From Farmville to Farm

Trying to fit in a truck load of things to do in Ontario Canada is no easy task. The more you do, the more there is to do. The list of things to see, to eat and to experience just never seems to end

And don't even get me started on all the walking involved.

Oh God, the walking!!

Taking a trip to the fruit picking farm was a great way to slow things down a little. Sure, it's a timid experience unlike the Edgewalk, but it's a refreshing way to chill out, bond with nature (sans the bugs) and have a bit of family time. Plus, a beautiful tea-picking walk in Assam is on the bucket list.. and this is pretty close.

The farms that let you pick your own fruit are spread all over Canada. Depending on what time of the year one goes, a particular field or orchard is kept open to the public. You may get to pick cherries, beans, strawberries, oranges, corn, grapes, even pumpkins and watermelons.

We spent the afternoon amidst rows and rows of plants picking luscious red, raspberries at Downey's Farm, Brampton. There are no buildings in sight - just the shrubs, the sky, and an old barn-like place where you pay 4 CAD and they give you little wooden cartons to fill fruit in.

Basket in hand, we separated branches to find raspberries hidden underneath the foliage, ready to fall off the stem. It's crazy how long it takes to fill up one teeny little container - took us almost 2 hours, but time just flies. It goes without saying... quite a lot of berries never made it to the basket.. courtesy stomach. 

One doesn't have to pay for the raspberries collected. As long as it fits into the container,. it's included in the 4 CAD charge at the entrance.

At the end of the day, it's good to get some sun and a little bit of non-digital Farmville.

After all that work, the raspberries were left in the trunk of the car. *sigh*

Have you ever tried fruit picking? Got a great recipe with raspberries? Just wanna say 'Hi?"
All you got to do is comment below!

Cya next time!

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Hotel Review : Hotel Ketan - Pune

On an impromptu trip to Pune last week, I made a hurried online booking at Hotel Ketan, which turned out to be a really good spur-of-the-moment decision.

Located on Fergusson Road, this place in on the busy street, yet tucked away in a quiet, leafy by-lane, What struck me the most was that this place was spotlessly, sparkly clean! Being a business hotel, they don't hold back when it comes to cleanliness and hygiene.

There is a comfortable lobby on the ground floor and polite staff who make check-in a quick, painless affair. Their prices are pretty reasonable. You can check it out here

The rooms are again, spotless with a big, soft comfortable bed, big screen TV, a little cupboard and desk + chair. I don't know about all the rooms, but ours had our own private balcony, surrounded by trees. It was probably towards the back of the hotel as there was a quite a lot of noise coming from below.

I opted for a non a/c room, which was really cool and breezy. One doesn't really need an a/c in Pune... with the awesome weather and all!

Most importantly, the bathrooms are way beyond what you would expect in a hotel like this one, but they do need to install a shower curtain.

Coming to food, they have a decent selection to choose from for their complimentary breakfast. The lunch and dinner menu is great but the food is pretty average. However the service is prompt and keep filling up the jug of water in the room whenever you call for anything. It's the little things :)

Other services they provide are free wi-fi, laundry, electronic safes, parking, car hire and car wash as well as full generator back up.

Tons of eateries nearby - from street food to fine dining. The road is pretty lively due to all the colleges around. Just down the road is this place *cue breaking glass

All in all, it's nor a star rated hotel, but who cares? This is one hotel  I'm parking my bags at every time I go to Pune.

The Verdict

Cleanliness - 9/10
Service - 8/10
Location - 9/10
Food - 6/10
Facilities - 8/10

TGG Tips:

• There is no elevator, so if you are a senior citizen or have one travelling with you, book a room accordingly.
• Okay-ish for families, but there are no play areas in the vicinity.
• Avoid the road-facing rooms if possible

*Images have been taken from the Hotel Ketan website

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Restaurant Review: By The Way

I'm sure everyone has visited a really hyped up restaurant, only to be thoroughly disappointed. Sometimes it's the food, sometimes it's the service, sometimes it's the ambiance.
And sometime's it's all three.

