Philippines had been a destination on my bucket list for the last eight months and its a dream come true to experience it's magic.
I got my ticket to the Philippines thanks to an Air Asia flight sale that allowed me to get my ticket to paradise only for Rs. 10,000 roundtrip from Chennai. Without any thought, I booked the ticket and couldn't wait for the next four months to pass. Before I knew it, it was time and off I went to discover the land I had been enamoured by.
As I lay on the beach, watching a beautiful spectacle of shooting stars at Ashwem Beach in Goa, I realised that all my journeys are like these bright, vibrant lights in the sky.
The journey is as exciting as seeing a shooting star; it is bright, vibrant and full of life; and it all comes to an end in the blink of an eye-lid, giving rise to the anticipation for the next one. It's a beautiful, never-ending fascination :)
Another realisation I had during this journey to Goa was that Goa is not just a destination, it is a state of mind - A state of heightened sensations, with or without Hoffmann's dose. It is a lifestyle that encourages just being, feeling and loving each and every moment of life.
Eager to explore some hidden secrets of Maharashtra, the state that has been my home for the last four years, I decided to make a spontaneous journey to Pawana Lake. I knew of a quaint and charming bungalow perched atop a hillock near the lake, so I called the owner, Anabelle, who has become a friend since we started working together two years ago. It was an instantaneous yes, so without any delay, I packed a little night bag and set out to explore the stunning Maharashtrian country-side.
I love travelling through the western ghats in the monsoon.The greenery is mind blowing, the waterfalls are majestic and everything comes alive. Yes the leeches come alive too, but what's life without a little pinch of salt :)
Eager to explore the famous coffee land of India, I set out to wander through Coorg as part of my two week long journey through Karnataka and Kerala. Below, I've put together some highlights from my journey through Coorg. Read, see and get inspired to plan your gorgeous journey to India's coffee country!
There are some places I visit that become very close to my heart. Not just because of their aesthetic beauty, but that combined with the warmth and love of the hosts. Such places become more than a beautiful stay experience, they become home in another land.
One such place I recently experienced, is a small cottage retreat in Chikmagalur, far away from the main town, nestled deep amidst the beauty and serenity of a lush coffee plantation.
I arrived at Chikmagalur bus stop after a 4.5 hour, super comfortable bus ride from Bangalore. I was felicitated by a smiling man, Raghu, my driver and guide in Chikmagalur for the next few days. We drove past lush coffee estates, ginger and potato fields and arrived at what I consider one of the most beautiful and luxurious properties I have ever come across during my 3 years of traveling through the country. Welcome to a gorgeous villa retreat in Chikmagalur! An exquisite space designed to meet the needs of the discerning luxury traveller in India.
This is my first trip to Bangalore and I must say that I am quite charmed by this lovely city, its parks, its people, its cafes and its trees! I arrived last night, welcomed by a cool breeze and some sweet drizzle. It was quite late by the time I got in, so I fell right asleep at my cozy homestay, looking forward to waking up and exploring a new city.
I'll let the photos below show you how I spent my day wandering through the streets and parks of Bangalore :)
- An ideal weekend getaway for wanderers in Delhi
During my recent trip to Kumaon I visited the mountain jungle estate of Jilling, home to beautiful flowers and scenery, quaint pahari dwellings and sweet locals. I spent four days wandering around the estate, discovering and walking its gorgeous paths, experiencing its lovely stay options and eating fresh Kafal berries and plums straight from the trees!
A hunting lodge in the past, Lakshman Sagar is now one of the most beautiful eco-friendly luxury properties in India. Mud huts with private plunge pools overlooking the lake, luxurious dining in mahals, spectacular views of rural Rajasthan, a beautiful rock cut pool and hundreds of dancing peacocks.
I love Kumaon for many reasons - The simplicity and beauty of it's people, the calming energy of the mountains, all the amazing places to stay and the magnificent views of the Himalayas. Here is a list of 4 new places I explored during my last journey through Kumaon.
Kodaikanal is a hill station perched atop the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. That's all I knew about it before I made my way there in August, 2014. With open eyes and a curious mind, I set out to explore this colonial hill station and fell madly in love with it.
While most of my adventures take me to far away places, I never let go of an opportunity to explore whats near and close to me. Last month, an opportunity like that came calling and the next day I set out to explore two magical bungalows in Lonavala.
Although Lonavala is one of the most popular weekend destination for Mumbai and Pune dwellers, it still holds its own hidden secrets. Through my travels, I have come to realise that no matter how touristy or commercialised a place may be, it will definitely have its charming, secret elements.
Over three days, I explored two beautiful and quaint bungalows in Lonavala. Both houses are ideal for small groups of friends and families looking for scenic surroundings and a space to spend some quiet, quality time together.