Walking along the UNESCO World heritage city of Orchha - A hidden gem of Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh4/22/2020 Walking along the UNESCO World heritage city of Orchha - A hidden gem of Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh
Spending a day in Orchha - UNESCO World Heritage City of India and a hidden gem of Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, felt like walking down the memory lanes of a royal princely town of India. With every step I took on the streets of Orchha, I was transported into the life of kings and queens who lived in magnificent palaces surrounded by hills and dense woods, worshipped their gods in palace-style carved temples, strolled around beautiful floral gardens and left their last memories in unique styled cenotaphs on the banks of a river. Orchha, which literally means "hidden", is a quaint island town nestled on the banks of river Betwa in Madhya Pradesh.
Founded in 15th century by Rudra Pratap Singh, the kingdom of Orchha was ruled by him and his brothers after which it was captured by Akbar under the Mughal Empire. In 16th century, when Jahangir came to power in the Mughal Empire, he gifted the kingdom of Orchha to Vir Singh Bundela, as a token of his loyalty for helping the emperor in a fight against his enemies. Under the Bundela reign, Orchha flourished with its glorious monuments of unique Indo-Muslim architectural style resulting out of the cultural amalgamation of Rajput kingdom in Mughal era. The historic town of Orchha seems to be frozen in time since then, as it still retains its old charm with rich Indian heritage and natural beauty.
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Sanchi group of monuments
The heritage site at Sanchi is a cluster of Buddhist monuments which were built after the main Stupa subsequently. Two more stupas containing relics of Buddha’s disciples were added on, one of them is decorated with a Torana. Structures of various Buddhist temples and monasteries also lay in ruins in this complex.
Light and sound show at Sanchi Stupa
Sanchi group of Stupas host a light and sound show in the evenings giving insights into Buddhism, Budhha’s life and Asoka’s propagation of Buddhism. The Great Stupas is impressively personified as the Past Buddha, giving knowledge and wisdom to the smaller stupa personified as present/future Buddha.
Light and sound show timing is 7:30 pm everyday.
The Sanchi Stupa timing is 6:30 am - 6 pm everyday.
Light and sound show timing is 7:30 pm everyday.
The Sanchi Stupa timing is 6:30 am - 6 pm everyday.
Experience Architect Padma Shri K.K. Muhammed
Sanchi Stupa was a part of Cultural and Heritage Trip in Madhya Pradesh curated by Times Passion Trails. Living the stories of our rich past was an experience in itself, and to add on to it, we were hearing the stories of the best preserved monument of India from the renowned archaeologist of India Mr. KK Muhammed. He has been the regional director of ASI (Archaeology Survey of India) and recently honoured with Padma Shri award for his outstanding work. Extremely humble with his personality, he shared his deep knowledge about Indian monuments with us, an absolute prestige for us!
P.S. A visit to Sanchi Stupa was perfect for my dose of positivity and calming vibes on Culture and Heritage trail with Times Passion Trails in collaboration with Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board
How to reach Sanchi Stupa
To reach Sanchi Stupa, one needs to take the 10km short road from Vidisha, the nearest town to Sanchi. Or the 45km long road from Bhopal, the nearest city to Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh.
Vidisha and Bhopal are connected by road as well as by rail. For air travel, Bhopal is the most convenient airport.
Vidisha and Bhopal are connected by road as well as by rail. For air travel, Bhopal is the most convenient airport.
Where to stay in Sanchi
Sanchi is a very small town, famous for the Stupas and the museum. It is generally chosen as a daytime stopover while making a road trip from Bhopal and onwards to Udaygiri caves/Chanderi/Orchha.
There aren't many guest houses in Sanchi, however, if you need to take a night halt, MPT Gateway Retreat is the best place to stay in Sanchi.
Contact Details of MPT Gateway Retreat, Sanchi: 1800-233-7777 (toll free)
There aren't many guest houses in Sanchi, however, if you need to take a night halt, MPT Gateway Retreat is the best place to stay in Sanchi.
Contact Details of MPT Gateway Retreat, Sanchi: 1800-233-7777 (toll free)
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Taj-Ul-Masajid: Crown of the mosques, Bhopal - the largest mosque in India
Taj-Ul-Masajid in Bhopal, the largest mosque in India, magnificently boasts its status of being the crown of all the mosques. A classic illustration of Mughal architecture, Taj-Ul-Masajid is built with red sandstone, which gives a pink facade to its outer walls. The beauty of the mosque is enhanced by three stark white bulbous domes on its rooftop. Two tall minarets covered with a white dome each guard the mosque on both the sides. A rectangular walled complex with huge open courtyard and water tank envelops the aura of the mosque.
Interesting history behind the completion of Taj-Ul-Masajid
Apart from its outstanding looks, what makes this mosque special is the unique history behind the construction of the mosque which took more than a century for its completion. The story goes back to Mughal Era (1526-1857), when India was mushrooming with Mughal styled architectural monuments. The Muslim rulers had built a number of mosques and Madarsas to spread Islam and its teachings.
The construction of Taj-Ul-Masajid was started in 1857 by a lady ruler of Bhopal, Shah Jahan Begum, with the intention to serve Islam and spread its teachings. The first site chosen for the construction of the mosque had some remains of a temple, so she chose found another site for Taj-UI-Masajid. The work was taken over by her daughter after her, but due to lack of funds (which were used over a war), the work was suspended and the construction remained incomplete.
The mosque was left in bad shape with damaged roof, pits in the courtyard and incomplete minarets for years, before the guardian of the mosque undertook the reconstruction work in 1971. With the help generous donations from Muslim community in India and abroad, the construction of the mosque was completed in the year 1985, standing tall as one of the largest mosques of Asia.
She dreamt, she initiated, but couldn't see the dream being fulfilled in her lifetime. Destiny had it to be fulfilled by someone else a century later, for the betterment of humanity.
The construction of Taj-Ul-Masajid was started in 1857 by a lady ruler of Bhopal, Shah Jahan Begum, with the intention to serve Islam and spread its teachings. The first site chosen for the construction of the mosque had some remains of a temple, so she chose found another site for Taj-UI-Masajid. The work was taken over by her daughter after her, but due to lack of funds (which were used over a war), the work was suspended and the construction remained incomplete.
The mosque was left in bad shape with damaged roof, pits in the courtyard and incomplete minarets for years, before the guardian of the mosque undertook the reconstruction work in 1971. With the help generous donations from Muslim community in India and abroad, the construction of the mosque was completed in the year 1985, standing tall as one of the largest mosques of Asia.
She dreamt, she initiated, but couldn't see the dream being fulfilled in her lifetime. Destiny had it to be fulfilled by someone else a century later, for the betterment of humanity.
Darul Uloom of Taj-Ul-Masajid
In the 19th century, when the Muslims lost power, they were challenged to preserve and protect their religion. In an effort to educate the young generation in Islam religion, they started establishing and operating various Madarsas (religious schools) throughout the country. Darul Uloom, which literally means “house of knowledge” in Arabic are religious institutes where Holy Quran is taught. Taj-Ul-Masajid Darul Uloom was established in 1950 to fulfil 3 responsibilities - education, completion of mosque, preaching Islam. Regular classes are conducted in the prayer chamber. Apart from Quran and Arabic, the students are also taught Hindi, English, Mathematics, History and Geography. The degree awarded by this institution is equivalent to B.A. by Aligarh Muslim University.
Main Prayer chamber in Taj-Ul-Masajid
The main prayer hall of the mosque with red stone structure looks absolutely stunning. The chamber is beautifully designed with petal decorations and ornate pillars with book shelves all along. Scattered book shelves in the chamber keep spreading the message of Islam: God is merciful, all-powerful and unique (there is only one God). Prophet Muhammad is considered to be the messenger of God.
