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8 Things You Must Do while You Spend Your Vacation in Barbados

8 Things You Must Do while You Spend Your Vacation in Barbados

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8 Things You Must Do while You Spend Your Vacation in Barbados

Barbados. The name itself takes us to some images filled up with of turquoise water, white sands, calypso, cricket, a bottle of rum and variety of fish delicacies. Let us look over some facts and funs of this little country, measuring 166 square miles in total, before you plan for your next vacation over there.

The indigenous people of this region, Kalinago, were lost to the Spanish in the 15th century. Then the British came and started sugar cane plantation and industry. Back then, they brought the African slaves to do the plantations works. British rule ended in 1966 and the people, mostly with African origin, got their independence.

British has left the power of this country more than 50 years ago. But still, more than 50% of tourists occupying the streets and cafes and restaurants and villas on the beach in Barbados are Britishers only. No wonder, why the country is called as ‘Little England’ affectionately.


Now Barbados has secured its place as the most developed island in this region. It welcomes the tourists worldwide to indulge themselves into some cracking fun with all its natural subtropical climates, beaches, colonial history, mouth-watering menus and festivals.

Time to check out 8 real points that would count in your itinerary.

1. Hit the Beaches

Though the area of this country doesn’t compare to the most ones in mainland, it has a real pride for its number of beaches along the sea among them the Crane Beach, Bottom Bay, Rockley Beach, Paynes Bay, Pebbles Beach, Mount Standfast Beach, Bathsheba Beach, Dover Beach and Carlisle Bay are most famous. Some of them are popular for their rocky facades, while the others are adorned for the white sands. Whatever it is, no one can ignore to explore by the sea when in Barbados.

2. Swimming with the Turtles

This one adds a totally new perspective when visiting a place. There is a wide range of cruises and tours that make it possible to swim with the turtles. Most turtle tours are conducted on catamarans which provide lunch, masks and snorkels. It is a great outing – sailing down the magnificent coastline, a delicious lunch, some rum and of course, seeing the beautiful turtles and snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea. Some tours include stops at the beach and snorkelling over shipwrecks.

3. Explore the Harrison’s Cave

At the heart of Barbados lies one of its greatest wonders – the magnificent Harrison’s Cave. Located in the central uplands of the island, this crystallized, limestone cave is characterized by flowing streams, deep pool of crystal clear water and towering columns. Gaze in wonder at the white flowstones and in awe at the beauty of the speleothems which adorn the cave. Harrison’s cave is a gem of an experience, so be sure to visit and unearth the adventure.

4. St. Nicholas Abbey

No, it is not a church or has no connection with religion at all. St. Nicholas Abbey is a former sugar plantation and now turned into a museum and a rum distillery. Visitors get a glimpse of the plantation life of the past centuries in the museum. There is a 1930 film also depicting many sides of the plantation. Sugar plantation here was closed down in 1947 but still one can see the mill working. There is also a rum distillery that produces St. Nicholas Abbey rum which can accompany the tourists while going through the pages of history in the museum.

5. Take a Sip of Rum at its Homeland

We already have come across rum at the previous destination and who can think of a tour in the Caribbean without rum and when in Barbados, the homeland of rum, it will be a crime to not have it at least a little bit. It is believed that rum was first produced in Barbados. And the culture of this country, or even in the Caribbean as a whole, has always been touched up with rum since then. You will find some of the oldest distilled rums here to make the spirit high while touring.

6. Flying Fish Cutter

Here comes one of the most special attractions of the country. One can never ignore seafood and fish while visiting in this region. And flying fish cutter is a speciality of Barbados as to say that flying fish are a big part of the cultural identity of the island is a bit of understatement. So never forget to have a taste of the indigenous form of sandwich which looks like a burger though.

7. Nidhe Israel Synagogue

The only synagogue in Barbados, Nidhe Israel Synagogue, is one of the oldest synagogues in the western hemisphere. Built in the 17th century, this establishment has lots of stories to be revealed to the tourists as it has turned a part of it as a museum that traces Jewish history in Barbados dating back to the arrival of the earliest Jews in 1628 and highlights their contribution to the Barbadian society. So do not miss this cluster of history.

8. Crop Over

Crop Over is the premiere summer festival of Barbados. Not only that, arguably the most colourful festival of the Caribbean is considered as the identity of the country’s people. This attracts tourists worldwide. Even the Bajans who live off the island also get back to the country in this festival season to celebrate with the family and friends. The main festival is held by the government itself but there are many other small Crop Overs take place with no government undertaking.

P.S.: Images from Google

Maldives Travel Guide: Places to Visit, Things to Do

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Maldives Travel Guide: Places to Visit, Things to Do

By Sanchita

Introduction – Maldives or the Maldive Islands (known as the ‘The Pearl Necklace’ of the Indian Ocean) is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean consisting of 26 ring-shaped atolls and has over 1,000 coral islands. This is a tranquil haven for wanderlust lovers who crave the exotic islands, mesmerizing sea, white sands, coral reefs and a journey to remember. This one of the best tourist destinations of Asia. It is a paradise for lovers who wish to spend their honeymoon in serene and calm environment. It is dotted with incredible beauty and splendid nature. The destination is extremely enthralling and the best time to visit Maldives is during the month of December to April.

