Kashmir

We started planning a trip to Kashmir when the pandemic had quite subsided around February 2021, keeping its famous Tulip Festival in mind that falls in early April. It got me excited as I wanted to explore this territory of India for a long time. Kashmir, also known as the crown of India, is a very controversial state; thus we decided to limit our trip to 3 areas only – Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Srinagar.

Some of our family members including me were traveling from Mumbai a day prior, and my parents were to join us from Kolkata the next day. Moments before landing into Srinagar, I got a first-hand glimpse of the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas. The views were outstanding! As we landed in Srinagar, the cold breeze was such a pleasant welcome to Kashmir. We collected our baggage and did our Covid antigen test. Srinagar airport was very crowded due to the rush in tourism, but we were lucky to get out quickly. We were greeted by our two drivers with SUV’s outside, because we were a group of 9 with plenty of luggage. As we left for our hotel, we saw beautiful scenes of lakes and mountains en-route our journey. Away from the maddening city, nature enticed us in such a way which was totally unimaginable. We soon reached our boutique hotel Nadis, which had a beautiful small garden, a small vegetable patch, only 18 cosy rooms, and a view to die for. We were all starving by now, which was probably evident on our faces. So the warm owners of the hotel served us some pakodas and sandwiches which were delicious, topped up with some Kashmiri kahwa. Kahwa is a warm Kashmiri herbal tea enhanced with spices like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves, and finally garnished with slivered almonds. It completely warmed our body and soul. After a boost of energy, we decided to go to Harwan Bagh which was just next door to our hotel.

Beautiful and massive in size, Harwan Bagh is a beautiful garden. A beautiful canal, fed from a lake just behind the garden, passes through its center. The canal is laced with blossoming flowerbeds and chinar trees planted all around it. Inside the park, we also saw a cherry blossom tree which was a pictorial spot. After our fun walk and visit to the bagh, we had some ice cream and chips and went back to our hotel. After a round of card games, we proceeded to the dining hall for dinner where we got a taste of some authentic Kashmiri cuisine. We sampled paneer in tomato gravy, Kashmiri saag, nadru yakhni (lotus stem in yoghurt sauce) and of course dal. The meal was so authentic and delicious that I literally had no room for any desserts, and I just crashed after this long, eventful and tiring day.

The next morning after having breakfast, we had some time before we were to meet my parents landing from Kolkata; thus, we decided to explore Shalimar Bagh built by Jehangir for his beloved wife. Shalimar in Sanskrit means ‘abode of love’ and that is what this garden is truly. Beautiful chinar trees, flowing waters of the fountain, wild flowers spread all across this massive garden will soothe your senses and calm your nerves. This garden is picturesque with many photography points and views to soak in. Just after this soothing excursion, we decided to have lunch at the famous 14th Avenue Cafe. As we entered the café, we were greeted by a huge display of awesome looking pastries. We ordered hummus (must order), pizza, pasta and of course desserts. The food was very good and the ambience was also great. My parents joined us outside the restaurant, which looked somewhat like a family reunion in the times of this pandemic. We immediately departed for Pahalgam from here. On route, we stopped by to drink some authentic Kahwa which had captured our tastebuds since yesterday. We also shopped a bit of saffron and some other saffron cosmetics like cream and scrub which are so good and are a must buy! We made one more stop before reaching Pahalgam to drink some fresh green apple juice which was amazingly pure and delicious. We also got the opportunity to purchase some local Kashmiri attar (perfume) here. After a 2 hour drive, we finally reached our Hotel Pine’n Peak which is a part of the Welcomhotels owned by ITC.

Pahalgam

Since we were a group of 9 people, we had booked a cosy 4 bedroom stand-alone cottage. It was split across 3 floors and really luxurious. I along with my cousin sisters captured the attic room which was also the biggest room in the cottage. After unpacking, we headed for the main mall road of Pahalgam where we stopped for a warm cup of coffee at the famous Cafe Log Inn, attached to the Pahalgam Hotel. We had some good accompanying snacks and warming cups of coffees. Just a bit later when it started becoming dark, we headed back to our hotel. Since we were too tired, we had dinner at our hotel only and crashed out for an interesting day that was to follow.

All of us woke up early the next day as we had a long day ahead of us. We had planned a day trip to Betaab Valley and Chandanwari. The first stop on our list was Chandanwari. Chandanwari, situated 30 minutes on the outskirts of Pahalgam is a place of immense significance as it is the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra on foot or horseback. Snowy locations and sparse greenery dominate the topography of this scenic location. Upon arrival, we got ample activities to choose from such as trekking, hiking, pony ride and snow sledging. The steep inclines also made great natural slides for tourists to enjoy on. We engaged a local photographer and enjoyed the scenic location, while throwing snow in the air and having the time of our life. At the end, to energise ourselves, we sipped on some warm Kahwa before we proceeded towards our next stop ‘Betaab Valley’. Interestingly, ‘Betaab Valley’ derived its name from the famous Bollywood film ‘Betaab’ shot here in 1983. The huge expanse of the green meadows is an ideal place to enjoy and spend a few hours. People selling shawls, food and other miscellaneous items make this place a whole lot fun and exciting.

The next day was also very interesting! At sharp 10 o’clock, we were at the reception for our trip to Baisaran valley, also called mini Switzerland by locals in Pahalgam. To reach this place, we had to ride a pony for 1.30 hours. The trail was certainly not too good, made worse by the onslaught of rain the previous night, which made the trail extremely muddy. Upon reaching this beautiful spot, all we could see was lush meadows as far as the eye can see, surrounded by beautiful mountains and tall trees. I could hear my parents reminiscing several Bollywood movies that were shot at this location! It was truly a sight to behold and soak in. We were all hungry by now being shaken on the horseback, so we had some piping hot Maggi which was very delicious and energising. The journey back was much quicker, and as soon as we reached our hotel, we all had a refreshing bath to clean up all the dirt we had accumulated. For lunch, our hotel manager had made special plans on the banks of the Lidder River at Heevan Hotel. Since it was extremely breezy, all of us were given warm blankets to wrap ourselves in. Our table was in a private setting, with our private music playing in the background of the rippling river water soothing our ears. As the warm food arrived, we all dug in with enthusiasm. It was a literal Kashmiri feast. We had rajma, Gucchi matar (morel mushrooms with peas), Nadru yakhni, tomato paneer and Kashmiri saag. After this magnificent feast, we went back to our hotel and packed our bags as we had to leave for Gulmarg the next day. After packing our bags, we had time to make a small visit to the mall road, so we headed to Pahalgam hotel to roam around in their beautiful gardens by the Lidder river. We got stunning 180 degree views of the beautiful scenery of Kashmir from there, so we snapped a few interesting family pics here. Suddenly, it started drizzling and thus we headed back to our hotel and wound up our activities for the day.

Gulmarg

We left for Gulmarg the next morning immediately after breakfast. It was a 4 hour long road trip, but I could literally not take my eyes off the window as I was soaking in all the gorgeous views that are so characteristic of Kashmir. As we reached Gulmarg, we were greeted with lots of snow scattered around, indicating that the temperature was definitely below 0 degrees.

Gulmarg, meaning meadow of flowers, truly lives up to its name. The area is filled with excellent views of the glorious Himalayas and the scenic beauty is a must-watch. We were staying at The vintage Gulmarg which is a boutique hotel located in central Gulmarg. Our rooms were very spacious and the staff was very heart-warming. We were starving, thus we decided to stop by for lunch at Northwind cafe. This cafe was so small that it could only accommodate 8-10 people. The food took a little while to come, but it was amazingly delicious (specially the burgers and the pizzas). People who visit Gulmarg must definitely come to this highly recommended place and have a bite. As we left the café, to our surprise it started snowing. The tiny snowflakes ❄️ were falling off the sky, making it look so pristine. To enjoy this ‘once in a lifetime’ moment, we decided to walk back to the hotel instead of taking the car. For our evening time, we decided to go to Black Bear Brew which sells artisanal coffee. As expected, the coffee was good here and the ambience was cozy too. Finally for dinner, we stayed indoors and dined in our hotel restaurant only, which we later found was a hot tourist choice for meals.

The next morning took us all by surprise! When we woke up and opened our blinds, the whole of Gulmarg was decked in snow. It had perhaps snowed the whole night, and now it was bright and sunny, with a clear day. All of us rushed down in our night-suits with a bit of warm gear, and started playing in the snow. It was a fun and exciting moment. Nature has its ways of expressing its beauty, and we were fortunate to witness a sight that is usually rare in a short trip. After some time, we all got ready and departed for our day excursion to Khilanmarg.

Asia’s largest and highest, and world’s second-largest and second highest cable car project, the Gulmarg Gondola taking you to Khilanmarg is the top attraction in Gulmarg. In fact, a Gulmarg tour without a ride on the popular cable car is considered incomplete. The gondola ride is split in two journeys – the first ride takes us from Gulmarg at 8,000 feet to Khilanmarg at 10,000 feet. Most tourists limit their journeys to this point, where they can enjoy many tourist attractions such as snow sledging, snow mobile, skiing and can pick up a variety of snacks such as chips, hot corn, Maggi, kahwa etc. This place is flocked by tourists and looks like a mini carnival destination. However, the second stop at the much higher point of Afarwat at 14,000 feet is where the views are truly unmatched. The luscious snow and mountain ranges as far as the eye can see make for an unforgettable experience. Because of the very high altitude and rather quick incline, it takes time to acclimatize to the environment, so symptomatic people need to be careful. We only spent a short while here, and were amongst the very few people who had come up to this point, but it was truly worth our experience.

Upon reaching back to Khilanmarg, we decided to take the sledge ride down to Gulmarg. We were told that it would take 45 minutes, which actually worked out to double the time. It was a rather rough ride as it had snowed the day before, erasing all the sledge tracks and making the snow deeper than usual. Our sledge got stuck many times, even toppling us on occasions! But it was a different and unique experience, and it will stay in my memory forever. As we reached Gulmarg, we headed straight to the nearby Khyber Hotel for lunch. Khyber is the best hotel of Gulmarg, and one of the premium hotels of Kashmir too. As we entered, we were greeted by the majestic entrance of the hotel with floor to ceiling windows and sprawling views. Starving after our tiresome sledge ride, we immediately went to their restaurant and ordered some continental dishes which were fresh and delicious. After our meal, we wanted to explore the hotel; so we roamed around a bit and snapped some beautiful pics in the snow covered lawns. Just before leaving, we could not resist our temptation to have a round of Kahwa at their famous tea lounge, which was delicious as usual.

As customary with most tourists in Gulmarg, we concluded the day by a visit to the famous shiv temple standing majestically atop the snow fields, where I was told the famous Bollywood song ‘Jai jai shiv shankar’ was picturized almost 50 years back!

Srinagar

The next morning, we woke up to see that all the snow from the meadows had melted away and Gulmarg was clean and green. It was time to depart for Srinagar now, and after a 2 hour car journey, we arrived at The Lalit Grand Palace. It is an iconic and landmark hotel of Srinagar that lies in the eastern more renowned part of the city with its sprawling lawns overlooking the Dal Lake. As you enter the property, a long beautiful drive with flowers on both sides takes you up to the fountain entrance of the hotel. The historic and grand luxury property seamlessly combines 5-star amenities with distinguished antique furniture and fittings, rich upholstery, ethnic carpets and local handicrafts. We had a 2 bedroom cottage and 2 deluxe rooms assigned to us. The rooms were extremely spacious and had direct access to the perfectly manicured gardens.

