The Wallahs of Mumbai - Fact file, Information of How to reach, what to do etc etc.
Mumbai ( Bombay), situated on the India's west coast, is the nation's most affluent and cosmopolitan city. It is also film capital of India, with Bollywood spectacles churning out at dizzying speeds, and theaters crammed with eager fans. It is served by a network of domestic and international airlines, as well as two large railway terminal stations with train connections across the sub-continent.
City sights vary from gazing down from Malabar Hill at the Queen's Necklace - the lights of Marine Drive which bracelet the Arabian Sea, discovering the topiary of the Hanging Gardens (Malabar Hill), visiting the world class Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangralaya Museum (more popularly known as the Prince of Wales Museum) in Colaba, or the nearby Jehangir Art Gallery, strolling Juhu Beach after sundown, people watching at the Gateway of India, shopping for Indian handicrafts in the Colaba area, hunting down bargains in the narrow lanes off the Crawford Market area and Zaveri Bazar (jewelery) and visiting the Elephanta Caves by boat. These run from the Gateway of India on a regular basis - shop around for the best rates at nearby ticket booths.
Mumbai, the "Big Mango" of India offers hotels that run the gamut from opulent to humble - and the same applies to its abundance and variety of restaurants - catering to the "bling" wearing socialite set, as well as ordinary Mumbai-ites who enjoy scarfing down sidewalk food at various Khau Gullies (Food Lanes) which are tucked away in several areas of the city.
Upscale hotels: For atmosphere and old world charm choose the old Taj Mahal Hotel (not the newer addition). For fabulous views across the Arabian Sea check out the luxurious Oberoi Towers at Nariman Point. Also for the affluent traveler: Hotel Marine Plaza (Churchgate) J.W. Marriott (Juhu Beach), Leela Kempinski and The Orchid near Sahar Airport. Less glitzy but comfortable are The Astoria and Ambassador Hotels (Churchate, and Garden Hotel (Colaba). Budget accommodation: The Colaba branch of the YMCA, or the International YMCA in Bombay Central. Both offer clean, air conditioned rooms with attached bathrooms, with buffet breakfast and dinner included in the tariff. Very reasonably priced - Google YMCA Bombay for details. Read full Mumbai Travel Guide
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Travelogue on - Rishikesh
Factfile - Information: How to reach, what to do etc etc.. Rishikesh
Rishikesh is well connected from Delhi by Road and till Haridwar the journey can be undertaken by train as well. Since the road journey till Haridwar from Delhi is really dismal- i'd recommend taking the train for all fellow tourists. You can easily rent a cab (indica's being the most popular vehicle) for the duration of your stay.
Rishikesh has the unique distinction to offer both spiritual as well adventure options to all genres of travelers. You may try your hand at White Water rafting in Rishikesh, try the exotic world famous Ananda Spa near Rishikesh or simply make the most of the break with your loved piece of literature by the Banks of the Ganges at numerous resorts/camps/ cottages near Shivpuri.
Rishikesh and its nearby locations- Shivpuri, Haridwar have a host of accommodation options for the weary traveller. You may chose from exotic resorts and Spas (like the Ananda) or choose something much lighter on the pocket like a Dharamshala or budget hotels within Rishikesh.
However, given the peaceful and spiritual nature of the destination- I would recommend quieter hotels or resorts which are located away from the main town centre and offer a view of the Ganges- Glasshouse on the Ganges was one such option. Read full Rishikesh
Rishikesh is well connected from Delhi by Road and till Haridwar the journey can be undertaken by train as well. Since the road journey till Haridwar from Delhi is really dismal- i'd recommend taking the train for all fellow tourists. You can easily rent a cab (indica's being the most popular vehicle) for the duration of your stay.
Rishikesh has the unique distinction to offer both spiritual as well adventure options to all genres of travelers. You may try your hand at White Water rafting in Rishikesh, try the exotic world famous Ananda Spa near Rishikesh or simply make the most of the break with your loved piece of literature by the Banks of the Ganges at numerous resorts/camps/ cottages near Shivpuri.
