Nils

Wineries of Nashik, Maharashtra

India, Maharashtra, Nashik, Travel / By / August 9, 2021

Wine is made from grapes. The processes that go into wine making include harvesting of the grapes, pressing, fermentation, aging and finally bottling. There are several additional steps for making of the different types of wines and imparting unique flavors to each.

Grapes require a specific type of soil and weather to grow successfully. Sandy soils which have a good water holding capacity are ideal. Weather should be hot and humid in growing phase and cold during dormant phase; ideal temperatures are 15-40°C. These and other factors make Nashik region in Maharashtra, India perfectly suited for growing grapes, thus earning it the title of “grape capital of India”.

Top 3 Vineyards & Wineries in Nashik

Nashik sports numerous vineyards and wineries because of its grape growing capabilities. Some of them have commercialized or branched out into resorts and restaurants and make for fun tourist destinations. I have visited 3 of these wineries – handpicked after research – and have been impressed by all of them. They make for ideal day trips from Mumbai and Pune.

Some enroute images below.

Without further ado, here’s the list in no particular order.

  1. Sula Vineyards – Sula is the most popular winery in India. It is the largest producer of wines in India and is the most awarded. It has a wide range of wines – red, white, rosé, sparkling etc.

Sula has a guided wine tour about the wine making process which includes a wine tasting at the end. They have a restaurant, shops, some cute displays for insta-worthy photo opportunities. They also have a resort. Ideal time to visit is January to March.

When we visited in the month of February, the vineyards were in full bloom. We took the wine tour which was informative as was the wine tasting. We asked a lot of questions about the different kinds of wines and were given knowledgeable answers. The restaurant serves good quality food which coupled with the superb view was just wonderful and ofcourse their delicious wine added to the whole experience.

The memento shop sells some cute paraphernalia, and I bought a commemorative T-shirt. Ofcourse, we did buy wine from the wine shop. Then we wandered around and took some lovely photos and had the time of the day.

  1. Vallone Vineyards – Vallone is India’s first boutique winery and they make French styled The vineyards are beautiful and make for a scenic view. The food in their restaurant is delicious – believe me, you’ve got to try it. The server suggested wine pairing with our food and it was good quality wine.

  1. Soma Vine Village – Soma is known for its luxury resorts which makes for a relaxing weekend destination. The main building of the winery has a gallery of informative boards and is beautifully decorated. Soma too offer wine tour and tasting but we did not opt for the same.

    We had a relaxing day with good food and wine and some fantastic views.

Next on my List

York Winery & Tasting Room – This is close to the Soma Vine Village and looked to be a very pretty winery. This is next up on our list to visit on another day trip from Mumbai.

This post was written as part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.

Top 5 Places to Eat & Shopping Havens in Pearland, Texas

Houston, Travel, USA / By / August 7, 2021
Featured

Most of my international trips were part of my work trips, when I arranged to reach couple days earlier than the agenda or stayed back a few days after the work was over so that I could enjoy the highlights of what the city / town has to offer. Twice, I took side trips to San Francisco and Chicago. Sometimes, however, the workdays themselves offered opportunities to do a bit of exploring. Such was the case when I was in Houston for work for 2 whole weeks.

2 Weeks in Pearland

During the 2-week stint at my company headquarters in Houston, I stayed in Pearland – a city just outside of Houston, Texas. Pearland has a total area of 47.5 square miles and a population of 91,252.

My hotel was in the heart of Pearland City near Pearland Town Center. Every evening, after work, I would roam around the City Center, venturing into shops, gazing into the various boutique displays and when the time came for dinner, hopped into one of the many eateries scattered around Pearland. On the weekends, I had time to explore some more, go into the little side streets and taking in the feel of suburban township.

Top 5 Eateries

The fortnight, including weekends, saw me have my meal in a variety of restaurants and trying out different dishes every other day. Thus, I compiled this list of the 5 best places to eat in Pearland, Texas.

  1. Fish City Grill – This was my number one go-to place. A fish-based restaurant, this serves up a diverse menu ranging from familiar dishes to some exotic and unique ones. You have got to try their oyster tacos and shrimp & grits! Alongside, they serve a pink lemonade which is so tasty and is a lifesaver in the scorching summer days. All of this at very reasonable prices.
  2. LongHorn Steakhouse – You can’t visit Texas and not eat at a steakhouse. It is a must do! In Pearland, LongHorn is a classy restaurant with a subdued décor which serves mouthwateringly delicious steaks. This one is a little heavier on the pocket.
  3. BJ’s – BJ’s is a sports bar and brewery with a wide range of food choices from pork ribs to steak to pizza to chicken wings and their very own award-winning handcrafted beers. The décor is large TVs telecasting sports and the atmosphere is casual bonhomie.
  4. Bonchon – It’s the Korean version of KFC! I dare to say, even better than KFC. Fried chicken – wings, drumsticks, strips – and hot, sticky, sweet sauces to go along with them. Served with different types of sides, it’s there to satisfy your chicken craving.
  5. La Madeleine French Bakery & Café – Right near the main highway lies this gem of a French café. It has sandwiches, salads, breakfast and brunch items and ofcourse coffee. But its bakery items are to die for – tarts, crème brulee, eclairs etc. Delish!

