Embarking on a four-day family adventure to the enchanting cities of Kota, Bundi, and Chittorgarh was a journey filled with culinary delights, historical marvels, and road trip fun. Our first stop was Kota, known for its majestic forts, vibrant culture & coaching institutes.
Day 1: As we drove into Kota, the aroma of local street food beckoned us. We savored piping hot kachoris and sweet jalebis at a bustling market. The highlight of the day was exploring the imposing Kota Fort, with its intricate architecture and panoramic views of the city.
Day 2: A scenic drive took us to Bundi, a hidden gem steeped in history. We indulged in traditional Rajasthani thali at a quaint eatery, savoring the flavors of the region. The afternoon was spent wandering through the narrow lanes of Bundi, marveling at its ancient havelis and ornate stepwells.
The Magestic Bundi Fort
Day 3: Our next destination was Chittorgarh, where we were captivated by the grandeur of Chittorgarh Fort. In the evening, we experienced the mesmerizing Sound and Light Show that brought the fort’s history to life in a spectacular display of lights and narration.
Vijay Stambh
Day 4: The final day was dedicated to exploring more of Chittorgarh before heading back home. We sampled local delicacies like dal bati churma and gatte ki sabzi at a traditional Rajasthani restaurant. The day culminated with a leisurely stroll through the colorful markets, where we picked up souvenirs to remember our unforgettable trip.
The trip to Kota, Bundi, and Chittorgarh not only offered us a glimpse into Rajasthan’s rich heritage but also brought our family closer together. From savoring delectable local cuisine to marveling at ancient forts and experiencing the captivating Sound and Light Show at Chittorgarh Fort, each moment was a treasure to cherish. As we bid adieu to these historic cities, we carried with us memories of laughter, exploration, and bonding that would last a lifetime.
Reach out to us for any queries about this trip and for planning and booking yours.
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It was time to pick a vacation destination for our family. This year we decided that we wanted to go somewhere warm. As much as we loved skiing, the thought of easing our cold feet out of ski boots and waiting for them to warm up lost its appeal.
After some looking, we settled on St. John. But where to stay? We ultimately decided to do a search for “St. John Villas” and found an almost bewildering list of places that we could rent. There were so many of them and they all had their own unique features and great views.
High or Low Season?
The first thing that we had to figure out was whether we were going to go during the high or low season. We live in New York, which gets cold at times, so we figured that we’d really appreciate the warm weather in February, which is when we went. It was worth the roughly $300 extra a night, in our opinion.
The Accommodations
This is where the villa that we chose really stood out. The name of it was Paraiso Azul and it was gorgeous. There were five bedrooms, which really pleased everyone, since it was us, our two teenage kids, and another family which had another teen. There were two rooms near the pool deck.
We were in love with the architecture, starting off with some really nice Moroccan iron gates. The rooms were spacious, the beds luxurious, and the kitchen was really nicely put together. Everything made us feel like we were in a home away from home – though at home we don’t have 24-hour service for things that we need.
Of course, there were modern amenities – like WiFi. Even on vacation, we love spending time on our electronics. There was something peaceful about resting on the reclining lounge chairs looking at our tablets and feeling the cool tropical breeze as we also had a view of the sea.
The Experience
The people there were so friendly. They made every effort to make sure that we had a great time. Also, we loved being able to see breathtaking sunrises and sunsets from our villa — along with some really gorgeous nighttime skies, since we didn’t have any light pollution.
As far as the temperatures went, it felt like summer every day. We felt sad packing on the last night of our stay, knowing that we’d be going back to the cold days of New York, counting down the days until summer.
It really was a great time and we highly recommend a visit to St. John.
Author Bio-
James Sullivan from St. John Ultimate Villas has been helping with travel tourism for the past 12 years. He now wants to share his knowledge and expertise with others.
Disclaimer: *Contents of this story is Authors personal views and presentation.
**Photos from the guest Author / Google
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In 1852, the French inventors Mayer and Delforge presented an interesting novelty to the public: a cylindrical vessel with a press designed for brewing coffee. But the adaptation was not successful: due to the imperfection of the press, too much coffee grounds slipped into the cup.
It wasn’t until 1928 that Italian designers Atilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta patented an improved French press. In the new model, not just a metal plate was attached to the piston, but a filter mesh, which made it possible to carefully separate the liquid from the thick. In the following decades, the design of the fixture was improved by attaching a safe handle and a stable base to protect the tabletop from heat.
The real popularity came to the manual coffee maker in 1958, when its design was finalized by Faliero Bondanini, and two European companies were engaged in production at once: the French – Martin S.A. (Chambord brand) and English – Household Articles (La Cafetiere brand). The original owner of Household Articles, L.J. de Ville-Castel, was one of the investors in Martin S.A., but in the 90s of the XX century, the French company was bought out by the Danish holding Bodum.
How Italians choose the French Press
flask material: glass, stainless steel, ceramics. Heat-resistant glass flasks are most often found, but they are fragile, and cheap models are sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. Therefore, it is good if the kit includes a spare glass container. The vessels made of stainless steel and ceramics are stronger, but the color of the drink is not visible when brewing. It is believed that the most delicious coffee is obtained in French presses with ceramic flasks;
1. Double-walled flasks retain heat better, which is very important for correct coffee extraction;
2. The stainless steel filter is designed for medium and coarse coffee. Fine powder can be brewed with a nylon filter;
3. The handle of the french press must not heat up. Polymer coated handles are preferred. Sometimes on sale there are teapots with bamboo handles;
4. The base of the French press must be stable.
How coffee is made at the French Press in Italy
A classic French press is a cylindrical container made of heat-resistant glass (less often – made of stainless steel or ceramics) with a lid, where a piston (plunger) with a filter is inserted. It would seem that everything is simple. Ground coffee needs to be poured into a vessel, closed, lower the press – and an invigorating drink is ready. But the taste of coffee brewed in a French press depends on many little things: the type of beans, the method of roasting, grinding, water quality, brewing time.
