This year I will...

In 2011, I decided it was time to see more, do more, travel more. Time to work around things that kept me from traveling otherwise and so came about the resolution, #atripamonthin2011. It wasn't so tough to stick to it actually. I guess, it never is if you are working towards something you are obsessive about and enjoy. So, the successful completion of it made almost everyone who knew about it ask me what the 2012 travel resolution was. To be honest, I hadn't even thought about it and probably wasn't going to keep one this year. But the constant questions from family and friends made me want to. So a big thank you to everyone who kept asking me. :) It's now been decided.

#astateamonthin2012 is the travel resolution for 2012. Yes, it's Bhaarat darshan time. :) Am very excited about it and already jotting down places I want to visit. As always, the greed to see everything has made the list rather long *grin* but reality will shorten it I am sure. There was already a weekend trip planned to Pune end of this month so that makes the first State - Maharashtra. I know, I know, I live in Maharashtra so technically it may not count but considering I decided on this resolution just today, and it's almost the end of the month, I can take that much liberty. Yes? Yes. Thank you.

Will update you guys on the first six months, in six months. :) Till then, as I always say, happy tripping all!

The Ganges in Mumbai

Yet another discovery in Mumbai. A photography spree took me to Banganga, a hidden tank in Walkeshwar which supposedly has water flowing in it from the Ganges. How much truth there is in that, no one will ever know. But here's what I found out.

Read my piece on Banganga here: The India Tube.

"Kem Che Dikra?"

These long breaks are becoming a habit now. Sorry, but a lot has happened since May (the last post) and it has everything to do with Broken Compass. Shall write about the rather exciting and eventful journey of Broken Compass in another post.

This one is about my latest article which has been published on The India Tube website. An article about a community I love dearly. 

The Parsis. 

My love affair with the Parsi community began 14 years ago when I first met my bubbly, curly haired, mad baawi (a common term used for Parsi women) roommate at AWWA hostel, Mumbai. I would have never guessed then, that over the years, she would become one of my closest friends, and through her life, family and friends, I would become so close to her community and its culture. Post our hostel days, we ended up staying at her parents’ home in Tata Co-op Housing Colony, Elphinstone (just one of the many Parsi colonies in Mumbai). Over the 3 years that I lived there, I saw a very different side of the city. One that is a very integral part of it, yet, poles apart from the fast paced indifference that Mumbai stands for.

Here is my article on The Baugs of Mumbai.

Of new beginnings...

Remember the 'new venture' I mentioned in one of my earlier posts. The one that kept me from blogging for a while. Well, it's finally launched and on it's way.

Ever since I started traveling extensively, and began helping friends and family plan their trips on and off, I had it in my head that one day I would want to own a 'holiday planning' company. One that would make life easy for everyone by helping them at every stage; from the minute they thought of going on a holiday - through their planning - till they were off! 

A couple of months ago, I found myself having a discussion about this with a friend who had the same thought. Wonder of wonders. So we decided, instead of becoming competitors, why not pool in our resources and start this together. After all, we were both equally passionate about it.

And so, after much planning and numerous discussions, came about Broken Compass, Manjari Verma and Avani Patels brainchild. A company very close to our heart. A company we are slowly but steadily building on. Yes, we are new but we know what we do. And we make sure we do it well. 

It's a nice feeling to watch your dream turn into reality. To work for yourself. Every long working day and sleepless night seems worthwhile now. Every penny spent on making this happen seems well worth it. For now, we just hope people like what we do and things only get better. 

Wish us luck.

And yeah, happy tripping all! :)

A secret revealed on The India Tube

Weekend trips around Mumbai meant Lonavala-Khandala, Matheran or Karjat, but ten years ago. Today, there are a whole lot of places around screaming to be discovered. Quaint little, off-beat places. Places with character. Places that teach you something. Places where you can unwind. And one such hidden wonder, by location and by name, is Hideout. I am glad I visited it and gladder still to be able to share the experience with you.

The article was very recently published on The India Tube website. 

Click here to read it: A secret worth sharing

Some of India's best Eco Resorts

Another long break. Damn.

No, it wasn't laziness. It's been a busy phase, the last couple of months. In fact, a lot happened between the last post and this one - a couple of small trips, a few articles, a very exciting new venture being put into action and a whole lot of more writing and planning.

