Travel – Page 16 – Footloose Forever

My ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Tour – Part I

February 14, 2015April 1, 2015Posted in ICC Cricket World CupTagged Australia, Cricket, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, ICC Cricket World Cup Tour, New Zealand14 Comments

sir richard hadlee with giant icc cricket world cup 2015 ball at lord's

With 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup going to start in a few hours I just can not think of anything else but these three things – cricket, New Zealand and Australia. Though I am not in a position to fly to the southern hemisphere right now and watch all the matches sitting at the cricket ground but there is no restriction for the mind, right? So, I have decided to take a virtual tour of ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Hope you too enjoy the tour with me. 🙂

Match #1 – Christchurch

The beautiful Cathedral Square in Christchurch, #NewZealand – the city that’s going to host the very first match of ICC #CricketWorldCup 2015 – Sri Lanka Vs NZL on this Valentines Day. 🙂

Christchurch, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, New Zealand — Christchurch Cathedral Square

Match #2 – Melbourne

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia is hosting the 2nd match of ICC 2015 #CricketWorldCup between England and Australia. All eyes will be fixed on the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.

MCG, Melbourne Cricket Ground, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Australia — The hosts will take on their arch rival on Melbourne Cricket Ground today

Match #3 – Hamilton

Known for its scenic diversity, the Hamilton and Waikato region in New Zealand offers a myriad of options for outdoor enthusiasts. From walking, hiking and cycling along the winding mountain biking tracks to casual strolls along the Waikato River to overnight bush excursions – the list is long. So, apart from watching ICC ‪‎Cricket World Cup match between South Africa and Zimbabwe on this Sunday you have plenty of things to do in Hamilton. 🙂

Hamilton, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, New Zealand — Hamilton New Zealand Mormon Temple

Match #4 – Adelaide

Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in ‪‎Australia, is going to host the most hyped match of 2015 ‪‎Cricket World Cup – India Vs Pakistan. Hope the match has nail biting finish… 😉 Long Live Cricket!

Adelaide, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Australia — Adelaide Landscape

Match #5 – Nelson

Surrounded by mountains on three sides ‪‎Nelson is a small city (area only 445 km²) on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay. Established in 1841, it is the second-oldest settled city in New Zealand. The city is going to host the fifth match of ICC ‪‎Cricket World Cup 2015 – West Indies Vs Ireland on February 16. With its warm sunny beaches, beautiful vineyards and crystalline coastal waters the city has plenty to offer to tourists.

nelson, Tasman Bay, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 — Nelson by the Tasman Bay, New Zealand

Match #6 – Dunedin ‪‎

Dunedin is one of the principal cities in New Zealand and second largest in South Island of NZL. On February 17 the city is going to host the sixth match of ICC ‪‎Cricket World Cup 2015 – NZL Vs Scotland. Historically, culturally and geographically the city has many things in store for the most discerning travelers.

Dunedin, ICC Cricket World cup 2015, NZL — Dunedin Railway Station

Match #7 – Canberra

Canberra, the capital city of Australia is going to host the 7th match of ICC ‪‎Cricket World Cup – Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan on February 18. I don’t know how many will be going to the cricket ground to watch the match but both cricket lovers and non cricket lovers can equally enjoy the city’s natural beauty and cultural treasures.

Canberra, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Australia — Canberra Balloon Festival

Match #8 – Nelson

Sea Kayaking at Abel Tasman National Park is a must do when you are in Nelson, New Zealand. Who knows you may bump into a group of New Zealand’s very own fur seals? I bet there will be more people by the bay than in the cricket ground in ‪‎Nelson to witness ‪Cricket World Cup match between Zimbabwe and UAE on Feb 19. 😉

Nelson, NZL, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 — Sea Kayaking at Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson

Match #9 – Wellington

Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand is going to host one of the big matches of ICC ‪Cricket World Cup between England and the host country itself on February 20. However, when it comes to ‪Wellington one of the quirkiest things you can do in the city is to witness WOW (World of WearableArt) Awards Show.

wellington, NZL, ICC Cricket World Cup, 2015 — Wellington, the capital of New Zealand is a peaceful coastal city

Match #10 – Christchurch

Even if you are a cricket fanatic who has travelled long way to Christchurch, New Zealand only to witness ICC ‪‎Cricket World Cup match – Pakistan Vs West Indies (Feb 21) you cannot just miss punting or canoeing on the picturesque Avon River that flows through the city.