For lunch, we were recommended to go to Gulab’s which is famous for its chaats, and is besides the famous Krishna Dhaba (shut temporarily). Besides serving brilliant chaats, their kebab sizzler was also a hit. After concluding with this hearty lunch, we went to the Shankaracharya temple as planned. To reach this temple, there is a climb of 242 steps and a further 54 steps to the main shrine. When you reach the top of this hill, you get the best imaginable views of Srinagar (360 degrees). I am not over exaggerating the fact that Indian scenic beauty is no less than any other place in the world. All Hindu devotees and even other tourists must visit this beautiful place for a visual treat! Another point to note that photography and phones are not allowed.

In the evening at around 5pm, we went down the road from our hotel to the Dal Lake where we all hopped onto 2 shikaras. A ‘Shikara’ is a traditional gondola-type light covered rowing boat which is mostly seen on the pristine Dal Lake, apart from other lakes in the Kashmir Valley. It is one of the most incredible and relaxing aspects of a holiday in Kashmir and should be included in your itinerary if you want to experience the surreal beauty of this region to the fullest. An hourly ride costs between 800-1000 rupees. The journey is surreal and many floating vendors on their shikara come to sell their interesting products. We purchased some ice creams, mojitos, cold coffees and fresh fruit salads. The day-beds on the shikaras make the ride even more comfortable and relaxing. I would strongly recommend to take a shawl or a blanket to cover yourself from the cold as it gets pretty chilly in the evening.

After the shikara ride, we went to the Taj Hotel for dinner. Taj hotel is located on a hill which provides it with breath-taking views of Srinagar. The ambience of the hotel is also very heart-warming. For dinner, we had pre-booked a selection of Chinese and Oriental dishes. The food as expected was great, and the chef made some special dishes for us as well with his compliments. The staff was also very courteous and allowed us to take desserts from the buffet spread, even though we chose to opt for a-la-carte dining. The day was fun, exciting and well spent.

Each morning at The Lalit is beautiful and pleasant. The breakfast is set outside in the massive open lawns during peak season where people enjoy their meal overlooking scenic views. This was the perfect start to our day. We had planned this day for local shopping, as we wanted to take back home plenty of goodies such as kahwa, honey, nuts, attar etc. After finishing with our shopping agenda, we went for lunch to a highly recommended cafe called Goodfellas Cafe. The entrance to this place might take you a bit by surprise, but don’t be fooled by it. We ordered some pizzas, pastas and french fries and let me tell you, they were one of the best we have ever had before. The pizzas were melting and oozing out with cheese and the fries were seasoned to perfection. After this meal, we got greedy and went to a nearby recommended tea room Chai Jaai for a cuppa. The decor was beyond beautiful and their selection of exotic teas is worth a glance. This is what I would call an Instagram place, as the presentation is unique and different, and the decor is very European. After winding up this ritual, we went to our daily routine of a shikara ride which was great, as it was sunset time and the colours all around were simply amazing. It was so beautiful that adjectives will fall short to explain what we witnessed.

The next day was going to be a big day and perhaps the most important reason for our entire trip. We were going to see the famous Tulip Gardens today! We woke up early at 7.30 am, as we had to make it to the entrance of the Tulip Gardens by 8am to beat the huge daytime rushes that start after 11am. Srinagar’s tulip garden is the largest in Asia and consists of 7 terraces. As you enter the gardens, the eye gets riveted to the numerous parallel running rows of more than a million multi-coloured tulip flowers. A gentle uphill climb brings us to the delightful fruit trees that dot the rim of this garden, which give us a visual break from the beautiful tulips. There are many picturesque spots here which are postcard perfect. I for one hadn’t seen such a display ever.

From here, we went to Chashm-e-Shahi. There is nothing special about this small garden, other than the fresh drinking spring water. The flowers are repeated in some patterns and the garden is not very well maintained. The more interesting part of this place was that my 4 year old cute sister got dressed in local Kashmiri costume for some nice pics, etching some memories of this place!

The next stop ahead of Chashm-e-Shahi was Pari Mahal. This is in my opinion an extremely under-rated place. A 17th-century structure made of arched niches and stone walls set high above the shores of Dal Lake, Pari Mahal literally meaning ‘Palace of Fairies’ is worth visiting for the great views of the serene valley of Srinagar. The landscape depicts an example of Islamic architecture and patronage of art during the reign of the then Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. This place has the second best view of Srinagar after Shankaracharya temple. Our last and final stop on this journey was Nishaat Bagh. This is one of the largest gardens in Srinagar. In contrast to Pari Mahal, I feel this place is a little over-rated as its huge expanse had not much architecture, nor fountains or flowers as we get to see in Shalimar Bagh. After clicking a few pictures, we left quickly for lunch.

We were craving Wazwan food as it was going to be our last meal in Kashmir; thus we decided to go to a recommended restaurant called Stream. They served fresh food with a nice cozy atmosphere. We were witnessing one of the worst traffic in Srinagar that day due to the weekend rush of the Tulip gardens, with many roads shut or diverted temporarily. To save us some time, we decided to take a shikara ride from just outside our restaurant that would drop us to our hotel side. We packed in a deal to take us via Nigeen Lake and the old city of Srinagar that resembles Venice due to its canal system. The first leg of our shikara ride was serene as we were sailing through narrow water lanes surrounded by tall grasses. We enjoyed our moments in Nigeen Lake as well, but slowly and impactfully, the weather started to take a sharp turn. It became very windy, the temperatures dipped and the shikara could not be steered towards our hotel jetty. The boatman somehow manoeuvred the shikara to the nearest land mass, where we then called our cars and head back to the hotel. This was a scary experience, but we all thanked our good luck that we all came back safely on shore. The eventful and busy day, with the last shikara experience had drained us completely, so we stayed back at the hotel for a peaceful and light dinner.

The next morning was our departure day from Kashmir. At breakfast, we revised all the lovely memories we had created in this vacation, and all the fun we had during this trip to PRISTINE Kashmir.

If there is heaven on earth, It’s here… its here… its here!!
Jahangir

Budapest

Budapest, the capital of Hungary is an entrancing European city sitting on the river Danube. The metropolis is separated into two parts, Buda and Pest.

As our flight was approaching Budapest, I was filled with a lot of excitement. Once we landed, we immediately went to our hotel, Corinthia. ( https://www.corinthia.com/budapest/ )This is probably one of the best and biggest hotels in the Pest side of the Danube. It is one of the oldest classic hotels in Budapest built on a massive scale and is extremely beautifully decorated. The staff was very polite and kind to us, and the manager personally upgraded us to an amazing junior suite. The rooms were huge and had beautiful views of the streets and the hilltop castle. In the afternoon, we had exclusive access to the VIP lounge, which got us complimentary snacks and beverages every day. The breakfast spread was also grand and scrumptious.

Just after unpacking and settling in, we hit the streets of Budapest. We walked to the Chain Bridge while stopping on the way to grab some chocolate truffles to snack on. We crossed over to Buda and breathed in the European air. From there, we went to the flea market to take a glance at the local handicrafts and products Budapest had to offer. Following that, we went back to our hotel, as we were extremely fatigued because we had walked almost 7 kilometers. For dinner, we had spotted a nice Mexican café called Tacos Locos which was right next door to our hotel. The food was authentic and simple, yet very tasty. The churros were absolutely to die for!!

Budapest is known for both its awesome history and modern lifestyle. We had a lot of sightseeing to do that day, so we decided to have an early start and to make that easier, we purchased the hop-on hop-off bus tour tickets which allowed us to have unlimited journeys within a span of 24 hours including 1 boat ride on the Danube. Our first stop of the trip was Heroes Square which is a monument devoted to the patriotic heroes of Hungary. There is huge stone pillar in the center dedicated to all the people who gave their lives for the independence of Hungary, which is surrounded by seven pillars that embody the figures of Hungarian history. After clicking a few snaps, we visited the Museum of Fine Arts located next to this landmark. The museum is filled with over 10,000 art pieces designed by famous international painters from the renaissance era. The art was extravagant and a pleasure to look at.

From there, we went to the Dohány Street Synagogue, which is the largest synagogue in Europe, easily accommodating 3,000 worshippers. This monumental structure is also home to a museum, which showcases artifacts of the Jews who died during the Holocaust. This synagogue also houses a Cemetery and a memorial in the loving memory of all the Jews who died during the disturbing and destructive period of the Holocaust. The place is also equipped with a memory tree in which the names of the jews who died are written on each leaf of the tree. Today, it’s a place of beauty and solace, where hope and resilience are felt. We truly had an intriguing time in the synagogue.

By now we were starving, so we had a nice Mediterranean lunch in Dobrumba ( https://dobrumba.hu )which is highly recommended. This place does not take any reservations and is pretty full all the time, and tables are allotted on first come first serve basis. The food was delightful and also delicious. Following lunch, we walked our way back to the hotel and dived in the swimming pool to revitalize. The hotel also had 2 hot jacuzzi tubs (both at different temperatures), an ice shower, a steam and a sauna. Immediately after our swim, we went to the VIP lounge and enjoyed the sunset while bunching on a few snacks. For dinner, we had reserved our seats in the fine dining restaurant Laurel, ( https://laurelbudapest.hu/en/ )which served a modern 4 course Hungarian meal. They knocked the food out of the park. It was an eleven out of ten for me. If you ever visit Budapest, don’t miss Laurel. I have attached the pictures of a few dishes below.

We had some unfinished sightseeing left from the previous day, so we first headed towards the main attraction of Budapest, the Buda castle. We crossed the Chain Bridge again and went up the funicular to the castle. We wandered around the castle for a while and glanced upon amazing views surrounding it. From the Buda Castle, we visited the Fisherman’s Bastion. The Fisherman’s Bastion was built at the turn of the 20th century as a celebration of the 1,000th anniversary of the Hungarian state. The lookout replaces a once thick wall built to protect the Buda Castle. Now, as one of the most visited sites in all of Budapest, the Bastion stands as a landmark to celebrate and showcase the beautiful capital city.

Right next to the Fisherman’s Bastion is the famous Matthias Church which has Sunday concerts. Down below through an elevator is the famous Hospital In The Rocks. We booked a guided tour for 1 hour to witness this amazing monument. The history behind this monument is that it was built as a secret hospital and bunker for the injured troops during the World War. Nowadays, it’s the biggest Hungarian waxwork exhibition with more than 40 figures, and a lot of original machinery and furniture that are still in working conditions. The experience was an eye opener as we got to see the unfathomable amount of injury and damage done to the people during that time. We ended our visit to the Buda Hills with a hearty meal at Jamie’s Italian. This was another long day for us, and we needed to rejuvenate. Lucky for us, Hungary is home to many sulphur pools, which relax the body tissues and muscles, so we decided to visit the iconic Gallert spa on the foothills of Buda Castle. Gellert thermal pools, swimming pool, wave pool and spa treatments offer a great relaxation and entertainment all year round. Gellert Spa Bath is the true gem of the thermal baths where you can easily spend a day, explore the numerous pools, and get luxury treatments without having to feel crowded by other tourists.