Top 5 Shopping Stops

In my wanderings around Pearland, I also did quite a bit of window shopping. Oftentimes this would result in me succumbing to temptation and buying something or the other. Anyhow, I still had time to browse through a lot of shops, so here’s my list of 5 best places to shop in Pearland.

  1. Bath & Body Works – I absolutely loved this store. The smells and colors were fascinating. Most times they have lucrative offers like buy 2 get 1 or reduced prices in general. Shower gels, lotions, hand creams – these are my jam! Their aromatherapy range is just mindblowing.
  2. Rue 21 – This is a cute little shop which sells clothes and accessories. I especially loved their range of perfumes, got myself some. They also have cute tops at very reasonable prices.
  3. Dillard’s – This is a department chain store which has good sale and offers. While there were quite a bit of pricey branded stuff, I was able to spot a cool offer on Clinique products which made my day.
  4. Macy’s – This is another department store for clothing and accessories having a wide variety of collections and you will have a fun time browsing and maybe buy a dress or two!
  5. Walmart – To Americans this may sound too banal, but I absolutely adore Walmart. You can get anything under the sun at cheap prices and can browse for hours to find your perfect thing. I have bought cosmetics, comfy pajamas, stationary, kitchen items and whatnot from there. So do step in and wander.
Bath & Body Works lotion and body wash

Notable Mentions

Some other stores worth a mention. If you are so inclined, don’t forget to visit these stores.

  • Barnes & Noble – This is a famous bookstore complete with a seating section for reading and a café. The store also sells book-themed magnets, bookmarks, bag pins, stationary and some really cool and funky stuff. Visit this one for the books and the bookmarks. You’ll love it!
  • Chick-fil-A – I hadn’t heard of this until I visited Houston. It’s a better, tastier version of KFC, I can personally vouch for that. Pearland has a branch, so be sure to get a quick takeaway and enjoy the crunchy chicken with yummy dips.
  • Charming Charlie – Last but not the least, Charming Charlie is an utterly adorable and bohemian shop for accessories like bags, jewellery, hats, scarves, shoes etc. The décor is charming and the collection is wonderful. I shopped quite a bit from here and I loved everything! Unfortunately, I think it’s closed now (as per Google) but I thought it’s worth a shout-out.
Barnes & Noble (Pic from google)

So there’s my list of places to eat and shop in Pearland, Texas. If in town, do not forget to check out these places and let me know if you found this helpful.

This post was written as part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.

Must do trip from Gangtok – Nathu La & Tsongmo Lake

India, Sikkim, Travel / By / August 6, 2021
Chhangu featured

Gangtok is located in the north eastern part of India, in the state of Sikkim. It is a pretty mountain town which is a popular tourist destination. While there are a lot of sights and attractions in and around Gangtok itself, a trip to Nathula Pass and Tsongmo Lake is a do-not-miss, must-do day trip.

Intro pic
The Town of Gangtok

The border at Nathu La

Nathu La is literally called “The Pass of the Listening Ears”; “Nathu” means listening ears and “La” means pass. Situated on the Indo-Tibetan border, it is one of the highest passes in the Himalayas at 14,450 ft. It is one of the three open trade routes between India and China (China occupied Tibet region) and also serves as an official Border Personnel Meeting Point.

While its history is interesting and it has a deep political and economic significance, the main reason why this is a must visit attraction in Sikkim is because of its eye-catching beauty. Covered in dazzling white snow (in winter), ensconced between the mighty Himalayan mountains, the Nathu La is enthralling.

When I visited in 2011 with my family, the snow held me utterly spellbound. My sister and myself had fun romping in the snow, making snowballs to simply enjoy the feel of it on our palms. In the month of October the cold was pretty sharp, but it was an invigorating feeling.

Tip: The weather is cool all year round but in winters the roads are generally blocked due to heavy snowfall which will make the pass inaccessible. So the best time to visit is during the post summer months in my opinion of September to November when you can still enjoy the snow. Be sure to bundle up in your woolens and keep your ears and hands covered.

Tip: It is inadvisable for elderly people to visit since the altitude may cause breathing trouble.

That Patriotic Feel

The fact that it is an international border was of course not lost on us – the Indian and Chinese flags on either side of the fence, the military huts, and the brave Indian Soldiers safeguarding our country from external threats despite the cold and isolation.

We talked to a few soldiers, took photos with them and thanked them for their service to our motherland. Please do show respect for the border and its guardians when you visit.

How to arrange a trip

Due to the sensitive nature of this pass, one is required to obtain a permit to visit the border, via a travel agency. The hotel in Gangtok arranged it for us. The permit is only given to Indian nationals and each day only a certain number of people are allowed to visit. Once we received the permit, we traveled on a shared jeep from Gangtok to Nathu La and back. The road is bumpy at places and it’s a long drive but it is worth the wondrous beauty of Nathu La.

Tip: Read more about permits here.