Christchurch, ICC Cricket world cup 2015, NZL — canoeing on the picturesque Avon River

Match #11 – Brisbane

Brisbane, named after the meandering river Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland, Australia. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy Brisbane’s vibrant nightlife after the match (Feb 21) between Australia and Bangladesh which is the first match of 2015 ‪ICC Cricket World Cup to be played at The Gabba.

Brisbane, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Australia — Brisbane’s Night Skyline

Match #12 – Dunedin

Tunnel Beach located only 2 km south of Dunedin draws its name from a passage that was manually carved through a rock promontory in the 1870s to allow access to a secluded beach at the base of the cliffs. If you are in Dunedin for the first time, to watch ‎Cricket World Cup match between Sri Lanka Vs Afghanistan (February 22) don’t forget to take a walk along the beach.

Match #13 – Melbourne

Though many cricket fans, Indians and South Africans, will be ‪‎traveling to ‪#Melbourne to view ICC ‪‎Cricket World Cup match on Feb 22 – India Vs South Africa but once you are in Melbourne you cannot miss the amazing underwater world of Sea Life Melbourne ‪‎Aquarium, located on the banks of the Yarra River in central Melbourne… Well, I hope it’s not the ‘unlucky thirteen’ for India! 😉 🙂

melbourne, icc cricket world cup 2015, Australia — Dining at the Sea Life Melbourne ‪‎Aquarium

Will be back soon with the next leg of my virtual Cricket World Cup tour. Stay tuned… 🙂

Disclaimer: All Images in this post are taken from Internet.

Being a tourist in my city Kolkata: St. Paul’s Cathedral

February 8, 2015February 8, 2015Posted in KolkataTagged church in Kolkata, Kolkata Sightseeing, Kolkata Tour, St Paul's Cathderal32 Comments

St paul's cathedral kolkata, church, sightseeing, Kolkata walking tour

Kolkata is too crowded and noisy. Air pollution has reached its alarming level in the city. The weather is too hot and humid most of the time. Yet, amidst all these negatives, there are still some things about Kolkata that will never lose their charm. One of these is Kolkata’s heritage. Kolkata is rich in its historical, cultural and architectural inheritance. And when we talk about Kolkata’s heritage St. Paul’s Cathedral definitely comes in our mind. This beautiful colonial architecture dotting the cityscape stood the test of time from its colonial past.

St Paul’s Cathedral, situated on Cathedral Road, was built between 1839 and 1847 A.D. The steeple of the church was damaged twice in earthquake and reconstructed to current design in the year 1938.

St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most important churches in India. Inside you’ll find some beautiful statuettes and stained glass work on windows. Photography is prohibited inside. However, the church is open to everyone who wants to spend some moments of quiet and peace in the house of god.

How to Reach

The quickest way to reach the cathedral is (if you are not traveling by car) to travel by metro and getting down at Rabindra Sadan station. Then walk towards Rabindra Sadan and take right turn on Cathedral Road where the church is situated on the east side of Victoria Memorial Hall, another most important monument in Kolkata. Continue walk for a couple of minute along the road. The gate of the church will be on your right-hand side.

Check out my previous post for more details on Victoria Memorial Hall – Being a tourist in my city Kolkata: Destination Victoria Memorial Hall.