For dinner we went to the most visited and highest reviewed place in Budapest, Mazal Tov. ( https://mazeltov.hu/en )It is a light and airy café serving sub Mediterranean food and beverages. The place is in an old pebbled courtyard and a lot of reused material, yet very modern and trendy. I found it to be a little overrated, but the food was okay though.

Next day moments after the break of dawn, we were up and ready to discover a few more surprises Budapest had in store for us. Our first stop of the day was the Hungarian Parliament. While walking towards the edifice, we crossed the historic Shoes on the Danube, which is a memorial site dedicated to the Jews who died in the world war. We also lit a candle in memory and went to the Parliament. As we reached, all the English slots of the guided tour were unfortunately booked, so we had to skip that part. But we had a delicious coffee and carrot cake in the café of this parliament building. They actually painted my photo on the coffee by the means of #coffee art. It brought a smile on all our faces and a memory to treasure for a lifetime!

Next on our list was the Saint Stephen Basilica, which is the largest in the whole of Budapest. It is made in memory of the first king Stephen, whose mummified right hand is in there. A visit to the cupola at the top to get a 360 degree view of Hungary is an absolute must. Down the alley it the famous Greesham Palace Four Seasons Hotel, which is the most iconic hotel of Budapest with views of the Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Firsherman’s Bastion and the Danube.

We had another activity planned that day which was a Segway ride to Margaret Island. We were first trained and briefed on how to operate the Segway, and then we were off on our route. We first crossed the entire riverside of Danube and then went across the bridge to Margaret Island. We saw the musical fountain and the ruins of the Dominican Church on the island. It is a very photogenic and fun route and is a perfect alternate for those willing to experience Segway Fun on the Margaret Island & Park, rather than seeing the historical parts of Budapest. After the tour ended, our guide told us about a traditional dish called Langoś, which is just like a pizza but instead of tomato base, it is topped with sour cream. We had that at Langos Papa on our way back to the hotel; it was absolutely delicious and an absolute must try in Budapest.

We had completely exhausted our sightseeing agenda by now, so the next day was our shopping day for which we headed to Vasi Utcà. Beginning at Vörösmarty Square and ending at the Central Market Hall, Vaci Utca is the main shopping street in Budapest. The whole street is pedestrianized and lined with beautiful buildings, although these days most of the shops are catered to tourists rather than locals. We hopped from one shop to another and had a lot of fun. For lunch we went to Gerbeaud, which is an iconic tea-time café serving Italian food and patisserie desserts. After our shopping spree, we went back to our hotel and had a short power-nap. For dinner, we choose to have Greek cuisine at Dionysos Taverna ( http://www.dionysos.hu/ ). It is a typical Greek style blue & white Taverna with an open terrace, serving mezzes, Souvlaki & grilled meats with traditional music playing in the background. It is beautifully decorated with an amazing aura to the place. The food sizes are also quite generous and the food was on point. It was a nice closure to our great holiday at Budapest.

I would also like to add here that Budapest is famous for its Ruin pubs and bars. While surfing for various popular restaurants, the names that showed up the most were Instant, Grandino, Csendes and DiVino.

BUDAPEST IS ONE OF THE BEST TOURIST HOTSPOTS IN ALL OF EASTERN EUROPE WITH A MAGNIFICENT HISTORY AND CULTURE, ICONIC MONUMENTS, NOTEWORTHY HANGOUTS AND SUPERB FOOD!

Australia

I was very excited for my trip to Australia as it was my first time exploring the southern part of the world. This was in the December of 2015. To us, December is winter, but in the land down under, it was summer; as the weather is inverted in the southern hemisphere. Australia is extremely vast and we had limited time in hand, so we decided to do just the eastern coast of Australia.

Gold Coast

Accommodation

We started our trip in Gold Coast which is the metropolitan city south of Brisbane, known for its long sandy beaches, surfing spots and many theme parks. We arrived at night and went straight to our apartment, which was on Broad Beach. Our apartment was attached to a mall called the Oasis from which we could get our groceries any time of the day. Our apartment on the 32nd floor had 3 big bedrooms, a lavish open kitchen with a dining and living area that had a long fabulous balcony, which offered spectacular views of Broad Beach.

Things to do in Gold Coast

• I was really excited for this day as we were going to Wet’n Wild theme park which is the most visited water park in the whole of Australia. As we entered the park we rushed to the wave pool, which is the largest in the southern hemisphere. With gently rolling waves in an intermittent cycle, we relaxed ourselves. After the wave pool, we proceeded to the thrilling rides. I did
⎯ Kamikaze – a U shaped water slide
⎯ Tornado – a 40m water slide with a funnel
⎯ Black hole – a completely dark slide with twists and turns
⎯ River rapids – a fast paced water slide
⎯ Mammoth falls – a nice water rafting experience
Between these rides somewhere, we took a break to have lunch at Dominos. It gave us a boost of energy to finish the balance rides. That day was a fun and thrilling day for the entire family.

• The next day was very special to me, and in my opinion one of the best days of the trip. We were going to Warner Bros Movie World, which is another theme park. Since I love superhero movies, I could completely relate to every ride over there. Upon reaching, the first thing we did was to take express tickets. We first rode the Green Lantern ride, which greets us at the very entrance. It is extremely thrilling and has one of the steepest inverted drops in the world. After that ride, we proceeded to the main street where we saw the Batman show, where he fights all the Villains live in front of us. From there, we proceeded to the Wild West section of the park where we did the Wild West Adventure falls ride. The ride starts with a tour of the Wild West, Ghost towns and Geysers ending with a splash from a steep drop. A live show which showcases the famous Hollywood stunts must not be missed as well. Two of the best thrilling rides were still left, so we headed on to do them. One was Superman Escape, while the other was Arkham Asylum coaster. Arkham Asylum coaster was very unique as it was an interactive Adrenaline rushing roller coaster. We were made to wear VR’s and we had to kill the monsters during the twists and turns of the ride!

• The beaches of Gold Coast are not to be missed at any cost. We made sand castles and dipped ourselves in the salty waters of the Pacific ocean. Every morning, a refreshing swim got us up and ready for the entire day to explore the city.

• Bicycle ride was another interesting activity at Gold Coast. We booked our bicycles from the rental store and wandered around the lanes and suburbs of downtown Gold Coast, exploring it like true locals would do.

• We also went to Surfers Paradise, which is the main street on Gold Coast with famous shopping malls and the tallest building in Gold Coast called Q1. We first had lunch at Din Tai Fung, which serves authentic Chinese Dimsums. Post lunch, we went to the observation deck where we gazed at the panoramic view of the amazing city of Gold Coast.

• Strolling around Surfers paradise is an awesome feeling. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and skyscrapers surrounding you from all sides. We decided to dine at at a unique restaurant, which is a sushi train restaurant. The food was good and it was a unique experience.

• We also visited Sea world, another famous park showcasing oceanic wildlife. As we entered, we went to the penguin encounter enclosure. We saw many penguins kept in their original habitat to make them feel like home. After seeing the cute little penguins, we saw the illuminated sea jellies; they were fabulous! Sea world is home to many shows out of which some are a must. We first witnessed the Seal Guardian’s show in which they show how special seals are. From there, we went to the special Nickelodeon section, which is very child friendly. There are special rides specially designed for the entertainment of children. We then went to the polar bear enclosure, which was also amazing. Just near to the polar bear shore is the shark bay. The tanks are infested with many sharks. The tanks offer a glimpse into the world of the oceans top predators. It was then time for the affinity dolphin presentation, which is a spectacular dolphin stunt show. The show makes us discover the powerful affinity between the magical mammals and their human friend. After the magical display, I did the storm coaster roller coaster, which was super thrilling. We also witnessed the thunder lake stunt show, in which stuntmen perform action packed stunts to entertain us. This marked the end of our day in Sea World.

• Currimban Wildlife sanctuary is the most famous wildlife sanctuary in Gold Coast. As we entered, we cuddled a few koalas and captured a few camera moments. We then went to the central garden where there are many kangaroos and wallabies roaming all around freely. We can touch and feed them as well. A toy train passes in the open vicinity which makes the place look like a fairy land! We took this toy train and had a short journey. After our ride, we saw many animals like dingo (wild dog), lemurs, platypus, pandas, snakes and many birds native to Australia. We also got the chance to feed thousands of birds like parrots and macaus. We also saw the reptile and bird show. It was a very educational and fun day spent in the wildlife sanctuary with true Australian experience!

Daydream Island

Accommodation

We stayed at Daydream Resort, which is the only resort on the island. It has beautiful rooms having stunning views of the Pacific ocean. There are 3 restaurants serving mouth-watering food. There is a living reef around the lobby area which is the centerpiece attraction of the entire property. The resort is filled with infinity pools and many activities to keep you entertained.

Things to do

• There are many picturesque spots on Daydream Island and there are professional photographers whom you can engage for the day. They know exactly how and where to capture the right images and make your experience on the island most memorable. We shot many sequences at several locations. Out of those, I have attached a few below.

• When visiting the state of Queensland, a visit to the Great Barrier Reef is a must. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest shootcoral reef system, comprising of approximately 3000 reefs. We left Daydream on a ferry and approached the Great Barrier Reef. On the ferry, we were briefed about the many activities we could do in the reef. We interchanged from our ferry onto another larger one which became our base for all the activities; it took us to the desired spot of anchoring. The first thing we did was to put on our diving suits and gear; it is mandatory before you enter the ocean waters. Then we dived into the reefs of the Coral Sea and did some snorkeling. When I opened my eyes to the underwater world, I got stunned. Millions of different colour corals and tiny little fishes are spotted. After snorkeling, I went for an underwater submarine experience to view the reef along with my sister and my grandparents. The tour guide gave us a lot of information of marine life in a very fun and educative way. People can also scuba dive over there but I couldn’t do it as I was underage. Of course, my parents went ahead and narrated their awesome experience to me!

• During the evenings, our hotel arranged for outdoor movie screening on a large screen on the beach facing the ocean. Relaxing on the greens, sand, daybeds, hammocks, or wherever you could grab a place with your snacks and drinks, it was a great fun experience and the perfect unwind after a long day.

• There are many trail walks around the island which showcase many species in the nature on this island. We spotted many birds and even kangaroos playing freely in one of our trail experiences. There are also many pools, so taking a swim overlooking the sea in itself is amazing.

• One of our excursions from Daydream included going to White Haven beach. The beach stretches for 7 km and boasts white silica sand, among the purest in the world. We went there via boat in the afternoon. As we reached, we set up our tent and our picnic baskets. Then I sunk me feet into the sand and waded into the warm waves that gently kiss the shore. It was surreal to witness such an impeccable and seamless beach untouched by civilisation.

Sydney

Sydney, the capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities is best known for its iconic structure of the Opera House. The city is filled with surprises to discover every step of the way.

Accommodation

We chose to stay at York apartments By Swiss Bellotel which is located at 5 York street, right in downtown Sydney. Located with easy access to the tourism mecca of the Iconic Opera House and the legendary botanical gardens, and also a short stroll to Darling Harbour for days of adventure.

Things to do

• Opera house is undoubtedly the most famous monument of Australia, known for its sail like structure. The opera house has many shows in it as well as a luxury restaurant. The opera house not only is a building but also a tourist hub of Sydney. Many restaurants, cafes and shops surround the building. When we visited this splendid grandeur, we grabbed a coffee and sat in a café taking in the views of the Sydney harbor and the famous Harbour Bridge as well.

