Travel – Being Expat https://beingexpat.com Expat blog, Directory, Resources Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:40:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 Places to Visit in Guwahati and Shillong https://beingexpat.com/guwahati-and-shillong-the-mesmerisers-of-assam/ Mon, 03 Jun 2019 18:25:01 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=86 Guwahati, being Assam’s capital and a key tea trading station of Assam, is sought after by most of the tea traders around the world, apart from which there is more about Guwahati than what meets the eye. If you are a nature lover yet can’t give up on the city luxury, you ideally should land in Guwahati to witness the amalgamation of both.

The best time to visit Guwahati is during the Bihu time which falls in April-May, popularly known as the ‘Bohag-Bihu’ among the Assamese people, that’s something you should acknowledge because Bihu is Assam’s most famous festival. The foot-tapping music and the traditional dance moves are will entice you, and yes the mouthful of Assamese Till-peetha (traditional Sesame-sweet), Ghila- peethaMaalpua peethaNarikol ladu ( traditional Coconut-sweet), Till laduSunga peethaTekeli peetha, etc. too are there to caress your sweet tooth. That being said, there lay some nearly extinct tribal festivals amidst the tea labors, such as ‘Jhumur’ et al. whose songs are blended with Assamese-Bengali-Oriya languages. You can take a sneak-peek on the life of the tea tribes by traveling not too far from Guwahati into the tea gardens. In any case, you will have to keep the Guwahati center stage.

One of the places to visit in Guwahati is the Kamakhya temple, a notable Hindu temple which is believed to be blessed with goddess Durga’s genitals as the foundation, thus called the ‘Yoni-peeth.’ Devotees in large numbers visit here to offer their prayers in pursuit of a happy and prosperous life. Suffice to say, this place’s enigma is as breathtaking to a nonbeliever too as being one of the oldest and greatest temples in India. The three Garbhagrihas such as CalantaPancharatna, and Natmandira, are the important parts of this temple. The best time to visit the temple is during the ‘Ambubachi-Mela’ festival.

The cruise ride on the Brahmaputra River is one of the other places to visit in Guwahati, and I suggest you don’t give it a miss. Also, include tasting local cuisine made from the local Brahmaputra Fish in your bucket list.

GuwahatiThe places to visit in Guwahati are the rain forests which are not too far away from the city. They stand distinctly appealing to an adventure junkie’s eye — namely, Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, Joypur Rainforest, Dibrugarh, etc. You can avail jungle safaris and camping here if you’re on a backpacking adventure trip. To get there, you’ll need to rent a car from Guwahati itself. Besides, there are other means of transport such as tourist buses, and information is available on the internet.

How about a footloose in the mesmerizing mountains of Meghalaya? Sounds exciting? Here’s the deal. From Guwahati, you will get the most convenient means of transport to get to Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Meghalaya is the famous tourist destination among the seven sisters which boasts of Cherrapunji and Mawsynram as two of the gorgeous hill stations in India.

Shillong has both air and train link from Guwahati and is situated at the altitude of 1491m above sea level thus almost kissing the sky, indeed so as you can rub shoulders with baby-clouds in Cherrapunji, distinguished for the persistent rainfall across the year. Places to visit in Cherrapunji: Nohkalikai falls, Seven Sisters’ falls.

Places to visit in Shillong:

Lady Hydari Park: Located in the East Khasi Hills, this is a famous place inundated with plants and flowers. A suggested visit here is during April and October while the flowers are in full bloom.

Ward’s Lake: A manmade lake named after Sir William Ward, the Chief Commissioner of Assam back then during the English colony. The lake has breathtaking beauty with boating facilities.

Golf Course: Otherwise called the ‘Gleneagle of the East,’ this is one of the oldest Golf courses in India that stands witness to the grandeur of the British colony. The groves of Pine and Rhododendron tress at an altitude of 5200 ft are quite a treat to the eye.

Other key places to visit in Shillong: Spread Eagle falls, Elephant falls, Sweet falls, Shillong peak (for a bird’s eye view of the city), Don Bosco center for indigenous cultures, Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum etc.

Try the Lonely Planet India (Travel Guide)

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10 Best Costa Rica Beaches https://beingexpat.com/10-best-beaches-in-costa-rica/ https://beingexpat.com/10-best-beaches-in-costa-rica/#comments Tue, 09 Apr 2019 17:53:10 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=14

You might have heard people talking about Costa Rica. Known for their fab beaches, nightlife, happy society and low cost of living, Costa Rica beaches have long been an enticing expat destination, with many North Americans relocating there.

Costa Rica is such an amazing country — did I mention they have beautiful beaches? Whether you’re looking for an exotic island-style vacation get-a-way, or thinking of relocating to a relaxing in a kick-back chill place, Costa Rica is it. With sweeping view of the Caribbean Sea, inspiration is is a walk or short car ride away.

Playa Avellana for instance is one of the best beaches in the country. Not only does it showcase the clear waters, but offers lots of fun activities, like surfing and sailing. Don’t know how? No problem, they are plenty of instructors to turn you into a pro.

