Friday, August 28, 2020

Ultimate List Of The Best Hotels in Monte Carlo, Monaco August 28, 2020 at 06:07AM

Out of Town Blog
Ultimate List Of The Best Hotels in Monte Carlo, Monaco

Columbus Hotel Monte-Carlo Rooms with a View

Where to Stay: Top 10 Best Monte Carlo Hotels The moment you land in Monte Carlo, you immediately feel the change in aroma to money. After all, this severing city-state is famously known as the “Billionaires Playground”. Here, luxury floats in the air, and everything is lavish, so when it comes to accommodation, you can […]

Ultimate List Of The Best Hotels in Monte Carlo, Monaco
Team Out of Town
Out of Town Blog

Gangsta’s Paradise: Searching for Shantaram’s Colaba August 28, 2020 at 05:10AM

On a Sunday morning, I normally would have taken the ‘fast’ train down to South Bombay, but today I wanted to drive through the city. Lin Baba, Gregory David Roberts’s semi-autobiographical character from the 2003 novel Shantaram, wove through traffic on the same streets I would take, smoking chillums with underworld don Khaderbhai and learning how to gun past signals on the back of gangster Abdullah’s bike. 

I also wanted to do so in a vehicle that fit the book’s milieu —1980s’ Bombay. I walked past a few empty cabs outside Mehboob Studio, Bandra, before I found a beautifully beat-up Padmini: the kind of ride that lets the sun’s reflection bounce off the asphalt and glitter through the cracks of its underbelly. Whenever the driver braked, it felt like he was pulling on the reins of a fast-moving horse and carriage. We zoomed south, past Haji Ali, where Lin drank late night lassis, past the Air India building, where the lovesick brute made sweet love on the rooftop to his Swiss-American temptress Karla. At noon I screeched to halt in front of Regal Cinema, right on time for ‘Lin Baba’s Colaba, Shantaram Tour: A Convict’s Bombay.’

 

Shantaram 6

The bustling Leopold Cafe holds an important place in the book. Photo By: Snehal Jeevan Pailkar/Shutterstock

 

The walk was hosted as part of the third edition of the India Heritage Walk Festival, an event held in February before the pandemic put a pause on city strolling, featuring over 140 experiences in 44 Indian cities, in collaboration with more than 65 local-level partners. One of them was Beyond Bombay, a niche travel collective that organises concept-based walks, engaging people with the past and present of the cities they call home. I had never participated in a city walk or tour before, and was rather proud of that. Such tours always seemed to be made up of sheep-like groups of people, obstinately gawking on already crowded streets. I’ve often brusquely nudged my way past these human barricades, perhaps muttering a few obscenities for good measure. On the other hand, I rather liked Shantaram. I had read it over a decade ago, long before I moved to Bombay, and figured it might be fun to retrace the absconding Australian’s first steps in the city. Afterwards, I could always pop by Cafe Mondegar for a pint, no matter how the walk went. 

A group encircled a woman sitting on the theatre’s steps, and I could immediately tell she was Shriti Tyagi—the head of Beyond Bombay—by the way she calmly pivoted in conversation with the people around her. Twelve years ago, Shriti started conducting such literary walks, what she refers to as “bookworming,” with ‘Lin Baba’s Colaba’ (Shantaram) and ‘Babbanji Bihari Walk’ (based on Suketu Mehta’s Maximum City). I introduced myself and joined in the small talk that always preludes such undertakings. It was effortless, the docent was charming as was her group of explorers, and I began to feel comfortable as my scepticism drifted away. The cluster of walkers was a diverse one. There were mothers and daughters, married folk, a young couple Fevikwik-ed to each other’s sides, an engineer who recently read Shantaram because he was stationed in a remote place with no internet connection, and a linguist—who may or may not have read the book—determined to practise any of the five languages he was fluent in, and two others, German and Russian, which I believe he was learning, with anyone and everyone on the tour. 