Choosing coffee for a French press
The coffee made from a blend of Arabica and Robusta, prepared in a French press, is too bitter. But even bitterness lovers are not recommended to use blends that contain more than 10% robusta. The best coffee for French press which you can find at MyFriendsCoffee is made up 100% Arabica, and experienced baristas prefer single varieties, although mixtures are also acceptable. Delicious coffee is made from medium roasted beans: Vienna, Full City. If you like sourness, then you can use coffee and a lighter roast.
Burr coffee grinders grind beans much more evenly than knife grinders. If you have a choice, then it is better to grind coffee for brewing in a French press on a grinder.
In stores, ready-made ground coffee is sold, but the drink from the beans, ground immediately before preparation, turns out to be more aromatic. At home, ground coffee is stored in hermetically sealed vessels for no longer than 2 weeks
Selecting water for coffee
Tap water, even boiled water, is not suitable for brewing coffee in a French press. In extreme cases, such water can be purified using an aquafilter or ozonizer. But bottled water with a mineralization index of 150 mg / l (or at least in the range of 70-200 mg / l) is much more preferable.
Step-by-step recipe for preparing iconic coffee in the French press
1. Before brewing coffee in a French press, rinse the flask of the French press with hot water at a temperature of about + 70 ° C (it can be slightly lower or higher, but in no case with boiling water).
2. Put in a flask 7-9 g of ground coffee per 100 ml of water. In one teaspoon without a slide, about 3 g of crushed beans is placed, with a slide – up to 5 g. If you need to prepare a full container of the drink, it is easier to focus on the handle of the French press: pour coffee powder exactly to the level where its lower part is attached …
3. Pour some room temperature water into a flask (just to moisten the ground coffee) and stir.
4. After 15–20 seconds, add hot water with a temperature of +85 to +9 to the flask 2 ° C. The water level should not be higher than the top edge of the handle. Under no circumstances should you brew coffee with boiling water! If the vessel is glass, then before pouring hot water, put a metal spoon in it: even heat-resistant glass does not always withstand temperature drops
5. Stir coffee and cover. Do not lower the piston. The filter should be 1 cm above the water level.
6. The brewing time is 4-7 minutes. After 4–5 minutes, a moderately strong, aromatic coffee with a noticeable acidity is obtained. If you want to get a stronger drink, it is allowed to extend the brewing for a few minutes. But starting from the 4th minute of brewing, the bitterness of coffee increases significantly, the concentration of not only caffeine, but also harmful substances increases in it.
7. Slowly lower the plunger and immediately pour the brewed coffee into the cups, it cannot be left in the flask. Add sugar to taste.
8. After making coffee, the French press should be washed as soon as possible: no matter whether in the dishwasher or under the tap. If there is no time to wash the dishes, then you need to at least leave the flask open: let the coffee grounds dry better than the vessel and filter acquire a musty smell, which is difficult to get rid of !!
Disclaimer: *Contents of this story is Authors personal views and presentation.
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Culturally rooted and yet deeply modern, Dubai is the perfect holiday spot for families, honeymooners and even a group of friends. Be it a short stopover between flights or a proper long vacation, this guide would help you to have a memorable Dubai holiday.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Dubai is between the months of November and March, when the climate is the most pleasant. However, as this is the peak holiday season, expect the city swarming with tourists from all over the world. If you want to save yourself from the crowd and also save some money, plan your trip during the summer seasons between April to October. However, the temperature can be quite high during this time.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodation, Dubai has everything from budget to luxury hotels. If you are planning to stay in Dubai for a long time, AirBnB is also a good option.
How to Travel
Taxis are the quickest way to travel in Dubai. However, if you have time in your hands and want to save money, the Dubai metro is a reliable and efficient way to travel within the city. Local buses are great to travel to most of the popular locations.
What to Eat and Where to Eat
When it comes to food, you are spoilt for choice in Dubai. Right from the local Emirati cuisine to Indian, Japanese and European, there is rarely a cuisine on earth that you would not find in the city. Although you have several options, do try the local Mediterranean cuisine at least once during your tour. As for where to eat, there are endless choices here too. Depending on your budget, you can eat anywhere from small restaurants and food courts to quaint cafes and high-end restaurants in the city.
What to See and Do
Dubai thrives on tourism, and the city strives to make it interesting for the tourists by adding unique and thrilling places and activities to it, almost every year. Some of the things that you should not miss in Dubai are as follows.
Burj Khalifa: Apart from being the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa has broken several world records and is worth the visit. Containing 162 floors in total, the Burj Khalifa is home to high-end restaurants, a 5-star hotel, luxury apartment complex, corporate offices and two observation decks. You can book your tickets online to avoid standing in queues.
Desert Safari: For the most authentic Arabic experience, going on the Dubai desert safari is necessary. The desert safari is a mix of thrilling adventure, good food and fantastic entertainment. You can choose amongst evening, morning and overnight desert safaris.
Dubai Museum: There is so much more to Dubai than its shiny glamour, and to know more about it, you must visit the Dubai Museum. Located inside the Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum takes you back in time when the city was a simple fishing village.
Dubai Mall: One of the largest malls in the world, the Dubai Mall is the epitome of shopping, entertainment and great food. Apart from the 1200 retail stores, Dubai Mall Aquarium, KidZania Dubai, Dubai Ice Rink, the food court, etc. are some of the other popular attractions of the mall. Do check out the Dubai Fountain Show that happens every day from 6 PM to 11 PM (every 30 minutes), right outside the Dubai Mall.
Dubai Miracle Garden: Spread around 72,000 square meters, the Dubai Miracle Garden is the largest flower garden in the world. You would find more than 109 million flowers here arranged in beautiful and unique designs.
Dubai Frame: The largest frame in the world, the Dubai Frame is strategically placed so that you can see the old Dubai from one side and the new and modern Dubai from the other. You can get your Dubai Frame tickets online to avoid standing in line.
Few other places that should be on your itinerary include Kite Beach, Dubai Creek, Dubai Marina, Bastakiya Quarter, Jumeirah Mosque, etc.