Tsongmo Lake

On the way back from Nathu La to Gangtok, is another must-visit attraction – the Tsongmo Lake. Also known colloquially as Chhangu Lake, it is situated at the height of 12,500 ft. This is an alluringly beautiful and mammoth lake nestled between the formidable mountains. The calm lake and its foggy cover gave it an ethereal look and feel and I simply stood there and took its essence in.

The weather was a chilly cold with a sharp bite in the air as it rippled the surface of the water. In winter though, the lake is frozen. The lake changes colours with seasons and is greatly respected by the local people.

One of the things to do here is to take a Yak ride on the edges of the lake. I however did not venture to take one since it was just too cold! My suggestion would be to not miss out on this opportunity to take a yak ride – something not easily found elsewhere.

Fortune favors the brave

The rough journey, the super cold, the exhaustion from the long day is all worth it when one encounters these 2 absolute jewels outside of Gangtok, Sikkim. If in Sikkim, do not miss this trip!

Some sceneries of the ride to and from Gangtok…

This post was written as part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.

Quick Road Trip From Mumbai – Alibaug

India, Maharashtra, Travel / By / August 4, 2021
Alibag featured image

Alibag, or Alibaug, is a small coastal town in the Konkan region of Maharashtra known for its pretty beaches and for its myriad range of water sports. While it is mostly popular as a weekend getaway from Mumbai, my husband and myself had taken a short half day trip last December.

Spontaneity is Best

While planning for a trip is a fun and a big part of the excitement of travel, sometimes decisions taken impulsively work out for the best. This is what happened to us one fine Saturday morning. Covid restrictions had lightened, and the situation was looking better so we thought of taking a short trip.

We discussed where to go, its pros and cons, if we should go at all yada yada but for two weeks nothing materialized. And then, while lazing post our Saturday breakfast one random weekend, we decided to drive to Alibag just to watch the sunset over the water. A quick lunch and we set off for Alibag!

Decision taken at the drop of a hat, spontaneous is sometimes the perfect answer!

The Drive

Alibag is located at a distance of 96 kms. from Mumbai. It can be reached via sea using ferry services from Gateway of India and it takes about an hour. But ours was a road trip!

We drove from Mumbai to Alibag in just under 2 and ½ hours. The road is mostly a good one except in a few places. It was a pleasant drive and added to our fun adventure trip. Music on, singing along and a pleasant December weather – a perfect drive.

Of Sunsets & Togetherness

We reached a few minutes before the sun was due to set – we had checked on Google. Alibag Beach was bathed in a pre-sunset gleam, the waters soaking up the last rays of the sun while gently lapping on the sandy shore. I love the ocean and just being on the beach excited me.

Our masks on, we roamed the beach and just enjoyed the laid back, lazy atmosphere. As the sun gradually descended towards the horizon, we stood and admired the glory of that fiery ball slowly sinking until all that was left was its mystic afterglow. It was magical. This was life – with your loved one, enjoying the charm of nature.

Tea at Dusk

After frolicking in the water for a while – after all, a trip to the beach isn’t complete without getting my feet wet, is it? – it was time for tea and biscuits. I had packed a thermos of piping hot tea from home (covid precautions) and brought along some Oreos. We sat on the beach and enjoyed the hot tea and biscuits in the dusky evening light. Ah, sheer bliss!

After one last stroll around the beach, it was time to head home. This short but fun trip was like a balm on our souls after having been cooped up for so long. It was a perfect quick road trip to satisfy our wanderlust.

This post was written as part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.

Stopping by the Woods – Muir Woods, California

Environment, San Francisco, Travel, USA / By / August 2, 2021
Muir Woods

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep” – Robert Frost

Muir Woods epitomizes this quote. I visited this U.S National Park in 2019 when I had taken a side trip to San Francisco after my work trip to Houston. From SF, the Muir Woods tour was arranged as a half day trip. When I had planned the trip I had no idea how fulfilling this experience would be, how enriching a sojourn. This is a must do trip from San Francisco – everyone out there and not just nature lovers.

Reaching the Woods

I booked the Muir Woods Tour via Tower Tours which included a shuttle bus ride to the woods and back to SF plus the entry ticket to the Muir Woods itself. It also included a tour guide for the shuttle ride part. I compared this with the Big Bus tours – this was cheaper, and the pickup point was much more convenient.

Tip: You can also drive or bike there but parking there is limited and from what I gleaned on the internet, its better to take this shuttle. Know more here.

  • Cost for the tour was $69 at that time (all inclusive) but do check the latest prices here.
  • Starting point of the shuttle bus is the Tower Tours office near Fisherman’s Wharf.
  • Tour guide gives commentary as we drive through the city and to the woods.

The 30-minute drive to the woods is over the Golden Gate Bridge and through the lovely town of Sausalito – my trip to which I have previously shared. I was treated once again to the wonderful views of the Pacific Bay and the iconic Golden Gate. It was a typical San Francisco foggy morning and the drive was an enervating one.

Once there, I was free to enter and wander as I wished but had to return within 2.5 hours for return trip.