 

Shantaram 4

The walking tour explores parts of Colaba that are as iconic to the city. Photo By: Julian Manning

Shantaram 1

The writer zoomed through South Bombay in a 1980s fit Padmini Taxi, keeping true to the spirit of the book. Photo By: Skreidzeleu/Shutterstock

 

There were more of us than I expected, perhaps a dozen. I thought it would be hard to hear Shriti speak, but I could hear her clearly, and even better, she proved to be a master shepherd: “You have to negotiate with noise, movement and everything but one has to figure out places where you can hold conversations with least disturbance and that you have to do at the recce stage,” said Shriti, when I asked her about her approach after the tour. She not only was able to herd us skillfully through the bustle of Colaba, but kept our attention lassoed by her loquacious and revealing insight into an area that scaffolds the narrative of Shantaram. She wove in a couple good Shantaram quotes into her introduction, alluding to ‘sweet, sweaty hope’ and the ‘amphibian-like humidity’ of the city, which was expected, but she also gave context to the area, the alcove that is Colaba, engaging us with the lively atmosphere captured in the novel. Shriti explained, “The idea was to see the city through ‘book eyes’ and see how books based on the city lend themselves to the city and vice versa, while tracing the trajectory of the protagonist through a pocket (of Mumbai).” She elaborated, “Shantaram fit in beautifully because it places itself somewhere between fact and fiction, with the city as a character. You not only reconstruct events set in this pocket, but also talk about the place it occupies in Mumbai, its histories and stories.”

As we ambled under musty awnings haphazardly fixed to deco buildings, Shriti coaxed out the backdrop of Shantaram from Colaba, referencing mill strikes, the strengthening of the underworld, the growth of the slums, and the prevalence of runway tourists.

Her tour engaged us like Gregory Davis Roberts’ writing, walking the tightrope of information and intrigue. It
was a venture that kept pace with the beat of the neighbourhood, negotiating
the literal and figurative flurry and swell intrinsic to the place Lin Baba first established himself in the city. 

If we had thrust ourselves into Cuffe Parade’s slums where Lin really began to cultivate local ties to the city, or Dongri’s narrow by-lanes in search of bygone child slave markets, the tour would have been a crass endeavour; but concentrating on Colaba, the city’s proverbial ‘isle of lost toys,’ made sense. Iranis, Nigerians, Arabs, Chinese, Afghans, and a variety of goras have long recognised that Colaba is a place where outsiders can become insiders, so our motley crew was not entirely out of place as we roamed through the area, at ease in an ocean of graceful chaos. Even though so much has changed in this area where Lin Baba made his bones, there are still so many places that pad the tour with a real sense of the story’s backdrop: Irani cafés, colonnaded architecture, Colaba Police Station, Radio Club, Little Arabia, and so on. As Shriti said, “There is enough to see and reconstruct the events and enough to imagine.”

 

Gangsta's Paradise: Searching for Shantaram's Colaba

The novel, Shantaram (right), channels the pulse of a foreigner’s Colaba, a busy mixture of late night kebabs (top left) and bustling cafés (bottom left). Photos By: Julian Manning (man, book, café)

 

We stopped by the bullet-ridden walls of Leopold Cafe & Bar, filled with customers swilling lager and cutting up buff steaks, the once “unofficial free zone, scrupulously ignored by the otherwise efficient officers at Colaba Police Station” where the “business ranged from traffic in drugs, currencies, passports, gold, (and) sex.”

Across the Causeway, we explored a little-known corner of Colaba’s police station where Lin Baba was first detained before heading to his brutal stint in captivity at Arthur Road. We strolled down to Little Arabia, passing perfumeries brimming with auburn mixtures in ostentatious glass decanters, moving towards Lin Baba’s first lodgings, India Guest House. While the exteriors of the guest house may have changed very little since Lin Baba’s time in Mumbai, we walked up to the third floor of a building completely gutted from its former, lackluster grunge. It was now a far cry from the days when Prabaker (Lin’s friend and guide) proclaimed, “Smoking, drinking, dancing, music, sexy business, no problem here,” only to add, “Everything is allow no problem here. Except the fighting. Fighting is not good manners at India Guest House… And dying… Mr. Anand (the manager) is not liking it, if the people are dying here.” At least the sea-facing view remains the same. 

