Year: 2017

Categories
Beaches Rejoice Western India

Zuari river, Goa

After going to so many beaches in Goa, while we were driving from North Goa to South goa, we reached a bridge. The bridge gave such a picturesque view of the Zuari river. The river with its yellow hue (because of the silt), looked spectacular. It was a panoramic view so we decided to make a pit stop near the river. We spent some time on the beach looking at the landscape and the greenery that surrounded the river. Then we decided to take a boat trip.

The boat trip is a must for anyone who visits Zuari River as you get to experience the beauty of the river first hand up close and not from a distance. It is also apt for bird watching and we got close to many birds and were able to take pictures as well. The river is so calm and serene that it soothes your soul and as you see the sunlight reflecting on the water’s surface it is like millions of tiny diamonds are floating on the river.

A guided tour takes you to the mangroves for watching birds. Kamat is the man if you wish to find a tour guide. He runs a place called ‘Crocodile Station’. We saw 6 species of Kingfisher alone. We also saw Greater Crested Earnns and other species of birds that stood on the wooden stumps as we watched and clicked pictures. Also, the river is popular as a habitat for crocodiles and we spotted four of them while we were there. It was also a very strangely exciting incident. We could also see the Portuguese churches on the hills along the river side. The reflection of those trees and hills on the river made for a great view as well. There were some local fishermen with their canoes as well. Little fishes jumped around the boat making the experience very light and joyful. Then we saw a bunch of flying foxes bats hanging from a tree and though it scared us a little bit, the bats were inactive and were not bothered by anything. One can easily spend a few hours here looking at such diverse bird species and just enjoying the calmness of the river.

There is also a sunset point from where you can see as the sun sets and the horizon it forms as if it is dipping into the river itself. That is the best time to visit the river. Since not many tourists know about this spot, it is not very crowded but a charming place nonetheless.

As we drove along the road on the Zuari river, that is also an image that got framed into our minds. It is such a beautiful view that one cannot forget it Zuari river is not exactly a tourist attraction but can be good for a pit stop while you are on a road trip. It is such a natural thing of beauty and the high and low tides bring new changes in the river making it look rejuvenated. We found a local seafood restaurant nearby and sat down to try some fresh and delicious seafood. The prawns were just delicious.

We highly suggest travelers visit this place when you are in Goa. You can have a fun time on the bridge or go on the boat safari or do little birding.

Categories
Inspiration North India Relax

Misty Morning in Floating Market, Dal Lake, Kashmir

Dal Lake is the jewel of Kashmir. #ghoomophirosisters during their stay at Kashmir wanted to spend a misty morning on the beautiful Dal Lake. Floating Markets, Shikara, the tranquility of lake always attracted us and we could not resist getting up at 5 AM in the morning to witness this beauty. It was totally worth it. Wrapping ourselves in the blankets in the Shikara, sipping our Kehwa slowly and watching these Kashmiris rowing their boats. Do not want anything more in this blog as pictures speak 1000 words, and I leave it to the readers to decide on their own on the charming Dal Lake. I am sure, these pictures will definitely inspire you to pack your bags for the next trip to #Kashmir.

All the pics have been clicked by Himadri Garg, official photographer of team #ghoomophirosisters, and you can follow her on Instagram, and also request for the print of these pictures.

Categories
North India wildlife

Sultanpur Sanctuary- Bird watcher paradise

This National park that is at a distance of 15 km from Gurgaon is not only a sanctuary of birds where birds migrate from all over the world but also a famous picnic spot. We went to Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary during winter months and stayed at the guest house there only. The tourist complex is splendid with a restaurant and bar. The bar is well stocked and the restaurant serves quality food.  We arrived there by road from Delhi (which is 50 km away) on Wednesday which is good because the place is closed every Tuesday and moreover, a permit is required to enter the place before 7 am.

Anyway, the officials told us that it was a good time to visit as the birds migrate to the sanctuary during winter months and thus we got to see a diversity of bird species. I gave in to my passion for bird photography and we did lots of bird watching with our binoculars in hand and our head-turning everywhere, not knowing where to see because it was all so beautiful. With a tiny fee of Rs 5, it is such an astonishing place to visit. Be sure to carry your identity card with you when you visit because you will be denied entry otherwise. There were adequate parking facilities, drinking-water facilities and bathroom facilities making it a place with ease.