Bathing pond in the courtyard
The entrance to the courtyard leads to a bathing tank in the centre. In Muslim tradition, it is expected to perform a purification ritual called Wudu, requiring to wash faces, hands, arms and feet before offering prayers.
Hostel in Darul Uloom
The students have free access to the hostel rooms of Darul Uloom. Apart from the religious studies, the students are also encouraged for games and physical training.
Main entrance to the mosque
The main entrance to the mosque is the eastern gate which was renovated during the reconstruction phase. The gate was embellished by ancient motifs from circa 1250 Syrian mosques, gifted by the Emir of Kuwait.
Taj-Ul-Masajid overlooking Taj Mahal of Bhopal
One side of the Taj-Ul-Masajid complex opens up to Motia Lake and Taj Mahal Palace of Bhopal. This royal palace was built by Shah Jahan Begum in Indo-Gothic architectural style in 1884. After India's partition in 1947, the palace was given to Sindhi refugees for a stay of 4 years, during which it went through significant damages. Some of the royal families that stayed in the palace thereafter couldn't afford the repairs and they abandoned the palace. The palace was declared as a heritage monument by the state and it is now being renovated to be used as a heritage hotel.
Expert Guide on Times Passion Trails
I had visited Taj-Ul-Masajid as a part of Culture and Heritage Trail in Madhya Pradesh with Times Passion Trails. We had the privilege of learning the history of Taj Ul Masajid by Jamal Ayub, the editor of Times of India, Bhopal. He shared in-depth information about past, present and future of the entire area around the mosque.
Jehan Numa Retreat in Bhopal
Times Passion Trails had hosted us at Jehan Numa Retreat in Bhopal, at the edge of a lush green forest of Van Vihar National Park. Experiencing living in this exquisite property felt like being in relationship with nature. The luxurious rooms are designed with earthy elements, opening up to an open-air shower on one side and a sitting area in the garden on the other side. The refillable copper bottles in the room specially won my heart!
Who wouldn't want to spend those extra hours at breakfast and dinners Under the Jamun Tree??!!! Yes, the signature outdoor restaurant of Jehan Numa Retreat is eloquently named "Under the Jamun Tree". And it's not just the ambience that connects you with nature, even the food mimics the freshness of the ingredients from their in-house farm produce. Jehan Numa Retreat made my time spent in Bhopal absolutely worth!
This trip was curated by Times Passion Trails in collaboration with Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board.
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Indian Cultural Heritage in Madhya Pradesh - my outdoor history classroom
Madhya Pradesh, the heart of Incredible India, is embellished with culturally rich ancient heritage of India. Indian heritage has time and again proved to be a beautiful means to understand the existence of mankind and evolution of life. Travel has been an addiction for me, only because of the way it has shaped me as a person. I have a strong gratitude for travel as it helps me quench my thirst for learning the natural processes. While those countless moments with nature helped me connect with myself, my eagerness for learning different ways of life kept growing on my mind. I have been overwhelmed by what our country has to offer with its rich heritage and diversity.
I recently embarked on a Culture and Heritage Trail in Madhya Pradesh, the heart of Incredible India with Times Passion Trails. Apart from cherishing the beautiful destinations, this handcrafted trail gave me a chance to immerse myself in the culture of Madhya Pradesh. I took a journey back in time as I lived the stories of human life from the prehistoric Stone Age to the current era of modern history.
I recently embarked on a Culture and Heritage Trail in Madhya Pradesh, the heart of Incredible India with Times Passion Trails. Apart from cherishing the beautiful destinations, this handcrafted trail gave me a chance to immerse myself in the culture of Madhya Pradesh. I took a journey back in time as I lived the stories of human life from the prehistoric Stone Age to the current era of modern history.
Bhimbetka Rocks Shelters (UNESCO World Heritage site)
I walked into the Stone Age around 100,000 years back (8000 BCE) as I entered the Bhimbetka caves which were home to prehistoric man. This was the time when human life had evolved to stand up on hindlegs and use the forelegs as hands to manipulate objects & tools. The ancestors have left behind some traces for us in the form of paintings on the rocks. These paintings depict how the humans had started observing animals, using them for his daily needs and eventually using them for fights against bigger animals.
My thoughts: Survival and self-protection from bigger animals had become the necessity.
My thoughts: Survival and self-protection from bigger animals had become the necessity.
Sanchi Stupa (UNESCO World Heritage site)
I then progressed to 300 BCE, when emperor Asoka was propagating Buddhism by establishing Buddhist monuments across the country, to share the message of overcoming suffering and attaining Nirvana. The Stupa of Sanchi was built to preserve the relics of Lord Buddha which was later destroyed by the successor ruler. The Stupa was rebuilt and decorated with gateways (Toranas) with intricate carvings of buddhist moral tales from Buddha's life called Jatakas.
My thoughts: Man was influenced by power & destruction, hence needed teachings to find inner peace.
My thoughts: Man was influenced by power & destruction, hence needed teachings to find inner peace.
Udayagiri caves
I walked into the 4th century (400 CE) astronomical centre which once existed in the caves of Udayagiri possibly due to its then location on the tropic of cancer. The sculptures and inscriptions of activities related to Hindu-calendar and sundials give insights to Hindu astronomy. The king later transformed the caves into Hindu temples to restore the concept of Hindu king as a supreme leader and devotee of Lord Vishnu. The caves are oldest surviving Hindu temples with iconography from Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Shaivism. The Varaha avatar of Vishnu rescuing goddess earth from the cosmic sea is the most iconic cave here.
My thoughts: Man had started learning the concept of leadership to protect the people of their kingdom. And, astronomy existed back then too!!!!!
My thoughts: Man had started learning the concept of leadership to protect the people of their kingdom. And, astronomy existed back then too!!!!!
Khajuraho Temples (UNESCO World Heritage site)
I advanced to 10th century (950-1050 CE) as I explored the site of Khajuraho group of temples important to Shiva - one who destroys and recycles life, controlling the cosmic dance of time, evolution and dissolution. The temples are masterpieces of ancient Indian art, richly decorated with carved statues, depicting the goals of life as per Hinduism - dharma (duty), kama (desire), artha (purpose) and moksha (liberation). The temples remained abandoned for centuries under Islamic rule, yet remained protected from being vandalised due to its remoteness. However, the temples were secretly used by yogis on a regular basis and by Hindu pilgrims on occasion of Shivratri.
My thoughts: Selective men had started practising Yoga to advance mentally, physically and spiritually.
My thoughts: Selective men had started practising Yoga to advance mentally, physically and spiritually.
Chanderi
I stood in 11th century to get a glimpse of Chanderi, a town which tells its stories through ruined temples, underground palaces and captured forts. Chanderi was captured multiple times by different rulers as it fell on important trading route of the ancient time.
My thoughts: Money had made existence in man's life and he started invading other's land for greed.
My thoughts: Money had made existence in man's life and he started invading other's land for greed.
Orchha
I moved on to 15th century to live a day in the royal kingdom of Bundelkhand. Orchha is a tiny medieval town on the banks of river Betwa, which was a princely state for the Bundela kings. Orchha was gifted to the Bundela king by a Mughal Emperor as a token of their friendship. A day of walk in the town took me to marvellous palaces, forts, temples and cenotaphs displaying Mughal influenced Rajput architecture.
My thoughts: Man had started making friends with invaders, establishing cross-communal relationship.
My thoughts: Man had started making friends with invaders, establishing cross-communal relationship.
Taj Ul Masajid
I headed to 18th century to find myself in Taj-Ul-Masajid which is claimed to be the crown of all mosques. The mosque was being built by the queen in the 1860s, however, due to lack of funds, it was not completed. In 1950, a religious leader took up the initiative of establishing a madrasa, an Islamic educational & religious institute and in 1971, he took up the work for completion of mosque through the funds he received as donations which stood complete in 1985, after more than a century of its initiation. The madrasa is an operational school till date and the mosque is visited by many pilgrims across the world.
