Travel

6 Offbeat destinations in London

One of the most popular tourist destinations for Indians, London is brimming with tourists throughout the year. I bet your bucket list would include visiting places like Buckingham Palace, the Big Ben, the Tower of London, Madame Tussauds Museum, The London Eye… the list is endless. I decided to research a little and come up with some uncommon yet utterly delightful places that tourists must visit in London. Here’s presenting 6 offbeat destinations in London!

1. The Magic Hour

The Magic Hour by Sonic, 7 offbeat places in London — *The Magic Hour by Sonic*

An exclusive 100-minute magic show with the genius Tony Middleton ‘Sonic’ in a theatre setting showcase Victorian style magic, every tourist must experience once in their lifetime. Illusion, mind reading and sleight of hand are some of the many tricks that you will enjoy. Sonic has performed with artists like Gary Barlow and has also been a part of Penn and Teller- Fool us! You can opt for standard seating or opt for the Premium seating which will give you a front-row view to the master, a magic cocktail along with a full-colour program which you can take back with you as a souvenir.

2. The little known open market

7 Offbeat places in London — *The Columbia Flower Market*

7 offbeat places in London, Columbia flower market — Image credit The freshest of blooms at the Columbia Flower Market

London has some brilliant open markets but a little-known gem is the Columbia Flower Market which is open only on Sundays. Flowers, foliage, and plants everywhere; you will be surprised to see the wide variety that is on display here. Once your eyes have feasted on the sight in front of them do explore the nearby alleys that have some cozy cafes and artisanal bakeries to satisfy your tummy. This certainly counts as being among the really offbeat destinations in London which is ideal for foodies as well as those with a green thumb 🙂

3. A romantic walk

The Millennium Bridge at London , 7 Offbeat places to visit in London — *The Millennium Bridge at London*

Ditch your touristy bus and start walking around London. Where might you ask? Anywhere I say. The city is best explored on foot and it will give you the opportunity to discover some marvelous pubs, restaurants, and shops. If you are looking for something romantic, why not walk around the Millenium Bridge during the evening and be amazed at the view in front of you. This is one of the 6 off beat destinations in London that everyone would love.

4. A garden dedicated to forgiveness

To err is human, to forgive is divine. London wants you to get rid of all your negative energy in its Japanese Roof Garden at the School of Oriental Studies. Beautiful plants, pebbles, artsy rocks, Kanji engravings and sand will help you unwind and let go of all anger.

5. Mini-London

Mini London by New London Architecture

The New London Architecture has decided to gift tourists the magic of discovering the entire city through their miniature model. From Kings Cross to the London Docks and all the major landmarks, this model has scaled London to 1:1500 of its size. Don’t forget, you can visit this display at Goodge Street only from Monday to Friday.

6. Stay like a Witch

While the Warner Bros Studio Tour of the making of Harry Potter is a must-visit for any Potterhead, I bet a lot of you did now know about the Witch and Wizard Chambers at the Georgian House Hotel. Built in the 1851 by William Chinnery Mitchell, this house was converted into a 2-star bed and breakfast in 1987. Over the years, the Georgian House Hotel has been refurbished and it boasts of 5 stars and 63 bedrooms for its lovely guests.

They also have London’s best-kept secret, Witch and Wizard chambers which have been thoughtfully curated with an eye for detail that only a true Potterhead can appreciate. The room is concealed behind a bookcase, with a mysterious feel, this room has stained glass windows, cauldrons, tapestries and other artefacts.

Quick tips if you want to visit 6 offbeat destinations in London

The weather in London is unpredictable but the best months to visit are April to July. It gets really cold in January so pack your woollens if you plan to be in the city.
Public transport in London has an off-peak time rate where you can get great discounts. Always travel in the non-peak hour
If you like to cycle, there are many places that will offer bikes for rent at a great price, Santander bicycle docks are particularly famous. London Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Pass is the best if you wish to cover a lot of tourists places at a great price.

That’s it from me guys, I hope you enjoyed reading about these 6 offbeat destinations in London. 🙂

Image source:

https://www.london-unattached.com/

https://images.adsttc.com/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

#CelebratingSuper: Stories of change from Delhi

One unwritten rule about being a Mumbaikar is that you have to excessively criticize the capital city, Delhi. We will debate on whose street food is better (Delhi sadly wins :/), who has the better transport system (the Metro v.s. Local train debate is yet to be settled) and who has the most helpful people (Mumbai wins hands down)

The Mumbai Delhi rivalry is legendary and residents of both the cities like to boast about how their city is the best. I decided to take a neutral stance and visit the city myself to check out what the fuss was all about. I discovered some unique stories of change.