There are more than 250 bird species that have been identified there and if you keep a bird book with you, you will be able to identify some of the birds. We were lucky enough to see a spot-billed duck, painted stork, white ibis,  common hoopoe, paddy field pipit, purple, grey francolin, black francolin, Indian roller, white-throated kingfisher, black-headed ibis, little egret, great egret, cattle egret, India crested lark sunbird, little cormorant and Eurasian thick-knee. Within the vicinity of tall and green trees, bougainvilleas and shrubs were these beautiful creatures. We were glad for those binoculars as they helped in letting us enjoy the scene without disturbing the peace of the place. It is also a place for a good trek. Beginners can practice with the easy terrain while also experiencing the scenic panoramic views.

It is a picturesque view as the birds settle around the sanctuary with all their flamboyant, visually pleasing colors and gorgeous wings and sounds. This is what bird-watcher paradise looks like. We had a small picnic there among those birds. We went up to the watch tower to see the sanctuary in its full glory. To be honest, the view from there was breathtaking. The whole place is spectacular. There was also a library, films and an education center for benefit of tourists. It indeed turned out to be very informative and we walked out with more knowledge than we had before.

We saw some children playing within the reserve as there is a special park for them. Also, we saw old write-ups, personal belongings, and photographs by Dr Salim Ali as there is a whole room dedicated to him in the reserve.

The park timings are 7:00 am to 4:30 pm but I do not think that even that is enough time to fully absorb and appreciate the beauty of this magnificent National Park. By the time we left, there were unforgettable memories imprinted in our minds. We felt like explorers in a jungle reveling in the sheer natural charm of this National park. You can visit the park with your family, friends or even alone as it is one place that will leave you flabbergasted.

Categories
Travel Accessories Travel Trends

Carry your style with you even while travelling

Although traveling can be an extremely fun thing to do, but in case you haven’t been careful, it can wreak havoc on your fashion sense. While most of us give a little damn or worry about how we are looking on a trip, there are some people, especially women, who always want to look perfect no matter what. So, here we bring to you a few tips that could come in handy and help you look all stylish and cool all the time.

Know the destination – By this, we don’t mean that you should be aware of the place in a tourist sense that of course needs no reminder. When it comes to being fashionable, the first step is to know what kind of outfit to pack to what place. For example, in case you have packed in that swimsuit that you have been craving to show off, would that work if the place where you are visiting is not having the apt weather condition to make your fantasy come to life? You got the answer. Research a bit, and pack outfits according to the weather, locality and the sensibilities of the locals.

Comfort first- Nobody wants to experience the feeling of going back to home and bring in that dress that you could have worn while paragliding or trekking just because it would be more comfortable. What if you don’t even have that dress in your wardrobe that would enable you to walk miles comfortably? You should care about that while shopping and always choose the dresses that would be comfortable for you in the pursuit of the adventure that you are embarking upon.

Have some basic pieces and make it amazing- Some people do that quite successfully. Pack in your blue jeans that would go with every other color combination of tops. Or maybe that classy black dress that you have which can be easily accessorized. That would make you feel all confident. And constantly changing the accessories and tops over those jeans and leggings will not make your dressing sense look repetitive.

Something special for a special day- The long trips you take aren’t always necessarily about all the adventures and hikes and whatnots. Even during the long holidays away, there may be days when you would want to just sit in a peaceful restaurant with your better half. Pack in one or two party dresses just in case.

Accessorize- The accessories that you chose on such long trips may go very well with the outfit or not. But in any case, they would make you feel like a different person each day. And for the most positive impact, get yourself a locally sold accessory which would make you look extra stylish.

Embrace outfit repeats- And lastly, never be afraid of the outfits that you have to repeat. There is no need to feel awkward about it, it’s absolutely fine. The fewer outfits you have in your bag, less weighted you feel.

Fashion goes out of the windows when it comes to traveling. Actually, everything else fades out. But to look stylish all the time is something that could be managed even while traveling.