Conclusion
Dubai is one of the finest Arab city, where the old blends beautifully with the new, making it ideal place for a holiday.
Disclaimer: *Contents of this story is Authors personal views and presentation.
**Photos from the guest Author / Google
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Arriving in Assam – land of tea, tradition & one horned Rhino!
After the lovely dinner and cosy night stay at luxurious Gonpalok home stay at Dirang it was the time to bid goodbyes to Mountains and hit the plains.
As always, we left early morning and Simanta was waiting for us with the engine on of innova. He seemed happier, may be because we were going to be in his state of Assam.
Our personalised travel consultant took special efforts to accommodate our modified plan of going to Assam. Waving hands and exchanging smiles with the sweet caretaker, we left for the state of Assam. Assam is famous for Tea, rice, history and wildlife.
Hold on, if you have landed to this page directly, please click Part#1 and Part#2 to read the prequels. Do come back here.
Day#5 –
Dirang to Kaziranga national park
Travel time – 9 hours
Road Condition – Worst (mostly under construction) that I have ever seen
Stay – Bonhabi Resort, Kaziranga
It was not the best days of the journey. Yes, we left early but the route that Simanta took was the worst road that I have ever seen in my lifetime. About 100 Kms was totally under construction and full of bumps. It seemed we are driving on a bullock cart both by speed and jerks. Dust clouds prevailed almost on the full stretch of 100kms of that road.
We were stopped on the mid-way of those 100kms because some blasting was going on for road construction. Here we were in the middle of nowhere, waiting on a check post. There were a few more vehicles waiting behind us. We tried to kill time by clicking some infact many pictures, taking a walk around the area.
Middle of Nowhere
We could find a small café which served Maggie and eggs. Yes, throughout our journey Maggie, mawa, sleeping like pigs and leaving early morning have been constants. Finally, after slowest 5 hours of my life, the post officer let us move past the barrier. Simanta, loaded his Mawa and we were back to life. Before crossing Arunachal’s border and entering Assam, we stopped to buy some more liquor stock to be brought back with us to Maharashtra.
The roads in Assam were smooth and scenic, I am sure driving would have been a pleasure on them. All off a sudden I noticed, Simanta opened his door and peeped outside the door bending downwards for a second and was back again on the wheel. We understood, he did that to spit the mawa stuff. We realised he was in his own state and his confidence was touching sky.
Usually, we visit 1 national park every year because being in the jungle brings you closest to mother earth. The birds, wilderness and flora are the real kings and we humans are just a small part of this majestic nature.I will share the link to National part stories at the end of this post. Do read ‘em all. This time we got a chance to meet 1 horn Rhino and its friends in one of the most famous national parks of India – Kaziranga National Park.
While entering the buffer area of Kaziranga, we were lucky to see hundreds of 1 horn rhinos grazing and swaying carefree on the grasslands on both sides on the road.
Image Courtesy : Outlook India
We finally reached our resort, Bonhabi around 5pm and we were tired for sure because of pointless waiting and bumpy road. The car was full of dust and dirt, from the inside and outside.
We went to our rooms; took shower and relaxed for an hour before we meet again to clink glasses, bawaa! it was mine and Trisha’s anniversary day. Cheers to two amazing and enthralling years of married life, we had no complaints by far. We reached the dining area to find probably the best food that we had during the journey. Full credit to our talented trip curator who ensured that we were served authentic assamese vegetarian food along with a cake specially ordered for our anniversary. She also tried to arrange local rice brew but maybe it was not our day. If you have tasted, let us know how it tastes in comment section. Seeing all the food we were damn excited, and it seemed that we were never tired of today’s journey. There was a wide variety of delicacies and we could not decide from what to start and where to end. Trying to list a few below: –
1) Local white or red rice (depending on season and region)
2) Bhoot Jhukoliya (Ghost Chillis – the hottest chilli in the world) – handle with extreme care
3) Aloo and Baingan Pitika (Steamed and salted Potato and Eggplant)
4) Dhekiya or Lye saag depending on season
5) Aloo, Aloo Potol, Cabbage, Beetroot or any other vegetable in season Bhaaji (Assorted Vegetables)
6) Yellow or Black Masoor Dal (Thick Lentil Soup)
7) Khoreo (Highly pungent and delicious ground mustard served with onion, garlic and other spices)
8) Pudina, Coconut, Sesame Chutney (Mint, Coconut or Sesame paste prepared with herbs and spices)
9) Salad made from young bamboo shoots
10) Paste made from raw mangoes or ground jackfruit seeds, etc
It was indeed a beautiful evening full of chats, variety of food and lots of love.
Next morning, we again woke up early to see our pre-booked jungle safari waiting at the resort parking area. Open Maruti gypsy it was! Hopped in to start the jungle safari with a hope to sight rhinos, tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, birds and many more.
Day#6 –
Kaziranga national park
Safari time – 6 hours
Road Condition – as in jungle
Stay – Bonhabi Resort, Kaziranga
Wikipedia: Situated on the banks of mighty Bhramaputra river, Kaziranga National Park is a national park in the Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam, India. The sanctuary, which hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses, is a World Heritage Site. The park is home to large breeding populations of tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer. Kaziranga is recognized as an important Bird Area by BirdLife International for conservation of avifaunal species. When compared with other protected areas in India, Kaziranga has achieved notable success in wildlife conservation.
We left our resort at 8 am in the safari which was pre-booked by our trip curator. Agaratoli range was about 1-hour drive from our resort but we enjoyed the drive while we crossed tea plantations on both sides of the road and felt the wind pass through our hairs.
Over the last few years of travelling, I have realised the neither sea nor the mountains, but Jungle is my real calling. I love being in nature surrounded by greenery, blooms, birds, butterflies and animals other than humans. Oxygen loaded air unlike polluted one in cities. Blue skies, cool breeze rustling leaves and ant-hills of varied sizes.
We sighted no tigers, few elephants, some wild buffaloes, many birds, numerous dears and hell lot of ONE HORNED RHINOS. River Bramhaputra crosses the national park and the span of the river is massive. People in this region are used to floods every year.