Being a tourist in my city Kolkata: Destination Victoria Memorial Hall

January 31, 2015May 20, 2018Posted in KolkataTagged Kolkata Sightseeing, Kolkata Tour, things to do in Kolkata, victoria memorial, Victoria memorial hall45 Comments

‘How often do you travel in your city like a tourist?’

Can’t remember exactly where I read this but that simple question moved me very much. How it feels being a tourist in my city – I have never thought that! Thanks to an old friend who has never been to Kolkata before, I became a tourist in my city for the first time. 🙂 He called up a couple of days ago to say that he will give a brief visit to Kolkata on Friday, 30th January and asked me to be his guide for the city tour.

There are so many things to see in Kolkata. Although born and brought up in Kolkata I haven’t yet seen all of them. So, I readily accepted the proposal. Fortunately, it was a cool morning yesterday with a partly cloudy sky, ideal for soft snaps. So, what could be better than to start with Victoria Memorial Hall, the most beautiful monument in Kolkata?

Wide-open greenery all around, cool breeze blowing my hair and the unmatched architecture beauty to behold it felt awesome inside the Victoria Memorial ground!

Victoria Memorial Hall, kolkata, heritage building, architecture — Kolkata’s very own Victoria Memorial Hall

Victoria Memorial Hall Museum

The monument was built in the memory of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Its unique architecture is a wonderful blend of European and Mughal style which is a treat to the eye. The museum inside the building houses an extensive collection of photographs and oil paintings depicting the history of Kolkata in time of British rule including a pictorial chronology of the monument itself. Every evening Light & Sound (Son-et-Lumiere) shows are held in the Victoria Memorial Hall ground.

The museum remains open every day except Mondays from 10 am to 5 pm. Entry fee for Indians is Rs 10 per head and for foreigners it is Rs 150. However, if you are not interested in history and museum you can just buy a garden ticket and sit in the garden as long as you want till 7 pm. Click here for more details.

How to Reach There

The best way to visit Victoria Memorial Hall is to take metro rail to Rabindra Sadan station. From the metro station walk (2-3 min) towards Cathedral Road, named after St. Paul’s Cathedral located midway of the street. You’ll walk past Kolkata’s cultural hub, Nandan complex – Nandan, Sishir Mancha, Rabindra Sadan and take right turn to Cathedral Road. Then walk for another 10 minutes to Queens Way to reach the main entrance of Victoria Memorial ground.

P.S: If you want to have the royal feel of British colonial era take a ride on horse drawn carriages lined up right in front of Victoria Memorial gate. However, a royal ride comes with a ‘royal’ price. Last time I heard it was INR 150 for 15 minutes. 🙂

horse drawn carriage, victoria memorial hall, kolkata — enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride at the heart of Kolkata

Wonderstruck inside the Lucknow Chota Imambara

January 21, 2015June 7, 2016Posted in Uttar PradeshTagged Chota Imambara, Imambara, Lucknow27 Comments

chandelier in Lucknow chota imambara, interior, lighting , lucknow

In the last leg of our Nainital Trip we had a one-day visit to Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Apart from the grand architectural edifices bearing the elegance of Mughal architecture what attracted me most is the gorgeous interior of Chota Imambara in the City of Nawabs.

Chota Imambara, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh — Lucknow Chhota Imambara

interior of Chota Imambara, Lucknow — Entering the main hall of Chota Imambara

There was a burst of color and opulence as we entered the main hall.

The Chota Imambara, also known as Hussainabad Imambara is a congregation hall for Shia Muslims located near the Bara Imambara in the heart of Lucknow in the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP). This beautiful monument was built by the third Nawab of Awadh, Muhammad Ali Shah, in 1838.

I was wonderstruck by the intricate calligraphic decorations on the exterior walls and a range of gorgeous Belgium-made chandeliers inside.

The hall is popularly called as the Palace of Lights because of these chandeliers which are lit during festivals.

The Imambara also houses the tombs of the Nawab and the royal family members. There are two beautiful replicas of Taj Mahal which are the mausoleums of his daughter and son-in-law.