Places to see in Maldives

Utheemu Ganduvaru – Situated in the north of Maldives, this is one of the tourist attractions in Maldives. It is a historical place which is the house of the Sultan Mohammad Thankurufaan. This is indeed a great historical site known for the heroic actions of Maldivians who saved the common folk from the cruel Portuguese conquerors.

HP Reef – This is the place of stunning corals and vibrant marine life. Needless to say, this is among the top-rated tourist attractions in Maldives. The place is situated at the North Male Atoll and dotted with colorful fishes and other marine animals. The place is a protected marine site and perfect for diving. The divine blue sea and vivacity of marine life is surely going to lift your mood.

Biyadhoo Island Resort – It is situated in South Malé Atoll and has a fascinating site of Maldives. It is one of the most serene places to visit and counted among one of the best resorts all over world. It offers various activities like diving, snorkeling and many other water sports. In fact, it is often called the ‘Scuba-diving Island’. There are various luxurious hotels here but the major attraction of this place is snorkeling, scuba diving and canoe-paddling.

Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque – The Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque is also known as the Old Friday Mosque in Maldives and one of the best place to witness the Islamic culture. It is one of the oldest mosque named after the Emperor of the same name. The interior of the mosque offers outstanding architectural designs with carvings of different kinds of patterns and Arabic scripts, which is simply extraordinary. The place is extremely calm and peaceful.

Fihalhohi Island – This is the ideal place for romantic destination. It is located at the South Kaafu Atoll in Malé and offers a gorgeous place for lovers and ideal for your romantic getaway or honeymoon. The beauty and serenity of white sands, coconut palm trees and clear blue water, it is surely going to win your heart. The major attractions are Fihalhohi Island Resort, Rannalhi and Rihiveli beaches.

Things to do in Maldives –

  • Take a bike ride and explore the beauty of the city and especially, Malé which is the largest and liveliest city in Maldives. The roads are perfect for bike rides and you can explore various places as well.
  • Maldives has various local artisans in their workshops and various local arts and crafts are available. Therefore, go for shopping for the local and traditional items.
  • Since this is an island, you can also go for fishing. Take a fishing trip on a speedboat and catch fishes like tuna, sail fish, etc. There are provisions for barbecue as well.
  • There are provisions for water sports like diving, windsurfing and snorkeling, relaxation at sauna and spa, island hopping and many more.
  • The view of sea and pristine sand is serene so you can also relax on the various beaches.
  • There are provisions for spa and massages and other relaxation therapies and pampering. There is a spa at every resort in Maldives.

Cuisine

Maldives is famous for sea food for obvious reasons. Fish (tuna) is one of the important staple of the Maldivian diet. The cuisine of Maldives is a great mix of Arabic, Indian, Sri Lankan and Oriental influences. Coconuts are a key part of many dishes in Maldives. Dishes like Garudhiya, Keemia, Gulha, Mas Huni, Bajiya and Masroshi are very popular in Maldives.

Currency conversion

Currency conversion for Maldives is very easy, there are many reliable currency convertors who will convert your currency to their Maldivian rufiyaa. You can also check the rates using online currency convertor. It helps you with real time figures based on current market or bank foreign exchange rates, it would be of an excellent help while travelling.

Maldives Tourism has a lot to offer, so plan your Maldives trip soon 🙂

Kerala Travel Diaries- Places to Visit, Things To Do

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Kerala Travel Diaries- Places to Visit, Things To Do

By Sanchita

Introduction –

Kerala, is popularly known as ‘Gods Own Country’, blessed with a scenic beauty of green landscape, a mélange of beautiful beaches, the serene backwaters and a tradition to speak for. It is considered one of the best tourist destinations in India and truly a beautiful one. Dotted with the stunning beaches along the Malabar Coast to the fantastic verdant hillside tea gardens in Munnar, the amalgamation of rich cultures, traditions and folk dances, a land of elephants and the unique local cuisine – Kerala has it all. Kerala is a narrow strip of land with Arabian Sea on one side and Western Ghats on the other side. This place is gifted to receive the monsoon showers first in the city and thus the growth of lush greenery with its radiance and rich fertile soil has also made the land extremely cultivable. Let us see in details about the must visit places in Kerala as well the things to do when you visit the Gods Own Country.

You can either plan your holiday on your own or go for Kerala Tourism Packages.

10 Best Places to see in Kerala –

1. Backwaters of Kerala – You want a romantic and serene destination with your partner? Or, a quiet and peaceful experience for a holiday with the family? The backwaters of Kerala is the most tranquil and relaxing place that you have to visit. The sunset along with the incandescent changes in the sky and experiencing that from a houseboat along the palm-fringed Kerala canals is the best moment one can have. Also, the delicious Indian food and chilled beer on board the boat make the experience even more gratifying.

