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Discover Thainess This Year!

January 20, 2015, 2:39 am
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Friends, I am just back from Thailand after a week-long trip of indulgence, enjoying Thai hospitality and speed boating across the beautiful islands in the Trat province. I was in Thailand as a part of the media delegation covering the the 2015 Discover Thainess Campaign launch in Bangkok, and post the spectacular launch, spent some days island hopping in eastern Thailand. The campaign launch itself was a grand coming together of performers from across Thailand showcasing their craft and inciting the world to come and discover 'Thainess' or the Thai way of life this year.


The lavish launch of 2015 Discover Thainess Campaign kicked off in front of the popular Siam Discovery Centre in Bangkok with the Thai Prime Minister Mr. Prayut Chan-o-Cha inaugurating the event and sharing his thoughts on the diverse Thai culture and the kingdom's world famous hospitality. The launch included an extravagant parade with a variety of jazzy cultural performances from different parts of Thailand highlighting distinct culture of the Thai people. The grand opening saw local public as well as the visiting tourists cheering the performers and enjoying the vibrant procession.




The launch gave the public a colourful glimpse of the Thai festivals and traditions, and also showcased the the country's myriad cultural variety. With an aim to help tourists explore Thailand in aThis new marketing campaign aims at making world wide travellers aware of new Thai destinations such as Loei, Lampang, Buriram, and the islands in the Trat province.


To help tourists in planning their Thailand trips based on their different tastes and preferences, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has also put together a creative concept book highlighting the many engaging things to do in Thailand, all the year round - so you have 12 entertaining concepts to keep you hooked to the Kingdom, right from kinship celebrations to music festivals to traditional festivals to shopping fests! In short, there's something exciting to experience every single month of 2015!


For more information about the 2015 Discover Thainess campaign, you can visit the Discover Thainess website.
That's all for now. And yes, more photos from the 2015 Discover Thainess Campaign launch coming up in the next post. Stay tuned!

Note: I was invited to the 2015 Discover Thainess launch by Tourism Authority of Thailand, New Delhi.
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Photo Post: '2015 Discover Thainess Campaign' Launch Parade

January 26, 2015, 12:34 pm
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In my last post, I wrote about the 2015 Discover Thainess Campaign launch in Bangkok - an extravagant 2-hour parade and performance show vividly highlighting 'Thainess' or the Thai way of life. The lavish launch was a delightful way of showcasing to the world a glimpse into Thai life and culture. Here are some photos from the spectacular event.

Beautiful replica of the Royal Barge - Suphannahong or 'the Golden Swan' leads the parade

Elaborate floats highlighting Thai culture and traditions

Performers waiting for their turn

One of the several decked up floats

Performers ready to perform stories from the Thai epic, Ramakien (The Thai Ramayana)

Vibrant portrayal of Thai folk tales

Performers performing stories from the Thai epic, Ramakien (The Thai Ramayana)

The stories from the Ramakien continue to mesmerise

A procession showcasing Thai silk making culture


The 2015 Discover Thainess campaign incorporates the current Thai government's national core values, aimed at promoting and preserving Thai traditional values and culture. So if you are planning a trip to Thailand this year, you not only get to experience the outstanding Thai hospitality, but also get a deeper insight into the many cultural assets of Thailand - everything that makes Thailand an outstanding tourist destination.

For more information about the 2015 Discover Thainess campaign, you can visit the Discover Thainess website.

For more travel stories and travel trivia please connect with me on my Facebook travel page. You are welcome! :)
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Get, Set...and Bolt!

January 31, 2015, 7:57 am
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TATA, the name that stands synonymous for TRUST. A name that does not believe in hyperboles, or larger than life brand imagery. I am lucky that I have had many first hand Tata experiences - first as a resident of steel city Jamshedpur, and later as a part of the Tata Nano Drive with MTV travel show. While the few years I spent in Jamshedpur gave me exposure to the applause-worthy work ethics of the Tata brand and it's various social initiatives under the CSR drive, the Tata Nano experience gave me an opportunity to understand how the brand is working towards bringing affordable quality products and services to the middle class. And this fondness and respect for the Tata brand has only grown deeper with time.

So when the popular blogging platform Blogadda invited bloggers to participate in the Get. Set. Bolt campaign to learn more about Tata's latest offering in the hatchback segment, I really looked forward to the opportunity of getting to know the Tata Bolt first hand. The hatchback was first unveiled at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo and since it's unveiling there had been a considerable amount of curiosity attached to it.

Shopping malls and showrooms across the country are showcasing this dazzling car, and though I live in Delhi, I decided to check out the car in Amritsar, as I was travelling to the city with my family, and thought it would be great if my car loving dad and brother too could check out the car, as we are all avid road trippers and best cars for road trips is always a prominent topic in all our 'inside-the car' car conversations. So there we were, at the AlphaOne mall in Amritsar, with the single point agenda of checking out the brand new Tata Bolt.


The first impression of the Tata Bolt was a winner. The attractive bright red colour of the car was painting a glamorous picture and I was hooked. Now let me be honest here, I am no car geek. I understand car basics al-right, thanks to my 3-weeks rendezvous with Tata Nano, but for getting a better grasp of the finer mechanics of a car, one needs to have an expert at hand, and I ma glad my brother was with me, for he is a car geek.  At the Bolt arena, while I got busy admiring the glitzy exteriors of the car and it's sporty design, my brother got busy interacting with the Bolt team present there, and later helped me understand the technical aspects of the car in simple, easy to understand terms.

So if you too are a car novice like me, here are a few pointers to understand the features that make the Tata Bolt a sure sure winner in the hatchback segment.

But first, for the uninitiated, here's a primer about the car -

First unveiled at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, the Tata Bolt was launched in January 2015. A sporty hatchback model with young and stylish design, the Tata Bolt  is a multi drive vehicle with Sport, Eco and City mode drives. Sport mode is for burst of power on highways, Eco mode for excellent fuel efficiency and City mode for a balance between the two.

Tata Bolt price ranges from Rs. 4.45 lakhs to 7 lakhs. (Ex-showroom price)

And here's this video that introduces you to the Tata Bolt!


Young design language, refined sporty looks, unique multi-drive system, spacious and comfortable interiors...the TATA BOLT is car that has upped the coolness quotient in the Indian auto-mobile scene. The car won me over for sure and I can't wait to Get. Set and Bolt in a shining red Tata Bolt of my own! Here are 5 Tata Bolt features that make it stand apart from it's competitors - features that make it stand apart and am sure they will win you over too!

1. Young Design: Sporty and Stylish

Like I mentioned earlier, the sporty and attractive look of the Tata Bolt is a sure shot winner - it captivates, and invites a casual onlooker to come and give it a deeper look. And though the looks had already won me over, the Bolt team at the arena helped me understand the ergonomics behind the design better. 





While the above mentioned design features add to the sporty look of the Bolt, it's interiors too has a snazzy look about it. The Java Black interiors give the car a very athletic look and feel. And icing on the interior cake is the 5-inch Harman touchscreen infotainment system with a plethora of smartphone integration features!

2. Powerful Performance with Multi-Drive Option

Another feature that won me over was the built-in MULTI-DRIVE feature that lets a driver switch between three driving modes - Sport, Eco and City. With just one switch, one can go from raw power to a relaxed drive. How convenient given the Indian terrain, from smooth express ways to pothole ridden city roads to winding mountains trails. Choose your mood to match the road you are on and the mood you are in!


And Tata Bolt's powerful and versatile performance is courtesy of India's first Revotron* 1.2 litre turbocharged MPFi petrol engine.