My thoughts: Religion has started dividing man!
My thoughts: Religion has started dividing man!
Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple
Forwarding to 20th century, I stand in front of an incomplete story of what could have been one of the largest Shiva temple of India which houses 27feet tall Shiva lingam. The construction of temple had started in the 11th century which seems to have stopped abruptly due to unknown reasons. The unfinished statues and carved rocks still lie around the temple in ruins. The weathered temple was taken over by ASI for restoration and was made operational in 2005. In 2020, I stand here with the renowned archeologist of India, KK Muhammed, hearing this story from the man himself who worked on the restoration of this huge temple.
My thoughts: Scope for man to complete the incomplete stories??
My thoughts: Scope for man to complete the incomplete stories??
Here, I stand in the year 2020, grasping all of it and thinking about the warmth and acceptance India has shown since the historic times. The cultural diversity that still exists in Incredible India says this in multiple ways, over and over again.
Just because I never agreed to learn history from school books, I feel blessed to be given one more chance to learn it, practically, at a time when I'm ready to perceive it the most!
P.S. This trip was curated by Times Passion Trails in collaboration with Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board
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Human by Nature - an inseparable affair
By the universal law, humans and nature are absolutely inseparable. It is about time we start accepting this fact and start understanding the connection between human and nature. For years, the mysterious and adorable creation has allured us to travel. We have been braving extensive climates and cross-border travels
to catch a glimpse of the dramatic skies with northern lights
to see the cute penguins jump into the glacial waters in Antarctica
to get lucky with a sight of the big fives completing the food chain in the wild
to get a 30 second view of the world from the top of Mt. Everest
to dive into the deep blue oceans to see the sharks shy away from humans
or to catch a beautiful sunset below the horizon
to catch a glimpse of the dramatic skies with northern lights
to see the cute penguins jump into the glacial waters in Antarctica
to get lucky with a sight of the big fives completing the food chain in the wild
to get a 30 second view of the world from the top of Mt. Everest
to dive into the deep blue oceans to see the sharks shy away from humans
or to catch a beautiful sunset below the horizon
There have been times that we have neglected human impact on making these experiences with nature so beautiful. It is always the “behind the scenes” efforts that play major role in all the beautiful things that we see and experience. There is so much of hard work, pain, compassion behind every beautiful thing which we forget to look through.
Over the years of extensive traveling to different corners of the world, I have realised that apart from the breathtaking natural vistas of the planet, I’ve rated my travel experiences based majorly on the experiences I’ve had with the people I’ve met there. Each time I came back home from a trip, I would keep recollecting the moments of cheerful interactions with the people I met on the travels. While other travellers did make up to my lively experiences, my fondest memories are attached to the locals of the destination who invited me to be a part of their life and helped me live their traditional ways in their land.
I strongly support Kerala Tourism’s initiative of spreading the message “Human by Nature” as an ode to people of Kerala whose everyday lives represents diverse ideologies, faiths and cultures that have co-existed from the historic ages.
I’ve personally come across some remarkable experiences with people in Kerala which made my belief in humanity stronger and my love for travel everlasting.
- Had I not been welcomed by a kind and warm voice of the lady at this homestay in Kochi, I wouldn’t have felt instantly comfortable in an unknown city I landed into after hours of travel.
- Had the driver of the jeep sent for my pickup hadn’t welcomed me with a smile on that deserted road to coffee estates in Wayanad, I would have found myself lost in a remote place as a solo traveler, and I would have doubted my decision on traveling solo at that time.
- If the old lady hadn’t offered me fruits from her garden when I was hiking through remote villages in mountains, I would have not managed to spend extra hours without food to capture the time-lapse of the sun setting down the hills.
- If the old temple I visited in on a street was all empty and had the local man not sat me down to tell me an interesting story behind it, it wouldn’t have made a mark on my memorable experiences.
- Had the boatman in Lakshadweep not shown me his confidence over negotiating the choppy sea we were trying to cross during one of my diving expeditions, I wouldn’t have been able to remain positive for my next dive.
And conversely, the nature is also not to be ignored. Humans exist and survive because of nature. They are inter dependent and none should be taken for granted. If humans respect nature, the nature has abundance to give back. When people move out of their cities for travels, their sole purpose is to breath fresher air, calm the senses, see something new that tier own land doesn’t hold. Preserving the natural way of living, the age old traditions, cultural habitat, food is always the best way to host travellers from across the globe. Humans need to walk around in open fields, smell the wild flowers, listen to the birdsongs, watch the butterflies and the bees, just notice natural phenomenon like sunrise and sunset, spend time outdoors.
Connection with nature is linked to higher wellbeing.
P.S. This post is sponsored by Kerala Tourism.
Maachli Farmstay: Exotic eco-huts near Bhogwe beach on Konkan coast of Maharashtra - connecting human with nature
Maachli boutique stay near Bhogwe beach on Konkan coast is an exotic idea for a weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune, for a unique travel experience in Maharashtra. While the entire coast offers serene beach views, the beaches towards the southern Konkan region are more secluded. Bhogwe beach in Vengurla is amongst the most pristine and prettiest beaches on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra. A stay in the eco-cottages of Maachli homestay in Parule village near Bhogwe beach offers one of the best experiences of living in a traditional Konkan village. I instantly fell in love with the beautifully designed exotic huts amidst the lush green plantations at Maachli farmstay. My trip to Maachli has been the best travel experience in Maharashtra as I could soak into the local culture of Konkani people and connect with nature in the tropical paradise on the shores of untouched beaches.
Maachli - local farmer’s hut in Malvan region
The Malvani word Maachli means a traditional hut made by farmers to keep an eye on their farm. The tall cottages at Maachli homestay are designed on a raised platform to look like the traditional huts, covered with dried coconut leaves. With the passion for preserving the local culture, Mr. Pravin Samant, a native of village Parule, built eco-friendly cottages reflecting indigenous Konkani architecture in his farm. Maachli huts are designed with innovative cross ventilation which lets in the fresh air from the cool surroundings. These exotic huts are furnished with a luxurious bed and minimal amenities displaying local culture. I was quite impressed with the reusable articles detailing the eco-friendly cottages. The simplicity of the hut-style accommodation, the luxury of spacious cottages and the cool ambience of the thick plantation was exactly what I needed for a break from the hustles of Mumbai life!
Boutique homestay in dense tropical plantations
Maachli cottages are built amidst dense tropical plantations. The tall trees of coconut, mango and betel nut cover up the entire area. Thick plantations of banana, spices and medicinal herbs spread a sensational aroma in the air. The plantations and a wide stream flowing through it keeps the ambience of the farm quite cooler than the outside, giving a pleasant outdoor experience in all weathers.
Home-cooked organic meals at Maachli homestay
When the lady of the family takes the charge of the kitchen, there’s no compromise on the taste of the food which is undoubtedly cooked with love. Mrs. Priya Samant brings the forgotten recipes of ethnic Malvani cuisine on the table at Maachli. And what better than enjoying a delicious meal that spreads the aroma of absolute freshness! The natural diet is cooked on a mud-stove and fire-wood using organic vegetables and grains grown in the village, flavoured with homegrown spices and served in earthen pots.
The Samant family went all the way to make me feel at home by involving me in their daily lifestyle, giving me a lovely homestay experience!
The Samant family went all the way to make me feel at home by involving me in their daily lifestyle, giving me a lovely homestay experience!
Traditional Malvani Saraswat cuisine of Konkan Region
Maachli helps revive the regional culture by promoting traditional Malvani Saraswat cuisine on their meals menu. The most favourite traditional Malvani delicacies include:
Valichi Bhaji: Beans tossed in coconut oil with mustard tempering and grated coconut.
