Traveling is good
Incidentally it is owned by Mithun Chakravarthy. After freshening up we went for a little sightseeing. There are usual points like any other hill station. First one was Doddabetta peak which is highest point of Ooty. One can see far and wide from this point but only if the sky is clear which sadly was not the case for us.
Read More
Abu Road to Chottorgarh is 260 km on excellent tar and may take almost 4 to 5 hours in no haste & less traffic. At or around 12 noon we entered the town by rolling further 2-3 km on a link road connecting the city with the bye-pass. We decided to take a guide so that we may not waste time in road enquiries and also venture the fort area with ease. Soon we found one reasonably at Rs. 250/- and entered the Fort through one of the seven legendary POL (gates) Each gate has a distinct name and relevance, just to quote the names without digging into history, they are the Padan Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol, Jorla Pol, Ganesh Pol, Laxman Pol and Ram Pol. If I remember, we entered through the Ganesh Pol as there was an Idol of Ganesha at the entry.
Soon after, we discovered that the fort is much larger and magnificent than it actually appears from distant. Situated at a high hillock fortifying the entire hill with high solid rock boundary, it is spread covering close to 3 km2. The Fort was constructed by the Mauryans in the 7th century AD however, mythological beliefs claim, it was constructed by Bhima of Mahabharata. The fort boasts to be the palatial abode of many famous warriors such as Gora, Badal, Rana Kumbha, Maharana Pratap, Jaimal, Patta, etc. for many years before it was captured by the Mughals.
Read More
City Palace has several gates (in local language known as “Pols”). The entry to the Palace is from the Hati Pol (Elephant gate). The Bari Pol brings you to the Tripolia gate. Main ticket office is near to it. You can also hire a guide or take the audio tour for getting familiar with the events and historic happenings of this beautiful monument.
The main part of the City Palace is now preserved as a museum displaying a large and diverse array of artifacts. After entering the Pol the armory museum is situated there, exhibits a huge collection of old war weapons. The rooms and the halls of the palace are decorated with mirrors, tiles and paintings. The Palace has large collection of royal paintings, jewelry, crockery, photographs and beautiful silver “Shadi ka Mandap” covered with glass wall. The palace has an old history which has many kings and rulers and there details, photographs and belongings can be seen in the different areas and rooms of the palace. The new small museums of silver, sculptures and music instrument were great.
Read More
On 29-Jun 2014 morning, we took the bus at 6:30 am from Ramnagar bus stand and reached Nainital at 9:00 am. There were some taxiwalas standing for sightseeing packages but we denied them and thought to roam around on our own. So we walked on our foot till Tallital bus stand and hired a bike on rent for Rs. 1000 and Security Rs.2000. Then we have gone for boating in Mallital and Tallital Lake for Rs. 210. We have done our breakfast and shopping on Mall Road itself which is near to Tallital bus stand.
Then we moved ahead on bike for RajBhawan(Governor’s House). Wow it is a very beautiful place and the gardens, the sightseeing near it is really awesome. The guide there guided us and told us about the history of this place. Then we headed towards Himalayan view point, Lover’s point and Suicide point. Awesome the weather, the scenery, the clouds coming over the hills, just WOW:) And then monsoon 1st rainfall started :D so we moved back to Mall road for some shopping near Tallital bus stand. We returned our bike at 6:00 pm and got our Security money Rs. 2000 back. There were tourists and tourists only all around on the Mall road. No vehicles are allowed between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm. The traffic management is very good. At 7:00 pm, we booked 2 seats in a Volvo bus. There were agents sitting in some shops on Mall road.
Read More
Evening is extremely lively in Mt. Abu, unlike other hills, the Mall road here remains crowded till late in the evening, say upto 10 – 11 pm at least. One of the safest hill station, less colder due to lower altitude and superb law and order, I was always pleased to see the care free atmosphere there. Diwali being just passed, the decorative lightings of the shops and hotels were still shimmering, adding extra charm to the already charming place. The vibrant stalls, mostly laden with Gujrati & Rajasthani stuffs are bound to lure your better half. Rows of ice-cream shops, pastries, cookies and crushed ice-balls (Golas) in different flavor are the trade mark of Mt. Abu.
Activities around Nakki Lake are however, stalled at 8 pm for security reasons. The surrounding is expanding with growing popularity and increasing inflow since I have last visited the place in 1998 and again in 2008.
Read More
Our most awaited destination was Naliya, where we filled the tank and a routine air check, after almost 600 km. With lifted confidence, we roared on the four lane upto Kothara from where a single road on the right leads towards the less visited but very natural and unexploited Pingleshwar. Passing by a few villages on a narrow bumpy road for 15-20 km, we reached at the dead end. Rows of giant wind mills were standing erect with the large blades performing in tune of the wind. An ancient temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated here. The shrine is brightly colorful and very well maintained but I understand very few tourists other than locals visit the temple often.
