Hampi - India's Timeless Classic

Region: Karnataka, India

Time to Visit: All year round

Hampi is a place like none you have ever visited! It’s a 4^th century city which is lost in time. It is also popularly known as the medieval capital of the Hindu Empire Vijayanagara (city of Victory). Adding to the feathers in its cap, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The landscape consists of intricately designed and meticulously carved temples cut out of boulders. It fills you with a similar wonder (as when you gaze at the temples of Mt. Abu or the Pyramids) as to how such a feat could have been possible eons ago. It’s surrounded by small hillocks all around and when you look carefully, you will be able to spot so many more temples that you thought were the boulders and these temples number are more than 500 in number. It’s exciting and a little dangerous to trek up to these tiny temples but what fun is life without a little bit of thrill and excitement?

Although restoration work has been going on for over a decade now, these weathered structures have seen so many centuries that it’ll take a lot more work before its true glory can be restored. Although quite close to Goa (approx 8 hours by bus) it’s a very long trip from Mumbai without any direct routes and thus only the brave manage to venture to Hampi. The easiest way to reach is to take a flight to Hubli and then a 3 hours bus/taxi ride to Hospet or the next option is to take a train from Kalyan to Hospet (approx 15 hours).

Not one of the easiest places to reach, but “a must be visited” place. The south Indian thalis, the imposing yet musical temples, the rock sculpting along the roads, the massive Shivling and the blessing’s from an elephant are some of the things that have to be experienced!

Contributed by my good friend - Kautilya Cyclewala

Pics - tripadvisor.com, Karnataka Tourism, flashnews.com

THE WHEELS THAT HEAL

Living in Mumbai city is stressful business. So to beat away the blues and the stress, my wife and I decided to take a vacation in the latter part of January. A ROAD TRIP. By many people’s standards, the idea of a road trip is not a vacation, its only adding to the stress, and they could be right on their part as well. But, in a road trip we found solace, comfort, space, fun, adventure and harmony ….. all the ingredients for a perfect holiday.

I have been a fan of road trips for as long as I can remember and I’m going to spill the beans on how to go from hating road travel to completely surrendering to it:-

In a road trip, the journey is the destination. It’s not a means to reach a destination.

BEFORE YOU START:-

1. Choose your vehicle wisely – Whether you choose to cruise in a SUV, zip around in a hatchback, take along the entire family in a van, be sure you have driven that type of vehicle before and that you are comfortable driving long hours in such a vehicle. Driving a vehicle you are not comfortable with is like participating in a marathon wearing the wrong kind of underwear and shoes. Factor in the luggage and the age and health of the people travelling with you. Also, your vehicle should be more than adequate for the terrain you wish to traverse. More than once I have seen people trying to capture mountain peaks in an 800CC car.

2. Check tyre treads and pressures (Including the spare tyre) – though there ain’t a official statistic to prove my point, I know scores of people who’ll get their engine oil, coolant etc checked, fill up on gas before a trip, but completely forget about the tyres.

3. Map it out – go through your route thoroughly to know where are the rest – places, food courts, emergency car services etc. Though asking the locals for directions works well in India, many locals will not understand where or what you need, especially down south. Also, helps to make it a habit, as you will definitely need the info when abroad. If necessary, get a GPS guide.

4. Motion Sickness – people suffer from motion sickness, more so on mountain roads, to reduce the feeling of sickness, DON’T OVEREAT. Also, there are medications available which help. It’s cooler to admit you have motion sickness n pop the pill than puke every 15 mins when on the road.

ONCE IN MOTION:-

The charm of a road trip lies in not getting from Point A to Point B the quickest, but in experiencing what I call “the flavor of the road” which includes the following …………

1. Starting early morning for your road trip is a must to avoid traffic – that everyone knows, but the added advantage of starting early is to experience the nip in the air, the glow of sunrise over the horizon, it’s a transition from darkness to light – which is best experienced on the road. It’s almost as if every aspect around you is attuned to the rays from the East… Still not convinced about waking up early. Well, the roads and the car heat up as the day progresses. You sure don’t want to start the journey feeling the heat!! from more than just the road and the car ... ;)

2. Another must do according to me when on a road trip, is to enjoy your breakfast at the road side chai (tea) stall. The menu never has more than 3-4 items on the list, but the diversity of people which descend upon the small stall is definitely more. I guarantee conversations will flow and so will the chai.

3. Take the longer road – sounds silly, well – that’s the idea. The lovely views, old monuments, quirky dining places, or anything bizarre is more likely to be discovered on the longer, smaller roads leading to the end of the journey rather than the express and national highways, i.e. if you wish to share interesting photo’s and stories once your back.

Our route encompassed the Konkan Coast of Maharashtra, covering 1300kms over 5 days starting from Mumbai à GanpatiPhule à Tarkarli à Mahableshwar à Mumbai.

The Konkan Coast is famed for having really gorgeous beaches, Tarkarli and Ganpatiphule being the best among them.

Auli - India

There are places that you travel to for a break from your routine existence and then there are places which ignite the travel fire within you.

Auli, for me, was 1 of those first places which ignited the travel bug in me. A place whose memories are not remembered by looking at photographs, they are always present in the Heart.

