Why I Love Indigo Airlines

It infuriates me when people keep me waiting. I’m the kind of person who will arrive at where I need to be half an hour before time, and wait patiently. But if the person I’m to meet is even a minute late, they can expect 13699042 calls and a volcano eruption when they arrive. I also hate to make people wait on my account. Almost never happens. 

I think that’s why Indigo Airlines first caught my attention. That clockwork like advertisement way back in 2010 is still stuck in my head. Talk about good marketing!! 

(Don't remember it? Click here)

Much has been said about Indigo’s “on time-every time” policy, and after travelling with them on a dozen occasions, I can vouch for it. In fact, my experience with Indigo goes much beyond being on time. If the airline is late for some reason, they make up for lost time in the air and land as per schedule.

IT'S ALL IN THE NAME - Good branding begins with a great name. A clever play on words “India” and “Go” is just the start of great puns you will find. Their website could have easily been called airlinename.com or something ordinary like that. Choosing something interesting like goindigo.in makes it easier to remember. 

“Hello 6E,” (a play on “hello sexy”) the airlines in-flight magazine is humorous, smart, and challenges convention. Tick!

SENSE OF HUMOUR- Where would an airline have opportunity for tongue-in-cheek humour? Turns out, there are a lot of places.

• The head of cabin crew wears the badge, “Leading Lady.”
• Cashew nuts are sold in a collectible tin marked “Nut Case.”
• Their recruitment ads for airhostesses read “30,000 feet above regular jobs.”
• Their mobile stairways used to enter the aircraft reads “Stairway to 35,000 feet,” or “VIPs – this way!”
• Here are some of their advertisements:

     

There are a lot of such instances across various consumer touch points, and every one of them induces a tiny smile. It makes the brand instantly likable, doesn’t it?

HUMANIZING EMPLOYEE-CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS -  Where all airlines introduce the name of the pilot and head of cabin crew, then proceed to the safety drill, Indigo does things differently. They are all introduced by name, the city they belong to and languages they speak. A small gesture, but big enough to reinforce that they are all people, too. Ground staff who need to issue and check your boarding pass use your name, which is always nice to hear.

AFFORDABILITY -  I stopped visiting a certain Jet after I consistently kept seeing flights from Mumbai to Goa were above 30,000 bucks for an economy seat. Are they serving me lobster and caviar? 9/10 times, Indigo straight out beats every other airline ticket price, and on those rare occasions that it doesn’t, the cheaper flight will be a red-eye one. 

P.S. Travel Hack – visit the site in Incognito Mode or clear cache for cheaper fares.

FOOD -  I do not exaggerate when I say that the Caramel Popcorn (or Crunch box) is fabulous!! I wish they’d supply some to those cinemas serving salted thermacol. You know what else they have on board? Pringles!!! I haven’t tried out the sandwiches or meals yet. Have you?

CLEAN UP – A small service that customers have to do for being on time is to clear up after themselves, ensuring that the next flight isn’t delayed due to scattered garbage. If only trains, buses, taxis and everything made people do this, too! No need for the swacch bharat cess!

THERE'S MORE...

Step less stairs, handicap accessible boarding ramps, heart shaped “Fragile,” tags and sickness bags that read “Get well soon” makes you admire how detailed-obsessed Indigo is. 

They offer no frequent flier miles, no airport lounges and they charge for meals… these are the things that drive customer loyalty. Instead, they offer operational excellence at a low cost with a great experience – the trinity that makes a brand “customer’s choice.”

WHAT WOULD MAKE IT BETTER

Beverages on the plane – Whether it’s an early morning flight or an evening one, hot tea or coffee is a must, even on short routes.

Better stuff in the catalogue – Why would anyone buy nail polish, a statue of an indigo air hostess or a stuffed, snoring cow on a flight? Seriously!! Also, an article or two in the magazine would be nice, 6E! 

Some music while boarding and alighting would make make a fantastico flight even better!