Read More
Kausani: The absence of crowds was a welcome change in this place as well. No mall road to boast about but the available accommodation was good enough. The тАШwowтАЩ factor is the spectacular view of the mighty Himalayas – 300 kilometers of unhindered and unmatched majestic view. Peaks Nandadevi, Nandaghunti, Trishul etc. glistening in the morning sunshine, gives lovely viewing pleasure. On a clear morning as you open your bedside window, the sight of these snow-capped mountains which sometimes seem to be bending towards you, simply take your breath away.
Gandhiji spent a few days here in the Anashakti ashram тАУ which is right in the middle of the town and displays some photographs from his life тАУ and called this place тАШthe Switzerland of IndiaтАЩ. Hindi poet Sumitra Nandan Pant was born in this place.
Baijnath, 19 km downhill from Kausani, boasts of a 1000 year old temple complex situated on the banks of river Gomti. Children enjoyed feeding the fish here.
Read More
рдЙрдореНрдореАрдж рд╣реИ рдЗрд╕ рд╢реНрд░рдВрдЦрд▓рд╛ рдХреА рдкрд┐рдЫрд▓реА рдкреЛрд╕реНрдЯ рдЖрдк рдХреА рдЙрдореНрдореАрджреЛрдВ рдкрд░ рдЦрд░реА рдЙрддрд░реА рд╣реЛрдЧреА. рдЪрд▓рд┐рдпреЗ рдЕрдм рдЖрдЧреЗ рдмрдврддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ……. рдЬрдм рд╣рдо рд▓реЛрдЧ рдЗрд╕ рдЯреВрд░…
Read More
Siliguri to Pelling in West Sikkim is 131 kms and takes approximately 3 hours for straight drive. Needless to mention that the drive is subjected to imponderables like traffic snarl, road repairs and broadening work, tea and meal breaks. As such it is safe to plan approx 4 hours for the drive. Pelling to Khecheopalri is 32 kms and takes about an hourтАШs drive along a graveled road. As usual the condition of road from Siliguri to the lake can best be described as тАЬthe good, the bad and the uglyтАЭ. Last year at a chance meeting a MLA from Jorthang told me that this West Sikkim road is being turned into a four lane highway, insallah.
Road from Siliguri to Sevoke is a smooth broad 2 lane highway (NH 31) that knifes through the neat sevoke Military Cantonment and Sevoke Forest. From Sevoke Bazaar to Coronation Bridge (3 kms) is another smooth, well carpeted road snaking along he mountain curves runing almost parallel to Teesta River. This road is adorned with good highway signs; however, unfortunately this stretch is marred by delays due to railway gate blockage and heavy traffic from/to North East, Dooars, Sikkim and Kalimpong. From Coronation Bridge to Teesta Bridge near Teesta bazar (37km) NH 31is forever in the making and subject to traffic jams & delays caused by repairs and expansion; as such, it can be dusty and slushy depending on the season.
Read More
рднрд╡рди рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рд╣рд░ рдЖрдХрд░ рдкрдВрдХреНрддрд┐ рдореЗрдВ рд╣рд▓реБрд╡рд╛ рдХрд╛ рдкреНрд░рд╢рд╛рджрд╛ рд▓рд┐рдпрд╛. рдкреНрд░рд╛рдВрдЧрдг рдореЗрдВ рдХреБрдЫ рджреЗрд░ рд╢рд╛рдВрддрдЪрд┐рддреНрдд рд╣реЛрдХрд░ рдмреИрдареЗ рд░рд╣рдиреЗ рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рдж рдкреНрд░рд╢рд╛рджрд╛ рдЧреНрд░рд╣рдг рдХрд┐рдпрд╛. рдЧреБрд░реБрджреНрд╡рд╛рд░реЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рдорд┐рд▓рдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЗ рдкреНрд░рд╢рд╛рдж рд░реВрдкреА рд╣рд▓реБрд╡реЗ рдХреА рд╡рд┐рд╢реЗрд╖рддрд╛ рд╣реИ рдХрд┐ рдпрд╣ рд╢реБрджреНрдз рджреЗрд╢реА рдШреА рд╕реЗ рдмрдирд╛ рд╣реЛрддрд╛ рд╣реИ рдФрд░ рдкреВрд░реА рддрд░рд╣ рд╕реЗ рдШреА рдореЗрдВ рддрд░ рд╣реЛрддрд╛ рд╣реИ. рд╣рд╛рде рдореЗрдВ рдкреНрд░рд╢рд╛рджрд╛ рд▓реЗрдХрд░ рдЦрд╛рдиреЗ рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рдж