Mustard Leaf Sabji: green mustard leaves and a bit of black peas cooked with scraped coconut.
Colocasia(aravi leaves): Colocasia leaves boiled and cooked to perfection with tempering of garlic and mustard seed in coconut oil. Green chillies along with tamarind and jackfruit seeds, peanuts, corns are used for additional taste.
Amaranth (Lal math): Amaranth leaves cooked with garlic and mustard seeds tempering, garnished with scrapped coconut.
Usal: the typical Maharashtrian preparation of sprouts (moong, chavali, peas and Kulith).
Mango raita: pulp of country side local mangoes and paste of coconut with red chilly powder and mustard seeds mixed together and sweetened by jaggery.
Valichi Bhaji: Beans tossed in coconut oil with mustard tempering and grated coconut.
Mustard Leaf Sabji: green mustard leaves and a bit of black peas cooked with scraped coconut.
Colocasia(aravi leaves): Colocasia leaves boiled and cooked to perfection with tempering of garlic and mustard seed in coconut oil. Green chillies along with tamarind and jackfruit seeds, peanuts, corns are used for additional taste.
Amaranth (Lal math): Amaranth leaves cooked with garlic and mustard seeds tempering, garnished with scrapped coconut.
Usal: the typical Maharashtrian preparation of sprouts (moong, chavali, peas and Kulith).
Mango raita: pulp of country side local mangoes and paste of coconut with red chilly powder and mustard seeds mixed together and sweetened by jaggery.
Ecofriendly activities / Things to do at Maachli farmstay
Maachli farmstay caters to a niche crowd of travellers who intend to spend time with nature and cherish the simple village life. The son of the Samant family, Prathamesh is a nature enthusiast himself. He passionately talks about the ecosystem and natural wealth of the area and helps plan activities in and around Maachli. My stay at Maachli allowed me ample time to indulge in the surrounding natural beauties.
In-house plantation tour
The hosts passionately introduced me to the in-house plantations of tropical fruits, spices and herbs which they use in their daily-life purposes including cooking.
Apart from the regular spice plantations like nutmeg, pepper, clove and cinnamon, I learnt about some interesting indigenous medicinal plants at Maachli farmstay:
Black Umbar: its berrylike fruits used in the medicines to cure skin disease.
Shatawari: a medicine for nursing mothers to improve the nutritional value of breast milk.
Sarpagandha(rauwolfia serpentina): used as tranquilizer or anti depressant for blood pressure and Schizophrenia .
Satwin Tree( Alstonia scholaris): juice of the scrapped bark used for digestion. In ancient India the leaf of this tree was offered to the distinguished scholar by the Guru. Thats where the name Scholaris comes from.
Apart from the regular spice plantations like nutmeg, pepper, clove and cinnamon, I learnt about some interesting indigenous medicinal plants at Maachli farmstay:
Black Umbar: its berrylike fruits used in the medicines to cure skin disease.
Shatawari: a medicine for nursing mothers to improve the nutritional value of breast milk.
Sarpagandha(rauwolfia serpentina): used as tranquilizer or anti depressant for blood pressure and Schizophrenia .
Satwin Tree( Alstonia scholaris): juice of the scrapped bark used for digestion. In ancient India the leaf of this tree was offered to the distinguished scholar by the Guru. Thats where the name Scholaris comes from.
Learning pottery from the last active potter in the village
Learning pottery from the last surviving potter in the village: A pottery village that it used to be, has only last active potter who still makes the earthen pots and idols, while the others were forced to change their profession due to declining demand. The owners of Maachli support this potter by buying earthen cookware for their homestay and taking guests for a hands-on pottery experience in the village.
Learning traditional cooking from the host
The kitchen at Maachli is setup in traditional style and guests are welcome to learn the ethnic way of cooking Malvani food on a mud-stove using earthen cookware.
Birding
The dense plantations, flowing stream and surrounding jungles make an amazing ecosystem to attract variety of birds in the farmstay. Observing nature and birds can be done right from the seating area of the cottages.
Reading / Writing in the lap of nature
The private spaces amidst the plantations makes lovely ambience for activities requiring solitude and creativity. My favourite activity is to do nothing and just observe nature, observe life in all forms.
Sunset hike to Kille Nivati beach & Khavane beach
A hike through the village and jungles takes to a serene sunset view on the cliff beach of Kille Nivati fort and the white sands of Khavane beach.
Morning walk at Bhogwe beach
Bhogwe beach is the major attraction near Maachli, as it is one of the most tranquil beaches on the Konkan coast, with just the white sand and clear water, ideal for a morning stroll on the beach. Tarkali beach across Bhogwe offers basic scuba diving experience with corals in decent visibility.
Village walk to get a glimpse of local culture and lifestyle
If I visit a new region, I always prefer walking around the streets and interact with locals to get a glimpse into their lifestyle. It helps me understand the cultural influences on the people of the region.
Maachli - an inspirational model for Responsible & Sustainable Tourism
The most striking point about the eco-friendly environment at Maachli is the minimal usage of plastic on the entire farm. They have extensively used the local material for cottages and all the amenities. The owners have taken utmost care about not harming any tree in building up this place.
Maachli contributes towards the upliftment of local communities by providing employment to locals at the farms and employing local women for serving guests at the farmstay.
Maachli helps add income to the local economy by procuring local food and other items directly from the villagers.
Maachli happily and proudly serves as an inspirational model for entrepreneurs and students aiming at responsible tourism & sustainable living.
Maachli contributes towards the upliftment of local communities by providing employment to locals at the farms and employing local women for serving guests at the farmstay.
Maachli helps add income to the local economy by procuring local food and other items directly from the villagers.
Maachli happily and proudly serves as an inspirational model for entrepreneurs and students aiming at responsible tourism & sustainable living.
Best time to visit Maachli homestay and Bhogwe beach
Maachli farmstay can be an ideal monsoon getaway in Maharashtra, as the plantations radiate myriads of green hues and the stream runs in full flow. Monsoon adds to the diversity of the place by bringing in special species of birds and wild vegetables.
The beaches are definitely more pleasant in the winters.
However, I would recommend a visit to Maachli even in the summers, as it is the only outdoor destination which can give some respite from the heat, owing to its thick plantations and forest cover in the vicinity. The farm fresh food feels so light on the stomach in the summers!
Watch this lovely video compiled by the hosts at Maachli homestay.
The beaches are definitely more pleasant in the winters.
However, I would recommend a visit to Maachli even in the summers, as it is the only outdoor destination which can give some respite from the heat, owing to its thick plantations and forest cover in the vicinity. The farm fresh food feels so light on the stomach in the summers!
Watch this lovely video compiled by the hosts at Maachli homestay.
How to reach Maachli farmstay from Mumbai/Goa
Maachli farmstay is located in a remote village - Parule, in the Vengurla region of Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.
A hidden getaway to Maachli is a charming alternative to Goa, to beat the crowd. I was surprised to discover that Maachli is a favourite weekend destination for the Goans, at a quick 2 hours drive from Goa.
- The nearest airport is at Dabolim in Goa, just 2 hours drive away from the resort.
- A train journey from Mumbai/Pune to Kudal is the most convenient approach to Maachli. Autorickshaws are easily available for a 30km ride from Kudal to Maachli. The hosts help you arrange a pickup from the railway station.
- A road trip to Bhogwe beach by car sounds like a plan!
- Buses from Mumbai and Pune are easily available to Malvan (20km away rom Maachli).
A hidden getaway to Maachli is a charming alternative to Goa, to beat the crowd. I was surprised to discover that Maachli is a favourite weekend destination for the Goans, at a quick 2 hours drive from Goa.
P.S. I was hosted by Maachli.
