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Budapest never fails to surprise you ...the Hungarian capital is an intriguing bundle of the old and the new. On the one hand is the medieval Buda Castle District and on the other hand, just about 5 km away from it, is District VII with its one-of-a-kind unique bars and pubs, the Ruin Pubs. Before we visited Budapest, I thought that Ruin Pubs was just a cool name given to the pubs in the city. Only after visiting Szimpla Kert did I realise that Ruin Pubs originated in the old abandoned buildings of the Jewish Quarter at the beginning of the 21st century, in the early 2000s. The 7th District, located centrally between Charles Boulevard and Elizabeth Square, is now home to most of the pubs and nightclubs. Szimpla Kert, also considered the pioneer of ruin pub culture in Budapest, is a double-storeyed complex with multiple bars all over. The decor of this place is surreal, one needs to see it to believe it! It's Avant-garde and environment-friendly, what with all the leftover junk they've used to create so much art in its place. The decor and the vibe are interesting, drinks are affordable ranging from the expensive to the very cheap ones too. There is live music in the evening which is the icing on the cake. These pubs don't serve food, all you will get at the most are some ready snacks for munching. But right next to Szimpla Kert is Karavan, a nice open-air restaurant that serves excellent food and beverages. We saw many people finish their drinks in Szimpla Kert and then head to Karavan.   Budapest comes alive in these pubs, if you have a spare evening, visiting the Ruin Pubs can be a great way to spend it!

Point Clark lies at a distance of about 230 kilometres from Toronto. Our 3-hour drive followed a scenic route through the Ontario countryside on the 401 Highway. 401 is an 828-kilometre-long toll-free highway that runs from Windsor in the west to the Ontario-Quebec border on the east coast of Canada. All along the highway, after about every 60 kilometres, are convenience stops called ONROUTE. They serve as pitstops to refuel your vehicles and take toilet breaks, grab a bite at some of Canada's popular food chains and drink a hot beverage. As we were driving past the Kitchener-Waterloo region, we came across the Township of Woolwich. Normally, one wouldn't remember the names of rural townships in the countryside but this one caught my attention. What I saw looked like a movie scene, a period drama set in the early 18th century. I saw families sitting atop horse-driven carriages, children dressed in formal attires and women wearing trimmed hats. We saw them collect near the local church for the Sunday Mass. Woolwich, I learnt later, is home to the largest Mennonite population in Canada and their settlement is called Amish Country. The Amish people are members of a protestant Christian group who immigrated to Canada in the early 18th Century. Their religious beliefs shun the use of modern technology, motorised vehicles and even the use of electricity in their homes. I found this entire region very intriguing and worth a mention here. As we approached Point Clark and set our eyes on Lake Huron, it looked dazzling with its deep blue colour. Geographically speaking, it's the second largest of the Great Lakes namely Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and is the fourth largest lake in the world! The deep blue water owes its colour to the sediment of the lake brought to the surface by the churning action of the strong winds in the region. The best time to visit is undoubtedly summer when the waters are relatively warm. It's an ideal getaway for families with kids who love their little outdoor adventures. The water is safe for swimming and taking boat rides. Rental options offer motor boats, pontoon boats, jet skis and wave runners with flexible renting options on an hourly, daily and weekly basis depending on your requirements. The quaint lakefront cottage community of Point Clark is dotted with beautiful cottages along the lake shore. At the point where the land ends lies Point Clark Lighthouse, an 80-foot structure made of pristine white limestone that seems to have descended straight from the old mystical lands of sailors and sea monsters. Point Clark Lighthouse was built between 1855 and 1859 and is still a functional lighthouse. It has been declared as a National Historic Site. The lighthouse opens daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Tours of the lighthouse are available, the most intriguing being the Sunset Tour. You can refer to the official website for more information on tours and activities in the area at https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/clark . Most cottages in the lakefront community have a bonfire where you can light a fire in the calmness of the night against the backdrop of the mild rustling sound of the waters of Lake Huron. If you're lucky to be there on a clear day, don't forget to look up at the night sky...it will be lit by the millions of stars staring down at you!

If you decide to go to Montreal during the Christmas weekend, then you will find the city pulsating with the lights and warmth of Christmas. But the thing to remember is that many attractions will be closed on the Christmas weekend. So, what you will be able to do is see the entire city lit up, visit one of the Christmas markets, see the splendid winter scenery from the top of Mount Royal and soak in the revelry all around! The impressive Jacques Cartier Bridge over the mighty Saint Lawrence River is all lit up ... Montreal is the largest city in the Quebec Province and the second-largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris. But that doesn't deter English-speaking tourists from thronging this vibrant metropolis since most locals are bi-lingual. Situated on an island in Saint Lawrence River, Montreal is named after Mount Royal, the mountain peak in the heart of the city. There are many routes one could follow from Toronto to Montreal, the short straight one is around 560 kilometres long and takes about 6 hours. For this route, you can hit 401 Highway and drive along Lake Ontario. This is the route we took and reached Montreal in the evening. The city had come alive with lights and Christmas decorations.... The next morning, we set out to explore the city with our first stop at Mount Royal . Mount Royal, called Parc du Mont-Royal in French, is a public park that lies on