Categories
Corporate Outings National Parks wildlife

Top 5 National Parks in Kerala

Kerala is known as “God’s own country” but apart from beautiful beaches and backwaters, it also has a wide variety of wildlife. A large area of Kerala is given to National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries for the preservation of biodiversity. Here are some of the National Parks in Kerala:

Eravikulam National Park

It is the oldest National park of Kerala. It is located along the Western Ghats in Idukki district. The highest peak in South India aka Anamudi is also located inside the park. Moreover, it has the largest population of Nilgiri Tahr. The park can be reached from Kochi or Coimbatore Airport or from Munnar town which is just 13 km away. Inside the part, there are motorable roads or you can walk on foot enjoying the scenic views.

Periyar National Park

It is the largest National Park in Kerala. It lies in the district of Pathanamthitta and Idukki. It is most popular for its tiger and elephant reserve and there are also White tigers present here. Periyar National park is as rich in scenic charm as it is in biodiversity. From the forests of this National Park, Periyar and Pamba rivers originate which are delightful visions. You can reach the park by Air from Kochi or Madurai airports or by rail. The nearest railhead is Kottayam and by road, Kumily is the nearest town. Instead of your usual boat cruise, go on a trek with some tribals and fill your eyes with the splendid hills and jungles.

Silent Valley National Park

It is Kerala’s second largest national park. It lies within the Palakkad district in the Nilgiri Hills. An endangered species of primate i.e. lion-tailed macaques is found here. The National Park was named Silent Valley by the British because noisy cicadas were assumed to absent here making this the perfect place of silence and harmony. The nearest railway station is Palakkad. From there, reach Mukkali which is 60 km away and can be reached through bus. From Mukkali, you can hire jeeps to move around. You can see the Kunti river and go at the watchtower that looks over the jungle.

Mathikettan Shola National Park

The name ‘Mathikettan’ itself means mind confused in Tamil. They say that one forgets his path after entering the park. The park is spread over 12.82 km2 in Poopara village of Udumbanchola Taluk. Visitors can approach Mathikettan Shola via Munnar and Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport. The area has unique flora and fauna. There are lion safaris, deer parks and waterfalls to enjoy. It is a haven for botanists and ideal for ecotourism.

Pampadum Shola National park

It is the smallest National Park of Kerala. The name itself means ‘the forest where snakes dance’. The park contains various types of medicinal herbs and is rich in uncontaminated ‘humus’.  The key species of this National park is Nilgiri marten. There are also tigers, leopards, Python, King cobra and Indian wild dogs that can be seen during dusk or dawn. It is just 35 km away from Munnar town and can be reached easily through road travel. You can join the Nature trail to watchtower as an adventure trekking option.

Such richness in biodiversity makes Kerala not only God’s country but also a haven for its innocent majestic creatures. With such fresh air and clear waters, these National parks and wildlife sanctuaries also add to the beauty of the place attracting tourists from all over. Nature lovers are especially drawn to Kerala because of its beautiful forests and greenery.

Categories
Foodie Travel Trends

Vegetarian food joints in Hyderabad

Being a vegetarian traveler can be a problem when you cannot find good places that, do not just focus on their non-vegetarian menu. Finding good restaurants with a nice ambiance and equally delicious food is a hard job and here we have compiled a list of best vegetarian food joints in Hyderabad.

Kshetra Veg restaurant

We really like restaurants with outdoor seating. With Kshetra, you get to sit outside in greenery as you enjoy the food with cool air. The service is also quick and on Sunday nights, you get to enjoy live music. The menu is diversified and you can order anything from Biryani to Idly and Wada. But since we had heard lots about the famous Hyderabadi Biryani, that is what we chose to try. It was so delicious. We also had their Paneer Tikka and Mushroom Moti Kebab. They were flavored nicely and cooked to perfection.

Cost: Rs 750 for two people approx

Must Try: The Biryani is delicious and the quantity served for such a low price is unbelievable.

Address: Rockdale Building, Lane Next to Eenadu, Khairatabad, Hyderabad

Basil

Basil has a variety of Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisines to offer.  The live counters for Phulkas, Pasta and Dosa add to the overall ambiance of the place. It was a decently priced vegetarian Buffet and the starters were good. We tried the Soya Tikki which was yummy. You can find your typical North-Indian food here and also some varieties of Pasta. There is a dish for all kinds of people here. My only disappointment was the desert.