And to the adventure seekers that love to explore, the sight of a black sand beach with tickle your inner explorer. Playa Hermosa is one of the very few costa rica beaches with jet black sand. It is a unique and amazing gift of nature. Costa rica beaches are definitely Instagram-worthy.

These are two of the many beaches to get your chill on. And theree are a lot more in store for you if you make this trip happen. Check out the infographic below for more information. Once you’ve been, you’ll be planning your return, for sure.

Top 10 Most Amazing Beaches In Costa Rica

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Ahmedabad Sightseeing, Places to see https://beingexpat.com/traveling-in-ahmedabad-india/ Sun, 27 Jan 2019 17:55:39 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=19 Ahmedabad sightseeing in the western state of Gujarat is a step back in time, with it’s historical momuments, is also known as the home state of the current Indian Prime Minister (Modi), as well as Gandhi Ji, the father of the nation.

I landed in Ahmedabad to balmy weather; it reminded me a bit of Miami with it’s warmth and humidity. The city is a bit more traditional than Bangalore, though not with any huge visual differences (that I noticed initially).

Ahmedabad historically, because of all it’s cloth mills, had often been referred to as the”Manchester of India.” Today it is the fastest growing business city in India, and currently the financial center for the state.

The driving is just as chaotic as Bangalore, maybe more so — if that is even possible. Bangalore driving I’ve written about several times, but here in Ahmedabad they just defy logic. At midday an auto-ric taking me crosstown approaches a large multi-way, multi-lane intersection and proceeds to go through the red light and into the heart of the several lanes of traffic without hesitation. Moreover, he forced the traffic with the right of way (the green light) to stop and or swerve to avoid hitting him as he navigated his way through the mele.

The people here are nice enough, and like Bangalore [when they’re not driving or riding], are courteous, polite, friendly and helpful.

AHMEDABAD SIGHTSEEING – Places to see

No matter where you travel, you can’t be sightseeing and/or traveling without a break. So to just chill and decompress they have the only riverwalk (Sabarmati) I am aware of in India; with path-lined gardens. Take a leisure walk, or take a boat ride. I preferred it at night when the riverwalk is lit up and the temperature lower.

Inside The Walled City section of Ahmedabad section you’ll find old Ahmedabad, with narrow streets, marketplaces, older architecture, and the remains of the arch of the Bhadra Fort, now barely noticed by the locals as they setup their stalls right in front of it, partially blocking it from view. But if you can use your imagination, you can visualize its one time grandeur; as well as the grand plaza now overrun with market stalls as well. You may even see an elephant or two walking the streets; camels are also common here. It’s part of Ahmedabad sightseeing.

What would an Indian trip be without visiting a temple? The Akshardham Temple, and the Hathee Singh Jain Temple don’t disappoint.

If history interests you, visit the Gandhi Ashram, the base for Mahatma Gandhi and the Freedom Fighters during the time of their struggle for independence from the British Empire. Also, stop in at the Gandhi Museum, which displays letters, photographs, and historic event information. These are some must-visit Ahmedabad sightseeing locations if you want to visit.

Indian sculptures, painting, bronze works, drawings, coins, wood works, manuscripts and beadwork display Indian heritage and culture at the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum located near the university of Gujarat, in the Navrangpura area.

There are two important mosques in Ahmedabad: 
The Sidi Sayed mosque is one of the oldest in India. built in 1573 it has the original marble, and is visually stunning. And, with 15 domes and 260 spires the Jama Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Ahmedabad, built in the year 1424. It was during the era of the Sultan Ahmed Shah, built in his time as a place of worship only for Sultans.. It’s English translation if Friday Mosque, and it is now a tourist attraction with many visitors each year.

If nature is your thing, the Kankaria Lake is 2.25 square kms located in the southern part of the city, in the area known as Maninagar. It features natural beauty — in the center of the lake is Nagina Wadi, which in the language or Udu means beautiful garden. It was built up by the Sultan Kutubuddin in the 15th century. The lake area also features, food stalls, tethered balloon rides, water slides, and many picnic areas. Another option is Vastrapur Lake in the western part of the city. It’s a place the relax and unwind, with many new facilities, and a favorite among locals for early morning walks.

For food lovers, stroll along the Manek Chowk, the most popular street for tradition food. You’ll find Indian modern, Desi and traditional dishes, but also Chinese, Mexican, Punjabi, and continental. Close by, you can also visit the Rani Ni Hajiro tombs. Based on Indio-Islamic architecture, it is considered a national monument of importance, There are eight tombs, housing the queens of the Shah Amed and other sultan rulers. There is also shopping near the site.

Footpath stalls are abundant for shopping in the Lal Darwaja local market, with a wide variety of items from shoes to trinkets. NOTE that you can bargain them down, sometimes from Rs.1000 to as low as Rs. 200.