Muir Woods National Monument

The woods are officially called the Muir Woods National Monument. It is an isolated canyon filled with ancient coastal redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) which are native to the Pacific Coast. It is a United States National Monument and is under the National Park Services. Congressman William Kent donated the land to protect the redwoods from the logging industry boom and insisted it be named after naturalist John Muir.

The redwoods are over 1000 years old and tower to heights of 260ft!! These are some of the oldest sequoias of California which are sustained by the region’s famous temperate marine fog.

“This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world” – John Muir

Hiking Trails

The entire forest is laid out in numerous hiking trails of various levels of difficulty but with different views and experiences. There is a map at the entrance to indicate all the trails and their routes. At various points where there are branch offs for a new trail, there are markings and a map indicating the trail start. The map also includes information on the estimated time required to complete that particular trail and the difficulty level of the same.

The main trail is the Redwood Creek trail which covers the main area of redwood alleyways interspersed by creeks at ground level. One can cut off at various bridges – Bridge 1/2/3/4 – and loop back to the start.

Trail map

Some of the other notable trails:

    • Bohemian Grove Trail
    • Hillside Trail
    • Ben Johnston Trail
    • Dipsea Trail
    • Bootjack Trail
    • Canopy View Trail

I took the main Redwood Creek trail right upto the Bridge 4 which took about 45 minutes. From there I returned to the main trail via the Hillside Trail which is where I climbed above the main ground level of the forest and hiked along the lower edges of the mountains. This took about an hour.

The hikes provided good exercise and I could feel my adrenaline pumping as I explored the trails and went up and down the hilly paths. The weather is cool and pleasant and is very embalming and invigorating.

Tip: Do carry a jacket with you at all times of the year since it gets chilly inside due to all the tree cover.

Towering Beauty of the Redwoods

The hike through the woods was an amazing experience. The lofty trees soaring into sky was a stunning sight to behold. Here and there were some small streams intersecting the dense forest and adding to the beauty of the scenery. The dense redwoods were sometimes grouped into groves, sometimes they stood like sentinels guarding the inner secrets of the forest. Along the base of the trees were shrubberies crowded with such pretty flowers!

Even though most of the trees are redwoods, the view never got boring or repetitive. Each tree seemed unique in its own right and had its own personal charm – some were knotted, some bent double, some with double trunks, some with mini caves at their base; the diversity was unbelievable.

Be One with Nature

The woods are so calm and serene that it pervades your soul and brings that sense of peace in you. The tinkling sound of flowing water along with the occasional chirping of birds were the only sounds and it was such melodious music to the ears.

The strength of the trees provided proof of the longevity of nature and inspires one to help preserve the redwoods as they are. There were few trees which had been struck by lightning and literally burnt to the ground some time back. From those scorched remains, the trees grew back and ascended to their true glory. Nature is resilient but we should never take that for granted. Care and love are much needed by them.

Due to dense population of the trees, there is not much wildlife in the forest – but that’s how nature works and its a wonderful ecosystem.

Café and Shop

Near the entrance gate are the woods’ café and shop. The café boasted of delicious cookies and other food which I unfortunately had no time to taste. The shop sells pretty curios and mementos – magnets, Tshirts, keychains etc. Do check them out and buy one memento of this beautiful monument. I got a cute magnet.

This post was written as part of Blogchatter Half Marathon and Blogchatter’s Cause A Chatter campaign.

Book Review: Beyond Fairy Tales by Deepika & Shalini

Books / By / July 23, 2021

We all have read and heard fairy tales in our childhood in some form or the other – perhaps Mom narrated it to us, or elder sister lent her book or we our self were gifted or bought an illustrated book. For me, I was gifted the “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” at a tender young age. The resplendent red letters-on-white printed on the hardbound cover was so attractive! But not more than the tales themselves. I devoured the pages reciting the stories of Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White, Frog Prince etc. Over the years the pages were thumbed through so many times that I knew the stories by heart – it was one of my best and well-loved books.

About the Book

But did I or any of us ever wonder the real meaning behind these stories? What did they mean, why did those characters behave in that way? Did we imbibe the essence of these stories subconsciously? Did our childish minds put their own connotation on them and act accordingly?

This is what Deepika Sharma explores in her book Beyond Fairy Tales. She has researched these fairy tales and given her views on the hidden meanings and significance of these so-called children’s stories. She explains what interpretation can be put on the actions of the lead characters and whether these tales are at all fit to be relayed to children. The book begins with an introductory chapter on what Fairy Tales are. To quote Deepika,

“A fairy tale generally has mythical creatures like dwarfs, elves, fairies, goblins, talking animals, witches, and usually magic.”

Book Cover

Each chapter is about one such fairy tale and is accompanied by poetic verses by Shalini at the end. Strictly speaking, not all the stories are fairy tales; some are fables (The Fox and the Grapes), and some are part of other general children’s stories (Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Aladdin and the Magic Lamp). Some are known tales like the ones I mentioned above but some are stories few of us would have heard of like The Story of Zoulvisia.

Lessons from our Childhood Stories

We know fables are meant to teach us some morals but fairy tales were never meant to do so. They were simply there for entertainment purposes, for the pleasure of reading and listening. However, children are sensitive and impressionable and therefore we must be careful what we let them read and hear.

