places etc. It all can get quite a bit overwhelming and if you are like me, you'll just put it off for later and later until eventually you sort of give up on it.

 

So for my current trip, i'am looking for the ideal travel gadget to carry with me. What makes it ideal would depend on the following conditions...

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2010-05-29 17:13:25 UTC http://saravk.kettik.com/go/stories/44 Saravana
why it still stinks... http://saravk.kettik.com/go/stories/43

Its Saturday morning.. almost midday and im still in bed. Got up a couple of hours back, didn't feel like getting out of bed, watched a movie and now that its over i still don't feel like going anywhere. So i figured i'd write about it. Something i haven't done in a very long time..

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2010-04-17 08:20:49 UTC http://saravk.kettik.com/go/stories/43 Saravana
Much ado about a saddle... Brooks B17 Imperial.. http://saravk.kettik.com/go/stories/42 2010-04-12 17:50:03 UTC http://saravk.kettik.com/go/stories/42 Saravana Eclipse chasing in Hangzhou.. http://saravk.kettik.com/go/Asia/China/Zhejiang/Hangzhou/stories/37

Growing up, I had never given eclipses much thought. I remember a few happen around Chennai when i was growing up. The Surya Grahanam was not an auspicious sign and we were usually told to stay indoors when it happened. You were not allowed to take a bath or eat anything during the eclipse. And once it was over, the family would do a small prayer, offer food to the gods and the crows and only then you can get back to your regular routine. Superstition or a ritual with some practical meaning behind it.. I'm not so sure.


Anyway, that was then. Now, i didn't have any such misgivings and the moment i heard about the eclipse from one my friends i made up my mind to go see it.

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2010-04-05 11:45:04 UTC http://saravk.kettik.com/go/Asia/China/Zhejiang/Hangzhou/stories/37 Saravana
Pushkar : Religon and rituals http://saravk.kettik.com/go/Asia/India/Rajasthan/Pushkar/stories/3 The Pushkar Mela was the reason i decided to go on the Rajasthan trip during my 'extended' Diwali holidays. Once i knew that the camel fair will happen in the first week of November, there was no looking back and i wasn't disappointed. Read on.. ]]> 2010-03-15 20:16:57 UTC http://saravk.kettik.com/go/Asia/India/Rajasthan/Pushkar/stories/3 Saravana