Cost: Rs 1100 for 2 people approx

Must Try: Masala dosa

Address: 4th Floor, Lumbini Mall Road No.2, Banjara hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500081

Chutneys

Chutneys is a popular vegetarian restaurant in Hyderabad because of its South Indian meals. Though it serves some North Indian dishes as well, its specialty is the South Indian breakfast. The decor is great with comfy sofas. We opted for the dosa and Upma. The dosa came with 6 different dips along with sambar. Each dip had a unique and tasty flavour and the Upma was delicious as well.

Cost: Rs 800 for 2 people approx.

Must Try: Dosa

Address: 3-6-111/8 & 9, 1st Floor, Far East Plaza, Himayath Nagar, Hyderabad

Filmy Tadka

Filmy tadka had a filmy ambiance with its bright and vibrant colors. We ordered the Natural soup and then Cheese and Spinach cigars for starters. The soup was decent but the starters very really yummy. For the main course, we had butter nan which was fresh and soft with Paneer ragada masala. It turned out just as good as it looked. For drinks, they had Mint Mojito and Fruit punch but we didn’t like either of them.

Cost: Rs 850 for 2 people approx

Must try: Cheese and Spinach Cigars

Address: Opposite to Reliance Fresh, Shivam Road, Amberpet, Hyderabad

Jivati organic restaurant

Along with being a pure vegetarian restaurant, it serves organic food with no artificial additives. The interior of the place is quite spacious and the lighting is soothing. The ambiance is quite cool and nice. The Papads that they serve are quite different and a must-try. We tried their North Indian and East Indian thali. The North Indian thali had Achari paneer which was my favorite along with Dal makhani and Gulab Jamun as dessert. The East Indian Thali had Sweet Pulav, Baingan ka Bharta, Aloo Posto which was equally delicious.

Cost: Rs 1100 for 2 people approx

Must try: North Indian Thali

Address: 1st Floor, Plot 1100, Road 36, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

If you are ever in Hyderabad and pondering over where to eat, do try out these places for an incredible foodie experience.

Categories
wildlife

Ken Ghariyal Sanctuary – a place known for the most amazing Crococodilians!!

Located near the magnetic Khajuraho temples and the very famous Panna national park, the Ken Ghariyal sanctuary is a very attractive tourist spot for the ones interested in the sightings of Ghariyal, an endangered family member of the crocodile family. Spread across the area of about 45 square kilometres the sanctuary happens to be located at the confluence of the Ken and Khudar River.  The popular tourist spot happens to be located in the Chatarpur district in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh.

Reasons to Visit

  • There are ample reasons for having a visit at the place, the brightest one among them being the literal one itself, and the ghariyals. They look similar to crocodiles in many ways but there are certain things that set them apart from their cousins. One thing being, they are far less frightening. Well, only from the outside. They can be seen lying down in the sun, with closed eyes. One wonders whether they are alive at all. They just don’t move an inch while resting, and while on the lookout for the prey. Their patience is incredible while they await the perfect food to eat. They are majestic, they are fierce and they are beautiful. This is one enough reason to visit the Ken ghariyal sanctuary.
  • There are other animals that could be found here in their entire wilderness such as wild boars, deer and Nilgai. Other than that, the sightings of some rare and beautiful birds are also quite a common occurrence at the place.
  • One other reason to visit the place is the nearby attractions. The best among them all, the Khajuraho temples, a UNESCO world heritage site known for its wall carvings and beautiful artworks. The Panna national park is also there within a few hours distance.
  • The forests are well managed and preserved by the authorities. It offers a beautiful view of the Ken river. You can choose to do boating in the Ken river.
  • There is a place called Vulture Point situated into the park which can be seen via a safari If one wants to spot vultures. It’s a must place to visit, which seems like a gorge with forest in the background. Tigers,bears, and leopards are said to visit the bottom of the gorge because of the water resource here and it’s a delighted scene to watch.