*Revotron - The name Revotron is an amalgamation of Revolution and the French word 'tronel', meaning 'balance'. It conveys the essence of this engine brand that uses key technological advances to revolutionize and balance great driving manoeuvrability, without compromising on power or fuel efficiency.
The Revotron 1.2T has been designed based on extensive feedback from car owners and expert drivers from across the globe; observing their driving habits followed by extensive testing in gruelling climatic conditions in India as well as in other countries like the UK and Korea.


The 1.2-litre Revotron turbocharged MPFi engine delivers an output of 90PS and peak torque of 140Nm while the diesel version with 1.3-litre Quadrajet engine churns out 75PS and 190Nm.

3.  Ride Quality, Space and Safety

Another feature that struck a strong chord with me was the comfort factor, thanks to the superior cabin space. All Tata cars are known for their spacious cabins and the Tata Bolt is no exception. The wide opening door and tall stance of the car makes it easier to slide into the cabin and the back seat comfortably accommodates three passengers.


While the spacious cabin ups the comfort factor, many other in-built features ensure a stress-free as well as convenient riding experience The first-in-class* touch controlled FATC (Fully Automatic AC with Controls) keeps the car temperature regulated automatically, the body hugging rugby shoulder seats ensure better back support and speed sensitive steering gives improved steering stability. The steering wheel also comes with integrated smart controls, giving more control of the car.




4. ConnectNext Touchscreen Infotainment System

Another big USP of the Tata Bolt is the exclusively designed gen-next ConnectNext Touchscreen Infotainment System by Harman (TM) - a seamless coming together of entertainment and technology. Being rooted as the future of connectivity, this specially designed high resolution touch-screen is smart and easy-to-use - making entertainment on the go super convenient. 


From music, to phone calls to maps, to photos and videos, it puts everything on your fingertips. For better navigation on the road, there is a navigation system developed in collaboration with MapMyIndia that uses android smartphone to help reach the destination with ease. with This touch-screen system is easy to pair your phone with, and can even be used to operate the climate control system. Check out this video for some fun details about about this cool feature.



5. Great Value for Money

Given the features of the car - the look, space and ride quality, the Tata Bolt is great value for money. In Delhi the ex-showroom price tag goes from Rs. 4.45 lakhs to Rs. 7 lakhs. And considering the price and the high-tech features like 3-driving modes and the touch-screen infotainment system, it is without doubt, a smart buy. And if the crowd at the Bolt arenas across the county is anything to go by, the Tata Bolt is already making a mark in the market.

Here's a video of people checking out the Tata Bolt at the AlphaOne mall in Amritsar.



And that's me posing with the dazzling red Tata Bolt! I had a wonderful time exploring the car and learning about the finer tech specs that make this new Tata kid on the block such a winner.

Thanks Team Blogadda for the opportunity! And needless to say, I am really looking forward to get set and bolt on this one sometime soon!:)



This post is a part of part of the Get. Set. Bolt activity at Blogadda.

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2015 Discover Thainess Campaign Launch in Mumbai - A Treat for the Senses

March 6, 2015, 2:59 pm
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Striking recreation of the popular Amphawa floating market, boat replicas laden with mouth-watering fruits and delicacies, Thai masseurs bent over guests, soothing their stressed ankles, young lads showcasing their Muay Thai skills, and exotic orchids giving the area the quintessential Thai feel - the 2015 Discover Thainess campaign launch in Mumbai was a sumptuous treat for the senses. The ambitious campaign was officially launched by the Thai Tourism & Sports Minister, HE Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, who was on her maiden visit to India. She later addressed the gathering at length, sharing her insights about the 2015 Discover Thainess campaign and importance of the Indian market for Thailand.

HE Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul addressing the guests

Indians constitute a major chunk of Thailand's inbound tourists and this year the country is expecting a major surge in the number of Indian tourists, on account of stability on the political front and engaging promotional campaigns. A number of prestigious Indian tourism awards in the recent times too have boosted Thailand's position as a favoured destination amongst Indians, prominent among them being - Best Wedding Destination Award the International Tourism Conclave & Travel, Best Destination by Travel & Leisure India and Best Value Destination by Lonely Planet - this one for the third time in a row.
Besides offering genuine hospitality experience, the new campaign also aims at introducing Indian travellers to newer destinations in Thailand, prompting them to look beyond the popular destinations like Phuket, Pattaya and Krabi. The new destinations include some stunning and serene island in the Trat and Trang provinces.

If you are regular here you will remember that I was in Bangkok for the national launch of the 2015 Discover Thainess Campaign. The launch was a spectacular event replete with an extravagant parade and and cultural performances. The event presented a clear (and pretty) picture of the thought and planning behind the campaign and the efforts put together in going all out to provide authentic Thai experiences to the tourists visiting the country this year. The same thoughtfulness was apparent at the Mumbai event too. While those who already have an exposure to Thailand's amazing hospitality got an opportunity to experience it again, for the the first-timers the introduction to the Thai way of life turned out to a delightful experience.

Recreation of the floating market

Intricate carving on fruits and vegetables

Mouth-watering Thai desserts

 Orchids - giving the decor a quintessential Thai touch

I am sure you will agree that the photos are a testimonial to my opening line that the launch event was a treat for the senses. And these are just some photos from the event. A detail photo post on the launch event coming up next, do check it out and I am pretty much sure they will incite you to enough to plan your Thailand trip soon. Hope you enjoyed this post, do leave your feedback in the comments section. 

For more information about the 2015 Discover Thainess campaign, you can visit the Discover Thainess website.

For more travel stories and travel trivia please connect with me on my Facebook travel page. You are welcome! :)

Note: I was invited by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT, New Delhi) to attend the 2015 Discover Thainess campaign launch in Mumbai. 
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Photo Post: '2015 Discover Thainess Campaign' Mumbai Launch (Part 1)

March 13, 2015, 2:18 am
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Okay friends, I was supposed to post this long ago, as I had promised in my last post, but a long bout of cold (and lethargy) kept me from doing anything productive. But better late than never, so here I am with photos from the vibrant Discover Thainess campaign's India launch that happened in Mumbai last month.

Striking recreation of the famous Amphawa floating market! 

Boats laden with mouth watering goodies! How I long to experience shopping at a real floating market. 

I had some generous helpings of those guavas :)

Now that's some of the best guavas and dragon-fruits I've ever had!

Intricate carvings on fruits and vegetables!
If you are interested, you can learn this fine from the Thai experts.

Carving on soap pieces! They make exotic gifts!

Colourful Thai mithaais!

Thai candies. I ate far too many of them.

That's it for now! Hope you liked the photos, and if you did , then there are some more photos of these mouthwatering,
colourful delicacies coming up in the next post. Also I was able to record some brilliant display of Muay Thai skills showcased at the event.
That video too will feature in the next post. Stay tuned! :)  

For more information about the 2015 Discover Thainess campaign, you can visit the Discover Thainess website.
For more travel stories and travel trivia please connect with me on my Facebook travel page. 

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Photo Post: '2015 Discover Thainess Campaign' Mumbai Launch (Part 2)

March 20, 2015, 8:35 am
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Okay, I am back with some more photos from the striking 2015 Discover Thainess campaign launch that happened in Mumbai.
In my last post I had promised about more photos of mouth-watering Thai delicacies, and so here I am! 
Also there are some photos of the brilliant display of Muay Thai and the very intricate  Khon Mask painting 
- these vibrant mask are used in Thai dance dramas.

Thai friiters - they come in many varieties, and are so delicious, you will never bored of them!
And if you are a vegetarian, they can save you from boring broccoli soups!

Fruity candies (preserves), attractive to look at, and tasty to eat!

Coconut shavings. The inviting colours! 