Throughout these fairy tales, there are some recurring themes which are meant to teach us some lesson. This book looks at all such themes and analyses the teachings behind them.

  • Prince or princesses wander into the forest despite being warned not to; there they meet some evil which aims to harm them. Lesson: listen to your elders when they warn you against something. Thumbs Up
  • The Price or Princess accepts gifts from unknown people and are faced with horrors of some kind. Lesson: Do not talk to strangers. Thumbs Up
  • Princesses marry the handsome prince who rescues them from imprisonment or spell of some other wicked fate. Lesson: Females are obliged to return a favor by handing over their lives. Thumbs Down
  • People are judged on the basis of their looks and are treated accordingly. Thumbs Down.
  • Hard work, knowledge, honesty, loyalty are admirable traits which should be the basis on which relationships are built. Thumbs Up.

These and many such lessons are interwoven in the fairy tales which Deepika skillfully interprets and draws out from each story.

Apart from this, every story is prefaced with its history – its origin, various versions and changes over the ages and finally the modern-day version which we all know.

The Poetic Verses

Shalini breaks down each of the fairy tales/stories into multi-verse poems which partially narrate the whole tale and partially speak of the moral of the story. I am in awe of these poems – to be so creative and write an age-old story in such poetic way is absolutely amazing. And they all rhyme! That astounds me. Some extracts from the poems:

Poetic Verse from Hansel and Gretel
Poetic Verse from Thumbelina
Poetic Verse from Iron Hans

Feedback & Special Mention

I really have no negative criticism for this one except a small one. Sometimes the story and the lesson mingles up and the chapter meanders a bit. And since the stories are mentioned in summary, sometimes there seems to be some sort of de-link. But this is just in some stories and a minor point. The concept of the book is unique and the writing is very enchanting.

Special mention to this poem which I can so relate to!

YOUNG MAN

Hey Pop, what do you know about hip hop!

There’s so much fun and rhyme, the best way to spend time.

And have you ever heard of rap wars, and what they are meant for,

Two bands stand face to face, twisted caps with an open lace, They call out high and loud, and spread a craze in the crowd.

Now that’s what I call entertainment, keeping the abuses in containment.

FATHER WILLIAM

The music in my days, scattered melodious rays

Oh! It touched the soul inside, on the waves of bliss I used to ride.

What’s there in these songs that you like, not a single right chord they strike.

Go! Get those tapes that make all feet tap, and I bet you’ll forget your rap.

In Summary

Sometimes though, a story can be read just for the fun of it and I can vouch for the fact that I had fun reading them as a child. However, when I do read them to my child someday I will perhaps edit the stories based on the analysis mentioned in this book. Read the book and be delighted and learn some valuable lessons. Download the ebook here.

This review was written as part of Blogchatter Book Review Program especially the Ebook Carnival series.

Read my other book reviews here.

Book Review: Bloggers Unplugged

Books / By / July 20, 2021

A blog is very frequently referred to as an individual’s online diary. While the essence of this statement is true, it’s not all that easy going – speaking from experience of doing both. I have been writing a diary since I was a child, scribbling away every night about my day, about the highlights of my life and about my wants and desires. I used to write as if I was chatting to my best friend! Gradually, the nightly ritual diminished to few days a week, which turned into months (when I had too much built up and just had to spill!) and now it has completely stopped. Time seems to fall short always.

Blogging is all the above and much, much more. One must create fresh content on a regular basis which may or may not be inspired from their own life. Then there are the technicalities which sometimes seem like a burden – “Can’t I just write and the rest will work out eventually?”. Well, not really – there’s a lot to look out for and take care of if you aim to be a serious blogger. This is what author Ruchi Verma explains in her book Bloggers Unplugged – “a sneak peek into bloggers’ life”.

About the Book

The book contains “26 Lessons from Bloggers Life” (from the book cover) where blogger Ruchi Verma explains all there is to know about being a successful blogger. Ruchi is a multiple award-winning blogger who’s been in this field for 7 years. So, she speaks entirely from her experience when she enlists 26 ways to help a blogger; giving an idea of what goes into creating and maintaining a blog.

Book Cover

A Wellspring of Information

“There are many budding bloggers, new bloggers who love to put in their hard work but still not aware of some or many terms. This book will give them a ray of guidance to work better in their blogging journey.”

I am a new blogger – just started out last year. And I am the perfect model of what Ruchi says in her preface as quoted above. I work hard at creating content, trying to make each post look interesting, taking part in campaigns to increase exposure but I barely know most of the terms and what they stand for that I, as a blogger, should be aware of.

Each chapter of this book is about a term – technical or generic or commercial – which a blogger needs to know about. It explains about what the term stands for, why it is important and how a blogger needs to go about executing it AND a secret tip at the end of each chapter.

There’s a fountain of information in each chapter, and all of it’s related to a) how to write better content and why it’s necessary, b) how to promote a blog, or) how to keep track of how well the blog’s doing and then take steps to improve on it. There’s also DOs and DONTs which every blogger must follow.