Contact the hosts for booking & queries:
Prathamesh Samant : +91 9637333284 (Whatsapp inquiry), +91 8605556937.
Pravin Samant: +91 9423879865 (Whatsapp inquiry), +91 9405925260.
Prathamesh Samant : +91 9637333284 (Whatsapp inquiry), +91 8605556937.
Pravin Samant: +91 9423879865 (Whatsapp inquiry), +91 9405925260.
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Gili Islands: tiny and laid-back islands in Indonesia for backpackers
GiLi Islands, a group of tiny Indonesian Islands for relaxed and laid-back vibe, made me fall so much in love with the destination and myself, that I crave to go back to them over and over again. Gili Islands are exotic, quiet, non-polluted, yet, cheap islands for backpackers as well as honeymooners. Gili means "tiny island" in native language and they completely justify their name as you can actually walk-around the perimeter coastal track of the islands in less than a couple of hours. All automobiles have been banned on Gili islands and the islands breathe pure air.
My foremost reason to travel to Indonesia was for Scuba Diving certification course. I chose Gili Islands for Scuba Diving and planned my entire trip around it. I’m so glad I did that as I could feel the pleasant vibe of Gili Islands even before I stepped on to it.
My foremost reason to travel to Indonesia was for Scuba Diving certification course. I chose Gili Islands for Scuba Diving and planned my entire trip around it. I’m so glad I did that as I could feel the pleasant vibe of Gili Islands even before I stepped on to it.
Gili Islands - the three tiny islands
The group of 3 tiny Gili Islands on the north-west coast of Lombok are radically relaxed and laid back. As all automobiles have been banned on Gili islands, the only ways to get around on the island is by walk, on a bicycle or by horse carriages known as Cidomos. All the three islands are so tiny and close to each other that the other island can be viewed right across the other the beach.
Gili Trawangan: The biggest of all three Gili Islands, Gili Trawangan is more commercialised, has great nightlife and many dive centres. It has many hostels and is backpackers paradise.
Gili Meno: The most tranquil of all, Gili Meno is covered with luxury resorts and romance. Gili Meno is honeymooners paradise
Gili Air: Perfect balance between Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno, Gili Air is peaceful and not too commercialised. Gili Air offers guest houses, homestays, cafes and bars. It is perfect for the ones seeking serenity with island fever.
Gili Trawangan: The biggest of all three Gili Islands, Gili Trawangan is more commercialised, has great nightlife and many dive centres. It has many hostels and is backpackers paradise.
Gili Meno: The most tranquil of all, Gili Meno is covered with luxury resorts and romance. Gili Meno is honeymooners paradise
Gili Air: Perfect balance between Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno, Gili Air is peaceful and not too commercialised. Gili Air offers guest houses, homestays, cafes and bars. It is perfect for the ones seeking serenity with island fever.
How to reach Gili Islands from Bali
There are private speed boats that operate from Padang Bay / Sanur / Serangan in Bali to Gili Trawangan and Gili Air. The speed boats take around 2 hours to reach Gili Islands from Bali. Government ferries are a cheaper option but they around 6 hours to reach Gili Islands. Availability can be an issue in the peak season.
I had a misadventure at Padang Bai. I carelessly missed my speed boat while I was waiting for it at the Bay. Luckily the speed boat company, Marina Srikandi, had another one scheduled after 2 hours. I was hating myself for wasting 2 precious hours for this as I had a lot do to with my 10 days of solo backpacking trip to Indonesia. However, I was pleasantly surprised to be onboard a very special boat. Few of us avoided the AC cabins and took the roof top deck. The moment the boat started, the music started and beer cans opened! We had a sunset party on the boat before we arrived Gili Islands with a bang. I very well understood what to expect from the island, and I don’t regret this misadventure as not all boats have parties!
I had a misadventure at Padang Bai. I carelessly missed my speed boat while I was waiting for it at the Bay. Luckily the speed boat company, Marina Srikandi, had another one scheduled after 2 hours. I was hating myself for wasting 2 precious hours for this as I had a lot do to with my 10 days of solo backpacking trip to Indonesia. However, I was pleasantly surprised to be onboard a very special boat. Few of us avoided the AC cabins and took the roof top deck. The moment the boat started, the music started and beer cans opened! We had a sunset party on the boat before we arrived Gili Islands with a bang. I very well understood what to expect from the island, and I don’t regret this misadventure as not all boats have parties!
Accommodation in Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan has huge range of accommodation from hostels to mid-range guest houses to luxury resorts. The beach-side accommodation is super expensive. Also, all the places get booked in advance in the peak season.
I was on a complete backpacking trip to Indonesia, I hadn’t booked anything apart from my return flights to Bali. I walked around the island to find some budget accommodation and happened to check a hostel. I loved the vibe of the hostel but it was expensive. I tried to negotiate with the owner, but he said I was lucky that there’s availability here because of some cancellation, otherwise it gets full months in advance. I still tried my luck to look for a cheaper accommodation or a room to myself for the cost of one bed in the hostel. It was difficult to find accommodation as everything was full. I still managed to find a very basic room to myself in the same range, but I returned to the hostel instead. It was a classy hostel with all modern facilities, 2 swimming pools, bar, table-tennis table, bicycles and lively people. I’m glad I spent the next 4 days here. Also, it was my first ever hostel experience.
I was on a complete backpacking trip to Indonesia, I hadn’t booked anything apart from my return flights to Bali. I walked around the island to find some budget accommodation and happened to check a hostel. I loved the vibe of the hostel but it was expensive. I tried to negotiate with the owner, but he said I was lucky that there’s availability here because of some cancellation, otherwise it gets full months in advance. I still tried my luck to look for a cheaper accommodation or a room to myself for the cost of one bed in the hostel. It was difficult to find accommodation as everything was full. I still managed to find a very basic room to myself in the same range, but I returned to the hostel instead. It was a classy hostel with all modern facilities, 2 swimming pools, bar, table-tennis table, bicycles and lively people. I’m glad I spent the next 4 days here. Also, it was my first ever hostel experience.
The room with 6 bunk beds was common for males and females, both. This was the first time that I shared room with stranger guys. But, it was only in my mind. Everything was chilled out, it felt the same as sharing room with females.
Cafes and Bars in Gili Trawangan
All the beach side cafes serve wide variety of international cuisines on the island. There are smaller joints in the inner lanes serving Doner kebabs, local Indonesian cuisine - Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng, crepes, desserts and a lot more.
Most of the cafes turn into happening bars in the evenings. The bars are lot of fun with drinking games, live music and DJs, dance floors which can be open till 4 am. Some bars also have open air movie screening on the beach. It is surely a great place for happening nightlife.
Things to do in Gili Islands
Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving!!!! - That is what I did for all the 4 days I spent here.
Known as the Turtle Capital of the World, Gili Islands is one of the most beautiful diving destinations. All three islands are surrounded by a lot of dive sites offering varied diving experiences. The visibility is generally very high that makes Gili Islands an excellent destination to learn Scuba Diving.
Known as the Turtle Capital of the World, Gili Islands is one of the most beautiful diving destinations. All three islands are surrounded by a lot of dive sites offering varied diving experiences. The visibility is generally very high that makes Gili Islands an excellent destination to learn Scuba Diving.
Apart from Scuba Diving, these are the activities you can do in Gili Islands:
- Read a book on the beach - Pull up a bean bag in one of the cafes on the beach and get up only in the evening. All your other needs would be taken care of by the cafe.
- Island hopping - there are various boats that take you around to other islands.
- Swimming from one Gili island to another. It is possible!!! The islands are so close to each other that one can really swim across.
- Snorkeling - If you aren’t diving, don’t miss out the opportunity to snorkel with the turtles. Just pick up your snorkel and start snorkelling on the beautiful reefs from the shore.
