My trip to the Global Adventure Capital- Queenstown

As the plane descended on Queenstown, which is dramatically set against the Southern Alps, I was nothing but springing out of my seat. Like a child excited by snow, I too was awestruck with the views outside. My partner and I visited the tourist capital of New Zealand in later part of May 2016. This gorgeous town sits on the shores of South Island’s photogenic Lake Waikatipu. 

The weather while landing was drab and uninviting, since it was almost winter. Once we landed and alighted the flight however the view outside just had me stop in my tracks. The small yet quaint airport was nestled in the foothills of The Remarkables and; trust me when I say “they stand true to their name.” The view took my breath away not only for what I saw in front of me but also because it was too cold to stand and gawk at the site. The cold had me wondering if I would ever make it out of the warmth of the hotel over the next couple of days. We had a car pick-up scheduled, one of those hire a car in Queenstown. If you have a valid license and are a safe driver I don’t see why you cannot hire a car from one of the many companies there. It is cost effective and the plus point is that you can up and leave in a moments notice to drive around quaint villages near Queenstown. So after having picked our car we drove to our hotel which wasn’t that far away from the airport maybe a 20mins drive. It was in close proximity to the town center and well placed. 

The drive towards the hotel had me gaping in awe at the sights of Lake Waikatipu. The sun had decided to break through the clouds and rain, giving me a lasting impression of the reason why it was known as the most photogenic area. It was definitely magic, as the grey cleared and gave way enhancing nature’s beauty. The golden sunshine on azure blue waters with a backdrop of the austere mountains all of a sudden looked warm and welcoming. I for one couldn’t contain my excitement on what the days ahead had in store for me since the welcome itself was something out of this world. We quickly checked in, put our stuff away and made a bee-line to the Gondolas as we were told to make the most of the sun. In this case it is true when they say make “hay while the sun shines.”

 Having the weather in our favour we boarded the gondola (you can have the privacy of enjoying the spectacular views with your partner without having to pay extra). So here we were steadily making our way up to the summit spell bound at the views that unfolded before us for as far as the eye could see. I might have clicked like a zillion pics for that 15-20 min ride. Once we got off, we made our way to the luge tracks. Going for a luge ride is a must do here, I would recommend it, it is a lot of fun especially if it is your first time (it was my first time and I went back for more). There are cameras at certain points on the tracks that take your photos so you can have a memento without buying different souvenirs (it is not a compulsion). Wear warm clothing as the wind kind of just hits you leaving you numb, carry gloves as while luging your hands could go numb. There is a lovely café on top with a nice fire burning to keep you warm, if you want you could enjoy a lovely coffee or a hot chocolate while taking in the views around. After having our hearts fill of the café and the luge we made our way back down and strolled the streets. It was a lively place with shops being open till late unlike other towns. There are lovely cafes and restaurants in the town center offering a wide variety of foods to satisfy the multi-cultural palette. I loved how the streets crisscrossed and wove their way adding a charm of its own to this beautiful town. It was time to call it a day; and we headed back to our hotel.

Over the next few days we had lovely weather and planned to make the most of it. We decided to go for the Alpine landing- which is a snow landing with a helicopter ride from Cromwell. It also gave us the chance to enjoy a scenic drive from Queenstown to Cromwell. On the way we passed alongside the charming Lake Hayes, and got along a dizzying drive on Kawarau Gorge Road. We also decided to drive to the enchanting fairy-tale village of Arrowtown. The road winds through Gibbston Valley which is traditionally and historically famous as the Valley of Vines (which is a wine making region). Here we strolled around and had a lovely brunch at one of the many quaint restaurants. We also took our time in visiting the little museum and checked out a few shops (which are difficult to miss). The Kawaru Gorge Road also has two bungy jumping sites the Nevis and the Kawarau Bridge Bungy site for the adrenaline junky. Even if jumping off a bridge is not your cup of tea you can still go down and have a look at others jumping off.

We also took a 45 min Jet boating ride at Goldfields rapids on the Kawarau River, which is nearer to Cromwell. It was a lovely experience but beware you are bound to get wet during the 360 degree turns. If u have the time you can dry off at the fireplace at the café in the reception, if not then I’d suggest you carry a change of clothes just in case. You can also take a moment to stop by the Roaring Meg waterfall just to take in the sites of this ancient gold mining area.