Like Cricket? Stop in and watch a match at the Motera Stadium, also known as Sardar Patel Stadium. It can host 56,000 spectators, making it the largest stadium in the state of Gujarat. As a tourist you need to seek permission from the GCA to visit there.

WHERE TO STAY IN AHMEDABAD INDIA
My hosts here found me a moderately-priced, nicely-decorated place to stay called the Hotel Furaat Inn in the Ellisbridge part of town near the college. Later I moved to the Riverview (right at the foot of the Nehru Bridge). The rooms were slightly more upscale, with a “great” shower (not to be taken lightly in India) and a terrific restaurant.

WHERE TO EAT IN AHMEDABAD INDIA
Once you are done with Ahmedabad sightseeing, here are some restaurants and cafes with ambiance worth exploring:

Tomato is an American-styled place, sort of akin to TGIFs, with a wide menu of American, Indian, Chinese, and some Thai cuisine. I ordered a Mexican Chicken Enchilada, which though it was nothing like a Mexican Chicken Enchilada, was very tasty.

Sphere Lounge is an open-air rooftop cafe at the Ramada. It was very casual, drawing a younger crowd that gathers to have mock cocktails, starters and sandwiches. Contemporary music plays at a comfortable level, while images are shown on a large screen — sometimes sports, other times music videos. The Mexican Nachos might have been the best I have had anywhere in India to date, and the Mexican Veg Panini was also very good; everything is strictly vegetarian..

Java Cafe at the Courtyard by Marriott is casual, has a large screen TV, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor patio. It really packs up on Sundays. It seems to be the “in” spot among the local college and young adult set.

Skyz Restaurant is the nicest place I’ve been so far, also a rooftop restaurant (near the Ramada). It features indoor seating, as well as a garden-like terrace restaurant, Live subtle music, and terrific vegetarian only food.

If you want indoor air-conditioned dining with a wide menu, including western-style, the Eatery at the Four Points by Sheraton (also in Ellisbridge area on Gujarat College Road)) has become my go-to spot a few days per week. While I tend to get a Cheese and Mushroom Omelette, with hash browns, toast, grilled tomato and a pot of coffee most days, they do also have things like Herb Grilled Chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetables, and an all you can eat lunch and dinner buffet (Rs. 700 and 1000 respectively).

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Palolem Beach in Goa https://beingexpat.com/palolem-beach-in-goa/ https://beingexpat.com/palolem-beach-in-goa/#comments Wed, 23 Jan 2019 17:58:16 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=22

There are many beaches in India, though Palolem Beach in Goa India is my favorite to date. It provides elevated beach huts with a balcony overlooking the surf, lots of restaurants and bars on the beach, enough people to make it lively, though not too many to disrupt the tranquility.

Surrounded on three sides by water, India has many beach choices, including Pondicherry (Puducherry) on the east coast, and Kanyakumari on the southern tip. But Goa is the more popular area, with beaches littered along the west coast for hundreds of kilometers.

Every beach has it’s own personality, some drawing large party crowds (such a Baga Beach), while others remain a more tranquil experience. Palolem beach has the best of both.

On the spur of the moment, a few colleagues and I decided to travel to Palolem via motorcycle, and the ride itself was a thrill. Despite having to initially endure 400 kilometers via highway, the last 200 kilometers were all country roads — that took us through villages, forests and snaking through “S” curves in the mountains.

Everyone has different expectations of a beach vacation, and I am no exception. I sought a peaceful place, had some recreation, enough people to make it enjoyable, and restaurants and bars on the beach — and, served cocktails — not just beer. I wasn’t disappointed.

WHERE TO STAY

The beach, swaying palm and coconut trees, the sound of the surf with the bright sun overhead, what’s not to like about the beach? Palolem Beach had many options to indulge your restless soul that range from as little as Rs. 500 per night (on the main road just off the beach), up to Rs 1,00 – 4,000 per night on the beach.

All of them on the beach have the same setup, with stilted huts over the restaurants (most with balconies) that overlook the ocean, and others set behind the restaurant, most of those with a clean line of sight views to the ocean through the open restaurants.

All the beach hut resorts have lounge chairs and umbrellas by day, and dining tables and chairs by night. You’ll want for nothing; it is all here. You can take a boat cruise, rent a kyack, a bike, or talk a walk. For the adventurous, there are excursions to the waterfalls, scuba diving, dolphin watching and so much more.

Cuba Beach Huts Resort is perhaps the most visible online and offers beach huts on stilts with a large balcony (with Cuba Havana right next door (same ownership, same pricing), though their rooms are slightly smaller, but the balconies larger. Their restaurant, also with a sand floor, I thought had better music and more bohemian feel to it; a young, international crowd.

NOTE: between Cuba Huts and Havana, out on the beach is Sai Palolem; they had very good food options, and 3 for one drink specials, and a friendly and accommodating staff.