It was a 6 hours safari for 4 of us which costed about INR. 3500/-.
Our driver was our guide as well, and this was probably a mistake. I suggest hiring a trained forest guide who understands to calls (voices made by animals) precisely.
Back to Bonhabi resort by late afternoon we decided to take some rest and enjoyed the stay.
Next morning, we were greeted by ever smiling Simanta again with a clean car, he got some time to relax and get the car cleaned yesterday. He took us to Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park which was in close vicinity to our resort. This park houses about 500+ variety of orchids from all-over north-east India and you are briefed by learned guides about the variety, identification and importance of orchids.
Additionally this place also has a Bamboo garden, cactus garden, photo gallery and handloom display and weaving centre. One can witness the dying art of weaving the cloths by hand and also buy some shawls, stoles or gamchas to carry back home.
Next up was a stage which showcases Assamese folk dances like bamboo dance and other forms and every evening they depict special show of 1 hour. Try to catch that and let us know how was it, in comment section below. We had a good time cheering and applauding local folk artists but its sad that only 4 of us were doing so in an audience of about 25 people. All an artist need is applause and cheers, and we must do it.
The entry fee is only 120 Rs per person and this place has a lot to offer.
Reached our resort and packed our luggage for our last leg of trip where in we were about to experience the rains, dense forests, transparent rivers and living root bridges.
Also, as a bonus you will get to see Mr. Simanta. So, stay tuned for the last part of this journey of life time.
While leaving kaziranga chai lovers like us purchased kilos of Tea for ourselves, friends and family.
Here are the links which will take you to our earlier travelogues about jungle trips. Enjoy reading and do share if you like them.
We slept over with the Soldier’s stories of peace and altitude and how they live in extreme climate conditions at various posts across length and width of this beautiful Country called India.
@Tawang, the night temperature dipped to sub-zero and 3 layers of cloths, 2 blankets and a heater could brave us through that night.
Hold on, if you have landed to this page directly, please click Part#1 to read the prequel. Do come back here.
Day#3 –
Bumla Pass and Madhuri lake
Travel time – 8 hours tour
Road Condition – Good (Mostly)
Stay – Hotel Mon-Paradise
Woke up fresh and got ready at 8 am after eating some ready to eat poha and upma prepared by Akshata (Chotu). Reached downstairs to find our Chauffer for the day Mr. Tashi.
No, don’t think that Simanta got bored of our poha-jalebi talks and decided to part ways. In Tawang you are required to book a local taxi to visit Bumla Pass and Madhuri lake. Cost is approx. 5000/- all-inclusive and tour duration is about 7~8 hours. I think this arrangement is made to provide earning opportunities to the locals. That’s Good specially for Simanta as he got a rest day to spend with his favourite mawa and probably talk to his family over phone.
Tashi drove a Tata Sumo and could speak Hindi fluently. He had a footballer’s physique, spikes hairstyle and donned Ray-Ban aviators. He played some good music from the 90’s era which we really enjoyed.
Before moving ahead with trip, an important information is that all tourists (including Indians) need an Inner Land Permit(ILP) to enter Arunachal Pradesh border. The fess is about 250/- per person and it can be applied online. Our tour agent got this arranged for us before the commencement of trip.
Tawang to Bumla pass is about 35 Kms and takes about 1.5 hours to reach. The path is so beautiful that you would never want it to end. We visited in February and it was the perfect time as the mountains was covered with magical white fresh snow.
Tashi had to tie a metal chain on the tyres of Sumo to escape skidding on the snow.
Reaching Bumla Pass we were thrilled to the core, only Dev had seen such heavy snow before this day during his visit to Swiss Alps. It was difficult to even walk as the snow was soft, fresh and about 3~4 ft deep or even more.
All tourists were taken to a Army shed and served free hot tea and water for FREE. You are expected to wash your glasses and keep them clean for the next lot of tourist. Before we move further in the day, let me brief you about Bumlapass, histroy and its geographic importance.
Bumla Pass, situated at an altitude of over 15,200 ft is snowbound for almost the entire year due to its steep elevation and presents a beautiful view of the Tibetan plateau. The road to the pass takes visitors through many sleepy hamlets and scenic lakes, making the drive memorable. Elegantly maintained by the Indian Army, Bumla Pass is a must for those who want to see how Indian soldiers protect the borders in the harshest of climes. The road to Bum La is also a historical route, the People’s Liberation Army of China invaded India during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Here in Bum La Pass one of the fiercest battles took place in the 1962 Sino-Indian War. It is the pass from where Dalai Lama entered India escaping from Tibet.
After some tea and talks, one of the army officers took all tourists for a walk towards the border, and while all of us were breathing heavily the siren hooted and we were ordered to march back towards the army shed. It was scary as we thought there is some activity from China’s side but after another free tea and talks later, the officer told us that it was a routine round from the China side and there was nothing to worry about. Let’s go again, he said.
Officer explained us about the meetings that take place every quarter between the two army’s, talks of peace and co-existence, exchange of culture and some gifts from each side. Chinese are tough nuts, he said and guided us back to the Shed. Some pictures, snow fights, another round of tea and bowing down to our soldiers for their courage and bravery later we were all set to visit Madhuri Lake(Sangestar Tso) with our Tashi.
Indian actress namely Madhuri, danced besides Sangestar Tso in koyla movie and since then locals fondly call it as Madhuri lake. Now that’s real swag!
While waiting at Bumla pass, Tashi removed the metal chains thinking they aren’t needed any more. He was wrong, as our cab got stuck in snow as on the way to Madhuri lake.
All of us got down and tried to help but little did we know that our soldier would arrive all of a sudden in a truck and get us moving in minutes. Salute them, smiling and feeling useless at the same time we got inside the cab. Trisha(my wife) started to feel heavy head. Tashi told us it normal to experience this for people from the plains like us. Altitude and extreme sun rays to be blamed.