Sadly, 'By the Way' on Pune's Fergusson Road was one such eatery.

I was really looking forward to going there after reading all the fantastic reviews on Zomato. (Some people even said it had a Greek Vibe,)

Uhh.. no.

I visited it one afternoon and it was quite inconspicuous. There was a giant board at the entrance that said "Happy Hours 11 am to 7 pm." The waiter later said that there was no happy hours that day. It's just kept there.

The menu is pretty impressive, it has Thai, Oriental, Continental, Italian and of course, Indian cuisine. It was quite surprising to see most of the people ordering "daal-roti-sabji," at such a place but it quickly became apparent that I should have done the same.

On asking the waiter what the house special was, he promptly said "Thaison Vietnamese Chicken." Listed under the Oriental, this dish was described as "the Chef's special, shredded pieces of chicken mixed with grated raw potato and deep fried. Topped with a sauce made of butter, red wine, chopped parsley and green chilies." Sounded great.

Instead, what came to the table was cubed chicken with chopped onion and an entire packet's worth of Everest Chili Powder. On bringing this to the waiter's attention he laughs and says "That's what's given on the menu but that's not how it's prepared. This is the best seller."

If there's anything worse than bad food, it's a bad attitude.

I should have probably left right then, but decided to give the place another shot. I ordered the Chicken Pasta in white sauce. It was decent. I mean something-you-would-expect-at-Pizza-Hut decent.

Oh, the mocktails were dismal too. Here's my Miami Beach. Kiwi and Peach Slush. It came in a chipped glass and was so not worth the money.

The Verdict

Cost for two (excluding drinks) - Rs. 2000/-
Food - 1/10
Service - 1/10
Ambiance - 3/10
Value for money - 3/10

Hit or Miss?
Definitely a Miss!

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India Beach Fashion Week - Goa

 Gionee India Beach Fashion 2015 week is all set to steal the hearts of Indian Brides, and for the second time this year, they’re doing it in Goa! 

Centred around the theme ‘Resort and Destination Bride,’ the power packed launch had guests meet the best fashion designers of the country.

As an invitee to the blue carpet event, I got a glimpse into what’s going down from October 29-30-31 2015 in Candolim. The sizzling launch party showcased a stunning preview of beachwear collections by designers James Ferreira, Asmita Marwah, Anupama Dayal, Sonaakshi Raj, Rocky S, Babita Malkani, Ken Ferns and Riddhi Siddhi.

I personally loved Asmita Marwah’s collection inspired by the ‘Bindi,’ This sheer white garment featured a bold red spot in the front, which was an interesting use of an iconic bridal symbol. Babita Malkani’s black flowy design was uber chic! 

And it's hard to stop staring James Ferreira’s design! OMG that skirt!

Gionee India Beach Fashion week plans to focus on the people and talent of Goa this time and so a special addition to the event called “Made in Goa” will be introduced this year. 

There was also mention of the Gionee E8 which is to be launched soon.

Seen at the party were TV celebrities like Rithvik Dhanjani (Hot!) and DJ Aqueel (Hotter!)

The launch kicks off a Pan India Style, Travel and Music Party tour. It brings together the best of fashion, music and glamour to 11 chosen cities. 10 more cities to go!!

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Markets and Markets!

If you look up ‘Things to do in Ottawa,’ the Byward Market always comes up on top! People do love their food, and with such a variety of multi cultural food choices, they don’t have to look for long to find something delicious! Unique eclectic shops and boutiques make a day of aimless wandering so very interesting.


Byward Market, at the corner of St. George Street and Byward Street, is a great place for one-stop shopping. Vendors cluster around an old maroon brick building selling fresh produce, flowers, seafood, baked goodies and souvenirs.