We looped around past a Koli fishing village, glimpses of terracotta tile roofs obscured from the shade of surrounding apartment buildings. Then we pushed on, deep into Sassoon Docks, a once salient sanctuary for smugglers. Whatever was left of the morning’s catch now clung to our clothes as we wrapped up the last stop of our three-hour exploration of Colaba. Despite the thick of the afternoon heat, it was impossible not to be completely satisfied by the tour. Even those who hadn’t read the book wore the lazy smiles that come after a well-spent, jam-packed afternoon.

Shantaram 2

The Sasson Dockyards are deeply rooted in the city’s past, present, and future. Photo By: Iulian Ursachi/Shutterstock

Shantaram 7

Almost all of Colaba’s Irani cafés are famous for their delicious keema pav. Photo By: Julian Manning

 

Some of us weren’t ready to say goodbye to Colaba just yet, so we popped over to Cafe Mondegar for an ice-cold beer surrounded by the sound of excited tourists and a blaring jukebox. I’m a stubborn soul, so much that in school I earned the title “Never Wrong Manning” for my obstinacy. But that sweaty Sunday I retired a bias I had long held onto. It amuses me to no end that now, as I’m stuck at home during a pandemic, I constantly dream about taking another of Shriti’s or Indian Heritage Walk’s tours. As Lin Baba says, “If fate doesn’t make you laugh, you just don’t get the joke.”

 

To read and subscribe to our magazine, head to Magzter or our new National Geographic Traveller India app here. 

It’s Tea O’Clock with TWG Tea and Marks & Spencer August 28, 2020 at 01:09AM

Out of Town Blog
It’s Tea O’Clock with TWG Tea and Marks & Spencer

TWG Tea Firefly Tea Bowl & Saucer, P2,495

A cup of postivi-TEA to brighten up your day Manila, Philippines – Having a cup of coffee is everyone’s usual go-to drink to start the day and having several more cups to stay awake especially at home where everyone needs that extra push to get work done. But for non-coffee drinkers, whether it’s to avoid […]

It’s Tea O’Clock with TWG Tea and Marks & Spencer
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Reader Responses: Favourite Monsoon Getaways in India August 28, 2020 at 02:58AM

Monsoons in India ripen the mood for a romantic and nostalgic getaway. Escaping to remote waterfalls flanked by misty mountains, lush forests housing a rhapsody of migratory birds or little shacks on beaches to catch puffy clouds and rainy sunsets—our readers do it all. We’ve assembled a list of parks and reserves, ruins and forts, hill stations and a lot more for your next monsoon escape. 

 

Mahima Khandhar from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (@mahimaphotography)

Monsoon Recco: Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh

If you wish to enchant yourself with the beauty that nature hides within itself, a trip to Dalhousie during the monsoons is something you should plan for. An underrated hill station in Himachal Pradesh, it offers a breathtaking view of Khajjiar. A peaceful walk through the forests with a light drizzle will reward you with a cool breeze and an  unforgettable experience. Travellers should make sure to make full use of the early morning light, where clouds will act as roommates and guides. Adventure seekers and nature-lovers must visit Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary for a small trek towards the resthouse at the top through a forest that offers delightful views of Dalhousie. Waterfalls along mountains will make you wish to never leave this hill station. From Delhi, one needs to take a train to Pathankot, and from Pathankot, one can take a private taxi or a local bus to Dalhousie. It is about 87 kilometres from Pathankot. 

 

Parama Ghosh from Kolkata (@parama_g)

Monsoon Recco: Shantiniketan, West Bengal

 

My favourite monsoon getaway is Shantiniketan in West Bengal. It is a 3.5 hour drive by car and 2.5 hour train-ride from Kolkata. Shantiniketan, which is otherwise a quaint idyllic place, bursts with energy during the Basanta Utsav (festival of colours) and Poush Mela (their age old annual winter fair). However, for me, monsoons present the best time for a visit, as it is during these months that the town appears at its unadulterated best. There are beautiful home stays and mud houses where one can go and spend a few days watching the rains. Staying amidst nature at its best. The way the red earth smells during the rains in Shantiniketan is something I haven’t witnessed anywhere else. The sprawling greens in monsoon offer ophthalmic therapy. 