Ciarans has more of a beach hotel feel in their restaurant, with dark wood floors and a touch of elegance. They also have ocean front huts on stilts with balconies (Rs. 4000). Their huts — behind the restaurant — don’t have quite the same open ocean view as the former two above. But are set in a more wooded cabin setting, with flower and garden lined pathways and lots of trees overhead. It appeared to cater to an older, more affluent crowd.
Rs. 2,000 – 2,500 per night

Banyan Tree and Fernandez — both 50-100 meters further north of the others –, had nice restaurants with couches, and featured Italian coffee; most of the others serve instant.

Brendons, which calls itself “the cool place” offered huts just beyond it’s the open restaurant at Rs.1000 a night. It has a porch and reminded me more of a cabin set among the trees, though it had a clear eyeshot to the beach and earshot of the soft, easy waves crashing upon the shoreline. The restaurant had good food — like steak marinated in Rum, topped with cheese with potato and vegetables.

Sai Presley and Sameer were two other mid-price options.

Any of the above and so many more are sure to provide you with a relaxing vacation experience. They’re all similar, most of them offering stilted huts overlooking the ocean, with others in a line behind their respective restaurants.

The real treasure and best-kept secret, however, is at the far north end of the beach. Set on a little peninsula, which at hide tide you have to wade through thigh-high water to reach. There is a little outdoor bar called Sundowner where you can watch sunrise or sunset, and many conjugate there for sunset. They have huts for rent at Rs 800 a night, perched and embedded into the mountain — with a view of the beach to the left and rocky coast to the right. They appeared quite rustic on the outside but were quite cozy on the inside.

They are also a destination for those that want an outdoor wedding, for those that want to experience a sunset Goa beach wedding.

Fresh fish, of course, is readily available at virtually any of these resorts and included Shark, Tuna, Red Snapper, Black Snapper, Pomfret, Lobster, Calamari, and Prawns. You can enjoy them grilled, sauteed, or tandoori. And there are many other cuisines including Mexican, Spanish, Italian, Indian, Chinese, and continental.

Palolem is globally represented too: we met people from Bulgaria, Sweden, Denmark, England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, and Israel; there were even a few Indians there!. It was the first time during my three years in Bangalore that I was in the white majority. Diversity always makes a trip more interesting.

Unlike Om Beach (which I’ll write about in another article), where the town itself is 4 kilometers away, Palolem Beach has two streets of shopping (with incidentals as well as tourist crafts) that are all a just a few minutes walk from your beach hut. There is even a Cafe Coffee Day, and then the main town is just a kilometer away. There are also places to stay there on the main road as well, ranging from Rs. 500 upward.

Getting Cash. I didn’t see an ATM on that previously mentioned street just off the beach, but there is a tourism office just in on the right that can swipe your card and give you cash (they charge 2-3{3e606923dd75739fa0997ea01c1efa34f2a8d56b6ebb334122bb9153c0608d88} for the transaction.)

Being on motorcycles, we opted on our 4th day to take a drive 60 kilometers to the Dudhsagar Waterfall. However, once you get to the little town nearest the waterfall, you have to take a 45-minute trek by 4×4 jeep up the mountain. The road is rough, jostling your insides lose every 5 feet, as the jeep navigates over a rock-studded dirt road, several times crossing through small ponds deep enough that water reached the bottom of the doors.

Once on top, after a short hike along a trail, you can elect to take a refreshing swim in the natural pool at the foot of the waterfall, which we did. You may also want to check out other places to visit in Goa.

Read about traveling in Rajasthan, India

View more India travel photos here on my Facebook gallery

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Places To Visit in Shimla, Kullu and Manali https://beingexpat.com/places-to-visit-in-shimla-kullu-and-manali/ Tue, 22 Jan 2019 18:11:05 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=52 Places to visit in Shimla

India boasts of many gorgeous hill stations among which Shimla wins the brownie points. Being the capital town of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is at the focal point of connecting with other dominant tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh which itself is a tourist spot, that apart, the breathtaking beauty of this place is the tourist magnet around the year.

In every atom, Shimla is worth its salt to cast its spell on you with all that dazzling mountains lacing the horizon and a snow bath to send the chill down your bones. Sipping tea in a hill top cafe and while away time looking at the carelessly beautiful pines bejewelling the mountains is the most idyllic thing one can think of doing here.

Here are a few places to visit in Shimla:

  1. Christ Church:

Shimla’s most well known and oldest church is Christ Church which stands witness to the legacies of British Rule. The Church overlooks the entire city of Shimla and is also quite visible from miles around in the city.

  2. Jakhu Temple:

A notable temple in Shimla dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This is known to be one of the oldest temples in Himachal Pradesh. It takes a 2.5 km trek from the ridge to get there, but all that sweat is worth as the temple overlooks the picturesque beauty of the mountains and the nearby town of Sanjauli.

  3. The Ridge of Shimla:

Tourists from around the world gather here throughout the year to witness the snow capped mountain range enveloped in the beauty of nature which is an exceptional view. The mountain lights liven up the evening atmosphere.