I think my ideal city should have the following:

-Helpful people

-Conscious citizens that are constantly working to make their lives and the environment better

-Beautiful places to relax and have fun

Simple criteria right? Let’s see which ones Delhi fulfilled.

#CelebratingSuper Helpful people

I must say that we Mumbaikars are biased towards the rest of the country and it stems from the fact that we have the most helpful people in the world. There are countless instances where I was in a spot and random strangers have been unexpectedly kind to me.

I was in Kota when the demonetization was announced and that night I had taken the train to Delhi with just Rs. 400 in cash. I had to take a cab to my hotel, then to my workplace, eat food and so many other things. Unfortunately, I had also managed to block my card for 24 hours and I was scared.

What happened? A cab driver accepted a Rs. 500 note, dropped me safely to the hotel. Everywhere I went, people were positive, accepted app based payments and were generally helpful.

#CelebratingSuper Conscious citizens that are constantly working to improve the quality of their lives

I have put together some of the most heart warming and exciting initiatives of change by Delhites to improve the quality of life in their own city. Hope you enjoy my curated list 🙂

i) Did you know that the Delhi High Court Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal has employed survivors of acid attack and a transgender person when they struggled to find jobs due to overwhelming discrimination?

ii) A 7 year old, Navya Singh, petitioned the Delhi Development Authority to stop the demolition of a public park to construct a community hall and was successful. Her argument was simple; a community hall aka a concrete building was expensive as well as unnecessary seeing both children and adults alike enjoyed their neighborhood parks.

iii) Delhi citizens can enjoy free WiFi through the120 such hotspots across Delhi & NCR thanks to Vodafone which enables them to access a number of services besides using the service for regular entertainment, too. Definitely a unique initiative by a telecom company. 🙂

vi) ‘Books on the Delhi Metro’ is a project run by Shruti Sharma, a writer and Tarun Chauhan, a civil engineer who leave books behind at the Delhi Metro with some clues on the social media pages to delight the commuters. Imagine coming across such a brilliant surprise after a rough day at work. Wouldn’t a book cheer you up? 🙂

v) The Hijra Habba was hosted at Delhi on the theme of equality and equity with a view to reduce the prejudices against the transgender community by showcasing their talent and intelligence. Through this initiative a number of events were conducted across the city one of them being a talent and dance show at Select City Walk Mall. Truly a unique initiative in the capital city!

Many events were hosted in malls across the Delhi where youngsters turned up to show support for this initiative.

vi) An open buffet serving 5 star quality food free of cost to anyone who is in need of a piping hot meal has been started by the Royal Plaza Hotel in Connaught Place. They serve meals to 500 to 800 people four times a month.

The Royal Plaza Hotel offers free buffets to those who need it

vii) The biggest issue that women face is the lack of clean public toilets in the city. The New Delhi Municipal Council realized how serious this issue is and have addressed it by introducing a toilet locator awareness campaign through which public toilets across Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida zones can be located on Google Maps.

#CelebratingSuper Environmental consciousness

You learnt about citizen activism as well as random acts of kindness practiced by so many others; I am sure you are curious to know the green initiatives undertaken in the city.

i) Air pollution is one of the biggest concerns in Delhi, and keeping that in mind, the Supreme Court has banned the sale of fire crackers in the city during Diwali which has received its share of brickbats and praise. However, seeing the alarming pollution levels in the city, this was indeed a bold and welcome move by the highest court of the land.

ii) Did you know that Vodafone has created the first Air-Purifying bus shelter in the city at Gurgaon so that people could breathe non-polluted air while waiting for a bus? Within a span of few months they launched a second bus shelter as well, a move which proved to be popular. We hope they continue their good work and launch many other bus shelters, too.