I would always recommend home stays (especially the ones where they farm and grow their own food) with pools, since swimming in the rain is a magical experience. One can hire cycles and roam around the Viswa Bharati University campus and adjacent Santhal villages when it’s not raining. 

 

 

Reader Responses: Favourite Monsoon Getaways in India 4

Scenic waterfalls and lush green forests can make a traveller’s visit to Vagamon during the rains a picturesque experience. Photo By: explorewithinfo/Shutterstock

 

Anushka Kawale from Mumbai, Maharashtra (@the_one_in_a_messed_up_bun)

Monsoon recco: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, Maharashtra

My favourite monsoon getaway spot is the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai. It’s easiest to travel here by the Mumbai local train, with it being an hour away from the suburban part of the city. As I was interning here, I got a chance to see how critters bring the forest to life, at night. Fireflies gleam near the Thane entrance of the park which is right next to Tikujini wadi. Seeing them glow, the city lights glistening in a wet background offered me my first experience of witnessing the alchemy of these species. 

 

Virat Sanghvi from Banswara, Rajasthan (@banswaratimes)

Monsoon recco: Banswara

Banswara city is a small district in Rajasthan which is located around 525 kilometres from Jaipur and 165 kilometres from Udaipur. It is also called the ‘City of a Hundred Islands’ since the Mahi river fills during the monsoons, highlighting the numerous small islands. It is easiest to travel here via road from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, while the closest railway junction lies in Ratlam, 85 kilometres from the city. Iridescent waterfalls and beautiful hills make for popular tourist sightings, especially in the monsoons, which offer breath to the lush green forests in the city. 

 

Sayantan Barik from West Bengal (@isayantan18)

Monsoon recco: Meghalaya 

I had visited some of the most mesmerising spots in Meghalaya—the place that had first paved the path for my photography career—during the late monsoon of 2019. After heavy rain, the greenery around Umiam Lake adds a lushness to the surrounding landscape. Nohkalikai Waterfall in Cherrapunji is touted to be India’s tallest plunge type waterfall cascading from a height of 1,115 feet, and I will always remember it for its gurgling roar during heavy rainfall. A boat ride in the crystal clear waters of Umngot River in Dawki was remarkable as cold wind and drizzles kept us company throughout. Witnessing the high pressure of Krang Shuri waterfall nestled amid Jaintia Hills was as adventurous as it was rewarding. 

 

 

Reader Responses: Favourite Monsoon Getaways in India

Visits to Kabini Forest in the monsoon months may lead to chance spottings of tigers and other animals. Photo By: P.V.R.Murty/Shutterstock

 

Shobhit Dwivedi from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh (@showtraveller)

Monsoon recco: Amboli, Maharashtra

When I visited Goa with four friends in August 2017, we found out about Amboli, the last hill station in Maharashtra before the coastal highlands of the sunshine state. So, we set out for a day trip on our bikes to cover the 90-kilometre stretch from Panjim to Amboli. Travelling to this place was just as much about the destination as it was about soaking in the greenery, snaking ghat routes and making pit stops at roadside stalls to indulge in chai breaks. We even stopped by unassuming waterfalls flowing from forests whose names we did not know, and dunked our feet in the streams to shake off the weariness from the journey.  When we reached Amboli waterfall, a heavy fog cloaked the region and it started pouring abruptly. But I was equipped with rain protection gear and spent the day photographing the gushing stream and biting into piping hot snacks at local dhabas.

 

Manash Mahanta from Mundra, Gujarat (@travelstories_manash) 

Monsoon recco: Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

The charm of seeing one of the wettest places on earth during the monsoon is underrated. I have visited Cherrapunji from Guwahati (approximately 150 kilometres away) a couple of times but had only been there once with a few friends during a rainy July, when it was devoid of the usual tourist hustle. The Khasi hills that surround the area appear astonishingly green during this time. The forest, pastures, and farmlands come alive. The numerous waterfalls and streams find their momentum due to the continuous downpours. One morning, we went out with a guide to trek the nearby hills to see the living double root bridge in Nongriat village. To reach the starting point of our trek, we drove to Tyrna village and walked through the clouds engulfing the hills, drenched in a slight drizzle.