  4. Shimla State Museum:

House to a range of splendid paintings, sculptures, coins, handicrafts, photos etc. This place is sought after by visitors on being one of the notable tourist places of Shimla. The colonial impact on the buildings around here sets a nostalgic atmosphere for the visitors. The lawns that sprawl around feed more life to the beauty of this place.

  5. Mall Road:

This is the shopping destination of Shimla for both the tourists and locals. There are shops of local handicrafts. Also, there are brand showrooms, food courts to add to the vigour of the widespread mall road. If not buying into goodies, you can just walk a mile in the chill followed by a warm soup in the local food court or have a tasting of the mouth-wateringly hot Gulab jamuns in the nearby sweet shops.

KULLU AND MANALI

There are more than one means of transport from Shimla to Kullu but which is most favoured by the tourist is taking the road on a rented car. Kullu is the second best tourist spot in Shimla which weaves its pedigree in its world famous lamb-wool shawls, a sobriquet Pashmina. Kullu’s beauty is blissfully mesmerizing as that of Shimla and Manali is probably the most picturesque tourist den in here. Manali’s mall road is way better as compared to Shimla with twice as the shops in the latter. I suggest a hearty shawl shopping spree once you get there. That apart, doesn’t forget to pamper your taste buds with grilled Trout fish, a local Himachal cuisine made with the locally cultured fresh Trout fish. This dish is hugely available in almost every alternate food stop in the Mall Road in Manali.

Famous Tourist destinations around Manali:

  1. Solang Valley: like its western counterparts, Solang valley too has the jaw dropping beauty about it. It is a photographer’s paradise and many a romantic song sequences from Bollywood movies have been shot here. Solang valley’s attraction is the snow sports such as Skiing, Mountain-biking, Paragliding, Zorbing etc.
  2. Other notable tourist places in Manali are:
    1. Hidimba Devi Temple
    2. Great Himalayan National Park
    3. Rohtang pass
    4. Pandoh dam
    5. Pin valley national park

Himachal tourism includes various adventure sports, so if you are an adventure junkie, plan your journey wisely as not to miss on Paragliding for a bird-eye view of the beautiful Solang valley and River rafting.

Once you are done with places to visit in Shimla, Kully, and Manali, you can also check out Guwahati and Shillong.

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Places to visit in Pondicherry https://beingexpat.com/pondicherry-archives/ Sat, 19 Jan 2019 18:03:29 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=31 The French Riviera of India, Pondicherry the former name of Puducherry is one of the biggest tourist attractions of India. From a French ville “Pondicherry” was changed to the Tamil natakam “Puducherry “on the 20th September 2006. Fondly called by its visitors as “pondy”, has much more in store than just the blessing from Mother Nature. We’ve only shared some of the places to visit in Pondicherry, there are a lot more things to do for the exploring traveler.

Once you enter this beautiful union territory of India, you can stop think about the errands that need to be followed up after the holiday.  The clean streets, the sustained architecture of the French colonies, churches, temples and beaches will simply take your thoughts away from the hustling bustling city you come from. Not to forget the fine wine and the gourmet. The annual food festival which happens during July is something every foodie should look forward for. Adapt yourself to the “Pondy” lifestyle by going on cycling trips, hiking and horse riding for a change. Hit the beaches, go scuba diving and admire the corals and the marine life.

Don’t forget to visit some of the famous tourist spots before you leave. Here are some of the places to visit in Pondicherry:

1. The French quarters

The white and yellow decorative streets of the French quarters duplicate the streets of old France. Facing the beach with meagerly dressed visitors basking in the sun makes it a frilly place. Moreover, it is a residing home for some of the monuments like the French consulate, Rumain Rolland library, hotel de ville, the Gandhi memorial and the white town.

2. Sri Aurobindo ashram

Apart from being an ashram and a spiritual community of disciples of Sri Aurobindo, you will also find the tombs of Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa popularly known as Mother.

3. Puducherry museum

If vintage is your taste, then don’t miss out this museum. Here you will find furniture’s and décor from the French era exhibited with cosset. Ancient Spanish and Greek pottery and amphorae which were excavated from Arikamedu are also exhibited here.

4. Sacred heart basilica

This red and white brick church was consecrated on December 17th 1907. With Medieval architecture and decorated with rare to find stained glass art showcasing the life events of Jesus Christ makes sacred heart a pilgrimage to many Christians.

5. Sri Manakula Vinayagar temple

Don’t miss the head pat from the temple elephants and also the precisely hand carved friezes of the temple.

6. Ayurveda holistic healing centre

This place gives you the benefit of Different kinds of ayurvedic massages for different treatments. Body detox and yoga courses are also serviced here.

The authenticity of cuisines can also be found here. Some of the must visit restaurants are:

1. l’espace

With an airy seating and comfortable furnishing, makes l’espace among the top restaurants visited in Pondicherry. The restaurant also serves alcohol.

