Destinations
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6 Secrets of Kerala – Things to do and best places to visit in Kerala
Unearth the less known parts and experiences of Kerala. It involves the peaceful stretch of backwaters, the once in 12 years flower bloom of neelakurinji and the homemade chocolates!
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Fanaspada, Kharghar Waterfall – Two wildlings chasing wilderness in a city
In the monsoon of 2017, Kharghar, a locality near Mumbai in India pleased us in many ways. The Kharghar waterfall area has a role to play in it. Our first attempt of getting close to the most popular waterfall in Kharghar failed. So the second time, we attempted getting close to the second most popular waterfall in Kharghar. Husband had been here once before in 2016, so he was very confident it would be a success this time. I know there are people who live in Kharghar yet they have no idea about the existence of this seasonal cascade. Pandavkada, the most popular one is famous owing to its location.…
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Kharghar Hills in Monsoon – Tale of two Bengalis with tummy full of Biryani on a hilltop in the lashing rain
Kharghar is a part of Navi Mumbai, India. Those in Mumbai may frown a bit when I drop the ‘Navi’ and call Kharghar just a part of Mumbai, but for everyone else, it doesn’t matter much. The Kharghar hills wear a coat of green in monsoon. A local train on harbour line from CST (ChattrapatiShivaji Terminus) station of Mumbai takes around one hour and fifteen minutes to reach Kharghar. Technically, it is a valley surrounded by hills; hills with cute heights, not the high ones. The golf course and the Central Park opposite to each other are the lungs of this suburb. The south to north running hills along the…
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Disruption In Bali, Indonesia: Mount Agung in Bali erupted but a larger eruption is expected
Travellers are in trouble, locals wait in anticipation and the entire island of Bali is waiting fingers crossed. Volcanic eruption of Mount Agung had once burnt villages and ravaged the entire island in 1963-64. Mount Agung is the highest point of Bali and it is considered a region of environmental influence. The mountain was rumbling the entire month of September and people already feared a major eruption may be on the cards. Bali is a top rated destination and is thronged by visitors all year round. With the holiday season approaching in the western world, tourist traffic is expected to rise. However, the eruption of Mount Agung changes the entire…
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Chowmahalla Palace – A date with palatial Hyderabad
Our self designed walking tour in Hyderabad brought us to the Chowmahalla Palace. In the erstwhile era, Hyderabad was ruled by the nizams. Chowmahalla Palace served as the seat of the nizam rule. ‘Chow’ means four and ‘mahal’ means palace; no wonder there are four palaces in the compound of Chowmahalla Palace. Its architecture was inspired by the palace of the Shah of Iran. There is a very interesting story behind the rise, fall and ‘fight back’ history of the palace. I wonder how a movie has still not been made on it. Like many of the royal families in India, the Asaf Jahi dynasty’s surviving heir, or the owner…
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Experience the essence of Asia with these 5 must-see destinations
There’s simply no denying Asia is one of, if not the best region in the world for travelling. With so many varying countries to discover and so much culture to be experienced, it’s only natural you want to visit. With that being said, here are 5 must-see destinations to ensure you experience the essence of Asia. Delhi, India If you want to experience a city that truly has it all, Delhi is the place to go. India’s capital doesn’t even slightly underwhelm in its offerings, a visit often proving to be a sensory overload. From delectable food to colourful festivals, from friendly locals to an abundance of incredible sights, Delhi has…
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Bari Village, Maharashtra: Experiencing the three ‘H’- Hut, Hospitality and Homestay
In 2016 the husband went on his life’s first trek. It was Kalsubai, the highest point in Maharashtra, India. When he showed me the humble photos clicked on his cellphone, the first thing I remember asking him was the name of the base village. “Bari village,” he replied. He went on a ‘pre-arranged group trek’ with a gang of around 40 trekkers. The downside of going on group tours is that you miss out on the one-to-one conversations with locals. Locals rarely approach a large group of travellers for casual chat without any self interest. Things are different when you are vulnerable. So on August 2017, me and the husband…
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Olfactory and Visual Feasts on the Streets of Hyderabad: Laad Bazar and Pathhargatti
I recalled a faint memory of a man trying out different perfumes in a market of one of the Indian towns. The man was on TV. I don’t remember the channel, may be Discovery or National Geographic. The city was Hyderabad, the place was Laad bazar. Years later, when I got a chance to visit Hyderabad, I made sure I didn’t miss discovering the unique aromas of the city. Travelling in the old city of Hyderabad is not an easy task for a person foreign to the mechanics of the city. Firstly, the streets and alleys are no short of a maze. Secondly, transport is snail slow. Trains are not…
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When Maharashtra Blooms: Kas Pathar Satara, Deccan India’s Valley of Flowers
“Hey, so what are you planning as your next destination?” asked our friend. “Did you say plan? Oh I am a great planner. But, the universe seems to dislike the planned version of me,” I replied. In 2013 I was trying to plan a hiking trip to the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand. Two months prior to its execution, India saw one of its worst natural calamities. Multiday cloudbursts in Uttarakhand killed thousands of people, animals, and destroyed roads and trails. In 2016, from the Facebook group Globetrotting Girls India, I got to know about Kas Pathar, another valley, or more accurately, plateau, of flowers near Satara city of Maharashtra.…
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Food in Hyderabad, The Old City: A Foodie’s Delight
For a culinary enthusiast, Hyderabad is a treasure trove. Food in Hyderabad is not just for your tongue but for your all five senses. Influenced by the Mughals, Persians and the Telugu culture, Hyderabad evolved with a unique taste of its own. The best part about Hyderabadi food is that it satisfies the stomach without burning the pocket. Here is a quick list of seven ‘must-have’ food when in Hyderabad! Biryani – Of course no-one can imagine leaving Hyderabad without trying the famous Hyderabadi Biryani. The recipe of the yellow tinged long grained rice was passed on to India by the Mughals who ruled over the Indian subcontinent hundreds of…