One of the things you MUST try here are the Beaver Tails. Gooey dough that’s deep fried till crispy, with a range of topping choices like marshmallows, Gems, Maple Syrup and Cinnamon Sugar. I had the Nutella and Banana   one (obviously, it’s the most sinful of the lot) and it was the food highlight of my trip.

Obama once stopped at this very outlet for a beaver tail on his way to the Parliament, so that’s probably why the entire place is full of pictures of him. There are stores that even have cookies named after him. That’s the dream!


I read some negative reviews of Byward Market having a lot of pushy panhandlers and pickpockets, but I can honestly say I didn’t see a single one.

Getting There – You will probably have to drive to get there, but there’s tons of on-street parking spots.

I thought Byward market was eclectic. That was before I stepped into Kensington Market. It has a strange, unique charm– in the mismatched clothing stores, the roadside grocery carts, the graffiti laden cafes, and people selling hippie jewelry like you find in Anjuna Market. One of the jewelry vendors was actually planning to rent a stall at the Anjuna Flee market and wouldn’t let us go until we gave him a fair bit of info on house rentals and food cost in Goa.

So, Kensington is located just to the west of downtown Toronto, bordered by Spadina Avenue, Dundas Street, Bathhurst street and College Street. This is one place that must be experienced to be fully understood.

Even if you don’t plan on shopping, I would suggest going and checking out this hipster-ish neighborhood. There are so many things that you don't need but end up buying just because they're hilarious. What do you think about these? Perfect gag gifts!

A wonderful thing about the street is that people from all walks of life come here – rich, poor, young and old, every ethnicity and nationality. Everyone bumps into each other on the narrow sidewalks and one way streets. There’s no parking and it’s a complete obstacle course. I love it!!

Literally just one street away, all the “flower child” vibe disappears to make way for dragons, lanterns and overcrowded sign boards in Chinese. Maybe it’s the Canadian Version of China Town because it was so clean and lacked the grit and bustle of touristy China Towns in other cities. Take time to walk around here, buy some knick-knacks, cheap T-shirts and memorabilia.

Bubble Tea is supposedly good here, but we were in a hurry and didn't try some. I'm still curious to know what it is, though.

Getting around is pretty easy, if you're prepared to walk. There are street cars that take you to downtown Toronto. It's a good idea to get a day pass that is valid for all kinds of public transport.

Although it's called China Town, there are all kinds of south Asian cuisine available with the menus given in Chinese (or so it looked.) We stopped at a little Vietnamese Restaurant and ordered Pho – a broth containing slivers of beef, glass noodles and herbs. It tasted much better than it looked! 

TGG Tips:

1) Bring a camera
2) If you need to buy souvenirs, do it in China Town. Great stuff, good deals and really cheap.
3) Go hungry and try EVERYTHING!

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The Churches of Notre Dame

Maybe it’s the Goan Blood, but I have a thing for Churches...

In my recent trip to Canada, two of them made my jaw drop. They were so stunning, so magnificent, that I gave up taking pictures... they just didn’t compare to the real thing.

I sat down to blog about them, but didn’t know where to start.

So! Here’s my best attempt *fingers crossed* at describing the breathtakingly beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral (Ottawa) and the Notre Dame Basilica (Montreal).

*P.S. Notre Dame is French for Our Lady, referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

                                              Notre Dame Cathedral, Ottawa

There’s no doubt that visitors must be as struck by the majesty of the Notre Dame Cathedral today, as they were hundreds of years ago. One of Ottawa’s oldest and largest houses of worship, the Cathedral had me in awe of the soaring arches, terraced galleries, stained glass windows and mysterious blue lighting. Built in 1885, this National Historic site is an example of religious art and Gothic Revival Architecture

As you walk down the center, you are flanked with bundled, slender stone columns on either side, separating the aisles from the seating area. The arches progressively open up to a view of stained glass windows behind them, depicting biblical scenes, reflecting the style of the Victorian era.