The fountains and the reflections of pristine white tombs in the water and the beautiful surroundings – all gave a message of peace.

Pushkar – a Spiritual Quest

January 12, 2015April 1, 2015Posted in RajasthanTagged Bramha Temple, Holy lake, Pushkar, Pushkar walking tour, Rajasthan, Savitri temple35 Comments

pushkar lake, holy lake pushkar, temples in pushkar, symmetry

“The camel fair is over. What’s the point of visiting Pushkar at this time?”, I thought, after looking at the itinerary of our Rajasthan Tour. A small town with a few temples and a lake is not a place to attract me – a person who likes to stay away from temples. After a daylong sightseeing in Jaipur we headed for Pushkar the next day. I had no idea what surprise was waiting for me there. We started early in the morning and reached our hotel (Hotel Teerth Palace) in Pushkar at around 3:30 pm. Our 7-hour long drive included only one stop at Ajmer Sharif for a quick visit at the shrine of the sufi saint, Moinuddin Chishti. We also had our lunch break there.

Hotel Teerth Palace is a relatively new accommodation located at a quiet corner of the town of Pushkar, away from the crowd. You can read my review of the hotel on TripAdvisor.

After dumping our luggage at the hotel we quickly got fresh and set out to explore the religious town, which is also one of the five sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. Even if the famous Camel Fair was way over when we visited in December we found there are more things to do in Pushkar.

Pushkar, Bramha temple Pushkar, Pushkar travel guide — View of the temple from our hotel in Pushkar

Walking tour of the town

In a small place like Pushkar a walking tour is the best way to get the vibe of the place. It takes 15-20 minutes’ walk from the hotel to the Holy Lake through a lively market area. There were textiles and garment shops, handicraft stalls, eateries and miscellaneous stores on both sides of the road that led to the Holy Lake. Looking at the garments and accessories stores all around I figured out that Pushkar would be a good place for shopping. And I was right! We’ll talk about shopping later.

pushkar street market, shopping in pushkar — The vibrant, colorful street market of Pushkar. Image: Trek Earth Gallery

It was already 5:15 and a tea break was necessary. I tried mint tea. It was refreshing. After gulping our tea in a few quick sips we resumed our walk. By the time we reached the entrance of the Holy Lake I felt that I started liking the place. 🙂

View sunset at the Holy Lake

The holy lake is the lifeblood of Pushkar. It is the pulsating heart of this small Rajsthani town. As you step down the stairs of the Ghats you will instantly feel the sanctity of the place, a sense of calm and spirituality. Don’t forget to put your shoes off before you step down to the water.

pushkar lake, holy lake pushkar, temples in pushkar — The temples shone bright in the light of setting sun

When we finally reached our destination it was 5:30. The sun was approaching the horizon. The temples around the lake were gleaming in the golden streaks of setting sun. Our shadows grew taller. The pigeons flew back to their nests. The sunset at Pushkar lake is perhaps the most beautiful one I have experienced in Rajasthan.

Pushkar sunset, sunset at holy lake Pushkar — Sunset at the holy lake – my best moment in Pushkar

Watch evening aarti at Bramha Temple

After enjoying a beautiful sunset at the lake we made our way to Bramha Temple or Jagatpita Brahma Mandir to witness the evening aarti (Hindu way of prayer). The temple, situated by the holy lake, is one of the oldest temples (2000 years approx.) dedicated to Lord Bramha who is believed to be the creator of this Hindu pilgrimage town.

Bramha temple Pushkar — Returning after evening aarti at Bramha Temple

Visit Vishnu Temple

The Vishnu Temple or Rangji Mandir is a unique gem among the cluster of temples in Pushkar. The majestic white temple in ancient South Indian style architecture is sure to impress a traveler at first sight.