Ken Ghariyal sanctuary has done a great job in breeding the rare ghariyals on its own and however, the things aren’t as easy as they seem. They are trying their best to preserve one of the most endangered and beautiful species of reptiles that ever walked the planet. Visit Ken Ghariyal sanctuary and you’ll appreciate the work they are doing, for their love for the Ghariyals.

How to Reach

Satna railway station happens to be the nearest to the place and the best medium to travel in case you were planning a trip here. Jhansi railway station is also a great option and coming out of the railway station, you can either take a bus or hire a taxi to the place. Khajuraho airport is the nearest airport to the place and the best time to visit is winters, when the ghariyals will be seen outside of their pools warming themselves up in the bright sun.

Travel Tip

The place remains closed during the monsoons so the visitors are not advised to come here during the rainy seasons.

Categories
Beaches Corporate Outings Relax South India

To DO’s in Kochi aka Cochin

Kochi or Cochin is one of the biggest Indian cities and the financial capital of the south Indian state of Kerala. Also known as the “Queen of the Hills”, Kochi is one of the evolving cosmopolitans in the southwest part of the country and a bustling commercial port. It is also popular due to its proximity to Allepey, where-in travelers rush to experience the alleppey houseboat

How to Reach

Cochin airport is the 4th busiest Indian airport and one of the main getaways to India. The international airport is located 29 kilometers away from the city center and is well connected to major cities of India and the world.  Kochi is home to two major railway stations – Ernakulam Town and Ernakulam Junction and is well connected to all the major railway stations in India. Cochin has a well-established network of Kerala State Run Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services that enables good connectivity to all the major cities in Kerala and other neighboring cities and states.

Places to visit

Fort Kochi- Once you reach the Kochi City of Kerala, you can board a cab, auto-rickshaw or bus to Fort Kochi. Fort Kochi is a region in the south-west part of the city of Kochi and an important part of a handful of water-bound regions. This little island offers some main tourist attractions such as Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi beach, Sree Gopalakrishna Devaswom Temple, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and Jain Temple.

Hill palace museum- It once was the palace of Kochi’s Maharaja and now it’s a full-blown museum that has been attracting the tourists in hundreds every day. With about 500 artifacts placed inside, this museum is rightly known as the biggest museum in the entire south Indian region. There is also a small zoo nearby.

Santacruz Basilica- It is one of the eight Basilicas in Kerala and amongst the oldest churches in India built by the Portuguese in the year 1502 when they shifted their base here to make the most out of the business opportunities the city had to offer. The place is counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala and visited by tourists the whole year-round.

Chendamangalam Fort- Historically, the fort is known as the prime minister of Kochi and is one of the important forts in Kerala. Now a great tourism spot, the place is famous for coir manufacturing and handloom weaving. Three rivers are flowing nearby the Fort, which adds to the scenic view of this place.

Durbar Hall ground- The place is the center for various cultural activities in the city. It’s a great place to take a break from the bustling city and spend time exploring the skyscrapers, restaurants, shops and crowded streets.

Cherai Beach- Kerala is full of beaches and backwaters that could satisfy your tourism bones to their core. Cherai beach is known to be one of the best beaches in the city which happens to be totally safe for water sports and general hanging out. This place filled with locals during weekends and backwater stretch is the scenic and pleasing sight.

Things to Explore

Kochi Books

This is one place you must visit if you are an ardent lover of books. It is the one-stop shop destination for all types of books that you ever wanted to own.

The Onam Festival

And there is the Onam festival. The festival of Onam is celebrated every year for 10 days that lasts from mid-august to mid-September. The festival marks the welcoming back of the mythical king Mahabali. The people are known to celebrate the festival with high-level enthusiasm as a parade takes place with showcasing different art forms. The final celebrations take place at Thrikakkara temple located in the city.

The Chinese fishing nets

Chinese fishing nets are fixed land installations used for catching the fishes, as the name suggests. Each installation is operated by a team of six fishermen.

The Chinese fishing nets are a great reminder of the close relations the city shared with Chinese emperors at one point in the history. These nets have been the official icon of the city and were gifted to then king of Kochi by the Chinese emperor Kubalagi in the 14th century. He gifted more than a hundred of them to the kingdom of Cochin, but only a few remain in the working condition.