By the way, this is not a sponsored post. However, Indigo.. if you're listening, I wouldn't refuse a free ticket!

What do you have to say about Indigo? Let me know...

Till next time!

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

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Restaurant Review - Anand Seafood

If you ever want to eat the best seafood in Goa, take my advice. You have to step away from the seashore - away from the beach shacks offering assembly line type food at exorbitant prices. Head inland to the eateries that are located near the fields, with tiled roofs and plastic furniture. For a seafood aficionado, it's a goldmine, as far as fresh fish is concerned. 

Anand Seafood is a tiny restaurant in Siolim that is gaining more reputation as the days go by. From being reviewed by patrons daily on Trip Advisor and Zomato, it has been picked up by Listicle websites, who rank it among the top seafood joints in the state.

Nowhere else will you see a flock of waiting people one hour before a restaurant has even opened. Customers start coming in at 12 noon, and by 1 pm, you will find not less than 30 people standing around, eyeing tables and watching people in the hopes that glaring will make them eat faster! 

THE AMBIANCE

At first glace, Anand's looks like a brick house from the front and a run down mill from the side. But the whiff of fresh fish on the fire will lead you in by your nose. The outdoor seating area is rustic - enclosed with a simple wooden railing around the periphery. It is surrounded by trees and faces the fields with breeze is so strong that you would think you're on the beach. The first time I visited was during the monsoons for dinner. Though it is very dimly lit at night, and the sides were covered with plastic sheets, the breeze still had the place well ventilated. 

 A small indoor restaurant houses about 4-5 tables and is slightly loud and congested. But at a place where people wait for a table for hours, even sitting inside would do.

SERVICE

The service is lightening fast - A peppy waiter will be at your table to take your order and will vanish before you have a chance to have second thoughts. And should you think of ordering something after the waiter has left, tough luck. You will need to wait until your order arrives to place another one - no amount of hand waving or shoulder tapping will work.

I can't help but admire the memory that the staff have. With such fast moving table changes and each one ordering 4-5 items, it's a wonder that they can remember it without a notepad. Or maybe I just have a bad memory 

FOOD

Anand's doesn't have freezers to store seafood. It comes in fresh, and once it's sold out, it's gone. They only recently started providing a menu. I preferred it when they didn't have one and you had to ask the waiter what fish they had for the day. 

None of the fish have prices mentioned, it depends on the size, of course. But the prices are so reasonable, I guarantee you will be surprised once you've eaten a dozen things and find an unexpectedly small number on your bill (unless you drank a lot :D).

The fish thali has become a benchmark for all fish thalis in Goa, and rightfully so - because it's fantastico! A large quantity of rice and a small bowl-full of green coconut-based fish curry will remind you of your grandma's cooking if your roots are in Goa. It's homely, consistent in flavor and will have you licking your fingers. This is accompanied by a large slice of perfectly cooked and flavorful rava fried king fish, tangy mixed veg pickle and two vegetable dishes that vary. If you're lucky, you may get the Goan dried prawn kismur, which beats them all!

Every time someone talks about Anand Seafood, I go into Homer-Simpson mode and drool over the rava fried Xinanio (Mussels). Anything rava fried is great, but the mussels at Anand? Epic!! Definite must try.

The Chonak (Barramundi) was so fresh and tasty, you just can't stop eating it! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, it is fried to perfection and bursting with flavor.

I ordered the Prawn Crispy, thinking it would be fried, but it turned out to be an Indo-Chinese dish. The prawns were huuuuge and succulent, drenched in the sweet-n-sour sauce.

There are three ways to order fish here - with rechiado masala, rava fried or the Chinese way. They're all delicious, but everything is better fried, don't you think?

There's a lot that can be improved at Anand, but it's one of those eateries who's charm is maintained simply by being the way it is - chaotic, buzzing, with mind blowing seafood. 

You should know:
Anand Seafood Timings - 11;30 AM to 3;30 PM and 6;30 PM to 11;PM.
Reach early - before 1;30.
Closed on Mondays.