As we reached our destination, we were literally bouncing off our seats as the helicopter experience was a new experience for both of us. We were briefed and we dressed up for the snow landing that we brought along (proper shoes, clothing can be hired at Queenstown on a daily basis) to avoid the wind chill. The experience was mind blowing, the snow landing was an out-of-the-world experience for me. There was snow all around us, and the view around us of the “Remarkables” was simply remarkable!! The raw beauty was simply dizzying, with the clear blue skies, white capped mountains and the soft golden sunshine of the setting sun. It was a memory that will be etched in mind’s eye forever. It was a pity that the day had to come to an end and we had to drive back to our hotel in Queenstown.

Since our previous day was action packed, the next day we decided to take it slow also because we were flying out that evening to come back to Auckland. We decided to take a charming Million Dollar Lake Cruise on Lake Wakatipu. It cruises over pure crystal clear waters to the Kawarau Falls Station and Willow Islands at the end of the Lake. It was a fantastic 90 min informative journey which also had live commentary. When we were back at our hotel, we had a heavy heart as it was time to pack up and leave. We had a lovely outing and were sad that it was over so soon. We will definitely get back here to do the things that we missed in our first visit.

5 things to do in Prague

Prague is the capital of Czech Republic and is rightly nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires”. It is said to be the most exciting city to tour in Central Europe. There is so much to see and do that you will wonder why you did not think of visiting Prague sooner. This city has so much to offer as it is home to a number of famous cultural attractions such as the Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Dancing Building, and Old Town Square to name only a few. To whet your appetite even further we thought it best to highlight some of the top attractions in Prague.

PRAGUE CASTLE:

You will be delighted to know that the well-kept fairy tale castle is closely situated to some of the best hostels in Prague, making it super easy for you to view the Prague Castle and other nearby attractions.

CHARLES BRIDGE

This very popular bridge used by pedestrians is always full of vendors, other tourists, painters, and musicians during summer, and a must see when you’re visiting Prague.

OLD TOWN HALL

Any photographer’s dream would be the Old Town Hall where you can get a panoramic view of the Town Square which is also very near suitable accommodation, as it is close by very affordable hostels in Prague. Don’t forget to watch the astronomical clocks, dating back to 1410, on The Old Town Hall.

ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL

Perched at the top of Castle Hill, St. Vitus Cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks of Prague. One cannot miss this grand architecture with amazing ceilings and stained glass windows. This cathedral is an excellent example of Gothic architecture and is the biggest and most important church in the country.

Sikkim-an enchanting mountain getaway

Sikkim is a tiny land-locked state that packs quiet a punch and has me very fascinated. It is serenely perched between Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet (China) & West Bengal. This state of Sikkim is hailed as one of the world's last utopias & is arguably amongst the loveliest destinations in India. Those who worry about how to reach it, let me assure you that this Paradise on Earth is well connected by airways, railways and roadways. In spite of being a hilly state, transportation of Sikkim is comfortable and more frequent to enjoy the ride on the world’s most beautiful valley.

Mount Kangchenjunga

I would genuinely ask you to get ready to be enthralled by the plunging rhododendron-clad mountain valleys, calmed by the atmospheric Buddhist monasteries, awed by the imposing religious statues and feel welcomed by the friendly and cheerful natives. This tiny former Himalayan kingdom is a haven for travelers offering stunning views of Kangchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain. Also be ready to be surprised by the immediate changes in the landscape just in a matter of an hour. The topography changes from hot low lying area to a severe cold alpine zone. In some accessible tourist spots, snow lasts till the end of June in some high places.

male blood pheasant (state bird)

Let me tell you a little more about this elegant- natural beauty in the hills. Its known as the bird's paradise for a pretty good reason. This beautiful state observes the five seasons, winter, summer, spring, autumn and monsoon respectively. Summer season prevails from April to June and provides a fine time to enjoy the blooming rhododendrons and orchids that grow in the region. Be ready to soak in the amazing colors of nature with a backdrop of the clear blue skies. It has 558 species of orchids, and 39 species of Rhododendrons and around 600 species of Butterflies. Needless to say this little state is a haven for bird watchers and is roughly estimated to have almost 550 avian species. A whooping amount right?? Wait till you actually get there to watch it in person.

Lake Tsomgo

Well, during the peak summers, temperature could be soaring in the valleys. The weather fluctuates with altitude and varies from tropical in the low valley to polar-like surroundings of everlasting snow and ice in the elevated areas. Sikkim is one of those rare states in India that receives regular snowfall. Owing to intense altitude, you can find tremendous discrepancy in climate and vegetation of Sikkim. Summers are also the ideal time when you will find a lot of tourists. If you are game for a beautiful yet strenuous hike, then summer is the ideal time to grab the opportunity. Sikkim’s modern capital perches along a precipitous mountain ridge and doubles as a good base for excursions to places such as Rumtek and Tsomgo or Changu Lake. There are a couple of treks a person can take depending on their fitness and the difficulty level. All of the treks have picture-postcard landscapes which can be boasted about.