[WPGP gif_id=”3034″ width=”600″]

iii) In order to add a beautiful touch to the ongoing festivities, Vodafone urged people to celebrate a Green Diwali through its Super Crackers filled with plant seeds. All you need to do is plant it and let the plant bloom. We have some photographs and a lovely GIF of delighted customers and employees who wholeheartedly supported this initiative.

iv) The Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) was has been given the green certification for all its major buildings and installations and it is the first metro in the world to receive this honor. It is heartening to know how Delhi is taking such important steps to protect the environment.

v) In order to address the poor quality of air in the capital, diesel generators are banned as a part of the the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for weddings and societies. Crucial service providers like hospitals are exempt from this. This is yet another step taken by the government to ensure that Delhites breathe better.

#CelebratingSuper Beautiful places to explore

I cannot deny that Delhi has some of the most beautiful monuments in the world. These photographs should be enough to back my claim!

Most tourist spots in Delhi are quiet and give you ample time to explore and enjoy

So what is my verdict?

A newfound respect for the city, stemming from travelling around the place and discovering all these amazing people, location and stories of change! I will end by saying this, never judge a city listening to all the prejudices you have grown up hearing. 🙂

For more details on Vodafone’s Superb initiatives, do check out: https://www.vodafone.in/home-delhi

Image credits:

For Navya Singh and Hotel Royal Plaza: https://www.thebetterindia.com/

For Air purifying bus stop: Times of India and EventFAQs

For New Delhi skyline: https://www.redbubble.com/people/artprints/works/19000846-new-delhi-india-skyline?p=photographic-print

For Vodafone’s initiatives: Vodafone’s official website

For Books on Delhi Metro: https://www.facebook.com/booksonthedelhimetro/

For Hijra Habba: Facebook events

On a quest to find the Hidden Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram

The Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram — My catamaran ride to explore the Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram

I love a good mystery and if that mystery involves a bit of history and a crazy catamaran ride then that is just extra rabdi on jalebi or icing on the cake, whatever you prefer. So, what was I going to unleash my inner Dora the explorer for? To traverse through rough seas and hunt for the Hidden Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram.

Let’s go through its history shall we?

The lone standing Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram

The Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram, which are listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO belong to the Pallava dynasty which flourished from 275 CE to 897 CE.

The Pallava kings were patrons of architecture and it was under the rule of King Narasimhavaram II that the Seven Pagodas (named by seafarers) or the Shore Temples were built. Built with granite rocks, the Shore temples are structurally similar to pyramids. It is 60 feet tall and has a 50 feet wide platform which forms it porch. The temple that currently exists is a combination of three shrines, the biggest of which is dedicated to Shiva and the remaining two are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The temple has sculptures of Nandi all around the porch.

The carvings that adorn the outer wall are that of Krishna slaying the demon named Kesi, Lord Krishna dancing over the seven hooded serpent Kaliya and Lord Vishnu seated on Garuda, his vehicle. There is a miniature shrine in the Shore Temple which was discovered only in the 1990 whose construction is dated to King Narasimhavarman Mamalla’s reign. An elliptical wall encloses it and the miniature shrine is also dedicated to Shiva. It has a sixteen-sided base which is carved from bedrock. The circular wall and superstructure are of structural type. There are lions depicted on the pilasters. It is reported as a unique single tiered temple and not seen in other temples of the Pallava period.

Where are these temples now?

All through these centuries the temples were submerged save for one. However, individuals testify that during the tsunami of 2004 at Chennai, these submerged Shore temples of Mahabalipuram were briefly visible when the water had receded. It was also reported that the tsunami exposed some ancient rock sculptures of lions, elephants, and peacocks that were used to decorate walls but these reports remain unverified.

According to a popular myth, the beauty of the Shore Temples created much envy amongst the Gods and they caused floods which submerged most of these temples.

So what was my quest?

To wade through treacherous waters in a catamaran, risking my life and return with great memories as well as photographs of the hidden Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram. With my life jacket on and my heart filled with equal parts excitement and fear, I sat in the catamaran. Let the quest begin!

Twenty minutes into the ride I started feeling a wave of nausea hit me; the waters were a little rough and all of us sititng in the catamaran were completely or partially drenched.

I was glad that I was carrying my waterproof camera bag or I am sure my camera and my phone wouldn’t have survived.

The submerged Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram — The visible pinnacle of one of the submerged Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram

And there I saw it! My first view of Shore Temple, which had managed to survive the test of time and were still visible to bravehearts who came looking for them.