Region - Garhwal Range, Uttarakhand, India

Claim to fame - Hosts India's National Winter Sports Tournaments

Auli begins to delight you even before you have stepped foot on its lands, and that is because it is accessed by Asia’s longest ropeway measuring 3kms. Setting foot in Auli, one must savour the hot pakodas and tea served at the tower where one alights.

Having been there at the age of 14, the place turned out to be a life changer in more ways than one. The blanket of snow flanked by the snow capped peaks of the Garhwal Himalayan range is a sight that is etched in one’s mind forever. Auli also offers spectacular views of India’s 2^nd highest peak – Nandadevi standing at 25663 ft, 7824 m.

The lodging offered by GMVN is simple but charming, especially the Log Houses.

Though one needs to walk from the cable car tower to the lodgings from GMVN, most people enjoy it. Word of caution here – kindly ensure that snow does not get into your boots and if it does, remove it quickly. I almost had to have all my ten toes cut off due to frost bite, but God had mercy on me.

Ski equipment and training is offered by GMVN. Training courses are conducted in modules of 7 and 14 days. Training is imparted to the enrolled persons in modern skiing techniques by qualified instructors from Skiing and Tourist Resorts, Auli and Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg.

The 7 days course is non-certificate course with a total of 25 seats. These courses are conducted in January, February and March.

The 14 days module is a certificate course, each of having 15 seats.

Though the ski slopes and facilities aren’t at par with those in the world, the natural beauty and low costs enables people of all backgrounds to enjoy its slopes, making it a serious contender in the places you Must Visit.

Mineral Springs - Pammukale, Turkey

As with scores of travelers, I too made the cardinal mistake of just believing the travel brochures, travel agents and the like when it came to deciding the places of interest for my itinerary in Turkey.

Had it not been for the friendly hotel owner at Cappadocia who was extremely rigid and stubborn that we do not skip the small town of Pammukale which lay to the East of the popular tourist city of Kusadasi, my wife and I would most surely have missed this place of unmatched beauty and serenity enhanced more so by the unblemished white all around , as though experiencing the beauty of mother nature in its virginity.

Mineral Springs, is so called because what u see above in the picture is not snow, but an entire ridge made up of mineral deposits, mainly calcium, hence the white colour. Underneath this white blanket runs an underground stream, (whose waters according to folk stories have healing properties, the Govt has built a bath to that effect) whose flow is now controlled by the Govt authorities which is turn make for the formation of the pools seen in the picture.

The walk is a small climb from the base of the town of Pammukale to the top of the rigde, but the walk is transforms you from the a quiet sleepy town to the footsteps of the legendary city of Hierapolis which sits at the top of this natural wonder.

Whilst this natural phenomenon is barely a few kms wide, its beauty runs along with you forever.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

I feel that there are but a few places in this world where the term "virgin" might be more apt than the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Andaman and Nicobar islands hold a special place in my heart. It was a trip of many firsts for me. My first trip ever to a tropical island, first overnight cruise in a ship and the most exhilarating, first snorkeling experience of my life. These beautiful islands charm and beckon till you never want to leave.

Offering one of the world’s most diverse and beautiful reefs these islands are a divers’ paradise. These breathtaking islands of the Indian Ocean are no less mesmerizing than any Caribbean or Mediterranean island. Virgin sandy beaches, warm tropical waters, quiet unexplored diving spots, exotic marine and wild life make you fall in love with Andaman Nicobar. Most islands are uninhibited and covered with tropical lush forests and tribal clans.

History buffs need not be disappointed, because these islands have historic monuments and jails built by the British when they ruled India. Destroyed in the Tsunami ruins of the jail still remain and so do the many interesting stories of the Indian freedom fighters told by the local guides. The small museum on Ross Island opens the doors to another era while the reefs of Jolly Buoy island to an underwater paradise.

Cinque Terre

Gods seaside paradise, a poets inspiration or an artist’s muse, Cinque Terre can pose as all this and more. This less known jewel located on the Ligurian coast of Italy is a delight to experience.

It took me an entire day to write about this jewel. Every time I sat to write I saw this picture and lost myself in the fond memories of this place. Sometimes I found myself staring at the beautiful emeralds, sapphires and turquoise of the sea in the picture which I remember as being all the more mesmerizing in reality. When I shut my eyes and think back I can almost feel the soothing breeze, smell the twang of the sea mixed with scrumptious Italian food.

Cinque Terre literally means five lands. This gorgeous haven comprises of five striking towns of Riomaggiore al mare, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. These pastel towns offer a little for everyone. The walking trails connecting the towns range in difficulty offering a relaxing stroll while you take in the breathtaking views of the sea to vigorous climbs that leave you breathless but spellbound. There are sun-kissed beaches to unwind on, special little restaurants offering italian home-cooked delicacies, treks that go high up into the park, hidden churches and charming little eatries. Fishing and sailing, exploring hidden grottos and various seabirds add to the uniqueness of Cinque Terre . Once you”ve been here you will suffer a serious problem of nostalgia cause you never forget Cinque Terre.

P.S. Lonely Planet has just recommended Cinque Terre as the No.1 European seaside destination for 2011 :-;