There are terms I know about but don’t always follow, but after this book I plan to explore them and incorporate them, like:

  • Google Analytics, Domain Authority and Page Authority (from Growth chapter)
  • Adding keywords – long tail, short and medium (she explains with example in Keywords chapter)
  • Media Kit

The Illustrations

Every chapter is accompanied by her illustration which I adore – they are cute, funny and to-point. They demonstrate how a blogger’s mind work vis-à-vis a normal person. I like the effort and thought that has gone behind these pictures.

  • Illustration 1
  • Illustration 2
  • Illustration 3

I would also have liked…

Some small measure of feedback: Not all chapters have examples to drive home the point of those terms and that is something I would have liked in the book. And, for the Themes chapter, a step by step guide would have helped better for newcomers and to-be bloggers. Additionally, an introductory chapter on how to start the blog, from setup to first post would have been a superb help.

To Conclude…

The book is a mine of knowledge which any blogger will be happy to use as a guide. So, definitely go check out the book if you are a blogger or aim to be one (secretly or otherwise!). Download the book here.

This review was written as part of Blogchatter Book Review Program especially the Ebook Carnival series.

Book Review: Incredible India Bucket List by Aditya Sathe

Books, India, Travel / By / June 20, 2021

India is a land of such diverse topography and natural beauty, of rich heritage and culture, of ancient history and mythology – that one need never step out of the country to explore and satisfy their travel lust. And that is what author Aditya Sathe describes with ample evidence in his book Incredible India Bucket List.

“At very beginning I want to thank my motherland, India for being so Incredible with such a variety of attractions that made the choice of these 26 places so difficult!” says Aditya at the beginning of his acknowledgment. So true is this!

Book Cover

What’s in the Book

The book enlists and elaborates on 26 places of attractions pan-India, covering places of historical importance, religious significance, architectural marvels, or natural wonders. Majority of the attractions are hidden gems which a lot of us are unaware of, of the fact that these deeply interesting and important places even exist in our own backyard sometimes! The list includes temples like Sun Temple and Airavatesvara Temple, monuments like Warangal Fort and India Gate, scenic destinations like Ziro Valley and Loktak Lake. The index of names itself whets up your appetite for forging ahead with your reading super quick. And, to immediately set out for that destination! Sigh, if only we could.

What I Love…

Each chapter is about one destination – beginning with each letter of the alphabet. What I love about this book is the way each chapter is broken up into 3 segments – a background story, the noteworthy features of the place and what we should check out or look for when we visit these attractions. Each segment contains a wealth of information about India’s past, her culture or about her inherent landscape and scenery. For example, how Vikramshila grew to be a prominent center of learning during the Pala Empire, at par with Nalanda is a very interesting read and a highly engaging chapter. The Edakkal caves have a connection dating back to The Ramayana.

There are detailed notes on each of the places which helps you form a picture of the places being described. The author gives you helpful tips about when to visit and why, for example: during the festivals of Ziro Valley; and which particular facet of the place you should definitely visit and take a note of. The pictures themselves are borrowed and Aditya gives the requisite credit wherever due.

Trivia

I have been to a few of the places detailed in Aditya’s book but I still did not a few of these very interesting trivia/facts. Did you know that Gir Forest has over 300 species of birds and 37 species of reptiles? Or, did you know that the Marina Beach emerged as a result of construction of wave breakers of the harbour? We all know about the change of guards ritual in London’s Buckingham Palace, but were you aware that you can witness a Change of Guards ceremony held every Saturday at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi? All these and much, much more can be found in Aditya Sathe’s book. Download the ebook here.

Minor criticism

There’s not much to dislike about this book. Only couple of extra things which I would have liked – references to where this information is gathered from and indication of the current location of each these sights because it’s not always clear where we have to head to. But these are minor, there’s a whole host of things to absolutely love about this book.

Fascinating Encyclopedia of Indian Heritage

Once this pandemic is over or atleast in control and it’s possible to travel again, when you are planning your next trip, do refer to this book to help influence and guide your travel plans. I assure you, you will not be disappointed. Aditya Sathe is a travel fanatic like me and hopes to visit these places himself soon.

Image sourced from i.pinimg.com

This review was written as part of Blogchatter Book Review Program especially the Ebook Carnival series.

Sun, Sand & Sea @ Maldives Part II

Asia, Maldives, Travel / By / July 26, 2021
Maldives Snorkeling 1

I continue from where we left off – due to my fright to dip below the water for our first snorkeling foray, I was left alone on the boat staring at the deep blue sea around me and wishing I had had the courage to join the rest of the team.

Day 2: Snorkeling & Dolphins!

The gang of snorkelers who had gone for the activity (including my husband) came back with wonderful tales of seeing turtles and marine beauty. The guy who had accompanied them on behalf of the organizers was also disappointed that I wasn’t able to see all of that and he offered to help train me before the next snorkeling expedition and I agreed. How sweet!