a mountain at an altitude of 764 feet above sea level and offers amazing views of the Montreal city skyline from its vast open terrace. Entry to the park is free and it's always open. There are many ways to reach the park, the easiest is to drive on a wide circular motorable road that will lead you directly to the parking area. If you're more adventurous, then there is a hiking trail with a series of steep wooden walkways that lead to the top and start from the staircase on Peel Street. We learnt there were 339 steps to the top. Climbing 339 steps in the winter chill....phew! We decided to take the motorable road. Once on top, you can head to the vast terrace area called Kondiaronk Belvedere Lookout which offers picture-postcard-perfect views of the Montreal skyline. The lookout has a sturdy stone balustrade lining its outer walls for people to safely lean on and take pictures of the surrounding scenery. Driving up the circular road in winter! On the other end of the Kondiaronk Belvedere Lookout is the  Chalet Du Mont-Royal. This rustic chalet is perched on higher ground with a massive staircase leading up to it. One gets a nice bird's eye view of the skyline from here. Inside, you will find restrooms and some basic refreshments. You will also find large paintings on the walls depicting the history of Montreal. For us, the Chalet served as an escape from the chilly winter morning wind on Christmas Day. It was noon by the time we came back to the city from Mount Royal, in the second half we decided to go to see Notre Dame Basilica  in the Historic District of Old Montreal. Close to one million people visit the Basilica each year. The imposing outer facade of the basilica oozes an old-world charm and it is world-renowned for its Gothic Revival architecture. We had to contend with seeing it only from the outside since it was Christmas Eve, there were crowds everywhere and a long queue of people waiting to enter the basilica for the evening mass. Right across the road from the basilica is the famous Place d'Armes Square . The square has a lot of historical significance since it has witnessed many military events. In the centre of the square is the impressive statue of Paul de Chomedey Maisonneuve , the founder of Montreal. Next to this monument is an intriguing statue of a very well-dressed man holding a pug in his hand a looking at the Notre Dame Basilica with a look of superiority, with an air bordering on disdain. Next to the statue is a placard that clarifies the meaning of this strange statue. Notre Dame Basilica is the symbol of religious influence on French Canadians. The man, presumably English, depicts the cultural distancing between the English and French Canadians. I honestly could not fathom the reasons behind this bizarre work of art. We strolled around the Place d'Armes Square for some time before finding refuge from the winter chill in the underground pedestrian walkway called RESO. I realised why Montreal is called the 'Underground City' after entering the path, there is an entire city in this lower level, with over 1600 shops and arcades, restaurants, fountains and benches for people to sit, signages connecting the path to the many prominent landmarks of the city in this whopping 20 miles of tunnels!! The challenge is to find an entry into this labyrinth of walkways and tunnels, to do so, just type 'Nearest RESO entry' on your Google Maps and you will be directed to it. Well, it was not so easy, we still had to ask around the good old way to reach the nearest point of entry to RESO. In the evening, we stepped out into the amazing Christmas Market in Montreal Downtown - Quartier des Spectacles on Sainte-Catherine Street to be greeted with Christmas carols, live music and all the fun that comes with it!

The beautiful town of Blue Mountains lies about 180 kilometres and is roughly a 2-hour drive from the centre of Toronto. A day trip from Toronto to the Blue Mountains can be a riveting experience. The town is a great getaway in summer and winter alike and offers recreational facilities for people of all age groups. The town of Blue Mountains is located on the southern shore of Georgian Bay on the Niagara Escarpment*, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Blue Mountains boasts an enviable coastline with great beaches ideal for summer activities like kayaking, swimming, sailing and many other water sports. Apart from water sports, you can zip line, play golf or mountain biking. In winter, the most popular destination of the town, Blue Mountain Ski Resort, comes alive with skiers. Winter activities like snowshoeing, ice skating and tobogganing take centre stage. We went to the Blue Mountains in the peak of winter in mid-January, The Blue Mountain Village and the adjoining hills were covered in a thick snow cover... We started our outing with the Blue Mountain Village... The Village has a very welcoming air.....there are fireplaces with comfy chairs for people to sit around with loud music playing on the PA system. So, even if you don't want to go for rides or skiing, you can still have a nice time strolling around the village and soaking in the winter vibe. There are some great eating options ranging from fast food joints to fine dining, shopping avenues, bars, spas and more! If you want to stay overnight, then there are rental options aplenty. Tickets for most outdoor and indoor activities can be purchased on the same day. You do not need to make advance bookings despite the crowds. A day pass would give you unlimited access to most rides but remember skiing is not included in it. There is also an option to buy tickets for individual rides. We did not buy the Day Pass for two reasons, one, we felt the only truly thrilling ride was the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster. We saw the Snow Tubing area, it was on a tiny slope stretch and did not look exciting or worth the money. Two, it was snowing heavily that day and the possibility of rides getting suspended seemed very high. And that's exactly what happened....we bought tickets only for the Ridge Runner but because of heavy snowfall the ride was suspended and we had to go in for a refund. But rides or no rides, the Blue Mountain Village is still loads of fun. It's like a summer and winter carnival with fun rides, food, dance and music with stunning mountain scenery as a backdrop! *Escarpment is a steep slope or bottom of a cliff where the elevation of the ground changes suddenly.