- Stand up paddle boarding - Next time I go to Gili Islands, I will surely try this.
- Glass bottom boat kayaking - This is a really interesting way to enjoy the underwater world!
- Shopping from designer boutiques - The fashion wear here is expensive, but worth a try.
- Massage on the beach - This is another luxury that I die for! There are open air massages with a beautiful view of the sea and Indonesians are brilliant at giving massages. I had one everyday after my diving sessions.
Few more activities that can keep you entertained on the Gilis are - Sunset Party Boat, Freediving, yoga and Surfing.
After my scuba diving course, I had to leave for Mount Rinjani active volcano trek in Lombok. After that I had planned to head to Bali, spend a night there and take my return flight to India the next evening.
Towards the end of my scuba diving course, the thought of leaving Gili Islands was killing me! I had already fallen in love with the islands and I wanted to come back.
After the trek, instead of going to Bali, I returned to Gili islands, this time Gili Air, to spend a night before I leave the country. This was the second best decision I made on the trip (The first one, I’ll reveal on my next post).
A day in Gili Air
I reached Gili Air in the evening, walked around the island and found a lovely homestay for the night. My legs were aching a lot after the strenuous trek. I found an excuse to take one more massage at a spa before I leave. I spent the latter part of the evening in a bar, treating myself with a glass of wine and pasta with the view of the full moon glittering up the sea. After some chats with few travellers in the bar, I walked out to go back to my room. It was almost midnight and on my way back, there were a some tattoo artists (few locals and an American lady - Tasha) jamming outside their studio. They invited me to join them for a while. Tasha was very much involved with creating more tattoo designs. Her passion intrigued me. We started conversing and I was so happy to share similar thoughts about life with her. We went into deep conversations while intermittently singing with the others. I was so happy to have found someone with whom I could share my crazy ideas and being understood as well. Tasha had quit her corporate job in New York, given up her apartment and started living in smaller places and doing things which made her happy. Making tattoo designs was her passion and she would freelance with tattoo studios in every new place she lived. For once I found someone practically implementing what I had been dreaming about. After meeting her, I realised that my dreams weren’t impractical, it is actually possible. It took me 2 months after my trip to Indonesia to make a decision to quit my job and do what I love doing, and another 1 month to actually resign!
Next morning I woke up early to make the most of the little time I had. I spent tranquil moments at the beach side when I had the entire beach to myself. In the noon, I took a speed boat to Bali and headed straight to airport to take my return flight to India.
But I had left my heart in Gili Islands and I would want to go back, yet again!
Best time to dive in Gili Islands
Best time to visit Gili Islands is May-November
If you are still reading the post, I'll assume that you are as much in love with Gili Islands as me. Live with me, my favourite moments on Gili Islands through my video. I'd made this video on Gili Islands in 2015 that still lists on top on youtube.
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Scuba Diving in Gili Islands, Indonesia - My Open Water Diver certification
Scuba Diving in Gili Islands, Indonesia - the Turtle Capital of the World, was the reason for me to set off on a solo backpacking trip to Indonesia in 2015. I was itching to get myself certified as an open water diver after I tried scuba diving in Lakshadweep for the first time. Anyone who has ever dived in Lakshadweep, would agree that I was spoilt with my first step in the underwater. So I had to choose a destination which would match upto my high expectations. I did my own research and figured out that the Philippines, Indonesia and Andaman Islands would be the best options for me. I chose Indonesia as I wanted to do my course at an international destination and the flights to Bali are cheap. And Gili Islands are only 2 hours away from Bali by a speed boat. I had spent a couple of days in Bali before I took the speed boat to Gili Trawangan.
The island impressed me beyond my imagination and I can’t ever find enough words to describe my experience of doing Scuba Diving course in Gili Islands.
The first morning, I walked up to the dive centre without any expectations in my mind. I had an instructor to myself for the entire course and I was extremely happy about it! I love personal attention when I pick up any new skill. Tim, the German instructor, was very very particular about time. Apart from this, he was super fun. We made jokes all the time during theory, confined water sessions, while I had to write my exam, on the diving boat while he gave me instructions and even underwater!
Theory:
The first entire day of the course was theory, video trainings. I was relearning physics and biology from a very different perspective, the perspective of implementation! I wish I was taught all the subjects in my school through adventures! It is very important to understand the gear used for Scuba Diving and how your body is affected by the pressure underwater. At the end of the day, Tim gave me a book to read at my hostel in the night, as if the entire day’s learning wasn’t enough on a holiday!
Confined water sessions:
On the second day of my course, I was given briefing on how to use the equipment practically. I geared up and then jumped into the pool with the gear. Tim trained me on breathing with the regulator underwater, removing the regulator from the mouth and recover it while underwater, remove mask underwater for a minute, wear it and clear the mask. He then took me on the diving boat for my first Open Water Dive, and made me perform all the skills in the ocean! I would admit that I was scared with the thought of removing my regulator and mask in the ocean. I couldn’t jump out if anything goes wrong. But with the strict instructor like Tim, I had no choice! He didn’t entertain my scare at all, he probably knew everyone goes through this :) After performing the skills on a sand bed, I proceeded for my dive. I was swaying up and down, right and left. Tim had to pull me down sometimes.
The third day of the course was similar to the second day. I was taught more skills like going out of air and using buddy’s alternate air source in confined water. I had to perform these skills in the ocean during my second open water dive before proceeding for my dive. I was still swaying in the water. Towards the end of the dive, Tim asks me to perfrom CESA (Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent). I had to act out of air while ascending. This time I wasn’t allowed to use his alternate air source. After coming on the surface, I had to inflate my BCD with my mouth to float on water, but I was doing it right and I was drowning. I panicked and still wasn’t able to do it right. Tim didn’t come forward to help me and kept shouting “Save your life”. I hated him when he was letting me drown, but now when I see myself diving so well, I understand how well he has trained me.
Open Water Dives:
One needs minimum of 4 Open Water Dives as part of the certification. I had completed my first two dives at the depth of 12m on day2 and day3. On the fourth day, I didn’t have to perform any skills underwater, I only had to enjoy my Open Water Dives 3 & 4 at the depth of 18m. I was learning neutral buoyancy and fish identification. By this day, I had started being stable in water. Tim let me use my underwater camera too on the last day. You aren’t allowed to use the camera during your course.
Final Exam:
By the end of the course, I had to answer an exam and score 75% to get certified as an Open Water Diver. You get multiple attempts to clear the exam, the idea of the test is not to fail anyone, but to help them improve in the areas they lack.
Open Water Diver licence:
While I was answering my exam, Tim went out to get my licence printed. He knew I would clear it! Once he returned, he went through my answers and asked me to fulfil one more tradition before he hands over my licence to me - treat your instructor with a beer! I never liked beer, but I was so happy, that I got 4 beers and celebrated with Tim and two more divers whom I dived with. That was the best toast of my life!
My open water diver licence allows me to dive with a certified buddy upto 18 metres depth.
LogBook:
Maintaining all the logs of your dives is very important to check your progress as a diver. I was given my first logbook after my course. Tim helped me fill all the details, my first 4 dives were logged!
I proudly walked out as an Open Water Diver!
Open Water Diver certification is a very intense schedule and tough routine of 4 days. But, probably those were some of the best moments on my travels. I had got into the routine of an island life:
- Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast at the hostel
- Walk down the beautiful streets of the island to the dive centre
- Learn Diving, Take a lunch break at one of the cafes by the beach, continue the course till the evening
- On my way back to the hostel, stop at the spa for a beach massage
- Return to the hostel, rest for few minutes on the bean bag near the pool, meet my new roommates (everyday the new ones would replace the ones who checked out in the morning)
- Take a shower, get dressed up for the night, eat & shake a leg at a bar with other enthusiastic party animals and head back to the hostel.