Any how, so before I begin the prelude to this article, I want to make it very clear that the 'Top 10' is just a way of saying 'some of the best'. By no means is this a claim or something approved and signed by any committee so any resort owner, hotelier who feels offended and decides to sue me after reading this, think again. This is *my* humble list, approved by my editor. Does not mean other resorts are not worth a visit or are any less Eco-friendly. So now that that very sensitive issue has been tackled, lets move on. :)

This article was published early this year in Asian Geographic. It covers some of the best eco resorts in the country. Have had a word with most of the owners and almost all of them try and do as much as they can for the environment with respect to their properties. If any of you have been to any of these, do write in your comments. 

 

Hope you enjoy reading it as much as i enjoyed discovered these places. And then, go visit!

Mumbai Rediscovered

I’ve spent almost sixteen years of my life in Mumbai and the city still doesn’t cease to amaze me. I love it. Just like any other Mumbaikar would. From the vada pav’s at every nook and corner to the throbbing night life, it’s alive at any given point of the day. Having lived in different parts of the city, I thought I knew every inch. Only a couple of months ago did I realise how wrong I was. Thanks to my interest in photography.

J and I take off every two weeks to explore some aspect of the city through our lens. We usually end up getting some fabulous street and slum shots (considering good old Mumbai has so many of those). The other day, bored of the increasing number of these and the lack of knowledge on any interesting and different  place, we resorted to the reliable Google. The first few options that popped up were the usual – Gateway of India, Chowpatty beach, VT Station and so on. Somewhere in between, there was the Zoo. Neither of us had been to a Zoo since we were kids so off we went.

One with nature

What makes for a great vacation spot? Relaxation, peace of mind, fun, adventure and novelty are just some of the things people look for. Whatever be the choice, before any vacation, there comes research. Places are ‘googled’, phone calls made, friends consulted and before you know it, you’re heading either to a beach, the mountains, a forest or just another city. But what if you discovered a place that has all of it. A place high in the mountains, bang in the middle of a forest and yet, not too far from a beach.
 
Sounds unreal?
Welcome to Wildernest Resort. 

Agra = The Taj Mahal

Right? 

Well, not entirely true. Agra is a whole lot more than just the Taj Mahal. Don’t get me wrong. The Taj and everything from its history to its architecture is exquisite. But that shouldn’t be the only reason for you to visit Agra. There’s so much more to the city (unlike what most people think). Agree, the rest of the things seem rather insignificant in comparison but it’s in these small things one finds immense joy.  Am going to jot down a couple of interesting tit-bits, do’s and don’ts, things and places to see…basically our experiences when we visited Agra and Fatehpur two weeks ago.  In the hope that when you visit next, you’ll do more than just visiting the Taj Mahal. And enjoy it.

Why not Wai?

To read this travelogue on the Club Mahindra blog site, click here: CLAY

 

For some unexplainable reason, when it comes to weekend getaways, we generally go for places that are spoken of most often, visited by people you know or splashed across websites. It's easier that way. But more often than not, we choose these because we really aren’t aware of the unsung wonders around us. How about exploring for a change? You’ll be amazed at what lies around you. One such unexplored jewel of Maharashtra is Wai, located at the foothills of the Sahayadri range and on the banks of the River Krishna. A perfect weekend getaway from Mumbai or Nashik, this historical hidden paradise is nestled in Satara and blessed with the famous seven ghats, namely, Gangapuri, Madhi Aali, Ganpati Aali, Dharmapuri, Brahmanshahi, Ramdoh and Bhimkund.

Maharashtra's most famous Verandah

The first time I saw 'The verandah in the forest' online, i swore it would be my next weekend getaway from Mumbai. That was three years ago. Little did I know I would finally end up going as their guest, to review and write about the heritage resort for www.traveltocare.com. So May 2009, I found myself lounging in Matheran's famed 'verandah', sipping on some tea and watching the forest come alive. That's another one ticked off the wishlist.

http://www.traveltocare.com/v3d0e3312h0i0j0k0m1/hotels/nikhil-pandit/manjari_verma.aspx

The Mumbai the English left behind

When Ian Seldrup, the Editor of Asian Geographic asked me if I would like to write about the Colonial influence on modern Mumbai, I jumped at the prospect. I knew it was primarily a research based article but it was (at the risk of sounding highly cliched) a 'different' topic from the usual fun travel pieces.

I have lived in this city for over 15 years and shamefully admit that I didn't know half the things i got to know through my research. A learning experience.