Right on the turn towards lake, an army officer told us that the road is blocked due to heavy snow. We could not see the lake where Madhuri Dixit danced in 1997. I was 9 years back then and other three even younger. No worries guys, this kinda stuff keeps on happening on roadtrips and hill terrains told our very own Akshata Dixit. 😛
A few minutes later curvy roads, an army officer in uniform asked us for lift and we happily stopped to invite him inside. I think all soldiers have a lot of stories and they are great story tellers as well. He narrated a few to us and then Soldier and Tashi started to talk about current Prime Minister – Shri Narendra Modi. Tashi told us that, he likes Modi very much and trust that only Modi can uplift Arunachal Pradesh. There was no college in Tawang and everyone either dropped out after high-school or had to enrol in other states for studies, but now Tawang has a basic college, told Tashi.
The soldier got us some hot water to drink, which is the best way to beat the altitude sickness. Trisha felt a little better and after some time tashi dropped us to Hotel.
After lunch Dev and Akshata went on to see Tawang War Memorial with Simanta. Me and Trisha decided to rest for a while. Some chai, talks and lying around was what we needed.
After an early dinner in the ground floor restaurant and thanking Raju- the chef for the lovely food we dozed off again. Yes, like how the pigs would do after spending some playfull times in the mud.
Day#4 –
Tawang local and drive to Dirang
Travel time – 9+ Hours
Road Condition – Good (Mostly)
Stay – Gonpalok Homestay
Next morning, it was time for us to bid adieus to Tawang but not so quick. Simanta had some plans for sight seeing and we also have “never say never” attitude. 1st place was Tawang Monastery. Monasteries are usually serene this was more that just serene. It was surreal. We were welcomed by harmless monkeys and after spending some time in the Monastery, waved goodbyes from young kids wearing Buddhist robes and having books in hands.
Next up was a Giant Buddha Statue, located at an elevated place. We found a small and pretty café behind the statue to spend some good time and have tea and Maggie.
Last up was the Tawang local market, almost all shops sell similar stuff which are woollens, souvenirs, incense sticks, cups/ mugs and footwears. We also got some to get back home with us. I love my dragon printed cup and still have my tea in it while writing this for you.
Our time in Tawang was up and Simanta was ready with his mawa filled mouth and engine thumping. Next destination was Dirang.
Dirang was not in the original plan but last night we decided to alter the plan to ditch Shillong and include Kaziranga National Park. The decision was taken as the travel time to Shillong was too much for a day and we had to celebrate Dev and Chotu’s Anniversary. So, reaching to the next place was very important.
While driving back down-hill, we all admired the innocence and embracing nature of people of the beautiful state called, Arunachal Pradesh.
We stopped at Jang for a sightseeing, you will have to stair down about 200 steps to reach a river valley. Source Wikipedia : Nuranang Falls (also known as Bong Bong Falls), some 100 metres high, is located in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in this part of the country, yet is unknown to many travelers. It lies some 2 kilometres away from the town of Jang on the road connecting Tawang and Bomdila, so it is also known as the Jang Falls. There is a small hydel plant located near the base that generates electricity for local use. The Nuranang river originates from the Northern slopes of the Sela Pass. Just below the waterfall it falls into the Tawang river.
We were hungry and Simanta stopped at Jaswant garh war memorial again. Remember in the 1st part I told you about the free tea and hot water. This is the same place that serves them. We got some idlis, dosas, muffins and tea. The taste, view and soldier’s passion deserve respect and admiration.
About 4 hours drive and crossing Sela pass again we finally reached Dirang. Do not miss to buy fresh fruits from the shops on the highway side. Dirang is known to produce variety of fruits.
We faced some difficulty in reaching the home stay but when we entered Gonpalok Homestay. We thought, “stay ho toh aisa.” No words can describe the taste of hot pakodas that were freshly cooked for us by the caretaker lady along with hot tea. Later in the evening we celebrated the much awaited anniversary at hotel Norphel Retreat. It was very well planned and organised by our freelancer travel agent. I leave you with some pictures to ponder on and be jealous of us that we did this the trip only a month before the country wide lock down was imposed to tackle Covid-19 spread.
Pet-full aur dil housefull, reaching back we slept like pigs would do after spending some playfull times in the mud. Sure of waking up to sunrise, cool breeze and blue sky – What else does a metro lad need!!
Hope you liked our journey till now! Write some encouraging words in the comments section and share the link with your friends, also ask them to share and comment…
Part#3 coming soon… where we move towards plains from the mountains and see the mighty Brahmaputra river, tea gardens and 1 horned rhino.
It was the occasion of our 2nd anniversary when four Sharmas’ planned to explore North-east, India.
We had a fantastic company of Dev and Akshata who got married a day earlier than me and Trisha in the same month of Feb and year of 2018.
Me and Dev shared room during my 1st job in Mumbai and we jelled up pretty well for obvious reasons like being Sharmas’ from MP/CG and loving beer. Since we got married almost on the same day, we could not attend each other’s weddings, and this was the chance to cut it by celebrating the anniversaries together.
Tickets were booked in August’19 and we then finalized our itenary during December’19.
We read a few posts and then finally decided to book ourselves with a Freelance travel consultant from Assam.
7th Feb 2020, finally the day had come when me and Trisha embarked the road in our new Honda Amaze from Pune to Mumbai. Akshata arrange for a safe car parking over a week’s time in Mumbai. It was an early morning flight from Mumbai to Assam, we had our masks on as there was a buzz of Covid19 around the world already. Landed in Assam to find our driver, Simanta and pre-booked Innova Crysta.
Mumbai Airport
None of us had slept last night but there was no sense of deprivation. It was the time to make memories, none of us had been to this side of Incredible India.
I decided to narrate this trip in multiple stories in sequence as it was a beautiful long ROAD trip.
Day#1 – Trip start, 0 Kms
Guwahati Airport to Bomdila
Travel time – 9+ Hours
Road Condition – Good (Mostly)
Stay – Norgay Guest House Homestay
Journey starts from plains and takes you to the mountains. Located on the Foothills of Himalayas, Bomdila could be considered as an entry point of Arunachal Pradesh. Simanta played some asamese music while driving and halted at a random café so that we can have some Momos, maggie and tea. After 1st stop Hindi music took over Assamese and we were friends with Simanta. He was a character, loved his dose of Indian tobacco(jarda or mawa) while driving and always smiling. Never said no to our demands and was a true host in all senses.