I got AQUADDICTED for the rest of my life!
I went ahead to do my Advanced Open Water Diver certification in Andaman Islands and then I'm diving across the different oceans in - Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and dying to add more to this list.
I went ahead to do my Advanced Open Water Diver certification in Andaman Islands and then I'm diving across the different oceans in - Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and dying to add more to this list.
Best time to dive in Gili Islands
Best time to dive in Gili Islands is June-October when the visibility is great.
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Scuba Diving in Phuket, Thailand
Scuba Diving in Phuket, Thailand, offered me a fabulous diving experience, contrary to the belief of finding "more divers than fish in Thailand". The Andaman Sea lives upto its expectation for fantastic marine life even from this side. Ranging from the tiny nudibranchs to huge leopard sharks, the dive sites around Phuket is home to rich diversity of marine life. I had got AQUADDICTED after I tried Scuba Diving in Lakshadweep for the first time when I had gone island hopping in Lakshadweep on a cruise. I took this newly found passion to another level by getting myself certified as an Open Water Diver in Gili Islands, Indonesia and Advanced Open Water Diver in Havelock Island, Andaman. After being certified, each time I went Fun Diving at any other destination I visited, they raised eyebrows when I said I've dived in the Andaman Islands. I agree I'm spoilt. But, to my surprise, I ended up falling in love with some dive sites in Phuket while working on my buoyancy by shedding away those extra weights on my belt.
Fun Diving in Phuket, Thailand
For the certified divers, Fun Diving in Phuket is actually fun. Well-equipped comfortable diving boats are available for day trips to different dive sites around Phuket to Raja Islands and Phi Phi Islands. The dive boats are equipped with compressors so that you don't need to change your tank after every dive.
A typical diving day in Phuket looks like:
- Wake up early in the morning with lot of excitement to board the diving boat.
- Sit back and enjoy the boat ride through the Andaman Sea admiring the marvellous limestone cliffs on the way to the first dive site.
- Check your equipment, gear up and take a Giant Stride in the sea.
- Check the current, plan your dive, release the air from your BCD, equalise while descending and enjoy some of the best moments of your life underwater.
- Come back on the boat, remove the gear, take a hot fresh water shower, let your hair down, restore your energy with food on the boat and get ready for the next dive.
- And by the time you have repeated the procedure for your third and the last dive, believe me, you don't want to come out of the ocean.
- The long journey back to Phuket gives sensational sunset views. I bet you would be so deeply lost in thoughts, you would be so connected to yourself and nature, that going back to the island life would feel alien to you.
- Unwind with a "Chang" beer and some lip smacking Thai food at one of the bars to savour the everlasting nightlife of Phuket town, as you look forward to diving the next morning.
Best Dive Sites for Scuba Diving in Phuket, Thailand
Koh Bida Nok, Phi Phi Islands
Koh Bida Nok, one of the uninhabited Phi Phi Islands, is for advanced divers as currents can be really strong at times. It has been my all-time favourite dive site in Phuket. A lime stone rock forms a wall underwater and multiple dives can be planned around the wall. I had dived here thrice in different directions and was amazed to spot black tip reef sharks all the three times the moment I descended to the dive site. The wall is covered with vivid soft corals, fan corals and sponge corals. Some of the remarkable sightings I got lucky with - squat shrimp, feather star fish, crocodile needle fish, white spotted Boxfish, blue spotted Sting Rays, huge schools of thousands of yellow snappers, school of Barracudas.
I had got so comfortable diving in Phuket that by the time I went for my 13th Fun Dive here, the oceans had become my playground. I was chasing the sting rays and playing with them in circles, I was purposely getting lost in the schools of yellow snappers and I was peacefully admiring the sleeping sharks for minutes near them!
On my last dive here, my dive guide took me to a cave for the 3 minute safety stop at 5 metres before ascending up on the surface. This was my first experience of cave diving.
Koh Dok Mai, on way to Phi Phi Islands
Koh Doc Mai is again a limestone cliff on way to Phi Phi Islands from Phuket. It is a beautiful wall dive for advanced divers. This dive site is deep and can be difficult in times of current. During my 3 dives at this dive site, I spotted some banded shrimps, a juvenile clown triggerfish, ghost pipefish, various nudibranchs, moray-eels of all shades (white eyed, yellow edged) popping out of this wall.
On my second dive, my dive guide took me deep to spot 4 Bamboo Sharks sleeping under a sheltered coral. They looked so pretty and it was the closest I've been to sharks. I had my "Walter Mitty" moment there - "Sometimes if I like a moment, I don't like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it." My dive guide was worried about my air consumption as I stopped there next to the bamboo sharks admiring them for few minutes.
On my second dive, my dive guide took me deep to spot 4 Bamboo Sharks sleeping under a sheltered coral. They looked so pretty and it was the closest I've been to sharks. I had my "Walter Mitty" moment there - "Sometimes if I like a moment, I don't like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it." My dive guide was worried about my air consumption as I stopped there next to the bamboo sharks admiring them for few minutes.
Anemone Reef
Anemone Reef is the most pretty dive site in this region suited to beginners as well as advanced divers. The entire dive site looks spectacular with zillions of budding sea anemones and Nemos playing with them. I spotted anemone crab in carpet of anemones, devil scorpion fish, porcupine fish, bearded scorpion fish, clearfin Lion Fish, spot fin lion fish, various nudibranchs. I also spotted crown of thorns - the marine creature responsible for bleaching corals, the creature that is causing threat to the Great Barrier Reef.
Hin Bida
Hin Bida is another charming dive site for beginners as well as advanced divers. When I was gearing up to dive into this site, my guide Timos came to me and said - "Be ready, I want to go the first to spot the sharks before anyone enters the site". He had helped me spot bamboo sharks in my earlier dive and I trusted him the most when it came to spotting sharks! As per his instructions, he jumped off the boat first and I followed. Before anyone could make his way, Timos tried to look around for the sharks and was disappointed to mot find them at their regular spot. He navigated a little ahead to progress the dive, and there he pointed at a huge Leopard Shark, lying peacefully on a sandy patch. I was so excited to see it, I went quite close to the shark from the behind so that I don't wake it up. Being up, close and personal with a leopard shark for several minutes was so exhilarating that me and Timos almost signalled eachother to end the dive after this. We navigated around a little to spot some more fish as the visibility was really great.
Koh Racha Yai, Racha Islands
Racha Islands are famous for beautiful dives because of the great visibility all the time at the bays. It is a very good dive site for beginners because of huge sand bed, good visibility, low current. There are quite a few dive sites around Racha Islands. Diving at these dive sites can turn out to be fortunate if you are lucky to find some iphones, cameras, gold jewellery on the sand beds, mostly lost by the snorkelers! Jokes apart, the dive site at Bay1 is going to be very special to me as it was my first dive through a wreck! When I saw the werck for the first time, I stood still next to it, admiring it. My dive guide, Klaus, held my hand and insisted me to dive through the wreck and I'm so glad he did that!
Bungalow Bay and Banana Bay are other dive sites where you find man made ice blocks to protect the reefs. I spotted different varieties of shrimps - dancing shrimps, banded boxer shrimp, white banded cleaner shrimp, banded mantis shrimp, sting rays, flounder, giant moray eels, black spotted pufferfish and many other fish radiating in the clean waters.
Day trips for Scuba Diving in Thailand can be planned over 3 days to different locations:
1. Phi Phi Islands
2. Shark Point / Anemone Reef / King Cruiser Wreck
3. Raja Yai & Raja Noi Islands
However, you wouldn't regret diving at the same location again as there are different dive sites at the same location. You can go exploring as much as you want without any limits.
1. Phi Phi Islands
2. Shark Point / Anemone Reef / King Cruiser Wreck
3. Raja Yai & Raja Noi Islands
However, you wouldn't regret diving at the same location again as there are different dive sites at the same location. You can go exploring as much as you want without any limits.