2. Tea gardens in Munnar – Munnar is the famous hill station in Kerala situated at the confluence of the three rivers Madhurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly. Another must visit place in Kerala is the Tea Gardens of Munnar. This place is well-known for its extensive tea plantations where tea is being picked and processed, and you can also try fresh tea straight from the gardens. The land is truly a blessed beauty with winding lanes, misty hills, and forests full of exotic plants and wildlife. If you are an adventurer, try the trekking to Anamudi, the highest peak in south India or go rock climbing and para gliding.

3. Athirapally Falls (Athirapally) – Athirappilly Falls, known as the largest waterfall in Kerala, is situated in Athirappilly panchayath, Chalakudy Taluk in of Thrissur district. It stands tall at 80 feet. And just a short drive from Athirapally, the Vazhachal waterfall is close to lush green forests that are home to many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna. The wild beauty is just as fascinating as enchanting over there.

4. Varkala Beach – Considered to be one of the best beaches of India, the amazing picturesque Varkala beach provides a relatively peaceful alternative to the now commercialized Kovalam. The long stretch of cliff and views that extend over the Arabian Sea is simply breathtaking. There is a paved footpath runs along the length of the cliff, dotted by coconut palms, beach shacks, hotels. Do not miss the uninterrupted view of the sun as it slowly sinks down the horizon.

5. Folklore Museum (Kochi) – If you are a history lover, you have to visit the Folklore Museum in Kochi. It has been built in true Keralan style from ancient temples and beautiful old houses. It includes over 4000 artefacts and covers three architectural styles: Malabar on the ground-floor, Kochi on the 1st, Travancore on the 2nd. Upstairs is a beautiful wood-lined theatre, with a 17th-century wooden ceiling. The Museum is a treasure trove that showcases the rich heritage of Kerala through its numerous art and dance forms.

6. Kovalam Beach (Kovalam) – this is another top rated beaches in India and one of the prominent feature of the Kerala Tourism. The relaxing sun, the Ayurvedic treatments and powerful strong deep massage on the shacks along with the local cuisine is the best thing to ask for. The crescent shaped beach has a light house on its southern side, which provides an excellent view of the city especially the moon-shaped beach and the Vizhinjam mosque. Kovalam which is derived from coconut trees is 16 kms away from Trivandrum. The rocky formations amalgams with the calm blue bay to turn the bay into a special aquarelle on moonlit evenings.

7. Vadakkunnathan Temple – The ancient temple with unique architecture – Vadakkunnathan Temple has been declared as a national monument by the Indian government, under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. It is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Kerala, situated in the heart of Thrissur city and the temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. It is believed that the Vadakkumnathan temple was built by Parashurama. The temple exhibits the classic architectural style of Kerala. The interior of the temple is beautifully decorated with murals depicting the episodes from Mahabharata.

8. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady) – the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary is one of the popular wild life sanctuary preserving various species of animals including elephants, tigers, sambars, gaurs and the very rare lion tailed macaques. The amazing cenic beauty along with its wildlife has been attracting tourists and visitors from all over the world for years and thus considered as one of the must visited place of Kerala. Take a boat trip to Thekkady Lake to experience it like never before.

9. Mattancherry Palace – Built by the Portuguese in the year 1557, Mattancherry Palace was presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the Palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. It is a Bhagavathi Temple in the central courtyard is built like the characteristic Kerala style mansion – the Nalukettu – the home of the aristocracy, nobleness and upper classes, with four separate wings opening out to a central courtyard. It has the view of the panoramic Kochi backwaters and the gorgeous collection of murals collectively covering over 300 sq ft of its walls. There are some display of royal paraphernalia like weapons, swings and furniture which offer a glimpse of the lifestyle of the royal family.

10. Padmanabhaswamy Temple – the richest Hindu temple in the world, Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located in Thiruvananthapuram and is built in an intricate fusion of the indigenous Kerala style and the Dravidian style of architecture associated with the temples located in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu, featuring high walls, and a 16th-century Gopuram. It is In terms of assets gold and precious stones, it is by far the wealthiest institution and place of worship of any kind in the recorded history of the world, with an estimated $22 billion worth of gold and jewels stored in underground vaults. However it is said that only 5 of the 6 underground vaults had been opened and explored.

Things to do in Kerala –

  • To have a look at the lush green landscape, take a house boat in Alleppey to travel through the tranquil backwaters is just as amazing as it is made out to be.
  • Visit the Eravikulam National Park because of Neelakurinji, which blooms once in 12 years and this rare view is a fascinating experience.
  • You can also having a nice trekking experience to the peak of the hill and get to see the Nigiri Thar, an endangered mountain goat.
  • Go for a Shikara rides in Alappuzha which has to offer some stunning views of the backwaters and the array of beautiful birds along with the nurturing of nature.
  • Watch the Colorful Snake Boat races during Onam festival in Alappuzha, Kerala which is held from July to September particularly during Onam festival.
  • Kerala is famous for spices. Visit the spice plantations or gardens in Munnar, Thekkady or Wayanad and experience some authentic black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and the exotic vanilla and explore the farms on a nature walk.
  • Stay at a coffee plantation resort or homestay and it would include all the activities like trekking, night safaris, camp fire and plantation walks.
  • Watch Theyyam, a dance form staged in various temples of North Kerala, usually in front of the village shrine.