The roaring, cascading waters of Niagara Falls look as captivating and stunning in summer as they do in winter. Anyone who has seen Niagara in the summer should plan to do so in the winter months too because it's an altogether different world out there in winter when the entire area of Niagara Falls State Park gets enveloped in a thick snow cover... There are two vantage points to see the falls. From the Canadian side, you can see the entire stretch comprising the three falls, the American Falls right in front of you, the Bridal Veil Falls next to it and the Horseshoe Falls that you can watch from up close. If you're watching from the US side, then you get a sidelong view of the American and Bridal Veil Falls and a straight yet partial view of the Horseshoe Falls. The Rainbow International Bridge joins the two shores of the mighty Niagara River on the American and Canadian sides. Interestingly, this glorious natural wonder has never made it to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. The reason is that the area around the falls, both in Canada and in the US has been developed to cater to mass tourism while the UNESCO Heritage Sites have to adhere to strict environmental and other factors before they can be included in this list. It's easy to cross the bridge and see the falls from both ends provided you have the requisite visa. What you get to see and what you miss in winter Let me start with what you will miss in Niagara in winter. You miss a ride on the Maid of the Mist , the mesmerising sightseeing boat tour that takes visitors right into the thick of the falls as they fall in a deafening roar right in front of you. The ride gets suspended in winter and re-opens only in April depending on ice conditions. In any case, going up and close to Niagara Falls is a very wet experience, doing it in the sub-freezing winter temperature would be suicidal! The ride generally takes place between April to early November. And now, what you do get to see in winter is a glorious winter wonderland with ice-coated trees, white mammoth rocks and spiky icicles jutting out from the edges of the falls as they plunge into the abyss below. If you have it in you to bear the numbing chill and the lashes of cold winds hitting against your face and a taste for a grey and exciting scenery, the falls will not disappoint you in winter. The iconic tour of Journey Behind the Falls is open all year round. In winter, the Lower Observation Deck is closed because of icy conditions but you may still take the elevator to the Great Falls Portal behind the falls and walk up to the Upper Deck very close to the falls. I cannot comment more on this since I have never dared to do this tour in winter. An exciting activity that you also can do in winter is go up to the Skylon Tower . The 764-foot-high tower offers panoramic views of the falls from its indoor and outdoor observation decks. You can also save yourself from the chill by spending time at the various entertainment areas the tower offers. Another fun activity that is open in all seasons is the Niagara Skywheel on Clifton Hill . This 10 to 12-minute ride will give you a spectacular view of the scenery all around with a vantage point as high as 175 feet above ground. The Skywheel has air-tight climate-controlled gondolas that ensure that you soak in the glorious views all around in comfort. But one splendid view that you miss neither summer nor winter is the Niagara Falls light up at night... The view in winter... And the glorious view in summer....

Vrindavan is a city seeped in 'Krishna-bhakti', an unshakeable, unquestionable faith in Krishna, one of the most mystical and multi-faceted deities in Hinduism and the eighth divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. Krishna is a God, all-powerful, who kills demons and fights evil and is yet a gullible cow herd who plays the flute, steals butter and sings and dances with his most devout companion and beloved Radha  and Gopis , the milkmaids and playful consorts of Lord Krishna. This transcendental playful bond between mortals and the divine called ' Raas Leela ' forms the premise of 'Krishna-bhakti' and adds a spiritual fervour to the festival of Holi in Vrindavan. About Vrindavan.... The city of Vrindavan is part of the larger area of Braj Bhoomi  in the state of Uttar Pradesh in North India on the banks of the Yamuna River . Braj Bhoomi  encompasses the cities of Vrindavan, Mathura, Nandgaon, Barsana, Govardhan, Gokul and the adjoining forests, ponds, hills and gardens. Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, also known as Krishna Janambhoomi , while Vrindavan, 14 kilometres away from Mathura, is where he spent his childhood years. The entire region of Braj Bhoomi is like a spiritual theme park where every narrow lane, nook and corner and every house in the city resonates with this theme. With over 5000 temples, a visit to this region is a spiritual roller coaster that refreshes the senses and rejuvenates a tired mind. A pilgrimage of the entire area of Braj is called ' Chaurasi kos yatra' in Hindi, meaning '84 kos' which roughly converts to 252 kilometres and takes about 7 days to complete. The folklore behind Holi .... The festival of Holi is the harbinger of spring in North India. As the popular folklore goes, Krishna was dark-skinned while Radha, his beloved was fair. She often teased him about his dark skin. He playfully smeared her face with different colours in a bid to change her skin tone. To this date, young lads smear the faces of young women amidst playful chants of 'Radhe Radhe' and get away with it because it's Holi time! Holi in Vrindavan.... The entire region of Mathura and Vrindavan comes alive with the Holi festivities that last for 40 days. The main celebrations start a week ahead of the main festival. Very close to Vrindavan is Barsana, the hometown of Radha. Holi festivities begin here first. Krishna and his friends would travel to Barsana to play Holi with Radha. It's customary for young men to go to Barsana to play Holi with the womenfolk, who in turn, playfully beat them with sticks to drive them away. The festival is called ' Lathmar Holi' , ' lath ' meaning stick in Hindi. Holi festivities continue in the form of 'Phoolon ki Holi' where the festival is played with flowers instead of colour. Different kinds of Holi celebrations are assigned to each day in this 40-day celebration which culminates in the main festival of Holi which is celebrated over two days. There are 3 main temples where Holi festivities take place, the most revered one being the Banke Bihari Temple. Very close to this temple is Shri Radha Vallabh Temple, Radha Vallabh implying the consort of Radha that is Krishna. The third popular temple is Prem Mandir which is beautifully lit up for Holi celebrations. Another popular temple is the ISKCON Temple. This temple attracts devotees from all over the world and one can see them singing and praising Lord Krishna in their classic chant ' Hare Rama Hare Krishna '. 2 days of Holi festivities in Braj Bhoomi .... Day One is Holika Dahan . On the eve of Holi, a big bonfire is lit at various public places across the entire North India and also at various public spots in the towns that fall under Braj Bhoomi . The holy fire is lit at the auspicious time allocated for it each year and people sing and dance around the fire that symbolises the victory of good over evil. Holika Dahan is the story of Holika , sister of the Demon King Hrinyakashyapu and his son, Prahlad , a devout worshipper of Lord Vishnu . Holika got a boon from Lord Brahma, the creator that the Fire God would be unable to harm her. The Demon King, unhappy with his son's devotion to the Gods decided to trick him into entering the pyre with his sister in a bid to burn him to ashes. But as Holika and Prahlad entered the fire, Holika got decimated by the fire while Prahlad came out unscathed. To this day, common folk put balls of wet dough tied with a thread around them into the bonfire. As per popular belief, the dough balls get cooked while the thread remains intact, the thread symbolising Prahlad who came out unaffected by the fire. Day Two is the main Holi festival that involves colour and water. The red-coloured powder called Gulal is made from cornstarch and organic dyes made from crushed flowers. These days a lot of synthetic colors in different shades are also available. A few things to remember if you're planning to visit Vrindavan during Holi.... Holi is one of the most crowded times of the year in Braj Bhoomi . So, booking and planning your trip with details like where to stay is a must. This is not a good time for sudden visits to the city unless you wish to make a day trip only. There is a common misconception that Holi festivities could turn into hooliganism considering the nature of the festival which involves smearing colour on each other's faces. I'd like to mention here that the festival might involve getting everyone smeared in colour and water but there is nothing unpleasant or rowdy about it. The festival of colours is played with an underlying spiritual fervour. There seems to be an unstated and unwritten rule that if you are loitering on the streets of Vrindavan during Holi then you are willing to partake in the festival too. The streets are full of people carrying dry or wet colours in their hands who smear passer-byes with them, all in good spirits though. I want to reiterate that the towns of Mathura and Vrindavan are extremely crowded. Most roads leading to the temples are converted into Traffic-free zones for the main two days of the festival. This creates problems for people coming into the city from the neighbouring cities. The devotees throng the temples in massive numbers. I have come to realise that the best time to visit these temples is very early in the morning. That is the only way you can beat the crowds and see the deity properly without the jostling and pushing. Needless to say, it's advisable to wear minimal jewellery and carry as little cash as possible before venturing into the crowded bazaars .