Here is a little insight about the other climates of Sikkim. The monsoon season persists from July to September. During monsoons, the rivers and roads become impassable. Sikkim is prone to land-slides, thus it is not recommended to visit the state during the monsoons. By the end of August, the flowers start to blossom.



With the arrival of autumn, the clear skies offer an invitation to come to the marvelous lands of Sikkim. From the months of September to December, the weather is perfectly fine to take pleasure in. Winters in Sikkim are extremely cold, receiving perpetual snowfalls. The roads and mountains get enveloped in snow. Let me point out that the best time to visit Sikkim is during the months of March to June and from September to December. Also this is the time when you will most likely have a lot of tourists (peak season) so things will be a little more expensive.

This state is a strong preserve of Tibetan Buddhism. It is culturally & environmentally rich offering varieties of ethnic faces. Mountains and lakes are worshiped by the large section of the population who still practice traditional way of religion and healing.

If you throw in yummy local food, exotic Himalayan wildlife, a sprinkling of religion and some great hikes, then you have a superb mountain escape on the cards. This adds up to a recipe of a perfect getaway in the mountains..

Be sure to add Sikkim to your bucket list

Pics of Kanha National Park

enchanting pilgrimage (Wari) of Pandharpur

It is the time for the much awaited Pandharpur Wari which is made famous by its Warkaris. A time for the saffron colored triangular flags to be waved and capture everyone’s heart with their melodious voices, entrancing music and bhajans. This year like every year on the occasion of Ashadi Ekadashi on 9^th July 2014, lakhs of pilgrims from across Maharashtra will undertake the pilgrimage to Pandharpur. Chants of "Jai Hari Vitthala" and "Gyanoba Mauli Tukaram" will resonate in the temple town of Pandharpur with the culmination of the 23-day of the "wari".

There is no definite information available on the origins of this "wari" tradition, which is a pilgrimage on foot to Pandharpur. However, there are some references about Vitthalpant, Saint Dnyaneshwar's father joining the Wari to visit Pandharpur in the month of Aashaad & Kartik. So it can be inferred that the state of Maharashtra has seen this tradition being followed since the last 800 years. 

In the Wari, the participant Warkaris are undaunted by natural obstacles like rain or night and hardships of the walk. This is because of their faith and conviction that they would be able to meet their Lord (Vitthal) since MAULI is by their side, caring and guiding them through this pilgrimage. While on the WARI some faithful’s do not consume even a drop of water during the day. These people carry a palkhi amidst them which is lead by horses that are rendered in service by Shitole Sarkar. They travel for eleven days on foot from Ankli near Belgaum (Karnataka) on Jestha Ekadashi to reach Alandi. Besides tradition, faith guides the horses’ procession from Ankli to Alandi. As the horses traverse across villages in Karnataka and Maharashtra to reach Alandi, it carries along with it the respects and regards of hundreds of thousands of people (who might not be able to make it to the WARI) to be entrusted to MAULI who would convey the same to Lord Vitthal when they meet at Pandharpur where the WARI completes its journey.

This pilgrimage presents a perfect amalgamation of people of all castes, creed, class and age. These pilgrims (warkaris) are welcomed and served in all the places they pass. People provide them with food, water, boarding and medical facilities. The local villagers draw rangolis in front of their houses to welcome the palkhis.

On their way, the pilgrims play musical instruments like veenas, mridungas, dholkis and chiplis. The warkaris also play the traditional folk dance "fugdi" with their infectious enthusiasm and energy. With the saffron colored triangular 'paatakas' (flags) in hands and tulsi leaves on their heads the pilgrims present a perfect picture of the Bhakti tradition of Maharashtra. During its entire course, there are four community ablutions of the Padukas – twice on the banks of the river Neera on the way to and from Pandharpur and twice on the banks of the Chandrabhaga in Pandharpur. The later are conducted on Aashaadhi Ekadashi day and the following full moon day. Twice during the sojourn there are AARTIs performed enroute in the morning – once at Thorlya Paduka (place near Charholi) and once in Pune at the Shinde Chhatri (memorial of Shri Mahadaji Shinde).