Anything you particularly loved about Anand Seafood? Let me know in the comments below.
That's all, folks!

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

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Tips to design a travel themed child's bedroom

It started with a trickle... and then the the downpour.. a thunderstorm, whatever you want to call it.

BAM!

Bachelorette parties... Invitations... Weddings. All my friends started getting married!

You'd think that was the end of it, but no!

A year later, a friend said she was expecting a child. Then a second one announced her pregnancy, then a third... the news kept pouring in!

Tiny new people magically appeared.

While there was no doubt an impact on our social lives, there are perks of having friends with kids. Playing with them when they're happy and handing them over to the parents when they get cranky, helping them shop for cute little clothes and most recently, designing a babies bedroom - travel themed! Being an aunt is fun - especially when it involves finding my inner interior decorator.

DESIGNING A TRAVEL THEMED CHILD'S BEDROOM

Wouldn't it be cool to have a room like this?

Credit - Overstock.com

I love the concept of having your own little world inside a house, but sadly most houses/apartments in India just don't have the space. Or, we don't want to spend a bomb on a bedroom that a child will outgrow in a couple of years. Lastly, the dust!! Getting it out of those nooks and crannies in complicated decorative items can be a task in itself.

That being said, a bedroom isn't just a place to sleep. It's the room a child will play in, daydream, study, and more. So it HAS to be at least a little distinct and inspiring, no?

Here are a few travel - inspired ideas that are affordable, fun, and give the room a cozy ambiance.

Travel Themed Wallpaper

When you think of travel themes, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a map. Rather than the traditional world map, I found that quirkier ones have a better impact in the room. Have you seen those videos of three year old children who can point out to every single country on a globe? I wouldn't be surprised if they had something like this in their bedrooms. 

Credit - Pinterest.com

This is another nice twist on the map. Animals make it much more child-like and the colours are soothing as well. You can find some more great designs on PrintAWallpaper

Credit - travel-and-children.com

Not sure how a giant wall mural would complement your decor? You can always opt for smaller ones like these. Totally eye-catching in a subtle kind of way, and you can easily paint them on yourself using cut out stencils. Or simply buy them at Ali Express or Ebay

Credit - Pinterest.com

Credit - Pinterest.com

Travel Themed Pictures

Now that everything has gone digital, no one ever hangs up pictures in frames anymore. This is a great way to express your creativity. Not to mention it's visually stimulating.Simply print out a high definition image like the ones below (or on Pinterest) and hang them up in cheap frames or clip boards. It costs next to nothing.

  

Forget kid's rooms! Bringing the window seat indoors will look good anywhere in the house. Aeroplane window styled photo frames with images of various cityscapes look elegant and expensive. You can find frames like these here or here

Sheets

It isn't hard finding travel themed sheets and pillows online, especially on Etsy. Cars, trains, famous monuments, maps... there are tons of choices. I love the aeroplane blueprint one below:

Credit - Amazon.com

Credit - pinterest

Other Decor
It's not surprising to note that the best thing you can decorate a child's bedroom with is pillows! Aliexpress, Etsy and Airport Tag have the best collection of travel themed pillows I've seen so far. Got to love these boarding pass-styled ones!

 

Here are some other decor ideas.

Rugs for kids rooms can be vintage looking or bright and colourful.

Credit - Themerooms.blogspot.com

What do you think of these ideas? Can I consider a career in interior decoration? ;)

Let me know if you have some travel theme ideas. There's no shortage of friends with kids.

Bye!!

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

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The Singapore Guide - 2

Welcome to Singapore! Now don’t spit, jaywalk, eat on the train, smoke, pee, or even think about chewing gum! While this may be a bad market for Wrigleys Chewing Gum, the government’s authoritarian policies work in making this the cleanest, most crime-free place to live.  