As if the side arches aren’t impressive enough, look up at the blue domed ceiling, with gold criss-cross patterns all the way to the front and feel the vast space that exists between you and the ceiling. The theatrical decor leads your eyes to gaze upon a gorgeous crown above the main altar

I’ve never seen something as intricate as the detailing on the bronze altar. It is carved wit scenes of the birth and resurrection of Christ and his teachings. The sanctuary around it is rich in Gothic adornments and sculptures of Biblical figures such as St. Joseph, patron saint of Canada, as well as St. John the Baptist and St. Patrick, patron saints of Ottawa. The lateral altars are made of wood, covered in gold leaf and studded with jewels.

Getting There:

There’s great connectivity to the Cathedral by bus. Spend the day in the area, walking around Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal, Byward Market and visiting museums.

Notre Dame Basilica, Montreal

Similar to the Cathedral in Gothic revival architecture, bluish interiors and lavish decor, the majesty of the Notre Dame Basilica far outweighs its counterpart. Hundreds of thousands of visitors visit Montreal’s most famous landmark, a symphony of wood, paintings, gilded sculptures and stained glass.

Built in 1829 the history of the Notre Dame Basilica is intertwined with Montreal’s own. Initially a small wooden chapel operated by the Jesuits, it was not big enough to host parishioners who wanted to attend mass, and they frequently had to worship from the courtyard. Reconstruction was often discussed, but it wasn’t until 1823 that the Church wardens approved the plan. The gigantic church was complete in only 35 months!

The Basilica made headlines in 1994, when Celine Dion was married under the soaring midnight blue ceiling and again, in 2000 when Jimmy Carter and Fidel Castro shared the pall bearing honours at the funeral of Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau.

Sadly, not everyone can marry like Celine Dion did. The Sacred Heart Chapel (also known as the Wedding Chapel) was built inside in 1891, which was seriously damaged when fire broke out in 1978. It was then that the first two levels were rebuilt to be identical to the original chapel in modern style allowing more natural lighting.








I literally had 5 minutes to zoom through the entire church since the tour bus was leaving. Although even hours spent here would have probably not been enough

Getting There:

Metro - Take the Orange line to Place d’Armes Station. Exit on Saint-Urbain Street and walk uphill toward Place D’Armes Square.
Bus- Take southbound Saint-Laurent bus No. 55. Get off at the Notre-Dame Street stop east of the Basilica.

TGG Tips:

• There is no entry fee to the Notre Dame Cathedral in Ottawa. The Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal has a CAD 5 entry
• There are ALWAYS weddings at the churches. Find out what time they are before you go. Entry will be denied in case of an event.
• There is no fee to attend a church service, but you will want to take pictures. Plan ahead so that you can click away without having to be disrespectful during a service.
• 20 minute tours are offered in English and French, but skipping it to wander around at your own pace is so much better!

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Painting up a Storm

If you’re a Mumbaikar, there are high chances that you’ve heard or said the words “There’s nothing to do in Mumbai.”

I feel your pain…

Whether you’re an overworked employee, a home-maker who just needs a break, or just someone who likes meeting new people, there’s a new trend in town that I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did.

Introducing Paintstorm – a concept started by Prerna & Viren Chhabria and twins, Sanjana Bubber & Aanchal Bubber Mehta, to give Mumbaikars a great art escape. What began as an idea in February 2015, quickly turned to reality as they realized that creative recreation for adults is virtually non-existent.

But hey, it’s not just another painting workshop, Paintstorm hosts it’s events in popular pubs and restaurants in Mumbai, thus blending some great pastimes, eating, drinking and painting, along with the opportunity of meeting new people. Having left the paint and brushes aside in maybe the 8^th grade, I happened to attend one such event at Le Pain Quotidien, Colaba a few days ago. 

The Paintstorm Team make sure to set a fun, low-stress, non-judgmental environment as they guide you stroke by stroke on creating a masterpiece all on your own.  With unique themes at every event, one doesn’t have to stare at blank canvas wondering what to paint, you can choose to follow the guide and replicate her painting, or simply go nuts and do your own.