I couldn't help but 'sample' numerous glasses of fresh juice served by this beautiful and gracious ladyboy! 
There were varieties that we don't find locally,  so it was fun to sample them all one after the other 
and keep coming back for more.

Refreshing Thai juice corner

And from these attractive and delectable treats, lets move to photos that depict the Thai culture and traditions,
so here's some more of 'Thainess' for you, starting from Khon masks.
Khon, a tradition Thai dance drama is performed by men wearing masks, and Khon masks are all hand crafted.

An artist intently working on a Khon mask.

The Khon masks are painted with natural colours

A ready Khon mask - the intricate hand painting is mesmerising

And from Khon masks, let's move the very popular Muay Thai! Muay Thai is a tradition martial arts of Thailand,
and at the launch the artists showcasing a Muay Thai bout kept everyone hooked with their performance. 

Display of Muay Thai skills

All eyes glued to the action unfolding in front of them

And now here is a video of the Muay Thai bout performed for the guests at the event!


For more information about the 2015 Discover Thainess campaign, you can visit the Discover Thainess website.
For more travel stories and travel trivia please connect with me on my Facebook travel page. 
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April is for Songkran Splendours!

April 2, 2015, 2:31 pm
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Fun, frolic and fiestas make an integral part of Thai culture. All through the year, Thailand keeps its visitors mesmerised with a myriad range of celebrations - from traditional Thai festivals to theme based events - festivities are always on to ensure that the fun quotient never comes down. However this year, this quotient has gone several notches higher, for 2015 is Discover Thainess year in Thailand, with focus on making travellers experience Thailand like never before. There are new destinations to explore, beauty of Thai hospitality to experience and festivals to attend. The icing on the 'Thainess' cake is that every single month of 2015 has something unique to offer to travellers. And the month of April in Thailand is all about Songkran splendours!


Songkran Festival

Songkran, derived from the Sanskrit Sankranti is celebrated in Thailand as the Thai New Year. In Thailand this festival is a beautiful mix of solemn and fun rituals. The solemn part sees Thai people gentling pouring/sprinkling water on family members for good fortune, and exchanging good wishes with them. This traditional ritual is a symbol of washing away of sins. The young pour fragrant water on the hands of the elders and seek their blessings. During the festival, people also visit temples to pay their respect to Lord Buddha and give alms to the monks.

And now the fun part. The Songkran Festival is also known as the Thailand Water Festival and is the most fun way to beat the summer heat in Thailand. Officially spread across 3 days, this festival lasts over a week and involves locals splashing each other and tourists alike with water. There is much revelry all around, with locals and tourists armed with water guns, buckets and hoses taking to the streets to indulge in fun water fight.


While water fights and splashing in the streets sounds much fun, there's also a lot of symbolism attached to this ritual. In Songkran, the water does not just provide respite from the soaring heat but also symbolises familial joy of community where people's lives flow together in harmony. The pouring of water also symbolises washing away of all sins and misfortunes of the year gone by and starting the New Year afresh.

The dates for the Songkran festival are based on the Thai Lunar calendar, and this year the festival will take place from the 13th of April to the 15th of April. These 3 days are national holidays but the water fights and street parties last nearly a week. During Songkran, most offices, businesses and restaurants remain close, with people in the cities travelling to their home-towns for family re-unions and to celebrate the festival with their families and friends.

Where to go for the Songkran Festival?

Songkran celebrations are held across Thailand, but the fervour at major tourist destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen give travellers a chance to experience the festival in a grand manner. In these cities, there are commemorative fairs, parades and processions and streets become playground for revelry and water splashing.


In Bangkok, the Khao San Road is a popular area for foreigners to make merry indulging in water fights and dousing each other with water and smearing faces with talcum powder. In Chiang Mai, the Songkran festival lasts around five days with events and parades showcasing Thai culture, religious rituals, exotic Thai dishes, and of course the immensely popular water-splashing parties. In Songkhla, a city in southern Thailand, the highlight of the festival is a midnight Songkran fair where the area is lit up with lanterns in all shapes and colours. Tourists then come together for midnight revelry and water splashing which continues in the morning. At places like Khon Kaen and Phra Pradaeng too the Songkran festival is celebrated with much fervour.

The Songkran Festival or the Thai New Year traditions dates back hundreds of years, and it's interesting to observe how the Thai communities from different provinces celebrate this festival according to their unique cultures. Of course, the essence of harmony and starting the New Year on a pure and religious note remains the same across the kingdom. So what are you waiting for - Pack your bags and head to your favourite Thai destination to witness this much-loved festival first hand! There's still time and you get visa on arrival! :)

Hope you enjoyed the post. For more travel stories and travel trivia you can share my window seat!  
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Delhi Hotels With Bespoke Services For Tourists

April 7, 2015, 1:35 am
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Hello dear readers! Holiday season is just round the corner and it's time to take a break from the mundane and seek the pleasures of travelling. And if you are headed to New Delhi any-time soon and do not have relatives or friends' house to crash at, then rest assured for there are a plethora of good hotels in the city to ensure that you have a pleasant stay in the capital.


There are many tourist hotels in Delhi that offer bespoke services for tourists and travellers, with tailor-made packages to suit all kind of guests. Whether you are on a leisure trip or in the city for a business meet, there is an abundance of good hotels to cater to the modern day traveller. 

Hotels for all budgets - From fancy boutique hotels and resorts to the less expensive lodges and guest-houses, hotels in Delhi offer a variety of accommodation options to suit all kind of budgets. You can browse through the hotels listings and chose the one that suits your pocket. Also many hotels have packages and upgrade schemes running that makes it easier for guests to get more out of the money they spent on the hotel booking.

Include all basic amenities and services - The hotels boast of a wide range of services and amenities to make certain that the guests have a pleasant and comfortable stay in the national capital. From assisting tourists plan their holiday itineraries to helping them with ticket bookings and taxi services, the hotels offer various add-on services to their guests. Many hotels have separate work zones and internet access for comfort and added productivity.

Safe and secure - If safety is your primary concern when you think of travelling to Delhi, rest assured that the stringent rules and mandatory security checks make certain that only authorised people get access inside hotels. Besides this, many Delhi hotels are going the extra mile to make women guests feel safe and secure. There are strong security systems in place to ensure that guests feel valued and comfortable.

Making a reservation at the hotels in Delhi is super easy, what with receptions and help desks that are functional 24 by 7. Also most of them have the facility of online bookings, so you can make a reservation any time of the day, as per your convenience. So what are you waiting for, if there's a Delhi trip in the pipeline, you know that there are hotels galore to ensure that you have a delightful stay in the city.
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Bed and Breakfast Hotels in Hyderabad That Are Light on Pocket

April 17, 2015, 1:55 pm
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The iconic Charminar, the intimidating Golconda Fort, the dazzling Falaknuma Palace, the beautiful mandirs and mosques, the many lakes and sagars... Hyderabad is a heritage treasure trove for travellers. Every nook and corner of city seems to be teeming with stories of the past, inviting visitors to pause and lend an eager ear to all that it has to share. Now if the idea of Hyderabad heritage has piqued your interest enough, but the idea of spending a fortune on hotel reservations is dampening your travel spit, then fret not, for there are a plethora of bed and breakfast hotels in Hyderabad to ensure that you have a comfortable stay in the city without having to dig too deep into your pocket.


Value for money - There are many budget hotels in Hyderabad to suit the budget and travel requirement of all kinds of travellers. Specially the bed and breakfast hotels are good value for money and offer reasonable accomodation and comfortable services. These hotels also have many affordable tailor-made packages and upgrade schemes on offer that makes it easier for guests to get more out of the money they spent on the hotel booking. So whether you are on a leisure trip or visiting the Hyderabad for a business meet, there is an abundance of good hotels to cater to the modern day traveller.