Culture –

The culture of Kerala is a fusion of Aryan and Dravidian cultures, advanced and mixed for centuries, under inspirations from other parts of India and abroad. It is well-defined by its antiquity, relic and the organic continuity sustained by the Malayali people. Any time you visit Kerala, most likely there will be at least one local festival you can experience. Kerala trace its non-prehistoric cultural genesis to its membership (around the AD 3rd century) in a vaguely defined historical region known as Thamizhagom — a land defined by a common Tamil culture and encompassing the Chera, Chola, and Pandya kingdoms. Kerala has an opulent cultural heritage with its diverse ethos is influenced by three main religions of Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Exquisite sculptures, music and dance forms can be seen in the historic growth of Kerala’s cultural traditions. Trissur Pooram, The traditions of Kathakali and Mohiniattam are highly developed art forms that have established from their folk origins into highly evolved classical dance forms.

Cuisine –

Kerala is known as the “Land of Spices” and have a unique culinary experience, thanks to its wide variety of spices. The cuisine offers a crowd of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes prepared using fish, poultry and red meat with rice a typical supplement. Food is customarily served on a banana leaf and almost every dish has coconut and spices added for flavor, giving its cuisine a sharp spiciness that is heightened with the use of tamarind. Seafood is the main diet in coastal Kerala, whereas vegetables are the main diet on the plains. Meat is served as the main course in tribal and northern Kerala. Dishes range from simple ‘kanji’ (rice gruel) to extravagant feasts or ‘sadyas’.

Conclusion –

Thus, there are a million reasons to visit Kerala. From the serene view of beaches to the lush greenery, relaxing backwater and hills amalgamated with rich heritage of the land true makes it God’s own country. Unique culinary experiences combined with Land of Ayurvedha and Spices, Kerala is a must visit for everyone.

Editor’s Note: I absolutely loved this post Sanchita, so detailed! Kerala is also in my bucket list

Image Source: Google

Have you been to Kerala? If not, after reading this, I am sure you want to 😀

Greece Travel Guide: Places to Visit, Things To Do

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Greece Travel Guide: Places to Visit, Things To Do

By Sanchita

Introduction
Wanderlust is our way of escaping the mundane lives and explore of flawless beauty of the world. It is a desire that dries us, takes us to the places where you find yourself lost in the sea of history, the alluring fables, charming sceneries and you experience something like never before. This is the exact experience that would enthrall you to visit one of the Europe’s top travel destinations – Greece.

A land dotted with distinct architecture with a thousand histories, captivating oceanic views and famous islands. So, Greece has it all – from stunning landscapes, historic sites, nightlife scenes to cultural delights, so, lets an overview of the best places to visit in Greece and discover other things about this beautiful place.

Places to see

1. Meteora –

One of the most awe-inspiring religious sites on earth – the Meteora, which is a Greek word meaning ‘suspended in the air’ is a cliff more than 1,200 feet (366 meters) that rises like apostolic eagles’ nests into the air overlooking the villages of Kalambaka and Kastraki in the north central mainland of Greece. This place is dotted with monasteries which were built in and around 14th and 16th centuries. In ancient times, the monks pursuing spiritual isolation and freedom from religious persecution built these monasteries. Even though more than twenty monasteries used to be on the steep rocks, only six remain today.

2. Acropolis of Athens –

Athens is widely known as the cradle of Western civilization as well as the origin of democracy for the human advancement. The city is an astounding blend of historical and modern features in the same fold. Among the other famous archaeological ruins and monuments, the Acropolis stands tall. The Acropolis (Greek word which means highest point or extremity) is an ancient citadel located on an extremely rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon.

3. Temple of Olympian Zeus –

When you are walking around the Athens, you would see the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It is a huge temple and took over 700 years to construct (dating back to the sixth century). There are a number of Corinthian columns still standing, though so many have fallen. It’s quite an extraordinary sight and counted among the must-visit place of Greece.

4. Delphi –

Delphi, with an unbeatable scenery, has always been a place of historic and spiritual significance and counted amongst the most popular archaeological site after Athens in Greece. It is situated along the slopes of the awe-inspiring Mount Parnassus, Delphi was once admired by the ancient Greeks as the center of the earth. It is dedicated to the god, Apollo, who was reached out by Delphi, a significant oracle seeking good fortune. In ancient times, the common people would come to this sacred spot to inquire of the priestess for guidance on a wide range of topics from farming to politics. Even though the eternal flame no longer burns inside, a visit to the Temple of Apollo is mandatory.

5. Mount Olympus –

Mount Olympus is the dwelling of ancient gods from believed by the people of Greece. This is the place from where the Immortal Gods would control the control the lives of mortal men. Any climb to Mount Olympus starts from the town of Litochoro. A walk up this mountain will be vigorous and mystical journey as well as experience and you would see why Greeks thought it was this mountain from which the gods ruled.

6. Cape Sounion –

Cape Sounion is positioned at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula which is best known as the site of the ruins of the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon, the God of the Sea. Perched on the craggy rocks of Cape Sounio, the temple is enveloped in myth and historic facts dated from antiquity until the present times. The ancient temple as a backdrop and facing the deep blue sea is a sight you would not want to miss at all! The ancient temple as a backdrop and facing the deep blue sea! The sight of the Aegean Sea during the sunset makes it a sought-after spectacle.

