Palolem: New Year

little did i know, writing about palolem would land there this year, but yes this new year's eve was relectantly at palolem.
you should get there to experience it, one big packed beach party under the stars.
bonfires, fireworks, beach sand, wicker chairs, food abuntant, music everywhere, high spirits

made it to the neptune point as well. scenic location. but no headphones for the new year party, it was full on blasting speakers. typical goan club scene, people pouring would be an understatement.

didnt take much pictures, just this one from a friend's phone.

as cliche as it might sound, definetly goa is the place to be on new year's eve.
wishing and hoping a eventful year filled with good times

pic: at neptune point, palolem

logisitics: accommodation is very expensive on the beachfront, ranges from 2500-7000 for a shack on new year's eve. very basic. you need to walk from one shack to another asking for one. the parties go on untill sunrise.

International Film Festival of India, Goa

Movies are a favorite topic of discussion and pastime . friday lunches are for discussing the weekend releases and monday lunches are usually reviewing what one liked so much about the movie or actually elaborately discussing what one hated, so the discussion is inevitable. and thats about it, over time i have developed a diet for all sorts of movies, i dont shy away from any genre. so once you reach that kinda appetite, you divulge into art house/ meaningful/ avant garde/ auteur/ cult cinema or whatever you want to name them types, once in a while is fine.

since i was speaking of goa, plans to be an audience at the india international film festival at goa is a long pending trip of mine, due to lack of proper marketing and coverage, one tends to miss the dates of the event, also its not something
everyone looks forward to. also it is more of a political event run by the government, nevertheless it should be an experience being in such a setting. so this year i was keenly following their lacklustre website untill couple of weeks. It had no proper information whatsoever for this year's event, but now they seem to have revamped it entirely, so do check it out. It looks miles away from the previous one. the festival opens 23rd and runs untill 2nd decemberi was keen on planning it this time but in vain.

so untill next year, for anyone who is at the festival, hope you'll had a nice time. It happens at the INOX multiplex in panaji and i heard they have public screenings on the beach as well.
One other reason to make a trip

pic in post: its the picture of a wedding that happened on the beach at agonda. hoping the beach screenings have a similar effect, if at all there are some this year.

High Season in Palolem

As much as palolem looks inviting in monsoons, all its true colors come calling post october - the high season.
its been the singlemost popular and good looking beach south of the state. lots of shacks and restaurants sprout
along the entire crescent shaped beach. the waters are perfect. the sunsets visible. the quintessential high season experience.

As usual weekend evenings attract hordes of people. nevertheless a sight in itself. but afternoons should be much
more to yourself. my favourite though in this part of goa is agonda a more laidback beach.

came across this silent headphone party that happen somewhere closeby on saturdays, havent checked it out.
anyone interested can drop by.


Pics from Trip date: Dec 2006

Monsoon at Palolem, Goa

The Fury





The Storm






The calm




rains are indeed magical, it changes the landscape in india, it washes all the filth and leaves behind washed colors
of nature, its a good time to venture in the monsoons, the ordeals might seem more, but nevertheless its an adventure
worth venturing, mainly because the crowd is thin and again its washed and clean and the
grey wet weather that wouldnt tire you out.

by the sea is the place i reckon to be, the fury of the sea makes one humbled. and to watch the rain approaching
the land is exhilarating edge of the seat experience.

Digging these photos from the trip to Palolem during the monsoon month of July. the entire beach stretch was
deserted
with accomdation only in concrete structures, we stayed here on the beach all three days. the sporadic showers
in a way grounded us here and I only could be thankfull.

With continuous rains outside today, sort of remembered this trip.

Information: Though the beach might look deserted, You will get accomadation if you walk along, dont expect to swim
or boat, catch up on sleep and books.

Trip date: July 2007

MARAVANTHE

Maravanthe is the name of the beach on the west coast of Karnataka a little away from udupi along the village of Trasi.

Stay at the turtle bay resort, we were in the cabana accomadation which can fit just two, but then just a roof for the night, else you can aimlessly wander along the beach shore, or stay lying on the beach gazing the stars (until the watchman closed gates at 11.30 pm). You can still stay around inside the resort premises which has a concrete see through fence watching the sea. They have other rooms as well, which is worth the price for the location of the property.