Basic amenities at affordable price - Bed and Breakfast deals in most hotels include breakfast, so it helps save the money that you would spend on breakfast separately. Besides this, most B & B hotels offer a range of amenities to make sure that the guests have a comfortable stay in the hotel. From ample parking space, cable TV in the room to prompt room service, a variety of services is available at affordable rates.

Safety comes first - Hotels these days are going the extra mile to ensure that their guests feel safe and secure in the hotel. Stringent check-in rules and mandatory security checks make certain that only authorised people get access inside hotels. Besides this, there are strong security systems in place to ensure that guests feel valued and comfortable.

Finding affordable hotels in Hyderabad is a cakewalk, if I may say so. There are plenty of options to pick from and booking online too is easy, what with hotel receptions and help desks that are functional 24 hours. So if now Hyderabad trip is on your mind, you know that there are hotels galore to ensure that you have a delightful stay in the city.

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Premium Cab Services in Bangalore for Smooth Journeys

April 30, 2015, 5:21 am
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If you are planning to travel to Bangalore and are uncertain about how to get around the city, fret not for there are a number of premium cab services in Bangalore to ensure that your travel around the city is smooth and hassle free. The cab services do not just take care of the travel needs with the city but also offer services for most of the popular tourist destinations in the country. These cab services offer great value for money while giving quality service.

Many of the cab services in Bangalore have been operating for decades now and have earned quite a reputation for being the best in the business. With the cab services here, safety and comfort of customers is always a priority and with their customer friendly attitude, they make travelling with them a very happy and satisfying experience.


Book online - Most of the cab services in the city offer the option to book a cab online. And of course if you do not have internet access, you can always book through phone.

No advance payment - Many cab services in Bangalore do not ask for advance payment and give travellers the choice to pay at the end of the trip. So in case there is a last minute cancellation, you don't have to face the hassle of applying for a refund of your payment.

Wide range of car options - Car rentals in the city boast of a wide range of car in their fleet - from fancy and luxurious sedans to big 7-seaters and Travellers for big groups, there's a lot of option to pick from. Besides this you can also choose between AC and non AC cars depending on the weather. So far as AC cab service in Bangalore is concerned, there are a number of car rental services that offer great rates and excellent service to customers. 

So if a a Bangalore trip is on your mind and the mode of transport for travelling in and around Bangalore is giving you headaches, then rest assured that big taxi services in Bangalore will take care of all your intercity and outstation travel needs.
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Valour, Vanity and Shy Smiles

May 1, 2015, 11:11 am
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Spotted this father-son duo at the Rural Olympic Games that were held early this year at Kila Raipur village, in Ludhiana district of Punjab. Everything about this pair was awe-inspiring - their body language, their dress and the elaborate paraphernalia, their stance and their strong faces. At first glance, they came across has overwhelmingly aggressive, so I was a bit hesitant to ask them to pose for me. But surprisingly, when I eventually gathered enough courage to request them for a photo, they not just agreed but also enjoyed being photographed. And I love it how their strong aura exudes in this photo too. 


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#BoltDrives to Neemrana Fort Palace - A Drive to Remember!

May 21, 2015, 9:08 pm
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'Get ready to vroom away for a day of fun with the BOLT from Tata Motors' read the email from BlogAdda, inviting selected bloggers to the Delhi edition of #BoltDrives - a fun initiative from Tata Motors to acquaint bloggers with their new launch - the Tata Bolt. The destination for the drive was Neemrana Fort-Palace, a beautiful heritage resort around 130 kms from Delhi. The idea of a long drive with fellow bloggers, and that too in a swanky new car sounded like much fun, and there I was eagerly awaiting D(rive)-Day, excited about the drive and curious about the car!

The Drive-Day was a Sunday and all the invited bloggers assembled in the Godfather Lounge of Galaxy Hotel in Gurgaon, visibly excited for the event ahead. While Team BlogAdda warmly welcomed us, Team Tata Bolt got down to work, introducing us to the new car and acquainting us with its many innovative features.

Mr. Indrajeet Sethi from Tata Motors introducing the Tata Bolt 

While the bloggers got introduced to Tata's glamorous new offering in the hatchback segment, Team BlogAdda complete the task of putting the teams together, three bloggers in each car, accompanied by a Tata Bolt representative, our companion for the drive, in case we needed any help or guidance during the two-and-half hours drive to Neemrana.

All set to GET.SET.BOLT

So post feasting on a sumptuous spread of vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare, the bloggers were all ready and looking forward to taking the new Bolt out for a spin. And the cars were ready too - a line of Venetian Red Bolts ready to zoom off down the highway. While the statutory instructions concerning speed limits were passed on, Mr. Jaideep Khanduja , a senior member from my team took to the driver seat, and the other team member, Judy Morris, who made a pretty picture in pink, posed for a few photos with the red Bolt. And soon, we were all all set to BOLT to Neemrana.

Team Bolt Diesel 1 ready for#BoltDrives

Neemrana Fort-Palace, built around 1460s is one of India's oldest heritage resort hotels.  Located in Alwar district of Rajasthan, this beautiful resort is around 130 kms from Delhi, a distance covered in roughly two and a half hours if you drive down keeping highway speed limits in mind. As we took to the road in the scorching afternoon sun, it was comforting to see that our Bolt had been stocked with all the things we would need during the drive - plenty of water and juices, snacks to munch on and the ConnectNext Touchscreen Infotainment System by Harman preloaded with a huge collection of songs, and guess what, the toll tax money too! 

The flag off for the #BoltDrive was soon followed up by a stop over to test the Bolt's suspension system - and the Bolt of course passed with flying colours. The car was firm on the bumps and despite the artificial rough patch, kept us all cushioned inside.

The car is 'stocked' for the drive ahead

Suspension test done with, the Bolts were back on the highway, and there was only more stop before we reached Neemrana. This time we puuled over at the Aravalli Resort for a quick refreshments and change of cars. While all this while were driving the diesel model, it was now time to test drive the petrol version fitted with India's first Revotron* 1.2 litre turbocharged MPFi petrol engine.

*Revotron - The name Revotron is an amalgamation of Revolution and the French word 'tronel', meaning 'balance'. It conveys the essence of this engine brand that uses key technological advances to revolutionize and balance great driving manoeuvrability, without compromising on power or fuel efficiency.
The Revotron 1.2T has been designed based on extensive feedback from car owners and expert drivers from across the globe; observing their driving habits followed by extensive testing in gruelling climatic conditions in India as well as in other countries like the UK and Korea.

Refuelled and refreshed, the #BoltDrives cavalcade was back on the road - a powerful car, comfortable drive, cool music, and mysterious yet chatty Captain Bolt guiding and keeping a tab on all of us - it was fun all the way! And soon we were at our destination, being welcomes by the staff of the iconic Neemarana Fort-Palace.


Neemrana Fort-Palace is a photographer's delight. Every nook and corner of this attractive heritage property is packed with artefacts from the era gone by. From little trinkets to big heirlooms, every single thing has been taken care of with delicate care. While the antiques inside the palace attract heritage lovers, the view of the Neemrana town and the Aravalli rage from the fort-palace is no less fascinating.



After a guided tour of the fort-palace it was time to head to the Jalgiri Mahal, the palace's in-house restaurant overlooking the pool area,  for the high tea - which had again was an exotic spread of spicy vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare. While we sat there sipping cup after cup of masala tea, it was good time to mingle with other bloggers and get to know them better. A lot of fun narrative of the #Boldrives followed along with a frenzy of photo sessions.