7. Santorini –

Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century B.C.E. and consider it to be the most spectacular by many travelers. Aside from the beautiful landscape and volcanic presence, it is a great place for beach side camping, winery tours, scuba diving, and more. The place is all about the beauty of the ruins on the southern part of the island. One can see the clear Aegean and beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles.

Currency

Greece’s monetary unit is the Euro. No other currency is accepted and you can either convert your Foreign Exchange there or from here. It is also really convenient to convert the leftover Euro to INR. Greece is comparatively cheap with some travel tips.

Travel Tips

Firstly, go for the Gyros and other street snacks which are delicious and cost a few Euros and can keep you full for less than 10 EUR per day. For travelling, choose the moped renting rather than cars. Also, avoid Mykonos if you are on a budget, as it is Greece’s most expensive island with hardly any budget accommodation, but if you are a party animal, you will absolutely love Mykonos. It brings world’s most renowned DJ’s at their famous night clubs. Paradise and Super Paradise beaches at Mykonos are also worth a visit, if you happen to go.

Culture 

Existing Greek culture and traditions are very rich and varied, reflecting Greece’s location at the crossing point where the West meets the East and the country’s great and tempestuous history. It has evolved over thousands of years. This rich and tumultuous past greatly influences contemporary lifestyle, the Greek perspective on the world, Greek music, food, customs and traditions, even the way Greeks do business. The locals dress up in traditional costumes during festivals while traditional weddings that start with dressing the bride and bouncing a boy baby on the nuptial bed. One is charmed by their authenticity, the love and pride each group has in its homeland and roots.

Cuisine

The Greek diet is the perfect example of traditional Mediterranean eating. It has some similar characteristics with the traditional cuisines of Italy, the Balkans, Turkey and the Levant. Modern-day Greek cookery makes wide use of vegetables, olive oil, grains, fish, wine and meat (white and red, including lamb, poultry, rabbit and pork). The most characteristic and ancient element of Greek cuisine is olive oil, which is used in most dishes. Taramasalata, Dolmades, Fresh fish, Courgette balls are one of the most dishes of Greece.

Get well-prepared for your next trip. Our friends at globosurfer.com can help you find some great gear for every outdoor adventure.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and start exploring this historical place with such enriched culture and traditions along with those intriguing ruins.

P.S: Images from Google

Editor’s Note: I can say, I am in love Sanchita <3 Greece is on my bucket list.

Have you been to Greece? If not, bookmark this post 😀

Singapore Travel Guide: Things To Do, Places To Visit

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Singapore Travel Guide: Things To Do, Places To Visit

By Sanchita

Introduction – Singapore, the beauty island which is a global city in Southeast Asia and the world’s only island city-state. Be it a honeymoon trip, bachelor’s party or a simple travel destination – you will love every bit of this mesmerized landmass. From beautiful water to beaches sci-fi architecture, billion-dollar gardens, contemporary art and the wonderful places to visit – Singapore is a must-visit place in Asia for sure. Discover the beauty of this little magical island with us and read on to know more about it in details.

Places to Visit

Singapore indeed has numerous destinations for sure and I have mentioned you the notable few and I am sure you will love them as well. Scroll down for more.

• MARINA BAY – It was a quiet water but now this portion now stands as a spectacular example of how this miniscule country has come to be one of the world’s most luxurious travel destinations. Having the most iconic hotels in Asia along with the exotic Marina Bay Sands resort, this is a must visit place in Singapore.

• SINGAPORE FLYER – Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest giant observation wheel is something you can’t simply miss out if you are visiting Singapore. An outstanding experience and built over a three-story terminal building, the Flyer is 150 metres in diameter, 165 metres high, and travels at 0.21m per second. It gives a beautiful sight of the city including the as the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Empress Place and the Padang.

• CHINA TOWN – As the name suggests, the place like a mini-China by culture with all the excitement and hustle. Its main focus is on the Chinese immigrants who lived a hard life and were the main group of people who founded Singapore in earlier times. It has the Chinese Heritage Centre as well as the impressive and beautiful Sri Mariamman Hindu temple and Buddha Tooth Relic temple. It has colourful shop-houses and numerous historical attractions along the walk.

• CLARKE QUAY – An enchanting riverside which is crowded with various bars and restaurants which you just can’t resist trying out. In fact, this is one of the best attractions from the tourists. The place is dotted with alfresco-style dining to be had in an endless number of eateries set around the water’s edge. This place is also a shopper’s heaven and hence if you are a shopping freak, this is a place you must visit

• CLOUD FOREST – The Cloud Forest is a 35-metre tall mountain covered in lush vegetation shrouding the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and up to 2,000 metres above sea level. It is flushed with the unique biodiversity. The best thing is to take a stroll a walkway in the clouds for an aerial view of the canopy and mountainside below. The view is like a one-time experience in life.