Take a long early evening walk along the beach from the resort up north which will take you to the highway with backwaters on one side and the sea on the other ..a sight indeed.., quite a number of tea shops dot the road which is usually the pitstop of the lorrymen from across the country to an occasional swanky car owner. sit on the rocks and enjoy you cuppa chai( cup of tea) and biscuits and watch the sun go down. walk back to the resort (carry a torch of course)

(above) Collage of pics taken while on the long walk








(above) along the highway.











info you might need

for the backpacker: direct buses from Bangalore leave to Kundapur (KSRTC, Private as well), from kundapur get another bus to Trasi - enquire with the conductor before you board, usually most of the buses ply empty in this route (note: we were travelling on a weekend off peak) so they oblige to stop. another auto ride from Trasi will take you to the gates of turtle bay resort Call and book in advance.

(pic above) a near empty bus between kundapur and trasi

But the problem would be getting back, as there are no autos near the resort, you need to either walk back in the hot sun or enquire at the reception for a auto or drop.

food at the resort is average, so stick to general fare, the cook keeps changing so at your luck









articles worth a read to get a feel of the place

article in outlook traveller

the resort is called turtle bay because , yes turtles tend to flock the beach to lay their eggs, and this article in DNA on the maravanthe turtles prompted me to post this destination in the first place, so read through







(above) Watch the sea through the abundant casuarina trees that dot the property

Trip date: March 2010

FORT KOCHI - STREETSCAPES

On a sunday afternoon, the streets were totally deserted. this is the road that takes one to the jew street in mattancherry from fort kochi jetty






This is the closet one can get to a feel of european cobble stone streets in india, this jew street leading to the synagogue is filled with antique and curio shops.









one of the numerous brightly colored shops found in the heart of fort kochi, this one is next to the tea pot cafe.






lot of boutique, heritage hotels dot fort kochi. one such was old harbour hotel, the whitewashed walls contrasting the hotel font are a pull to any camera lens.

SUN RISES OVER VARANASI ON A WINTER MORNING

morning sunrises are refreshing just as the sunsets are soothing.
getting up early is an humongous task while on a holiday, but a worthwhile experience. I would rather stay awake until morning light than to sleep to get up.

In the above pic, sun rises over the religious capital of India, Varanasi on a winter morning.

The early morning boat ride is one of the best experiences of Varanasi, One arrives at the ghats early in the morning say 5 to bargain your boat ride. The ride lasts for an hour or more untill you see the sun rise and people thronging the banks for a early morning holy dip. Once the early light creeps in you realise that the whole tourist population are on the river too.

more morning pictures in this post: Varanasi - Authentic India
Trip Date: Jan 2007

FORT KOCHI - CULINARY ADVENTURES

Fort Kochi is a haven of fine restaurants, unique in style and abundant in variety. It is definitely any food connoisseur's destination. This is my first such culinary trip where we went about from one restaurant to another on our hired cycles. depending on the prices, you choose to have either the starter, main course or the dessert. not necessarily in that order.



The beautiful Malabar Junction restaurant in the Malabar house hotel
our main course destination, we had three curries with rice. a lamb, a fish curry and pork vindaloo. thick and absolutely delicious. This one is a must visit

for its laid back ambiance and the food of course.





kashi art cafe also is a must visit for its arty space and some home made pastries.



Brunton Boatyard is the alpha of it all. expensive dishes do come with their signature offerings yet we stuck with the desserts. Do try it for some authentic kerala recipes which it claims to offer.






Tea pot is another must visit for its quirky setting and theme with different tea varieties, very European.







As the name board reads, this place is really old, we were served home made food in the same room where the family dines. Had some delicious roast chicken,

check this out for lunch.



the cheapest destination, masala dosas in udipi style. very India coffee housish



kerala style food after a boat ride.
one handy reckoner was this article in outlook traveler on cochin's culinary delights.

All the restaurants are on fort kochi within a kilometer's radius, You can hire cycles to move around. On the mainland near the boat jetty you will find lot of agents offering countryside boat trips and kerala style meal on the boat package. One should haggle to get a good deal. They usually transport you to the starting point of the boat ride in a 4 wheeler. The package includes a ride through narrow water lanes in a canoe as well as the motor boat ride in the lake.
Trip date: May 2007

REVIVING SUNSET CAFE

Sunset at the Fort Kochi Boat Jetty. This was just after when it had rained, on a sweltering hot May afternoon in Kerala. The next post would be on the culinary experiences we had while here.

New Year @ Puducherry

Restoring to posting pics again starting this year.
i know i have missed last year's new year destination and a whole lot of other places. but i'll pick them and post randomly.

so this new year's was at Pondicherry!
i made a trip to this place six months back during peak summer may.

but then, this is how new years is at Pondy.

there are lot of beach resorts on the outskirts of the town having their own packages ranging from 2000 to 3000 for a couple, everything seemed like attending a wedding reception, wanted a more private place for a nice dinner, so headed to the french colony enquiring at all the heritage hotels, killer expensive it turned out to be ranging from 4k to 6k with some places already sold out.

so strictly adivse one to have a definite plan for the night.
otherwise you see the local youth recklessly driving along the lanes yelling the arrival of the new year. rather spend the nite with your folks sipping over your drink reminiscing over the past year, which we did finally.