By the time the high-tea was done, it was 7 in the evening and time for #BoltDrives teams to head back to Gurgaon. To wrap the event up, Team Tata Motors and Team BlogAdda took the centre-stage thanking the bloggers for their time. But guess what! Besides the ' Thank You' note, they also had a HUGE surprise up their sleeves - the name of the winner of the GET.SET.BOLT campaign that had earlier been organised by Tata Bolt in association with BlogAdda. And I could not believe my ears when the winner's name turned out to be mine! I had to get up and ask them again, to be doubly sure that I had heard the name right! :D

Yes! I was the winner of a swanky new Tata Bolt! How exciting was that! Check out my expression here!


Now this was a more than perfect wrap up of the fun day spent with brand new Bolts and awesome fellow bloggers. And here I must say a warm thank you to the very cheerful and efficient members of Team BlogAdda, who not just had fun with us but also ensured that our experience with #BoltDrives went glitch-free. Every detail of the drive was planned and executed with great detail, making it a drive to remember forever!

 Team BlogAdda

And now before I wrap this post up, here's a video where RCB giants Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers talk about the innovative features of glamorous and powerful Tata Bolt! For more details about this car, you can check Tata Bolt's website.

 

 A day well spent at #BoltDrives with Bolt from Tata Motors in association with BlogAdda. 
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Explore and Experience Delhi with Delhipedia

May 25, 2015, 5:13 am
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Till about a few weeks ago, every Friday, I excitedly looked forward to getting my hands on a particular supplement of a particular newspaper. This weekly supplement lists major events scheduled during the coming weekend, and sometimes even lists timings of events scheduled during the week. While this paper helped me plan my weekend in advance, it also helped me prioritise my options from the many choices of leisure activities available. However, many a times it so happened that the newspaper would go to some neighbour's house on invitation, to never make a comeback and later I would be left checking different sources to get access to sundry details - play timings, food festival schedule, exhibition location, etc., etc., but not any-more, for now with the launch of Delhipedia mobile app, accessing and exploring Delhi's many hues is no longer a cumbersome pursuit.


During a recent gathering of travel bloggers  at Delhi's popular Kunzum Travel Cafe, Mr. Arjun Pandey, the man behind the idea of Delhipedia spoke at length about the relevance of an application as exhaustive as Delhipedia. He was of the view that with digitization and technology playing a huge role in our day-to-lives, an application that could be a one-stop-shop for all Delhi related information was the need of the hour, for it will play a huge role in bringing Delhi closer to its people. And here we are not just talking about Delhi that everyone knows of, but also it's lesser known marvels.


Delhipedia, as many of you would already know, is a youtube channel and a digital magazine that brings alive the true essence of Delhi and its magnificent culture. An encyclopaedia on Delhi in every sense, Delhipedia already has a massive presence on various social media platforms and now with the launch of the its mobile app, it has provided a one stop solution for all looking at exploring the city beyond the glitzy and renowned  landmarks. With help of this app, one can not just visualize the best of Delhi one video at a time, but also it has would be a great tool for people who are always on the lookout for new things to explore and experience in the city.

To know more about Delhipedia and it's mobile app, and you can also connect with them on various social media platforms like facebook, twitter, instagram and of course YouTube.
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Fatehgarh Sahib - Celebrating Valour and Sacrifice (Part 1)

June 10, 2015, 3:18 pm
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Since the last couple of months, I have been travelling a fair bit but hardly get the time to put up the travel stories here on the blog. Every time I am back from a trip, I promise myself to update the blog right away, but then again new travel plans come up and there I go, back on the roads, marvelling at newer sights, and absorbing intriguing stories off the streets. But today I am back here, and like always, I am promising myself yet again to be more regular with the travel updates, and I hope this time the promise sounds a bit more convincing. Let's see how it goes from here, but for now here are some stories from my recent travels.

Fatehgarh Sahib - Celebrating Valour and Sacrifice

Last week I got the opportunity to travel to Sirhind (pronounced Sarhind), a historically significant small town in the Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab. This ancient town, also known as Fatehgarh Sahib, lies on National Highway 1, between Ambala and Ludhiana, and is a treasure trove of monuments and gurudwara complexes commemorating events from Sikh history.  The most visited among them all is the Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib, a striking gurudwara that commemorates the martyrdom of the two young sons of Shri Guru Gobind Singh ji, the tenth Sikh guru. His sons, Baba Zorawar Singh ji (aged 9 years) and Baba Fateh Singh ji (aged 7 years) were bricked-up alive here in the year 1704, on the orders of Nawab Wazir Khan, the then Governor of Sirhind.

The historical Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib

Besides the site where the young boys were bricked-up, the Fatehgarh Sahib gurudwara complex also has several other important shrines linked to the young sahibzadas (sons) of Guru Gobind Singh and their grandmother, Mata Gujri.

Diwan Todar Mal Gate, Sirhind

Of the many incidents related to the martyrdom of the two sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the one featuring Diwan Todar Mall is the stuff for goosebumps. Legend goes that Diwan Todar Mal was a wealthy merchant of Sirhind, also an ardent devotee of Guru Gobind Singh, who performed the cremation of the bodies of the martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh, and their grandmother Mata Gujari. This incident occurred after the sons had been bricked alive by the authorities for not renouncing their faith and the death of their grandmother out of shock on hearing the news of the execution of her innocent grandchildren.

It is said that on the orders of the Mughal authorities, landowners around the area refused to provide any land to perform the last rites for the martyred souls. After many requests, one man agreed to sell his land to the Diwan, but there were some testing terms and conditions attached - on the administrator's order it was stipulated that the Diwan Todar Mal can only buy as much land as he could cover with gold coins, and the gold coins would have to be placed vertically on the ground. According to some Sikh research websites, it is estimated that around 7800 gold coins were required to raise the buy the required land. 

Diwan Todar Mal Gate in Sirhind

Plaque commemorating Diwan Todar Mal's legendary contribution 

After securing the release of the three bodies and performing the last rites, Diwan Todar Mal put the holy ashes in a urn and buried it on the purchased piece of land now known as Gurudwara Jyoti Swaroop. This Gurudwara too is situated in the town of Fatehgarh Sahib and the road connecting the two gurudwaras (Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurudwara Jyoti Swaroop) is called Diwan Todar Mal Marg, with a commemorative Diwan Todar Mal Gate marking the pious merchant's significance in Sikh history.

While Gurudwara Jyoti Swaroop marks the site where the ashes of the martyred sahibzadas were buried, Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib holds in its bosom the holy room where the sahibzadas were bricked alive. To stand there and take in the aura of the place, imagining the innocent, young children being bricked alive and getting punished for following their faith, is an experience in itself.  Us mere mortals can never thank the brave-hearts enough for the sacrifices they have made.

The holy room where the sahibzadas were bricked alive

Will share more details about the Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib in the next post. Hope you enjoyed reading this one. Please do leave your feedback in the comments section below. Thanks and happy travelling.

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Fatehgarh Sahib - Celebrating Valour and Sacrifice (Part 2)

June 12, 2015, 6:08 am
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In my last post I had written about the goosebumps inducing legendary story of Diwan Todar Malof Sirhind who had defied Mughal diktat and had arranged for the cremation of the young martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh. This incident occurred after the two sahibzadas (sons) of Guru Gobind Singh had been executed by the Mughal authorities for not renouncing their faith and the death of their grandmother out of shock at hearing the news of the execution of the youngsters.

The holy room where the sahibzadas were bricked alive

The exact date of martyrdom 

The grand Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib holds in its bosom the holy room were the young saahibzadas were bricked alive.  The exact place were the martyrs were bricked is marked by an intricately carved palanquin. Besides this holy room, there is enough space all around the basement for devotees to sit and and read from the religious scriptures.