We climbed close to 7,000 steps up and down during the entire course. Our guide, a local who seemed adept at walking the terrain, frequently waited for us ahead so that we could catch up. It was dark by the time we headed back to our cottage. That evening, we rested in the warmth of the cackling bonfire listening to the rendition of old English songs by few of the fellow travellers. It was a trip to remember for the rest of our lives. 

 

Sameer Sapte from Mumbai, Maharashtra (@sameersapte)

Monsoon recco: Bhandardara, Maharashtra 

My connection with Bhandardara found its depth eight years ago when I first travelled there during monsoon. The village, approximately 70 kilometres from Nashik, is nestled in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district. The natural vistas serve up views of hills, waterfalls, forts, a dam and a valley. There are plenty of options for trekkers, solo travellers or group travellers: the early 20th century-built Wilson Dam surrounded by Sahyadri hills, the 34-kilometre long Arthur lake, and the nearby Ratangad fort. Kalsubai Peak, dubbed the Everest of Maharashtra, rests to the north of Bhandardara’s backwaters. Other attractions include Kokankada point and Sandhan Valley.

 

 

Reader Responses: Favourite Monsoon Getaways in India 1

The famous Nohkalikai waterfalls in Meghalaya are a favourite monsoon getaway for many. Photo By: Venkateswaran Sivakumar/Shutterstock

 

M Perumal, Theni, Tamil Nadu (@itsperumal)

Monsoon Recco: Devadanapatti 

Devadanapatti is a panchayat town in Periyakulam Taluk, Theni district .This village is located at the foothills of the Kodaikanal Hills. Moongilinai Kamatchi Amman temple is one of the famous temples situated here. A six-kilometre-hike up the top hills of the Kamatchi Amman temple will take you to a scenic waterfall with mesmerising views. 

 

Athish Kiran Reddy from Bengaluru, Karnataka (@bhageeera)

Monsoon recco: Hampi, Karnataka 

Hampi is known for its boulder landscapes, fascinating rock formations, and incredible ruins of palaces and temples. During monsoon, the terrain takes on a tint of green, the hot climate turns pleasantly cool, waterfalls emerge near Anegundian ancient village situated across the Tungabhadra river whose breathtaking views can be enjoyed from Anjanadri Hill and Matanga Hill. A visit to Tungabhadra Otter Conservation Reserve and Sandur valley surrounded by green jungles is a must. Head to Kamalapur for a dip in the public bath tank. Hampi is a complete package in itself, ideal for lessons in history, architecture, and science of irrigation via gravity, and also loaded with fun treks and coracle rides.

 

Ankit Singhal from Indore, Madhya Pradesh (@ankit.singhal.2)

Monsoon recco: Vagamon

Vagamon is a small hill town in Idukki district, and is Kerala’s well-kept secret. It is a true fusion of nature and adventure. A less-explored region, it is a traveller’s gateway to nature in its purest form, away from tourists and a bustling city life. With a never-ending line of lush green hills, it’s a perfect spot situated 1,200 meters above sea level and surrounded by picturesque tea gardens, pine forests, small waterfalls and sprawling meadows. 

Vagamon is also host to activities like hiking, trekking, off-roading and ziplining, along with paragliding. With quiet surroundings, and an unexplored landscape, Vagamon is a perfect rejuvenating getaway during the monsoon months.

It takes around three hours to reach Vagamon from Kochi, with the Kochi International Airport located 95 kilometres away. From Bangalore it’s about a 10-hour drive. You can even take a bus till Kuttikkanam and then switch to local transport to reach Vagamon. 

 

Dhaval Shah from Ahmedabad, Gujarat (@dhavalshahphotography)

Monsoon recco: Kabini Forest

Spread across 55 acres, the Kabini Forest in Karnataka is a vital part of the Nagarhole National Park and one of the few that remain open during the monsoons. The place is known for its serene lakes, valleys and streams. The Kabini Forest Reserve is quite popular among  wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers, given its accessibility to lush landscape, lakes, and sightings of elephants, tigers, leopards, wild dogs, deers and Indian gaurs. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a black panther! During monsoons, even leopards can be spotted on trees. The nearest airport to Kabini is the Bangalore International Airport, which is 204 kilometres away by road. 