• A short walk from Sydney Opera House leads us to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Sydney. The gardens are filled with lush green vegetation and a stroll is highly recommended. Also to mention, the garden is over 200 year old which is etched in its landscape.

• Darling Harbour is a must visit if going to Sydney. Every Saturday, there is a spectacular display of fireworks that takes place over there. Shops, restaurants and many activities are found in plenty. We witnessed the fireworks and strolled around inhaling the fresh air of Australia.

• Sydney by night is another visual that in unforgettable. The broad paths along the river are lined with patisseries and coffee shops and a night stroll hopping from one destination to another left us spellbound of this city’s amazing skyline.

• The sweeping white sand crescent of Bondi is one of Australia’s most iconic beaches. It is a surfer’s dream beach. Trendy health conscious people head to laid back cafes on Hall Street, while hip modern people head to the underground pubs. Right next to Bondi beach is a famous farmers market where local farmers sell the most fresh produce of the country.

• Besides the many malls in Sydney, the best fun is at the flee markets. There are people who sell local handicrafts and farm fresh food. There are many samples to try freely, so you can choose and know what exactly you are buying. These places offer the most authentic products at the best price.

• Near Darling Harbour, there is also an indoor zoo called the Wildlife Zoo. As we enter, we are welcomed by thousands of butterflies. Travelling through the gumtree and daintree forest, we entered the Australian native animals section where we interacted with snakes, koalas and many kangaroos! We also witnessed a huge crocodile, which was beyond our belief. We ended our journey at the nightfall area where we saw animals that roam around in the dark. It is a fun and remarkable experience.

• The strand Arcade is a heritage listed Victorian style retail arcade located at 195-197 Pitt street in central Sydney. This place is bustling with shops and restaurants in all 4 directions. We shopped a little and had a delicious afternoon tea in one of the cafes at Strand Arcade.

• Another famous building we visited was the Queen Victoria Building (QVB). It is also a Shopping mall built in an Australian way. Since there was a sale we all shopped a lot and also Australian snacks in a fancy restaurants.

AUSTRALIA IS A COUNTRY FOR TOURISTS OF ALL AGES. THIS TRIP OF OURS WAS A VERY SMALL PART OF WHAT THIS AMAZING COUNTRY HOLDS FOR EVERYONE. I’M HAPPY THAT I SAW THE BEST PART OF IT IN MY VERY FIRST TRIP.

Sri LankaMarch 27, 2026
Sri Lanka doesn’t try to impress you, and that’s precisely what makes it good. A small island just off the southern tip of India, it has ancient ruins, tea-covered hills, decent surf, wildlife, colonial streets and a food scene that quietly holds its own. It moves at its own pace, unbothered by the noise of … Continue reading Sri Lanka →
Sam GoodwinMarch 27, 2026
“I Don’t Want To Be Known For The Things That Happen To Me” Some travel stories are impressive. Some are entertaining. And then, once in a while, you come across one that quietly forces you to rethink what travel actually is — not as a hobby or an aesthetic, but as something that tests you … Continue reading Sam Goodwin →
Fabio CaoJanuary 20, 2026
Travel Is Easier Now — But There Are Fewer Surprises. Follow Fabio on Instagram here : https://www.instagram.com/fabiocaoscorpio/?hl=en I had a conversation recently that stayed with me, not because it was dramatic or overly philosophical, but because it was honest. The person I spoke to was Fabio Cao — the first Italian to visit every country … Continue reading Fabio Cao →
Billy OfflandDecember 14, 2025
“Travel gives you consciousness — and then that consciousness inspires you to travel even more” Please watch Billy Offlands Documentary Here on Prime Video : https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Pot-of-Gold/0NIFG9AJ2NTKVSZNA7T92IR401 Billy Offland, 27, is the youngest verified Brit to have visited all 193 UN-recognised countries, according to Nomad Mania. But the statistic collapses quickly under its own weight. Because … Continue reading Billy Offland →
Boris KesterDecember 4, 2025
“Follow Your Heart, Just Go“ Follow Boris Here on his website : https://boriskester.com/Read the Preface of his book here : https://boriskester.com/preface/ See his stunning images here : https://www.traveladventures.org/ Follow him on instagram here : https://www.instagram.com/boris_traveladventures/ The first thing you notice when speaking to someone who has travelled to every country in the world is not … Continue reading Boris Kester →

Croatia & Slovenia

I was really excited to go on this trip, hoping to change my perspective with which I looked at less famous countries of Eastern Europe. These two hidden gems of Europe were a part of Yugoslavian Europe, which gained independence in 1991. With beautiful and well laid cities, this region houses scenic nature and lots of history. The climate is pleasant and the people are the friendliest. We went to Croatia and Slovenia in the summer of 2017 with my entire family.

Our Air India flight landed in Frankfurt at 7:30pm and we had to catch our connecting flight to Ljubljana, Slovenia at 9:20pm. We were waiting at the baggage claim and the luggage was not coming only. We eventually missed our flight and were stranded in Frankfurt for that night. We went to the airline counter and they gave us a complementary night stay in one of their hotels, with taxi and meals. This airport was 50 kms away but my first experience of the German autobahn drive saw us zoom to our hotel in 20 minutes!

Early next morning, we boarded our flight and crossed the border over to the land of sands, spring and snow. As we landed, we took a cab to our hotel Grand Union Palace in the heart of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. The hotel was a luxury hotel with nice big rooms overlooking the canals. Ljubljana, with its historic churches, charming plazas, medieval bridges, contemporary museums, packed nightclubs, restaurants and street cafés offers you the best of Europe at half the cost. The Ljubljanica River meanders through the picturesque bridges, which is overlooked by a hilltop castle.

We were starving after our journey, so we chose Cantina Mexicana which was a small Mexican café. The food was delicious and the drinks were authentic and fresh. After a hearty lunch, we picked up our jackets and left for Postojna Caves. At Postojna, temperatures drop about 15 degrees inside the cave, so a jacket is compulsory. Postojna Caves is a network of 20 kilometers of underground passages, galleries and chambers with calcite formations, stalactites and stalagmites abounding in a variety of shapes and colors. I was very enthusiastic during the tour, so I became termed as ‘the inquisitive person of the group’. The formations inside were great and beautiful; the history behind it was equally fascinating. 45 minutes into the tour, we boarded a tunnel train which is built to give us a deeper insight into the caves in a short span of time. The overall experience was very intriguing.

After returning to the city, we explored the downtown area. We visited the square and wandered through the charming lanes through boutique shops and small pop-up cafes. The city has its own charm, which cannot be defined in any way. For dinner, we decided to dine in the best restaurant in all of Ljubljana, which is the one on the hilltop castle, called Gostlina Na Gradu. It served authentic Slovenian Yugoslavian dishes with a modern twist. The restaurant was beautiful, the food was superb and the views were to die for.

Next morning, we had booked a private van for a full-day of sightseeing. After a 45 minute ride, we reached our first spot which was the Vintgar Gorge; it is a highly recommended tourist destination of the region. The gorge is carved by the Radovna River. The gorge is filled with Instagram worthy picture spots! The trail is short and quite fun to do, so we thoroughly enjoyed it. Closeby within a 4km ride from Vintar Gorge was Lake Bled. The fairytale alpine town of Bled on the shore of a glacial lake with crystal blue-green water is Slovenia’s second-most popular destination after Postojna Caves. As we reached, we took a stroll around the circumference of the lake and settled at a nice lunch spot overlooking the lake. After lunch, we took a boat ride to the island in the center of the lake, home to a church and a bell tower. We also did a toboggan ride which is a must do if you visit Lake Bled. It was so good that I did it twice! Following Lake Bled, we headed towards Mt. Vogel which is 1,922m high peak located in the Julian ranges. Taking the cable car to the top to witness the panoramic view from Mt. Vogel should be a must on every traveller’s list. As expected, there was a nice café on the top and the desserts at the café were pretty decent. There was also a beautiful park there which we enjoyed exploring. After our descend, we headed back to Ljubljana. For dinner, we stumbled upon Da Bu Da which is an Asian fusion restaurant & bar. The restaurant had many vegetarian options and super friendly staff.

Here I wish to add that Slovenia is also famous for its all natural honey, which is produced in local apiaries. One out of 10 people in Slovenia own an apiary and as a result they produce the best quality and most choicest of honeys.

We had planned our trip ahead by road, so we set off for the small town of Split in the heart of Croatia in our rented van. On route, we stopped at Plitivice Lakes, probably one of the most famous waterfall bodies in the whole of Europe. It is known for its chain of 16 terraced lakes joined by waterfalls, which extend into a limestone canyon. Walkways and hiking trails are spread all over the park and an electric boat ride is available as well. The boat ride was awesome as it gave us a wider perspective of the waterfalls. The trails are filled with numerous view spots to capture all the sights and sounds of the waterfall.

After visiting Plitvice Lakes, we proceeded for Split which is the second largest city of Croatia; it lies on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. The city is divided into two parts, the old town and the new town. We decided to stay in the old town as it is closer to the sea, and has a unique history. What was unique about our stay was that we stayed inside a palace, called the Diocletian’s palace. Actually, this palace turned into a small town (known as old split). The palace is filled with shops, restaurant, apartments, hotels and bars. We arrived in Split at 5:30pm tired and exhausted, thus we decided to relax and just roam around the square that day. For dinner, we stumbled upon Zinfandel food & wine bar. Split is famous for its wine & cheese bars, serving just wine and cheese. This was also a new experience for us!

Next morning, we woke up early and went to Split ferry port as we had planned island hopping that day. All of us bought a few hats and hopped onto our private boat which we had booked for the entire day. My grandpa’s hat flew off minutes after the boat started sail! Our first stop was Golden Horn (Zlatini Rat) located on Brac Island. Zlatini Rat is a white-pebbled beach and is V-shaped; it is a
beautiful beach and has stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. We took a quick swim and headed on for our next stop, Hvar Island. Highlights of the port town Hvar include its 13th-century walls, a hilltop fortress and a main square anchored by the Renaissance-era Hvar Cathedral. It is filled with secluded beaches, lush lavender fields and a lot of bars. We had lunch in a nice pizza place and visited the Spanish fortress, St. Stephen Cathedral and Bell tower. The city of Hvar has a nice charm and aura to it, it is also known as the party & nightlife capital of Croatia. As the sun started to set, we had to leave for Split. We visited Paradox wine & cheese bar that day, serving a range of charcuterie boards and authentic Croatian wine.

Early morning, we went to one of the small cafes serving breakfasts, where I had crosoiants and hot chocolate, after which the men of the group did a walking tour, while the women went for shopping. We meandered through the small lanes of old town Split, learning about the rich history of the ancient medieval castle. We also came to know that a Croatian man from that very castle invented the necktie! After the walking tour, we seated ourselves for a show in the castle, which demonstrated the procession of the kings in the olden days. It was so realistic and interesting! The narrow lanes of the old castle of Split are filled with gelato shops everywhere. From chocolate to lemon to strawberry to pistachio, every flavor is available. My go to flavors are always the exotic ones! That night, we dined at Bokeria which was a famous Italian restaurant.