Holy palanquin kept inside the room


The next post in this series would be about the Thanda Burj, the historical cold tower where Guru Gobind Singh's mother Mata Gujri and his two sons were held captive in bone chilling winters. This episode makes for a fascinating story. Hope you enjoyed this post, please do share your feedback.
Happy travelling!
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The Lady Tourist Guide at Orchha

June 23, 2015, 12:02 am
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As I stand gazing at the vivid murals inside one of the rooms at Orchha's grand Raj Mahal, the silence inside is broken by the high-pitched voice of a woman rattling off Orchha's history to a group of foreign tourists. Within seconds, the group, made up of elderly men and women is inside the room, listening to the woman with rapt attention. Dressed in blue denim trousers, a matching shirt and a red dupatta around her neck, the woman has her well-oiled hair tied up in bun, with red sindoor neatly dotting the centre of the forehead. There's a red bindi in place too, along with other trappings that Indian women use to proclaim their marital status. A pair of dark sunglasses is smartly tucked in the shirt placket, completing the look.

Premlata Ray, the only lady guide in Orchha
In not-so-smooth English, the woman dedicatedly goes on about Orchha and the palace's history for another 10 minutes, all this while oblivious to my wide eyed stare catching all her gestures. Once she's done with her monologue, she gives the group a 10 minutes break to take photos and to let them get a feel of the place by themselves. As the group moves away, she takes to one corner of the room, a pre-occupied look settling on her face.

'Aap guide ho?', I ask her from across the room, by way of starting a conversation, despite the fact that it looked obvious that she was a guide.

'Ji,' she nods, straightening up, and pulling smartly  at her long shirt. A small smile lights up her face.

'Aur bhi lady guides hain yahaan?' I cross over to her side, an amused happy smile breaking on my lips - amused, for despite her language limitations, and the relative backwardness of the area, this woman was spunky enough to give this profession a shot, and happy because this was the first time I had come across a female guide, in this part of the country.


'Nahi ji, kareeb 35 guides hain, aur main akeli lady guide hoon,' she says and puts out her identity card for me to see, her eyes filling up with pride that a stranger was curious about her profession. The laminated card, which she wears around her neck, has all the relevant details a tourist would be interested in before hiring a guide. I read her name - Premlata Ray.

Kab se ho guide aap?,'  I am more interested in her now, the murals and the other highlights of the palace can wait. The motley group of tourists tailing her has already spread across the room with everyone busy inspecting the murals and clicking photos. She's enjoying the chit-chat, and answers with enthusiasm, 'Abhi pichle saal se hi shuru kia hai, ek saal ho gyaa ab.'

'Aapko kaise laga ki yahi kaam karna hai, guide ban-na hai?' This has turned into an interview of sorts now, but this happens with me all the time. Random people and strangers on the road interest me a lot, they pique my curiosity and I can start a conversation with anyone anywhere. The trick is to be warm and not too intruding. And yes, above all - genuinely curious.

'Mere pati bhi guide hain. Unko aur doosre guides ko dekh ke laga ki main bhi ye kar sakti hoon. To bas shuru kar dia kuch kitaabein padh ke,' she answers, adding how she had to first clear a written test to be able to apply for registration.

'Kaisa lagta hai guide ban kar?', I ask her, wondering if she's really happy with her decision, if enough  work comes her way, whether her male colleagues help her in the field, and what kind of challenges she faces being the only woman guide in the area.

'Acha hai. Bahut kuch naya bhi seekhte hain. Par gaanv mein log baatein karte hain - shirt pant pehanti hai, aadmiyon ko shahar ghumati hai. Par hamein koi farak nahi padta. Itni mehangai hai, kamaana bhi to hai, kuch kaam to karna padega,' she sounds self-assured and determined, indifferent to the character certificates her gaanv wallahs seem to be issuing in her name. Her husband and kids obviously are supportive of her and that reflects in her stance.

'Didi, aap likogi yahaan ke baare mein? Aap likhoge to aur log ghoomne aayenge yahaan...,' she says, taking her visiting card out of her bag and offering it to me.

'Haan...bilkul...aur agli baar aapko guide rakhenge...,' I smile and wave her goodbye as she signals her group to assemble.

Premlata may not be the best guide out there in Orchha, but now as I sit and reflect on our conversation I only wish more and more tourists give her a chance to prove herself, give her happy 'guiding' experiences so that she improvises and betters her craft. The idea that in some obscure corner of our country, a woman is trying to make a difference, is trying to tackle all odds to follow her passion, is inspiring and reassuring and I don't want her efforts and enthusiasm to fade away. It so fills us all with hope that a positive change is taking place. Slow, yes but definite indeed. 

Hope her tribe grows. Hope in the coming times there are more Premlatas guiding curious tourists in our country.

That's me with Premlata, outside the imposing Jehangir Mahal

Hope you enjoyed this post, and if you did, then please do share Premlata's story so more people come to know about her. Look forward to your comments and observations!
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Experiencing OYO Rooms in Goa

June 27, 2015, 1:31 pm
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As a frequent traveller most of my hotel stays are either at posh starred properties or at nondescript inns/guest-houses on the highways. While the luxuries at fancy hotels are more or less the same everywhere, when it comes to guest houses or budget hotels, one never knows what to expect. There might be a leaking tap in the bathroom, or the linen would be coarse, or there would be some issue with internet connectivity, or the AC would only work intermittently. While these town/city hotels charge according to their whims and fancies (mostly) the service they offer is almost never in sync with the money they charge. 

Unpredictable is the word to describe these random hotels and the services they offer. So when I got an opportunity to stay at a property of OYO Rooms - a 'budget hotel network' that promises value-for-money stay with emphasis on efficiency and standardized amenities, I was not just curious, but also looked forward to the experience. This opportunity came by way of a campaign organised in association with Indiblogger, where four winners won an all-expense paid trip to Goa, along with stay at the OYO Rooms property in Candolim.


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About OYO Rooms

OYO (On Your Own) Rooms is a large network of budget hotels that promise a standardized hotel room experience across all its properties - by standardized it means same amenities across all its rooms. Founded in 2013, OYO Rooms is a fast growing brand with currently over 350 properties in 28 cities across the country.

The amenities at OYO Rooms include comfortable bed with quality linen, TV, air-conditioning, hot and cold water in bathrooms, Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast. With room starting at Rs. 999 a night, OYO offers a budget hotel stay experience that is standard across all its properties. 


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All the four Indiblogger-OYO campaign winners (fellow bloggers - Sujata Tawade, Manjulika Pramod, Sammya Brata Malik, and I) were booked into OYO Premium Candolim. Needless to say, the idea of staying at a 'budget' hotel that promised me all the basic facilities I would need, comforting. Cosy, air conditioned room, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary breakfast - all this in Goa, and that too just 5 minutes away from the beach! And to top it all, the pocket friendly rate of just Rs. 999 per night! Of course I was going to be a sponsored guest, but the idea that one could comfortably stay in Goa for just Rs. 999 a day added to my happiness!

OYO Premium Candolim 

OYO Premium Candolim, on Fort Aguada Road is a lovely property, located in a serene locality that is just 5 minutes away from the beach. We reached the hotel in the afternoon and post a refreshing welcome drink of Pina coladas and a quick lunch of a variety of fried rices, headed to our respective rooms! While the first look of OYO Premium Candolim gave the impression of it being a calm, comfortable and standardized hotel, one look at my room had that first impression reaffirmed! 