Enchanting is the first word that comes to my mind when I think about the mangrove forest of Pitchavaram. Our trip to Puducherry would have been incomplete without a visit to this intricate labyrinth of flora and fauna thriving in the saline waters of the Bay of Bengal, the second-largest mangrove forest in the world. Pitchavaram on the east coast of India covers a whopping 1400 hectares of forest area and has over 400 water channels that can be covered on boat. The mangroves of Pitchavaram are present in the Killai Backwaters  formed by the estuaries of the Vellar and Coleroon river systems. An estuary is the river's wide mouth at the point where it joins the sea. We start early from Puducherry since it takes over 2 hours to reach Pitchavaram and we want to avoid the afternoon sun and are pleasantly surprised to see hardly any crowds at the boat house. We hire a rowing boat and head towards the mangrove forest. Our boatman, a young guy with a penchant for chatting, keeps us enthused with his in-depth knowledge of the region's topography and the beliefs of the local community of Vedars who still do not use fishing nets to catch fish. Instead, the Vedars wade in the water and catch fish with their bare hands and feet. He tells us with a glint of pride that the 'Rhijophora' trees, (it's Rhizophora I later learnt), also called True Mangroves, have aerial roots that have adapted to the saline water, the exact term would be hygroscopic, that is they readily absorb moisture from their surroundings and cling to each other for support creating this incredible scenery all around... We spend an hour floating around on our boat in this surreal landscape, listening to interesting anecdotes from our zealous companion. Our conversations are interrupted only by the constant chirping and twittering of birds flying in and out of mangrove trees. According to popular folklore, Lord Shiva had come to visit Pitchavaram and decided to stay in his celestial dancing pose of Nataraja in the Thillai Nataraja Temple about 14 km from Pitchavaram. Locals believe that the mangrove forest is the abode of the Dancing Nataraja, and it is this belief that has deterred people from completely ravaging these mangroves for their selfish ends. Some handy pointers for a trip to Pitchavaram The Pitchavaram Mangrove Forest lies in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu at a distance of about 70 km from Puducherry. It takes about 2 hours to reach Pitchavaram from Puducherry by road. The forest is spread over an area of 45 square kilometres and there are over 400 channels of water where boating can be done. The facility at Pitchavaram is open on all days from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Boating facilities at Pitchavaram are fairly organised and run by authorised boat operators. Safety protocols like life jackets are available. It's not mandatory to wear safety jackets but it's best to wear them during your time on the boat for your safety. Boat charges are INR 450 which is very reasonable and it takes you up to a certain point in the mangrove forest. We wanted to go a bit further into the forest, so we paid our boatman INR 400 extra for an additional boat ride of 20 minutes. A lot of tourists do this and it was certainly worth the extra time and money. The best time to go to the mangrove forest is either early morning or late afternoon. It can get very hot and humid during the day when the sun is high. The water level in the mangrove forest is just 3 feet at most. If you are keen on exploring the mangroves thoroughly, you should go in the late afternoon when the water level is high for the boat to enter the smaller channels. The facility at Pitchavaram has very basic amenities. No proper restaurants or eateries exist, so one should carry light snacks. Even coconut water is not freely available. There was just a shack selling some soft drinks. Opt ONLY for the row boat. Motorboats are noisy and can ruin the experience. Besides, they are not allowed to enter the channels inside the mangroves. I've tried to capture the raw beauty and ethereal silence of the mangrove forest.... The Boat House at Pitchavaram.... Getting to the mangrove forest by row boat... Inside the mangroves... Mangroves are like nature's interfaces, a resilient barrier between the saline world of oceans and the land surrounding them, they protect the coastal ecosystems by minimising erosion and retaining minerals in the soil. But now this paradise is threatened by excessive tourism, state apathy and the shrimp industry that is creating havoc for the mangroves that are home to several species of migratory birds like storks, egrets and herons that flock to this fertile region in the winter months in addition to the diverse aquatic life like fish, crabs and prawns that thrive in this region. I sincerely hope that this fragile ecosystem, like many other ecosystems around the world, does not get slaughtered at the altar of human avarice.