2. Satsanga

This multi cuisine restaurant is bliss to the eye and the tongue. From serving authentic Indian cuisine to excellent continental satsanga is among the famous restaurants in Pondicherry. Seafood is a specialty here.

3. kasha ki aasha

The heavily decorated restaurant has something very Indian about it, just like its name. If breakfast is your stomachs first desire then don’t miss on the fresh pancakes and the euro- Indian food specialty.

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Things To Do in Seychelles, an archipelago of islands https://beingexpat.com/things-to-do-in-seychelles/ Mon, 14 Jan 2019 18:04:29 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=35 The republic of Seychelles is an archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean. With neighboring countries like Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, Zanzibar, Mayotte and Reunion, Seychelles tops the least populated charts among the African states. Seychelles has an addition of 154 other islands making it a country, with Victoria as its capital.

The country is divided into Twenty-six administrative regions, out of them fourteen are regarded as rural parts of Mahe Island with two districts, one on Praslin and the other on La Digue. The biggest of them all is the capital, Greater Victoria consisting of eight districts. The rest are deserted coralline islands except for Alphonse and Destroches, which provides accommodation.

Tourism:

When the Seychelles international airport opened in 1971, tourism was established as the islands most profiting industry. Real estate business has also been flourishing ever since, as hotels keep coming up every other day in Seychelles. The government of Seychelles focuses on sustaining flora and fauna even while promoting tourism. They believe that nature and tourism industry should go hand in hand. The country holds a record of being the largest conserver of nature. The people of Seychelles are very friendly and welcoming. The population is a blend of Africans, French, Indians, and Chinese.

Some of the tourist attractions and Things to do in Seychelles

MONUMENTS:

Bicentennial monument:

This monument was built to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the town of Victoria. It is a three wing structure that symbolizes the three ethnic roots of the country.

Cathedral of our lady of Immaculate Conception:

Located in the island of mahe, is one of the first churches build in the country. The stunning architecture is one of the reasons for the attraction, though it has been renovated multiple times. Apart from that the cathedral of our lady of Immaculate Conception is also the tomb of Bishop Felix Paul.

Eustache Sarde’s house:

Constructed with timber, Eustache Sarde house is one of its kinds. The design clearly displays the idea of natural ventilation. Moreover, the house built in the 20th century leaves the eyes of the beholder with the nature’s perceptions.

Dauban mausoleum:

Amidst the deserted rich vegetation of silhouette stands the dauban mausoleum. The architecture also depicts the status of the dauban family.

ISLANDS

Curieuse Island:

This small island close to Praslin Island is one of the two islands in Seychelles to have red soil earth. Best known for the case of island gigantism, Seychelles houses gigantic tortoises and coco de mer plantation.

Cousin Island:

This Island is the largest conserver of nature in Seychelles. A tourist attraction for bird watchers as the island houses three hundred thousand of sea birds alone. The island is closed on weekends and on public holidays.

Aride Island:

Located ten kilometers from Praslin Island, is another natural reserve island. This island allows more than a million birds of different species to dwell among its habitat.

Other islands and attractions:

La digue

Petite anse

Eagles nest mountain

Coco and felicite Islands

Creole food speciality

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Things to Do in Bahrain https://beingexpat.com/things-to-do-in-the-island-country-of-bahrain/ Fri, 11 Jan 2019 18:05:22 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=37 Rich with culture and established on the Dilmun civilization, lies an island country on the shores of Persian gulf, Bahrain. With ancient architecture, archeological remains and sites leaning side by side with the modern lifestyle and state of the art, makes this island country an all-rounder. Popularly known as Tylos (centre of pearl trading) got its name from the Greeks during the time of Alexander the great. Though a tiny island, it is one of the places to explore and learn.

A brief history:

Bahrain is said to be the origins of Phoenician civilization in 440 BC. In the 5th century AD it had become a centre for Nestorian Christianity. Prior to the Islamic era, the country was under the Dilmun civilization after which it was ruled by the Babylonians and Assyrians. In 1235, Bahrain came under the rule of the Persians. The Portuguese seized the island from the hands of the former ruler and administered for 80 years. The Portuguese were overthrown by the Persians in 1602 and governed until 1782, after which unrest broke and lasted till 1820; this is when the British recognized the Al-Khalifa tribe as the rulers of Bahrain. On signing the treaty to protect the island from foreign attacks, British took over the entire dominance. Devoured by the British rule and aiding both the world wars, Bahrain finally got independence on 15th august 1971. On 14 February 2002, Bahrain changed its name from state of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

If you are looking for a trip that doesn’t require much traveling, yet treat you to an entire trip from desert to sea, we offer you Bahrain. Here are some fun things to do in Bahrain:

Amwaj Island and Durrat Al Bahrain:

Two of the manmade islands that scream luxury, comfort and leisure. Durrat al Bahrain being the largest artificial island of the country will be 220,000,000 square feet after completion in mid-2015, it will include six coral atoll shaped, five fish shaped and two crescent shaped islands. Amwaj is a smaller island compared to Durrat al Bahrain, which is roughly 30 million square feet. It is located in the north Bahrain and is 17km from the capital.