Singapore is popularly called the “Fine City” for the heavy fines you will have to pay if you indulge in the above “crimes,” and the “Lion City” for the half-lion-half-fish statue that is synonymous with the land. The sidewalks gleam, the traffic flows in silence and everything works like clockwork in this eerie Utopia. For an Indian used to chaos and noise, this is harmony at its best!

If you have just a couple of days in the “Fine City” you need to check out my last blog post on what to do and where to go. If you have more time, yaaaay! Here’s what you can look forward to:

VISIT LOCAL MARKETS – Singapore has multicultural people living side by side in perfect… I’m going to use the word again… harmony! If you feel a little homesick and need to hear some familiar dialect, or have a strict vegetarian or Jain food preference, head over to Little India. Tiny restaurants sell Thosai (Dosa), thalis and biryanis. The famous Mustafa Market, which is a mall selling literally everything you can dream of, is a typical chaotic Indian bazaar building and makes one feel at home!

China Town is another busy market to spend half the day in. Low rise buildings, fantastic heritage architecture, Chinese quarters and lines of shops and stalls sell everything from silk shawls to lucky cats. Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Thian Hock Keng Temple the Red Dot Museum and indulge in the some dims sum and crispy duck. You will also find nasty looking items on the menu, like the blurry picture below!

Yet another interesting cultural experience is walking along Arab Street to observe conservatively dressed Muslims, the call to prayer, robe clad men and smell air that has the scent of sheesha. Shop for perfume, textile and relish middle eastern cuisine. The Sultan Mosque and Kampong Glam Palaces are nice to see.

CLARKE QUAY - This historic quay is famous for waterside restaurants and exciting collection of bars and clubs. It also has so much more to offer – like delicious street food by the picturesque river, museums and the G Max River Bungee, which is a landmark in itself. This giant bungy structure is for those seeking adrenaline. Strap in and get launched 60 feet in the air at a speed of 200mh and back like a giant yo-yo. Although it’s better to ride it during the day, for those who want to keep their feet firmly on the ground, it looks much better when illuminated at night. Food lovers, two words – eat crabs!

RAFFLES PLACE – Named after Stanford Raffles, the founder of Modern Singapore, this used to be a centre for trade in the past but is now a financial and business hub. Admire the façade of the beautiful Clifford Pier or attend a concert at the Victoria Theatre. Boat Quay, a hotspot for night life is located down the river.

SINGAPORE FLYER – Asia’s largest observation wheel offers a 360 degree view of the city… a view that can stretch to Malaysia and Indonesia on a sunny day. Located at Marina Bay, this 30 minute ride in an air conditioned glass capsule will have you marveling at stunning day and night scenes.

BOTANICAL GARDEN – Whether you’re a nature lover or not, spend some time among Tai Chi practitioners, joggers with dogs and, 1000 orchard species and over 2000 hybrids. When you’re done, have a traditional breakfast of eggs, coffee, toast and coconut jam at Tanglin Gate.

WATCH FREE SHOWS – The Green Rhapsody show is like stepping into a fairy tale, or rather, a sci-fi movie It’s one of those places where you simply stand, awestruck. Futuristic trees are lit up in different ways, along with music creates a magical atmosphere. The shows are at 7:45 and 8:45 everyday for around 10 minutes. Go early to take the coolest spot. Another free show is the fountain show at Marina Bay Sands. Musical fountains and light projectors make it uber cool!

SINGAPORE ZOO – I’m not really a fan of zoos, and this one was closed the day I went. But if you have kids, I hear it’s pretty amazing. It is divided into 11 zones, each with a unique walking experience and a lot of animal shows for even more entertainment.

One last thing, do visit the Cloud Forest, it’s like a whole new world inside the dome that replicates the climate and vegetation on a tropical mountain. It houses the world’s largest indoor waterfall, fern skyways, stalactites, stalagmites and hollow crystal. 

That comes to the end of my very long blog post on this amazing country!

Have I missed any cool places here? All I need is a reason to go back, so let me know!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Bye!!