We had to leave for Dubrovnik the next day. On route from Split to Dubrovnik, we had the opportunity to cross the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is also a part of the erstwhile Yugoslavian country. Our first stop in Bosnia was the Kravice waterfalls. It was beautiful and the café next to it provided the best views of the waterfall with local Bosnian food. After a quick visit to Kravice waterfalls, we decided to explore Mostar.

Mostar is a city in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, straddling the Neretva River. It’s known for the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a reconstructed medieval arched bridge. The alleys are full of shops and little cafes overlooking Stari Most. We chose to have lunch in a café which had awesome views of the bridge, but unfortunately terrible food! We explored the city and bought a few souvenirs. After a long wait, we chanced to see a person jump from Stari Most Bridge, which is at a height of 20m. It was incredible! We finally reached Dubrovnik and checked into our magnificent hotel, Grand Dubrovnik Palace, a beautiful hotel on the edge of the cliff with spectacular views of the sea. It had 2 pools and the rooms were very large and nice. It was actually the best hotel in the city. We decided to enjoy the hotel that day and had dinner in the hotel itself.

Dubrovnik is best known for its distinctive old town, encircled with massive stonewalls completed in the 16th century, and better know for the series ‘Game Of Thrones’.

Next morning, we went down for breakfast at 9am. The breakfast area had a magnificent spread with awesome views. Immediately after breakfast, we dived in the pool and relaxed while gazing at the amazing views. Following our swim, we booked ourselves for a Segway ride which showed us around the hidden bays and promenades of Dubrovnik. The ride was for 50 Euros and it was for about 90 minutes, and every penny worth the experience! We made our way to the promenade, a lovely street filled with bars and restaurants situated in bay Lapad. From there, we ventured along the sea through a forest rode to camp Solidoto and Copacabana coral beach where we broke the journey and had a few drinks. The last part of the tour took us back to the promenade through a beautiful walking trail just next to the sea with little bays. The Segway tour was awesome and a must do at Dubrovnik. The guide was very good as well. After our tour, we went to the old town of Dubrovnik via shuttle provided by the hotel. As we reached, we were greeted by the majestic doors to the entrance of the most well preserved and UNESCO declared world heritage site. As we entered the old town, we took a walk on the Dubrovnik city walls. There is no better way to see Dubrovnik than from its city walls. After our tour of the medieval walls, we wandered the streets of old town Dubrovnik. The main part of old town is compact and easy to walk, but there is a lot of walking if one chooses to do. The narrow streets are filled with restaurants and small shops, perfect places for pit stops on a leisurely stroll through the city. After 8 days of exotic cuisines, we were craving for some Indian food, so we settled upon Incredible India. The food reminded us of home and was an energy boost for that day. After our meal, we explored the squares, lanes and shops of old town Dubrovnik. It was a beautiful feeling to roam around the old town. We also visited the fort of Lovrijenac, which is the old castle from where we caught stunning views of Dubrovnik. We also witnessed a Croatian wedding which was amazing, as we got to delve deep into the local culture of their ceremonies. We took the last shuttle from old town and went back to our hotel.

Next morning, we had our day trip to Montenegro, a country in the Baltic. En route to Kotor in Montevideo, we stopped at a viewpoint to see a panoramic view of the city of Dubrovnik. It was a picture perfect moment! Kotor is a fortified town of Montenegro’s Adriatic coast. As we reached Kotor, we explored the old town on foot. It was wonderful, with churches and museums spread all over. We also visited the Kotor cathedral, the most famous place to visit in Kotor. After lunch in a small café, we went to the farmer’s market to get our hand at some local produce. We also took a ferry ride in the bay of Montenegro, which is the winding bay of the Adriatic Sea. It was now time for us to leave back for Dubrovnik. Upon return, we were once again starving, so we went to Bota which served Japanese cuisine. It was high end and a perfect last meal for us to say goodbye to Dubrovnik the next day, and head back home.

SLOVENIA AND CROATIA WAS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE OF EASTERN EUROPE AND I AM SURE THE REST OF THIS SIDE OF THE WORLD WILL BE AS INTRIGUING AN EXPERIENCE AS THIS ONE HAS BEEN FOR ME!

Kenya & Tanzania

INTRODUCTION

My trip to Kenya and Tanzania was taken in the October of 2016 with my parents. The trip was of 10 days with 5 destinations. I had heard and read a lot about the Great Migration of Masai Mara & Serengeti that happens every year between August and October and this was my opportunity to experience it first hand.

Before I begin, I want to recommend a few necessary items to pack based on the basis of my experiences from this trip.

Powerful Binoculars
Camera with good lens
The days are warm and the evenings are pleasant; so you should carry shorts, t-shirts, hats and sunglasses for the day and a light jacket and full trousers for the evenings.
A pair or costume is an absolute MUST every trip :).
Some preferred snacks to munch on during game drives.

MASAI MARA

We took a midnight flight from Mumbai to Nairobi with Kenya Airways. We arrived in Nairobi early morning. From here onwards, we were in-charge of our tour company for our various wildlife experiences. They had pre-booked a car for us with a detailed itinerary for reference. We cleared immigration (they check for yellow fever and polio vaccination) and drove to Wilson airport, which was an hour drive from the international airport. The driver also gave us food packets to snack on during this drive. From there, we boarded our flight to Masai Mara, which was just a 12-seater flight. When we were about to land, we were told to fasten our seat belts: but to my surprise, I could not see any airport below! We literally landed on an airstrip (Olkiombo airstrip), which is just a long clear gravel path. No security, no baggage claim, nothing. It was my first time in this continent, and I got surprised at every step.

We chose to stay at Mara Explorer Camp, which is a luxury camp hotel. Right next to our hotel was the famous Intrepids hotel (a sister hotel of Mara Explorer Camp), but our camp was much better which I shall explain later in my narrative. Firstly, this was an unfenced property in the middle of the wilderness. We were told that we should not move around freely everywhere and need to be accompanied by armed escorts. Secondly, we were given tent no. 4 which was awesome and unique! It was the only tent situated on the bend of the river with awesome views of hippos coming out every noon to sunbathe. Finally, there was no television, no AC and the best part was that there was no telephone connection either. We were given walkie-talkies to interact with the staff. The tent also had an open-air bathtub overlooking the river. Staying in this hotel is another experience in itself; it feels like you are in midst of natural wildlife.

The two game drives (safaris) in our itinerary every day were a part of our package. As soon as we reached, we went for our first safari. We left in an open jeep with our fantastic driver. We spotted a giraffe in the first 5 minutes of the safari feeding on tall trees. We also spotted hippos in a small pond and elephants making noises with their trunk. Just after a few minutes, a spectacular sight was seen; we saw a lioness literally giving birth to her 5th cub. I don’t think I have seen something as good as this ever in my life! We also spotted groups of gazelles, deers and buffaloes. We also saw different species of birds habiting the African continent. The experience was surreal. In the evening, we went for our second game drive. After the game drive, we were invited by the staff of our hotel for a Maasai tribal dance (ritual). We seated ourselves next to a fire pit and saw the dance. Actually, a fun thing I learnt was that whichever male jumps the highest in this dance form gets to marry the most beautiful girl of the village!

The next morning, we woke up and went for an early game drive at 7am, which was a special one as we went to see the famous Mara river crossing. As we reached the spot, we saw herds of wildebeests and zebras crossing the river. It was mind-boggling! During the massive stampede, the beasts of the river (mostly Alligators) catch their prey for the day. It is an experience of a lifetime! After this game drive, we went to have a buffet lunch in Intrepids. Following lunch, we roamed around the property, buying a few souvenirs and playing in the park and the hanging bridge. When we finished exploring the property, we immediately went for our second safari of that day where we witnessed an unending queue of wildebeests and zebras migrating to Serengeti, which is an iconic postcard image. Then to my utter surprise, the driver pulled up to a location with just one tree surrounded by acres of savanna. We were told to get off, in the middle of the jungle. It was a surprise sundowner! They had a whole setup with drinks and snacks in the middle of Masai Mara. We sat there taking in the views and being reminded of the experiences we had here. After the second game drive, we dressed up nicely and went for our special bush dinner, which as the name suggests, was a dinner in the bushes. Surrounded by candles and bushes with authentic local flavours, it was a unique experience!

I was a bit low the next day as we had to leave Mara. We ended our stay in Mara by a breakfast on the dunes, which was a farewell to our awesome stay. I feel the experience we got in Mara Explorer Camp and the direct connect with nature cannot be obtained at any closed hotel like Intrepids or rather any other hotel in Masai Mara.

SERENGETI

After breakfast, we went to the Olkiombo airstrip for our flight to the border of Tanzania. At the border, we crossed over by foot, cleared immigration and drove to the Tanzanian airstrip to go to Serengeti. When we landed in Serengeti, we went to our hotel Mbuzi Mawe. This hotel was also a camp with nice big luxury tents. All the electricity in this hotel is solar powered. Unlike Mara, this camp was equipped with a television and a telephone connection. We rested for that day and had dinner in the hotel itself. While having dinner, we were given forms to choose what we wanted in our lunch boxes the next day during our game drive.

We woke up early to witness sunrise with a warm cup of coffee in our hands. Viewing the jungles with the glorious sunrise from the deck of our tent was a magnificent feeling. Immediately after the break of dawn, we left for our full day safari, where we got some really interesting sightings. As we began, we saw a group of giraffes fighting each other with their long beautiful necks. The guide told us it was extremely dangerous to fight that way because if the neck got damaged, the giraffe’s life is useless. (Fun fact: giraffes have a blue tongue). After a while, we spotted the rare and unique view – We saw a leopard sitting on a treetop, a lion at the base of the tree, a small herd of elephants behind that tree drinking water from a pond, and a few wildebeests roaming around here and there. This scene was spectacular – 4 species of wildlife co-existing in a radius of 50 metres! We were hungry so we opened our boxes, which looked delicious and had plenty of food in them. It consisted of an apple, yoghurt, a chocolate bar, a fresh juice, crackers and some cheese. Moving on, we saw another strange thing – a herd of baboons chasing a leopard! The baboons chased the leopard only to decrease their number and make them extinct, not to eat their flesh. It was a lucky day for the leopard as there was a bush right in front of it. He soared into the bush and the group of baboons surrounded it. After hunting around for ten minutes, the baboons eventually left and the leopard came out of the bush. It was dreamlike to see something like this. Another interesting thing we saw was a group of lions eating a wildebeest. It was a kill that had probably happened a few minutes back, which is usually very hard to catch in action as told by our guide. It looked a bit scary, as there was blood all over the lion’s face. It had started getting dark by now, so we turned back and went to the hotel. The main difference between Serengeti and Mara is that we must follow a fixed path in the Serengeti savannah, while we are free to roam around anywhere in Mara in the jeep. This meant that in Mara, we could go as close to wildlife as possible. Both are unique in their own way and different experiences.