  • Do not do what he is doing – let them be
Photos of the turtle coral reef that I missed

Picnic time

Our next stop on the half day tour was a tiny uninhabited island for our beach picnic. After a lazy lunch under large beach umbrellas and a walking tour of our island – including a photography stint, it was time for my training session. The trainer explained how the snorkeling gear works and how I should breathe through my mouth; he asked me to submerge myself little by little so that I could practice this. Lastly, I was told that I had to simply kick my legs to propel myself forward. Finally, he took me along for my first ever snorkeling experience and what an amazing feeling it was! It was like the underwater which had seemed like a scary monster was now my friend! I was ready for the next dip for our actual 2nd snorkeling excursion.

Marine Biodiversity

The snorkeling trip was an eye opener. A whole new world had opened up before me – a world popping and undulating with colors and textures. In the calming silence of underwater, I witnessed a wide variety of flora and fauna, indigenous to the Indian Ocean. Here was a school of dazzling yellow fish just swimming along, there was a brightly patterned shoal of tiny fishes darting by or oh hey, there’s a jewel bright blue fish! The coral reefs were full to the brim with life and sometimes scary creatures – eels, water snakes and what not. There were also myriad varieties of aquatic plants which existed harmoniously with the other creatures. It was marine biodiversity at its best.

I spent almost an hour underwater, just gazing at these marvelous finds and enraptured by the beauty of nature – the live corals, the fishes that call it home and the plants which are an integral part of this ecosystem.

Contribute towards Conservation

Appreciate the world established by our creator, of nature which always gives and never asks for anything in return. Do your part in helping preserve this marine life, in making sure they come to no harm.

4 (four) ways in which you as an individual can contribute towards conservation of our wonderful aquatic ecosystem:

  1. Use less plastic – plastic harms all marine species, often fatally. Limit your plastic use, especially one-time usage.
  2. Do not pollute the water – this is home to myriad sea-life; do not throw your trash into it.
  3. Do not uproot the coral – this is their source of food and shelter, not a collectible; this is also illegal
  4. Do not poke / prod or touch the creatures when on dives/snorkeling – worship and admire the beauty from afar, do not disturb them.

I am doing my bit by raising awareness through this post with the aid of Blogchatter’s Cause a Chatter campaign.

Day 3: Water Sports

The next day, or rather late afternoon, we engaged in a few more water activities.

Wind Sailing: First up was wind sailing. This too was something I had never done before so I was pretty excited. We set out on a small sailboat which bobbed lightly as we progressed. It was a pleasant feeling. This initial part of wind sailing receives its power from a small motor. However, partway out to the sea, the motor was stopped, the sails were unfurled and the power of the wind thrust the little boat ahead at jet speed! The boat zoomed ahead, cutting a path through the water and we held on to the rails for dear life! Wheee! It was such an adrenaline rush; the speed generated by the wind was unbelievable. Whizzing along on the water with the wind in your hair and face and teensy fear of falling overboard – what an amazing feeling it was. This is a must-try!

Sailboat and Us

Canoeing: A 2-seater canoe and just us with no guide – sounds intimidating but it was a fun and calming experience. We rowed as slow or as fast as we wanted, in whichever direction we desired (within a given boundary for our safety). Drifting along the water, with the setting sun as the backdrop was the perfect way to end the day.

Tip: It’ll take a couple of minutes to adjust your rhythms and synchronize your rowing so that the canoe doesn’t just stall in one place or go round in circles. Once you establish a pattern, only then venture out further ashore.

Again, we spent the first part of the day quietly enjoying the water and the beaches, refreshing our jaded selves and having a gala time sampling the various foods the island had to offer.

Day 4: Island Hopping & Shopping

Our final day in Maldives included one last water sport – riding a jet ski. That was an exhilarating ride, and a very wet one! We hurtled through the water at jet speed with water spraying on us from all sides. We took a pit stop at another island where there was a lovely stretch of deserted sandy beach to take some commemorative photographs, spot some baby sharks and stingrays.

Back at Maafushi, we shopped for some mementos – tshirts, shell keyrings, postcards, magnets etc. Most of them were reasonably priced but of course we haggled (dil hai Hindustani!).

Laden with presents and memories to last a lifetime, we bid adieu to the delights of Maldives early the next day via the speedboat and a flight from Male.

Other Itinerary Options

The aim of our trip was to relax and have a laid-back holiday. So we choose to do only this much and spent most of our time lazing on the beach or roaming the streets of our island. We also rented a bicycle for a few hours and just pedaled our way across the tiny Maafushi. If you would like to take in a few more attractions or activities, there are plenty available.

  • Scuba diving – be aware that you need to keep a gap of atleast 24-48 hours before boarding a flight after diving.
  • Enjoy a spa treatment.
  • Stingray feeding
  • Visit the capital city/island of Male
  • Go on a cruise

For more ideas, visit these links:

Bye bye Maldives – until next time…

Sun, Sand & Sea @ Maldives Part I

Asia, Maldives, Travel / By / July 26, 2021
Sea

If you ever want to relax on the sand, soak up the sun and enjoy views of a startlingly blue ocean, The Maldives is the place to be in. It is one of the ultimate holiday destinations that I have ever been to. It is a place where you can either be a complete sloth and be as laid back as possible or engage in a variety of water sports and activities – and all the while indulge your taste buds to the hilt.