 

Arushi Joshi, Delhi (@_arushijoshi_)

Monsoon recco: Valley of Flowers Trek

The Valley of Flowers is one of India’s most famous treks and a great one to take in the monsoons. The Indian government created the Valley of Flowers National Park in 1980. In 2002, it was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The closest metro city to the Valley of Flowers National park is Delhi, luckily, that’s where I hail from. The first stop to the valley is Govind Ghat, Chamoli District, Uttrakhand, that is easily travelled to from Delhi by road. The next stop is Ghangaria, where the actual trek begins. Ghangaria lies at the height of 10,000 feet. From Ghangaria, the road is divided into two parts, one of which leads to the Valley Of Flowers at 12,000 feet, and the other leads to Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara at 15,200 feet. While the Hemkund Sahib is a summer trek, the best time to visit the Valley of Flowers is in the monsoon as it is during these months that the flowers are in full bloom. The entire journey is a magical one with greenery as far as the eyes can see, clouds so close to you that you can almost touch them, and small creeks and waterfalls throughout the hike whose sounds rejuvenate the soul. 

 

 

Reader Responses: Favourite Monsoon Getaways in India 3

Two hikers make their way through the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh. Photo By: Sondipon/Shutterstock

 

Shashank Kashyap, Pune, Maharashtra (@shank_2594)

Monsoon recco: Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve

The Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve in Karnataka is a great place to visit during the monsoons, when its lush green forests come alive, its flora and fauna in mighty abundance and tourists flock to its many homestays and resorts.  

Situated 220 kilometres from the south of Bangalore, it is also 90 kilometres from the south of Mysore. There are plenty of State transport buses that you can commute via. The reserve has become the spot for our annual family monsoon vacation. I have a ton of childhood memories of my cousins and me ambling around the forests and the first time I ever drove through the park, it rained. Feels like only yesterday. 

 

Pallabi Mitra, Kolkata, West Bengal (@putul91)

Monsoon recco: Sundarbans

For most people living in West Bengal, and definitely for my family, the Sundarbans present the perfect monsoon getaway. The most common entry point into the mangrove forests are through the Godkhali port, where boats of all sizes are lined, waiting for commuters. From Kolkata, which is 74 kilometres away from the Godkhali Port, one can travel either by car, bus or train. 

The Sunderban come alive in the rains. Unlike other tiger reserves, Sunderban Wildlife Sanctuary restricts tourists from entering the forest. One has to enjoy the beauty of the jungle, from the boat, which every turn brings with it an air of mystery. You have to remain alert every second if you wish to spot a tiger. Even if you can’t spot a tiger, you will spot the  Lesser Adjutant foraging on the exposed mud along rivers or hear the captivating calls of the near-threatened Mangrove Pitta or catch the flight of a Brown-winged Kingfisher. If you closely monitor the water where these creeks and canals meet the river, you may spot the gentle Gangetic Dolphins. During monsoons especially, one may spot the Buffy-fish owl, Mangrove whistler, Ruddy Kingfisher, Mangrove Heron and other rare birds.

 

Deepak Salokhe from Kolhapur, Maharashtra (@deepak.1906)

Monsoon recco: Amba Ghat, Maharashtra

I keep road tripping to Amba Ghat pretty often. The Mountain Pass on Kolhapur-Ratnagiri road in Maharashtra lies approximately 70 kilometres from Kolhapur city in Sahyadri Mountain Range of the Western Ghats. While it is ideal for a day’s getaway, stay back and explore the nearby temples of Amba, Marleshwar, Ganpatipule or Ratnagiri. History buffs can head to Pawankhind and Vishalgad fort.

 

Mandvi Mankotia Rawat, Mhow (@gypsyfeet_traveltrunk)

Monsoon recco: Mandu and Maheshwar 

On the Malwa plateau, with an entrance guarded by waterfalls and narrow gates, lies one of India’s largest citadels. Mandu with its undulating natural beauty of lakes and waterfalls dotted with restored and crumbling monuments comes alive with the first kiss of the monsoons. The rains highlight the romance in the citadel that is ripe with memories of past romances, especially that of a former ruler, Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati. Sit on a pavilion made for her on the edge of the plateau, as the veil of clouds lift for you to catch a glimpse of the Narmada below. Experience misty clouds race through the Jahaz Mahal, straddling two lakes, which as the story goes, was a pleasure palace housing a harem of  nearly 1500 women! 

