Bulleteering To Hampi

An unplanned trip introduces you to your wiser version – one where you don’t have to rely on itineraries. It’s an opportunity to cut loose and be a little irresponsible while you still can – which is not a lot for me, considering my A-type personality. But for someone whose day is packed with meetings and deadlines, deciding to drop it all, pack a bag and leave in a few hours helps regain that feeling of control.

Hampi in Karnataka was the biking destination – a historian’s must visit place, an architect’s marvel and a photographer’s paradise. A group of Royal Enfields, driven by old classmates and friends departed from Goa, Pune and Bangalore at 5 am. We planned to cover a distance of 320 kms from Goa in 8-9 hours and spend two days taking in the rocky scenery.

We made good time that morning, being all fresh and excited about the journey. Goa and its sleepy houses were left behind. Up ahead, there was the Chorla Ghats, with their windy, hairpin curves and abundant forests on both sides. We rode higher and higher, into the cool, foggy air, enjoying the spectacular scenery and disrupting the silence with the noise of the bullets silencers.

Coconut trees turned to fragrant, flowering mango plantations when we stopped at a lone tea stall – the only one we’d seen in three hours. There were around four truckers at the stall – all who gaped open mouthed at our two shiny Royal Enfields and walked around them in circles, whispering, as we sipped our hot, tasteless tea a little farther off.

In case you’re planning a long distance road trip, I suggest you use the “Sygic” app. It’s a lot like Google Maps, but shows you places to eat, the nearest hospital, petrol pumps, hotels, mechanic shops, the nearest police station, and a whole lot of other things as you drive along. I found it to be accurate 80% of the time. On other occasions, it showed us restaurants where there was nothing but barren land, and pointed out that the nearest petrol station was 160 kms away, when in fact, there was one around the bend. Still, better than Google Maps!

One thing I hadn’t anticipated was how difficult it would be to not talk for hours at a stretch. With the noise the bikes were making, and the helmets the guys were wearing, my attempts at making small talk were in vain. They had to slow down and say “Whaaaat?”... several times. Not worth it, so I proceeded to listen to every song on everyone’s playlist by myself, while admiring the view.

There are two things you shouldn’t put off until later when driving or riding inter-city. Petrol pumps and loos. When you pass by one of these, it’s natural to think, “Oh, i don’t have to fill up on gas or use the washroom right now, so I’ll just wait until the next one.” You never know how far the next one will be, and holding your bladder while on a bumpy road is not fun.

The best part of the entire ride was when a peacock, spooked with the sound of our Enfields actually flew IN BETWEEN my friend who was driving and me at the back, it’s wing brushing my forehead! We turned back to find out what it was, and saw it land on the road and run into a field. To call it gorgeous would be an understatement.

After covering half the distance, we stopped for an amazing breakfast of omelets and coffee and headed out again. The ride was getting monotonous now as we had reached a road that never seemed to end – with absolutely nothing to see on either side but empty fields that occasionally turned into a small town and back to fields in a matter of minutes. 

My friends who were driving are seasoned bikers know a thing or two about long bike rides. Apparently, long distance bikers keep their headlights on all through the journey, day or night. And since this is something most people don’t know, it was freaking hilarious the way every single person did the “lights on” hand gesture as we passed. Men on bullock carts, women at bus stops, school children attending class under a banyan tree along with their teachers... everyone did the hand snapping “lights on” gesture and shook or slapped their foreheads when we whizzed past, like we haven’t taken their career advice and have chosen to study something “useless.”

Finally, just when our thighs and back begin to get unbearably stiff, we see gigantic boulders – the first sign of Hampi at 2 pm. It looks like the perfect set for a Flintstones movie – with rocks of all shapes and sizes that stretch as far as the eyes can see. Or perhaps, the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park would be more at home here – I can just picture them jumping from boulder to boulder and flying above.

The last time I visited this ancient, ruined city was in the 8th grade, monitored by teachers who wouldn’t let us explore on our own, and with old style reel cameras with bad pictures that once clicked, you just had to live with. This time though, it was so much different...

I'll tell you how in my next blog post. Stay tuned :)

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Sizzlin' at Hard Rock Cafe

Food is music to the body. Music is food to the heart.

If walls could speak, those at Hard Rock Cafe would have the most interesting things to say. Synonymous with rock n’ roll music and lip smacking American cuisine, the memorabilia of music’s greatest that adorn the walls and pay tribute to the Gods of music is what's special about Hard Rock Cafr. All this coupled with friendly service and amazing drinks places makes it a favourite  music and food lovers everywhere.

If you’ve been to one, and I hope you have, you’ll definitely agree with me when I say it has the ability to instantly lift your spirits and transport you into another world – one of screaming fans, deafening music, flashy lights and electric vibes. Hard Rock always has something that pulls me back – usually a new limited edition menu or a head banging live performance.

This time, it was both! 

“Turn Up The Sizzle” is a new menu showcasing sizzlers from around the world, all through February and March. Effervescent Long Island Ice Teas, Cocktails and Shots that pair well with these fiery dishes also feature. PLUS... a lucky draw gives you a chance to win a couple nights stay at India’s first Hard Rock Hotel in Goa every week!

I had an exclusive dinner at Hard Rock Cafe in Worli a couple of days ago. The menu has an elaborate spread of sizzlers all vying for attention. I’ve earmarked the Steak Satellite Skillet, Mexican Spice Chicken and Prawn Skillet and Italian Mafia Vegetarian Skillet for my next trip there. For now, here are some drool-worthy pictures of the food for that evening.