Varanasi - Authentic India

BLISS!
the ever
populated,
vibrant,
ancient,
mystic and the very authentic varanasi alais benaras alias kashi.






































Early morning colors at Varanasi.
Will post soon.

Goa Again - Agonda

Its almost going to be a year now. So before the new year arrives, thought would pen down the past new year's destination. Reluctantly i disclose the location its a beach in Goa namely Agonda. Not a great looking one unlike its counterparts, but its more for the laid back crowd minus the crowd . suituated to the north of Palolem, this beach was absolute bliss



A Morning in Agonda, the colors are so soft and real you feel that your walking in a painting.










Huts lined across the beach front. For a bargain of anywhere between 150 - 200, you a hut right on the beach. You literally jump into the sand from your bed.










The views from the Hut, You just lie there in your mattress and endlessly stare at the waves and the clouds that gather and your excussed to take short naps in between. What better way to kill time











A wedding on the beach would be the most ideal one. Lucky we, witnessed my first wedding on the beach complete with a singing band, a sumptuous buffet spread and friends surrounded. uninvited guests that we were, Stayed till the entire function was done and helped them clear the stage too.











Sunsets are magical, this last sunset of year 2006 was no less.

Street Scapes - Calcutta

Every corner of the city is thriving with life.


this pic reminds me of the cover of the Kite Runner. puris against the green background.

Taken in bandel.












a contrasting mix of red against blue with the chair as the prop.
This was just below the howrah bridge.

colors splashed across the entire city.
You find a lot of barbers right on the street grooming the indian men all day!
they even clean your ears!














red rules here,

The filthy ghats along the hoogly, this one was just behind the flower market below the howrah.











The busy flower market below the howrah.
yellow and saffron, the essentials at the hindu altar. sagic

its a ariel shot Taken from the howrah bridge










old world charm, wish it rains while you are seated inside watching time pass by.

the ambi against the yellow walls of St.Pauls Cathedral.














blissful, to sleep there where he is not bothered about whats happening around.

taken on the streets of bandel.















down under howrah, i should have had an entire blog for the pics under howrah.
So much activity and life you see here.












yet another picture under the howrah in the flower market, with filth and dirt accumlated everywhere

Calcutta

Welcome to the land of yellow taxis, rosogullas, tagore, theatre, howrah and victoria.
The city of Joy. Lotta random thoughts when I think of this place, vibrant and populated, complete contrast to any Indian city though it is very much indian. it holds in place lot of pre Independence history, being the british capital of India.You would have not been prepared for it, but you would want to learn more and discover as you walk through.

Below are pictures i clicked while on my stay here. Looking at them, it is very different from the usual urban indian landscape.



At night, with a grey fog and cold wind, it almost allows one to imagine that it is London - Winston Churchill


True to that statement, certain pockets of Calcutta are abundant with british architectural buildings and establisments. Strolling across the streets of Dalhousie or Park Street one is left with a strong feeling of wandering in british ruled India.

(Above)Sun sets over the Victoria memorial.










The famous Park Street, Retail Space admist the colonial architecture buildings is very unique, Lotta favorite eatries and educational institutes dot here. Try the katti rolls adjacent The Park Hotel or experience the british pub feel at someplace else or treat yourself a pastry at flurrys, a yum meal at Peter Cat and some book browsing at the Oxford book store, not to forget tea at the corner Tea place.











After the indulgence at Park Street, take a leisurely walk to the Indian museum
(Above) the victoria statue at the museum










Dalhousie is filled with buildings of british architecture and importance, which now houses banks and other establisments.
Above is the paul's cathedral on dalhousie square.











St Pauls Cathedral in the dalhousie square is yet another significant colonial structure. Do visit for some more history










Around St paul's cathedral













Flurry on Park Street, is yet another expensive affair. the pastries are some of the best that i have tasted.











The famed vidyasagar sethu.
Mystic and huge.











The famous yellow taxi speeding across






















The park street cemetry at the north end of park street, Spend an afternoon reading the tombstone of british soldiers and scholars and their families. very nostalgic.
the place should look its best after a rain shower.











Watch the light and sound show in the evenings at the Victoria memorial.
Especially worth it to see the structure lit up in the dark with no much crowd around













The most famous landmark of kolkatta, the howrah. see it lit with colours that change. splendid.