Things to do in Amwaj –

  1. Amwaj accommodates the islands best hotels that provide exquisite hospitality.
  2. The island is designed in such a way that, every restaurant customer in Amwaj can experience a lagoon side dinning. There are seventy six restaurants solely in Amwaj lagoon which offer cuisines from all around the world; it’s like a food festival but only permanent.
  3. The manmade island houses spas and salons that provide high end services. If you are looking for a professional makeover you are in the right place.
  4. The Arabian social custom to smoke hookah/Shisha is an experience of a kind. Authentic Sheesha parlors in Amwaj make good Shisha with fresh fruits and offer a huge list of flavors.

Theme parks, malls and shopping:

  1. Wahoo Water Park and Bahrain city center: Can you imagine a water park inside a mall? Bahrain city centre has the rarest of amusement park, Wahoo waterpark which is built on the roof top of the mall. Popularly known as BCC and city centre is the biggest mall on the island. Apart from the amusement park, BCC has a line of restaurants, a cinema, over 340 brands from top designers to mid range that includes clothing, accessories, shoes, watches, home décor and supermarkets. The mall is located in the Seef district of the capital. It also accommodates two luxury hotels.
  2. Lost paradise of Dilmun Water Park: Widely known as L-pod, is rated as the seventh best among amusement parks in the Middle East. It includes 16 rides and an artificial beach with an outdoor screen where movies are played; they like to call it “dive-in” movies. Located in Al Areen it takes a 45 minutes drive from the capital city, Manama.
  3. Adhari Park: Is another tourist attraction in Bahrain. It is located in Tubli, close to Isa town, which is 7km from Manama.
  4. Souks: The souk (means market in Arabic) in Bab al Bahrain, Manama is one of the tourists’ attraction. The souk offers varieties of spices and handicrafts.
  5. Sailing, Scuba diving, pearl diving, horse riding and royal camel farms are other attraction in Bahrain.

Grand prix:

Bahrain’s biggest attraction is the Bahrain grand prix, which is also the venue for the 3rd race of the Formula One calendar. Bahrain provides GCC citizens, residents and 37 other nationalities visa on arrival on regular basis, but citizens of BrazilChileCyprusHungaryIndiaPanamaSouth AfricaTaiwan and Venezuela with Grand Prix tickets are also given visa on arrival during the event.

Historical sites and architecture:

  1. Al Fateh grand mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world built in 1988.
  2. Khamis mosque is the oldest mosque in Bahrain founded in the 7th century.
  3. Riffa fort built in 1812 during the reign of Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Khalifa
  4. Arad fort was built in the 14th century AD
  5. Qalat al Bahrain (Bahrain fort) previously known as the Portugal fort is inscribed as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site
  6. Tree of life is miracle tree that grows in the middle of the desert; the 400 year old tree gets water from an unknown source.
  7. Beit Al Quran which means house of Quran is a museum dedicated to Islamic art.
  8. Bahrain museum and pearl diving museum are other that displays the history and culture of Bahrain.
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Places to Visit in Goa https://beingexpat.com/places-to-visit-in-goa/ Mon, 07 Jan 2019 18:06:25 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=40 The most exotic sea destination in India, Goa is the ultimate spell caster. It has no shortage of travelers around the year to get wind of the local bohemian life and loosen up. Since Goa is just a drive away from Mumbai and Bangalore, every weekend Goa sees a lot of party animals coming down to chill from Mumbai and Bangalore thus feeding life to Goa’s blithesome shores. The impressive coastline is the main tourist magnet, which also boasts of a long cultural heritage.

Mostly young people and honeymoon couples have Goa as their pick to spend the unforgettable time of their lives. However, here are some places to visit in Goa:

Water sports

Water sports in the sea attract many foreign visitors and adventure junkies. Make sure to check the safety measures before hitting any such water sport. There are other beach activities that I propose you to give a try. To name a few such activities, Banana boating (adventure sport that mostly psyches up the kids), jet skiing, water sporting, parasailing, and Dolphin cruises are the key attractions here.

One Night stay at the Beach

The Sunset spells a fresh life to most of the beaches in Goa. The weather livens up by the colorful crowd gathering in the beaches to while away time. To nail the most happening beach in Goa, be sure to land up in the Anjuna where quite a good deal of beach shacks remain open all night, and you can party to no limits with your friends overnight. Arambol beach floods you with music and open jam session along with your drink by the beach.

Wildlife hunting

Though a little neglected, Goa’s wildlife is worth a visit. Penetrate the wilderness to witness the breathtaking beauty of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary which is situated near Molem. The second best wildlife sanctuary here is the Bondla wildlife sanctuary. Have an eyeful on the waterfalls; Dudhsagar Falls tops the list among the lot.