• MACRITCHIE NATURE TRAIL – MacRitchie provides a calming, reminiscent jungle escape by walking through the water’s edge and snake through the mature secondary rainforest along with the macaques and huge monitor lizards. It has been well highlighted with well-signposted offshoots along with a 250m-long suspension bridge, perched 25m up in the forest canopy. The best time to visit is during October-November.

Singapore has SGD as their currency i.e. Singapore Dollars which are around INR 48-49 per dollar currently. You can get your currency converted/buy forex beforehand or even once you reach there.

Ideal for Honeymoon

Singapore is also one of the best honeymoon destinations as well.

• Take a long romantic walk down holding your lover’s hand down the Changi Point with a spectacular view of the sea, offshore kelongs and boats. The best time is the sunset where you get the enthralling view of the heritage trees, the hilltop chalets and the lush greenery.

• The scenery at Bukit Batok Town Park is as breath-taking as it could be and best place for that wonderful photo sessions for the couples. The serene and peaceful picture-view is something you would love to experience with the love of your life.

• The Jewel box is the best place to take your partner for the lovely dining. It gives a beautiful picturesque view of the whole city including the harbor. Having the romantic dinner mid-air is something you have to experience, at least once!

• The Sentosa Island is famous for the pristine beaches, sea sports and retreats, enjoy a relaxed morning on the white sands with your partner and you indulge in the ‘Spa Two-Gether Day’ at the luxurious Spa Botanica for a lush experience at the end of your perfect day.

• You can also visit the tranquil settings of St John’s Island is the best place to have a quite romantic day out of the newlyweds for sure. And, if you are lucky, you might see some dolphins in the blue lagoons as well.

Shopping to do in Singapore

Yes, we girls look for this element anywhere we visit and Singapore is dotted with branded shops as well as the perky local goods. For the shoes, they have the Charles & Keith stores and the quality is unbelievable. For the street shopping you can surely visit Bugis street or China Town. It has various shopping malls as well like Suntec, Ion mall and Plaza Singapura. Last but not the least, it has Sephora with numerous brands you can’t even fathom!

Singapore Cuisine

Singapore Cuisine is largely affected by Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and Western influences. There are few notable dishes that you have to try in Singapore. One of them is the Chili Crab which is Hard-shell crabs cooked in semi-thick gravy with a tomato chili base. Then there is Char Kuay TeowBroad which is basically white noodles fried with black Soya sauce, fish cake, bean sprouts, clams and Chinese sausage. You can also try the skewered grilled meat (pork, chicken, beef or mutton) served with rice cake called the Satay.

Conclusion

All in all Singapore is an experience worth having. Be it for the romantic getaway or a serene holiday, Singapore holds a beauty on its own. This place is a melting pot of cultures with fantastic architecture. With English being one of the national languages, travellers find it

So either plan your itinerary on your own, if you have time in mind or check out the numerous Singapore packages online.

This is a fabulous post Sanchita! I so wish to go there, right now, after reading this 😀

Image Source: 1, 2, 3

Have you been to Singapore? Or planning it next? I hope this guide helps you.

All About my Kasauli & Mashobra Trip/How to Plan, What to Cover, etc.

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All About my Kasauli & Mashobra Trip/How to Plan, What to Cover, etc.

Hey guys,

So I wanted to include my vlog in this post and hence the delay to upload this post. I finally edited and uploaded my vlog, it’s a long one! 25 minutes long and snippets from all 4 days.

We had not planned on the destination and had only booked Delhi tickets in Dec, so in mid March, we finally zeroed on Kasauli and Mashobra and did the train tickets’ booking, etc.

If you directly plan to go to Kasauli or Mashobra/Shimla, Chandigarh airport is the nearest and best. Of course, then it’s a long journey by road, but for us both ways we had to take a train till/from Kalka as we had the Delhi tickets. You can also take a direct Volvo bus from Delhi but I was not comfortable with that long bus journey. We went by Delhi Kalka Shatabdi train which was superb, they have all the facilities like that of a flight. Food, water, tea, cleanliness, everything was followed well.

At first we went to Kasauli which is 40kms from Kalka station, so we had booked a cab from Kalka station. We were staying at Kasauli Regency which is a very nice place to stay. The rooms are small but the food is excellent and the service is good. We went to Dharampur the next day to see Manki Point, Kasauli Church, Kasauli Market, Sunset Point and pretty much everything in and around Kasauli.

The hotel had a rooftop breakfast and dining place which was beautiful in the morning, though unbearably cold at night. I loved having breakfast there though.

Next day we had to leave for Mashobra, so we took a train from Dharampur to Shimla. Now Shimla only has mono gauge rail i.e only a toy train can go to Shimla station. The other routes to reach Shimla is by road. But the Shivalik Express has a beautiful view and needs to be experienced once in life, which we obviously didn’t want to miss. So we went till Shimla in Shivalik Express, the train came late, runs slow and it took us about 4.5 hours to reach Shimla.

Shimla fortunately has Olacabs, so travelling there shouldn’t be difficult. We were staying at Mashobra, which is a little far from Shimla and within Mashobra too, our hotel was 3.5 km deeper inside! Well, travelling to and fro was difficult, but when you see this hotel, you will not regret a bit! We were staying at Mahasu House which is one of the best hotels I have been to, in India. What is different, you ask?! The view! It is to die for. I would literally spend my time gazing out from the window and the lawn. We even had breakfast with that beautiful view in front, it was heavenly.