The room was not just large and naturally ventilated but also had the basic necessities a guest would want to use - air-conditioning, TV, a mini fridge stocked with water and beer, a big cupboard with hangers and comfortable wooden chairs. The entire décor of the room was in sync with the design and look of the hotel. While I appreciated the comfortable feel of the room, what really surprised me was the toiletry kit kept in the wash-room - it had all the bathroom essentials - a mini tube of toothpaste, a shampoo pouch, tiny bottles of body wash and moisturiser, and a small soap bar. It is common to find these things in plush hotels, but for a hotel claiming to give you decent budget stay without pinching your pocket, little add-ons such as these really go a long way in building rapport with the guests.

My room at OYO Premium Candolim
Neat wash-room with complimentary toiletry kit

Just as I was done appreciating the thoughtful additions to the 'budget' tag, I walked across the room to check out what was beyond the two beautiful glass doors, and lo and behold, this lovely sight welcomed me - a beautiful balcony decked up with cosy cane furniture overlooking a little swimming pool - a sight that soothed not just my eyes but also my frayed travel weary mind. It was relaxing to sit here and watch the monsoon clouds slowly roll over and engulf the Goa sky.

Balcony with a view

The remaining day and the day after was spent not just exploring the popular architectural delights of Goa, but also exploring the hotel property. When we were around the hotel area, we made it a point to eat at the hotel's in house restaurant - Ruffles. Given the influx of tourists, the restaurant always seemed buzzing with people. Also if anyone's driving to Fort Aguada, which is just a few kilometres from this hotel, then stopping at Ruffles for a quick snacks perfect makes for a great break - another reason for the full house.

The breakfast at OYO properties comes complimentary with the stay, so for the two days we were at OYO Premium Candolim, our breakfast destination was a quiet corner of Ruffles, where we all sat eating breakfast together and planning about the day ahead. While the complimentary breakfast menu was limited, there were enough options on the table to ensure that the guests go out with a full tummy.

 Ruffles - in house restaurant
Healthy mix of food on the menu

Most most of our time in Goa was either spent sightseeing or hanging out at the beaches, but once back at the hotel, we made it a point to make generous use of the beautiful swimming pools!  There are two pools on the property and the day we arrived at the hotel, one look at the pools made it apparent that they were the most sought after part of the property.

Both the pools at OYO Premium Candolim are well maintained, with the pool staff keeping a watchful eye on people frolicking inside. We really had awesome time here at the pool, and the hotel staff was accommodating enough to allow us to use the pool even past the official hours.

Beautiful mid-size pool
View of the property from the poolside

The best way to explore Goa is to rent a bike and go cruising down its beautiful lanes and by-lanes - yes, hiring taxis in Goa is expensive and renting a bike is not just economical but also you get to explore this beach paradise at your own pace. OYO Premium Candolim had a decent collection of bikes to pick from, and though a dazzling pink Vespa really caught our fancy, we had little time in hand to actually take it out for a ride!

However we did make the best use of time in hand and not just explored Goa but also hung around at the popular beaches. Back at the hotel, we felt safe enough to take strolls around the property and take in the ambience of Goan night life - with music from the bands filling the streets giving it a festive air.

Rent these and go exploring!
Beauty! 

In all we had a comfortable stay at OYO Premium Candolim, and needless to say, our first sampling of the OYO fare was a pleasant one. While this stay was a sponsored one, I can safely say that I look forward to trying out the OYO experience in other cities too. I am sure being a frequent traveller, I am going to land up at one of the many OYO properties soon.


View of my room from the poolside

To know more about OYO Rooms, you can check their website.
Also the brand is on Facebook and Twitter too, and is quite prompt in addressing the queries posted by followers.  So if you are looking at staying a hotel that gives you standard service without pinching your pocket, you know you have OYO Rooms to rely on. Happy travels!

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A Lodgycal Weekend in Goa!

July 5, 2015, 11:52 am
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June, my birthday month, turned out to be incredibly beautiful this year. While many of my friends and family members were complaining of scorching Delhi heat, I got the opportunity to travel to monsoon blessed Goa, that too twice in the month, within a span of two weeks. Awesome, isn't it? Just as I was back from my first trip, after having spent my birthday in Goa, I found another invite waiting for me in my email inbox. This was from BlogAdda, a leading bloggers network, inviting me to be a part of the Renault #LiveLodgycal Drive in Goa! The invite hinted about a weekend of monsoon drives, surprise fun activities and yes, lots of prizes too! Now who would say no to an invite as alluring as this! Of course I had to go!

After half a day of connecting flights and fear of incessant rains in Mumbai playing spoilsport with the travel schedule, I landed in rain-drenched Goa, looking forward to Renault's #LiveLodgycal Drive experience. The bloggers invited for the Drive had earlier been divided into 10 teams of 4 members each, and had also been intimated about some fun tasks to be completed on the way, and one of the tasks was to get a photo clicked with the Welcome placard. Many of the fellow bloggers who had already landed were busy having fun getting photos and selfies clicked with the placard and it was a good ice breaker! Soon there was his big happy group of bloggers outside the airport, busy chatting, making new friends and going click-click with the cameras.

Beautiful welcome!
An hour long ride from the Dabolim airport and we landed at the The Leela Beach Resort, a gorgeous 5-star beach resort set amidst a stunning landscape of meandering mini-river. The property is creatively done up, a stunning fusion of ethnic and modern architecture, and the vibes were beautiful - delightful surroundings, gentle monsoon breeze, and the vivaciously welcoming Blogadda team.

Exquisite Leela Resort
Rooms facing the mini river
Post a warm welcome and registrations at the Renault reception, it was time for high tea, where many virtual bloggers friends finally got to meet and greet each other. The sense of camaraderie was relaxing and soon enough everyone was chatting as if they had known each other for ever. It was exciting to meet the very talented and cheerful Aditi Mathur Kumar here, who was not just my team-mate but also my room-mate at the hotel.

Tea done, it was time to head to our respective rooms for some rest, before gathering back for a formal presentation by the Renault Lodgy team. Once at the room, it was exciting to discover personalised items in the welcome kit, and the most endearing among them all was the note from BlogAdda about how they value bloggers and are consistently striving to be the best connect between bloggers and brands.

Personalised kit from Renault and BlogAdda.com 

A little rest, a quick shower and lots of chatter later, Aditi and I were back at the resort's banquet hall, for the formal presentation by Renault Lodgy team. It was an interesting session where Renault's representatives introduced the audience to Lodgy's features and also explained about this MUV's many USPs. Besides this presentation, there was also a small panel discussion on blogging, where a few bloggers volunteered to share their thoughts on blogging and related topics.

The fun part of the evening was meeting the other two members of our team - Prateek Thakker and Nirav Thakker, real brothers and one of the most fun and chilled-out siblings I have ever met. And by God, are they filmy! These two will leave any film enthusiast behind with their treasure trove of film trivia! All of us bonded like old buddies and in no time, we had a name for our team - Lodgycally Crazy!

Representative from Team Renault
Team Lodgycally Crazy gets together!

The evening was also about lot of networking and photo-ops, with bloggers reaching out to each other to know about the kind of blogging niche the other specialised in and learning and taking inspiration from each other. Some fun activities too followed and then it was time for group photos, post which everyone headed straight for dinner, where a sumptuous buffet spread awaited us all.

Three cheers for #LiveLodgycal Drive

The conversations continued late after dinner and post a little stroll around the property it was time to hit the bed so as to be up early the next day. Needless to say, every one of us was excited about the day and looked forward to having a great time driving the new Renault Lodgy.

Monsoon Magic and Renault Lodgy 

The D(rive) Day started early, with the bloggers and Team BlogAdda Blogadda all geared up for the magical ride ahead. Of course, with the rains taking over the day and giving the green surroundings a mystical aura, it gave a hint of magic! But before setting off to experience the magic, a huge round of photo-ops followed, with everyone taking turns to pose with interesting BlogAdda props.