Vishnu temple Pushkar, Pushkar vishnu temple, Rangji temple — Vishnu Temple in Pushkar Image: musetheplace.com

Visit Shiva Temple

Sri Panchkund Shiva Temple is located withn a few kilometers from the lake in Pushkar. The legend says the temple was built by the five pandavas from Mahabharata.

Trek to Savitri Temple

Savitri Temple, dedicated to Savitri, the wife of Lord Bramha, is located on top of a hill overlooking the holy lake. The trek up the hill is toilsome, as you have to climb hundreds of steps. But the end result is quite rewarding. The breathtaking panorama of the town is enough to forget the pain of getting there.

Savitri temple trek Pushkar, panoramic view Pushkar — Panoramic view of Pushkar from Savitri Temple (Wikimedia)

Enjoy Camel Safari

Camel safari is a popular tourist activity in Pushkar. The safari takes you to the nearby villages and desert to give you a closer look to rural life, art and culture in Rajasthan. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to indulge in camel safari. I kept it in my wishlist for a second tour in Rajasthan. 🙂

Pushkar camel safari, Pushkar things to do — What about a camel safari? Aren’t they beautiful? 🙂

Shopping in the town market

Pushkar is an ideal place for shopping Rajasthani items. You can buy colorful handmade tote bags; silk scarves; mirror-worked Rajasthani lehenga (pair of indigenous skirt and blouse), bags and purses; local-made oxidized metal jewellery and trinkets at competitive price. I bought a few bags and purses as souvenirs and a cute little set of lehenga for my little niece.

shopping in Pushkar, handmade tote bags pushkar — A few items from my shopping bag – Handmade tote bags Rs. 100 per piece

After a walking tour of Pushkar when we came back to the hotel I was a different person. I started my journey to Pushkar as a skeptic with an empty mind and came back a contented soul with a bundle of memories to cherish forever. Pushkar travel taught me to open my heart, to accept things as they come. I realized that we travel to find many of our preconceived notions about a place are actually wrong.

The next day we were on the road again on the way to Udaipur.

Check out more photos of Pushkar in my Flickr album.

A Photowalk in Botanical Garden Kolkata

January 5, 2015Posted in KolkataTagged Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden Kolkata, Indian Botanic Garden, Kolkata Sightseeing, Kolkata Tour34 Comments

Pathway, Shibpur Botanical Garden, Howrah, Kolkata

It was a warm morning in the month of March. I bought my Nikon Coolpix P500 the previous night and thought to go out on a photowalk to test the new camera. It was a bridge camera with powerful zoom (34x) …ideal for shooting birds. Two of my friends also wanted to join me. They suggested we go to the Botanical Garden in Kolkata’s twin city Howrah on the other side of the Ganges. That was also my first visit to Shibpur Botanical Garden which is officially named as Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden. We reached there at around 7:30 am, a little before the ticket counter opened. Looking through the main gate I could see some people were already returning from their everyday morning walk session in the garden.

morning walk in Indian Botanic garden, Shibpur Botanical Garden, Howrah, Kolkata — Morning walkers in the Botanical Garden

Founded in 1787 on the western bank of the River Ganges the Botanical Garden is about 30-40 minutes ride from the heart of Kolkata. Built on an area of 273 acres the garden is home to 12,000 perennial plants and a variety of plant species cultivated for scientific research. The garden has become a popular tourist attraction over the years, especially because of The Great Banyan tree. It is a huge 250 years old Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) forming world’s second largest natural canopy spreading over an area of 14,500 square meters.

the great banyan tree, Botanical Garden, Shibpur — The Great Banyan Tree in the Botanical Garden, Kolkata – Photo: Wikipedia

Apart from banyan and various types of trees there are manicured gardens, lakes and ponds where rare water lilies (such as Victoria Amazonica) bloom and a variety of birds come in search of food and shelter amidst the greenery.