The food and service is also amazing, the rooms are huge and comfortable. It was really cold there, especially during nights. They have centralized heating and also bed warmers below the mattress which was a huge relief!

Next day we went to Kufri. Started with Hip Hip Hurray Adventure Sports Resort in Kufri, it had some fun activities. I bought some jams and preserves from Fruit Bageecha Kiosk there. Post which we went to the Kufri peak and the only way to reach there was on mountain horses. The climb is steep and about 2kms but the road is full of mud and stones. And at last, we roamed a bit in Shimla from Mall Road to The Ridge and later came back to the hotel. On the way, we even went to Shivalik’s Factory and got a few more jams and plum juice,etc.

We had to leave early morning the next day as we had a 10.40am train from Kalka to Delhi and then flight at night.

It was a short trip but we pretty much covered everything that we had to. I would only wish a day more at Mashobra and at Mahasu House coz the property is mind blowing.

It was ranked above Club Mahindra and the 2nd best property in Mashobra and now I know why. If you plan to go to Shimla, I would highly recommend staying at Mahasu House coz it as an experience not to be missed. I truly felt I was in heaven and was very grateful that I could experience this in my lifetime.

You will see everything in my vlog, if you have any doubts or queries regarding Kasauli, Dharampur, Shimla or Mashobra, you can ask me in the comments below or even email me. I would be happy to help 🙂

Jaipur Diaries: Zone By The Park

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Jaipur Diaries: Zone By The Park

Hi guys,

I travelled to Jaipur at the end of December, last year we went to Hong Kong, Macau and Andamans which I wanted to pen down on the blog but couldn’t coz of the accident in Jan and then it never happened.

This time I didn’t want to procrastinate one bit and made sure I post about my Jaipur trip. I always wanted to go to Jaipur (Rajasthan in General), having covered most of the parts of India, Rajasthan somehow never happened. This time it was a sudden plan at the end of November coz December was birthday and anniversary month 🙂

My trip started with this amazing take-off hyperlapse video (I love window seats!)

We stayed two days at Zone By the Park located in Bani Park in Jaipur. It’s a four star property. The rooms available are Zone Room, Zone Quad, Zone Trio and Zone Suite. We were in Zone Suite and it was huge and spacious with a beautiful living area, huge bedroom and a perfect bathroom. The rooms are modern but yet have the classic, old world charm through the paintings and artifacts. What I absolutely loved is the cleanliness and hygiene factor! The rooms were super clean and had smart, organized storage cabinets to keep your luggage, etc. I had place for my laptop, camera, bags and nothing came in between. The hotel is a bit far from the airport, the distance being about 13-14 kms but it is just 3 kms from the railway station and 2 kms from the central bus station.

The hotel has 47  rooms and they come with complimentary breakfast, fast Wi-Fi and one way airport/railway transfer. It has a restaurant named ‘The Bazaar’ which has global and regional cuisine, from the South Indian breakfast to the vast buffet spread for lunch or dinner, to the various a-la-carte options. I will share more on the restaurant and other facilities they have in my next post. It is a perfect stay option for corporates, families and even couples.

The Zone Suite room..

Here are a few pics from my Jaipur trip, some of you must have already seen the pictures on my Instagram.

Entire Jaipur view from Nahargarh Fort (Panorama)

We visited the City Palace, Amber Fort and Nahargarh Fort. Jaigarh Fort, Jal Mahal and Hawa Mahal we saw from a distance as it was not open for public. I was told the royal family lives at Jaigarh Fort and hence it is restricted. Jal Mahal was open for public untill 15 years ago.

Hawa Mahal
Sunset View from Nahargarh Fort
The Door at Nahargarh Fort
At City Palace

At Zone by the Park, they had beautifully decorated the entire lobby for Christmas.

There is also a seating arrangement outside, but we did not dare to sit out, since it was quite cold!

Zone by the Park Hotels are currently in Jaipur, Chennai and Coimbatore. They are soon opening in Raipur, Jodhpur, Goa and Mahabalipuram.

The best thing about Zone by the Park has to be the amazing staff and hospitality. They were very courteous and always smiling, you can feel the warm welcome. One of my best hotel experiences till date! I am definitely looking forward to visit more of their properties.

If you are in search of a hotel in Jaipur, you can blindly book Zone by The Park. You will thank me later 🙂

One of the best thing about Jaipur is the food! I will include it in my next post coz this post would be way too image heavy otherwise.

Have you been to Jaipur? What do you like the most about Jaipur?

Mumbai Bride Diaries: Goa,Bachelorette Pics,OOTD

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Mumbai Bride Diaries: Goa,Bachelorette Pics,OOTD

Hey guys,

Some of you who follow me on facebook, twitter or Instagram, must have seen few of my Goa pics. I did not upload all, coz I wanted to post them on the blog 😀 So, last month, I am and my friends went to Goa for the weekend. We had guys too, but then 3 of my girlfriends are out of India,so it was just me and two other friends..so we did not mind guys. The more the merrier.