I returned home completely content with the varied experiences I added on to my scuba diving profile - wreck diving, cave diving, chasing sting rays, my "Walter Mitty" moment with the bamboo sharks, flooding next to leopard sharks and getting lost in the school of yellow snappers, I had it to the fullest!
Needless to mention, I turn speechless for few days after every diving trip. I always come back as a calmer person than before. The oceans greatly influence my inner peace and I'm AQUADDICTED!
Best time for Scuba Diving in Phuket, Thailand
Diving season in the Andaman Sea is from October - May.
Best time to dive in Phuket - February & March
Best time to dive in Phuket - February & March
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My favorite things to do and places to visit in Goa
Goa, apart from being famous for its laid-back beaches and cheap beers, has many hidden getaways and offbeat things to do. Over multiple road trips to Goa from Pune, I spent time at different beaches of Goa and also explored Goa beyond beaches. Here's a list of my favourite things to do in Goa:
1. Beachside Shacks in Goa
The shacks of Goa are very inviting for beers and food. I have learnt to cook some of the most creative dishes out of the menus of Goan shacks. While I’ve tried various shacks on various beaches, this shack on Patnem beach became my favourite just because of its sheer uniqueness. This was the only outdoor shack in Goa which wasn’t covered by the colourful umbrellas, but with green trees. The tables are set up between the trees and the hammocks which are tied up next to the tables. I chanced upon this shack for my breakfast and it just made my entire day. I have learnt some of the best breakfast recipes from the these shacks!
2. Beach Gym in Goa
If you are health conscious and were avoiding Goa because you thought it was only about beers and tasty seafood, you didn’t know that the beaches care enough for us. The fantastic beach gym that I discovered on Ashvem beach in North Goa completely blew me away. The wooden equipment completely blends into the beach ambiance. It was the most scenic gym I have seen till date.
3. Paragliding In Goa
Arambol beach at Goa offers paragliding with a beautiful bird’s eye view of the beach. The gliders take off from a cliff top near the beach and land on the shore of the Arambol beach. It’s an experience very different to gliding in the mountains.
4. Spa in Arambol Lake
Arambol Lake is the only fresh-water lake on a beach strip of Goa in close nearness to the Arabian Sea. The lake is remarkably placed at the bottom of a hill from where the paraglider takes off. The mud of the sweet water lake is believed to have a healing effect on the skin. Arambol beach offers a remarkable experience of a swim in the sea and then a mud bath in the stream near the lake followed by a bath in the sweet water lake.
5. Local Fish and Spice Market
Goan fish and spice markets is an ideal place to watch the daily life of the Goans. Everyday these markets are setup with heaps of fish and dried fish, spices and pork-hangings. I just walked around the markets and stood in a corner to observe some action.
6. Living in old Portuguese house with Goan family
I had once stayed in a 500 year old Portuguese house with a Goan family in Siolim. The house had huge wooden doors, antique artefacts and furniture. The Balcõe of the house was very inviting every morning for teas and chit-chats. I was here during the Christmas days and I got to relish the local Christmas sweets and cakes with the family. I would love to have such an experience again.
7. Traditional Museums in Goa
Some passionate Goans (artists, sculptors, restorers) have put tremendous efforts to preserve the dying quirks of Goan lifestyle through museums. The various facets of life of Goans beautifully depicted in the form of statues and collection of traditional farming implements and other ancient tools of trade. Though I'm not a museum person at all, I learnt a lot about the lifestyle of Goans in olden times through these.
8. Portuguese Colony in Fontainhas
Fontainhas is a heritage Portuguese colonial quarter in the centre of Panjim, where the influential Portuguese rulers lived. The Portuguese style old villas and buildings with overhanging balconies in the narrow and winding lanes reflect the old European architecture. The blue, yellow and green coloured houses make up a vibrant and cheerful locality. A heritage walk in Fontainhas, the Portuguese colony of Goa, was a journey back in time.
9. Birding
Goa is home to many species of birds. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Chorão Island is located on the Mandovi River. The backwaters and the river islands of Goa had fascinated me for a very long time. The boats take you around the island, through the mangroves for spotting. Migratory birds are often found in winters.
10. Spice Gardens
Goa has various Spice farms and they have some best quality of organic spices as well. Some spices were brought in India by the Portuguese too. It is a wonderful experience to learn about varieties of spices at one place.
11. Authentic Goan Cuisine
Goan dishes are flavoured with special Goan spices which give a very unique taste to the food. I would not let go of any chance to experience the Goan culture on my travels. Goan food topped up with Feni and Cashews can be one of the best experiences there.
12. Parties in Goa
Who wouldn’t want to party when in Goa? It offers variety of options like beach parties, club parties, casino parties, cruise parties, private parties and music festivals. I got to enjoy some of the best parties in Goa where I could dance barefoot on the cold sand for the entire night on trance.
13. My Favourite Beaches
Lastly, let me talk about the beaches. On my every visit to Goa, I’ve stayed at different beaches. After I found my favourite ones in Goa, I stopped wandering around to pick one. Ashvem beach in North Goa and Patnem beach in South Goa are undoubtedly my favourite beaches. Go there to find out why I say this.
Best Time to Visit Goa
Winter months (October - February) are the most pleasant. Summers (March-May) are extremely humid in Goa. Water activities and shacks are closed in the monsoons (June-September), but it is still a pleasant time to visit Goa as the entire state becomes lush green. I have made numerous trips to Goa in all seasons.
Where to stay in Goa
There’s no dearth of hotels in Goa. Tourism being the largest occupation of the state, the facilities for tourists are taken care of really well. For the budget-range, there are a lot of local hotels and guest houses at every beach. For the economy hotel chains like IBIS Styles Goa have their presence in Goa. The heritage Portuguese houses turned into guest houses in Fontainhas is also a great option. For the luxury category, all the luxury hotel chains like Marriot, Hyatt, Taj, have grand properties with private beaches. Apart from these, there are boutique hotels, hostels and beach huts for different accommodation experiences.
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Author
Namaste! I'm Medhavi Davda.
I travel to Evolve..
In Nature, I confide..
I find my calling in the Himalayas..
In the Oceans, I meditate..
A High-Altitude Trekker & PADI certified SCUBA Diver, I love exploring the heights and depths of the planet with my regular doses of mountains and oceans.
Discovering myself & life through nature, adventures, travels, sports and dance has been an addiction since my existence!
Quite fond of the natural & cultural diversity of India, I've travelled extensively in my own country before exploring international destinations.
I had left my 9+ yrs of career in Software Industry in a quest to make a living out of my passions. I packed my basics in my car (gave away the rest) and lived in different parts of Himachal Pradesh for 16 months. This invaluable time taught me to experience life from a broader perspective.
I'm currently living in Mumbai to work with an Adventure Travel company as a product manager for Scuba Diving. I continue living a minimalistic life.
I travel to Evolve..
In Nature, I confide..
I find my calling in the Himalayas..
In the Oceans, I meditate..
A High-Altitude Trekker & PADI certified SCUBA Diver, I love exploring the heights and depths of the planet with my regular doses of mountains and oceans.
Discovering myself & life through nature, adventures, travels, sports and dance has been an addiction since my existence!
Quite fond of the natural & cultural diversity of India, I've travelled extensively in my own country before exploring international destinations.
I had left my 9+ yrs of career in Software Industry in a quest to make a living out of my passions. I packed my basics in my car (gave away the rest) and lived in different parts of Himachal Pradesh for 16 months. This invaluable time taught me to experience life from a broader perspective.
I'm currently living in Mumbai to work with an Adventure Travel company as a product manager for Scuba Diving. I continue living a minimalistic life.
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