As we explored deeper in the garden, it became obvious that I did not have the patience to shoot birds neither the eye for it and ended up shooting trees, flowers and ponds in the garden. 🙂 While my friends were busy in clicking birds I took a few shots of the surrounding.

birding, Shibpur Botanical Garden, Indian Botanic Garden — My friends busy in photographing birds.

Whether you are a photographer, or a fitness freak, or just a visitor you’ll love the place full of greenery and quietness away from the din of city life as you breathe in fresh air which immediately relaxes your mind. So, don’t forget to include the Botanical Garden in your must-see list of Kolkata Tour.

Here are a few glimpses of the Indian Botanic Garden through my lenses.

We walked down the nature trails

Went past the bamboo groves

Along the canals flowing across the garden

To reach a pond where trees contemplate upon their reflections

Where red water lilies bloom all around

Where dead trees were lying beside the track

But the green foliages of spring shone bright in the morning sun

I looked through the leafy frame

To find this Bronze-winged Jacana wading through the water

Suddenly my eyes fell on this dragon fly resting on the branch of a tree

We sat down under the tree to relax in its cool shade

And watched bright cosmoses flooded the garden yonder

And red poppies swaying their heads in breeze

To welcome the little bee that sucked nectar until its stomach was full

Amer Fort – the melting pot of Rajasthan’s heritage, art and architecture

December 30, 2014May 27, 2016Posted in RajasthanTagged Amer Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan46 Comments

Amer Fort or Amber Fort, located only 11 kilometers from the Pink City – Jaipur, is one of the most fascinating tourist hotspots in the state of Rajasthan. The main gate of the fort called Suraj Pol or ‘Sun Gate’ (‘suraj’ meaning sun and ‘pol’ meaning gate) leads to the main courtyard of the fort, Jaleb Chowk, where the army used to parade in front of the king and his courtiers.

The women of royal family also observed the activities on the courtyard from behind the ornate stone lattices decorating the place balconies.

Amer Fort is full of historical saga and spectacular instances of mediaeval architecture. Overlooking Maota Lake this Rajput stronghold was built on Aravalli Hills range in time of Raja Man Singh (around 1592). Some expansions were made later by the king Sawai Jai Singh.

The palace architecture is a wonderful blend of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles. The king’s palace, the frescoes on marble walls, the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), the garden, the temple (Shila Devi Temple) where Rajput Kings offered worship everything is so fascinating that I can simply keep talking about it … 🙂

However, the most memorable moment of my Amer Fort visit was when our guide led us to Sheesh Mahal and explained why it was built that way. He lit up his torch and focused it on the ceiling of Sheesh Mahal. It was like thousands stars twinkling under the roof – AMAZING!

sheesh mahal, mirror palace, Amer Palace — Sheesh Mahal in Amer Palace

We were lucky to get a veteran guide whose bag was full of interesting stories about the royal lifestyle inside the fort and its palaces in time of Rajput kings.

The story of the royal family goes like this (as told by our guide). The king had 12 queens. There were separate sections (‘Mahal’) in the palace for each of them. The king maintained a highly confidential schedule about when to spend time with which queen. When he was with one wife no other queens would know about it. The king never wanted all of his queens to meet in one place and have chitchat. At a time only four of the queens were allowed to meet at the central pavilion (Baradhari Pavilion) at the palace square or inner courtyard. The Habshi (Abyssinian Eunuch) guards used to keep watch on the queens’ meeting from the minarets erected on all corners of the square. Imagine the sense of ‘insecurity’ of the king! 😛

I was so absorbed in the beauty of the place that I did not notice when we have returned to the outer courtyard – Jaleb Chowk. Time flies so quickly. The fort closes at 5:30 pm and it was already 5 pm. We were running short of time. Otherwise, I think we would get to listen more of such queer stories of royal families if we could explore every nook and corner of the palace.

Please note that apart from taking a tour of the fort and palaces and offering worship in the temple you can also shop from the boutiques and antique stores located inside the fort premises and enjoy elephant ride in the main courtyard.