рд╣рд╛рдереЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рджреЗрд╢реА рдШреА рдХреА рд╕реБрдЧрдВрдз рдФрд░ рдЪрд┐рдХрдирд╛рд╣рдЯ рдмрд╛рдиреА рд░рд╣рддреА рд╣реИ рдФрд░ рд╕реНрд╡рд╛рдж рдХреА рддреЛ рдмрд╛рдд рд╣реА рдХреНрдпрд╛┬а‘рдЧреБрд░реБ-рдкреНрд░рд╕рд╛рдж’┬ардЬреЛ рд╣реИ. рдмрдЪреНрдЪреЛрдВ рдиреЗ рднреА рдкреНрд░рд╢рд╛рджрд╛ рдЧреНрд░рд╣рдг рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдФрд░ рдореЗрд░реА рдмрдбрд╝реА рдмреЗрдЯреА рднреВрдорд┐рдХрд╛ рдХреЛ рдЗрддрдирд╛ рдкрд╕рдВрдж рдЖрдпрд╛ рдХрд┐ рдкреНрд░рд╢рд╛рджрд╛ рдХреА рд▓рд┐рдП рджреЛрдмрд╛рд░рд╛ рд╕реЗ рд▓рд╛рдЗрди рдореЗрдВ рд▓рдЧ рдЧрдпреА. рдкреНрд░рд╢рд╛рджрд╛ рд╡рд┐рддрд░рдг рдХрд░рдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЗ рднрдЧрддрдЬреА рдиреЗ рд╕рд░ рдкрд░ рд░реБрдорд╛рд▓рд╛ рди рд╣реЛрдиреЗ рдХреА рдХрд╛рд░рдг рдереЛрдбрд╝рд╛ рдбрд╛рдВрдЯрддреЗ рд╣реБрдП рдкреНрд░рд╢рд╛рджрд╛ рджреЗрдиреЗ рд╕реЗ рдордирд╛ рдХрд░ рджрд┐рдпрд╛ рдФрд░ рд╣рдо рджреВрд░ рд╕реЗ рджреГрд╢реНрдп рджреЗрдЦрддреЗ рд░рд╣реЗ.
Read More
Places to eat:
Viva Panjim: The best Goan food ever. Period
Brittos: Amazing desserts.
Nick’s Place: Baga
Curlies: Anjuna: Sea food wood fired pizza, Hookah’s and Grilled Fish.
Suaza Loboz: Calangute: Good sea and Goan food.
Infantaria: Baga: For breakfast. Sandwitches and Pan cakes are worth the money spent.
A small desi joint just before Baga beach: For breakfast of stuffed paratha’s, masala omellete and tea/coffee.
Food court near calangute: For 24*7 Multicuisine food. Not bad, not good.
Places to Visit/Things to do:
Beaches:
Baga for a touristy feel, and watersports. Watersports are quite affordable here, and you can get a package deal of Parasailing, Jet ski, bumper, banana rides for rougly Rs 12-1500 per person.
Mandrem: For calm, quite and relaxation.
Curlies: Tip, go post lunch as by evening theres a lot of rush which everyone might not like.
Arambol/Ashwem: For a firang goan feel.
Places:
Old Goa: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old portuguese colonies.
Chapora/Dil Chahta hai Fort.
Any of the casinos in Panjim.
LPK @Candolim or Club Cubana @Arpora for discs.
Manchester United Cafe @Baga if you are into sports and follow the team.
I must tell you readers about Fagu-which is 23km away from Shimla (and 3km from Kufree) is a great place for doing nothing and morning walks among apple and potato fields. Fagu is ,situated on the Hindustan Tibet Road at a height of about 2500 mts. We drove through Chhotta Shimla,and other crowed parts on to the road to Wildflower Hall and Kufri, stopping on the way to enjoy the fantastic views. You go thro the Victory Tunnel to CHHOTA SHIMLA- part of Kannaur Shimla, through Sanjauli,,cross another tunnel, through wooded forest toward KUFRI which is about 19 km from Shimla ,thro KUFRI by-pass and Fagu is 3km from Kufri on the Hindustan -Tibet road. It took us about 90 minutes, in our Skoda to reach the hotel of HP Tourism — Peach Blossom. Its a small village with only few small typical shops selling essential, nothing else. But the place is dotted with Apple gardens, terraced fields, potato fields etc . There was another group of People from Mumbai–all senior citizens, enjoying the place. We went down the hill though the apple gardens and fields. you can literally walk for hours- surrounded by Himalyan range so close,you could almost touch it. We were lucky that during our stay from 3rd April to 5th April, it became very very cold and we could see fresh snow falling on the peaks, and the whole area was totally covered by low clouds for hours.
Read More