NGORONGORO

From Serengeti, we headed for Ngorongoro in our private car. On route and just across a check point, we went for a short trail walk which promised amazing views of the sprawling African savannah from the top. Just to mention, there were a lot of creepy crawlies like lizards in the trail walk, but we enjoyed it nonetheless; more so because we hardly got any opportunity to walk around anywhere till now. The uniqueness of Ngorongoro is that it is a National park reserve inside a crater with all sorts of wildlife inside it. The density of wildlife inside this crater is very high due to smaller area and huge source of water in the peak season when the lakes are full. Our choice of hotel over there was Serena Safari Lodge. The hotel was carved with rocks on the top edge of the crater overlooking the lake, which made it more interesting. That day, we checked in and went to the observation deck to take in the sight, sound and smell of Ngorongoro. At night, we went to their hall-cum-bar where there was a small display of African talent. The show began with an authentic tribal dance. After the dance, there was a stunt show where a group of 5 men performed high intensity acrobats. The grand show followed by the huge spread of buffet dinner was fantastic, and we got to sample some Indian food also after a long time.

Ngorongoro is believed to have formed 2.5 million years ago when a large active volcano in the rift valley of northern Tanzania erupted whose cone collapsed inward after a major eruption. Today was our day to explore the crater! A half an hour descend had us inside the crater. The good thing about Ngorongoro is that not many creatures can move in and out of this area, so there is similar wildlife all year round inside it. In a matter of seconds, we spotted a group of hyenas sipping water by the lake. Hyenas are the most dangerous animals of them all as they eat the animals alive before killing them fully. We also saw wildebeests, zebras, lions, cheetahs, buffaloes and leopards on the way. Another interesting thing we saw was a rhino. After seeing it, we had finally spotted the big 5 as they call it (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo), which are the main animals of Kenya and Tanzania. We had our lunchboxes as usual and after few more hours of exploring, we ascended back to our hotel.

We left Ngorongoro early the next morning to head towards Tarangire National Park via lake Manyara National Park. It was going to be a long drive and all our wildlife game drives were expected to happen on way. Upon reaching Lake Manyara, we decided to have a short safari. We spotted an ostrich (flightless bird) shaking its head vigorously to scratch its body. Drinking water by the river, we saw hundreds or maybe thousands of birds. As we proceeded with our safari, we saw a family of 5 leopards next to a pack of wildebeests and zebras. We were eager and enthusiastic as our guide told us that there was a very good possibility for a kill. We saw the leopards inching slowly towards the herd of wildebeests with the father leopard leading and the mother following closely with the 3 children. After about 2 hours of slow pursuit, we saw no attack happening as the leopards were not in striking distance. It is necessary for the predator to come at a distance close to about 100m to its prey before going for the kill, as they generally have less stamina than the victim and have to outrun them in the chase. Since we had waited enough and had to reach Tarangire before sunset, we abandoned our desire to catch a kill in action and moved ahead for Tarangire (I’m sure the kill must have happened as the leopards were determined!).

TARANGIRE

As we entered Tarangire, we were hailed by a herd of elephants, the animal for which this place is most revered. Our hotel Treetops Elewana was a short drive into the jungle leading through a narrow road drive. They welcomed us with a cold towel and a traditional tribal people who are about 6 to 7 feet tall. Hiring unemployed tribal people was a great initiative by the hotel. The hotel had an infinity pool, and a very nice deck with views of the jungle. We were escorted to our room, which was a large tree house. On way, a huge elephant came by and we had to divert from our route to reach our room! The room was really huge and the amenities were luxuriously outstanding. I immediately changed into my costumes and was in the swimming pool in no time! After about half an hour, I saw an elephant approaching the pool! I got really scared initially, but actually the elephant did not hurt us in any way. It literally started drinking water from the swimming pool. It was a fun and irreplaceable experience. At sunset, I sat in the balcony of our treehouse with a book in my hand, hearing some soft music and sipping a cup of warm tea with my parents. It was the perfect way to unwind after a long day. For dinner, we were invited for a delicious bush dinner at an interesting location in the property itself.

The next morning, our jeep was ready at 7:30am for our safari. We moved on and saw herds and herds of elephants in every corner we looked, bathing in the river, plucking on trees, splashing water from lakes, walking in long trails and so on. Tarangire is simply packed with elephants. We also managed to spot a few other animals like wildebeests, zebras and a variety of birds. At the end of it all and after 7 long days of safari visits, all the experiences and sights I saw were amazing and unreal. We thanked our guide for all the amazing sights he showed us in these past few days and bid him farewell. Finally, it was time to relax and rejuvenate a bit, so we decided to end the trip with a short beachside stay at Zanzibar.

ZANZIBAR

To reach Zanzibar, we drove from Tarangire to Arusha, from where we took an Air Excel flight to Zanzibar. We had a lady pilot for the first time, and we were flying over the ocean to the island of Zanzibar. We picked our luggage and drove to our hotel, White Sands Luxury Resort & Spa. As we checked in, we were told that we were being upgraded to the most premium villa of the property. I could not hide my excitement! The staff was extremely welcoming and the resort was huge. We were taken to our villa and shown around – it had two mini thatched cottages (one was the bedroom, and the other was the living room); the bedroom had a terrace access with a bed set up there as well with direct view of the sea. Our villa also had its private pool, a hammock, an outdoor bath tub and shower, a bar area and a completely private beach with one butler to ourselves! I was astounded when I saw the room. It was the ultimate place I have ever stayed at. We needed one day just to enjoy the villa itself, so we enjoyed a day in the property itself. For dinner, we had a barbecue next to the beach with live music. After 7 days of active safari, witnessing this king of luxury made it seem like bliss.

The next day, we decided to spend exploring the city side of Zanzibar. We first went to the stone town and visited Tippu Tip house, the House of Wonders and the Slave market. The Stone Town was host to one of the world’s last open slave markets, presided over by Arab traders until it was shut down by the British in 1873. We indulged in “Zanzibar pizza” which is more like a savory crepe than a pizza (a Zanzibar pizza begins as a small ball of dough that is thinned and piled with your choice of ingredients, topped with cheese, egg, mayonnaise and chili sauce, which is grilled on a tawa). After some sight seeing and a hearty meal, we shopped at local shops selling handicrafts and traditional stuff. This was the first bit of shopping we did after 8 days! Zanzibar is also famous for its fruits, so make sure to get your hands on some. After a fun filled day, we went back to our hotel and had a nice buffet dinner, listening along the tunes of African instruments. Zanzibar truly has a rich culture, beautiful beaches and superb nature.

Early morning the next day, I had a swim in the beach. The beach was true to its name and had soft white sand. When people think of beaches, they think of Rio, Gold Coast and Miami, but in reality the beaches of Zanzibar are equally good. After a swim, I had mushrooms on toast that was the most unctuous and cheesiest thing I had ever eaten. I bathed in the outdoor bathtub and later rented a bicycle for the day travelling around the entire property. In the evening, we all sat by the beach reminiscing on the most fabulous experiences we all had ever in any of our vacations!

KENYA & TANZANIA IS WILDLIFE AT ITS GLORIOUS BEST. WATCHING THE GREAT MIGRATION IS AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME AND SHOULD BE HIGH UP ON EVERYONE’S BUCKET LIST.

Argentina & Chile

This is my second travel Blog, which is on a more recent trip I took with my entire family. We visited Latin America in the month of December 2018. We visited two countries in Latin American, namely Argentina and Chile, and I am sharing my experiences here…

Day 1 : We started off our trip by visiting Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires. Our stay was at AQ Tailored Suites (www.aqsuites.com), a modern little boutique hotel located in the heart of town. We reached by evening after almost 36 hours of travel, so we retired early for the day.

Day 2 : To begin with, we started exploring Buenos Aires. We first went to Florida Street which is a popular shopping street in downtown, after which we went to Plaza de Mayo, which is a famous square. Over there, we spotted the Pink house. For teatime, we chose Pertutti café, a small quaint café with delicious food. In the evening, we roamed around town seeing the popular opera and the national congress. Finally for dinner, we went to Sarkis that turned out to be an average Mediterranean restaurant.

Day 3 : This was going to be a long day as planned. Early in the morning, we took a flight from Buenos Aires domestic airport to Iguazu. Declared as a UNESCO world heritage site, Iguazu falls is a cluster of cascades and cataracts as far as the eye can see. At Iguazu airport, we headed straight for the falls. At the tour starting point, we took a train to Cataracts station which was the start of the devils throat trails, the most popular trail in Argentina. The trail is beautiful and we could see the water splash up to about 250 feet. We had lunch and signed up for the boat ride. We were given life jackets to wear, and our 30-minute boat ride took us into the meandering waters of the Iguazu falls. Occasionally, we went very close to the gallons of downpour of the smaller falls, which got us drenched. Make sure to carry an extra pair of clothing as you are surely going to get totally wet! They literally take you under many small waterfalls from various angles. The experience was unforgettable!

Day 4 : We planned to visit La Boca and its surroundings that day. La Boca is famous for its colorful houses, street tango dancers and its soccer team. It makes its way on to every traveller’s list. We also visited the famous stadium of La Bombonera, which is the largest in Argentina. We choose to have lunch in La Pecora Nera Grill, which is a nice little casual fine dining place. It serves classic grilled dishes with a nice modern twist. We also visited the flea market in the afternoon to see a fantastic display of local handicrafts and products. Later, we wandered around Puerto Madero, which is a cosmopolitan neighborhood. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Obelisco which is a monument built to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city of Buenos Aires.

Day 5 : We were to head for our Chilean fjord cruise now. This was a 4 day sail showing us the most exotic sights which one could only see though this cruise, and I was really excited for it! Our flight at 8:25 am took us to Ushuaia, the southernmost inhabitation in the world. As we landed, we took a taxi to the cruise center where we filled up a few forms and dropped our luggage. We had time in hand for lunch and to explore the city, so we strolled around the streets and went to the small shops around there; it is one of the best place to buy camping and trekking gear. We also went to a coffee shop where they gave us a taste of fresh Argentinian coffee. The highlight of Ushuaia is the point that marks the southernmost tip of the habited world, and being there was a truly amazing feeling. We eventually headed towards the harbor as it was time to board our cruise ship named “Ventus Australis.” It had a total capacity of 210 passengers. The cruise had 2 small lounges and 1 main lounge as well as a restaurant. Our rooms were spacious (as compared to all other cruise liners we have been in) and offered beautiful views of the Chilean fjords. At the very onset, we were briefed about the cruise and all the safety measures as well. We were told that breakfast and lunch would be buffets, while the dinner would be a 3 course set menu. Since we were vegetarians, the gourmet chef had planned to customize the menu for us to suit our palette. We were also told that we would have no connection to the outer world, which meant no Internet and no mobile phones. At first, I felt a bit restless, but as time passed by in days to come, I realized it was a blessing in disguise. Nothing would distract us from this amazing experience of a lifetime!

Day 6 : Early morning, we were woken up by the announcement made by the crew and we were briefed on our excursion to Cape horn. Cape Horn is the southernmost point in the world, and we were told that this site can be visited only if weather permits as the water is very choppy around there. We were extremely lucky as the weather was nice and we had an absolutely clear day. Upon reaching, we climbed the hill to visit the iconic monument, and on route we visited the lighthouse and the church. The views were spectacular from the top. Every excursion ended with hot chocolate for the kids, and the same with an added shot of whiskey for the adults! I loved drinking hot chocolate in the cold climate as it gave me the warmth I needed. The same evening, we had another excursion to Wulaia Bay. We were given three choices – easy, intermediate, challenging. Seeing our fitness :), we chose the intermediate one. It was a short trek with stunning views, which ended with a visit to the museum of artifacts of the Darwin people. The day ended with the usual dinner.