The golden spherical dome of Matrimandir jutting out 29.5 meter high into the sky glistens in the scorching summer sun, the 1415 gold-plated discs that cover its massive spherical exterior create a surreal illusion and blinds my gaze. We quietly walk on the red sandstone ramp that leads to a circular meditation area around a lotus-shaped fountain. We are a small batch of about 15 visitors, we sit around the fountain, grateful for the cool respite from the sun and bedazzled at same time by the sheer beauty of this structure that seems to be oozing calm from its every pore. We sit for about 5 to 7 minutes in silence and are then led through another door leading to a corridor with sparkling white flooring. There are ushers who signal us with a show of hands to walk along the corridor to a point where all visitors are expected to halt and put on white socks and tuck their lowers in them. We are led further into a corridor leading to a pristine white ramp. My worldly wayward mind instantly warns me that I'm going to slip and fall on this perfectly glazed marble floor owing to the socks. But I'm pleasantly surprised to discover that the ramp has a white carpet to avert such an eventuality. The ramp leads us into the Inner Chamber. The Inner Chamber is the Sanctum Sanctorum of this temple of human consciousness, there is a placid calm in this place that is hard to describe and harder yet to find anywhere in the world these days. There is a golden globe in the centre of this hall where a white beam of electronically directed sunlight hits at its core from an opening in the apex of this mammoth sphere. We go around the chamber in a circle as instructed to us by a volunteer earlier and take our places around the globe. I close my eyes, basking in the ethereal silence of this hall. My trance is broken by the soft jingling of a bell that signals our time to get up and proceed out of the hall. As we step out, we see another batch of visitors climbing up the circular ramp from the other side of the chamber, in complete silence, one behind another, heads bowed, with a look of anticipation on their faces. There is something deeply symbolic about these circular white ramps that lead people in and out of the Inner Chamber. ... no words, no symbols, no placards, only silence....and yet the message ringing loud and clear ...this is the circle of life, the truth about our world....we are just passer byes through the eternity of time. I step out and look up at the sky, grateful for the opportunity to witness this spectacle at Auroville. What is Auroville? Auroville was established by Mirra Alfassa, a French-born yoga teacher and spiritual guru, also known as The Mother, in collaboration with Sri Aurobindo in 1968. The 20-square-kilometre township is run by an appointed body of the Indian Government called the Auroville Foundation. The idea behind Auroville was to establish a self-sustaining community not bound by nationalities, religion, language, caste or any other divisive parameters. Instead, they live together in harmony with each other and the nature surrounding them, as human beings bound only by humanity and lead a spiritual holistic life. People from all over the world are welcome to come and live in this haven of peace. The soul of this township of humanity is the Matrimandir , the temple of the Mother if I translate it literally. This massive golden dome of the Matrimandir is surrounded by 12 large petal-type structures symbolising the 12 powers or qualities that each human being should possess or aspire for.... Sincerity, Humility, Gratitude, Perseverance, Aspiration, Receptivity, Progress, Courage, Kindness, Generosity, Equality and Peace. 12 beautifully manicured gardens and a small water body envelope the dome. Right next to it is an old banyan tree which is believed to be the geographical centre of Auroville. What to expect at Auroville Auroville is free to visit for everyone and there are two options to visit it. One, if you just want to see the township and the Matrimandir from the viewing platform and click pictures, you are not required to register yourself beforehand. You can reach the venue, go to the Visitor's Centre that is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days, get a free pass and then walk to the Matrimandir Viewing Point . You will walk for about 10 minutes through a beautiful forest area with adequate signages that will lead you directly to the viewing point. There are nice places to sit around and drinking water and washroom facilities are also available. The picture of Matrimandir above was taken from this viewing point. Two, if you wish to experience the vibe of Auroville or spend some time in the Meditation hall, then you need to register yourself at least 5 to 7 days before your visit on their website on the link given here. https://auroville.org/page/visiting-the-matrimandir You will be allocated a day and a time slot for your visit via email. Registration is important if you wish to see the Matrimandir from the inside.  Upon arrival at the Visitor's Centre, you will given a batch number and will be led into a small theatre room for a short video film about the ideology and history behind Auroville and the construction of Matrimandir. After the film screening, a volunteer will quickly talk you through about how to proceed further. A free shuttle service will take you a point closer to the dome. You will be expected to deposit all your belongings, especially cell phones at the counter since photography is strictly prohibited around the area. A two-minute walk will take you to the Matrimandir. There are ushers everywhere who will guide you with a show of hands about how to go inside the Meditation Hall. To fully appreciate what Auroville is all about, it's important to know a few things before your visit... Auroville lies at a distance of about 12 km from Puducherry, the city closest to the township. If you're not familiar with the region, then hiring a private cab is your best bet. You will go through a maze of narrow lanes and by-lanes gliding through small residential colonies before you reach the open ground where Auroville is located. The highlight of your visit to Auroville will be a visit inside the Matrimandir . Minus that experience, it's like going to an enclosed park with eateries, walking trails and manicured forest area. The township has excellent cafes, a small exhibition area, a library where you can easily spend a day. A lot of people, espec ially foreign tourists come to stay in Auroville. For more details, you can refer to the official website of Auroville by clicking here https://auroville.org/ To sum up, I'd say Auroville needs to be experienced and not just seen. I'd read a lot of conflicting views from people who visited this township, from awe-struck visitors who were stirred by what they saw and experienced, to casual tourists who thought it was all hype over nothing. After having visited the township myself, I can say with certainty that visiting the Matrimandir made all the difference. The peace and the tranquility of that area has the capacity to soothe frayed nerves and de-stress your mind. In times such as ours, is that a mean feat?

