Around the World in 80 Years
Varkala, Kerala, India 26th January 2015 Originally a small temple town, the South Keralan town of Varkala is fast turning into a favourite backpacker hangout. And I would attribute this to what is called ‘the Varkala Formation’ – a steep red cliff rising adjacent to a small strip of beach having excellent views of the... Continue Reading →
Madulkelle, Sri Lanka 6th-8th August 2013 Do you sometimes get tired of the monotony of life? Do you want to get away from the concrete jungles to some place where you are cut off from the world? Do you crave a vacation which would allow you to completely switch off and relax in the lap... Continue Reading →
Ramanagara, Karnataka, India 22nd February 2014 Idli is undoubtedly my favorite breakfast. This traditional South India cake made of rice batter is hugely popular not only in the South but many other parts of India. I was aware of many variations of the traditional circular Idli, but stopping at a restaurant on the Bangalore-Mysore highway... Continue Reading →
Mirissa, Sri Lanka 24th December 2015 I have never had much success with wildlife safaris. My attempts at spotting tigers or leopards in their natural habitats have ended in disappointments. So when I heard about a 'Whale Watching Safari' in the open seas off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, I was initially very skeptical... Continue Reading →
Alleppey, Kerala, India (28th January 2015) Going around the backwaters of Alleppey provides a fascinating sneak peek into the different facets of local Keralan life. One such example was when I saw a man dipping into the water repeatedly and emerging after a few moments. I thought he was taking a bath or probably swimming.... Continue Reading →
24th December 2013 I do not believe in ghosts. But I do like ghost stories. As a child, I was brought up on a diet of spine-tingling ghost stories, and I remember feeling thrilled while listening to those, although they were meant to put us to sleep. After I grew up, I seldom got that kind of excitement when... Continue Reading →
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India (25th December 2013) As we were strolling through the by lanes of desert town Jaisalmer, some soothing Rajasthani folk tunes wafted out from nearby, something which we had heard in other parts of Rajasthan also. We found the source of music to be a middle-aged turbaned man, presumably from the desert, playing... Continue Reading →
Over the Himalayas, India (3rd September 2011) As I boarded the Delhi flight from Leh after an eventful week in Ladakh, I prayed to the Gods for clear skies for the next couple of hours. This particular flight, which flies over the vast Himalayan range, is famous for its breathtaking views of the mountains, provided... Continue Reading →
Gulmarg, Kashmir, India (25th January 2009) January is one of the best months for skiing in India. But it is also a one of the trickiest months as there is always the risk of heavy snowfall ruining your plans. When we visited Gulmarg, a popular skiing destination in Kashmir, the weather was luckily perfect... Continue Reading →