These devout pilgrims will get the reward for their long journey when they witness the "maha puja" of Lord Vitthala and his concert Rukhmini (Vithoba Rakumai) in Pandharpur on the Ashadi Ekadashi day. Their unparalleled love for Vithoba-Rakumai is clearly seen in their behavior. Observing their devotion and the sincerity with which they portray their prayers is sure to move you to the core. In addition to the elders in the family you can see scores of youngsters showing an equal amount of passion and enthusiasm as they chant and praise lord Vitthala and ask Mauli to guide them. It is one breathtaking pilgrimage which can easily have you addicted and getting involved in their processions by chanting or playing fugdi with them. The whole procession seems to be teaming with pulsating energy and warm friendly looks. You could never feel out of place when you are here amidst these devotees of Vitthala.

The growl of Munna at Kanha National Park

Well I could count myself amongst the lucky few to have had a firsthand experience of watching the majestic and highly celebrated tiger of Kanha National Park.

We took the Jabalpur express (garib rath) from Bandra terminus in Mumbai till Jabalpur. It was an overnight journey and we reached Jabalpur station by 7:00 am. We had pre-booked cars which took us to a hotel in Bhedaghat. The place is a famous tourist attraction for its naturally occurring and imposing Marble- Rocks on the Narmada River and the Dhuandhar waterfall. What few people don’t know about this place is its important historical background. It is a treasure trove for the fossils of dinosaur eggs. Another impressive and a fun activity would be to take the boat ride in the Narmada River at Bhedaghat. For those who understand hindi do not miss the commentary of the guide during the boat ride. For those who don’t understand the language, don’t worry the marble rock structures are sure to mesmerize you. (this visit takes hardly half a day so don’t miss it)

After lunch we left for Kanha National Park and arrived at the resort in time for evening tea. The resort in which we were staying was the Wild Chalet Resort. It’s a charming place with individual huts having a modern décor on the banks of a river. We were warmly welcomed and shown to our rooms. Post snacks we had an acclimatizing session on wildlife and we strolled down to the river bank. Here we got to hear the crystal clear calls of the nightjars and of the birds going back to their roosts. The session was really helpful as most of the people were going to go for a safari for the first time. The normal dos and donts were mentioned which had to be followed to the T. We called it an early day and retired to our rooms post dinner so that we could cope with our exhaustion and be prepared for the following morning. A little information about the park is that there are 4 major zones in Kanha national park namely Kanha, Kisli, Sarahi and Mukki.

We woke up in the wee hours of morning got ready had tea and biscuits. Our safaris arrived to pick us up at 5:00 am sharp. We were all excited and bursting with energy as it was our first safari. All were in high spirits despite the early wake-up. We arrived at the gates where we had to get our ids checked by the authority and wait in queue to get our guide. Once the gates opened we proceeded to our zone which was the Sarahi zone. Well I would like to note a fact here that we were told not to expect a tiger in the first safari we should keep our eyes open for the birds and other mammals. So we were busy training our eyes on the birds and trying to put names to their voices. We got some pretty pictures. We happened to come across a huge herd of the Indian Guar mistakenly called as Bison. Their sheer size was enough to make us feel afraid. We were taking in the sights and smells of the morning in the beautiful forest. We saw herds of the famous Barasingha which is restricted to Kanha National Park then we reached the patrolling guard’s tower inside the forest where we could get off stretch a bit and get refreshed.

We then started back to the gates and suddenly we were confronted with the loud kileee kileee kileee kileee of the stork billed kingfisher. It is a large bird with impressive colors which are hard to miss. It took us a few minutes to realize that it was trying to shoo away another handsome raptor the changeable hawk-eagle. We were really happy with these sightings only to come across the mightily shy and really adorable barking deer a little further down the trail. We moved ahead and we were talking in excited whispers when suddenly we heard something like a roar and a growl. It was repeated again, so we reversed our jeep and low and behold to our right were two huge sloth bears fighting over territory. It was my first time to have come across a sloth bear during a safari in my last four years of travel. So I was one happy traveler, and to get to see two of them fight was as good a bargain as possible. After the bears retreated back we had to hurry to the gates in order to be avoiding penalty. We were all excitedly talking in hushed tones and showing pictures to each other and showing a few Mahua trees whose flowers are a delicacy for the sloth bears. When suddenly our driver just slammed the breaks right in our path sat Munna (MU1). Sighting a tiger in the wild is an experience in itself, something which cannot be expressed but only felt.