Puducherry is quite well known for its bustling 'cafe-culture', a term used to describe the many varieties of cafes in and around the White Town, funky, classy, earthy, traditional, some that serve authentic French cuisine, others that serve finger-licking fusion food and some that serve mind-blowing beverages and desserts. My husband, Gautam, who is a self-proclaimed Masterchef and a die-hard foodie could not have let this opportunity go by, he took it upon himself to explore this cafe culture during our trip and sample as many delicacies as we could. Here is a rundown of the cafes we visited..... Baker Street This popular cafe is located right on Goubert Avenue facing Promenade Beach. There is a regular footfall of patrons in the cafe, there are very few tables and chairs to sit around inside the restaurant. People mostly pick up stuff and eat somewhere along the beachfront. The menu comprises mainly on-the-go snacks with tongue-twisting French names like Escargot, a typical French spiral pastry eaten for breakfast and Chausson, called Sho-son, a crusty pastry filled with apple sauce, an apple pie. They have a variety of yummy croissants with different fillings, varieties of macarons and pastries. They have a variety of baguettes and quiches with many kinds of fillings that were quite good. The cafe is a great place to grab a bite, you get a taste of the most authentic French Patisserie for a very reasonable amount of money. The overall experience was excellent and definitely value for money. Le Dupleix We visited this classy French and Continental villa-turned-cafe on our second day out. The opulent interiors are nicely done, you can sit out in the open or inside in the airconditioned area. We opted for the cool air-conditioned interior since it was really hot and humid that evening. We started our evening with a glass of Aperol Spritz, an Italian wine-based cocktail. The drink was made to perfection with the right amount of Prosecco and soda water at the right temperature. We ordered a Bruschetta & Crostone, Homemade Ravioli with basil pesto sauce, Baby Broccoli and Mushroom Sobo Noodles. As you can see above, the Bruschetta had six pieces, each with a different topping. We skipped the dessert here and decided to walk towards the Beach and sample another amazing pastry at Baker Street. This fine-dining restaurant comes with excellent ambience and good service. A meal for a couple would cost a very reasonable 3000 to 3500 INR. The overall experience was excellent, the ambience was graceful and the food was value for money. Coromandel Cafe Coromandel Cafe, as the name suggests, is an ideal eatery to try some great coastal cuisine although they have all kinds of food options, Non-vegetarian, Vegan, European and more. The highlight of the evening was Earl Grey Spritzer, a delicious concoction of wine laced with Earl Grey tea accompanied by a sumptuous French Creamy Seafood Plate, Crispy Prawns and Seafood Spaghetti. To round off this heady mix of seafood was the heavenly Tiramisu. The cafe is relatively pricey compared to other outlets in Puducherry although not too steep. Dining with drinks could cost you anywhere from 3800 to 4500 INR. The restaurant seemed to be quite popular among the locals too as I saw many families waiting to enter as we left. The overall experience was excellent, the ambience and food were definitely value for money. Villa Shanti This restaurant is known for its Indian and European cuisine. After trying all kinds of continental dishes on the first few days, we decided to go with Indian cuisine on Day 3. The restaurant had a nice vibe and the seating arrangements looked welcoming. We ordered some Indian homecooked bread, garlic naan and paranthas with chicken curry and rice. The food was regular Indian cuisine, nothing spectacular but not bad either. But the big turn-off was that it was an extremely hot and humid evening, we were drenched in sweat when we walked into the restaurant but discovered after placing our order that it had no airconditioned indoor seating. That for me was an issue, although we saw many families sitting in the open and enjoying their meal. Had we gone there on a breezy cool evening, the experience might have been different. I think there should be some enclosed area with air-conditioning for particularly humid days. The overall experience was good, seating could be more comfortable since the restaurant is on the ground floor, some kind of cooling would be welcome but the food was good. Crepe in Touch This quirky cafe is a delight from the word go. First, the setting. The place is a miniature mall with a cute boutique, a trinket shop and a cosmetic store. So, while your crepe is being done, you can hop around and explore the goodies. Two, the food. They specialise in crepes with all kinds of fillings served most authentically. The cafe has a personal touch which is very endearing. No wonder it attracts a lot of younger crowd. Prices are very reasonable. The caretaker Surya posed with my husband and made crepes to order for us. The overall experience was excellent and the place is value for money. One can easily spend a casual, lazy afternoon in this place, munching on tidbits and shopping around. Bread & Chocolate This is one of the most happening cafes in all of Puducherry. They have two branches, one very close to the Aurobindo Ashram in White Town and the other is in Auroville en route to Puducherry. We stopped at the one in Auroville. The cafe has a very casual vibe, with adequate seating outside and some chairs inside too. They offer a variety of vegetarian, non-vegetarian, pescatarian and vegan dishes. I was quite surprised to see a very exhaustive menu with on-the-go snacky foods like sandwiches, croissants, salad bowls and more and a meal menu with a lot of options. We ordered some takeaway croissants for the evening and decided to sample a main dish at the restaurant. We ordered a North African dish called Shakshuka, comprising eggs, tomatoes and paprika on a bed of spinach sauce with toasted sourdough bread. The dish was well-cooked but quite bland, the sourdough bread was fresh. I have not tasted this dish anywhere else so I cannot compare it with another version of it about the authenticity of the flavours and taste. The croissants were heavenly, one of the best I've ever eaten! The overall experience was good, value for money. I would have liked to visit the cafe again and try out some more of their baked delights but time was a constraint. Les Alizes On the last day of our trip, we went to this beautiful cafe in Palais de Mahe. The restaurant is known for its local Pondi and continental cuisine. Like Villa Shanti, this is also an open-air cafe with no airconditioned enclosure. But since it's a rooftop cafe and very well-ventilated from all sides, we could feel the gentle evening sea breeze flowing through its beautiful spacious interiors. This was our last day in Pondi, so we decided to gorge on local cuisine. We ordered a seafood platter. Portion-wise, the platter was wholesome with a good variety of fried prawns, shrimps and fish filet and a delicious tangy dip on the side. For the mains, we ordered fish curry with appams*. Again, the portion size was good, the spice level was balanced and the presentation was ok. For dessert, we ordered a creme brulee. The dish tasted alright but it was missing a critical ingredient, the hardened caramelised layer of sugar on top which lends this dish its signature taste and flavour. The overall experience, food and ambience were good, desserts could do with some improvisations. *Appam - Thin savoury pancake made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk.