Rishikesh and its nearby locations- Shivpuri, Haridwar have a host of accommodation options for the weary traveller. You may chose from exotic resorts and Spas (like the Ananda) or choose something much lighter on the pocket like a Dharamshala or budget hotels within Rishikesh.
However, given the peaceful and spiritual nature of the destination- I would recommend quieter hotels or resorts which are located away from the main town centre and offer a view of the Ganges- Glasshouse on the Ganges was one such option. Read full Rishikesh
Fact File of Kaza
To reach Kaza,we have two options one via Manali the second via Kinnaur.I took the second option as I visited during march .The Manali way opens around June when the Rotang and Kunzum La pass opens for traffic.The best option to travel is by local bus ,or book taxis. Visit Sangla kanda,Chaka pastures at Kalpa, Hile to Dhankar First have to reach Shimla take a bus from ISBT bus stand,bus/taxi to Reckong Peo and a direct bus to Kaza.Hotels are available and are very nominal in range.
Plenty of hotels available in season however if you are traveling off season,have to find out from locals which place is open. Reckong Peo-shivling guest house, PWD rest house,Apple orchard guest house. Tabo all staying is basic so go to monastery guest house millennium guest house charge already written in the above content.
Plenty of hotels available in season however if you are traveling off season,have to find out from locals which place is open. Reckong Peo-shivling guest house, PWD rest house,Apple orchard guest house. Tabo all staying is basic so go to monastery guest house millennium guest house charge already written in the above content.
Factfile of Bhatta Falls, Jainti Dam
The route would be the same as one taken for reaching Mussoorie, the nearest bussling place. Mussoorie is replete with site-seeing, culinary and stay options. Although July-August is traditionally not an advisable time to go, the thrill is in these months, if the routes are open.
Other falls in and around Mussoorie are Kempty, Jharipani and Mossey. Kempty is most popular. Bhatta is prettier and less crowded than Kempty. Undoubtedly a better option.
People usually go to Jainti for the Jainti Devi temple, located on a hillock close to the dam. There are very few who go just for the dam, much less like us, who go from another city to see it. Within a few kilometer radius is the Perch dam and a Shiv temple.
A word of caution - the road to the dam makes way for only one vehicle at a time and there is no assigned parking area for dam visitors.
The closest city would be Chandigarh, which does not offer too many site seeing options but is incredibly scenic. It offers a host of accommodation and dining options.
Other falls in and around Mussoorie are Kempty, Jharipani and Mossey. Kempty is most popular. Bhatta is prettier and less crowded than Kempty. Undoubtedly a better option.
People usually go to Jainti for the Jainti Devi temple, located on a hillock close to the dam. There are very few who go just for the dam, much less like us, who go from another city to see it. Within a few kilometer radius is the Perch dam and a Shiv temple.
A word of caution - the road to the dam makes way for only one vehicle at a time and there is no assigned parking area for dam visitors.
The closest city would be Chandigarh, which does not offer too many site seeing options but is incredibly scenic. It offers a host of accommodation and dining options.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
OkTataByebye present ‘The Best Views of India’ Travel Photo Contest
India - the land of a million gods and a million facets. India - the incredible country and its diverse cultures. But how do we go about bringing all these views of India together? How can we bring all the incredible views of India together?
It is with the intention of bringing together the many ‘views’ of India that the online travel community, OkTataByebye.com, in association with Samsung brings the ‘The Best Views of India’ online photography contest. Samsung is launching a new phone in the Indian market – the Samsung Pixon.
The Samsung Pixon boasts of an 8 megapixel camera and the latest in digital photography technology. To showcase its capabilities, Samsung has come together with OkTataByebye, India’s largest online travel community, in an effort to showcase India at its best.
The contest is free and is open to all. Contestants can upload their India photos after filling in a short registration form. To simplify matters, there are six categories. The first category is ‘Our Scenic Beauty’. This invites contestants to upload photographs showcasing India’s natural bounty.