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The Singapore Guide - I

Singapore is called the “playground for the rich” for a reason – from high end shopping malls to luxury hotels and fine dining, there’s so much to indulge in (if you have the time and a fat wallet.) 

It’s lovely public places, vibrant history, diverse cultures and cheap-n-easy transport system make this futuristic country a much loved family friendly destination.

Close friends know that one of my life’s goals is to spend a month in every country (Hey... a girl can dream!) But most of the time, I have to make do with a fortnight or less. Not enough time to admire sunsets or go on some food hunts, but good enough to visit the top attractions. 

Here’s my list of best tourist hotspots in Singapore:

1. Sentosa Island – Asia’s playground has to be first on the list! If you’re craving some fun in the sun, this is the place to be. Getting there is cool too – you can hop aboard a cable car which offers a great view of the city, or catch a tram that gets you there in minutes. One can also use the Sentosa broadway walk from harbour front.

Kids who want to enjoy the water can head to Palawan Beach, adventurous ones can try indoor sky diving at iFly Singapore, still others can visit the Port of Lost Wonder which is an exclusive club for kids. Siloso beach is a good spot to play volleyball on the fee courts or to experience kayaking and skim boarding.

Don’t forget to attend “Songs of the Sea” a light and sound musical over the water and the Crane Dance in Resort World Sentosa. The S.E.A Aquarium is home to over 1 lakh species of marine animals. Also a must see attraction on the island is the Merlion, Singapore’s famous statue that has the head of a lion and the body of a fish. Take an escalator to the top of the statue and admire the panoramic view.

One of the beaches has a group of peacocks freely walking around!

Tickets - Check out their website for offers on passes to the island. Depending on how long you want to spend there, choose among the 2 day fun pass, Premium pass, guided fun pass and others.

2. Universal Studios – Be prepared to spend the entire day at this amazing theme park. With attractions based on popular movies like Jurassic Park, Shrek, Transformers and Madagascar, it’s a fun place for kids and adults alike.

Older kids can ride roller coasters like Battlestar Galactica and Human v/s Cyclon (the scariest ride I’ve been on EVER).

From vintage cars to movie themed food carts, and singing boybands to celebrity look alikes, Universal Studios has something new to marvel at every time you turn around. Make sure you check out the Princess and the Frog fountain or the Hollywood walk of Fame!

   

Tickets - SGD 66 for an adult and SGD 53 for a child.

 3. Singapore Night Safari – This is apparently the world’s first safari park for nocturnal animals. Hop aboard a mini train that stops at the attractions inside or simply walk around the seven geographical zones around the world including the Himalayas and Asian Riverine Forest. The array of animals is incredible! Don’t miss the creatures of the night show.

Tickets - SGD 42 for adults, SGD 28 for kids and SGD 18 for senior citizens.

4. Jurong Bird Park – Wear good walking shoes because this bird paradise is spread over 20 hectares of land. Feed the penguins or have a hawk sit on your glove or just watch the bird shows. There are interesting info graphics about the birds at the park to look out for. I also had delicious Singapore Laksa here :)

Tickets - SGD 28 for adults, SGD 18 for kids and SGD 12 for senior citizens.

5. Marina Bay Sands – No picture of the Singapore skyline is complete without the iconic building that looks like it has a boat on top. This high end hotel has a mall with a canal running through it. The sky park and infinity pool that offers a great view of the city. Sadly, you can’t swim there if you aren’t staying at the hotel. You can also try your luck at the casino (I did, much too often... hahaha).

Tickets - Observation Deck tickets are SGD 23 for adults, SGD 17 for children and SGD 20 for senior citizens. Entry to the casino is free if you're not a citizen of Singapore. You will need to show your passport as proof.

There’s way too much fun to have in Singapore to cover up in just one blog post. But if you're there for just a couple of days - this is definitely where you should be spending your time.

Stay tuned for Part 2! 

Till next time,

xoxo

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