Posts

Chiang Mai and Samoeng Circuit, Thailand

Image
The city close to nature, foodies’ paradise, grand temples of intricate architecture, dotted with quaint villages and a scenic mountain road circling through villages, jungles, waterfalls, and farms, Chiang Mai is a balanced blend of urban life and peace of mind. I stayed in a homestay run by a very courteous couple in one of the by-lanes close to the Old City. Pancakes cooked by the host were so delicious that I made them my regular breakfast every morning. I explored the Old City and night market for 2 days and dedicated the rest of the days to traveling to nearby villages and completing the scenic drive of the Samoeng Circuit. Wat Chedi Luang Varaviharn The Old City, walled on four sides, is the most happening place in Chiang Mai, bustling with cafes, restaurants, pubs, street food carts (one of them being Michelin Star!), hotels, tourists, and not to forget grand temples, and there are lots of them, each one equally beautiful in its own way and charming. The most popular among them...
Post a Comment
Read »

Ras fushi, Maldives

Image
 When one thinks of Maldives the first sight that appears is pristine white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and blue lagoons. Maldives is all of this and much more ! The Maldives is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka. It is composed of 26 coral atolls, which are made up of more than 1,000 small islands. The capital city of the Maldives is Malé, which is situated on the island of the same name. Malé is a bustling and vibrant city, home to the majority of the Maldivian population. It showcases modern buildings and stunning traditional architecture, with the impressive gold-domed Malé Friday Mosque as a prominent landmark. Dhivehi is the official language of the Maldives. For the un versed, here is the short description of Atoll, Lagoon and Coral Reef before we explore this beautiful country. Lagoon : A lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from the open sea by a barrier, such as a coral reef, sandbar, or barrier island. Atoll : This i...
Post a Comment
Location: Maldives
Read »

Idukki, Kerala

Image
When it comes to hill stations in Kerala, Munnar is undoubtedly the renowned gem that captures global attention for its tea plantations. While Munnar steals the spotlight as the charming hill station destination, it's one of the many gems nestled within the serene district of Idukki in Kerala. During my exploration of Idukki, I was spellbound by the abundant natural wonders this place possesses .  Let's embark on journey to explore Idukki; God's own hill retreat in God's Own Country. Idukki, nestled in the enchanting Western Ghats of Kerala, is blessed with captivating mist-clad hills, lush green landscapes, cascading waterfalls, tranquil lakes, wildlife sanctuaries, Sandalwood forests, Spice farms, Trekking routes and for its famed rolling Tea Plantations Idukki offers a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility.  In ancient times, Idukki was inhabited by various indigenous tribes like the Muthuvan, Malayarayar, Urali and Paliyan, preserving their unique tradi...
Post a Comment
Location: Idukki Twp, Kerala, India
Read »

Vineyards of India, Nashik

Image
  Imagine embarking on a wine tasting journey through the rolling lush green hills where the landscapes evoke the same charm of Napa Valley's picturesque vineyards and the rolling green hills reminiscent of Tuscany's famous wine regions. In this travelogue, we will explore Nashik which is all of it and much more. India boasts an ancient winemaking tradition that dates back to 6000 BC, establishing it as one of the world's oldest wine-producing regions. This rich heritage gave rise to a range of ingenious techniques resulting in a diverse array of wines, including Sura (crafted from rice, barley, and herbs), Madhu (a honey-based mead), Phalapaka (crafted from locally sourced grapes, pomegranates, and other tropical fruits), and Draksha. However, it was the British colonial influence that introduced European varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chenin Blanc. This infusion of European techniques and indigenous practices laid the foundation for contemporary winemak...
Post a Comment
Read »

Tungnath Chandrashila Trek, Uttarakhand

Image
  How far can one push themselves to experience the smugness of summiting this beautiful peak?  This story is the answer to the question. Chandrashila Peak Standing tall at around 4000 meters, Chandrashila peak lies in the quaint little village of Chopta 30 kilometers ahead of Ukimath in Uttarakhand. My first acquaintance with this trek was when I read about it in Ruskin Bond's book 'All the roads lead to Ganga'. The write up describing the place and a quick google search was enough to set my mind on it. But I never thought it would take me three attempts to materialize it ! My first attempt was in February 2018 with my cousins. We reached the base village Chopta late at night around 10 pm after driving for 10 hours due to construction of all weather road. But to heavy snowfall that continued day and night, the whole area was wrapped in thick white layers of snow and the trek had to be cancelled. Never the less, Chopta looked beautiful. The second attempt was in April 2020 ...
Post a Comment
Read »

Alappuzha, Kerala

Image
Have you ever experienced moments of contemplation, where you let go of everything? The deadlines at work, the financial worries, the pressure to have life figured out, the constant urge to check social media – all those thoughts that occupy your mind and push you towards one action or another. Imagine letting go of it all and simply "Be." If this seems like a distant dream and such moments are rare occurrences in your life, then Alleppey is the place to be. Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, is a town located in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is renowned for its scenic backwaters, tranquil lagoons, and picturesque canals, earning it the title of the "Venice of the East." It also has beaches dotted with shacks and cafes in the alleys running across the seashore. All of it makes Allepy a perfect place for a laid back vacation that you must take once a while to reset and recharge. I had initially planned to explore Idukki, but then the idea of a stopover in A...
Post a Comment
Read »

Varandha Ghat

Image
Ever felt to ceaselessly contemplate the nature's sketch in front of you and and feel blisfull at that very  moment !  Varandh Ghat is one such place. Located in Sahyadri, Varandha ghat connects the eastern Maharashtra to the Konkan region. This ghat is nature lovers delight. It is dotted with lakes, dams, colurful flowers, quaint villages. The scenic beauty of it will leave you mesmerized when it meanders through mist filled clouds and green landscape. My first rendezvous with this ghat came by chance where I was returning back from Goa and had to take detour for some reason. At that time it was very much frequented by people hopping from east to west. As the infratructure for Konkan connectivity improved, it has become offbeat and mostly frequented by the vehicles from adjoining villages or government buses . This is a blessing in disguise for preservaiton of its pristine beauty. Let's begin the journey... Sometimes the journey is much chershing than the destination and at f...
Post a Comment
Read »

Soyal, Himachal

Image
  One place where you would be graced with Serenity and Peace, it is Soyal ! Manali is surrounded by many beautiful places popular among tourists like Solang, Bir, Rohtang pass and flodded with cafes having great vibes. It is a place where you can be with the nature and also enjoy the chillout life of the metro cities. But if you are the one looking out for pure peace, serenity and bliss; then you need to head out to small hamlets and trails, offbeat to the touristy world of Himachal. Nestled among the pine and deodar trees, with pristine water streams gushing through them and covered with greenry as far as you can see is the small cosy hamlet of Soyal (Soil in Google Maps). It is located just 10 kms from Manali city towards Kulu (Nagar road) and yet offbeat. To reach Soyal you can drive till Mansari village and then walk for about 2 kms. There is a school near the parking spot with good view of the village and thats from where you have to walk towards Soyal. There is literally not...
Post a Comment
Read »