Choosing the best island

The Maldives is an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean. It comprises of 1192 islands or atolls with an overall length of 871 kms. and only 298 sq. kms. of dry land out of 90,000 sq. kms. Out of the 200 inhabited islands, few are complete resorts on their own while the others have tourist hotels, shops intermingling with local residences.

Tip: Choosing your ideal island will depend on your budget, your preferences of activities – water sports, culture & history, or simply nothing. Check out this link to decide: https://visitmaldives.com/en/places.

Considering all factors, I chose to stay on Maafushi for our time in the Maldives. It is a mid-range island with options of water sports plus a span of empty beaches.

Getting there

The capital city or atoll of Male is the connect to the rest of the world via flight. As we landed, we got our first view of the water, within touching distance – it was so exciting! From Male, we took a shared speedboat to reach Maafushi – it took about 30 minutes. That ride was the first taste of being on the eye-wateringly blue ocean, of feeling the wind in my hair and the freshness of the nature around me.

Tip: The shared speedboat cost around $70 per head for round trip; a private speedboat would cut you back by $185. The other option to travel to your island of choice is by the local ferry from Male. That will take around 2 hours but costs much lesser – $2.

Tip: Visa is free on arrival.

Landing at Male airport

Currency

The currency of Maldives is Maldivian Rufiyaa, however the USD (US dollars) is widely accepted and you can easily carry out all your transactions with the latter. Since Maldives is a tourism-oriented country, all prices be it for activities, lodging or food is listed in USD for your ease.

Where to Stay

There are a multitude of options for accomodation in Maldives ranging from über luxurious resorts spreading over one whole island to mid-range hotels (which are still pretty costly) to budget hotels mixed among the local residences.

We booked a budget hotel called Stingray Beach Inn, which was a cosy hotel with hammocks in the garden and its own parrot!

Stingray Beach Inn (pic from Agoda)

Tip: Do bargain on hotel prices. Ours was for ~$125/night (after bargaining down from $140), check out the internet for current prices.

Day 1: Soak up the Atmosphere

After reaching Maafushi, we were escorted to our hotel where we freshened up and jumped right into vacation mode. The beach was a stone’s throw from our hotel, and we strolled up to the edge of the water. The sea was like a painting – innumerable, unimaginable hues of blue smoothly blending into each other and gently lapping onto white sands; it was paradise We simply enjoyed the whole atmosphere – the warm sun and the cool water and oodles of leisure time.

Trivia: The different shades of blue signify various depths of the ocean; for e.g. the light blue means that part of the sea is not too deep and the color is derived from the white sands beneath. The indigo is the deepest portion of the sea with marine life underneath. Isn’t that interesting?!

Upon arrival, we had an off-putting experience. We were met by the hotel’s manager who told us that our hotel was full and that they had arranged for alternative accommodation for the initial 2 days. However, their offered one was a pretty good hotel at par with what we’d booked so we were comforted. Tiny blip over.

Tip: The hotels overbook considering they will have some cancellations, so beware of your booking – talk personally to the manager.

The beach was never more than a 5-minute walk from any part of the island since the island is so small – in fact you can actually see from one end to the other width wise!

The rest of the day was spent in relaxing on the beach, walking from one end of the island to the other, peeking into shops and having delicious seafood. We also booked a package of water activities covering the next 2 days.

The day ended with us slurping on cold, yummy ice cream! This eventually became a trend of our stay there. There was this cute little shop selling ice creams for $1 and we just loved them.

Help Save Our Oceans

The lovely ocean that has given us so much pleasure is in danger; we all need to do our bit to help save and preserve the pristine nature of our water bodies.

I am doing my bit by raising awareness through this post with the aid of Blogchatter’s Cause a Chatter campaign.

Day 2: Snorkeling & Dolphins!

The 1st of our package activities included a half-day snorkeling outing. This involved a ride out to the deep ocean on a boat, 2 snorkeling forages punctuated with a beach picnic. It took about an hour to reach the deep portion of the sea where the coral reefs were to be found.

In between, we stopped at a dolphin haunt and were able to see several dolphins frolicking in the water, as if performing acrobatics for our pleasure. They were so cute and funny!

It’s hard to pin down a photo. But look closely, in the far distance, one is doing cartwheels!

For snorkeling, it’s said that its doesn’t matter whether you know swimming or not. We have life jackets on for our safety and the snorkeling head gear in place which helps us breathe underwater. I do not know swimming and when the time came to plunge into the water, I was terrified. I still tried – bravely. But as soon as I dipped below the water, the utter silence of underwater ensconced me from all sides, the pressure of water on my ears scared me such that I swallowed a whole load of salty water and jumped back above, coughing. Though I tried couple more times, I just could not do it.

The rest of our party carried on and were gone for a full hour. As I sat on the boat alone, I resolved to do better the next time.

Coming Up…

So, do I do better? What else is in store in our beach holiday? Watch this space for Part 2 of this Maldivian saga.