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June 12, 2019Travel, Within India

Romancing in God’s Own Country: How to Plan an Exquisite Honeymoon to Kerala

Kerala is situated in the south-western tip of Indian subcontinent. The enchanting serene beauty of Kerala has earned the state, the term “God’s Own Country” and is definitely one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Asia. Kerala was featured by the National Geographic Traveller as one of the 50 must-visit destinations of a lifetime and has also been identified as one of the thirteen paradises in the world.

Some of the special attractions of Kerala that invite newlyweds can be listed as follows-

Munnar Tea Gardens

The luxurious carpet of unending stretches of tea gardens of Munnar presents a breath-taking scenery that covers the mountain slopes of the Nilgiris of the Western Ghats. There is the greenness of tea gardens below and the white fluffy clouds up in the sky that presents a striking combination.

You can see the colourful girls with big baskets plucking the tender leaves from the tea bushes and they make for a very pleasant site. The tea estates covering the mountain slope of Munnar is a popularhoneymoon destination in Kerala.

Step out among the tea gardens to make some memories and click away till infinity. After visiting the gardens, the honeymoon couples can go for a visit to the tea processing factory and taste some fresh aromatic tea of various flavours and can even pack some for back home.

Wayanad, Chembra Peak and Heart Shaped Honeymoon Lake

The fascinating Chembra Peak is the highest peak in the Wayanad district of Kerala. There is an equally stunning heart-shaped perennial lake half-way to the Chembra peak.

This tourist point is a very popular honeymoon spot of Kerala. The lake contains water all through the year and from the lake a gentle hike of about a kilometre takes you to the peak. The trekking path leads through dense trees to reach the top of the peak. The Lake remains enveloped in mist and snow and is ideal to spend some romantic moments with your loved one in a honeymoon trip.

Kumarakom: Houseboat Cruise in Backwaters

Kerala is widely known for its unmatched beauty of backwaters in Alleppey and Kumarakom. In your honeymoon, go for a cruise through the myriad wide backwaters of Kumarakom or the bit narrower backwaters of Alleppey and enjoy the soothing green of paddy fields and verdant coconut plantations. Kumarakom backwaters offer a more silent and less crowded destination to enjoy freely.

Marari Beach: Traditional Kerala Cottage with Private Swimming Pool

Marari Beach has glimmering turquoise-blue waters that mix with the bright sun rays and create a magical water kingdom for the honeymoon couple to enjoy and explore. The delicious food is a major attraction for honeymooners and various other domestic and international travellers.

Take a dip in the pool or go for a rejuvenating walk along the beaches. Laze around in the pool or the beach with a cool glass of drink. The pool area is secluded and offers some primate intimate moments with the partner. Play around in the pool and have a cool day. Relax and spend a blissful honeymoon.

Athirappilly: Treehouse Watching Over the Waterfalls

This is the most secluded and exotic treehouse looking over the tumbling waterfalls. Watch the furore of the glorious waterfalls from the peace and sanctity of the treehouse. Make your childhood dream of staying in a real treehouse come true at Athirappilly with your loved one.

Enjoy the solitude and explore the beauty of Kerala to the hilt. This destination forms a hidden jewel of Kerala very suitable for romantic couples.

Rocky Solitary Beaches of Kovalam

The rocky shores of the Kovalam Beach is an absolutely romantic and out of a real picture book gallery. It makes every nature lover’s dream come true with surreal beauty. The massive rocky highland protruding out on the seas over the beach creates a mesmeric bay that is beautiful and a safe haven to bathe and swim. Kovalam has a lot of offer with its unique cliff top and quaint fishing villages where you can enjoy watching the simple, rustic village life of Southern parts of India. Kovalam presents a plethora of options in cultural shows where the classical and ancient dance forms are rendered.

Moreover, the beach offers a pleasant stroll across the sands with the gentle waves lapping. Early morning walk through the beachfront or walk at dusk is most pleasurable. You can climb by the lighthouse of Kovalam to watch out for the Kovalam shoreline and the Arabian Sea spread beyond.

Spend the day sightseeing the interesting places of Kovalam, be it the beaches or the lush green seaside villages. There are several properties along the beach ranging from luxurious beach resorts to moderate budget hotels and resorts to budget accommodations and home–stay facilities. The beach resorts are acclaimed for their world-class dining facilities, end-to-end seamless customer services and palatable cuisines.