The erstwhile French colonial settlement of Puducherry (formerly known as Pondicherry) was declared a Union Territory of India on November 1st, 1954, ending 280 years of French rule. But unlike most colonial settlements, this vibrant city lying on the southeast coast of India in the state of Tamil Nadu remembers its colonial past with panache. The White Town or the French Quarter, a charming neighbourhood spread over an area of about just a kilometre in Puducherry is replete with colonial-era villas painted in light shades of pastel yellow, its cobbled streets called 'Rue' in French still carry French names and the entire town has quirky cafes that offer an interesting assortment of French, Indian and Tamilian cuisines. It's also intriguing to note that a small community of French people continue to live in Puducherry and French is one of the official languages of the city. How to reach The nearest airport to Puducherry is Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, at a distance of about 151 kilometres. Puducherry is quite well connected by road with Chennai, the East Coast Road will take you to Puducherry through small towns, quaint little villages and scenic countryside. Transport options include very economical state-owned buses and private cabs. The journey takes about 3 hours. More about Puducherry Puducherry sees a regular inflow of tourists, both Indian and foreign. So, although the local language is Tamil, most people can understand English which makes going around the city quite easy. Local transport includes a variety of two-, three- - and four-wheeler vehicles available at very reasonable rates. Being a coastal town, the city experiences a sweltering and humid summer from March to May and heavy rainfall from June to September. The best time to visit Puducherry is the winter months from October to February. A visit to Puducherry must include these 5 Must-See Attractions White Town I presume White Town gets its name from the white French people who inhabited it 70 years ago. Now, this neighbourhood is a tourist destination in Puducherry. There are many things to see and do here, so it's a good idea to walk around the White Town and stroll along its many avenues and tree-lined streets. Goubert Avenue and Promenade Beach, also called Rock Beach We start our excursion with a walk around the White Town, I believe this is what all first-time-tourists to Puducherry do. The person at the reception desk sets us in the direction of the Promenade Beach. We can see a lot of mopeds parked in front of a barricade since the area is a vehicle-free zone. Promenade Beach offers a beautiful calming sight, we are surprised to see hundreds of walking enthusiasts, locals and tourists alike, soaking in the fresh sea breeze, walking along Goubert Avenue, taking pictures or grabbing a bite in the small eateries that line the entire stretch of the Beach. Goubert Avenue is the 1.5-kilometre-long paved corridor flanked by the Coromandel Coast on the one side and the White Town on the other and is a pedestrian's delight. The entire area comes alive in the morning and evening when people from all over town gather here to watch the sunrise or the sunset. The avenue is lined with many interesting monuments like the French War Memorial, Gandhi Memorial, Old Light House and Tribute Wall among others. We spend the rest of the evening loitering around Goubert Avenue and munching on delicious knick-knacks at Baker Street. You can learn about our culinary outings in Puducherry in a separate post by clicking here Aurobindo Ashram We started our second day's outing with a visit to Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram is like an oasis of peace and tranquillity in the hustle and bustle of Puducherry. There is an air of austerity around the simple structure of the ashram. We remove our shoes in a shoe rack placed opposite the ashram gate. Photography inside the ashram is strictly prohibited. So much so, that the guard at the gate, sensing that there are some tourists around makes us switch off our phones so that we cannot take any kind of pictures inside. The ashram opens from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and then from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm each day. As we step inside, we are led to a small courtyard surrounded by trees and thick greens. In the centre of the courtyard is a pristine-white marble shrine, the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. A lot of people are sitting around the shrine, eyes closed, hands folded in prayer. One can easily spend about 2 to 3 hours in the ashram, there is a library and a bookshop in case you're interested in buying books about the ideology of Sri Aurobindo. There is also a bulletin board with events of the day with free entry for everyone. Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple or Ganesh Temple Very close to the Aurobindo Ashram is Ganesh Temple. The temple is over 500 years old and one of the oldest in the region. What makes this temple special is the interesting folklore that surrounds it. In 1688, the French wanted to erect a fort close to the temple. They decided to demolish the temple and throw the Ganesha idols into the sea. But each time they threw the idol, it would re-appear in its original place. To honour this divine miracle, they let the temple and its idols stay. To this day, Lord Ganesha is the presiding deity in the temple and is worshipped with a lot of fervour by its devotees. The outer facade of the temple has been done in classic Dravidian style with multi-coloured figurines and stuccos and the interiors are equally stunning with different kinds of idols of Lord Ganesha and other deities. Eglise De Notre-Dame des Anges, also known as Our Lady of Angels Church After a rather calming start to our day, we head to Our Lady of Angels Church. This beautiful Catholic church is one of the oldest churches in Puducherry and is located right in the heart of White Town. The church with its European-style architecture has an unmistakable colonial vibe. Entry is free. If you have time, you can spend some time here in peace and calm. Immaculate Conception Cathedral This 300-year-old cathedral offers a beautiful sight with its stained-glass windows and tall archways. Entry is free. Half-day trip to Paradise Beach We plan to spend the second half of the day at Paradise Beach. There are a few things to remember before you go - The beach is open for tourists from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Entry fee to reach the beach is INR 150 per head. Paradise Beach can be reached via a short boat ride from Chunnambar Boat House. Chunnambar Boat House is 12 km away from Puducherry and can be easily reached by any kind of transport. The boat takes you to the beach and back. The last boat leaves the beach at 5:30 pm. So, kindly ensure you do not miss your boat back to Puducherry. You can plan to spend about 2 - 3 hours at the beach. There are no specific activities like any water sports available at the beach. I saw camel rides and mud biking for kids though. There are not many eateries at the beach, there is a restaurant with a very limited menu and a small shack selling coconut water. If you plan to spend more time at the beach, carry your snacks and drinks. Paradise Beach is a sandy beach and perfectly safe for bathing and splashing around in the water. However, bathing facilities are limited. There are washrooms but there was no running water available. We saw big cans of stored limited water. Day  trip to the Pitchavaram Mangrove Forest A trip to this mangrove forest is certainly worth your time and money. Read all about it in the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/a-day-trip-to-pitchavaram-the-enchanting-mangrove-forest-from-puducherry Day trip to Auroville The experimental township in Viluppuram District of Tamil Nadu is an experience that you will cherish for a lifetime. Join me on this amazing tour by clicking the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/day-trip-to-auroville-the-experimental-spiritual-township-of-human-unity Cafes in White Town Sampling the eclectic mix of cuisines that the White Town has to offer in its many cafes is an experience worth cherishing. Traditional Tamilian fare is fused with Indian and French cuisine to create mouth-watering delights. Let me take you on a tour of some of the most reputed cafes in White Town Puducherry... https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/the-hot-and-sizzling-culinary-delights-of-puducherry