LEBANESE FAJITA SKILLET

A vegetarian dish, but a must try for non vegetarians as well, this sizzler features crispy falafel on a bed of  pickled vegetables. Simple, delicious spaghetti with thick cubes of cheese were presented on the side, although it would seem to me that pita bread with hummus would have been a better match for Lebanese cuisine. 

PANEER TIKKA SKILLET

I'd normally never get a paneer sizzler, but ordered this on the chef's recommendation and didn't regret it one bit. It was fabulous! Strips of wonderfully seasoned paneer grilled to perfection was served with peas, carrots and green vegetables. It was slathered on with rich paneer makhani sauce that added to the flavour and melt-in-your-mouth softness of the paneer. Comes with a side of seasoned rice, pickled onions and a cute little bucket of more Makhani sauce! 

HERB CRUSTED CHICKEN SKILLET

Out of all the sizzlers that evening, this one looked the most visually appealing! Moist and fragrant herb-grilled chicken breast was served with chopped zucchini, olives, peppers and crispy nacho-like corn strips that I couldn’t stop picking up and dipping in salsa. The cheesy sauce that coated the chicken made it even more indulgent. Spaghetti drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with herbs and black olives came alongside  Simple, understated flavours but utterly delicious!

My mocktail of choice was the Double Berry Cooler - made with sweet raspberry and cranberry juice and sour lemon-lime soda.

THE MUSIC

A rebellious looking band, Shannon and the Silent Riot charged up the atmosphere with a high voltage performance and super energetic stage presence. Lots of jumping, screaming and head banging, on stage, had people in all corners of the restaurant come up to the front. Would I go out of my way to watch them? I can't say I would.

That wraps up a sizzling evening at Hard Rock Cafe. Do check out their "Turn Up The Sizzle" menu and let me know what you think, Don't forget to drop your name in the lucky draw for the chance to win #SizzleToGoa! 

Ciao!

xoxo

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Viva Carnival! - Goa

When the rest of the schools in India had Fancy Dress Competitions, my school in Goa had a “Carnival Fiesta” in February. As a painfully shy child, saying that I dreaded that day every year is an understatement. Every kid HAD to dress up as something or someone, and we had a carnival parade in front of camera happy parents, before being handed the mike to speak into. I remember standing at the mike on quite a number of occasions, speechless, wishing that the earth would just swallow me whole and end my misery. 

Fast forward a decade and its ME holding the camera (MUHAHAHAHA)! Carnival is four days when Goa comes to life. Not that it’s dull the rest of the year… in fact, far from it! 

The revelry that dates back to the 18th century was started by the Portuguese, a tradition that Goans have retained. Carnival (literally translated to “throw away meat”) is the last few days that Catholics can indulge in meat and liquor before the fasting period of Lent begins. There are street parades, parties, floats, music, dance and everyone is welcome to join in!

The Carnival in Goa is held over four days - one day each in Panjim, Mapusa, Margao and Vasco. The one I attended in Panjim is supposed to be the grandest of them all, probably due to the wider streets, bigger space and more decoration that's possible in the area. 

     

The most magnificent float is always the first one. Atop it is King Momo, the mythical king of revelry and chaos (what a fun job!) and he presides over all the festivities. King Momo, in his luxurious velvet cloak and gold crown is flanked with his entourage of pretty women and waves to enthusiastic cheers of “Viva Carnival.” He then reads aloud a decree proclaiming that his subjects can now enjoy three days of merrymaking.

In the olden days, people used to smear each other with eggs, fruits, flowers and other messy things. While some of them still do, it has majorly been replaced with coloured powders. Another interesting thing is that the parade is a subtle way for people to express sarcasm and criticize the government. Floats are used to raise voices against government policies in a comical manner known as Khell. This year, the burning issue of the government reclassifying the Coconut Tree as “grass” had many floats mocking the issue. Sadly, they were denied participation.

The floats wind their way through decorated streets, each one accompanied by a troupe of lively dancers and their own music. Spectators stand on either side of the, pushing and shoving for a good view and good photographs for the 4-5 hour long parade - which is why most of my pictures have someone's head or hand blocking the view. 

I once read that an old tradition called for people throwing old utensils out of the house as the Carnival procession passed by, forcing attendees to duck for cover. That would have been a funny sight!

Among my favourite floats was a one of a Portuguese house, with a man and chubby old lady sitting in the balcao. The man, dressed in a black suit and tall hat would sip his tea while the lady would wave at random people in the crowd, mimicking what older Goan ladies do every day. A maid would dust the window and offer the couple some more tea. It was really cute!

Yet another popular one was Minions – a ginormous Minion made entirely of waste plastic bottles sat on the float, while other minions mingled with the crowd, danced and posed for selfies. The amount of strength needed to walk and dance along the streets for four consecutive days is immense... I can never fathom how everyone manages to pull it off. 

Judges of repute are bought from other states to watch the parade, rate floats and distribute prizes on the last day. 

TGG Tips 

• Extremely beautiful Carnival masks are sold on the footpath, and it’s a good idea to buy them after the parade for cheap!!
• Buy passes and sit on the stands erected along the street for a crowd-free experience and better pictures
• Go early to find a  spot to park your vehicle or be prepared to park on one end and walk to the other end for a good place to stand.

P.S. The pictures in this blog post have been taken by my friend's Dad, John D'souza (John's Studio), from Canada. Kindly do not reproduce them without permission. 

See you next time!

xoxo

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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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