Honeymoon couples do enjoy the sunbathing, lazy swimming along the shallow waters of the beaches, herbal body massages, Ayurvedic treatments, colourful local cultural performances such as Kathakali dance shows and Kalaripayattu, the traditional and ancient form of martial arts demonstration.

Floating Cottages in Poovar Estuary

Thinking of an absolutely solitary, two-some intimate stay that would make for a memorable honeymoon vacation. The endlessly stretching golden sands of Poovar beach and gently blending shoreline with the seas beyond along with the golden sunrises and sunsets that light up a fire on the ocean waters create an ethereal beauty that is best enjoyed with the loved ones.

The greenery of the coconut palms stretching mindlessly to the far corners of the backwater merge with the emerald green backwaters.

Floating cottages of Poovar are isolated havens of love and solitude. Catch up infinite moments of intimacy in these lovely surroundings. The small balconies of the cottages facing the backwaters command a fabulous view of the Poovar estuary where you can take in the enchantment of the beach, backwaters, lake and sea altogether.

11 must haves on a long haul flight?

As a career traveler with hundreds of flights to my name, here are the things I absolutely, categorically, must have on board with me for an international flight. These things are for convenience, comfort, health, and safety.

Hand Sanitizer.

According to a recent study, self check-in screens at the airport have about a gazillion times more bacteria (the bad kind) than the average public toilet seat. I use hand sanitizer every time I touch something that other people in the airport and on the plane have touched.

Moist Wipes.

As soon as I sit in my seat, I pull out a moist wipe and wipe down my armrests, tray table, and entertainment screen. Why? Consider how often these things are actually cleaned. Apparently if you’re lucky, it’s once a month. With airlines flying multiple times per day, consider how many travelers before you have picked their nose in your very seat since it has last been cleaned.

Scarf/Pashmina.

The temperatures on international flights are pretty cold, and airplane blankets are small and sometimes scratchy. My scarf/pashmina can be used as an additional blanket, or to keep my neck warm, or as an additional pillow, and more. It’s also great to have on the ground on when flying from a warm place to a cold place or vice versa. I’ve even been known to put it over my head while sleeping to block out light and other distractions, and my breath helps to keep me warm!

A Change of Clothes.

An already long journey can be made a whole lot longer if your flight is delayed. A change of clothes means you can arrive fresh even if you’ve been traveling for days.

A Change of Clothes (again).

I mention this again because your change of clothes could come in very handy if your checked luggage doesn’t arrive when you do. Having two outfits can get you through at least the first few days at your destination (wash one while you wear the other).

Prescription Medication/Nutritional Supplements.

Again this is extremely important in case your luggage is lost or delayed.

Pen.

Don’t be that person who has to ask the flight attendant or another passenger to borrow a pen so you can fill out the customs/immigration forms.

E-book.

Often the on-board entertainment systems don’t work for takeoff and landing. I amuse myself with my ebook during these times.

Power Bank/Portable Charger.

There’s no guarantee that you’ll have an outlet (or a functioning one anyway) for your phone and other devices. A power bank ensures your phone will still have a charge when you land.

Reusable water bottle (1 litre, full).

I don’t use single-use plastics/waste, which means if I want to stay hydrated on my flight, I need to bring water on board with me, so I don’t need to ask for a plastic cup every time I want a few swallows of water.(Edit: to clarify, bring the water bottle through security empty, and then fill it after clearing security)

Laptop (fully charged).

While this is obvious for most people (nobody checks their laptop), I mention it anyway, because as a location independent entrepreneur, my laptop is essential to my travels, and a long-haul international flight is a great place to get work done.

Nora Dunn, Traveled full-time for 12 years (The Professional Hobo)

Run up a mountain

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Both inspiring and intimidating, a mountain marathon can be a great way to find your stride.

Everyone has a different connection with the mountains. Some find it by slowing down and picking up a book while others prefer to get their soles dirty and scale its heights. There is something elemental about scaling a mountain on foot.

While the tribe of trekkers and campers keep spiralling every year, one can also see a steady rise of athletes and marathoners taking to such unforgiving terrain and lung-searing attitude. When, and how, did the call of the wild green terrain become so irresistible?

Mountains are unpredictable. Even the same run twice won’t give you the same experience.

The weather might suddenly change, the track might disappear.
It is this lure of seeing more, experiencing more which is pulling people towards these runs

~ Akshay Appu, digital media professional who has done runs in Manali, Bir Billing, and Mawkrywat, says city runs do not offer much in terms of views, challenges, different routes or terrains.