Day 7 : We woke up in a hurry as we had our excursion to our first glacier experience, the Pia Glacier. We went to the glacier on zodiac boats (small lifesaving boats). It was the first time ever that I saw such a HUGE glacier and it totally stunned me! We also saw an entire block of ice melting and breaking off the big glacier, falling down making a thundering noise and creating ripples in the water. The scene was spectacular! My dad managed to capture it in his video camera, and it was a wow moment for all of us. Any number of words I use to describe the amazing scene is less. Once back in our cruiseliner, we had lunch and then went on a short visit to the engine room of the cruise. Make sure to wear your ear buds, properly as it is pretty loud in there. In the evening, we had another excursion, this time navigating toward Garibaldi glacier. It is the second largest glacier of South America (I suppose you know the biggest one!) and as tall as the New York skyscrapers. These glaciers in the Chilean fjords are probably the best piece of untouched nature I have ever seen.

Falling glacier

Day 8 : Early morning, we sailed through the Cockburn channel and entered Agostini sound, where the glaciers descend. We disembarked and went for an easy walk around the lagoon, which was formed by the melting of Águlia glacier. The walk was peaceful and this experience was a nice touch to the cruise. The evening excursion was a zodiac excursion to the Condor glacier. Since weather permitted, we were lucky to get as close to the glacier as in about 3 years, as told by our guide. The glacier also had a small waterfall towards its right corner, which made it more unique. The cruise had interesting things going on board too. To pass time, the cruise staff hosts several video screenings and games. The lounges have interesting drinks and snacks being served all day long. This night, the captain gave a toast and the cruise sail flag was put for lottery. Guess what? We won!! The cruise sail map was also put up for auction, which got sold for $900!

Day 9 : At break of dawn, we went ashore Magdalena Island inhabited with an immense colony of Magdalenic penguins. Before each excursion, you are briefed about the history and the do’s and don’t of that place. During the excursion, we also hike up a path that leads us through thousands of penguins to a small museum lodged in a vintage 1902 lighthouse. The experience is surreal. After a last and final short cruise along the strait, we were scheduled for disembarkation at Punta Arenas at 11:30 am. I can’t end the cruise section without giving my acknowledgements to Chris (our fantastic guide for most of our excursions), and to Ian and Julian who I made good friends with. We disembarked at Punta Arenas and we’re now on Chilean land where the celebration for Christmas had already started. After snacking on caramel roasted nuts, we decided to shop for a little bit. After that, we went to the most famous pizza chain over there called La Mesita Grande where the pizzas were outstanding. After lunch we drove to Puerto Natales, a small town in the south of Chile and checked in our hotel “Australis”. The rooms were small and average according to me, but on the positive the view was brilliant. It is a small town with a church and just a couple of restaurants and shops. We chose to dine at el living, which is a vegetarian restaurant with nice and simple food.

Day 10 : Exploring Torres del Paine was the plan for that day. We set off in two cars to the national park, listening to Bollywood songs and taking in the nature. We visited various places inside the park but the main attraction was Lake Grey. We watched the glacier and walked along the beach, but it was the windiest place I had ever been to. It was so windy that my Uncle and papa’s hat blew off. Such was the wind intensity that my sister and I had to run half a mile back to retrieve the cap! At one point, it almost became impossible to walk any further as the wind was blowing us all away. So we decided to turn back. Just to add here, we also had to cross an interesting hanging bridge to reach the beach of Lake Grey.

Day 11 : We went to the famous bear monument of Puerto Natales where we captured a few group pictures. We also went to the famous Fingers monument where we snapped a few shots as well. We were hungry, so had lunch at La Mesita Grande again (remember the pizzas)! We then boarded our bus and crossed the border over to El Calafate, an Argentenian town which has a nice vibe to it. Our hotel Lagos del Calafate was great with spacious rooms. For dinner we went to La Lecuza, which served brick fired oven pizza, probably the best one in a while I have had.

Day 12 : Early morning, we were up and ready for a full day tour of the famous Perito Moreno glacier. It was an hour and a half away from El Calafate. On route, we stopped at a lovely viewpoint to get the first view of this majestic glacier. Upon reaching the final point, we took several catwalks to view the glacier from different perspectives and through different panoramic balconies. Post lunch, we boarded a boat taking us in close proximity to the glacier for more stunning views. The boat ride was fun and a nice touch to enhance the overall experience. We also spotted a small piece of ice block breaking from the massive ice wall. While exiting the place, we had to buy a few souvenirs from here to remind us of this beautiful experience, and fulfil my hobby of collecting a souvenir of every country I have visited. Arriving at our hotel, we all dived into the pool to rejuvenate. Almost everyday, we walked approximately 15,000 steps which was tiring, so this was the most relaxing end to a hectic day of sight-seeing!

Day 13 : Next morning, we packed and headed towards our final destination Bariloche, the heartland of Argentina. The flight was in the afternoon, so we arrived by evening. We chose to stay at Cacique Inacayal, which is an awesome sea facing hotel. It has a pool, a spa and a games room as well as a disco. The choice of hotel was fantastic, and we all lauded my Uncle for booking this one! After unpacking, we headed out for the main city square which is the hotspot of Barioche, a short walk from our hotel. The square leads you to the famous pedestrian street with all the shops and restaurants. Also to mention, it is famous for its unique and mouth watering chocolate stores. Few of the most legendary chocolate shops are Mammushka, Rapanui, Frantom and Del Turista. These stores present you chocolates in every way you could imagine – Chocolate bars, chocolate truffles, chocolate ice-cream, chocolate éclairs, chocolate cookies, chocolates with different cocoa percentages, and the list is just unending! My favorite was RAPANUI because of its fantastic ice-creams, which were the best ice-creams I have tried in my entire life (tiramisu). That night, we had dinner in a Swiss restaurant which was also very authentic.

Day 14 : Next day was our first full day tour. First, we went to Villa la Angostura which a small town on route 40 which is the most famous highway of Argentina. From there, we headed to Vila Traful, a tiny village in the middle of nowhere. We had lunch and a delicious lemon meringue pie and strawberry shortcake. That night, we were craving Mexican food, so we decided upon el Mexicano , which is an underground restaurant with mouth-watering food and drinks. We had our fill and then over-indulged in churros, a classic Mexican desert.

Day 15 : This was our free day, so we woke up lazily and had a nice swim. After that, we went to the main street and to do some shopping. We bought souvenirs, clothes, food and of course a lot of chocolates. After having lunch at a nearby café, we headed in true brioche fashion to Rapanui to have some ice-cream. It is impossible to stay in Bariloche and not over-indulge in chocolate. It is a chocolate haven! After a short afternoon nap and as planned, we changed into our dress code for a photo shoot near the seashore of our hotel. This photo shoot captured the memories of our trip in a more memorable way. After the shoot I was craving sushi, so we went in search of a Japanese restaurant. We finally found one, and closed the evening with a nice and sumptuous dinner.

Day 16 : I was very excited the next morning as it was my father’s birthday. We decided to do the half day tour to discover Bariloche and its surroundings, heading towards Cerro Campanario (1050m) crossing Nahuel Hampi and Bonita beach. On reaching Cerro Campanario, we took a chairlift to the top. The views of the lakes and the mountains were spectacular; one of the best views I have ever had. From there, we headed towards the Llao Llao peninsula, where we had lunch at the famous and grand Llao Llao hotel. This is a luxury 5 star hotel with all the facilities you could imagine. We chose to have the salad buffet which was a gourmet spread of fine salads and a few mains and deserts, enough to fill us to the brim. The food and the service here was exemplary! We were also given a complimentary chocolate tart, to celebrate my father’s birthday. After roaming around Llao Llao for a while, we retracted to our hotel. At night, we went for a final round of the city square for a last walk in Bariloche, to experience our last few hours in Argentina, before finally heading back for home the next morning.

THIS WAS MY FIRST TRIP TO LATIN AMERICA, AND THERE ARE MANY MORE INTERESTING COUNTRIES HERE FOR WHICH I WILL BE COMING BACK SOON!

Turkey

Hi! Let me begin by introducing myself. I’m Mridul Bihani staying in India (Kolkata) and traveling has been my passion since childhood. By the way, I’m 13 years old and wanted to share some of my travel experiences though this blog portal. This is my first attempt in putting up a travel blog. So here it goes….

It took this trip with my parents in May 2018, and we chose upon Turkey as it was a new destination for all of us. The best way to start off a trip in Turkey is to visit Cappadocia. Cappadocia, also known as the hot air ballooning capital of the world is bursting with stunning rock formations resulting in beautiful valleys. If visiting Cappadocia, stay in one of the signature cave hotels. We chose to stay in Chelebi Cave Hotel, which was a quaint yet very cozy and comfortable hotel in the heart of town. This hotel also offers a fantastic spread of Turkish breakfast, which includes marinated olives, fruits, and a selection of Turkish cheeses. Walking around on streets of Cappadocia is a great welcoming into Turkish culture. Boutique shops, little cafes enlighten up the streets. You can also take an ATV tour which shows you valleys like the Love valley and the Bird valley.

At sunrise, the exceptional hot air balloon ride is a MUST. It starts off with a basic breakfast proceeding towards the base of the tour. The team involves all the visitors in helping them to inflate the balloon, which is an amazing experience in itself followed by the spectacular sight once we are air bourn. Once the experience is over, the guide sabered a glass of champagne as it is their tradition. The experience is outstanding.

Cappadocia also offers 3 other interesting day tours (red tour, blue tour and green tour). The green tour is a must costing approximately 100 euros per person, including tickets, lunch and transportation. It starts off with a visit to Selime monastery, which is a monastery in the rocks making it a strange and unique monastery. Next on the green tour is the famous UNESCO Derinkyu underground city and the authentic Turkish jewelry factory and museum. If you have more time, you can enjoy the blue and red tour as well. We did the red tour, which takes you to the famous Goreme open air museum and several other valleys, namely the which we had already seen in the ATV tour. Vegetarian meals are provided in all tours and the tour guides are extremely professional and friendly.

We enjoyed our evenings taking the traditional hammam spa in the truly ancient royal setting. Hammam includes, lying on a flat warm stone followed by scrub and a bubble massage. These are found everywhere and are reasonably priced. I would highly recommend going to one of the local hammams for an unforgettable authentic experience.

From Cappadocia, we took a flight to Izmir. This city is located in west Turkey. Staying at the izmir harbor is recommended as there are amazing cafes with a spectacular view of the Harbour. We stayed at Renaissance hotel. Swissotel is also a good option which is closer to the water front with better views. We walked along the waterfront exploring the city that day. Cafes were lined all along the waterfront; we chose MADO, which is a popular Turkish desert chain, which had amazing food.

The next day, we hired a car as a major chunk of the trip was to be completed on road, and which is why we made Izmir the base. We hopped in our car and drove towards Ephesus. On the way, we stopped to have a look at the house of mother Mary. Finally, we reached Ephesus by noon, the famous ancient roman city. It is a stunning display of the ruins of roman architecture with an amphitheater, a city hall and many houses. It is fabulous and one of the highlights Turkey has to offer. After the tour, we purchased a small souvenir at the gift shop. Then we drove off to Kusadassi for lunch. Kussadasi is a beautiful small waterfront town. Colorful buildings and narrow streets glorify it. Kusadassi has a European feel to it with small shops and amazing bistros for delicious meals and a delightful experience. After lunch, we wandered around town and got back to IZMIR by evening. (Instead of IZMIR, KUSSADASSI can also be you location of stay).