Lipsmacking Taste
We also got a chance to Enter Bhutan Border, smart Simanta got his diesel tank full as it is cheaper in Bhutan than in India.
As we were driving up-hill the air was getting colder and heavier. We drove alongside a river stream (Kameng river), Simanta told us that it comes all the way from China to meet the mighty Bhramaputra before merging in Bay of Bengal. We will meet Kameng river multiple times during our journey through Arunachal. Just before reaching our homestay in Bomdila we purchased some liquor as it will be helpful in keeping ourselves warm during the course of journey and its cheaper than Goa in Arunachal. 🙂
Bhutan Border
River Kameng
Homestay was clean and economical, we had to pay extra Rs. 300/- for a room heater. That’s Ok we were happy and rich (as it was just the first day).
For dinner we walked down the stairs and found a restaurant (name forgotten), but please find it right opposite Dragon restaurant. The momos and noodles which they served were the best that we had during the trip. Please let me know the name of this restaurant in comment section. I can eat those momos all my life and die happily.
Pet-full aur dil housefull, reaching back we slept like pigs would do after spending some playfull times in the mud. Woke up to sunrise, cool breeze and blue sky – What else does a metro lad need!!
We were sporting jackets and woolens now. Simanta was ready to drive us to Tawang, the dreamland that I wanted to visit since the time I saw it in TV a decade ago.
Day#2
Bomdila To Tawang
200 Kms (approx.)
Travel time – 8+ Hours
Road Condition – Hilly and average
Stay – Hotel Mon Paradise
Visited the mesmerising and peaceful Bomdila monastery, saw the little monks chanting and praying in sync. The whole atmosphere was so serene, that trying to narrate it here would be loud and might kill the serenity of the place. Check out our youtube video link below.
Nam yo ho !! – Buddham Sharnam Gachhami 🙂
After, seeing the monastery we commenced our journey to the land of Lama. The car was cruising slowing with 2 constants, Simanta’s Mawa and Kameng river running alongside.
The drive from Bomdila to Tawang will always be extremely close to my heart because I was about to experience my 1st snow sighting.
Sela pass – You beauty!! I had heard that there is silent a kid within every adult, I was unaware of mine till I saw the 1st snow of my life. I could not stop myself and ran down the stairs, which led to a frozen lake called Sela lake.
Stairway to Heaven
The whole area was covered with snow we were playing, while clicking some pictures on our phones and many many more in our hearts. While we were down near a frozen lake, those stairs which we walked down seemed like a stairway to heaven. God was generous and suddenly it started to snow, we had such awesome experience before we had to run back to the car as it was a hailstorm. My 1st snow was a helluva experience. Remember the liquor that we bought last night; finally we could do justice to it using fresh snow from the sky..
I even ate some snow. 🙂
Hailstorm turned violent & we had to leave or rather escape from Sela to reach our next pit stop aka Jaswant Garh war memorial. It’s about 22 Kms from Sela and 21 Kms before Tawang.
You must see this video to live Sela Pass a lil more –
A bit insight about the memorial – Jaswant Garh is a famous tourist attraction in Arunachal Pradesh and it is widely visited all year round. It is dedicated to the warrior, Jaswant Singh Rawat who was killed during the Indo-China War in 1962. He was an Indian rifleman of 4 Garhwal Rifles, Uttarakhand and for his bravery; Jaswant Rawat was honoured by a memorial at the post where he fought the Chinese army. This magnificent memorial is well kept at an altitude of about 10,000 feet. A small canteen is run by army personnel offering free tea / coffeeand hot water to all visitors to keep them warm in cold weather. It is unbelievable in today’s world of worshiping money as God, where almost everyone is running behind money and becoming rich leaving behind empathy towards fellow humans. We relished dosa and idli in Arunachal at such height, it still have the taste in my head while I write about it. My wife, Trisha loved the patty and muffins.
Last but not the least; there is a small shop from where you can buy jackets, socks, gloves, caps, etc to withstand the negative temperatures of Tawang.
The memorial is surrounded by beautiful valley perfect to gaze on while sipping your unlimited free tea.
Panorama from Jaswant Garh
Hopped back in the innova with happier Simanta, he already had starting chewing mawa.
We reached Tawang in another 1½ hours, the sun sets early and it was almost dark by 5pm when we reached. While, Dev was co-ordinating with the pre-booked homestay owner we had some difficulties in locating the stay. Finally, have found the homestay just to realise that staying there was not a good idea. It was located far away from town in a dark and abandoned area. Girls felt some safety concerns, and we had to honour this being responsible companions. Simanta’s “never say never” attitude and always smiling face helped us find a hotel in the market area. Name of the hotel is Mon Paradise. It was freezing cold, we quickly changed and reached the lobby area with our packed food and theplas. The hotel guys were happy to heat those for us and serve it with dal, egg bhurji and rice which we ordered from them. Sharing our food with a soldier from Indian Army with a lot of border stories was the best thing that we could have thought of in this trip.
Pet-full aur dil housefull, reaching back we slept like pigs would do after spending some playfull times in the mud. Woke up to sunrise, cool breeze and blue sky – What else does a metro lad need!!
Hope you liked our journey till now! Write some encouraging words in the comments section and share the link with your friends, also ask them to share and comment…
Read the part#2 of the story to see Tawang and Dirang from our eyes.
27 years old, 15 countries, 8000+ miles, 11 times circled the globe, 700+ hours, 23 mountains hiked, 9 different time zones..and the list goes on!!
Jet lag — That’s the 2nd most common word in my life.
Over the years I have been traveling to different countries on business or tourist/pleasure while sometimes just to escape the reality and find my focus.
While some people think travel is to : pack all the essentials, just hop on the plane, put your phone in the airplane mode, take that cozy blanket, put on your favorite movie and enjoy glass of fine vintage Château Côte de Baleau Grand Cru.