On days when puffy white clouds fill the sky, hire a cycle or drive to the restored and crumbling monuments, ponds and waterfalls dotting the place. Before the entrance of Mandu at the Alamgiri Darwaza, there is a waterfall overlooking a wide gorge. 

Maheshwar with its Insta-worthy ghats enclosing the stunningly carved temples of black rock are another treat to be experienced during the rains, when the Narmada flows full and deep, drowning the lower small temples on its banks. Mandu and Maheshwar are both a two-hour drive from Indore. A hired taxi is the best way to get to get around.

 

 

Reader Responses: Favourite Monsoon Getaways in India 5

Ambling past lush green paddy fields during the rains is a uniquely delightful experience. Photo By: Thrust design/Shutterstock

 

Sumangla Sharma, Delhi (@notesfromtheglobe_)

Monsoon recco: Lakshman Jhula

My favourite and the most memorable monsoon getaway spot has to be Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. As I stood on the suspension bridge built over the Ganges, I witnessed the spectacular beauty of the place—with the pitter-patter of raindrops mingling with the rage of the Ganges. As I watched a blanket of clouds gradually descend, splashes of a cool breeze swayed the Lakshman Jhula even as I stood on it, watching the mighty Himalayas ahead of me in the distance. The entire experience was a perfect blend of spirituality, beauty and charm which, especially during the monsoons, makes Laksham Jhula a splendid getaway spot. 

From Delhi, one can drive down for seven hours to Rishikesh. The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the closest airport to Rishikesh and there are many flights between Delhi and Dehradun. 

 

Rupali Bhattacharjee and Arka Bagchi, Bangalore (@the.exploring.eyes)

Monsoon recco: Kotagiri

We stumbled upon Kotagiri, only because our trip to Vagamon was cancelled due to flooding in Kerala in August 2019. 

Driving down from Bangalore, which is about 300 kilometres away, we reached Kotagiri, which is tucked in the lap of the Nilgiris. Surrounded by lush green tea estates, cotton clouds and misty mountains, Kotagiri will ensure your interaction with nature remains pure and undisturbed. Get yourself into a cozy corner, a cup of filter coffee or tea and enjoy this raw, enchantingly peaceful hill station during the rains. Kotagiri has a few breathtaking waterfalls—Catherine being the most famous among them. Trekking up to this waterfall is an adventure by itself. Once, when we were returning from the falls, we encountered a mother bear, who was standing a few kilometres away with her cub. Surely enough, we first backed away slowly and then ran for our lives! 

 

To read and subscribe to our magazine, head to Magzter or our new National Geographic Traveller India app here. 

Kashmiri Pandits trek to Harmukh Gangbal lake amid COVID-19 curbs,perform pilgrimage... August 28, 2020 at 02:23AM

Devotees perform yagna at the Harmukh Gangbal lake shrine as per the annual yatra to the shrine which Kashmiri Pandits consider as Shiva’s abode

PHITEX 2020, Harnessing Digital Platform for Tourism Businesses August 28, 2020 at 12:33AM

Out of Town Blog
PHITEX 2020, Harnessing Digital Platform for Tourism Businesses

Coconut Trees in Bohol photo via Pixabay

PHITEX 2020 Manila, Philippines — The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines invites foreign buyers and Philippine sellers to the virtual edition of the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) from 22 to 24 September 2020 via www.phitex.ph. With the theme “PHITEX Pivots: Business UNusual”, what makes this year’s PHITEX even more exciting is the hybrid aspect in […]

PHITEX 2020, Harnessing Digital Platform for Tourism Businesses
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Here's how Mount Everest summit success rates doubled over last 30 years August 27, 2020 at 10:55PM

The success rate of summiting Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak, has doubled in the last three decades, while the death rate for climbers has hovered unchanged at around 1 per cent since 1990, according to a study.