I chose the second option.

The event costs around 2400/- with food and drinks additional. It would have been great if a complimentary cocktail/mocktail would have been included in the cost. But if you book a slot at one of the upcoming events, there are chances you may get the promotional discount that’s running. 

Here are the details and booking link for their next event.

Next time you have the boredom blues, skip the mall and the spas. Go on and relive those art classes in school while you chat with new people @Paintstorm.in

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CN TOWER EDGEWALK? ARE YOU CRAZY?

It towers 1815 feet into the sky and is Canada’s tallest and most defining landmark. The CN Tower was once the tallest building in the world, but has lost the title to 4 others - the Burj Khalifa (Dubai), the Tokyo Sky Tree (Japan), Cantor Tower (China), Tower of Abraj Al Bait (Saudi Arabia).  

For those unfamiliar with the tower, it comprises of two observation decks – the main one, at a height of 346 mts which also houses a revolving restaurant. And the upper deck or Sky Pod which is at 446 mts. That’s 116 floors high!

DO YOU DARE?

I love heights so when I heard about the highest, full circle, hands free walk, it took a split second for me to decide to do it. Sticking to the decision, with the family asking “Are you sure?” every 30 seconds, was the tough part.  

I should probably mention that no one else, apart from the participants and walk-master is allowed to go up. Much to my disappointment, that meant no pictures!

An hour later, I was in a room with six others at the base of the tower, pulling on an orange jumpsuit and neon yellow harness. With quick instructions from the staff as to what I can and cannot do up there, I was patted down for contraband items. A hair clip, a key, an earring, anything that could pose a hazard to pedestrians below, was taken away. The shoes were inspected to make sure it had a firm grip, and a couple of people were asked to change into non slip shoes provided to them.

Next, the breathalyzer. For those who need a shot of liquid courage to get through the next hour and a half. The harness clasp was checked. Checked again. And again with a wand. This kind of checking probably meant that some seriously scary stuff was about to happen.

Before I knew it, I was in an elevator with a glass floor, being whooshed up in less than a minute. Whooaaaa!!

We arrived at a tiny room where we were hooked with two ropes connecting to a metal rail above our heads that ran around the circumference of the path outside. Heavy duty locking rings were added and secured with a plastic strap, in order to keep nervous fidgeting fingers away from the locking mechanism in a crazed moment.

TOES OVER TORONTO

For a minute, I forgot how to walk. Inching my toes towards the edge, it's hard to have faith in a steel mesh floor and harness that separates one from the nothingness below.  The harness allows one to “push one’s limit” to the maximum and lean over the edge, first face forward, and then by leaning backwards, with the arcs of your feet resting on the rim.

I struggled with the backward lean. What's funny (now) is one of the girls, Lindsey, chose that particular moment to say to me “If I was to fall off and die, I’d rather go back first than face forward.” My mind was screaming, “THIS IS A BAD IDEA… YOU CANNOT FLY!!!”

You know how they say, “Just trust, don’t question?” Yeah, that’s easier said than done when it comes to the Edgewalk. The endless series of “what-ifs” never stop . What if this rope, tested for 15000 pounds, gives way? What if my harness breaks? What if I lean out too far?

The equally insane guide keeps you company and points out important buildings and landmarks along the 90 minute walk. “If you can walk on the pavement, you’re fine up here,” she said.

One can wander around, take in Toronto from every angle as the sun glistens off the high-rises below, watch planes land and take off at an airport far away, point out helicopters flying below and marvel at Niagara falls in the distance.

Once we were done, we were welcomed into an exclusive group of EdgeWalkers and told that we had repeated a Guinness World Record set in 2011 for the highest external walk on a building. Pretty cool!

A thrill like that doesn’t come cheap. For CAD 200, you also get a CD of the walk, taken from the guide’s GoPro, two photographs and entry into the SkyPod.

If you can handle this vertigo inducing walk, trust me, it’s one of the most exhilarating things you'll ever experience!

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