For me, travel= magic. So quick summary of the things I learnt from my travels :
1.You meet interesting and unforgettable people :
Once I was flying from Munich to New York, and met a very interesting student. She was quite intrigued by the book (Murder on the Orient Express) I was reading. I asked her name and then she introduced herself. As we continued to talk for the next few hours, she told me about her life, how she left everyone to pursue her dreams and how she is working as a part time bartender to make sure she pays her bills and completes her education. While I could see some hesitation in her voice, I was also impressed by her determination to be better in the life.
Life is not “bed of roses”, but how many do you think are determined to make it better every day?
Just 2 months back, I was flying from Shanghai to New York ( business class) and met an investor, must be in her 50’s. While she was happily enjoying her wine, after 50 minutes into the flight, we started talking and that’s when she shared her “grand perspective” towards life and startups. While she had few hiccups as an investor previously and on the personal front due to her marriage yet she never bogged down. I shared few start up ideas, why I thought it can be next the “big thing” and to what level it can succeed or fail. She asked me to send her a business plan. Just few days back I sent her the plan with an empty feeling that she must have forgotten me. I have always been a person who cared about time and details, she replied to me after 3 days and I was completely amazed by her detailed feedback. I thanked her later!
2. You find your “why”
There was a point in my life when traveling wasn’t just a hobby but a therapy. I called it my “inflection” point and it helped me in finding my why. I found myself and it made all the difference in my life.
3. Started writing a book
I have always been an avid reader (completed reading my 457th book recently). Having met so many people in my life and been through so many experiences, I started writing a book ( which I’ll publish soon). Experiences ranged from going on date with an absolute stranger — discovering different “kind of personalities” — an emergency landing — hitchhiking in a new country at 3am — — hiking with different group of people — camping with strangers— drinking wine with guys I never met in my whole life — diving 10 m deep in the sea — — ending up getting hitched for fun in a chapel in the Vegas and many more…
4. You feel “unstoppable”
Someone said it right that if you are feeling over confident, hike a mountain because mountains have a way of dealing with overconfidence. Till now I have hiked 23 mountains and that created all the difference in my personality. One such place where I exhausted myself was “Pinnacles in Borneo”. Sharp blade like rocks ( pic below) tested everything I had in me. I cried with happiness when I completed the hike after 9 hours of climb and descend. It made me feel “unstoppable”.
Pinnacles
5. Humbleness and Grateful
More than 8 billion people on this planet from different countries, religion and cultures. Different cuisines, celebrations and colors, I have experienced it all and I cant be more grateful. I became more open to people’s opinion, appreciate the fact that different people react to the same situation in a different way. In short I became more acceptable to the fact that I can be wrong in someone’s opinion and can be idolized in someone else’s mind. Having met so many people I learnt how to be grounded and be a better listener even when I’m talking. Everyone has a story, perception of reality, opinion, experiences and thoughts. There is no right or wrong opinion.
6. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things
Travel allows you to experience living in conditions that you never thought you could survive. But you will. Only when you step out of your comfort zone, then can you really push yourself to your limits and discover what you can achieve. Now whenever I feel I cannot do something, I replay those moments when a task/situation seemed utterly difficult and the way I accomplished it.
“Your strength lies in all those things you completed which once deemed impossible”
7. Finding the way on your own after getting lost.
Ever got lost? No phone, no maps, language barrier, no one to help? Take a deep breath and look around. What do you feel? I felt like wandering on my own.
There is nothing like being lost in Rome where every street corner has another spectacular sculpture; or being lost in Brussels where every neighborhood has a cluster of bistros or bakeries.
By the end of the day, I explored more than I planned. Some one said it right :
“Not All Who Wander Are Lost”
8. Knowledge and fearless mindset
I faced language barrier many times especially when I was in China and Korea. So I learnt Mandarin and Korean. Life is full of adversities and I’m not new to such situations. Bus broke down? Train delayed? Road block? Severe food poisoning? Lost your way? It’s okay, slow down and find an alternative way out.
Many times I asked myself “What’s the worst that could happen?” and that’show I developed a “fearless mindset”.
9. Living the moments
This one is my favourite. I was just out of my cocoon and in Singapore. Like any amateur traveler I was clicking the beauty Singapore has to offer. A European guy was watching me. He came to me and said something I’ll always remember. He said “ Sometimes we are so engrossed in capturing/clicking things that we forget to live the moments and beauty the place has to offer”. He was right! From that time on, I started living in the moments and in my perspective it’s beautiful!
Living in the moments
“An amateur traveller tries to capture everything amazing in his/her camera whereas a mature traveller live those amazing things and moments”
Oh did I forget to tell you about the spectacular vast and infinite “ Sky views”?
( Pics I clicked)
View from Plane
Why I wrote this post? Some day I’ll be 80 years old and still be traveling. When I’ll look back, I will read this post again and say to myself “The journey is more beautiful than the destination” and I lived every moment of it.
**** This is my first post, apologies if you find any error/mistake. And, if you like it and want me to write more posts, please don’t forget to “like & comment” because your appreciation would motivate me***** 🙂
Keep traveling !!!
Love Naina 🙂
Disclaimer: *Contents of this story is Authors personal views and presentation.
**Photos from google
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Nestled in the unparalleled beauty of the Western Ghats, lies a scintillating place teeming with natural splendours – Wayanad. Offering some of the most exquisite gems in the form of natural sights, water bodies, flora and fauna, Wayanad is one of those places that will never let you forget it! From mystical and deep forests that are full of millions of different forms of life to streams and rivulets that have been nourishing them; from wonderful remnants of the past to the ancient caves that have once housed people – the list of tourist attractions in Wayanad is impressive and unique.
Image Courtesy – Youtube(google)
Well, Wayanad is a place that offers a totally new side of the coastal State of Kerala. So, if you are looking for travel destination inspirations, stop doing that and visit Wayanad. And, to make your stay in Wayanad a truly exotic experience, read the following post. It comprises the things that you should know before booking a resort in Wayanad.