The idea of India is closely knit with its colorful festivals and rituals - the category ‘Festivals and Occasions’ invites contestants to share their best colour drenched photographs. India’s treasured heritage is on display in ‘Our Heritage’. OkTataByebye has introduced an innovative category within the ambit of this photography contest – a gallery of the various faces of India in the ‘Portraits and Faces’ section.
Want to show off your wildlife photography skills? Simply upload your pics to the ‘Our Wildlife’ section and show off your pics of the great Indian tigers, peacocks et all. The real test of your mastery of the camera is in night photography – how to adjust the camera settings to get the best shot of the shimmering night lights. All these are gathered together in the ‘Dressed At Night’ section’.
A Samsung Pixon camera phone up for grabs and the challenge to gather together the Best Views Of India – OkTataByebye has thrown open the arena to the best photographers of India.
It is with the intention of bringing together the many ‘views’ of India that the online travel community, OkTataByebye.com, in association with Samsung brings the ‘The Best Views of India’ online photography contest. Samsung is launching a new phone in the Indian market – the Samsung Pixon.
The Samsung Pixon boasts of an 8 megapixel camera and the latest in digital photography technology. To showcase its capabilities, Samsung has come together with OkTataByebye, India’s largest online travel community, in an effort to showcase India at its best.
The contest is free and is open to all. Contestants can upload their India photos after filling in a short registration form. To simplify matters, there are six categories. The first category is ‘Our Scenic Beauty’. This invites contestants to upload photographs showcasing India’s natural bounty.
The idea of India is closely knit with its colorful festivals and rituals - the category ‘Festivals and Occasions’ invites contestants to share their best colour drenched photographs. India’s treasured heritage is on display in ‘Our Heritage’. OkTataByebye has introduced an innovative category within the ambit of this photography contest – a gallery of the various faces of India in the ‘Portraits and Faces’ section.
Want to show off your wildlife photography skills? Simply upload your pics to the ‘Our Wildlife’ section and show off your pics of the great Indian tigers, peacocks et all. The real test of your mastery of the camera is in night photography – how to adjust the camera settings to get the best shot of the shimmering night lights. All these are gathered together in the ‘Dressed At Night’ section’.
A Samsung Pixon camera phone up for grabs and the challenge to gather together the Best Views Of India – OkTataByebye has thrown open the arena to the best photographers of India.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Travel Photo Contest 2009 by OkTataByebye
OkTataByebye.com – a leading online travel community of India has launched a brand new photo contest on Wednesday. Samsung the Best Views of India is a free photo contest and the largest ever exercise to showcase the beauty of India in all its forms. Wildlife, Scenic Beauty, Heritage, Festivals & Occasions, Portraits & Faces and Dressed at Night are six categories in the photo contest 2009. The Best Views of India Photo Contest closes on 15 June.
Samsung Pixon 8 Mega Pixel Camera Phone is up for grabs every week in this photography competition. The best photo of the week will win a Samsung Pixon 8 Mega Pixel Camera Phone. Eminent personalities from travel & tourism industry will choose the winning photo every week.
To take part in photo competition, a participant has to register for the Best Views of India Photo Contest on www.OkTataByebye.com. There are unlimited photos that one can upload in the travel photo contest. While the decision of the judges will be final, votes in the photo contest will measure the popularity of a photo.
The Samsung - OkTataByebye.com Best views of India Contest is about showcasing the deep and varied beauty Incredible India through photos. “While the Contest is not just about winning, but rather about taking joy in the sheer richness of our country and the pride that comes from unveiling this to the world; Samsung has partnered this cause and announced a Weekly Prize for the Best Photo, as chosen by the Judges. The Prize will be the equally incredible Samsung Pixon 8MP Camera phone, the most advanced camera phone on the planet!”
OkTataByebye.com is India's first online travel community. This community is all about travel in India and the best place for travel enthusiasts to find and share experiences and travel advice on India. It enables travelers to capture and share hotel reviews, travelogues, photos, features and recommendations with friends, family and members. Reviews and votes ensure that the information is always up-to-date, useful and remains transparent.
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