Two days were a little hectic as both days,Friday and Sunday, we hardly slept for half an hour or so as it was early morning 5 am flight. We stayed at Santana Beach Resort in Candolim, Goa which is near to Kingfisher Villa. A very nice place and spacious, clean rooms with good breakfast options. And pretty economical too. Also has a private beach area.I would highly recommend this place, its all connecting to all the beaches. We hired a Mahindra Thar and were roaming around in a Thar! Super experience 😀

Since it was still raining then, water sports were shut. We enjoyed food,clubbing,etc though. On Saturday, we went to LPK- Waterfront and on Sunday, Mambo’s. (The weirdest and funniest crowd I have ever seen in a pub, we could’nt control laughing :D)

My outfit on Day 1..

I was made to the weirdest and most embarrassing tasks like dancing on road, randomly getting up and dancing in a restaurant, take a picture with strangers, take a guy’s autograph and what not.(Ahem!) There was a whole list, of which I successfully completed maximum 😀 I also got :ahem ahem: gifts from my girlfriends.

I was also made to wear a sash and floral tiara one whole day 😀 The sash of ‘Bride To Be’ from the time we landed at Goa.

Of course we had the desserts at Brittos all the time! :yumm: I did not like the vegetarian food at Brittos :/ Cafe Sussegado Souza is one place which I recommend for amazing cocktails,mocktails and yumm food. Infantaria for pastas and pizzas.

BlueBerry Cheese Cake and Chocolate Alpine Mousse at Brittos

We went to Aguda Fort just to while away some time in between.

(Above outfit shown HERE)

Some random clicks..

Outfit Details:

Vest: Thrifted
Shorts: American Swan
Cape, Sunnies: Romwe
Neckpiece: Shown HERE
Tiara: Gifted
Sling: Clothing-Dropship.com
Flip Flops: Only

I hope you enjoyed the pics 😀 Do let me know in the comments below. There are actually many more clicks which I may time and again share on twitter,facebook and Instagram since I cannot include all here as it would turn out to be too huge a post :p

‘ZestUpYourLife’ Experience with Blogadda

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‘ZestUpYourLife’ Experience with Blogadda

After the new sedan Zest Review, now I would like to share my experience of this whole ‘ZestUpYourLife’ activity.

Blogadda has interesting contests and activities every time. Their WIN i.e awarding bloggers all across India and across all categories was also one of a kind and a very nice initiative. I was honored to be amongst the Top 5 Blogs in India under the category of ‘Beauty’ last year. Looking forward to them this year too.

When I was first approached to be a part of this exclusive activity by Blogadda (being amongst the selected lucky 50 bloggers in India !), I was super excited ! I could’nt believe for a second. Then in the next mail, I get to know that its happening in GOA ! And at The Zuri White Sands Resort and Casino which is the best 5 star property in Goa !! (excitement increases) Then I get to know its for Tata Motors’ new car launch ‘The Zest’ (Excitement reaches its top)

You know how it is ! A monsoon weekend getaway in the best 5 star property in Goa. Everything amazingly well taken care of the by Blogadda team and you are treated like a queen ! Well, who would’nt like that ??!

Even though it was only for a day (I would have loved a day extra :p), the experience was worth it. Meeting amazing bloggers and making new friends was the best part in this whole activity, for me.

At the airport, all ready to take off.

Touchbase Goa ! And then we hopped on the buses and reached Zuri. We were welcomed by the Blogadda team and checked in at The Zuri White Sands Resort and had our yummy lunch.

Then there was an orientation by Ankita from Blogadda and she explained us the whole activity and what do we look forward to. Zuri has a private beach where we relaxed, enjoyed and clicked lots of pictures.

Here is a fun gif :p

Later in the evening we had a Masterclass which was hosted by Miss Malini and we had a special guest,none other than the racing legend Narain Karthikeyan. We were given a brief about all the new features in Tata Zest by the design and engineering head. It has 29 Features First in Segments in India.Can you believe that?! And we also tested the DriveNext, ConnectNext and DesigNext features with the help of the games, models and dummies there. Later it was followed by cocktails and yummy dinner.

Yesterday morning we went for a drive all across the beautiful streets of South Goa in the new Tata Zest and experienced it first hand. We were divided in a team of 3. We did 2 leaps and experienced both  the petrol and diesel models. The spacious and comfortable interiors were quiet a surprise. And the Harmon Kardon system played amazingly well. The steering was feather light and the AMT model was a cakewalk. There were no jerks and the suspension was amazing too. Pretty smooth ride.

And later we all were ‘Live Blogging’ and sharing our experience about the all new Tata Zest (as you would have read HERE) and this whole ‘ZestUpYourLife’ activity experience on our blogs.

We finished with our lunch and bid adieu to Zuri and reached the airport chit chatting in the bus. And after spending some more time on the airport since the flight was delayed by 20 minutes, we finally reached back home !

Thank you Blogadda, Zuri Hotels and Tata Motors for this wonderful opportunity. Hope to experience more of these ! 🙂