It is a known fact that there were no announcers at railway stations in India before independence. The post was created in the early fifties. One of the early announcers, Mr. J S Brownson, had such a good voice that people used to turn up at Dadar station just to hear him make the announcements. [Read more...]
Traditional and Locally Brewed Indian Liquors
May 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
If you prefer to unwind with a pint or a peg on travels, India offers distinct flavors in liquors, just like in its cuisine. Every region has its locally brewed alcoholic beverage to lighten you up. [Read more...]
Unsung Mumbai Street Food for Cast Iron Stomach
May 5, 2012 By 3 Comments
Tender, juicy, soft and spicy. These are the words that come to mind when you take the first morsel of ‘bheja fry’ in your mouth, once you have digested the idea of deep-fried goat brain as delectable. [Read more...]
Alibag-Tranquil place for a quiet beach holiday near Mumbai
May 4, 2012 By 4 Comments
It is a small coastal town, dwarfed by its neighbor – the concrete jungle of Mumbai. Yet, Alibag manages to hold its own, with beaches, forts and temples, a wealth of history within a small area. Alibag has, for long, been the favorite destination for Mumbai-ites looking for a short break from their hectic lifestyles. It is, after all, easily accessible from the city – it is barely 30 Km by the sea, and plenty of ferries are available from the Gateway of India. It’s not too far by road either, for the 100 Km journey takes barely 2 hours to cover. I have always preferred the sea route however, enjoying the feel of the sea breeze in my hair, watching the view of the Mumbai skyline fading away, seeing ships from all over the world at the Mumbai harbor, and of course, the chance of spotting sea gulls or even dolphins! [Read more...]
Surviving Touts in Goa
April 25, 2012 By 1 Comment
Goa, probably, has the maximum number of touts after popular religious places in India. The only difference: in the fun capital they sell vices and in the latter a conscious to keep away from them. [Read more...]
Castles, camels, chapatis in Jaisalmer
April 9, 2012 By 2 Comments
I’d seen a lot of forts in Rajasthan so by the time I reached Jaisalmer I had a pretty good idea of what to expect – or so I thought. Camera at the ready, I wound my way through the scented streets in search of the usual fortified building towering above the town. [Read more...]
Tiger Trail at Corbett National Park
April 6, 2012 By 2 Comments
A lush green forest encircled by the Himalayas, the smell of pine and the sound of birdcalls – the Jim Corbett National Park is the ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. [Read more...]
Ladakh-Ride to the roof of India
March 7, 2012 By 2 Comments
In most part of the globe, tourists head to beaches when they want to party or laze in the sun. But when they are looking for peace or adventure, they head to the mountains. To take a break from the insanity of city life, I do the same. This year, it was Ladakh. [Read more...]
Bylakuppe & Coorg-Red Robes, Prayer Flags, Himalayan Bliss
February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Tibetan Buddhism though majorly confined to regions closer to the Himalayas, do have their presence in other parts of India, too. The second largest Tibetan settlement (first being Dharamshala) in India is in a place called Bylakuppe, in interior Karnataka. Though it comes under the district of Mysore, its proximity to Coorg travelers usually refer to it as part of Coorg. [Read more...]
Rajasthan’s Best Kept Secret
January 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
It’s a city that’s played host to Rudyard Kipling, Satyajit Ray and Rabindranath Tagore. A tiny dot on Rajasthan map, far removed from the consumerist clutter and tourist trappings of bigger cities like Jaipur and Jaisalmer – Bundi is a historical gem that I accidentally stumbled upon while visiting Kota. [Read more...]