         

Yet here he was this majestic creature sitting like a king in the center of the road with no care in the world. After a few minutes he got up and walked into the grassland as we overtook him. He then turned around gave a hair raising growl and walked back to the road. His walk was captivating and demanded everyone’s attention. The sheer fact that he was just merely a few feet away was enchantingly scary. His muscular stature and his signature spot marks on his head which spell “CAT” are something that one cannot miss. This tiger is lovingly called as Munna and is very famous and well photographed male tiger of Kanha. After walking on the road like royalty he then headed into the woods and disappeared, but his sighting was something which has been etched into my memory forever. We were undoubtedly lucky to have sightings of the Sloth Bear and the Tiger in our very first safari. Our introduction to Kanha National Park was simply unrealistic and absolutely fruitful. 

Call of the Tiger in Tadoba

A haven for wildlife enthusiasts and naturalists, the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is perched at a height of 200-350m, to the south of Nagpur. The park covers an area of 625 sq kilometers and is a Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest in Maharashtra. It is definitely India’s most exciting and best protected Tiger Reserve. In order to catch a glimpse of the mighty Big Cat one can take the available gypsy safari or take your own vehicles inside. There are also 2 hour long elephant safaris’ which one can opt for. Explore the wild and keep your eyes open for wildlife such as tigers, panthers, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, bison, barking deer, nil gai, sambar deer, and chital. Chance on the Teliya Lake safari which is the best birding spot and be alert to grasp the exciting opportunity to spot the impressive wildlife. The park is open from 6:00am-10:30am and from 3:00pm-5:30pm.

Shrine of Taru: Enchantingly built under the canopy of a large tree on the pristine shore of Tadoba lake is the Shrine of Taru. It is held in high regard by the adivasis which organize a well attended fair between December and January, during the month of Pushya Maasa according to the Hindu calendar. Clay artifacts of animals exhibited near the idols represent adivasi art and have not changed over the years.

Panchdhara: Take a walk to this exclusive water hole which is 5kms from the Kolara Gate. This walk will undoubtedly leave you spell bound.

Jamunzora: It is also a 5km worthwhile walk from the Moharli gate, with a mélange of grassland and thick jungles endowing the right touch of nature at its best.

Jamunbudi: It is a small hill which is a popular trek route tried out by most visitors to the Park. The terrain within the Park offers wonderful opportunities for Walking & Trekking. A massive spread of hilly tracts which are not so steep can be easily charted through moderate to dense forests. Walks & Nature Trails within the forest is another adventurous activity visitors can indulge in depending upon the availability of their time.

Irai Lake: Located near Moharli gate the beautiful Irai Lake is sure to captivate you. The nearest village is Bhamdeli village. Don’t forget to carry your binoculars as it is a prime birding spot.

Tiger temple: Give your salutations to the king of the forest- the Tiger!! Lovingly known as Vaghoba by the locals, the temple is located in the buffer area. Tourists can visit this charming little temple and give their obeisances while enjoying nature.

Anandwan: Located in Warora with the nearest rail head being Wardhac is Anandvan, it is recommended that you go see the house of the Miracle Worker, Baba Amte. The name Anandwan literally means ‘Forest Of Joy’ which is a self-contained ashram. It is a community rehabilitation centre for leprosy patients and the disabled from downtrodden sections of society. It was founded in 1948 by noted social activist, Baba Amte. One can learn and cultivate an understanding and respect for the people living here.

Revive history by trekking to these 3 impressive forts, which are of a tribal origin:

Manikgad: Named Manikgad after the patron deity of the Mana Nagas – Manikadevi, is an ancient hill fort 507m above sea level in Chandrapur district. Also called as Gadchandur, it is built of large black stones by the Naga kings in the 9 CE would have been a formidable fort in its time. The fort though in ruins is frequently visited by wild animals that live in the vicinity like panthers and boars. Several monuments of historical importance are also present in the area. The fort is built of large black stones and it would have been a formidable fort in its time. Rampart walls of the fort enclose a valley which has ruins of old buildings and store-houses. The southern bastion along with its supporting wall has collapsed however the gateway is still intact.

Ballalpur fort: Situated in Chandrapur (old Chanda) district, Ballalpur now known for its coal mines and paper mills, is 16kms south-east of Chandrapur. The district headquarters, Ballalpur was the capital of King Khandakya Ballalshah during 1437-62 AD. The land fort is built on the eastern banks of the Wardha River having a square shape with walls and bastions. There are still two intact gates set at right angles to each other with a small postern gate on the river side.

Chandrapur fort: This fort was also established by Khandakya Ballalshah in the Chandrapur district. It is an extensive land fort with high walls and bastions, built by Ballal kings. The fort had at its four cardinal points, four impressive gates. The original buildings have vanished, but the gates and a portion of the wall still exists. Now an industrial town, Chandrapur is also famous for its old Mahakali temple.