Our 5-day long vacation in Bali was coming to an end and we had kept the best for the last, as they say! This was a visit to the Nusa Dua Theatre in Bali for the Devdan Show. About Nusa Dua Theater Bali Nusa Dua is the high-end southeastern coast of Bali that is synonymous with luxury and opulent living. This upscale area of Bali is the go-to place if you're looking for luxury resorts, golf courses, water sports and some very fine dining options. The entire area is like a luxurious tableau depicting the Balinese culture, art and religion on its impeccably manicured verdant green landscapes. I could spot beautiful carved statues depicting tales from the Mahabharata and other Hindu scriptures erected along the side of the road. We had bookings for the Devdan Show at Nusa Dua Theatre and were already running late for the show, so I could not afford the luxury of getting down and taking a closer look at all this priceless art strewn along the road, but if you have time, then one must stop to see these statues closely. About Nusa Dua Theatre and Devdan Show 'Devdan', literally translating into the 'Grace from the Gods' is a spectacular stage show hosted by the Nusa Dua theatre. 'Devdan - Treasure of the Archipelago' takes its audiences down an enthralling journey through the different regions of the island of Indonesia. They depict their tribes, their forests, their regions, Bali, Sumatra, Java and more, and their culture in a tightly scripted play lasting only 90 minutes. But in these 90 minutes, there is a riot of colour and activity on the stage as we gasp in awe at the sheer energy of the performers. The costumes, music, and dramatic entry and exit of performers will leave you absolutely speechless. There are acrobatics, both traditional and fusion dances against the backdrop of high-tech special effects. My most vivid memory from the show is of a forest scene created with light and sound and two acrobats, a man and a woman, dangling from a rope. The aura they created live on that stage with their sensuous movements, the tantalizing lights and sound effect was nothing I had ever seen before! We had booked premium tickets for the show, the package included pick-up and drop from our hotel too. We were led into a small seating area prior to the show and were served some refreshments. The seats we got in the premium package were okay but it was only at the end of the show did we realize that with premium tickets, one could step up on the stage at the end of the show, take a close look at the performers and take pictures with them too. Filming or taking pictures during the show is strictly forbidden, so I can't share any videos of this mind-blowing spectacle. Audiences are permitted to take pictures at the very end of the show. So, keep your cameras ready! https://www.devdanshow.com/

About a good 30 to 40-minute drive from the city centre is the Sea Temple of Uluwatu. 'Ulu' meaning top and 'watu' meaning rock aptly describes this beautiful temple located right on the edge of the cliff facing Uluwatu Beach on the mighty Indian Ocean. According to popular belief, the Uluwatu temple is the place where the powers of the Hindu trinity of Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver and Siva, the destroyer come together and merge. The ensuing deity of Siva Rudra is worshipped here. The riveting Kecak Fire Dance in Uluwatu Temple Bali will be the highlight of your sojourn. It takes place at around 6 p.m. every day. I don't have enough words to describe the energy and electrifying atmosphere this dance creates. No stage settings, no audio systems, no artificial lighting, no announcements, and no formal seating! Just pure, raw energy against the backdrop of the setting sun in the ocean.... There are 3 things to keep in mind while visiting the Uluwatu Temple, One,  the dress code. This temple is considered one of the spiritual pillars of Balinese Hinduism and a strict code of conduct is followed in the precincts of the temple. No foreigners are allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Everyone is expected to dress modestly; a sarong is provided at the entrance itself. Visitors tie it around their waists, whether it's mandatory or optional, we honestly couldn't figure it out. We just did the same. While in Rome, do as the Romans do! Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking involved in going around the entire temple complex including a lot of steps. Two,  the temple is home to hundreds of monkeys. They live there and look quite happy in their habitat. So, visitors need to watch out for being nabbed by monkeys for their bags and sunglasses. We were extra careful with our belongings while on the temple premises. And three  is of course the Kecak fire dance. It starts at 6, so plan the temple visit accordingly, keeping ample time to get to the dance venue on time. There is no fixed time for coming to see the dance, though. I saw visitors walking in even halfway through the show, but I wouldn't want to miss the entire performance for anything! The dance performance takes place in an open-air amphitheatre in the temple complex. Tourists start thronging that area and start occupying seats a little before 6 pm. They sit everywhere, on the steps, on the ground, on railings, every inch of space gets taken. And then the performance starts...and it's pure magic! The energy, the crowd, the vibe and the performance itself against the setting sun are magical... Kecak dance is an artistic and symbolic representation of the story of Ramayana. It's essentially the time-tested tale of the victory of good over evil. The performers, representing characters from the Ramayana, don elaborate colourful costumes and enter the arena to play out their roles. A holy fire is lit in the centre and the dancers, all men, bare-chested, clad only in checkered loin cloths sit in a circle around the fire. They start chanting 'Chak Chak Chaka' in total sync, move their hands and sway their bodies in rhythm. The audience is left in rapture by the pure energy generated by the performers. There is a lot of interaction with the audience as well when the mischievous 'Hanuman', the monkey God enters the scene. The entire performance lasts for about an hour and it plays out in the foreground of the setting Sun casting its luminous glow on the amphitheatre. The outcome is magical. Photo opportunity with the performers at the end of the show is the icing on the cake! Kecak Dance is performed at many places in Bali in the evening. In Uluwatu Temple complex, you can buy combined tickets to the temple premises and the dance performance. Please check the official website of the temple before your visit for any changes in timings and information at https://www.uluwatubali.com/ .