So, here we go!
Nature Resorts in Wayanad – Why not hotels?
Whenever we travel we opt for hotels for accommodation which is a satisfactory choice. However, Wayanad is a place that offers many boutique nature resorts that offer much more than a standard hotel. Further, a hotel will not be able to give you the feeling of staying the lap of luxury and nature. The nature resorts are surrounded by forests and trees on all sides. There are plantations and farms to enjoy long walks and fresh organic produce.
Image Courtesy – Kerala Tourism
Most of the reputed nature resorts offer the in-house spas where you can enjoy traditional Kerala Ayurvedic Massages and therapies. There are many resorts that offer complimentary packages as well. There are dedicated areas for playing, recreation and swimming pools etc. So, all in all, a resort is much better than a typical hotel.
Now, let us move on to know more about booking a resort in Wayanad.
Services and Features to look for:
Before booking the nature resorts in Wayanad you must check the service portfolios. The service portfolios will offer you a better overview of the property and you will be able to make a better decision. Instead of settling for some average accommodation that offers generic services; plan your stay at the resorts that offer commendable services. Laundry, Safety Deposit Boxes, Airport Pickup, Non-Smoking Rooms, Tours and Concierge etc are some services that you should look for.
You must check the customer reviews for the resort. Almost all the major resorts are listed on the travel information websites and you can find genuine customer feedbacks there. So, you must read them before making the final bookings.
Checking the photos uploaded by the previous visitors is also a must. These pictures will be the actual representation of the property and will show you how the property actually looks. You will be able to check whether the property suits your requirements and expectations or not. Hospitality Services offered at the Resorts vary greatly from one place to another. So, check them in order to avoid any troubles later.
Wayanad is a premium holiday destination for honeymooners as well. So, if you are looking for the honeymoon resorts in Wayanad, then you must pay attention to safety and security as well.
If you are travelling for business or you are going to Wayanad on a Corporate Tour, you need to book a resort that offers MICE or equivalent services. Finally, if you are travelling with your family, then you must book the best resorts in Wayanad for family. You cannot take risks with family at your side. Having covered the things that should be considered while booking the Resorts in Wayanad, let us move ahead.
Resorts in Wayanad – The Best Options:
You can find a good number of resorts in Wayanad that offers a perfect mix of luxury and nature, this is one place that you can trust when it comes to quality. While choosing the resort, make sure that it offers a pleasant stay, tours, satellite TV, Swimming Pool and amazing balconies to enjoy the surrounding nature in the best manner.
Abad Brookside is a perfect destination for honeymooners and families. Apart from the very many facilities, this resort has a large hanging pool that overlooks the nearby forest and is a mesmerizing sight. Corporate travellers, business people and travellers that are seeking refuge in nature with all luxuries available at their disposal – Abad Brookside is a place that you can book without thinking twice.
There are many tourist attractions nearby that you can explore. Pookode Lake, Kuruva Dweep, Lakkidi View Point, Edakkal Caves, Soochipara Waterfalls and Banasura Sagar Dam – all of them can be explored while staying here.
Wayanad is an excellent place to enjoy nature at its best. If you are planning to explore Wayanad and its nearby place, you just need to hire any car rental service in Kerala and experience this amazing land of beauty.
Disclaimer: *Contents of this story is Authors personal views and presentation.
**Photos from google
If you also want to get featured as a guest author on yatripandit.com, share your story with us on info@yatripandit.com
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Arrival in the Denpasar Airport, meets with our representative, and will directly proceed to Hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure by own arrangement.
Day 2. WATER SPORT + 60 MINUTES MASSAGE (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning at 09:00am pick up to Tanjung Benoa is a very suitable place for Water sport activities or water sports. Water sports can be enjoyed here include a Jet Sky, Fly fish, and Banana boat.
Afternoon enjoy 60 Minutes massage for relax your body and mind.
Day 3. TRANSFER TO GILI TRAWANGAN (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning at 07.00am will pick up for transfer to Padangbai/ Serangan Harbor for transfer to Gili Trawangan.
Arrive at Gili, take Cidomo transfer ( arrange on clients own) and transfer to hotel at Gili Trawangan.
Day 4. FREE AT LEISURE (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Free at leisure by own arrangement
Day 5. TRANSFER GILI TRAWANGAN TO BALI (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning around at 08.00am take Cidomo transfer to Gili Harbor ( arrange by clients on own)
Arrive at Gili Harbor check in at boat counter and transfer by boat to Bali. Arrive at Serangan/Padangbai harbor will transfer to hotel at Bali.
Rest of the days free leisure at own arrangement.
Day 6. HD ULUWATU KECAK TOUR (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free leisure at own arrangement.
Afternoon at 15.00pm will pick up for trip to the most southern tip of the island: Uluwatu temple hanging on a cliff over a 100 meters sheer drop to the ocean. Within this area, we also have a chance to see the map view of Bali. As the evening approaches, enjoy the Kecak and Fire Dance to enrich your afternoon.
Day 7. BOUNTY SUNSET DINNER CRUISE (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free leisure at own arrangement.
Afternoon there’s no better way to spend a balmy tropical evening than on Bounty evening Dinner Cruise. As the sun goes down we set off on a relaxing cruise around the harbour.
Cruise Include
· Return hotel transfer (Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur, Seminyak, Denpasar hotel area only)
· Welcome drink
· International Buffet Dinner
· Traditional Balinesse Dance
· Live Music
· DJ on board
· Comedy Cabaret Show
· On Board Entertainment
· Duration : 17:30 pm – 20:30 pm
· Boarding commences : 17:30 pm
Day 8. Bali – Out (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Free at leisure by own arrangement until departure time to be proceed to the Airport.
Package cost – INR 1,20,000/-* Approx. (Ex-Delhi/ Mumba) for a Couple.
If you like the package, please email us or call/whatsapp us on 9975712713, we would be happy to book it for you.
Of-course we would be glad to tweak and modify this to suit your desired trip.
Yatripandit 