While most of us in the catamaran were barely able to hold our cameras still as we snapped our photographs one of the submerged Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram , our boatmen were standing with apparent ease; this was home for them.

We returned to our private beach where the Chariot Beach Resort staff were waiting for us with fresh towels, tea and snacks. After a light meal I was told that I could go for another ride if I wanted.

Of course I said yes! I think eating settled my stomach for a while and I was quite comfortable, the second time around. I was also used to the idea of sudden jerks which seemed scary during my first ride but were quite fun the second time around.

A replica of the original catamarans that existed at Mahabalipuram

Some quick tips for you if you would like to attempt this quest yourself

Apply sunscreen! Mahabalipuram can get very hot
Don’t carry heavy camera equipment; the waves will spray you with salty seawater suddenly and you would hate to get your camera wet
Carry sunglasses; with the sun in my eyes directly I was a little uncomfortable initially.
Wear comfortable clothes; shorts and tees with flip flops are the best
Eat a little if you have a queasy stomach like me but don’t have a heavy breakfast
And the most important tip; ask the staff at Chariot Beach Resort to help you with the bookings! They will give you access to trustworthy locals and will make all the necessary arrangments at a great price to ensure you have a brilliant time. I can’t be grateful enough to the Chariot Beach Resort Team for making all the necessary arrangements and ensuring that we were well taken care of.

P.S. Do you want to vacation at Chariot Beach Resorts like me and save money, too? Use my code Khush500 to avail a special discount of Value Rs.500/- over and above the Best Rates available on their official website.

Experience Mahabalipuram at Chariot Beach Resort

Sunshine, mojitos and pampering is what I craved; but in order to experience Mahabalipuram I decided to give my travel some extra flavour. Three days of pure sinful luxury at Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram healed my tired soul and sent back a happy Munni of all Trades to Mumbai.

So let’s start from the beginning, shall we?

After travelling on an early morning and sleeping through most of my journey from Chennai to Mahabalipuram except to drowsily click a few photographs of the window; it was a big surprise to be greeted with local music, nariyal pani (coconut water), tikka and a seashell necklace. A cool cycle rickshaw and a cute elephant will also welcome you at the entrance.

experience mahabalipuram — A great photo op right?

By the time I managed to gather my wits and switch on my camera, to click a hasty photo, the music was slowly fading away. Check-in took a few minutes and I was whisked off to my room.

What do you think welcomed me when I entered the room? A box of the most delicious chocolates that I have ever eaten. Mind you, I was starving after the long journey and that made the chocolates taste all the better.

Want to have a look at my room? Here you go!

What I loved about my room was the open air shower they offered. Bathing under the warm sun at morning and under stars at night is the best way to begin and end your day. Indeed, this is the greatest way I could have wished to experience Mahabalipuram, its long beaches under clear skies.

A weighing machine in the room reminded me that even though I am on a holiday, I need to watch my weight but it soon lay forgotten.

The room was spacious and the bed was delightful. I always do mandatory bed jumping to check how soft the mattress is. Happy to report that Chariot Beach Resort did not disappoint in this regard.

After a quick shower, in the regular bathroom only because I was a little shy to start taking a shower in the open, I made way for to lunch.I guess these photographs are enough to convey how delicious my meal was!

When on a holiday, I have a tendency to overeat and with my jeans becoming uncomfortably tight I thought it would be best if I took my camera out for a stroll around the resort.

That my dear friends is an Olympic sized pool. Have you seen anything more gorgeous?

A private beach! My own personal beach where I can yell, act crazy, curl up in the chair and sleep. Brilliant isn’t it!

And a spa! A spa with a gorgeous view where the sound of the waves lulls you to sleep as a masseuse gently works on your tired muscles. It can’t get better than this.

Have a look at a few more of my random clicks 🙂

The activity zone for team building exercises. This area was huge! More photos later 🙂

Loved my tour of the Chariot Beach Resort? Want to come experience Mahabalipuram? Stay tuned for my detailed property review and my adventurous catamaran ride to explore the hidden Shore temples of Mahabalipuram. Till then, I hope you enjoy these waves 🙂

Pssst… want to vacation at Chariot Beach Resorts like me and save money, too? Use my code Khush500 to avail a special discount of Value Rs.500/- over and above the Best Rates available on their official website. So get up and going to experience Mahabalipuram at its finest resort.

