UNDER-RATED DESTINATION: SRI LANKA

I am often asked: what is the most under-rated destination that you have been to. My reply would be Sri Lanka with its stellar combination of World Heritage sites, wildlife, history, rich culture, terrific hotels, friendly people and a friendlier currency.

NOTHING BEATS QUEENSLAND!

I was in Queensland, Australia after many, many years and it was truly a wonderful experience filled with new friends, good wine and food and exciting travel.

IN THE MOST POPULOUS LAND IN THE PLANET!

Everyone’s talking about China...There is great interest in China as a travel destination .

UNDER-RATED DESTINATION: SRI LANKA

I am often asked: what is the most under-rated destination that you have been to. My reply would be Sri Lanka with its stellar combination of World Heritage sites, wildlife, history, rich culture, terrific hotels, friendly people and a friendlier currency.

NOTHING BEATS QUEENSLAND!

I was in Queensland, Australia after many, many years and it was truly a wonderful experience filled with new friends, good wine and food and exciting travel.

Of Flash mobs and Antwerp...

There’s so much talk about flash mobs and viral videos now- the best flash mob to date was the one I saw on 'You tube' some time ago, set in Antwerp Station.

Monday, February 25, 2013

In the shadows of skyscrapers....


When I was in Vancouver, one of the localities that I loved visiting was Granville island.


Granville Island sits in the middle of False Creek, the body of water that separates Vancouver from the city's West End.


 This 37-acre industrial wasteland in Vancouver’s False Creek
 has been transformed into a vibrant locality with artists and artisans, talented buskers, a Farmer’s  market and  many independent shops. You can laze in cafes with a view or  indulge in beer tasting at the Granville Island Brewery.




The  Aquabus, provides ferry service from Granville Island to Downtown Vancouver.


We walked the many winding alleys here and made serendipitous discoveries.




I just loved these cramped boat houses with the ocean at the doorstep,
on the eastern edge of Granville Island. Bright colours and tourists gawking at your backyard- the thirty odd residents here sure have some quirky homes.



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Friday, February 22, 2013

TO MARKET , TO MARKET!



One of the first things I do in any European city is head to their local market which is usually an atmospheric melee of people, flavours and smells.
One of the markets that I really enjoyed seeing is Budapest’s majestic Central Market Hall.


Built in 1897 using bricks, cast iron and glass and completely renovated in 1999, the covered Central Market hall is today a great hunting ground for souvenirs. They say that when it just opened ships sailed right into the building using special docks!


Beautiful Zsolnay tiles cover the enormous roof structure, that makes it look spectacular from outside.


 The Stalls on the first floor overflow with Hungarian lace and embroidery, white peasant shirts, traditional embroidered waistcoats, hand crafted Porcelain, painted wooden toys and enameled jewellery.



The ground floor is a cacophonous melee of stalls lined with garlands of paprika (the Hungarians use a lot of spices), salami, sausages and liver, dessert wine and long necked bottles of the golden Tokaji.



I loved these hot dogs in the colours of the Hungarian flag!


 I saw a lot of  pickles- homemade pickled cucumbers, sauerkraut, pickled stuffed peppers.



The market is closed on Sundays but other days it opens early -sometimes as early as 6:00 am, and closes fairly early as well. Even if you are not a shopper, you must visit it to experience the unique architecture and atmosphere

Friday, February 15, 2013

CANDY STRIPES


An integral part of the French Basque region is Basque linen or Linge Basque with its traditional stripes which used to be in a sober colour palette of red, green and cream. Traditionally there used to be seven stripes on the linen: one for each province of the Basque region- three in France and four in Spain.



They say that the origins of the linen was  in the Middle ages when weavers went door to door and made small linen squares to protect the cattle from insects called  La mante a boeufs!


 I  visited the Tissage Lartigue factory and showroom in the village of Ascain, near St Jean de Luz, who have been making this linen from 1910.


They use cotton threads of 65 colours and create cushion covers, bags, bread holders, runners in a striking palette of candy colours in stripes.



I loved the fully mechanized looms that we saw and also workers tailoring the linen into bags, spectacle cases, runners.



Just some of the things that I adored:






Saturday, February 9, 2013

DESERT SYMPHONY



One of the most interesting properties that I have visited in the recent past is the Serai  (  part of the Relais and Chateaux group) which has 21 air conditioned tents set in a hundred acres of scrubby terrain in the heart of the Thar Desert, a half hour drive from Jaisalmer.



The whole resort is built out of honey coloured sandstone and pearly white canvas and the Zen- like spaces are furnished with local artifacts like tall black urns with reeds, camel statues and durries. The furniture is all collapsible and compact and every piece is packed and put in storage when the camp closes for the summer.


My swish tent suite with high ceilings and windows with nets had a Victorian study, throw cushions in brilliant indigo, a huge bed on a stone platform and a fantasy-in-stone bathroom with two stylish basins and a rain shower.




 I just loved the small details: brass service buttons to summon your personal butler or housekeeping, monogrammed paper with camels embossed on it, novels bound in vellum, leather pouches to hold a torch and a hair dryer, glass stopper decanters with citronella based products.







The focal point of the resort is an elevated infinity pool modelled on the lines of a step well or a baoli with canopied loungers on all sides



The food at the Serai was an eclectic mix of Western and Indian specialities. The menus varied with every meal, and offered a wide choice, ranging from cold soups and salads, to a Wild Mushroom risotto and traditional Rajasthani dishes. I just loved this Rajasthani Thali.




The staff was in traditional attire - with a multi-coloured saafa or turban and the managers in Khaki.


 The Serai even has a Spa created by Raison d’Etre, one of the leading Spa companies in the world, housed in tents of course. My feet were bathed in a sandstone basin of warm water and in the soft glow of candlelight,   skilled hands rubbed me with a ground mixture of tulsi, saffron and honey in a sesame oil base.


The best experience that I had was my own private sun downer excursion- a cross country drive  on a desert jeep with a butler and driver, through small villages or dhanis with mud houses, children waving, men with turbans sitting under trees and camels munching on the ker trees.
At the end of the drive, I had  my private dune, a snack table and a 
drink, watching the sun go down!



Thursday, February 7, 2013

IN THE GRAND BAZAAR


I wandered through the labyrinth of streets, feasting on the colour and sheer chaos and energy of the place. I discovered a myriad shops and cafes and ogled at souvenirs, carpets, tiles, leather and kilim bags, and ornate chandeliers.


4000 shops, 61 streets, 21 entrance gates even a post office, a police station, and a mosque - this was a mind boggling exercise!



Founded by Sultan Mehmet, the conqueror, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul may be one of the first shopping malls of the world.

From Ottoman times, historically each street, alley, of the bazaar was dedicated to a particular craft or item, and they still bear those names.



I got used to the aggressive shopkeepers shouting out to me at regular intervals!
  • Hello, you Indian, Bollywood? I have a cousin there!"
  • "Are you lost??"
  • “You want to buy Turkish carpet?”
  • "You want to see some lovely tiles in my shop?"
  • "Would you like a cup of coffee?"

The architecture- tiled arches and decorative touches and the sheer colour makes a visit to the Grand Bazaar worth it. Touristy it may be, but photo ops galore!



Some things which caught my eye at the Bazaar










Finding Your Way around the Grand Bazaar
Its simple- just wander around, prepared to get lost...there are exit signs everywhere so fear not!

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