Kochi Tips

–It may very well be a place as beautiful as Goa, but far more conservative. Wearing short clothes here is not good for the women.

-A half an hour time to the soothing ayurvedic massage must be tried. Ayurveda comes from Kerala and the massage parlors in Kochi are nothing short of magnificent.

-Coconut milk and cashews are a part of every other Kochi meals, so in case you are allergic, be aware every time of what you have been eating.

-There is a high margin of the population that doesn’t speak or understand Hindi, so be prepared for the worst.

Food

The cuisines from Kerala are popular all across the country for their seafood quality and other vegetarian and nonvegetarian cuisines. The restaurants in Kochi such as Hotel Thali, Hotel Unnikrishnan, Uruvi, Shri Krishna Cafe and the Royal food court serve some great Indian as well as international food items.

Places to Stay

There are some great hotels in Kochi to stay such as the Mariott hotel, Le Meridian, Hotel Crown Plaza and Keys hotel. There are options for every budget range.

The intense natural beauty of the state is perfectly reflected in the city of Cochin, so in case you want to spend some quality time away from the hectic city life, head here, you won’t regret.

Categories
Adventure Festival Himalayas Inspiration

Leh- Interesting Things not many people know

One of the most favorite tourist destinations in the entire country is Leh Ladakh. North Indians are fond of riding their heavy bikes up to this place; they come here for stargazing and to get lost amidst the natural beauty that lies here in abundance. The Himachal Pradesh transport ministry and Jammu and Kashmir also has special buses that will take you to Leh in a few hours. Cars and vans along with the bikes are also quite frequent here. One of the coldest places in the country is having some interesting things about that many people don’t know about. Let’s have a look at them.

Ladakh Leh is known as a high-altitude place surrounded by natural marvels. But a very know that this is also known as a very religious place. There are many festivals that take place here every year such as Hemis Festival, Dosmoche Festival, Losar Festival, Sindhu Darshan Festival, Ladakh Festival, and Tak-Tok Festival along with the Hindu festivals. The tourists must keep that in mind and should try to come here in the times of one of these festivals to experience them.

Buddhism happens to be the most dominant religion in the area and there are many Buddhist monks that reside in the nearby places, especially the monasteries. The tourists must take some time away from the calm and composed natural beauty to visit some monastery sometime. The monks are extremely friendly and it would make you see Buddhism in an entirely different light.

Bird watching is something many people don’t do when they make their trips here. The natural sceneries and landscapes bind them and the extreme cold doesn’t let them stay here long. There are about 250 different species of birds that can be found here in their entire natural habitat. And there are many chances for you to come across some rarest species of birds as well.

The high altitude zone that Leh is, this is a pure heaven for the ones studying the cosmos. Other than the stargazers, there are many astrology and astronomy centers in here. Among the said facilities are Infrared Telescope and the Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle

The very famous salt lake is one of the very few lakes in the world that are set up this high. The lake is located at about 4350 feet above the sea level which is another cool thing to know about it. So, next time you visit the place, keep in mind that you are gazing one amazing wonder of nature.

Jammu and Kashmir is going through turmoil nowadays. The tourism industry has gone down due to obvious reasons. But places like Leh and Ladakh are still here, away from all the dreaded happenings going on in the state. Leh is a paradise for the tourists and serves as a beautiful spot to be amazed about. The view of the great Himalayan range is mesmerizing from the high altitude.

Categories
Foodie

Explore the Fresh Buns at Papa BunsReview: Papa Buns

It was a lazy Saturday afternoon for us, and team #desiswag decided to explore Papa Buns at Satyaniketan. The place has been on our mind since the launch of book Supercouples happened there.

Location: Shop 286, Satya Niketan

Ambiance: Place is a cute bun bakery with proper lighting and some nice bun quotes written everywhere.

Food: Highlight of the place is the freshly baked buns served directly from the oven. You should not miss ordering Bun Chocolate, which is the chocolate filled bun. Another highlight is bun chow. You have several variations in the same for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Beverages are good to taste. And the menu has sufficient items for you to satiate your tummy and palette.
Meal For Two: ₹ 250
Verdict: If you are near south campus and would want to try experimenting, this is a must go place!!
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