Our next destination was Bodrum. But we wanted to visit Pamukkale on route. We left Izmir early the next morning and reached Pamukkale (a UNESCO world heritage site) by noon, which is a collection of stepped sulphur pools. Do not forget to carry your costumes to enjoy the sulphur pools. Pamukkale is divided into two sections, the Cleopatra pool and the public area. To enter the Cleopatra pool, a small fee is required but it is definitely worth it. The Cleopatra pool is clean and warm, and is indeed an experience not to be missed. A food stall serves salads and slushes and some snacks as well. The public pools on the other hand are a little dirty and have mixed temperatures.

From Pamukkale we went to Bodrum, famous for its castle and beautiful harbor. In Bodrum, we choose to stay at El Vino hotel, its uniqueness being that it is animal friendly and centrally located. There are cats and dogs roaming around the whole property. The hotel offers a swimming pool and a small jacuzzi. I found the hotel to have an average breakfast with good rooms. I recommend visiting the bodrum castle, although we could not visit because it was under renovation. Walking around the streets gives the feeling of a beautiful small town. The shops are unique and the food is exotic. The best way to enjoy meals in Bodrum is to dine out in one of the harbor restaurants. They offer a wide selection of seafood and a spectacular view. You can also shop in the many of the stores on the main street of Bodrum. At night, we decided to explore the party district of Bodrum. There are plenty of places to eat and shop. Rip off stores offer duplicates of luxury clothing brands for a throw away price. I recommend buying the lemon cologne from Turkey, which was one of the best purchases I made in Turkey.

We then head on to Oludeniż the next day with a stop in Dalyan. Dalyan is a province in Turkey known for its famous mud baths. Instead of taking a public boat to travel through the calm waters of Dalyan, we decided to rent a boat for 3 hours. It is a bit costly but definitely worth the experience, steering through narrow water lanes surround by tall grass on both sides, exclusively in your private boat! We took our first stop at the beach. It had a small shack where we munched on some French fries and Turkish coffee. We also spotted a group of turtles swimming near the deck of our boat. We hopped onto our boat and proceeded towards our final destination, the famous mud baths. We were first cleaned with fresh spring water by water hoses and sent for a shower. Then we proceed with the mud bath experience. The mud is filled with minerals and salts necessary for the body. We massaged ourselves for about 10 minutes in the mud bath and went to the sulphur pools to clean up. I recommend keeping some bottles of water and a few nick-nacks to munch upon in the boat ride.

On our way to Oludeniż by car, we again stopped in the town of Fethiye where we took a lunch break. I stumbled upon drinking a Starbucks coffee again while my parents had a lunch in a nearby café in a big mall in Fethiye. Oludeniz is a small beach town only 20 minutes away from Fethiye. You could also spend a night in Fethiye than in Oludeniz as it is a bit more modern and sophisticated than Oludeniz. At Oludeniz we stayed at a lodge, which was not too good. The pool was small and the rooms were very basic. The positive thing was that it was right on the beach. I recommend Beyaz Yunus hotel for a stay in Oludeniż. We found the hotel at an extremely cheap price, which surely did the trick as we barely stayed inside and spent most of our time outside. Immediately after checking in, we left for a stroll and got a nice massage. We were quite hungry by then and wandered around town for a nice dinner place. The town is so small, you can explore it entirely by foot. On our quest for a delicious dinner place, we stumbled upon a paragliding company. Since Oludeniz is known as the paragliding capital of the world, we had to take a shot. We registered for next day at 5:00 am. I was nervous and scared, since this was going to be my first experience. We ate our dinner at a nice Italian place and slept off early that night.

At 5:00 am, sharp we proceeded towards the paragliding center where we were briefed and then drove up on a mountain. It was a half an hour ascend. As we reached the top, our gears were strapped safely on us with our co-rider cum guide. We then ran off a 70-degree slope, with my heart in my mouth! We got stunning views of Oludeniz from mid-air, and we also performed a few stunts like rapid rotation. Within 15 minutes, we landed on the beach, precisely on the spot where this paragliding company had their desk. We then took our pics and video from them on a pen drive, a memory that can never be forgotten. After an enjoyable morning, we departed for Antalya by car.

On route to Antalya, we visited the ancient ruins of Perge and Aspendos. Perge is a small Roman town located just in the outskirts of Antalya, whereas Aspendos hosts a large amphitheatre. Aspendos is amazing and no less than the Colosseum in Rome. It is huge and kept in perfect condition.

We choose to stay in Kaya Palazzo Golf Resorts in Antalya for 3 days straight. The resort was huge and magnificent. A welcome drink and a refreshing towel greeted us, which was of utmost necessity after a long journey. We were also given a band and a map of the whole property, as it was humongous. The band gave us access to free drinks, unlimited food and all services the hotel had to provide. We could enjoy unlimited drinks, food, ice-creams, spas, access the beach area and a mini water park! As we checked in, I decided to explore the property first. The property was huge with over 6 swimming pools, 6 restaurants, a golf course, a water park, a spa and everything I could think of in a good resort. I immediately changed into my costume and jumped right into the main pool. The pool was huge and the water temperature was just perfect. My parents and me ordered for refreshing mocktails as well as some poolside snacks. They tasted unbelievable! We kept ordering food until we were completely full and the biggest fun was that there was no right hand side column on the menu. As I hop-skipped and jumped from one pool to the other, the swim though greatly refreshing was a bit tiring also, so I sat on the pool chairs and sunbathed for a good amount of time. At 4 o’clock, my alarm went off I rushed towards the waterpark. The waterpark consisted of 5 slides, all-unique in their own way; a nice touch to great resorts. I loved the waterpark so much that I did all the rides at least 5 times daily. As the clock struck 6pm, my family changed and sat down facing the beach listening to the soothing voices of the waves with a drink in our hand, reflecting about the beautiful experiences we had in Turkey. At night, we went for our buffet dinner. The spread was so huge that I could not see the entire thing after half an hour also. Whenever I visited a section, a new section came to my eyes. Amazing seafood, beautiful vegetarian food and mind boggling deserts. It was truly an amazing end to a long day. The hotel also offers a midnight buffet for late sleepers which I had a chance to have a look at.

We had decided to take a day tour to a waterfall nearby, but laziness caught the better of us. We decided to spend our time in the hotel itself. We spent 2 days lazing around, and it was finally time to set off for Istanbul, the capital of Turkey.

We took Turkish airlines from Antalya to Istanbul. As we landed in Istanbul, we taxied it to Pera Palace. Pera Palace is a luxury travel hotel in Istanbul based after the famous writer Agatha Christie. The hotel is very regal with large rooms and vintage lifts. Pera Palace is also home to the world’s second oldest lift, after the Eiffel tower. We unpacked and left for the streets of Istanbul. The streets are charming and the alleys are filled with stalls selling local handicrafts. It was our first day in Istanbul and we crossed over Galata Bridge and went to the Egyptian (spice) bazaar. Originally selling medicines and spices, it still continues to function the same way. Wandering around the covered spice bazaar is a sensation to our senses. Sight, smell, taste, touch and sound. Smelling the aromas is absolute bliss. We tasted at least about fifty nuts, sweets and spices. It was one of the best markets I have ever visited in my life. Sunset was about to happen and the beautiful prayers illuminated the city signifying the end of fasting for Ramadan. That day, we choose to have a nice Indian meal and finally located a small recommended place. It gave me a taste of home!

As we woke up the next day, we were greeted by a warm cup of tea with some cookies fresh out of the oven. The breakfast was also delicious. After a hearty meal, we set off for a lengthy day of sight-seeing. Istanbul is a perfect city. It has shopping malls, historic sights, old town, new town and you may also choose to stay in Asia or Europe as Istanbul city is spread across both these continents! We first stopped at Hippodrome, which is one of the hotspots of Istanbul. From there, we went to Basilica cistern built by Justinian the first. It is a series of pathways and waterways. There is also a wish well where you may throw a coin and wish. We then went to the place Istanbul is best known for. The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The Hagia Sophia is a remarkable structure with an immense dome. Christian and Islamic art can be viewed at the same time in this beautiful monument. Right across the Hagia Sophia on the opposite side, the Blue Mosque can be seen. It is famous for the beautiful blue tile work ornamenting on its walls and magnificent example of Turkish architecture. The blue mosque has a dress code, you are recommended to know of it before deciding to visit. Right besides the Blue Mosque, you can see vendors selling hot chestnuts; just the perfect snack to energize yourself for the rest of the day.

We then went to Topkapi Palace, which is an Ottoman palace. It is collection of small museum in one entire palace. We were a little tired from sight-seeing by now, so we decided to take a break and shop in the magnificent Grand Bazaar, which is the largest covered bazaar in the world. It has over 3000 shops, each selling different things from carpets to clothing to lamps to food produce. Everything you imagine you can buy is available in the Grand Bazaar, but make sure you bargain, and bargain heavily! After visiting the Grand Bazaar, we headed towards our hotel, where on the way we glanced upon Galata tower. It is one of the city’s most striking landmarks, with a huge cone shaped cylinder that dominates the Galata side of the Golden Horn (the bridge that divides Istanbul).

At the hotel, we freshened up and left for Istiklal Street. Istiklal Street is one of the most vibrant areas in the city with restaurants, bars and shops in the historic part of Beyouglu. We stopped at a small place selling delicious Kumpir, which is a classic street food dish in Turkey after the famous doner kebab. Kumpir is a large baked potato, filled with all sort of toppings. It was one of the best street foods I had ever had. We then wandered around some shops and bought a few pairs of shoes, jeans and leather goods which are famous in Istanbul. We also stopped at Taksim Square which is the heart of modern Istanbul. For dinner, we went to ZUMA, my favourite restaurant which is a Japanese fine dining chain located in many famous cities all throughout the world. The food is outstanding and the ambiance is calm and soothing.

Next morning, we checked out of Pera Palace and checked into Swissotel Bosphorous which is in the Bosphorous side of Istanbul. It was a modern hotel; the room we got was amazing with huge glass windows, giving an awesome 180 degree view of boshphourous bridge and the Dolmabaçhe Palace, which was just below our hotel. The Turkish sultans used the Dolmabaçhe Palace, and it is kept in mint condition. The quick yet precise tour of this palace is a must on a visit to Istanbul. Right next to it is the harbor, where (for approximately 10 liras) you could hop on a boat and go to the Asian side of Istanbul. We completed our boat ride and walked in front of the harbor, taking in the sights and sounds of Turkey. We stopped at Ciragan Palace Kempinski and the Four Seasons hotels; both these hotels are exceptionally good, but demand that kind of price too. We decided to dine on the open deck restaurant of Four Seasons with stunning sunset views. The next morning, we had our last dip into the authentic Turkish breakfast with their usual huge spreads of local and international delicacies. We then packed, checked out and headed out for the airport, to get back to home finally!

THE TRIP OF TURKEY WAS DELIGHTFUL AND FUN AND AN EXPERIENCE I WILL NEVER FORGET IN MY ENITRE LIFE.

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

post