Propped!
Finally, the wait was over, and all the invitees had the first introduction to this latest Renault giant - The Lodgy, standing strong against the stunning backdrop of bright boats standing in a cove. With rains playing hide and seek, drive instructions did not take much time, a quick group photo session later, the teams hopped inside their Lodgy's for the flag off. The magic was on!

The star of the event - Renault Lodgy
One for posterity!
And off we go!

We were headed to the striking The Lalit Golf & Spa Resort, in Canacona, a good two hours' drive from the Leela Resorts. And to say that this drive was fun would be a gross understatement - it was super crazy goofy fun! While Nirav took to the wheels, we all got busy taking photos for team competitions! We kept taking breaks to not just capture Goa's ethereal monsoon charm, but also to pose for quirky group photos. Sample some gems below.
The name's crazy, Lodgycally Crazy!
Craziness continues!

Now that I reflect about the day, it seems it just went by in a whirlwind of crazy, quirky fun moments. The drive back from Canacona was a repeat of the entertaining ride we had in the first trip. By the time we were back at the Leela Resorts, we barely had enough time for a quick shower before gathering back at the banquet hall for the party that was set up for us!

Goa's popular band 'The ForeFront' had been invite to perform for us, so music, dance and masti reigned supreme. While the lead singer of the band was regaling the crowd with her foot thumping numbers, a fellow blogger Neha Kapoor volunteered to sing and single-handedly upped the entertainment quotient on the dance floor! Everyone was up from their seats grooving to her sensuous rendition of popular songs.

Friends, old and new
Upping the entertainment quotient

The day ended on a high note with new experiences cherished and new friendships forged. We were all to head back to our respective cities early the next day to it made sense to pack up in time and have some leisure time in hand the next morning so we could see more of the gorgeous property and also hang around the beach for a while. And the decision was every bit worth it, for following breakfast, we had ample time in hand to go for a leisurely stroll on the beach.

From the beach

The Lodgycal weekend in Goa was a perfect getaway from the mundane inanities of city life. To experience Goa during monsoons and to get to drive a brand new car across it's rain drenched countryside was an ah-mazing experience, indeed! Thank you so much for the opportunity, Team BlogAdda and Team Renault. 

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Renault Lodgy Drive Experience and Review

July 6, 2015, 1:14 pm
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A couple of weeks ago, I got a wonderful opportunity to drive Renault's newly launched MPV - the Renault Lodgy, in Goa. Renault, in association with leading bloggers platform, Blogadda.com, had invited 40 top bloggers from across the country to attend a three-day #LiveLodgycal Drive in Goa.
During the event, the bloggers got the opportunity to get behind wheels of this newest Renault giant on the road and also got to interact with the product and marketing team of the brand.

The Renault Lodgy - Take Your World With You

The Renault Lodgy, the latest product from the Renault stable comes in a choice of two seating options - 7 seater and 8 seater. Utilitarian in design, it is available only with diesel engine options, with 7 model variants to choose from. The starting price tag of this vehicle is Rs. 8.19 lakhs which goes up to 11.79 lakhs for the top model.
Sturdy and Spacious Design

With the tagline of 'Take Your World With You', Renault Lodgy succinctly tells the world what its USP is. It's massive in size and has quite a looming presence on the road. While many Indians might find the low-on-chrome look not very attractive, its simple and sturdy design is winning admirers too. 

Inside of the Lodgy is every bit as spacious as it appears from the outside. All the three rows have ample leg room and there is standard AC vents in all three, so the passengers don't feel stuffy during a long ride. The seats are not just chic and elegant to look at but are very sturdy and comfortable. 
Talking of spacious interiors, during the #LiveLodgycal Drivie, the bloggers experimented with different seating combinations - rolling back the third row - and indeed there was space enough to not just pack a huge picnic hamper, but also pack two people alongside.

Smart Dashboard

Renault Lodgy's two-tone, chrome-finished dashboard attractive to look at. Neat and sorted, the dashboard has all the buttons and controls smartly compartmentalised. While the cruise control switches are featured on the steering wheel, the audio and phone controls are located behind the wheel. Talking of audio, during the drive the entertainment quotient kept high, thanks to the state-of-the-art MediaNAV Multimedia System, that could be easily operated from it's 7" screen display screen.
Here's a small video of the musical fun while on the #LiveLodgycal Drive.


Another feature of the high-tech MediaNAV Multimedia System that was a winner for me was the rear parking aid that makes parking at difficult, congested places, a child's play.
Performance and Safety

With powerful, class defining engines and superior fuel efficiency, the Lodgy gives good performance and a comfortable drive experience. The Lodgy's 85PS engine model offers a mileage of 21kmpl while the 110PS engine model offers around 19kmpl.

The Lodgy is fitted with the regular safety features including dual air-bags, door ajar warning, driver's seatbelt reminder, impact sensing automatic door unlock and rear defogger. The rear parking sensors and side impact protect beams are another features that ensure safety on the road.
The Renault Lodgy is a contemporary car, with upmarket looks and great features. Of course it's biggest USP is space. The luggage capacity of the vehicle is impressive with huge storage areas. So if you are looking for a BIG car for the family, then this one is a Lodgycal option for you.

I was a part of the of the #LiveLodgycal Drive by Blogadda.com, in association with Renault India.

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Rediscovering Old Passion with Micromax Canvas Tab P666

December 31, 2014, 5:02 am
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It’s the last day of the year today and as I sit back and reminiscence about the year gone by, I cannot help but marvel at the fact that how busy I had been all through this year. Travelling, working, shifting homes, and then some more travelling, I was constantly occupied with something or the other. As a travel enthusiast who is always ready to pack bags and set out for a new journey, this year was pretty satisfying. From fancy FAM trips to physically trying long road trips, I experienced it all. While the thought of all the stunning places I explored and the amazing people I met gives me a sense of happiness and contentment, there’s just one nagging thought that keeps creeping in – the thought of many a tasks either left undone or abandoned before it could cross the completion line.

What tasks, you must be wondering. Well, despite my claims of being a travel blogger, many of travel stories and experiences are yet to see the light of the day on my travel blog. And this thought not just gives me many a restless moments but also embarrasses me no end. What kind of travel blogger I am, if I cannot be punctual and thorough in keeping my blog updated with stories and photos from all my travels. How is the world to know that I explored the Khajuraho temples? How are my blog readers to know about my experience of climbing up the Batu Caves in Malaysia? Of course I plead guilty to procrastinating blog posts, but then I also have an excuse to put forth in my favour - my bulky laptop that is quite heavy to tag along on trips and my substandard so-called smartphone - for it's not smart enough to take good quality travel photos, nor is it quick enough to help me upload the photos on my blog and other social media platforms! I cannot sigh enough at my loss of enthusiasm and lack of passion for regaling friends and family with travel trivia and anecdotes.

The Khajuraho story waiting to be told

And while I crib about my sub-standard phone and the bulky laptop, a friend has just introduced me to an interesting gadget that in all likelihood can take good care of my blogging and social media woes. It's the Micromax Canvas Tab P666 - a sleek tablet that can also be used to make voice calls. A quick look at it's slim and symmetrical design and I was hooked and curious about its specifications! And this demo video helped with all that I wanted to know about this fancy tablet!


So here's my new year resolution now - getting more social media savvy and posting regular travel updates on my blog! And the sleek Micromax Canvas Tab P666 is going to help me with achieve my goal and rediscover my passion for blogging and sharing travel photos with the world! So now if you see more of my updates and content share on the various social media platforms, and of a regular flow of travel stories, you will know where it is all coming from! :)


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