Call of the wild

All runs in the city are done on tar roads. Mountain runs on the other hand, come with the promise of a new challenge with every run, different topography, beautiful views, no pollution, and peace and quiet. No marathon in the hills is the same. Even the same run twice won’t give you the same experience, “

~ Appu.

Humbling experience

The world of trial and ultra-running is becoming big because it’s not just athletes but track and road runners and even amateurs- after a good training- are signing up for these races to test their body and mind.

run up a mountain Image by skeeze from Pixabay

“Many a time you may be faced with situations that you can’t really train for a wild animal crossing your trail or a sharp incline that will make you dig into every little bit of strength and energy you have left. And just when you think you can take no more, you go ahead and do it.”

~ Gauri Jayaram, founder of a leading marathon touring company, such marathons give you the chance to connect with nature at a personal level

A lot like real life, except that we have forgotten these most simple lessons.

Our age of excess and 24*7 connected lives has pushed us far from nature- not just physical nature but our own inner selves. We have forgotten to tap our own potential and push our boundaries because we live and think in tiny little boxes. A run in the mountain is a perfect therapy for our tired souls. You are stripped to the barest of essentials- good running shoes, minimal clothing, a bottle of water, just enough food to get you through a day on the ridges, and a clear mind that sees the glory of nature.

Climb every mountain

Hills are all about incline, elevation, altitude. Priti Zaveri, a Pinkathon ambassador, believes mountain running teaches us that the obstacles we face everyday must not dampen our spirits or deter us from moving forward.

“Running up there is all about conquering the distance, and let me tell you, every distance is a challenge. It is all about endurance.”

Mountain climbing — Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Experiences like these teach us humility- and the fact that everything is competing, but the real battle is to conquer our own fears and compete with our own selves.

What mountain marathons and trekking teach us about life

There is no finish line:

Somewhere while going up and down the slopes, you realise life is much like that. It is not about getting there, it is about reaching new heights with each step, because when you get to the top of any mountain, you are simply at the bottom of another greater climb.

Inhale the present:

Being out there in the wilderness of mountains tells you that things happen in their own time. There is a time to let go, time to shut off the phone, turn away from the computer and leave the camera at home. All we ever own is the inhalation of the present.

Best things in life are free–

Clean air and water, unfiltered views, abundant greens and nature’s produce.

You can’t control everything:

You can’t predict nature’s moods, the challenges of the terrain, the supply of food and the night you spend in a tent. You are at the mountains’ disposal and they overpower you. The best you can do is be humble.

*/ The above article was written by Supriya Sharma and was published in Times Life…rev up your life dated May 26, 2019. */

Have you had the spiciest food in India?

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Don’t bother skimming through this list of the spiciest dishes of India if you don’t have the hots for the hot.

1. Phaal Curry

It’s not everyday that chefs wear gas masks while whipping up a dish. But when they do the dish in question has to be Phaal curry. Made from Bhut Jolokia, the hottest chilli in the world, Phaal holds the distinction of being the hottest curry in the world. Even daredevils may ‘phaal’ after downing this one.

spiciest food, Phaal Curry — Source: blogspot

2. Pork Vindaloo

My grandma says that the longer you keep that murraba bottled up, the better it tastes. Google says that the same principle works for Pork Vindaloo. Apparently, the meat gets properly marinated and tastes better the next day. I don’t know what difference it makes because the dish is so hot that it feels like shovelling lava balls into your mouth.

spiciest food, Pork Vindaloo — Source: flickr

3. Kozhi Curry

If you have a thing for spicy food and that Syrian Catholic girl, think no further. Marry her. Chances are that you’ll find spicy chicken curry on your plate for most days of your life. An integral part of the Syrian Catholic Community of Kerala, the spiciest curry in India will take your taste buds for one helluva ride.

Kozhi curry, spiciest food — Source: akilaskitchen

4. Chilli Beef

It takes a real Malayalee to polish off a plate of chilli beef without feeling the heat. For others, it can be quite a fiery rendezvous. From the tongue, the palate, the food pipe, the tracts… it’s as if the Ghost Rider’s blazing down through your system… charring down everything in his way. I’m surprised Malayalees still exist in Maharashtra. #BeefBan

Chilli beef, spiciest food — Source: recipesaresimple

5. Chicken 65

According to popular belief, this delicacy was the 65th item in a menu at a military canteen in South India and hence the name. Going by the food orgasm it evokes, this delicacy should have been named chicken 69. Though I wonder what happened to uthapam 73, payasam 17 and idli 23?