Shopping spree

Goa is a shopper’s paradise and Saturday night bazaars are invariably the main shoppers’ attraction. Flea market has charmed its way to glory on being the most famous market here which renders a wide range of chunky and fashionable goodies like jewellery, souvenirs. To catch the flea market, hit the Anjuna beach on a Wednesday. You can easily bargain here and the shops are lined along the beach.

Go Biking

There are more apart from the beaches in Goa, if you shift your focus a bit towards discovering the exotic and intriguing pathways along the paddy fields. For ease, hire a bike and ride your way to glory. Halt by something which catches the eye, have an eyeful, then get going.

Party all Night

The real fun starts when darkness sets in. Hop from one bar to another to see what is happening or go straight to shacks and sway over the beats of loud music. Enjoy drinking all night long and have a blast.

With the night cropping in, the fun bloats a bigger high. Goa has myriad nightclubs and discos to lure the party animals. To name a few: Club Cabana, Tito’s, etc. Have a blast with your friends all night with unlimited drinks and food for company.

Visit the Casino

Gambling is legal in Goa, so it is not unusual to see several casinos scattered across major hotels. Some are even found on boats. The casino cruise is one of the places to visit in Goa if you come from a place that is alien to casinos.

The major hotels have bigger casinos in Goa. Certain yet sexier casinos are located in the cruises which overlook the vast ocean and serves exotic drinks and food on board itself. To name a few cruises: Casino Royale, Casino Carnival, and Casino Caravela.

Also, check out Palolem Beach in Goa.

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Rajasthan Tourist Places https://beingexpat.com/traveling-in-rajastan/ Sun, 06 Jan 2019 17:59:56 +0000 http://beingexpat.com/?p=25

With the two main cities of India — Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay) — to the east and west, and the great Himalayas to the north, Rajasthan is a journey into beautiful scenery and interesting historical architecture.

Rajasthan translates to “Land of Kings.” Jaipur is the capital with 2.2 million people and a good place to start. Rajasthan tourist places are vintage. If you want a piece of history, then Rajasthan tourist places is your gateway.

Once there you can begin your exploration in the Pink City, an old market place in the center of town where you can visit the Sheesh Mahal (Lahore Fort or Hall of Mirrors). Afterward walk the streets and shop till your heart’s content. From trinkets to handmade shoes, clothing and jewelry, you’ll find it in t he Pink City of Jaipur. The territory is also known for its textiles and you can find beautiful handmade sheets, rugs and more.

After a few hours walking the Pink City you can take a short autorick ride to the Albert Hall Museum. It is an hour or two of your time featuring rugs, tapestries, mosaic tiles and many historic artifacts.

If you like history and architecture, the City Palace (also within the city) is a must see. It iis quite stunning in it’s sheer size and grandeur, and you should allow yourself a few hours to wander about. And if you didn’t make any purchases in the Pink City, you’ll find an entire street of shops leading to the Palace entrance.

If you like stepping into the past, there are many treasures to behold in Rajasthan. We spent one day hiring an autorick for 800 rupees and visited the Amber Fort, which is expansive, not only having served as a fort but, a palace as well. And after trekking through passage after passage you can finally sit and relax at the Cafe Coffee Day located deep within the complex, it’s terrace overlooking the hillside.

Another fort [and summerpalace of the queen] was Nahargarh Fort, set high on the hill top with a vast view of the city on one side and the hills on the other (see cover photo).

If elephants fascinate you then take a trip to Elefantasy, an elephant park where you can ride an elephant, and kids have lots of attractions to engage their interest. Riding an elephant was a strange sensation: you can feel every muscle in the grand beast move beneath you. Elefantasy is a well organized park and fun for all: adults and kids.

Traveling in Rajasthan

Another tourist park depicting Rajasthan culture and cuisine is the Chokhi Dhani Village, one of the most visited Rajasthan tourist places. While it’s a manmade recreation of Rajasthani life, it’s still a nice tourist spot where you can wander the village and see cultural dancing, get a sense of history, and feast in a sit down and enjoy a Tahli dinner.

For the adventure lovers, step into a sense of the old silk road of the 8th to 12th centuries during a desert trip. You can drive it yourself, or there are several safari camps.

The Great Indian Desert is Thar, in the northwest of India near the Pakistan border, the 17th largest desert in the world. 60% of the desert is in Rajasthan, with the balance extending iinto Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana. The desert region of Rajasthan features the ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization at Kalibanga; the Temples of Dilwara, the only hill station — which is the site of a Jain pilgrimage –,

In the ancient Aravalli mountain range you’ll find Mount Abu; and near Bharatpur in eastern Rajasthan is the Keoladeo National Park known for its bird life.

When it’s time for rest and relaxation head south to Udaipur, the city of palaces. You’ll find many comfortable and elegant hotels at one of the two lakesides.

Rajasthan is a trip into history, culture, architecture and adventure with lots of scenic wonders. Leave yourself enough time to see it all.

Read more of my travels through India and expat life

View my photos of Nargarh Fort

View my photos from Amber Fort

View photos of Jaipur and the Pink City

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