The Chinese Fishing Nets of Fort Kochi, Kerala

chinese fishing nets kochi, chinese fishing nets kerala, — Cheena Vala or the Chinese Fishing Nets at Fort Kochi, Kerala

“What are those curious looking entrapments all through Fort Kochi?” I asked myself as I took a stroll through the shoreline early in the morning. With the breeze merrily playing with my hair and a cup of coffee that set me back by Rs. 10, I sat on one of the many benches that dotted Fort Kochi. There were several fishermen who were rhythmically moving around it, anticipating the next move. They gestured and spoke excitedly in rapid Malayalam as one of them lowered the fishing net. After a lull of 5 minutes I heard an exclamation as three men collectively pulled out the net full of fish. One of them collected the catch and started examining it.

I asked a lady who had served me my coffee and tried to use the one of the two phrases I knew in Malayalam, “it entāṇ” (What is that?)

“Cheena Vala”, she replied.

“Cheena Vala?”, I asked

“Cheeni fishing net”, she translated for me.

Chinese Fishing Nets or Cheena Vala as they are called locally are fixed land installations, which are operated from the shore. The nets are mounted on teak or bamboo poles and held up horizontally by a mechanism which helps it lowering it to the sea for fishing.

These nets can be operated by around six men. They are 10 meters high and spread up to 20 meters into the sea. Each net has a limited operating depth and different nets are used during high tide or low tide.

Historically, it is believed that Chinese explorer Zheng He brought the Chinese fishing nets to the court of Kublai Khan for the first time between 1350 to 1450 AD.

Now you would assume that these gigantic contraptions would help you catch a lot of fish whereas, in reality, the fishermen prefer to catch small quantities and wait till the catch is sold off. That is why; no matter where you eat at Fort Kochi, you get the freshest of sea food available. Yum!

Most of the fishing for the wholesale market in larger quantities is done early in morning. Sometimes as early as 3 am. For the local markets, fishermen are seen operating the nets throughout the day. Can you spot all the Chinese Fishing Nets in this picture? 🙂

chinese fishing nets cochin kerala, chinese fishing nets cochin india — Can you spot all the Chinese Fishing Nets of Kochi in this picture?

The Chinese fishing nets are so elegant; it is almost lyrical how the fishermen operate it jabbering away and knowing when would be the perfect second to haul the nets up. For a first time viewer like me, the balancing and slow rhythm of the nets is splendid to watch.

chinese fishing nets kochi, chinese fishing nets kerala, chinese fishing nets india, chinese fishing nets fort kochi, chinese fishing nets fort cochin, chinese fishing nets cochin kerala, chinese fishing nets cochin india — A close up look at the Chinese Fishing Nets

By the way, the Chinese Fishing nets are one of the most photographed spots around Fort Kochi. I couldn’t help but click tons of photographs, too!

For the best view, take a walk through the Vasco da Gama Square. A couple of locals did mention that you could see bigger fishing nets around Marine Drive which is nearly 30 kilometers away from Fort Kochi but I couldn’t make it.

What I love about Kochi is that every trip I make to the city, I seem to learn something new. The locals are super friendly and while language can sometimes be a barrier, most of them will try to talk to you in English and some of them go far as to attempt some Hindi, too!

Some quick tips

The best time to observe the Chinese Fishing Nets is early in the morning around 5:00 am but some of them do operate throughout the day, too.

Fort Kochi, though a bustling tourist destination, is almost deserted from 7 am to 10 am. If you are looking to explore the place alone, this is the best time.

Carry snacks if you plan to visit Fort Kochi before 10 am because most of the shops, restaurants, and eateries are closed.

Some vendors will allow you to purchase small quantities fish caught in front of you using the Chinese Fishing Nets and quickly prepare a delicious meal for you. It will be slightly expensive but it is worth the price you pay.

That’s it from me. I hope you enjoyed reading about the Chinese Fishing Nets of Kerala 🙂 Do you want to know the best things you can do at Fort Kochi? Do check Teresa’s blog, Brogan Abroad, here.

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6 Offbeat destinations in London

#CelebratingSuper: Stories of change from Delhi

On a quest to find the Hidden Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram

Experience Mahabalipuram at Chariot Beach Resort

The Chinese Fishing Nets of Fort Kochi, Kerala

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