6. Bhut Jolokia Curries and Chutneys

The next time you take out your backstabbing colleague out for a treat make sure you heavily tip the chef so that he’s generous with the use of Bhut Jolokia in your colleague’s dish. You won’t have to stand the sight of him/her for at least a week.

PS – The government of India has used Bhut Jolokia grenades to safely immobilize terrorists.

spiciest food, Bhut Jolokia curries — Source: ibnlive

7. Andhra Chilli Chicken

The people of Andhra know how to do justice to a name and how. This recipe has chilli written all over it. Before marinating and simmering the chicken in green chilli paste, the chicken is killed by force-feeding it green chillies. I need no further convincing about Andhra being the largest producer of green chillies in India.

Andhra Chilli chicken, spiciest food — Source: photobucket

8. Kolhapuri Chicken

There’s more to Kolhapur than Kolhapuri silks, Kolhapuri chappals ..it’s the Kolhapuri Chicken. Keep a bowl of rasgulla handy before you sink your fangs into this fiery piece of chicken.

Kolhapuri Chicken, spiciest food — Source: tastyappetite

9. Madras Curry

The sight of meatballs swimming in a bowl of red-coloured sauce is every spicy-food lover’s delight. If you don’t mind the consequential runny nose, watery eyes and sweaty brow, then this one’s a pure delight. Shouldn’t they be changing its name to Chennai Curry? Just saying.

10. Misal

Primarily consisting of a combination of the spiciest dry red chillies, green chillies and black pepper powder, the heat level of this popular roadside delicacy can range from ‘mildly hot’ to ‘shove a fire extinguisher in my mouth hot’. Burn baby burn!

11. Chicken Chettinad

They say that chillies unleash endorphins which in turn make you happy. For me though, a mere mention of Chicken Chettinad does the trick. This cuisine from Tamil Nadu is one of the spiciest and aromatic cuisines in India. Apart from a satiated appetite, it also leaves you with a scorched tongue.

12. Stuffed Pepper

Stuffed Pepper is sometimes called comfort food. But it doesn’t take long for this pepper to jolt you out of your comfort zone. Have this side dish in excess and you end up writhing on the floor.

Stuffed pepper, spiciest food — Source: bettycrocker

13. Laal Maans

You won’t be able to savour this fiery mutton curry from Rajasthan for long because the chillies won’t allow you to. Statutory warning – The spices could sear off a quarter of your taste buds.

14. Kashmiri Chicken

What do you do to experience a piece of ‘Paradise on Earth’ sitting in the scorching heat of Delhi? Simple. Just order a plate of Kashmiri Chicken. Although there are other spicier treats that you can lay your hands on, what sets this one apart from the rest is the tinge of sweetness. Sweet!

15. Saoji Chicken Curry

This hot delicacy comes from one of the hottest cities in India, Nagpur. Saoji Chicken Curry is a rich amalgamation of the hottest spices you can think of. My advice to you before you dig into this mouth-numbing spicy treat – brace for impact!

Saoji Chicken curry, spiciest food — Post Courtesy: Scoopwhoop

~ Amit Purohit, Digital Marketer (2016-present)

Exotic and spicy Saoji food from Nagpur has a distinctive taste that has made its place in every nagpurian’s life. The cuisine also called Saoji Waradi/Saoji Chicken/Saoji Mutton is famous for its hot flavours. Its irresistible taste gets into your mind and soul once you taste this food. It is a must try for all spicy food lovers and those who try will surely get addicted to its taste. The special ingredients used in the preparation of curry for Saoji food include poppy seeds (Khus-Khus), powdered coconut, black pepper, dry coriander, bay leaves, grey cardamom, cinnamon, cloves etc.

Saoji food is gravy dish mainly prepared as non-vegetarian chicken and mutton dish; one can also prepare vegetarian dishes using the same saoji gravy/curry. The vegetarians can enjoy Potato, Paneer or Soya Chunk dishes in the Saoji Curry to relish its authentic taste(however non-veg is highly recommended).
The best thing about Saoji food, although being very spicy, is not harmful to the body and does not lead to any digestive problems, as the process of cooking has been modified to overcome any health problems.(Seriously none problems at all)

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~ Rutvick Pedamkar, Add Spice To Food Adds Spice To Life.